When Lu Feng walked out with Zhu Zhuqing by his side, Dai Weis smiled and said, "I didn't realize Sister Zhuqing was here. My apologies for interrupting."
His words said sorry, but his expression showed no regret at all. Instead, he gave Lu Feng a knowing smirk.
"This is the current Crown Prince, and also my elder sister's fiancé," Zhu Zhuqing introduced.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Lu Feng bowed slightly, pretending not to catch Dai Weis's suggestive look.
Truthfully, he already knew what kind of man Dai Weis was.
Though the prince had the best talent among the imperial heirs, his reputation was just as bad as Dai Mubai's, constantly cycling through women, treating them as playthings, and spending far too much time in pleasure houses.
Lu Feng had no respect for men like that.
Sure, his mission was to "capture" these goddesses and he wouldn't deny that he don't want them but he had every intention of treating them well. In this world, having multiple wives wasn't uncommon. Just earlier at the family banquet, Zhu Zhuqing had been seated next to Zhu Yan's newest eighteenth concubine.
"No need for formalities, Brother Lu. Just call me 'Brother Dai.' After all, we'll both be sons-in-law of the Zhu family soon—we're practically family already."
Dai Weis played the role of the gracious, approachable prince, all smiles and camaraderie.
Lu Feng nodded. "Brother Dai."
Years of navigating the business world and now overseeing a vast commercial empire had sharpened his social skills. He knew exactly how to handle people like this.
Dai Weis chuckled. "That's more like it! Brother Lu's martial soul talent is truly extraordinary. I've been meaning to visit sooner, but matters of state kept me tied up, so i could only come now, I hope you don't mind?"
"Now you're the one being too polite," Lu Feng replied smoothly.
"Ah, I suppose I am."
The two shared a laugh, though neither meant it.
"Would you like to come in, Brother Dai?" Lu Feng offered.
"No, no it's late, and you've only just settled in. You should rest. I just came to deliver a little something."
With a wave of his hand, one of his attendants stepped forward, holding a tray.
"Ten thousand gold spirit coins, and a Crown Prince's token. With this, you can freely enter the palace. Don't forget to visit me there."
Just as Lu Feng had guessed- bribery.
From the shadows, Zhu Zhuyun watched with quiet satisfaction.
'So what if you're a genius, Lu Feng? Dai Weis is the Crown Prince. His wealth is beyond yours. Ten thousand gold coins in one go, now that's generosity.'
If only you hadn't refused the Star Luo Emperor's offer to become an adopted son, instead of choosing Zhu Zhuqing.
Had you accepted, you'd at least be receiving a royal stipend every month.
Dai Weis's status as the Crown Prince and his fame were incredibly valuable. Just by endorsing the Pan-Continental Merchant Alliance posing for a poster with a bottle of cola in hand, he earned a quick fifty thousand gold spirit coins. It was almost too easy.
What Zhu Zhuyun didn't realize was that the advertising effect of the Crown Prince's endorsement had already allowed Lu Feng to earn back that fifty thousand in a single day. And this was just the beginning. Once people got used to the drink, mass production would follow. Then, after a while, they'd run a "limited-time discount" to boost sales even further. Eventually, cola would become a beverage even commoners across the Douluo Continent could enjoy.
Lu Feng picked up the Crown Prince's token from the tray and said, "Thank you, Brother Dai. I'll accept the token, but you can keep the gold coins."
"It's just pocket change, nothing significant. Please, take it."
"Really, I don't need it. I have more than enough money, and the Zhu family provides everything anyway. Right, Qing'er?"
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Zhu Zhuqing blinked, then nodded stiffly. "Ah… yes. We have everything."
Amused by her awkward response, Lu Feng chuckled and turned back to Dai Weis. "See?"
"Well, if you insist. Just remember if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come to me."
"I will."
"Good. Then I'll take my leave."
"Farewell, Brother Dai."
As Dai Weis walked away, Lu Feng turned back only to find Zhu Zhuqing's expression had cooled again.
Oh no.
Sure enough, she spoke in a frosty tone: "I've figured it out. You were faking your injury earlier, weren't you?"
…Well, she's a bit slow on the uptake. Her sister, Zhu Zhuyun, had probably realized it long ago.
Seeing the confirmation in Lu Feng's expression, her eyes flashed with annoyance. "Hmph. You're such a bad guy, making me worry for nothing! I even cried for you today, I've shed more tears than in the past few years combined. All because of you!"
The way her delicate face scrunched up in a pout sent Lu Feng's heart racing.
"That just proves you fell for me at first sight. Otherwise, why would you cry for me? Your tears are filled with love. Don't worry, I'll make it up to you. I'll cherish you."
As he spoke, he brought his fingers, still damp from wiping her tears, to his lips and tasted them. {t/n- .....}
Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful, doe-like eyes widened. A blush crept across her jade-like cheeks as she processed his words.
He's not wrong. She had never shed a single tear for Dai Mubai. With him, her heart had always been still as water.
But with Lu Feng?
Her emotions were in constant turmoil.
Could this really be… the taste of love?
"My sister was right, you really are full of sweet talk," Zhu Zhuqing huffed, turning to leave. "Don't forget, tomorrow we're going to the Black Forest for your spirit ring. No sleeping in!"
With that, she strode toward her own courtyard.
"Goodnight, sweetheart," Lu Feng called after her.
Silence.
Just as he assumed she'd ignored him, her voice, smooth with a hint of huskiness, floated back over the wall:
"You did well refusing Dai Weis's ten thousand gold coins. A man may be poor, but he must never be short of pride. Goodnight… idiot."
Before closing her door, Zhu Zhuqing allowed herself a small, breathtaking smile, so radiant it seemed to dim the moonlight itself.
Had Lu Feng seen it, he might've vaulted the wall right then and there.
But he didn't.
Instead, he scratched his head, muttering to himself, "Wait… I'm poor?"