Chong Shenxiu glanced toward the adjacent courtyard. He hadn't expected Old Dannet to be the neighbor; this was for the best, saving him the trouble of further inquiries.

At Old Dannet’s residence.

Solomon, Thomas, and Laurent were mostly recovered after several days of treatment, though their bodies still ached in intermittent spasms.

Because Laurent had been severely beaten by Robin, sustaining non-trivial injuries, he had taken several days off from school and was resting at home.

Solomon was exceptionally glum. Ever since that day he was crushed by the overwhelming power of Zhong Shenxiu, his flamboyant personality had subsided considerably. For the past two days, he had been replaying exactly how he was beaten. Why hadn't he been able to fight back even once? Was he truly that weak?

The truth was, he wasn't weak; among his peers, he could already be considered an elite master! The problem was he shouldn't have faced the supernaturally powerful Zhong Shenxiu; that was simply asking for humiliation!

It wasn't just him who was depressed; the others weren't in high spirits either. Laurent was upset because he hadn't provoked anyone, nor did he even know Zhong Shenxiu or Robin, so why had he suffered such a beating?

Elena was dejected, feeling that as a distinguished Special Grade Instructor, she couldn't even protect her student and her younger brother, forcing her to reflect deeply.

Cherie was miserable because, being such a lovely person, how could she have been charmed by Zhong Shenxiu? And ever since eating at his place, for the last few days, she had lost her appetite, resembling a lovesick maiden!

It was because of these individual grievances that they had all cloistered themselves at home these past few days, with no inclination to go shopping outside.

And just then, Deputy Principal Laurie of the "Buzhadi Magic and Martial Arts Academy" arrived!

Elena hadn't expected Laurie to visit. By seniority, she ought to address him as Uncle.

"Uncle Laurie, why are you here?" Elena managed, after a few moments of stunned silence.

Laurie chuckled lightly and said, "Lina, you’re back, and you didn’t stop by my place?"

"I was planning to come by in the next day or two!" Elena offered a quick excuse. The real reason she hadn't visited Laurie was her reluctance to encounter his son, Yarva.

Years ago, Laurie had approached Old Dannet to propose a marriage alliance, hoping Elena would become his daughter-in-law. However, Old Dannet had brushed it off then, citing the children's young age.

While Elena didn't dislike Yarva, she held no particular fondness for him either. To avoid unnecessary awkwardness, she had continually put off the visit.

"Is your father home?" Laurie asked casually.

"My father is out; he probably went to Uncle Donald's place!" Elena replied truthfully.

"Oh?" Laurie seemed a bit surprised, annoyed that his hard-earned free time had resulted in missing his target.

"Uncle Laurie, were you looking for my father? If so, I can go call him for you!" Elena started to move toward the door.

Laurie quickly stopped her, speaking with slight hesitation, "Actually, I came primarily to find you!"

"Me?" Elena was first taken aback, then startled, thinking inwardly: Please don't tell me this is about another marriage proposal.

"Actually, Uncle is here to ask a favor of you this time."

"What is it?" Elena grew increasingly nervous, already mentally drafting excuses in her head.

"It’s nothing too important. Isn't our Academy holding the 'Academy Ranking Tournament' again? I came upon the express request of our Headmaster to invite you to be a special guest of honor. You have to grant me this face, Uncle!" Laurie said at an unhurried pace.

Elena's heart instantly settled. So, it was just this! She nodded readily. "Alright, I’ll attend!"

As a Special Grade Instructor at the "Jiali Dun Magic and Martial Arts Academy," attending various events and meetings was nothing new to Elena.

"Then, on behalf of the Academy, thank you," Laurie replied politely.

"Uncle Laurie, what are you saying? Why be so formal!" Elena smiled softly.

"Sister, who are you talking to?" Just then, Laurent appeared from somewhere. Seeing Laurie, he paused briefly, then called out, "Uncle Laurie!"

"Oh, it's Laurent. Why aren't you in school today?"

"I'm feeling a bit unwell, so I took a few days off," Laurent offered an awkward smile. He certainly wouldn't admit he was nearly crippled by a little girl under ten years old!

"Ah, if your father hadn't objected back then, you would be a prime prospective talent at our Academy now!" Laurie let out a soft sigh.

He had wanted Laurent to join their "Buzhadi Magic and Martial Arts Academy," but Old Dannet had strongly opposed it, saying he didn't want people claiming his son got in through the back door.

"Uncle Laurie, why did you have time to visit today?" Laurent, eager to drop the subject, quickly changed the topic.

"I came today representing the Academy to ask your sister to be our special guest," Laurie didn't hide the purpose from Laurent. "Sister, your prestige is quite high!" Laurent was about to say more when a sharp look from his sister silenced him immediately.

"Actually, the Academy invited others too. This time, even Grand Magus Gandalf will be attending. But for some reason, he was supposed to arrive this morning, and he's still not here," Laurie murmured darkly. (Don't wait up, Gandalf is busy right now; he probably won't be here anytime soon!)

Elena was no stranger to Gandalf. He had given charity lectures at the "Jiali Dun Magic and Martial Arts Academy" multiple times, and she had spoken with him on several occasions.

While they were idly chatting, the protagonist of this volume, Zhong Shenxiu, finally arrived, walking straight in without waiting for a servant's announcement, as usual.

Elena, who had been chatting pleasantly with Laurie, suddenly saw Zhong Shenxiu, causing her pupils to dilate instantly; she almost cried out.

Laurent instinctively stepped backward, his face etched with wariness and tension.

"What is it?" Laurie, puzzled, turned to look, seeing only a boy around five years old.

Why was there a little boy here?

Laurie had no idea that the small boy in his sight was a little devil in the eyes of Elena and Laurent.

How did he find this place? Weren't they square? Did he not feel like he had tormented us enough?

Elena’s beautiful eyes were locked onto Zhong Shenxiu’s face—a face that held a hint of malevolence mixed with childish innocence.

"What's wrong with you two?" Laurie finally noticed the abnormality in the siblings' demeanor and couldn't help but ask.

But neither Elena nor Laurent spoke. They looked as if they had turned into wooden statues!

"Hey!" Zhong Shenxiu suddenly yelled out, "Is your old man home?"

Old man? Laurie was even more bewildered. He didn't know who Zhong Shenxiu was, nor did he grasp who the "old man" referred to.

As he puzzled over this, Zhong Shenxiu walked over.

"You... you're looking for my father?" Elena forcefully tried to regain her composure, but her voice still held a tremor of guilt.

Zhong Shenxiu nodded, then stated, "I'm here to buy a house. Tell him to come out."

"My father isn't here!" Laurent interjected from the side.

Zhong Shenxiu glanced at him, then flicked his gaze toward Laurie, who was standing there staring dumbly: "Who is this old fellow?"

Laurie was utterly speechless, thinking to himself, Whose child is this? Why so willful?

Faced with Zhong Shenxiu's questioning, none of them answered.

However, Zhong Shenxiu didn't press the matter further. He turned to Elena and asked, "Hey, woman, since your father isn't here, can you make the decision? I want to buy the courtyard at No. 19, Nineteenth Street. Name your price?"

What? Woman?? Laurie’s eyeballs nearly popped out!

The scene shifted back to Zhong Shenxiu’s small courtyard.

After Zhong Shenxiu departed, Gandalf felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his body! He looked at Angelia standing beside him and uttered a superfluous statement, "He should be gone, right?"

Angelia nodded uncertainly, as Zhong Shenxiu gave her the feeling of a dragon whose tail might be seen but never its head.

"What is your relationship with him?" Gandalf made small talk again.

"A transactional relationship!" Angelia finally answered after a moment of thought.

Though Gandalf didn't grasp what she meant, he didn't press further, instead focusing his observation on the large vat nearby.

"What's in there?" Gandalf asked curiously.

Angelia knew, but she didn't reply; she couldn't very well say there was a little girl bathing inside, could she?

Seeing Angelia’s strange expression, Gandalf’s curiosity intensified! He was naturally inclined to research and held a strong interest in the unknown. When Angelia showed no inclination to speak, he didn't press, instead tiptoeing, craning his neck to peer into the vat.

But the distance was too far, and they were on the same level, so he saw nothing.

This didn't deter Gandalf; it only made him more determined.

He moved the chair Zhong Shenxiu had previously used for leverage, positioning it slightly closer, and stood atop it to look into the vat again.

With a loud "Clang," Gandalf tumbled off the chair, muttering in terror, "What was that? I felt like there was a child in there!"

"Are you alright?" Angelia asked kindly.

However, under Angelia’s startled gaze, Gandalf quickly scrambled back to his feet.

"What exactly is in there?" Gandalf asked again, but Angelia remained silent.

Gandalf seemed dazed from the fall; he disregarded Zhong Shenxiu's prior warning and started walking toward the vat!

"You can't go!" Angelia gasped, rushing to caution him, but it was too late. Gandalf had already walked over.