126: Jealousy controversy

Shen Guyan couldn't help but study this young girl named Zheng Yiran. She was dressed in a moon-white long dress that fluttered with the wind. Her features were exquisite beyond compare, with an innate air of haughtiness between her brows. Her long, jet-black hair was draped casually over her shoulders, its slightly curled tips adding a touch of charm.

"Tianya, what are you looking at?" Zhou Hanyou noticed Shen Guyan's gaze, and a trace of discomfort couldn't help but well up in her heart.

"Hehehe... So it's Miss Zheng. I have heard much about you." Shen Guyan dropped his previous posture and immediately walked up to Zheng Yiran, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Zheng Yiran frowned slightly, likewise sizing up the youth before her. "State your name. I'd like to see which great Family you come from. I can't just act like I didn't hear the insults you directed at me earlier."

Her voice was clear and pleasant, yet it carried a hint of haughty aloofness that kept people at a distance.

"Gongzi Yu." Shen Guyan directly gave the name he used for the competition. "I have long heard that the Young Lord of the Zheng Family possesses peerless talent. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation."

Zheng Yiran gave a light snort. Before this, she had never heard of a great Family with the surname Gong or the surname Gongzi, and the other party's choice of words was also very traditional.

However, a trace of wariness still lingered in her eyes. "Since you know the name of my Zheng Family, you aren't exactly ignorant. I require an apology for the insulting words you said just now."

"An apology? Weren't you the one who provoked us first?" Standing to the side, Zhou Hanyou saw Shen Guyan being so uncharacteristically attentive to a strange girl while the other party remained so relentless. She couldn't help but feel angry and anxious, her delicate body even emitting waves of chilliness.

Shen Guyan, however, acted as if he hadn't heard Zhou Hanyou's words. He continued to smile and said to Zheng Yiran, "Miss Zheng, I greatly admire your Spirit talent. I wonder if I might become friends with you, so that we may spar and improve together in the future."

The corners of Zheng Yiran's mouth curled up slightly into a somewhat mocking smile. "Become friends? Do you think I would easily befriend a strange ant?"

As soon as these words were spoken, not only did Zhou Hanyou's expression change instantly, but so did Wang Dongqi's and Zhou Tianer's.

Even Shen Yue, who was secretly observing the surroundings, had her pretty face covered in frost.

Shen Guyan did not seem to shrink back because of Zheng Yiran's rejection. He maintained his smile. "Miss Zheng, I truly hope to befriend you. If you ever need any help in the future, just say the word..."

Seeing Shen Guyan still persistently pursuing Zheng Yiran, Zhou Hanyou's eyes couldn't help but redden. Zhou Tianer, who shared a soul connection with her, could even faintly hear her inner thoughts.

"Tianya... Why are you like this? You've clearly always..."

Being a girl herself, Zheng Yiran naturally caught the look in Zhou Hanyou's eyes. While she felt disdain for Shen Guyan's behavior, she couldn't stop a trace of sympathy for Zhou Hanyou from arising.

"A guy like you, ignoring such a beauty by your side while eating from the bowl and eyeing the pot—if this were on the tournament stage, I would definitely beat you until you were crawling on the ground looking for your teeth!" Zheng Yiran mocked.

Shen Guyan merely chuckled at her words and did not offer any rebuttal.

"It's not impossible if you want me to give you a chance, but you must first prove that you have the qualifications." Zheng Yiran seemed to have thought of an interesting idea, and she suddenly smiled playfully.

A look of joy immediately appeared on Shen Guyan's face. "I wonder how Miss Zheng would like me to prove it?"

After a moment of thought, a half-smile appeared on Zheng Yiran's pretty face. "I've heard that this Youth Genius Competition is filled with many experts. If you can achieve a higher rank than me in the competition, I will consider becoming friends with you."

Shen Guyan nodded without hesitation. "Alright, rest assured, Miss Zheng, I will definitely give it my all."

Seeing Shen Guyan agree without hesitation just to pursue Zheng Yiran, Zhou Hanyou's heart was filled with despair. Seemingly unable to control her emotions any longer, she turned and fled, covering her face.

"Sister!" Zhou Tianer naturally knew what was on Zhou Hanyou's mind and hurriedly followed her.

This time, even the boisterous Wang Dongqi understood a few things. After casting a less-than-friendly glance at Shen Guyan, she also immediately followed them.

Watching Zhou Hanyou's departing figure, Shen Guyan sighed inwardly. By now, how could he not see that several girls were secretly infatuated with him?

He hadn't been thrown into this World by the Lord of the Plane to fall in love... At least, before he finished what he needed to do, he simply didn't have much energy to devote to matters of the heart.

"Looking at you, it seems you rely on that face of yours to trick young girls' hearts, don't you? However, that won't work on me." Zheng Yiran sneered and likewise turned to leave.

Shen Guyan shrugged, seemingly not intimidated in the slightest by the disdainful looks of others.

"Brother, are you... interested in her?" Shen Yue walked over with graceful steps to Shen Guyan's side and asked with a sour expression.

"Sister, what are you thinking?" Shen Guyan blinked at Shen Yue with an innocent look.

Shen Yue only thought he was playing dumb. She turned away with a cold face. "What a wonderful girl that Hanyou is... Can you really bear to... fail to live up to her feelings?"

Hearing this, the corners of Shen Guyan's mouth twitched slightly. This sister of his, whose motives toward him were clearly not pure, was actually trying to talk him into treasuring Zhou Hanyou instead?

"No, Sis... With my looks and status, I won't exactly be lacking in girls' admiration when I walk down the street, right? Does that mean I have to live up to every single girl's feelings? What if I bring back a few like Ruhua or Jingang for the Family in the future?"

Hearing his words, Shen Yue couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust. She gave him a frustrated glare, snorted, and walked away.

This brat actually compared the girls who like him to Ruhua and Jingang? Is he making an insinuation about me? I'm ignoring him! Anyway, nothing will happen to him here!

Having seen off all the girls around him, Shen Guyan watched the competition for a while longer out of boredom before slowly walking toward the Shi Tang Grand Hotel.

A bunch of scrubs fighting each other—there really wasn't much to see... —

The moonlight fell like a silver veil over the Moat, and the river water shimmered as if countless tiny stars were dancing on its surface. Zhou Hanyou, alone, dragged her heavy and lonely steps as she slowly came to the edge of the Moat.

Her figure looked exceptionally frail under the moonlight. Her light purple long dress swayed gently in the night breeze, much like her currently chaotic heart. Ever since Shen Guyan had heartlessly pursued Zheng Yiran right in front of her, her heart felt as if it had been pierced by a sharp dagger and then crushed. Every time she recalled today's scene, the pain in her heart would surge like a tide, completely submerging her.