amaotonovel Chapter 295 Challenge
Chapter 295 Challenge
Feng Ling lowered her head, a hint of guilt in her voice: "But... I always feel that it's not good to hurt them like this."
Zhao Niang glanced at her and softened her tone a little: "Feng Ling, you have to remember that everything we do is to survive.
In this world, no one will sympathize with us. We can only rely on ourselves.”
Xiao Cui had already obtained the gauze and was carefully bandaging Zhao Niang's wound.
Her movements were gentle, and her eyes were full of heartache: "Mom, don't push yourself too much, you will be fine."
Zhao Niang didn't answer, but just looked up at the sky.
The sun was still shining brightly, but her heart was shrouded in a thick layer of dark clouds.
She knew that Hu Qing and Gu Yang would never give up easily.
And they must also prepare for the worst.
On the river, the boat had disappeared at the end of the distant street.
Feng Ling was still standing on the deck, looking at the river with a dazed look, as if thinking about something.
She gently stroked the water with her fingers and murmured softly, "Maybe... we really shouldn't go on like this."
However, her voice was quickly carried away by the wind and drowned out by the clamor of the flower boats.
No one heard, and no one responded.
……
Hu Qing and Gu Yang were still walking slowly along the cobblestone road of Shenshui Town. The morning sun shone on the streets, adding a bit of warmth to the town.
Most of the houses on both sides are connected together, there are almost no alleys, and the streets appear particularly spacious.
As they walked, they vaguely identified the direction, and soon they roughly determined the location of Sima Mansion.
On the way, they passed a pier.
Several fishing boats were docked at the shore, and the fishermen were busy unloading baskets of fresh fish from the boats.
The fishy smell of fish drifted with the morning breeze. Although it was a bit pungent, it also carried a breath of life.
Hu Qing and Gu Yang stood aside, watching curiously.
Most of the fish here are freshwater fish, grass carp and sea bass are the most common, and there are also some silverfish that they had eaten at Zuiyue Tower last night.
The two were watching intently when they looked up and suddenly found that the Sima Mansion's housekeeper was also picking fish in front of the dock.
"Isn't that the housekeeper of Sima Mansion?" Gu Yang said in a low voice.
Hu Qing nodded, and the two of them walked forward to say hello.
When the butler saw them, a smile immediately appeared on his face: "My two lords, what a coincidence!"
Gu Yang smiled and asked, "Butler, are you here to buy fish?"
The butler nodded, his tone filled with relief. "Yes, the young master has regained consciousness. Madam asked me to buy some fresh fish and make some soup to nourish him."
Hu Qing's eyes flashed with surprise when he heard this: "Sima Xingzhe is awake? How is he doing?"
The housekeeper sighed, his tone filled with worry: "Although the young master is awake, he doesn't seem to be in good spirits, and he is a little dazed.
Madam hopes he can take more supplements and recover soon."
Gu Yang nodded and comforted him, "Don't worry, we are here and will definitely find a way to help him."
The butler said gratefully, "Thank you very much, my Lords."
Hu Qing and Gu Yang stood aside, waiting for the housekeeper to pick the fish.
After a while, the housekeeper selected a few fat grass carp and silver fish, paid the money, and came over with the fish basket.
"My two lords, if it is convenient, why not come back with me?" the housekeeper invited warmly.
Hu Qing and Gu Yang looked at each other and nodded: "Then we'd better obey your command."
The three of them walked towards Sima Mansion together.
Deepwater Town gradually became lively in the early morning. Shops on both sides of the street opened one after another, and vendors began to shout and sell various goods.
Hu Qing and Gu Yang walked while observing the surrounding environment and thinking secretly in their hearts.
After a while, they returned to Sima Mansion.
However, the atmosphere at the entrance of the mansion seemed a little weird.
Many people gathered around, whispering to each other in groups of three or four, discussing something in low voices.
Occasionally, words such as "challenge", "Zhao family", and "Zhao Hui" came into their ears.
But they didn't hear it clearly, and could only detect a hint of gossip in the expressions of the people.
Hu Qing and Gu Yang looked at each other, their hearts full of doubts, and were about to step forward to ask.
When these people saw the butler appear, they immediately shut their mouths, lowered their heads, and pretended nothing had happened.
The butler glanced around coldly and snorted, with a hint of warning in his tone:
"Everyone, go away! Stop gossiping here! Be careful what you say!"
Upon hearing this, the people dispersed, but a few people still hid in the distance, secretly looking over here.
The housekeeper ignored them and walked straight into Sima Mansion with the fish.
Hu Qing and Gu Yang wanted to go forward and ask, but seeing that the housekeeper had a gloomy face and was obviously in a bad mood, they were too embarrassed to speak and could only follow him into the mansion.
The housekeeper took the fish to the kitchen, while Hu Qing and Gu Yang found Sima Xingzhe's room with ease.
When he pushed open the door, he saw Sima Xingzhe lying on the bed, his face haggard, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.
Hearing the footsteps, he didn't even turn his head, and his tone was a bit irritable and tired:
"I said, stop bothering me with those challenges! Throw them all out!"
Upon hearing this, Hu Qing and Gu Yang stopped and became even more curious.
Challenge post?
Who sent it?
Who are you going to challenge again?
Sima Xingzhe didn't hear any response, so he turned around and found that it was Hu Qing and Gu Yang who came.
The anger on his face suddenly disappeared, replaced by a hint of helplessness and sadness.
He forced a smile and said in a hoarse voice:
"So it's you... I thought it was those annoying servants."
Hu Qing stepped forward and asked with concern, "Brother Sima, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling better? Why do you look more haggard than yesterday?"
Gu Yang also came over and asked curiously, "We heard a challenge at the door just now. What's going on?"
Sima Xingzhe sighed, slowly sat up and leaned against the head of the bed.
His face was still pale, and his eyes were full of bloodshot:
“Don’t mention it, the Zhao family has been causing trouble for me recently.
I don't know what's wrong with that kid Zhao Hui. Ever since he knew I returned to Deepwater Town, he has sent me three challenge letters in succession, insisting on competing with me.
I was going to ignore it and pretend I didn't see it, but they spread rumors everywhere.
They said that after I joined the army, I was timid and afraid to fight, and that I was obviously a deserter who had escaped from the barracks.
Now the whole town is talking about this, and I'm really... fed up."
Hu Qing frowned. "Zhao Hui? Who is he? Is his family powerful? Why would he challenge you?"