【Look, I knew it. He would definitely steer the conversation toward needing money for medical treatment!】
【Senior Sister Du really needs to be more careful!】
Mo Jiuwei was not surprised by this at all; she was only worried about Du Yue's reaction.
"Meng Zhu." Du Yue looked up at him. "Is that alchemist you found reliable? He has been treating Aunt for quite a while now, but Aunt's illness has yet to improve, and the expenses are only increasing..."
"Yueyue, how can you say such things? That is my mother! Even if she cannot be cured, she must still be treated. I cannot just abandon her!" Meng Zhu's expression changed drastically.
"Don't be angry, that is not what I meant..."
"Then what do you mean!"
Du Yue was stunned for a moment. "I just wanted to suggest that perhaps we should find another alchemist to examine Aunt. For example, Alchemist Ou on Qingfang Street has a very good reputation, and the prescriptions he writes are relatively inexpensive..."
Meng Zhu's attitude softened. "So that is what you meant."
"Otherwise, what did you think I meant? Your reaction just now was far too intense. Could it be that you think I don't care about Aunt and am trying to persuade you to give up on saving her?!" Du Yue also became angry.
"It was my misunderstanding, Yueyue. I know you are certainly not that kind of person. Please do not take it to heart." Meng Zhu comforted her in a soft voice.
【Heh, of course his reaction was intense, because his mother isn't sick at all!】
【You suddenly said you wanted to have a familiar alchemist treat his mother, so of course he was scared, terrified of being found out.】
【The reason they have been faking illness from the very beginning is just to swindle money.】
【Speaking of which, it's not just Senior Sister Du; this mother and son have already swindled many women using this trick. It's a pity that among so many people, not a single one saw through their ruse!】
Du Yue's complexion, which had just improved, suddenly stiffened, and her eyes widened in disbelief.
Not sick, but faking illness?!
How is it possible!
The people from the Xianlai Sect also looked at each other, their faces full of astonishment.
Good heavens, the mother and son are using faking illness to gain the trust and sympathy of women, and then swindling money from them?!
What a despicable trick!
If this hadn't been said by Junior Sister Jiuwei, they wouldn't believe it even if they were told ten thousand times.
"Yueyue?" Seeing Du Yue's ugly expression and her silence, Meng Zhu thought she was still angry and continued to coax her patiently: "It's all my fault. If you are angry, then hit me, but don't make yourself sick with anger."
In the past, Du Yue might have glared at him, said "who wants to hit you," and then the two of them would have laughed and flirted, putting the matter behind them.
But now, she reached out and threw a punch, landing it squarely on Meng Zhu's chest!
Meng Zhu was caught completely off guard. He let out a muffled groan, clutched his chest, and stared at her in shock. "Yueyue, you..."
"If I hit you, I hit you. Do you think I really wouldn't dare to hit you?" Du Yue said with a cold snort, her face expressionless.
She did not miss the flash of anger on Meng Zhu's face the moment he was hit, and his right hand had even subconsciously lifted before he finally put it back down.
"Well, since you've hit me, should you forgive me now?" Meng Zhu grabbed Du Yue's hand, returning to his grinning self. "My mother said just a few days ago that she misses you very much. If she knew I made you angry, she would definitely beat me again when I go back."
【Tsk, he brought up his mother again. He's terrified that the conversation won't steer back to the topic.】
Du Yue resisted the urge to shake off his hand and suddenly said, "Aunt misses me? Then how about this: I will go with you to visit her, and while I'm at it, I'll invite Alchemist Ou to take a look at her. That would be good..."
"No need!"
Meng Zhu suddenly interrupted Du Yue.
Du Yue pursed her lips and looked steadily at Meng Zhu, not missing the panic in his eyes.
【He's panicked, he's panicked!】
【His mother is currently living in the home he shares with Chu Xin. If he brought Senior Sister Du home, wouldn't the ruse be exposed?】
Seeing Du Yue's expression, Meng Zhu realized he had reacted too strongly.
"I... I meant that I know you are busy with cultivation, and my home is far away. It would take too much time for you to go with me, and how could I bear that? If you really miss her, then just sending your regards is enough. I will convey them for you when I go back," Meng Zhu explained eagerly.
【Shameless. "Sending your regards"—isn't this just because he saw Senior Sister Du wasn't taking the bait, so he couldn't wait any longer and had to ask for it directly!】
Perhaps it was because Du Yue's reaction today was different from what Meng Zhu had expected, and his crazy hints were having a terrible effect, so he was getting desperate.
Since Du Yue wouldn't actively give him money, he had no choice but to guide her into doing so.
"You are right, I should send my regards." Du Yue took out a handkerchief. "This is something I just acquired; it is soft and delicate. Didn't you say Aunt is seriously ill and often drools? This handkerchief is perfect for her to use."
As she spoke, she handed it over with a beaming smile.
Meng Zhu looked at the handkerchief—the material was decent, but it was clearly just a mundane object and not worth a few Crystal Stones—and his face turned black instantly.
He waited for a moment, only to find that Du Yue had only taken out a handkerchief and there was no further movement.
"Just this?" he couldn't help but ask.
Du Yue looked doubtful. "Yes. You know I don't have much on me, and this is already a rare, good item. Besides, isn't it about the sentiment? Is this not enough?"
Meng Zhu cursed inwardly, but on the surface, he accepted it with a moved expression. "You are right. It is very exquisite; my mother will surely praise you when she sees it... It's just that my mother's illness..."
"You should spend more time with Aunt. If there is a need, just invite Alchemist Ou over. I believe that good deeds are rewarded, and Aunt will surely be safe and sound," Du Yue comforted him in a soft voice.
Good deeds are rewarded, so naturally, evil deeds must also be punished!
Meng Zhu: ...
【Hahaha, Senior Sister Du is amazing.】
【Not bad, not bad. She just refuses to take his bait and refuses to fall into his trap. Let's see how he continues his act!】
Meng Zhu could no longer stay. Knowing that his mission today had failed and that he couldn't keep asking for money, he made an excuse and left the Xianlai Sect alone, saying he would come to see Du Yue again in a few days.
As soon as he left, the people from the Xianlai Sect stood up one by one, and with angry expressions, they advised—
"Junior Sister Du, this Meng Zhu is not a good match. You should break up with him quickly!"
"That's right! I can see this brat has ill intentions; he is definitely trying to swindle your money!"
"He wouldn't even let you go to his house when you wanted to. There is clearly something fishy going on. Maybe he has another beautiful wife at home!"
"I told you long ago he wasn't a good person. You haven't spent little in Crystal Stones to help him over these years; I'm afraid that money has all been fed to the dogs."
"Senior Sister Du, you are so outstanding, let's find someone else."
【Yes, yes, they are absolutely right!】
【That is nothing but swindling money, and he does indeed have a beautiful wife at home.】
【Feeding it to the dogs is one thing, but don't insult dogs. Our Spot has much more conscience than him!】
The Spotty Dog brought back to the sect that day was very sensible. It followed everyone around obediently and was very affectionate. Occasionally, when someone came to visit, it would bark early to give a warning.
✦✦✦