Hearing Zoe Zhao’s sobs, Ian Song felt even more guilty and quickly said, “Xiaoyu, don’t worry. I’m totally fine now.”
"Where are you? Tell me right now."
Ian vaguely sensed a hint of coquettishness in Zoe Zhao’s voice.
"I’m on my way to the city library."
"Wait for me there—I’ll be right over."
Listening to the busy tone on the phone, Ian could almost picture a whirlwind of a girl rushing over.
As soon as the taxi neared the library, Ian spotted a girl standing there, craning her neck in anticipation. Ian’s eyesight was excellent—even from several meters away, he could clearly see the emotions on her face: expectation, anxiety, guilt…
And those puffy, swollen eyes made Ian feel even more remorseful.
"Ian Song!"
Zoe Zhao’s eyes lit up. She hurried over, grabbed his arms, and anxiously said, "Quick, open your mouth! Let me check your injury!"
"Xiaoyu, my tongue is fine now." Seeing Zoe Zhao’s anxious face, Ian Song felt a wave of warmth in his heart.
"No way, I have to see it for myself. Otherwise I won’t feel at ease."
Left with no choice, Ian opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue, letting Zoe Zhao inspect it.
"Huh? It really is healed—how did it recover so fast?" Zoe Zhao looked suspicious.
"Actually, my tongue wasn’t as bad as you thought. It just looked scary at the time!" Ian Song said with a smile.
"But I clearly remember your tongue had a chunk bitten off!"
"You must’ve been seeing things. Besides, I just naturally heal fast." Ian explained, then suddenly asked, "Xiaoyu, why did you pinch me as soon as I woke up that time?"
Ian had wondered about this afterward, even suspecting he might have done something to Zoe Zhao while drunk. But no matter how hard he tried to remember, he couldn’t recall anything happening.
"Well… um, it’s nothing really. Maybe I just got cranky from drinking." Zoe Zhao replied, blushing as the awkward scene in the hotel bathroom flashed through her mind.
"That’s a relief. I was worried I’d done something unforgivable." Ian Song patted his chest, looking visibly relieved.
"Hmph!"
For some reason, seeing Ian Song act like that made Zoe Zhao feel wronged—and a little angry.
Ian was stunned. How had he managed to upset Zoe Zhao again? Women’s hearts really are impossible to fathom.
Thinking this, he decided it was best to keep his distance from Zoe Zhao in the future, just to avoid making her angry again.
With that thought, he said to Zoe, "By the way, Xiaoyu, I’m heading to the library to borrow some books. Want to come with me?"
"No, I’ll pass. Oh, and after school tonight, come by the gym—someone wants to see you."
"Who is it?" Ian asked curiously.
"You’ll know when you get there. Okay, I have to go—I need to get back to class!"
Watching Zoe Zhao come and go in such a rush, Ian Song shook his head and strode toward the library.
Time slipped by like flowing water, and in the blink of an eye, another day of exams was over.
Just as he left campus, Ian Song received a text from Hannah Han, asking him to come over to her place. Only then did he remember—it was time to cook for her again.
Because he was thinking about Zoe Zhao’s instructions, he hurriedly whipped up a table full of dishes for Hannah, then rushed off toward the gym.
Inside the gym office.
A middle-aged man in his early fifties was sipping tea with growing impatience. He glanced at Frank Zhao and said, "Why isn’t Ian Song here yet? It’s almost eight o’clock, and school let out ages ago, didn’t it?"
"Fourth Uncle, it’s my fault—I didn’t tell Ian Song clearly enough. I’ll go call him and hurry him over right now," Zoe Zhao said, a little flustered.
"Hmph!"
The middle-aged man snorted in annoyance and said nothing more.
Zoe Zhao walked out of the office, about to call Ian Song, when she saw him walking into the gym. She immediately went over to complain, "I told you to come right after school! Why are you only showing up now?"
"Sorry, Xiaoyu, I got held up by something." Ian Song quickly apologized.
Seeing that Ian was at least sincere, Zoe Zhao quietly reminded him, "When you meet my Fourth Uncle, be extra polite. He’s the examiner sent by the family—if you pass, you’ll get an Innate-grade cultivation method."
"An Innate-grade cultivation method?" Ian Song was taken aback.
"Surprised, aren’t you? Do you know how much effort my brother put into this? Once it’s done, you have to thank him properly," Zoe Zhao said proudly.
"Of course, I will." Ian Song nodded quickly. Even though he didn’t actually need an Innate-grade method now, he was still very grateful to Frank Zhao. After all, such methods were the foundation of any family or sect, and Frank had clearly gone to great lengths to win him this chance.
"Alright, come in with me."
Once inside the office, Ian Song’s gaze landed on a middle-aged man. He knew this must be Zoe and Frank Zhao’s Fourth Uncle, so he quickly bowed and greeted him, "Junior Ian Song greets Fourth Uncle Zhao."
"So you’re Ian Song?" Charles Zhao said coldly.
"Yes, sir."
"I hear you’re quite talented in martial arts?"
"I wouldn’t dare claim that."
"Talent is a good thing, but it’s better to stay humble," Charles Zhao said coldly.
"Thank you for the advice, Fourth Uncle Zhao." Ian Song remained respectful, knowing the man was probably upset because he’d arrived late.
Ian maintained his humble demeanor, but Charles Zhao didn’t let it go. Instead, he grew even more overbearing, saying proudly, "Stop calling me Fourth Uncle—you're not part of the Zhao family and have no right to address me that way. Understand?"
Hearing this, Ian’s brows furrowed slightly. He knew he’d been wrong to arrive late, and he’d already apologized, but Charles Zhao just wouldn’t let it go—now Ian was starting to feel annoyed.
"What, not happy about it?" Seeing Ian’s frown, Charles Zhao sneered. "Kid, the Zhao family’s strength is beyond anything you can imagine. Don’t flatter yourself. With your looks and ability, you think you can worm your way into our family? Utterly delusional!"
"Fourth Uncle, that’s too much!" Frank Zhao couldn’t help but stand up and protest.
"Frank Zhao, it’s not your place to butt in! Be quiet!" Charles Zhao snapped coldly.
Zoe Zhao couldn’t stand it anymore and interrupted, "Fourth Uncle, Ian reached the peak of Postnatal at such a young age. If he gets the Innate manual, he’ll break through in three years, no doubt. With his talent, joining the Zhao family is our honor. So please, take back what you said and apologize to him!"
"Ha!" Charles Zhao laughed, then stared at Zoe with disdain. "And who do you think you are, Zoe Zhao? Or that Ian Song—what does he amount to? You want me to apologize? Are you out of your mind? I officially announce: Ian Song has failed my assessment. Someone like him isn’t worthy of joining the Zhao family."
"You really should apologize!" Ian, who’d been silent, suddenly spoke up, straightening his posture and fixing Charles Zhao with a cold stare.
He could tolerate being insulted himself out of respect for Frank and Zoe Zhao, but when Charles Zhao insulted Zoe, he couldn’t stand it any longer.