Chapter 77: The Eighth Beauty

Zu An watched, and he couldn't help but feel that his cheap father-in-law was at risk of being cuckolded. However, thinking of Ji Dengtu's perverted search for women's undergarments, he figured Ji was probably just an otaku with the desire but not the courage, so he dismissed the thought.

Since he was unharmed, the couple naturally wouldn't stop him from going to school. However, they still arranged for those guards to follow him everywhere.

Zu An, of course, wouldn't be like those brainless characters in movies who insist on shaking off their bodyguards' protection, only to encounter various dangers. Now, he wished the Chu family would send even more guards to protect him. God knew where Xue'er and Mei Chaofeng would pop out to kill him.

Unlike him, who was looking around cautiously, Chu Huanzhao, however, looked relaxed and cheerful. Given her personality, it seemed hard for her to ever be sad or upset.

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, quickly tell me how you won so much money at the Silver Hook Casino that day! My mother dragged me away before I could finish asking," Chu Huanzhao's eyes were full of curiosity.

Zu An's face darkened. "Isn't your Chu family against gambling? Pestering me about this, aren't you afraid your mother will make you copy the family rules?"

"I'm just asking; I'm not actually gambling myself. My mother wouldn't care," Chu Huanzhao grabbed his arm and shook it. "Brother-in-law, hurry up and tell me! Brother-in-law!"

Feeling the soft touch of the young girl's body on his arm, Zu An's heart skipped a beat. How could this girl have no sense of proper distance between genders? No, he had to find a chance to properly educate her someday, lest other rotten boys take advantage of her.

What happened that night was his proud achievement, and if he couldn't show it off, it would be like wearing brocade robes at night. Zu An seized the opportunity to pretend to be reluctantly forced into it, then grandly recounted the events in the style of "God of Gamblers."

He already knew from Ji Dengtu's reaction to that little booklet: people in this world, although powerful, were truly poor in terms of entertainment and culture. They had never experienced the influence of so many films and TV shows from his previous life.

They were quickly captivated and dumbfounded by the dramatic and exaggerated plot. Even the Chu family guards nearby occasionally glanced over, thinking that although this son-in-law had no real abilities, his speaking skills were truly impressive. Even if he were to be kicked out by the Chu family, he could tell stories under a bridge and wouldn't starve.

Chu Huanzhao listened, gasping in admiration repeatedly. Finally, she couldn't help but sigh, "It's a pity I didn't see such an interesting event with my own eyes. Brother-in-law, next time something like this happens, you absolutely must take me with you, okay?"

Zu An nodded, "Alright, alright, alright." He couldn't afford to offend this little sister-in-law. Although she was a bit fierce to him at first, she was quite good to him now.

But Chu Huanzhao wasn't satisfied. "Then let's pinky swear, it's a promise!" After saying that, she extended her finger.

Looking at the fair, slender finger in front of him, Zu An thought to himself that this girl was truly a beautiful potential. It was just a pity that she always dressed like a tomboy, which was truly a waste of her natural beauty.

"Alright," Zu An reluctantly extended his hand and linked pinkies with her.

"Pinky swear, hang yourself if you break it, a hundred years, no changing," Chu Huanzhao's eyes immediately curved into crescent moons as she smiled.

The Chu family guards nearby, one by one, their eyes widened. They wondered what charm this "useless" son-in-law possessed. First, he was chosen as the eldest young lady's husband, and now even the second young lady seemed to have a close relationship with him.

Should they find an opportunity to ask him for advice? Although the young ladies were out of reach, there were still many pretty maids in the manor.

Only Cheng Shoubing, who was trailing behind, looked a bit dispirited. He was wailing in his heart: "Xue'er, my beautiful Xue'er, how could you be a spy? My sorrow has become a river flowing upstream; I'm afraid I won't love again in this life."

Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted nearby.

"Move aside! Move aside! The horse is startled!"

The group turned to look and saw a carriage careening wildly down the street. The coachman tried all sorts of ways to stop the horses, but the two horses in front seemed to have gone mad and were completely out of control.

"Young Lady, Young Master-in-law, be careful!" Several Chu family guards quickly shielded the two, placing them in the middle. Cheng Shoubing quickly cowered behind them.

Just as the carriage was about to crash into them, one of the guards leaped forward and grabbed the horses' reins directly from the side. The muscles on his arms bulged instantly, and he forcefully pulled the two startled horses to a stop.

Applause gradually erupted from the surroundings. Clearly, everyone who witnessed his bravery was filled with admiration.

"Oh!"

Just then, with a cry, a graceful figure tumbled out of the carriage. Clearly, due to the sudden stop and the inertia it created, the person inside lost their balance.

The whole process happened too quickly; the Chu family guards nearby hadn't even reacted. The figure then crashed into Zu An.

Zu An was startled and instinctively embraced the person. A huge force hit him, and he couldn't help but stumble back several steps. Fortunately, Chu Huanzhao desperately braced him from behind, preventing him from falling to the ground.

"Th-thank you, young master, for saving me," a timid voice came, truly speaking like pearls, soft and crisp, extremely pleasant to the ear.

Zu An looked down and saw a beautiful young girl in his arms. Her cheeks were flushed, her skin was fair and smooth, and her eyes sparkled brightly.

She was wearing a light blue long dress, embroidered with patterns of water and flowing clouds. It was evident that every stitch and thread was made from extremely precious silk, making it clear at first glance that she must come from a wealthy and distinguished family.

Despite this, it didn't give the girl any hint of vulgarity. She exuded an elegant, classical aura, making anyone who saw her feel pity and admiration.

Cheng Shoubing, standing nearby, also clearly saw her appearance at this moment and was immediately thunderstruck. "I'm dying, I'm dying! How can there be such a beautiful woman in the world? I can't take it, I can't take it, I've fallen for her!"

At this moment, Chu Huanzhao snorted from the side, "Zheng Dan, what are you doing?"

"Zheng Dan?"

Zu An was startled, remembering how Wei Suo had mentioned the Top Ten Beauties List of Mingyue Academy. This Zheng Dan ranked eighth, and since they were in the same school, Chu Huanzhao naturally knew her.

This Zheng Dan was indeed beautiful. Observing up close, Zu An could even clearly see her gently trembling eyelashes, captivating eyes, and luscious red lips. It made one instinctively want to kiss her.

He wondered which "wolf friend" had compiled this Top Ten Beauties list. So far, every one he had seen possessed stunning beauty, truly living up to their reputation.

"Hey, how long are you going to keep holding her?" Chu Huanzhao, seeing the two gazing at each other with lingering affection, immediately became displeased.

Zu An then woke up as if from a dream and quickly let go of the girl in his arms. "Young lady, are you alright?" At the same time, he secretly sighed to himself, this girl was truly light and soft, like she had no bones.

"Thanks to young master for saving me." After steadying herself, the girl tucked her slightly disheveled hair behind her ear and offered him a gentle smile.

Cheng Shoubing, on the side, felt great regret. If he had known, he should have rushed forward just now. Not only could he have shown his loyalty in front of the master-in-law and young lady, but he also could have embraced such a beautiful woman, performed a heroic rescue, and earned her gratitude.

Chu Huanzhao, however, snorted, "If I hadn't been bracing you two from behind just now, you would have already fallen to the ground. Why aren't you thanking me?"

Zheng Dan smiled slightly and curtsied to her, "My thanks also to Second Young Lady Chu."

"You're too kind, that's not sincere at all." Chu Huanzhao crossed her arms and turned her face away.

Zheng Dan didn't get angry; instead, she said to Zu An, "My family's horses were startled and lost control just now. Fortunately, young master caught me, or I would have fallen directly to the ground, and the consequences would have been unthinkable."

"Any man would have stepped in to save you," Zu An said with a smile. "After all, if such a beautiful face were to fall to the ground and leave a mark, it would truly be a loss for all men under heaven."

Zheng Dan smiled charmingly, "Young master, you flatter me."

Chu Huanzhao on the side immediately became indignant, "Hey, hey, hey, aren't you two being a bit too much, flirting right in front of me?"

Zheng Dan was startled and subconsciously asked, "Does Second Young Lady already have a sweetheart? Why don't I know?"

Chu Huanzhao's face flushed, and she snorted, "Pah! He's my brother-in-law! I don't believe you don't know who he is!"

Zheng Dan then looked at Zu An in surprise, "So you're the husband the Eldest Young Lady of the Chu family chose? I've only heard your name, but never met you."

Zu An couldn't help but say, "Is it true that meeting is better than just hearing about someone?"

Zheng Dan shook her head, pursed her lips, and smiled, "Young master, you are handsome and have a chivalrous heart; you are much better than the rumors suggest."

Zu An immediately beamed with joy. Although he knew there was an element of flattery, being praised so sweetly by such a beautiful woman, anyone would be unable to help but feel happy.

Since coming to this world, everyone he met called him useless or a good-for-nothing. It was rare to find someone who saw him in a different light, and she was a stunning beauty at that.

"It's a pity the system can't measure one's 'peach blossom luck'," he mused. "I should probably have good luck with women."

"I have something else to attend to, so I won't disturb you any longer." Zheng Dan smiled slightly, curtsied, and then took her leave, leaving behind only a faint, lingering fragrance in the air.

Chu Huanzhao saw Zu An and Cheng Shoubing simultaneously staring blankly at the retreating figure. She immediately became annoyed, "She's gone, why are you still staring?"

Rage value from Chu Huanzhao: +100!

Zu An couldn't help but say, "Little sister-in-law, if you ask me, you should learn from her. Your looks are clearly on par with hers, but she exudes femininity in every gesture and movement, making people want to linger."

Cheng Shoubing, standing nearby, nodded in deep agreement.

Chu Huanzhao was so furious her lungs felt like they would explode. "Me, learn from her? Her affected demeanor makes me sick!"

Rage value from Chu Huanzhao: +348!

Zu An frowned. "You can't just speak ill of her because she's prettier and her manners are gentler, can you?"

Chu Huanzhao snorted, "Only you lecherous men would be fooled. Do you know she's already engaged? Since she's engaged, yet she doesn't avoid suspicion at all by getting touchy-feely with you and flirting, she's clearly not a good person."

"She's engaged?" Zu An couldn't help but feel a little deflated. That's how men are; even if they have no feelings for someone, they still wish all the beautiful women in the world would revolve around them.

Cheng Shoubing, on the side, felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. Had his budding feelings just ended without a trace again?