Chapter 157: Ding Rou’s Plan

Shen Tu was in a hurry to scrape together some energy coins, so he didn’t bother hanging around with Dou Xing, that guy he couldn’t stand, and instead eagerly made his way over to a few of the brothers guarding the arena.

He grinned and got straight to the point, “Hey guys, how’s your cash flow lately? Can you lend me some energy coins? I want to buy that big chunk of green jelly stone from Miss Yun. Once I get it, I’ll share some with you all.”

Normally, if Brother Tu asked, they’d agree without hesitation.

But now, these guards had all witnessed firsthand how risky it was to “open” a green jelly stone—just like gambling on raw jade. So they hurried over to persuade him, “Tu, you really want to buy such a big piece of green jelly stone? Once you buy it, you can’t exchange it. Why not get a few smaller ones instead? That way, your chances of getting a sweet flavor are higher.”

“Yeah, Tu, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket. That’s just asking for trouble. The odds of getting a sweet flavor from these green jelly stones are as low as my chances of finding a wife in this lifetime—pitifully low. You’re better off buying several small ones.”

The big guys all chimed in, talking over each other, recounting the recent misfortunes of those who got stinky egg or salty fish flavors. They described it so vividly that Shen Tu could practically feel the pain and sorrow of opening a stinky egg-flavored stone, and he started to waver.

But then he caught sight of Dou Xing’s face nearby, wearing that “Didn’t I warn you?” mocking expression, and Shen Tu’s competitive streak flared up. He was determined to prove Dou Xing wrong.

Who did Dou Xing think he was looking down on? Shen Tu was lucky—he was sure he’d get a sweet flavor.

So he pulled himself together and declared boldly, “Don’t try to talk me out of it. I’ve already made a deal with Miss Yun, and I can’t back out now. Besides, my luck is great. The first piece I opened was apple-flavored—even the boss said it was good. I’m sure this second piece will be sweet too.”

The big guys, a bit awed, still worried but muttered, “That’s true. The two guys who got sweet flavors earlier both got sweet ones again the second time. Our Tu is lucky—he’ll definitely get a sweet one this time too.”

Shen Tu boasted, “Of course! I’m not like a certain someone who gets bitten by bugs at night and runs into berserk beasts when out hunting.”

He glanced meaningfully at Dou Xing, grinning with mockery.

Dou Xing’s face darkened and he ground his teeth. Getting bitten by mosquitoes was normal, wasn’t it? Did this guy really think having thick skin that mosquitoes couldn’t bite through was something to be proud of? And that berserk beast incident only happened once—yet Shen Tu kept bringing it up like reheated leftovers. It was long past its expiration date!

Dou Xing snorted and shut his mouth, watching Shen Tu borrow energy coins to throw away. He didn’t believe for a second that such a big chunk of green jelly stone would yield a sweet flavor. Those hundred thousand energy coins were as good as gone.

Feeling triumphant, Shen Tu lifted his chin and cheerfully said to the biggest guy who’d lent him the most coins, “Finding a wife should be easy for you. There are plenty of women here. Once the selection contest is over, if they don’t become the boss’s wife, they’d be a good match for you.”

The brothers around them laughed and joined in, “Yeah, Li San, these girls were all picked for their looks—there’s not an ugly one in the bunch. Finding a wife should be easy for you. We’ll help you choose when the time comes.”

The girls being discussed huddled together in fear, not daring to make a sound.

Ding Rou was the same, especially after being locked in a room full of bugs as punishment last night. She was so terrified her soul nearly left her body, her scalp tingling, on the verge of collapse. If her father hadn’t been with her, she wouldn’t have made it through.

Now she was more determined than ever not to be chosen as the boss’s wife—she had to escape.

Ding Rou, with dark circles under her eyes and a haggard face, hid behind the other women, gritting her teeth as she watched Yun Qimu’s departing figure from afar, regret flickering in her resentful gaze.

If she’d known that woman was so close to Shen Tu from Red Lotus Fort and had so many good things on her, she wouldn’t have offended her last night. Maybe if she’d acted pitiful and begged a little, Yun Qimu would have spoken up for her, maybe even helped her escape Red Lotus Fort’s control with an apple. But now… that woman definitely wouldn’t help her.

Under the burning stares of the men, Ding Rou shrank back even more.

She didn’t want to marry the boss of Red Lotus Fort, and she certainly didn’t want to marry one of these penniless, powerless idiots. With her looks, how could she settle for these nobodies?

The only ones worthy of her were the leaders of the three major factions in Chaos City. But she definitely didn’t want Red Lotus Fort’s Yi Beimeng, that pervert obsessed with bugs. The one she fancied most was Longteng’s Zhong Teng.

She’d already asked around: Zhong Teng was tall and handsome, had no women by his side, and was an SS-rank lightning superpower user. Only a man like that was good enough for Ding Rou.

But Zhong Teng had taken his people out of the city a few days ago, and who knew when he’d be back? Distant water couldn’t put out a nearby fire.

So Ding Rou gritted her teeth and set her sights on Lin Qiu, the boss of Bloodthirst.

He was the oldest of the three, but also the richest. Rumor had it that Bloodthirst members drank intermediate nutrient solution every day, and Lin Qiu would casually hand out high-grade and top-grade nutrient solutions. When it came to wealth, he clearly had the most.

Bloodthirst, under his leadership, was also the strongest and largest of the three factions. If he could win the hunting contest in seven days, he’d become the city lord, standing above Longteng and Red Lotus Fort.

Just imagine how glorious it would be to be Lin Qiu’s woman, the city lord’s wife.

By then, whether it was Yun Qimu or anyone from Red Lotus Fort, she’d make them all pay. Hahaha…

Caught up in her excitement, Ding Rou’s lips curled into a strange smile as she secretly plotted how to attract Lin Qiu.

“What’s with that woman? Why’s she smiling like a ghost?” Shen Tu’s booming voice sounded with disgust, and he said earnestly to his buddy, “When you’re looking for a wife, don’t pick someone like her. Sure, she’s the prettiest of the bunch, but look at her expression—she’s clearly scheming. Who knows, maybe one day she’ll hook up with a Ximen Qing and get you killed like Wu Dalang.”

Li San nodded, taking the advice to heart. “You’re right, Tu. I should find someone honest, someone who’ll live a steady life. But… who are Ximen Qing and Wu Dalang?”

“Oh, they’re characters from a storybook the boss got from the locals the other day.”

“Really? That’s great—another new storybook! When’s the boss going to read it to us?”

“Probably tonight, after we’ve had a good meal.”

“Hahaha…”"