Upon seeing Yu Xinghuo's words, the live-streaming room erupted, as no one expected that despite losing so terribly, it actually became a point of pride for Yu Xinghuo since, in terms of pure alchemy, no one dared to challenge Shen Qiang.

So while countless cultivators argued online, many veteran alchemists and so-called masters remained eerily silent because they didn't dare to easily critique Shen Qiang's alchemy techniques.

After all, that almost miraculous alchemical ability was beyond their expectations.

While the cultivation world was shocked by Shen Qiang's alchemical skills, Shen Qiang had lunch with Weisheng Qian Dai at noon and talked with her about the cooperation between Baihua Palace and Heshenghe in the afternoon.

The discussion was simple.

The so-called joint school project involved selecting and training talented ordinary people.

This benefitted both Heshenghe and Shen Qiang.

And it was also advantageous for Baihua Palace.

But some details obviously favored Bianyi's cunning ideas.

So in the afternoon, Shen Qiang accompanied Weisheng Qian Dai's assistant and Bianyi in a verbal battle over the cooperation.

The scene was much more intense than Shen Qiang's Dan fighting with Yu Xinghuo.

With numerous details and fierce debates, neither side gave in easily, causing both Shen Qiang and Weisheng Qian Dai to quickly lose interest in the negotiation.

So the two went to Shen Qiang's office to chat.

The main topic of their conversation was Baihua Palace Master, Weisheng Zhimei.

The only person Shen Qiang appreciated and admired in Baihua Palace was that enchanting beauty.

As Weisheng Qian Dai's teacher, Weisheng Qian Dai obviously knew a lot about Weisheng Zhimei, so the conversation was not only unawkward but also enjoyable for both.

In the evening, everyone attended a dinner arranged by Datong River.

Shen Qiang was a bit anxious since after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, he'd need to visit the Illusion Demolition Group before starting school, at which point he'd have to transfer to Beijing, something non-negotiable to avoid dismissal by the principal who clearly stated that if Shen Qiang did not attend school on time, he'd be expelled.

Moreover, Weisheng Qian Dai repeatedly emphasized wanting to finalize this matter quickly since she, too, needed to go back to school after the Spring Festival.

So to expedite the cooperation between Baihua Palace and Heshenghe, both Shen Qiang and Weisheng Qian Dai shared the same view.

If they couldn't agree during the day, they'd discuss it at night until they reached an agreement.

In this situation, Bianyi and the female assistant Weisheng Zhimei assigned to Weisheng Qian Dai, each with their teams, continued back-and-forth discussions over various files and details without a pause.

Even by 11 PM, there was no sign of stopping, with everyone downing coffee and tea like they were in a battle, endlessly arguing in the meeting room.

This left Shen Qiang and Weisheng Qian Dai, who were observing, feeling speechless.

"No way, Baihua Palace is dreaming if they think they can gain any advantage from me,"

"President Shen, I've never seen such a petty man like you, the mighty Heshenghe scarcely needs to haggle over details?"

Watching Bianyi and the woman bickering without end, a bored and impatient Shen Qiang quietly tugged Weisheng Qian Dai and signaled her to step out.

Weisheng Qian Dai immediately followed Shen Qiang out of the meeting room.

"Shen Qiang, what's up?" Weisheng Qian Dai asked, puzzled.

Shen Qiang smiled, shushed her, and quietly laughed: "Let them argue, we'll go out for a meal."

Weisheng Qian Dai was taken aback by this.

A bit hesitant.

But seeing Shen Qiang's decisive steps, Weisheng Qian Dai, with a hint of shyness, tiptoed after Shen Qiang down the stairs.

Once downstairs.

Shen Qiang drove her to the city's food street, and though it was nearing midnight, the food street was still brightly lit.

In early spring, the nights were still fairly cold.

So Shen Qiang directly took her to eat hot pot.

In the restaurant, the pure and beautiful Weisheng Qian Dai, her eyes shining and her smile radiant, chatted softly with Shen Qiang about Weisheng Zhimei while occasionally helping Shen Qiang with the dishes using the spoon and chopsticks beside her.

She looked stunning under the lights.

Her seemingly affectionate gaze always managed to avoid Shen Qiang's when he stared at her, and her blush, it was unclear if it was from the heat or coyness.

Yet her smiling lips, her dimples, so pure and charming, shone like diamonds.

In a particular moment, as she smiled at Shen Qiang, her pearly teeth glowing below her cherry lips, and the playful look in her eyes, Shen Qiang inexplicably felt a sensation akin to first love.

Very pure.

Not luxurious, not romantic, not glamorous, but as gentle and refreshing as the early spring rain.

"Look, after this is settled, I have to return home to celebrate the Lantern Festival with my master and then go back to school," Weisheng Qian Dai said playfully, "I'm studying administration management, but those courses aren't interesting at all, just like when I cultivate with my master in the palace, everything is by the book and feels full of rules."

"I can't do this; I can't do that; it's very dull, but I have to persist."

Looking at Weisheng Qian Dai, as playful as a blooming flower, openly sharing her thoughts like a close friend.

Shen Qiang suddenly laughed and said, "Indeed, rules are everywhere, and every day is filled with various pressures, so sometimes, you have to do something out of line to relax and reduce stress."

A surprised Weisheng Qian Dai hesitated and said, "No, only once when I just started grade school did I fake being sick to skip class. After starting cultivation with my master, I couldn't fake it anymore, and I wouldn't easily catch a cold anyway."

Hearing this, Shen Qiang laughed.

He took his phone and directly paid the hot pot bill.

Then, lowering his voice, he said to Weisheng Qian Dai, "Ever had a free meal?"

"Free meal? What do you mean?"

Shh!

Shen Qiang smiled, raised a finger, and quietly said, "Tonight we eat without paying, are you finished?"

Weisheng Qian Dai dazedly nodded, still not understanding what was happening.

Shen Qiang stood up, lowered his voice, and said, "We'll sneak out without settling the bill."

"What? Isn't that like being a thief?"

Seeing her astonished expression,

Shen Qiang, smiling with squinting eyes, grabbed her hand, turned around, and led her out while whispering, "Stay quiet, be calm, don't let anyone notice we haven't paid."

The pure and beautiful Jade Girl of Baihua, representing purity and integrity in the cultivation world, with no blemish whatsoever, now hearing she would have a free meal and sneak out like a thief with Shen Qiang,

her heart pounded wildly for a moment. Never mind she had always been a well-behaved girl who followed the rules, even a rough-and-ready guy knowingly sneaking out without paying would be extremely nervous.

So as Shen Qiang led her out, she was clearly so nervous that her heart raced faster than ordinary.

Not only that, while walking past the bar, Shen Qiang clearly felt that her soft palm was sweaty, and her whole body was trembling.

Indeed, having a free meal and sneaking out was too exciting for the Jade Girl from Baihua.

Her palms were sweating from the tension.

But the bill had already been settled on the phone, so Shen Qiang led her, smoothly and unimpeded, out of the hot pot place.

Outside the hot pot joint, in the chilly early winter wind, Shen Qiang stopped and turned around, causing the dazed Weisheng Qian Dai, who had no idea what to do, to bump into him. Shen Qiang noticed with amusement that although she was still trembling, her twinkling eyes were vivid.

She, tense, excited, and lightly trembling, said, "So nervous, so thrilling, this feels so weird."

Hearing this, Shen Qiang smiled, "Doesn't it feel out of the ordinary? So thrilling, life suddenly seems interesting, doesn't it?"

With trembling breaths, Weisheng Qian Dai nodded and then said, "It feels like I'm breaking free from all restraints, this sensation is so great, this is the first time I've done such a thing in my life, at the time I was scared, so nervous, it's a very strange feeling, but I still want to go back and pay the bill, after all, earning a living isn't easy for them."

Hearing this, Shen Qiang laughed, "I will pay the bill, don't worry about it now, would you like to do something more outrageous?"

Weisheng Qian Dai stared blankly at Shen Qiang, and her eyes suddenly shone like stars in the night sky.

"I do!" she said.

And in the next moment, she threw herself into Shen Qiang's arms, stood on tiptoes, and her cherry blossom-like pink lips softly pressed against Shen Qiang's lips.

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