An Yi laughed it off when he heard this: "Actually, a name like Lin Chen is pretty common. It's not surprising to find duplicates."
"Right? You also think Lin Chen is an awful name, don't you? I told my sister the same thing back then, but she wouldn’t listen," Lin Mei'er said with a bright smile.
An Yi very much wanted to agree, but right now, he was Lin Chen.
Wang Yuan took a swig of alcohol and seemed utterly bewildered.
Suddenly, he became unusually bold. He stepped forward, looking at Lin Mei'er, only to shrink back timidly again. "H-how do you think my name sounds?"
Lin Mei'er paused for a moment, then smiled sweetly. "It's quite nice."
Wang Yuan mustered up the courage to say something, but in the end, he just slumped back and took another drink.
An Yi raised an eyebrow.
"Bro, seriously? You dropped to 20 already!"
Ding!
A side quest, [Bullying], appeared!
Reward: Subsidiary System [Financial Management System]!
The system's notification rang out abruptly.
"Bullying?"
Curious, An Yi opened the quest details.
[Bullying]
Quest Description: Pick on the weak.
The task was as concise as ever—and just as random.
Who was the "weak one" here? Wang Yuan?
No way, this guy was already pitiful enough!
He couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Thud!
At that moment, a group of people swaggered into the Monarch’s Tavern.
"Mei'er! You here?"
A flamboyant voice called out.
Leading the group was a man with dyed green hair, a lanky frame, and a venomous tattoo on his face. Draped in a fur coat and wearing a top hat, he sauntered forward.
Behind him were twin girls in tight-fitting outfits and a giant man carrying a massive hammer.
The moment the four appeared, the atmosphere in the tavern instantly turned oppressive.
Lin Mei'er's expression darkened as she said coolly, "So it’s the Poisonous Young Master. What brings you here?"
"Teehee, of course, it’s the sweet whispers of your pink pillow-talk!"
The Poisonous Young Master grinned, flicking out a dark-purple tongue to lick his lips.
Any knowledgeable martial artist would be trembling in fear right now.
Poisonous Young Master!
The heir of the Five Venoms Sect!
"Keep spouting nonsense, and I’ll rip your mouth off!" Lin Mei'er said coldly, her phoenix-like eyes turning sharp.
The Poisonous Young Master’s face stiffened. "I-I’m serious! I’ll come propose tomorrow! Even though you’re over a decade older than me—"
Crash!
Lin Mei'er hurled a wine bottle straight at his head.
But the Poisonous Young Master dodged with lightning speed, evading the attack.
Incredible reflexes!
An Yi’s expression turned grave as he glanced at the shattered bottle and the spilled red wine.
"Perfect! Now I don’t have to pay for that!"
"Just kidding, just kidding~"
The Poisonous Young Master licked the wine off his lips, still smiling.
Suddenly, Lin Mei'er wrapped an arm around An Yi and pulled him into her embrace.
Pressed against her soft, voluptuous body, An Yi was momentarily stunned.
This was way too sudden!
That warm, supple sensation—
In an instant, it was like a switch flipped in his brain. He suddenly got the allure of a mature woman.
Then, a pair of fiery red lips planted a loud kiss on his cheek, leaving a lipstick mark.
An Yi’s mind went completely blank.
This can’t be happening!
But when he noticed the Poisonous Young Master’s murderous glare, realization struck.
Oh no, I’ve been set up!
This woman was using him as a shield against that creepy guy!
Lin Mei'er smiled sweetly. "You’re too late. These are my two new boyfriends. With them around, I have no interest in marriage!"
Wang Yuan stood there dumbfounded.
He was one of the boyfriends too!
Why didn’t she kiss him?!
The Poisonous Young Master suppressed his rage and forced a smile. "I see. So Miss Lin has a thing for pretty boys like these."
"Get lost. Before I really lose my temper," Lin Mei'er said flatly.
Her tone was calm, but the underlying threat was unmistakable.
An Yi frowned, growing more suspicious.
Just what kind of background does this woman have? Her killing intent is terrifying!
The Poisonous Young Master chuckled. "I came here to drink. Kicking out customers isn’t good for business, is it?"
"Drink?"
Lin Mei'er’s eyes turned even colder.
"Ten bottles of Blazing Whiskey!"
He snapped his fingers and added, "And make it quick!"
"O-of course!"
Lin Mei'er’s expression instantly brightened.
Some idiot wants to buy drinks? She’d never refuse!
She’d been worrying about how to make money lately.
Ever since cutting ties with the Underworld and keeping her hands clean, earning a living had become a real headache. Her spending habits far outpaced her income!
"If I finish all ten bottles, will you give me your contact info?" the Poisonous Young Master asked with a smirk. "Don’t get the wrong idea—I just want to place an order. Strictly business!"
"Sure—"
Lin Mei'er was about to agree when—
"Don’t give it to him!"
Wang Yuan suddenly spoke up.
Instantly, all eyes turned to him.
The Poisonous Young Master glared. "What’s your problem?"
"He’s drunk, ignore him," An Yi said, dragging Wang Yuan back with a forced smile.
These two sides are both scum—I was enjoying the show! Why’d you have to butt in?!
"N-no, don’t give it to him! That guy’s bad news!" Wang Yuan pleaded, his face flushed from alcohol.
Lin Mei'er sighed. "You two brats just ruined my business deal!"
The Poisonous Young Master studied Wang Yuan’s expression and frowned.
He wasn’t blind—it was obvious Wang Yuan had feelings for Lin Mei'er.
A love rival?
Damn, that's bold!
A toad marrying a frog—you're ugly but sure know how to play dirty!
The Poisonous Young Master's face darkened.
With a flick of his wrist, a dart shot straight toward Wang Yuan's forehead!
The distance was too close—even Lin Mei'er couldn't intercept such a sudden attack!
Though he was somewhat wary of Lin Mei'er, that didn’t mean he truly feared her.
The Five Poisons Sect wasn’t necessarily inferior to the Underworld!
Even if he killed this useless ordinary man right in front of her, Lin Mei'er wouldn’t dare turn against him over it.
This involved two top-tier factions!
Clang!
The dart's tail vibrated with a sharp hum.
An Yi, with both hands, effortlessly caught the Poisonous Young Master’s dart and grinned. "Sneak attacking out of nowhere—that’s not very sportsmanlike."
The Poisonous Young Master’s expression shifted.
He hadn’t noticed that the seemingly carefree drunk beside Wang Yuan was actually a skilled martial artist!
Catching his hidden weapon bare-handed at such close range—this guy’s strength was terrifying.
In the entire martial world, few could pull that off.
The Poisonous Young Master sneered, a short blade glinting on his fingertip—its edge shimmering with a sinister purple hue.
He was going to slaughter this bastard!
Clang!
A three-foot-long sword suddenly appeared, its cold gleam pressed against the neck of one of the twin girls.
An Yi, holding the other girl in a tight grip, snarled, "You dare attack me? Start planning her funeral!"
"Stop!" the Poisonous Young Master gritted out.
This bastard didn’t fight fair—he’d threatened his junior sister before he could even strike!
"Senior Brother, don’t mind me," the girl said calmly—before her composure shattered. "Senior Brother, save me!"
"You scum!"
The bastard wasn’t holding the sword to her neck—it was resting on her ample chest!
That razor-sharp blade could slice downward at any moment!
Losing her life was one thing.
But losing her chest? She’d rather die!