FID – Chapter 637

Chapter 637: Let’s Make a Deal, Brother

Liu Zhiqiu pulled Liu Muqiu along without looking back.

“She’s crazy. Just ignore her.”

Behind them, Kang Ziyu trembled with rage, her eyes burning red as she glared at their retreating figures.

Crazy? Liu Zhiqiu actually called her that?!

And Li Junyue! That ungrateful wretch! If it weren’t for her protection, would she have ever survived peacefully in the Li family? And now she dared to ignore her?!

Just because she had climbed up the social ladder, did she think she was above everyone else?!

Once they had walked a good distance away, Liu Muqiu lowered her voice. “I don’t know what she’ll try to pull next.”

Knowing Kang Ziyu’s personality, she wouldn’t accept rejection easily. Being treated coldly and humiliated like this—she would never let it slide.

“Then let her try. Whatever comes, we’ll deal with it.” Liu Zhiqiu said indifferently.

He had never taken her seriously.

Someone who never reflected on their mistakes and instead doubled down on them was only digging their own grave.

Entertain her nonsense? You’d have to be out of your mind.

At the front, Feng Qingbai and Liu Yusheng had already squeezed into the crowd, while Qian Wanjin rolled up his sleeves, getting ready to compete.

“That frame is really high. I wonder if it’s sturdy.” Liu Yusheng looked up at the towering structure. “Once the game starts, a lot of people will be climbing up at the same time. Qian Wanjin, be careful.”

“Don’t worry about it. If I fall, you guys just catch me,” Qian Wanjin waved dismissively, as if catching a full-grown man was no big deal.

As they moved further into the crowd, they noticed that many people kept glancing their way.

It wasn’t surprising—they stood out too much.

The men were tall, strikingly handsome, and carried an air of elegance and nobility. 

The women were charming, with graceful figures and captivating beauty.

Standing together, they became the most eye-catching sight on the entire street.

Beneath the towering structure, a raised platform had been set up for the officials of all levels hosting the event.

Noticing the unusual commotion in the crowd, Kang Shiming turned to look down. As soon as he spotted Feng Qingbai among the people—along with Liu Yusheng and the others—he was so startled that he immediately stood up, leading the officials beside him down from the platform.

As the county magistrate approached, the surrounding citizens, though confused by the sudden movement, instinctively stepped aside, clearing a path for him and his entourage to reach Feng Qingbai and his group.

Just as Kang Shiming was about to bow in greeting, he heard the refined man’s calm voice: “Lord Kang, we’re just here to enjoy the festivities, and I don’t wish to disturb the people’s excitement.”

Hearing the King refer to himself as I instead of his title, Kang Shiming immediately understood that he preferred to keep a low profile. Straightening up, he smiled. “I didn’t expect you to join the celebration, my lord. Would you like to participate in the competition?”

“We’re just here to watch and broaden our horizons.”

“This area is quite crowded. If you’d like, you can join us on the platform—it’ll give you a clearer view.”

Feng Qingbai was about to decline, but at that moment, he felt the slight impact of people jostling against him in the crowded space. The girl in his arms, without his support, would likely struggle to stay steady. 

“In that case, thank you, Lord Kang.”

Supporting Liu Yusheng, Feng Qingbai made his way to the platform, with Qian Wanjin, Liu Zhiqiu, and the others following behind—an unexpected privilege granted to them.

Kang Shiming led a group of officials in their wake, secretly wiping away a cold sweat.

Back when the King had come to Xiangshan, he had personally investigated the disaster with him, dressed in plain robes. The common folk had been unaware of his identity, and only a handful recognized him.

Now, seeing him suddenly appear in the middle of the crowded festival—jostled and pushed by people who had no idea who he was—had nearly given Kang Shiming a heart attack.

He was the King, after all. A man whose displeasure could cost lives with a single command.

Once they stepped out of the dense crowd and onto the high platform, their view immediately broadened.

As the gong rang out once more, the Lion Dance competition officially began!

Qian Wanjin sprang to his feet, swiftly tucking the hem of his robe into his belt. Rubbing his hands together eagerly, he charged toward the high frame. “I’m going in! You lot, better cheer me on from down here!”

Full of bravado, his enthusiasm made Liu Yusheng and the others facepalm.

Did he really think this was just a game?

Among the competitors were many seasoned veterans, experienced in this contest. When it came to snatching the prize ball, they wouldn’t be any less skilled than Qian Wanjin—who had only a bit of martial training under his belt.

“I have absolutely no confidence in him,” Liu Yusheng muttered under her breath.

“It’s about participation,” Feng Qingbai responded lightly.

Shi Xianrou added, “Relax, as long as our Xiao Jinzi is having fun, that’s all that matters.” She wasn’t interested in the prize either. As Feng Qingbai said, the experience itself was the point.

Look at him—scrambling up that frame like a monkey, having the time of his life.

Most of the participants were young men.

Snatching the prize ball and presenting it to their sweetheart—it was a matter of pride. And winning a full set of symbolic bridal jewelry? 

That was an enormous reward.

For the average family, even having a single silver hairpin as part of a bride’s dowry was already enviable, let alone an entire matching set.

If one were to buy it outright, it would cost at least a dozen taels of silver.

That was why this competition was seen as a golden opportunity to win the favor of a beloved.

Qian Wanjin was giving it his all. The only problem? He lacked both experience and stamina.

Halfway up, he was already gasping for breath. Initially, he had surged ahead, but now others were slowly overtaking him.

Panting, he decided to strike up a conversation with the competitor in front of him.

“Brother, can you slow down a little? It’s just one prize ball—no need to go all out, right?”

“Let’s make a deal, brother. Slow down, and let me have the ball—I’ll give you twenty taels!”

“Thirty taels?”

“Hey! Say something, will you? Thirty taels is my final offer! Don’t be too greedy—thirty taels can buy you two whole sets of wedding jewelry!”

“I say, do you not recognize me? Think I’m tricking you? I’m Qian Wanjin! Turn around, turn around—look at my face! It’s a brand! I own Wanjin Restaurant! Would I really make empty promises?”

The person who had been ignoring him finally glanced down at his face—then actually slowed down.

Qian Wanjin was overjoyed and immediately scrambled past. “Thanks, brother! I owe you one—come by my restaurant for your silver later!”

Then a voice floated up from below.

“Young Master Qian, does that mean if we let you take first place, we all get thirty taels? If so, we won’t compete. If not, well… then it’s every man for himself.”

Qian Wanjin stiffened mid-climb and looked down. 

Below his waistline, seven or eight burly men had suddenly surged up.

They had been much lower just a moment ago. That one sentence about silver had motivated them all!

Damn it!

Gritting his teeth, he memorized their faces and forced out every word. “I’ll… pay… up!”

Then, his climbing speed shot up by at least thirty percent.

If he didn’t grab that ball now, who knew how many more people would show up to claim his silver?

On the viewing platform, Shi Xianrou was laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

“Feng Qingbai, is Qian Wanjin causing trouble up there?” Liu Yusheng asked. She knew Xianrou had good hearing—she must have caught something funny from above.

Otherwise, why would she be laughing like that?

Feng Qingbai’s lips curled slightly, and his eyes glimmered with suppressed amusement. “His skills aren’t enough, so he’s using money to make up for it. He’s trying to buy first place.”