By the time they returned to the bar, it was already past ten.

Their conversation along the way had given Lin Xiao a preliminary understanding of Qin Shaojun. It turned out he and Su Qingning had been childhood playmates, all the way up until junior high. Su Qingning, with her stellar academic achievements, was admitted to the best high school in Jinling City, whereas Qin Shaojun ended up in a high school that couldn't have been more ordinary. Combined with the increasingly heavy workload of high school, the two saw each other less and less.

One afternoon near the end of their freshman year, Qin Shaojun suddenly got in touch with Su Qingning, asking to meet. She happily accepted. When they met, Qin Shaojun told her very seriously that he was dropping out of school. Su Qingning asked him why. With a smile, he explained that a major sect had taken an interest in him and he was going to become a Martial Artist.

At the time, Su Qingning had offered him many words of congratulations. After all, she was already aware that Martial Artists existed in this world, and that a top-tier Martial Artist's worth couldn't be measured in monetary terms. From that day on, Qin Shaojun completely faded from Su Qingning's life.

It wasn't until half an hour ago that the two had met again, after seven long years. As Su Qingning recounted all this, she couldn't help but sigh at how quickly time flew.

They waited at the entrance of the bar for about ten minutes before Qin Shaojun pulled up. He had already dropped Mother Su off at home. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Su Qingning said, "Let's go, drinks are on me!"

"Alright," Qin Shaojun replied with a smile.

After seven years apart, Qin Shaojun had so much he wanted to tell Su Qingning, which was why he had suggested coming to her bar for a drink. As they spoke, he started to follow her into the bar, but she stopped after only a few steps.

"Qingning, what's wrong?" Qin Shaojun asked gently.

Su Qingning didn't reply. Instead, she turned around. "Honey, what are you standing there for?"

That was right—Lin Xiao hadn't followed them. From Su Qingning's description on the way back, Qin Shaojun was one of the few friends she had. Lin Xiao figured that since they hadn't seen each other in seven years, they must have a lot to talk about. That was why he hadn't gone in. Besides, he trusted Su Qingning completely.

Lin Xiao smiled. "I figured you two have countless things to talk about after all these years. I thought I'd sit this one out."

Lin Xiao wasn't the type to be a third wheel.

Su Qingning, however, shot him a coquettish, disapproving glare. "But you're my husband. You can't expect me to drink by myself!"

"If you want to, I don't mind," Lin Xiao said with a laugh. Of course, he didn't mind. He didn't mind Su Qingning doing anything she liked, because she was a woman who knew her limits. Even if she did drink, Lin Xiao was confident she would never overdo it, much less give another man an opening. Besides, the person she was with today was her childhood playmate.

"You're so annoying! Come with me!" Su Qingning's tone was both bossy and firm.

A sinister glint flickered in Qin Shaojun's eyes, but he concealed it well.

Lin Xiao chuckled and said, "Alright, then!"

The three of them entered the bar and Su Qingning got them a private room. After they took their seats, she said, "You two wait here for a bit, I'll go get the drinks!"

"Honey, I'll go instead!"

"No need."

With that, Su Qingning turned and left the room.

Qin Shaojun crossed his legs, his gaze settling on Lin Xiao. After sizing him up for a moment, he suddenly said, "You're quite lucky."

"What do you mean by that?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

"To have married a girl like Qingning," Qin Shaojun explained. He said it with a blank expression, his tone as bland as plain water.

It dawned on Lin Xiao. "If you put it that way, then my luck is indeed pretty good."

Qin Shaojun nodded. "Actually, you really shouldn't have come in here today."

"Why not?"

"Because I wanted to have a proper chat with Qingning." Qin Shaojun's voice was somewhat cold and carried a hint of resentment, as if Lin Xiao had stolen his one true love.

Lin Xiao chuckled. "My presence doesn't seem to be stopping you from chatting, does it?"

"It doesn't, but it means I can't say what's truly on my mind."

"So what? You want me to leave?" Lin Xiao asked with a faint smile.

"That's not out of the question."

"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. I already promised my wife, so there's no way I'm leaving halfway through."

Qin Shaojun's gaze fell on Lin Xiao once again. His stare had somehow turned exceptionally cold, like the edge of a blade. Just as Lin Xiao was about to speak, Qin Shaojun asked coldly, "So, the young man standing at the bar entrance was Pei Donglai, right?"

Lin Xiao was surprised that this man knew of Pei Donglai. "That's right, he is. How did you know?"

"What's so surprising about that? Before I came back, your file, and even a complete file on Qingning's bar, was already on my desk," Qin Shaojun said with a trace of pride.

Lin Xiao shrugged. "So, what are you planning to do with all that information?"

"Nothing much. As the ancients said: 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.'"

Lin Xiao smiled. "To be honest, you're confusing me. Don't tell me you're actually here to steal my wife?"

Qin Shaojun uncrossed his legs and sat up straight, his sharp eyes fixed on Lin Xiao. "Since you've put it that way, I won't deny it. The truth is, I love Qingning. I've loved her since I was eleven, when I first had a crush. For twelve whole years, I always thought I would be the one to marry her, to give her all my love and a lifetime of happiness. But I never expected you to get there first. Lin Xiao, you stole my love, and you stole my happiness. Frankly, I despise you. I worked so hard for so many years and still didn't win her over. What right does a beggar like you have?"

By the end of his speech, Qin Shaojun had grown agitated.

Lin Xiao chuckled. "Maybe it's like you said, I'm just lucky. Annoying, isn't it?"

Qin Shaojun stared at Lin Xiao for a moment, his eyes filled with resentment and murderous intent. After a few seconds, he suddenly smiled as well. He was already a handsome man, so his smile was naturally charming.

"It's a pity," Qin Shaojun said, still smiling. "Your luck ran out the moment you married Qingning. Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Qin Shaojun, from the Azure Dragon Institute of Shura Hall. I've returned this time for two main reasons."

The Azure Dragon Institute was where Shura Hall trained its true masters, a veritable cradle of talent. Only the most gifted youths were selected to join, and its number one expert was none other than Guo Dingtian.

"Oh? I'm quite interested to hear what these two reasons are," Lin Xiao said with a grin.

"First, to take Qingning back. And second, to send you to meet the King of Hell!"

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