The originally bustling dart - throwing game attracted even more people after this incident. Mu Fengqie recognized Lou Xingzhou at a glance. He had helped her more than once at the tea party.
"What are you talking nonsense about? I think you, you little rascal, are here to disrupt the game!" the boss gritted his teeth and said fiercely.
As soon as the boss finished speaking, half a dozen burly men walked out in unison. Each of them was holding a weapon. They looked ready to pounce on Lou Xingzhou and teach him a lesson.
However, Lou Xingzhou showed no sign of timidity. He still looked calm as ever. "There's something wrong with your equipment. God knows how many ordinary people you've cheated. It seems I have no choice but to report you to the authorities."
Hearing this, the boss's face twisted in rage. His vicious eyes seemed to want to tear Lou Xingzhou apart. "Guys, someone's here to disrupt the game. Teach this insolent little brat a good lesson!"
Those burly men got the order. They stared at Lou Xingzhou with fierce looks in their eyes while advancing with their weapons in hand. Just as it seemed a fight was about to break out, a clear female voice rang out.
"Stop it all! Businessmen should be honest. You've been cheating people out of their money, and now you're bullying an honest man. If I hand you over to the government, you'll get what you deserve!"
Shen Yiru snorted. She couldn't swallow this humiliation. She had an impression of Lou Xingzhou and knew he was a gentle and refined man. So she couldn't just stand by and watch an honest man being bullied.
Shen Yiru's sudden appearance really surprised Lou Xingzhou. He turned to look at her and couldn't help but admire this girl's courage.
The boss didn't take Shen Yiru's words to heart. He had been doing business here for so long and had never been exposed before. Now that his little tricks had been revealed in public, how could he continue his business in the future?
So instead of paying attention to Shen Yiru, the boss became even more aggressive. "It turns out this little brat has an accomplice. Don't let any of them go. No one leaves here today!"
Shen Yiru thought that a simple threat would scare off a businessman like this, but she didn't expect the boss to be so stubborn. Although she wasn't afraid, she was worried about Lou Xingzhou.
He looked gentle and refined, but he gave the impression of a frail scholar. If he were to fight these burly men, he would probably be at a disadvantage.
Unexpectedly, Lou Xingzhou spun and leaped into the air with a gentle movement. The fan in his hand hit the heads of several big men. Although the movement looked so light, those burly men actually fell to the ground, and some of them couldn't even get up.
Seeing this, Shen Yiru's eyes widened in shock, and her mouth opened so wide that it looked as round as an egg. She never thought that a man who looked so weak could have such powerful martial arts skills. She felt her heart start to pound uncontrollably.
In just a few moments, Lou Xingzhou had taken care of those men. He slowly clapped his hands and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. "Thank you, miss, for speaking up for me."
"Ah?" Shen Yiru seemed not to expect Lou Xingzhou to thank her. Her face turned red at a visible speed. "It's just a small thing. May I ask how to address you, sir?"
"My surname is Lou, and my name is Xingzhou. I'm from the imperial city."
"So you're Mr. Lou. My name is Shen Yiru. I wonder if I have the honor to be friends with you, Mr. Lou?" As soon as Shen Yiru finished speaking, she quickly lowered her head.
Lou Xingzhou smiled slightly. He thought this woman was interesting. "Of course."
Mu Fengqie slowly walked into the crowd. She had wanted to thank Lou Xingzhou in person for what happened last time, but she was in a hurry and didn't get the chance. This time, she finally met him and should really thank him.
Lou Xingzhou was also a bit surprised to see Mu Fengqie. "So Miss Mu is here too."
Mu Fengqie nodded at Lou Xingzhou. "Thank you, sir, for speaking up for me at the tea party last time. If I have the chance in the future, I will surely repay you."
Shen Yiru didn't expect Lou Xingzhou to still remember Mu Fengqie. Seeing them chatting and laughing, she felt a twinge of jealousy in her heart. She didn't even know why she felt this way.
"It was just a small favor. Miss, you don't need to take it to heart. You look a lot like an old friend of mine. But my friend was a man, and he's no longer with us..."
Seeing the sadness on Lou Xingzhou's face, Mu Fengqie was more certain of her guess. But for the sake of the overall situation, she still chose to keep it a secret. However, she had already remembered Lou Xingzhou in her heart.
Mu Fengqie said with a smile, "Although old friends are dear, sir, you should also look forward. If you keep looking back and standing still, you may miss the people in front of you."
Hearing this, Lou Xingzhou was slightly stunned. He always felt that the woman in front of him seemed to know something. The way she looked at him was a bit strange, as if it carried some sympathy?
Seeing Lou Xingzhou standing there silently, Mu Fengqie pulled Shen Yiru and gave a slight bow. "If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave."
Shen Yiru was a bit reluctant to leave. "Mr. Lou, see you later~"
She stared at the spot where Lou Xingzhou was standing longingly. She kept looking back even after walking a long way. Mu Fengqie shook her head helplessly.
"He's already out of sight. Stop looking! You're a young lady. Why can't you be a bit more reserved?" Mu Fengqie rolled her eyes.
Only then did Shen Yiru come back to her senses. Her cheeks were still a bit red. "I didn't... Stop teasing me."
"Didn't you? I don't know who it was just now. Your eyes were almost glued to him, and you looked so infatuated. Where's the dignity of a well - bred young lady?"
Mu Fengqie mercilessly teased Shen Yiru. After getting along with her, Mu Fengqie found that she was a straightforward person. And every time she teased her, Shen Yiru's face would turn as red as a monkey's bottom. So Mu Fengqie often took pleasure in teasing her.
Shen Yiru lowered her head shyly. After a while, she raised her head again. "Mr. Lou still remembers your name. Do you think he might like you?"
As soon as Shen Yiru finished speaking, Mu Fengqie understood what she meant. She waved her hands repeatedly. "I really don't know what's in your head. I'm already a married woman. How could Mr. Lou like a married woman? Moreover, there's a little one in my belly. What man would be stupid enough to be a step - father?"
She had only met Lou Xingzhou twice. He was a son of a noble family and a general's son. How could he possibly like a nobody like her?