Chapter 10: Transactions Between Xiongchong
It had been over ten years since they last met. Seeing him again, Zoe’s only thought was that this child had been raised poorly.
Because of this connection, he and Jiang Xu also became gradually familiar.
However, once they became familiar, Zoe began to regret it; he was afraid Jiang Xu would be led astray by Bernd.
Case in point: that ridiculous bet from before was born this way.
Bernd turned his head away in dissatisfaction. “Tch.”
“What’s with that tone?” Zoe didn’t give him any face and gave his head a direct smack.
Kids just need some discipline.
“How are you going to carry out your bet?” Zoe asked Jiang Xu directly.
Jiang Xu leaned against the back of the sofa, tilting his head to look at the arena in the middle, remaining silent.
“……..” He was fine as a kid; why does he talk less and less as he grows up? Zoe was a bit puzzled.
In a daze, he recalled their first meeting as children. He was clearly a soft, milky kid who loved following him around calling him “Gege.”
“Stop acting all deep. Are you sure you want to go through with this bet?” Zoe’s tone became noticeably more serious.
Although Cichong had low status in Zerg society and such things were common, Jiang Xu had never done this kind of thing before. Perhaps it was related to the Jiang family’s upbringing.
Thinking of this, he felt another surge of irritation and punched Bernd again.
“What was that for?” Bernd’s face was clearly unhappy. How long had he been here, and he’d already been hit twice? Who in the Zerg race would dare do that?
“Because I don’t like the look of you.” Zoe gave him a sideways glance and turned to Jiang Xu, waiting for his answer.
The gaze was too sharp for Jiang Xu to ignore. He tilted his chin toward Bernd. “Ask him.”
Zoe looked at Bernd in confusion. What good words could he possibly have?
Bernd lazily lowered his eyes, picked up the fruit wine in front of him, and took a slow sip. After dragging out Zoe’s suspense, he finally said, “The bet is postponed.”
“……..” Zoe was silent. The result hadn’t changed after all.
He looked at Jiang Xu. “What were you thinking? To even dare to use this kind of thing as a bet.”
If he remembered correctly, this matter was decided by the higher-ups of the Jiang family.
Although he didn’t understand why he had to marry that Cichong, since it was a decision from above, they would never let Jiang Xu do such a thing.
Jiang Xu shrugged. Don’t ask—if you ask, even he doesn’t know.
Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the surrounding bugs. In the center of the arena, one Cichong was pinned firmly to the ground by another.
The fallen Cichong struggled a few times but had no strength left to turn the tables.
Amidst the cheers of the hall, a Xiongchong stood up not far from Jiang Xu and the others.
Hmm, cute.
That was Jiang Xu’s first impression. The other wasn’t tall, quite a bit shorter than the three at their table.
He had the feel of someone who hadn’t yet reached adulthood.
Just as Jiang Xu was wondering why he stood up, the other had already entered the arena.
He walked over to the side of the Cichong lying motionless on the ground and used the tip of his shoe to disdainfully kick the other’s head. “Julian, get up for me. Fast. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time when we get back tonight.”
The Cichong on the ground spat out several mouthfuls of blood, and the arena grew even more frenzied.
This was the first time Jiang Xu had seen an angel and a demon combined in one bug. What kind of society produced such bugs?
At this point, another Xiongchong also entered the arena. Without thinking, Jiang Xu knew he was the owner of the other Cichong.
“Lord Iso, the bug under your foot is mine tonight. You can’t take him back.” Xia’an curled his lips. “Don’t kick him too hard; I quite like that face.”
Jiang Xu’s brow was already furrowed. It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen bloody things before, but such vile behavior was rare.
Inevitably, he felt a sense of pity for these Cichong.
Jiang Xu stood up, no longer watching the dispute on stage, and walked out of the club.
He had originally come to investigate the matter of the bet, and now that there was nothing else, it was time to go back.
Zoe didn’t like such occasions either. This place was Bernd’s choice, and now that Jiang Xu was leaving, he naturally had to follow.
Once out of the club, Jiang Xu suddenly faced a dilemma: how was he going to get back?
“What are you doing here?” As soon as Zoe stepped out, he saw Jiang Xu standing at the door lost in thought. He looked around but didn’t see his flyer. “Is your Cijun coming to pick you up?”
“No.” Jiang Xu had wanted to have Fei pick him up, but unfortunately, when he checked his communicator earlier, he didn’t have the bug’s contact information.
He turned to look at Zoe, considering their relationship. “You take me.”
“Sure.” Zoe readily agreed.
Just as the two were boarding the flyer, Bernd followed them out.
“You two are leaving just like that?” Bernd looked at them dissatisfied. “The night is just beginning to get exciting. Why go back so early?”
“Play by yourself if you want to; no one’s stopping you.” Zoe closed the flyer’s hatch and left Bernd with nothing but a view of his taillights.
“Hypocrite.” Bernd rolled his eyes at the direction the two left in, then boarded his own flyer.
On the way back, Jiang Xu noticed Zoe wanted to say something to him several times, but ultimately didn’t speak.
All the way home, the cabin was silent.
No one broke the stillness.
Back in front of the familiar house, Jiang Xu stepped off the flyer and said to Zoe inside, “Thanks.”
As he turned to go inside, Zoe spoke: “In the future, spend less time alone with Bernd. If you have to hang out, remember to call me.”
Jiang Xu raised an eyebrow and looked at Zoe, trying to gauge the other’s motive. Ultimately, he could only conclude that the other seemed to truly care about him.
“Got it.” Jiang Xu turned, waved his hand, and walked away.
The original owner actually had a friend who was sincere toward him.
When Jiang Xu opened the door, Fei was already home.
“Xiongzhu.” Fei hurried forward, finding a pair of comfortable slippers for Jiang Xu and placing them before him.
Jiang Xu glanced at the nutrient solutions on the table. “Eating? Is there a portion for me?”
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