Chapter 52: Overplayed

"I feel like I'm dying... I need a kiss... cough, cough, I mean, I need mouth-to-mouth to be saved," Xiao Yang said weakly.

Zhou Yan's expression changed, her cheeks flushed for a moment, but quickly returned to normal. Suddenly, she released her grip, and Xiao Yang fell helplessly to the floor. The abrupt turn of events left him stunned, unable to react before he crashed directly onto the ground.

"Ouch!" The back of his head had an intimate encounter with the floor. He quickly reached up to cradle his head, preparing to scold the girl, but as he opened his eyes, he saw Zhou Yan storming upstairs, furious.

His heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding washed over him.

"This is bad," he thought. "I've gone too far." He immediately gave chase, but before he could reach her, a loud door slam echoed through the house.

Bang!

"It's over! She's angry," Xiao Yang muttered, annoyed with himself. He knew he'd pushed his luck, actually asking her for mouth-to-mouth—he was getting too bold!

Not daring to delay, he ran upstairs in quick strides. Standing before her door, he straightened his clothes and cleared his throat before calling out.

"Junior Sister, Senior Brother knows he was wrong. I'm here to apologize."

Zhou Yan ignored him.

"Junior Sister, please forgive me this once?"

Still, no response.

Just then, a nearby door opened. A small head poked out, eyes full of curiosity as they looked at Xiao Yang.

"What are you staring at? Never seen a couple argue?" Xiao Yang snapped, annoyed. That rascal hadn't helped during the fight earlier, and now he was watching the show. Truly asking for trouble!

After the reprimand, the cock quickly withdrew its head. Inside its room, four fighting cocks lay unconscious in a corner. During the earlier scuffle, the cock had managed to snatch the four fighting cocks back. Otherwise, under such pressure, those four brothers would surely have perished.

"Junior Sister, I was wrong! I promise never to tease you again," came Xiao Yang's continued pleas from outside.

The cock dared not meddle further, obediently lying on the bed, preparing to sleep. Xiao Yang's supplications lasted half an hour before he finally gave up.

"Junior Sister, rest well. Tomorrow I'll explain everything to you," he said, turning to leave.

The cock's eyes fluttered open, then slowly closed once more.

Suddenly, a loud crash reverberated.

The cock sprang awake, fierce eyes fixed on the doorway, only to see Xiao Yang approaching. Before the cock could react, it was grabbed by the neck and thrown out.

"This is my bed. Go stay somewhere else."

At the same time, a clucking sound rang out.

The cock's eyes flashed with shock, as if to say, "How can you be so shameless? I claimed this spot long ago." Of course, even if it could speak, it wouldn't dare utter such words.

The next morning, Xiao Yang rose early, intent on preparing breakfast for Zhou Yan as penance. He walked slowly downstairs, pondering what to cook.

"Steamed buns? She already had those. That's no good. I need to make something she's never tasted before."

But, during their previous time together, Xiao Yang had tried every trick to get Zhou Jingpeng to teach him real skills, cooking three different meals each day, always catering to their tastes. Now, he found himself at a loss for ideas.

He stepped out of the Fortune Building, determined to buy ingredients even if he wasn't sure what to cook.

But as soon as he walked out the door, he was startled.

"What the hell is this!"

Two burly men stood like statues on either side of the entrance.

"What are you two up to?" Xiao Yang asked, baffled upon realizing they were people.

Almost simultaneously, the two men declared, "The City Lord has ordered us to await your command."

"Uh..." Xiao Yang scanned their cultivation levels and found both were Martial Marquis experts. The City Lord was truly sparing no expense to curry favor. North Desert City had less than ten Martial Marquis experts in total, and Jin Buhuan had dispatched two as guards.

Impressive!

"All right, stay then," Xiao Yang nodded. Free bodyguards—why not?

"Yes, sir!"

With the situation clarified, Xiao Yang prepared to head to the market for groceries, planning to return and make breakfast for Zhou Yan.

After just a few steps, something felt off. The two burly men followed him step for step. A handsome young man in front, flanked by two hulking guards—he looked nothing short of a notorious playboy.

He coughed awkwardly. "Actually, you two should head back," Xiao Yang said, feeling the entourage was beyond his means. More importantly, he disliked being followed, especially by two rough men. The thought alone made his neck prickle.

"Sir, please don't make things difficult for us. We're just following orders," the men replied, troubled. Before leaving, Jin Buhuan had given strict orders: unless Xiao Yang died, they were to die before him if necessary.

Xiao Yang frowned, clearly uncomfortable with their shadowing, but ultimately relented.

"Fine, come along then. What are your names?"

Considering they might be together for a while, he thought to ask.

"I'm Hao Wenlong!"

"I'm Hao Huahu!"

Both men stood tall and proud, exuding a fierce aura.

Xiao Yang's gaze turned odd as he sized them up, wondering, "No tattoos, so why such names?" He nodded, accepting the answer.

He thought for a moment, then said, "Huahu, stay here and look after my junior sister. If anyone causes trouble, just act. I'll take responsibility for whatever happens."

He decisively left one behind to guard Zhou Yan.

"Understood!" This time, neither brother objected; Hao Huahu directly agreed.

"Got it, sir. I'll take good care of the young lady."

With that, he returned to stand at the Fortune Building's entrance.

Seeing Hao Huahu in position, Xiao Yang couldn't help but inwardly remark, "They must be career guards, used to standing watch."

With Huahu settled, Xiao Yang turned to Hao Wenlong. "Let's get going."

"Yes, sir."

The two departed. In a distant alley, a figure clad in black watched Xiao Yang leave, cautious and calculating.

"A fifty-thousand tael bounty, and he's just a youngster," the man's eyes glinted coldly. He melted into the shadows.

"Wenlong, let me ask you something," Xiao Yang suddenly said.

Hao Wenlong hurried to respond, respectful. "Please, sir."

"So... where's the market in North Desert City?"

He'd only just realized, intent on buying ingredients, that he had no idea where the market was.

"Huh?" Hao Wenlong was stunned, thinking he must have misheard.

"What did you just say, sir? I got a bit distracted."

Xiao Yang repeated patiently, "Where's the market in North Desert City?"

This time, Hao Wenlong was even more confused. As a Martial Marquis, he neither bought groceries nor cooked—how would he know where the market was?

"Sir, I don't know," he replied, looking embarrassed. Privately, he wondered why Xiao Yang would go to such a place. After all, only the lower classes frequented the market. For someone praised as a genius by the City Lord, what business could he possibly have there?