Although Su Xiao Qi didn't have the ability to eavesdrop on others' thoughts, Ning Rongrong's emotions were all clearly displayed on her face. He wasn't stupid, how could he not notice?
Even though he didn't know exactly what bad things Ning Rongrong was thinking about him, that didn't stop him from teasing her a little.
Su Xiao Qi took out a box from his storage ring containing Acacia Broken Heart Red and Eight-Petal Orchid, then handed them to Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran respectively.
Ning Rongrong looked at the flowers in their hands and sneered, "I thought it'd be something fun. Just this? I don't care at all."
Su Xiao Qi looked at Zhu Zhuqing and said, "Zhuqing, you go first and show this silly girl what's up."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. She already knew well how to absorb Acacia Broken Heart Red — in the original story, she failed, but now she wouldn't fail at all.
Under the watchful eyes of Ning Rongrong and Meng Yiran, Zhu Zhuqing absorbed the herb smoothly without any mishap.
In a great mood, Zhu Zhuqing kissed Su Xiao Qi on the cheek, "I'm level 40 now. After absorbing my fourth spirit ring, I should improve a lot more."
Su Xiao Qi smiled, "That stuff easily boosts you by ten levels minimum. If you're lucky enough to get a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring as your fourth, becoming a Soul King directly isn't impossible."
"Stop bragging."
Ning Rongrong looked at the couple speechless — if you want to fool me, at least find a better excuse.
Forty levels, fifty levels, hundred-thousand-year spirit ring — what a joke.
Su Xiao Qi ignored Ning Rongrong, then explained the effects and absorption method of the Eight-Petal Orchid to Meng Yiran. He thought this herb was the most suitable for her.
Meng Yiran nodded. Unlike Ning Rongrong, she wasn't so cheeky. Since her grandparents had died, she had absolute trust in Su Xiao Qi. After absorbing the herb as instructed, she suddenly burst into tears.
The three present were shocked by Meng Yiran's reaction. Su Xiao Qi even wondered if something was wrong with her after absorbing the herb.
Luckily, after some questioning, they learned Meng Yiran cried because she was so moved. Her spirit power rose by five levels, and more importantly, the herb compensated for her slow cultivation speed.
This made Ning Rongrong totally anxious — so these flowers really had such miraculous effects? She wanted to absorb herbs too.
Although guns and cannons were powerful, they were external forces. Spirit power improvements were real and solid.
So the adaptable Ning Rongrong started acting cute toward Su Xiao Qi:
"Brother Su Xiao Qi, I don't know what came over me earlier. My nonsense had nothing to do with the real me. I never doubted you."
Su Xiao Qi chuckled, "Don't tell me your brain is infected by a virus called 'newba ji'."
Ning Rongrong didn't understand the words but nodded hard, "Yeah yeah, that 'newba ji' virus controlled me, it's so awful."
Su Xiao Qi and Zhu Zhuqing both laughed. Ning Rongrong was basically a female version of Sakata Gintoki now.
Su Xiao Qi handed Ning Rongrong a Qiluo Tulip and told her how to absorb it and how it would change her martial spirit.
After successfully absorbing the Qiluo Tulip, Ning Rongrong didn't care how many levels she gained. First, she summoned her spirit—Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda—and counted the layers three times to make sure she wasn't mistaken, then suddenly lunged at Su Xiao Qi.
*Thump!*
Ning Rongrong made intimate contact with the floor. Getting up and holding her forehead, she didn't get to ask why Su Xiao Qi didn't catch her, before he said:
"Good job, Rongrong. I give you immortal herbs, and you try to drool over me in front of Zhuqing. What are you thinking?"
"I… you…"
Ning Rongrong was angry inside. She only wanted to express thanks to Su Xiao Qi, but as for drooling over him… well, okay, maybe a little.
Su Xiao Qi looked at Ning Rongrong and Meng Yiran and said:
"The herbs are just for fun. I've already planned your future development paths — one of you will be a female Gintoki, and the other a dark magical girl."
"Female Gintoki?"
"Dark magical girl?"
Ning Rongrong and Meng Yiran exchanged confused glances.
Su Xiao Qi tried hard not to laugh and seriously said:
"Don't worry about what that means for now. I won't harm you. Next, I'll tell you about the life story of that flat-top guy today, guaranteed to open your eyes."
The story of Yu Xiaogang shocked Ning Rongrong and Meng Yiran; they were stunned for a long time.
"I never thought there were such shameless people in this world. What nonsense 'top ten theories' — any decent sect knows this!"
"Su Xiao Qi, compared to that shameless bastard, you're a good guy — at least you're a straightforward bad guy."
Su Xiao Qi agreed strongly with the first half of Ning Rongrong's comment, but upon hearing the second half, his expression darkened immediately and he shouted:
"Ning Rongrong, please leave in a smooth and graceful manner right now."
After the fun, Su Xiao Qi told Ning Rongrong and Meng Yiran to get ready. Tomorrow morning they would go to Shrek Academy to expose Yu Xiaogang's nonsense, and in the afternoon he would take Ning Rongrong to Star Dou Great Forest to get her third spirit ring.
Ning Rongrong was puzzled why Zhu Zhuqing wouldn't come, but after Su Xiao Qi explained Zhuqing's situation was different, she understood — she was being treated differently again.
Su Xiao Qi must think she was a third wheel bothering his intimacy with Zhuqing. That must be it.
"Since you, Su Xiao Qi, are heartless, don't blame me, Ning Rongrong, for being ruthless. Tonight, I'll bang the wall every 10 minutes to disturb you two."
"Hehe, I really am a clever little rascal." Ning Rongrong laughed foolishly by herself.
Su Xiao Qi looked at Ning Rongrong's silly look and said exasperatedly:
"Ning Rongrong, why are you giggling? Meng Yiran's gone home already. Why are you still here?"
"I'll go when I want." Ning Rongrong snorted coldly.
At the door she suddenly turned back and sweetly smiled at Su Xiao Qi and Zhu Zhuqing:
"Su Xiao Qi, Zhuqing, I wish you both a good night's sleep. Good night!"
"Are you sick?"
Su Xiao Qi was increasingly speechless about Ning Rongrong. Sometimes he even suspected that because of him, she had developed a hidden side no one else knew.
"Zhuqing, what do you think — if there's a chance, should we let Gintoki come over to hang out with Ning Rongrong for a few days?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Su Xiao Qi's smiling face and remained silent for a long time.
Ning Rongrong was already off the rails — who knew what she'd become after hanging out with that white-haired guy for a few days?
Would she become Kagura?
Or Shimura Shinpachi?
Or really a female Sakata Gintoki?