That Zhan Qingfeng was truly something; even when faced with Miao Xiaomiao's blatant mockery, he maintained an air of serenity, his voice calm as he said, "Little Sister Xiaomiao, what you said is too harsh. As I mentioned just now, the wager we agreed upon never actually began, so naturally, there is no result to speak of. Since Little Sister Xiaomiao proposes we call it quits here, your elder brother will grant your wish and terminate this agreement. In fact, this is for the best, as it avoids damaging the harmony between you and me."

Throughout the exchange, he clung steadfastly to the phrase, 'the wager never began.' The meaning was quite clear: as long as the gamble hadn't officially started, he could not be accused of breaking his word or going back on a promise! As for everything before that moment... it was merely a verbal understanding, nothing substantial. Not only that, but he shamelessly framed it as 'doing' Miao Xiaomiao a favor by dissolving the bet. Anyone unaware might even think he was incredibly magnanimous, letting her off easily because he held the upper hand!

Truly, shamelessness knows no bounds, and vanity is invincible!

A knowing smile played on Miao Xiaomiao's lips. "Young Master Zhan indeed possesses great generosity and high character. This little sister thanks Young Master Zhan for showing mercy. Should Young Master Zhan have the opportunity to compete against that Young Master Mo in the future... this little sister wishes Young Master Zhan a resounding victory upon his return."

A fleeting shadow of anger crossed Zhan Qingfeng's handsome face, usually as warm as a spring breeze. With his intelligence, how could he fail to recognize Miao Xiaomiao was deliberately using sarcasm against him? Yet, he chose not to press the issue further. No one present was a fool; they all understood that he was in the wrong regarding the matter and was now reneging after the fact. Having been verbally chastised, he could only endure it, lest he lose even more face.

He merely seethed inwardly, thinking, Good for you, sharp-tongued girl. I have no time for you now, so enjoy your arrogance for a while longer. When you marry into our Zhan family later, we'll see how I deal with you!

"Since the wager is cancelled, this little sister shall take her leave," Miao Xiaomiao sighed, shaking her head. "I had truly hoped to see a fine spectacle today, but the outcome is utterly disappointing! Years of good cheer have been completely ruined!"

The profound disappointment and melancholy in Miao Xiaomiao’s tone were so thick they seemed almost tangible. For years, she had believed that while the Zhan family was rife with profligates, Zhan Qingfeng, the eldest young master and universally acknowledged foremost young master of the Illusionary Manor, was different. She had genuinely regarded him as an elder brother. Even the supposed wager from a few days ago had felt like nothing more than a harmless little joke between the two of them...

But today, in the face of "absolute" self-interest, Zhan Qingfeng's habitually refined face suddenly seemed so alien, one hardly dared to recognize it! This, she realized, was Zhan Qingfeng's true face! All his previous demeanor had merely been a guise to conceal himself... utterly devoid of any genuine feeling!

Miao Xiaomiao felt wounded, a deep, authentic sorrow... The person she had always considered a brother could betray her so thoroughly over mere profit!

It is said that women are inherently sentimental creatures; no matter how intelligent or discerning, they cannot entirely escape this curious realm beyond pure logic. Unless one experiences it firsthand, it is impossible to truly grasp the flavor of such realization! Miao Xiaomiao hadn't won the wagered prize that was practically hers today, but she had seen a man's true colors and tasted the bitter fruit of sentimentality. As for the profit and loss of this exchange, that was for others to judge!

Zhan Qingfeng offered a few insincere words of persuasion to stay, but Miao Xiaomiao was determined to go. Young Master Zhan felt thoroughly disgraced and stopped insisting. However, just as Miao Xiaomiao turned to leave, a clear, resonant voice, laced with overwhelming joy, suddenly rang out: "Oh my, oh my! I heard the esteemed young masters were hosting a banquet for this humble soul. Fearing I might be discourteous, I rushed back to change and hurried over immediately, only to stumble upon such a grand reception! It truly was not a wasted trip, indeed, not a wasted trip at all!"

Following the voice, the famed genius said to possess the Ethereal Constitution, Young Master Mo Junye, walked in smiling broadly, feigning overwhelming flattery. He peered around the hall, taking in the lavish decorations, and clicked his tongue in wonder. With an embarrassed air, he continued, "Oh dear, the sheer scale of this... it’s truly too extravagant. Esteemed young masters, my brothers, ah ha ha ha, a little sincerity is all that's needed, why go as far as demolishing houses? This... this truly makes my heart feel terribly uneasy."

Two piercing beams of cold light shot from Zhan Qingfeng’s eyes; he was almost bursting with suppressed rage! If you had arrived just one step sooner, why would I have had to play the villain in front of Miao Xiaomiao and everyone here? I wouldn't have had to swallow my words and go back on my oath! I could have used this country bumpkin to make Miao Xiaomiao lose the wager, completely crushing her hopes of managing the Spirit Medicine Garden, and simultaneously using that opportunity to draw this foremost beauty of the Illusionary Manor into my harem. Afterward, I could use that as a stepping stone to slowly devour the entire influence of the Miao family piece by piece...

Simply because this bastard arrived a step too late, his entire flawless plan turned into moon reflection on water! And now, this fellow stands there looking utterly flattered and favored—having gotten the advantage while acting the victim! This was simply intolerable, beyond enduring!

"You must be Mo Junye? I am Zhan Qingfeng, the eldest young master of the Zhan family! And the initiator of today's welcoming feast!" Zhan Qingfeng instantly shed his previous gentle demeanor, his face hardening completely. The warm smile he wore for Miao Xiaomiao vanished, replaced by an icy stillness! It was as if he had shifted in a flash from a spring where a hundred flowers bloomed to the harsh, snow-swept depths of winter! His slender eyes projected cold, sinister light, fixed immovably upon Jun Moxie, like a tiger spotting its prey!

The other young dandies also took the opportunity to appraise this legendary possessor of the Ethereal Constitution, and they all shared a similar thought: Seeing him is not as good as hearing about him. This fellow’s appearance was just too ordinary! The kind that disappears instantly when thrown into a crowd—like a piece of coal tossed into a pile of soot, impossible to find again. Simply put: 'Hearing about him is better than seeing him; seeing him is utterly lackluster.' And yet, this very person was the legendary owner of the Ethereal Constitution? The contempt in everyone's hearts deepened instantly, layered now with even greater scorn and disdain.

Miao Xiaomiao watched Zhan Qingfeng’s expression shift so abruptly, as if donning another mask, and felt the temperature around him drop several degrees, chilling her heart. She wondered how many faces the foremost young master of the Illusionary Manor possessed? A faint sense of dread arose within her...

Girls, besides being sentimental, share another trait: their thoughts are often very direct, even subjective. When they think someone is good, then no matter how that person behaves, they are perceived as good. But if one day, that impression suddenly changes, all previous goodwill instantly dissolves into mist... Everything that person does from then on becomes intensely irritating, no different from a pile of foul dung! They might even begin to doubt if everything they experienced before was an elaborate deception set up by that person!

This explains why some brothers often find themselves inexplicably dumped, only to find their former sweethearts greet them later with more intense hatred and utter scorn... while the man himself remains bewildered, completely unaware of how he might have offended his once beloved... In reality, this is just a very normal phenomenon. A woman’s heart is often a mystery even to herself, let alone to the man who tries to understand her...

However, seeing the 'Mo Junye' Young Master Mo looking so excessively flattered and fearful now, Miao Xiaomiao nearly burst out laughing: this fellow's acting was truly superb—playing the dragon, he looked like a dragon; acting the tiger, he resembled a tiger. He performed whatever role required with perfect verisimilitude! That expression perfectly captured the demeanor of a country bumpkin suddenly transported to a grand city and favored by powerful figures—a blend of triumph and subservience, enacted with breathtaking artistry! A supreme method actor!

"Yes, yes, I am... I am... Brother here is Mo Junye: the possessor of the Ethereal Constitution! The legend you all speak of! Everyone doesn't need to be too envious; this thing is something you can't gain even if you envy it!" This 'Mo Junye' seemed to intend a humble posture at first, but then inexplicably changed his mind, sensing that he was now on equal footing with these lords, perhaps even slightly above them. He immediately became smug, correcting his 'mistake'; not only did his tone become bombastic, but he started referring to himself as 'Brother,' and ended up speaking incoherently, reaching the pinnacle of sheer arrogance...

The young lords were left sputtering, faces contorted by this country bumpkin's few sentences! They had certainly seen arrogant fools before, but never one as utterly outrageous as this... This Mo Junye was simply a true lunatic! That world-shaking, legendary Ethereal Constitution had fallen into the hands of such a person—it was simply an outrage against Heaven!

But Young Master Mo’s next statement nearly choked Zhan Qingfeng: "No... Zhan Qingfeng, that Young Master Zhan, this... this..." He adopted an expression of visible difficulty.

"What is it?" Zhan Qingfeng suppressed the fury surging in his chest.

"Young Master Zhan, it seems you aren't faring too well in the Illusionary Manor, are you?... I can see you announced your name with great pride just now, seemingly believing you are quite famous... Actually, I understand your sentiment." Young Master Mo probed timidly and apologetically, "Since arriving at the Illusionary Manor, I've met nearly all the important figures. For the particularly crucial ones, the old Sage Cao would point them out specifically, so I have very deep impressions of these giants... but I don't recall ever hearing the name Young Master Zhan... It seems you aren't doing too well in the Illusionary Manor either, perhaps just like I was outside? Ah, we are both experiencing difficult times; it's truly hard to get by in this world... I sympathize with you, truly, from the bottom of my heart. I've managed to make a breakthrough now, and I can completely cover for you, you understand what I mean, right?"

Zhan Qingfeng felt a torrent of bile rush up his throat!