Chapter 225: Chapter 141: I Will Take Good Care of Your Fiancée.
"Victory to the Captain!"
"The Captain is mighty!"
"The Captain is invincible!"
The roars grew louder with each wave, and countless fervent gazes fixed on Chen Sheng, filled with fanatical adoration and pride.
Xu Shenzhi, unable to contain his excitement, shot a fierce glare at the devastated Lu Maozhi before turning to Wang Zilan with a look of smug anticipation.
He was eager to see if this famously proud legitimate daughter of the Wang Family could maintain her cold and lofty demeanor in front of his Captain.
However, Wang Zilan’s reaction was not what he expected.
Instead of showing any sign of dismay or embarrassment at Lu Maozhi’s crushing defeat, she imperceptibly let out a sigh of relief as the tension within her quietly eased.
As she looked at Chen Sheng, her initial shock was now tinged with a complex, unreadable glint in her eyes.
’Now that the bet is settled...’
’The next step is to figure out how to persuade Chen Sheng to ally with the Wang Family.’
’There’s less than half a year until the battle of Wushan Mountain. If I can convince Chen Sheng to side with the Ning’an Wang Clan when the time comes, perhaps this unfinalized marriage contract can be voided.’
’But the question was, how could she get Chen Sheng into her bed?’
At that moment, Wang Zilan was already plotting her next move. As for Lu Maozhi, she had no interest in paying him any mind.
"Miss Wang?"
Chen Sheng sheathed his saber and walked over at a leisurely pace, stopping a few steps away from Wang Zilan. His gaze sized her up.
’I have to admit,’ he thought, ’the pearl of the Ning’an Wang Clan is truly something else.’
Her oval face was smooth and radiant, her willow-leaf brows dark as ink. Her eyes were clear yet distant, her skin fairer than snow. The form-fitting dress she wore only served to accentuate her slender, graceful figure.
What was most striking was her innate, cold temperament, like a lone orchid on a snowy peak—something to be admired from a distance, but never touched.
The corner of Chen Sheng’s mouth curled into an almost imperceptible smile. He was suddenly curious what a cold, proud beauty like Wang Zilan would be like if she were to lower her head in submission.
’She’d probably be amazing at giving head, wouldn’t she?’
Wang Zilan pulled herself from her thoughts and met Chen Sheng’s gaze, a flawless, faint smile blooming on her face—a stark contrast to the indifference she had shown when they first met in Changshan County.
"The bet has been settled, and I, Zhilan, will naturally honor it. Rest assured, Captain Chen. A daughter of the Wang Family always keeps her word."
"Zhilan, you..."
Hearing her reply so decisively, Lu Maozhi, who stood to the side, felt a sharp pang in his heart, as if it had been pierced by a needle.
If Wang Zilan had shown even a hint of reluctance, even if it were just for show, he would have felt a little better.
’But for her to be so composed, even with a hint of pleasure... what does that mean?’
’Was she eager for me to lose?’
Wang Zilan turned to Lu Maozhi, her tone gentle yet carrying an unbreachable distance.
"Young Master Lu, before the fight, I truly did hope for your victory. Alas, fate had other plans, and Captain Chen proved to be the superior fighter. Since you have been defeated, the agreement must be honored.
The Ning’an Wang Clan values its promises and its honor. Our reputation cannot be tarnished."
Her words were airtight. She gave Lu Maozhi a way to save face, cleared herself of any suspicion that she was happy to see it happen, and invoked her clan’s reputation, leaving no room for criticism.
Lu Maozhi forced a smile onto his pale face that was uglier than a grimace. The bitterness in his heart intensified as he said instinctively,
"I’m sorry, Zhilan. It was me... My skills were lacking, and I was careless..."
"Victory and defeat are common for warriors. Young Master Lu, you need not dwell on it. If you train diligently, you may yet have a chance to redeem your honor one day."
Wang Zilan offered this comfort in a flat tone.
’Disgust is one thing, but pleasantries must be maintained.’
’Under the watchful eyes of so many, I am, after all, representing the dignity of the Ning’an Wang Clan. Besides, Lu Maozhi and I do have a pending engagement, so I can’t afford to be too harsh.’
’The clan’s interests and reputation are always the primary principles guiding my actions.’
’Otherwise, the clan would surely reprimand me.’
"I will."
Lu Maozhi clenched his fists tightly, as if trying to crush the humiliation he felt in that moment.
"Then by all means, Young Master Lu, go back and ’work hard to redeem yourself.’ I will be waiting for you anytime."
Chen Sheng interjected nonchalantly, then made a gesture of invitation toward Wang Zilan.
"Miss Wang, it’s getting late. Why don’t you decide on a place for our celebratory meal?"
"Very well."
Wang Zilan gave a slight nod and, with graceful steps, walked to Chen Sheng’s side.
Lu Maozhi could only watch as her lovely figure walked toward another man, growing more distant from him. The blood vessels in his eyes became more pronounced, and his fingernails dug into his palms once again. In the end, all he could do was shut his eyes in anger. Out of sight, out of mind.
"Oh, right."
Just as they were about to walk away, Chen Sheng suddenly stopped. He turned back, his gaze falling on Lu Maozhi’s twisted expression, and spoke in a light, almost consoling tone.
"Young Master Lu, you can rest easy. I will take good care of your fiancée. I promise not a single hair on her head will be harmed."
"Chen Sheng, you...!"
Lu Maozhi’s eyes flew open. His chest heaved violently, and a surge of blood rushed up his throat, nearly causing him to spit it out on the spot.
This was blatant mockery and provocation.
He was viciously rubbing salt in his wound!
"Captain Chen."
Hearing this, Wang Zilan also stopped and turned around. Her expression was calm, but her tone was serious as she said,
"Rumors in the Jianghu are often mistaken. Young Master Lu and I have not formally entered into a marriage contract. Therefore, the term ’fiancée’ is inappropriate. I must ask you to choose your words more carefully, Captain."
"Oh?"
Chen Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly, then readily accepted her correction with a nod. His smile, however, only grew wider.
"I see. So you’re not engaged yet. In that case, I shall rephrase—"
Chen Sheng then paused deliberately, his gaze shifting between Lu Maozhi’s ashen face and Wang Zilan’s beautiful features. His voice carried clearly across the courtyard:
