Peerless Martial Expert in the City
Chapter 676 - 672: The Moths Are Coming

Chapter 676: Chapter 672: The Moths Are Coming

(Today’s third update is here, thanks to addonghwj and belowe for their reward support, much appreciated!)

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Chapter 672: The Moths Arrive

Zhao Yuhua gazed at Xiao Yi, who seemed to have reverted to his usual demure and slightly listless self amidst the crowd, his expression tinged with awkward embarrassment. In her beautiful eyes, a contemplative look grew more intense.

While Lafite was limited in supply, there was no shortage of other fine wines. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying the various wines and the assortment of Chinese and Western cuisine. Small groups of guests chatted and laughed together. Although everyone was deeply shocked by Xiao Yi’s earlier performance and recognized him as a skilled master, longing to get to know him and occasionally casting friendly glances his way, no one dared to approach him to say hello.

After all, anyone who wasn’t an idiot could see that Li Zhengyi and Xiao Yi were not just on bad terms— they were on very bad terms.

Before fully understanding Xiao Yi’s background, no one wanted to stand against Li Zhengyi and oppose him.

Far from minding the situation, Xiao Yi found it rather relaxing, allowing him to enjoy the exquisite food and various wines even more leisurely.

It had to be said that Li Zhengyi’s wine party was quite impressive. It was evident that he had put a lot of effort into it, and the cost was probably high. The ambience alone was noteworthy, not to mention the expensive drinks provided. Without considerable capital, one couldn’t throw such a lavish party—especially when considering that none of the guests were drinking anything ordinary.

Beyond the drinks, the array of Chinese and Western desserts, pastries, and snacks were all very professionally and deliciously prepared. It was clear that the chefs hired were among the very best, not just chosen haphazardly.

Xiao Yi wasn’t particularly interested in the various wines, sipping only a little here and there, but he thoroughly enjoyed the variety of little snacks, almost eating wherever he went, as if a hungry ghost reincarnated. Oddly enough, he also paused from time to time to express his appreciation, showing a look of enjoyment that left others speechless. If it weren’t for his impressive display earlier, which made everyone aware that this wasn’t an ordinary young man, they might have been tempted to mock him as an uncultured country bumpkin who’d never seen the world.

Xiao Yi wasn’t concerned with, or even aware of, the strange looks from the others. While enjoying the delicious snacks and sipping on fine wine, his gaze occasionally drifted to where Li Zhengyi had disappeared, a playful and pensive expression in his eyes.

What sort of trick was Li Zhengyi planning to pull next?

Instinctively, Xiao Yi felt that Li Zhengyi was definitely up to something—after his prior attempt was thwarted and he had taken a hit to his pride, Li Zhengyi wasn’t one to simply give up.

Although he had momentarily shown off and released an overbearing aura, his cultivation level certainly couldn’t reach the scenario depicted in novels where one forces others to bow in submission—at least, Li Zhengyi definitely wouldn’t bow.

The resentful glare Li Zhengyi had thrown his way before leaving was proof enough.

Lost in thought, Xiao Yi suddenly realized that Zhao Yuhua’s gaze was fixed on his face. She wasn’t eating or holding a drink, prompting him to touch his nose and say with an uncomfortable and embarrassed expression, "Why do you keep staring at me? Is there something wrong with my face?"

"No," Zhao Yuhua simply responded, without averting her gaze.

"Then why are you staring at me?" Xiao Yi asked uneasily.

"It’s nothing," Zhao Yuhua finally slowly withdrew her gaze, her face returning to its usual indifferent expression.

Nothing indeed!

If it’s nothing, then why were you staring at me for so long?

Xiao Yi was quite dissatisfied with Zhao Yuhua’s response, but having previously experienced her ability to speak in a way that could leave one dead without any obligation, he decided it was wiser to keep his dissatisfaction buried inside.

At the same time, there was a slight unease in his heart. He knew that with Zhao Yuhua’s terrifying insight, she probably had noticed something during his earlier act of drinking, or perhaps it triggered some associations.

But after contemplation, some of his affairs, given Zhao Yuhua’s status, were likely already known to her. The events in G City couldn’t possibly be hidden from the Zhao Family. And the other matters, which even Chen Jianguo and his peers were unaware of, she likely knew nothing about. This thought somewhat eased his mind.

"Why aren’t you drinking? This is a wine party, after all. These wines are not easy to come by normally. Although you probably have easy access to them, the opportunity is rare. If there’s free booze, it’s a waste not to drink."

Noticing that Zhao Yuhua’s hands were empty, Xiao Yi suddenly remembered that she had only drunk a sip of Lafite that he had offered earlier, and since then, she had not touched her glass. He couldn’t help but speak up and urge her.

"I don’t like it," Zhao Yuhua replied.

Zhao Yuhua’s response was still so decisive, so simple, yet so precisely to the point and powerful.

Dislike—is there any reason more sufficient, any answer more powerful than that?

Xiao Yi wanted to say something more, but a clamor of footsteps interrupted what he was about to say.

Turning his head, Xiao Yi saw Li Zhengyi approaching with a wine glass in hand, a smile on his face, followed closely by that expressionless man, like a shadow.

"Young Master Xiao, I’m really sorry about earlier, I felt a bit unwell and had to leave for a moment. I’m very grateful that you honored us with your presence at my party, and also for that superb performance you just gave. To you, I raise this glass!"

Li Zhengyi’s smile was very sincere. If it wasn’t for his behavior just seen and knowing the love triangle between him, Zhao Yuhua, and Xiao Yi—aware that Li Zhengyi couldn’t possibly be truly grateful to Xiao Yi—everyone present might actually believe Li Zhengyi was sincerely thanking and welcoming him.

As he spoke, Li Zhengyi raised his own glass.

Here comes the moth to the flame!

Xiao Yi glanced briefly at several guests not far behind Li Zhengyi, whose eyes held a strong animosity, and at the hidden sneer at the corner of Li Zhengyi’s mouth. Xiao Yi immediately understood, Li Zhengyi was starting his second move.

Hmph, you want to play with me?

Then I’ll indulge you in a good game and see who outplays whom!

Xiao Yi’s eyes narrowed, and his smile on his face grew even brighter as he raised his glass courteously and humbly, "Young Master Li is too kind. Performing my modest talents before you is like playing the lute to a cow. You must find it amusing."

Although Xiao Yi’s words were in praise of Li Zhengyi, to Li Zhengyi, they sounded mocking no matter how he heard them, grating on his ears, and he couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of his mouth.

The easy smile he had managed to conjure on his face froze there. He wanted to say something but ultimately couldn’t, thankfully reacting quickly by lifting his wine glass, concealing the ugliness of his expression.

However, in the moment of raising his glass, the resentment in his eyes flashed unchecked.

"Miss Zhao, why aren’t you eating anything? Is there nothing here to your taste?"

After setting down his glass, Li Zhengyi regained his smile and approached Zhao Yuhua, showing a look of concern.

"Not hungry."

Zhao Yuhua frowned slightly and replied coolly.

The tone was even colder than when she had answered Xiao Yi earlier.

"Er..."

Li Zhengyi had prepared a bellyful of words, contemplated various follow-up conversations, but at that moment, it felt as if someone had stuffed a rag down his throat, silencing all the well-crafted words he had planned to say.

Because Zhao Yuhua’s response was nothing like he had anticipated. Even if she had expressed dislike, or even disgust, he had responses ready, but he had never considered that she would come back with the classic yet powerful words ’not hungry’.

"Well, even if you’re not hungry, you can still try them. These pastries are quite exceptional; the chefs here were specially called from all over the country, all top-world-class."

It took a while for Li Zhengyi to collect himself before he spoke again to Zhao Yuhua. As he spoke, a hint of pride showed between his brows, thinking that in G City, perhaps only he could pull off bringing these chefs to prepare pastries, as he had the clout to do so.

After he finished, he fully expected Zhao Yuhua to show some curiosity or even disbelief and disdain.

"Oh."

Unfortunately, he had underestimated Zhao Yuhua, or rather, overestimated her response. Zhao Yuhua seemed to not have heard the words ’top-world-class’ at all and merely responded indifferently as if she’d heard something as simple as one plus one equals two.

Moreover, when she spoke, her gaze did not even fall on him but was directed towards Xiao Yi, her eyebrows gradually knitting together.

At Xiao Yi’s side, perhaps because they saw Li Zhengyi leading the toast, the atmosphere picked up momentum, and the guests who had hesitated to greet Xiao Yi now took enthusiastic action. One by one, they approached him with glasses in hand, uttering words of admiration and then raising their glasses to him.

Watching the changes beside Xiao Yi, a look of disgust appeared on Zhao Yuhua’s face. She shifted her feet, ready to walk over, but as she lifted her foot, her eyes caught Xiao Yi’s smiling face. Her steps halted again, and her face returned to its calm expression. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)