Chapter 1024: Chapter 1023: Deng Pao Pao Admits Defeat
"That’s good enough! Twenty years from now, I’ll be fifty or sixty, who needs a bike then?" Zhao Xiaodao said, touching her face.
"As long as you understand. Besides, take good care of yourself, you might not be any worse than Lady Bai by then," Lu Zheng laughed.
Zhao Xiaodao nodded repeatedly, then went over to have breakfast together.
After she bid farewell to Lu Zheng and the others, called her assistant, and headed to the airport, she scrolled to Deng Paopao’s Weibo.
[It’s hard to give up natural beauty, people have started reverse aging again, what should I do? I feel the empress can no longer match up to me!]
A selfie showed that the wrinkles on his face had reduced, collagen was back, and although Deng Paopao’s naturally dark skin meant the effect wasn’t obvious, there was still a significant difference compared to previous photos.
"Brother Chao went for a lift too?"
"Indeed, male celebrities should also take good care of themselves."
"An eye for medical aesthetics, case closed."
"Only Brother Chao bravely admits to getting injections and lifts, while others make excuses. Only Brother Chao dares to self-disclose."
"But it looks pretty natural. Which hospital did Brother Chao go to? Any recommendations?"
"It’s over. I guess Brother Chao will soon turn into a Mario."
The comments section was full of crazy banter, and almost no one believed Deng Paopao.
Deng Paopao was furious and posted a grid of nine pictures with various funny expressions, winking, baring teeth, pouting, fake crying, and more.
[A naturally reverse-aging pride of the heavens, so confident. Director, can I play a high school student?]
"I’m going to puke..."
"Where do you get your confidence, Brother Chao? Maybe your son can play a high school student in a few years."
"Is the level of medical aesthetics this high now? Brother Chao’s expressions are very natural, huh?"
"I bet a wave of male celebrities is dialing Brother Chao’s number right now."
Still, no one believed in Deng Paopao’s reverse aging.
What a joke, right?
Zhao Xiaodao was speechless, but at the same time, she thought of how she immediately posted a selfie after taking the Beauty Pill.
But meanwhile, recalling a series of events she’d gone through afterward, she couldn’t help but laugh.
[@Deng Paopao, congratulations to Brother Chao on starting to reverse age. As for the issue between you and the Empress, I think it’s better to talk about it later. I also want to know whether it’s the Empress who doesn’t deserve you, or the other way around. Hope you don’t worry too much!]
Zhao Xiaodao reposted Deng Paopao’s Weibo, stirring a bit of mischief, and then leisurely boarded her flight.
When she turned on her phone after landing, she saw that instead of posting on Weibo, Deng Paopao posted a facepalm emoji on his Moments.
[Don’t ask, just did medical aesthetics, didn’t follow the doctor’s orders and made many distorted facial expressions, now my face is stiff. Many thanks to the Empress for never abandoning me, I will always love you!]
"Hahaha..."
...
After seeing Zhao Xiaodao off, Lin Wan went to work, and Lu Zheng took Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying back to Tonglin County.
Lu Zheng brewed a pot of tea, lounged on a deck chair beneath the persimmon tree, pointed with a finger, and a cluster of Phoenix Divine Fire ignited out of thin air.
He manipulated the Seal Technique, muttered the mantra, causing the Phoenix Divine Fire to fluctuate wildly, and then the image of Si Lingxi appeared in the flames.
"Lu Lang."
"Lingxi, how’s everything on your side?"
"The Mountain Shifting Dharma King startled the snake, and the Chaotic Heart Demon hid. I’m looking for it."
"That must be hard to find, right?"
"It’s indeed not easy, but it’s definitely still near the Southern Border, hasn’t gone far," Si Lingxi said. "Once it appears again, it won’t escape."
Lu Zheng nodded, knowing that Si Lingxi was determined to dig out the Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor from the Chaotic Heart Demon.
"Be careful. If you find any news about the Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor, best to call the Sect Leader of Lianshan Sect..." Lu Zheng advised.
Si Lingxi couldn’t help but laugh, her lips curling up unconsciously, "I know. Actually, that old demon’s true strength is far inferior to Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo, now at most five or six thousand years of Dao practice."
"But after all, it’s a Celestial Demon True Spirit descended from the Upper Realm; who knows if there are any bottom-of-the-box tricks?" Lu Zheng said.
"Okay, I got it."
"Remember!"
"I remember," Si Lingxi nodded repeatedly.
"Qingyan plans to visit Tushan, Shen Ying and I also plan to go together, so I reckon I’ll be in this area for a while. Stay in touch."
Lu Zheng dispelled the Phoenix Divine Fire used to communicate with Si Lingxi and just as he was leaving the backyard, Yue Honghai approached.
"Young master, are you going to the Northern Domain with the two mistresses?" Yue Honghai said with a flattering smile, "Take Old Yue along?"
Lu Zheng glanced sideways at Yue Honghai, "Are you eyeing that Five-Colored Pheasant? I’m telling you, don’t even think about it. The Brocade Chicken Ancestor’s strength is much greater than yours, the Nine-tailed Fox of Tushan and Moon Shadow White Wolf can only eat it once a year. If you go now, I fear you’ll be killed, dried, and ground into powder to become chicken feed by the Brocade Chicken Ancestor."
Yue Honghai, "..."
Yue Honghai awkwardly chuckled, shrinking his neck, and said with a forced smile, "Surely not, right?"
"You can try. Rest assured, I absolutely won’t stop you," Lu Zheng nodded, looking like he was reassuring Yue Honghai.
"Well, hahaha, um, why don’t I stay and watch the house? After all, with you and the mistresses gone, the county lacks any formidable masters to hold it down."
Seeing Lu Zheng not affirming, Yue Honghai hastily scurried back to his courtyard.
Lu Zheng shook his head, sensing that Liu Qingyan was talking with Du Yueyao, he soared into the sky and soon arrived at Peach Blossom Plain.
"Lu Lang~"
"All arranged?"
"All arranged," Shen Ying said with a giggle. "There aren’t many affairs anyway, just a few words of instruction."
Shen Ying was also planning to travel to the Northern Domain, organizing affairs at Peach Blossom Plain.
Lu Zheng nodded, "This time Uncle Liu’s family isn’t going, but we’ll be taking Qing Quan along. We’re in no rush; we’ll depart first thing tomorrow morning."
Then Lu Zheng wrapped an arm around Shen Ying’s slender waist, "Nothing much to do right now, the weather’s nice, shall we go for a walk?"
"Sure," Shen Ying replied with a smile, her body leaning closer to Lu Zheng.
At this time, it was midsummer, the sun was pleasant, and some city folks had come to the Peach Grove to cool down, while many from nearby towns visited the Taohua Temple to burn incense and pray, the air filled with curling smoke and sandalwood fragrance.
The two wandered together, weaving through the crowd enjoying the shade in the peach grove, but they set up a Blinding Technique to avoid being disturbed.
The surroundings were lively and bustling, but it did not affect the two at all.
They talked about daily amusing stories, Shen Ying chatted about updates from the City God System, and Lu Zheng took many beautiful photos and videos of her, the process naturally filled with affection exchanged through whispers and playful kisses.
The two strolled all the way to the high point of Peach Blossom Plain, Shen Ying looked at the flourishing incense scene at Taohua Temple, feeling the strong male presence beside her, and felt deeply content.
"Lu Lang~"
Shen Ying leaned in Lu Zheng’s arms, gently rubbing her head against him, and softly uttered, "Carry me home~"
