...
The night breeze dispelled the daytime heat, and the night market in Tiandou City was at its most bustling and vibrant.
"Gurgle..."
As they walked, Xiao Wu suddenly clutched her flat stomach.
Her once spirited rabbit ears drooped down, and she mumbled pitifully:
"I was so focused on setting up the stage and going all out that I completely forgot we haven't even had dinner yet. I'm so hungry..."
Upon hearing this, the girls, who had been in a state of excitement because of their group's fierce criticism of Yu Xiaogang, suddenly felt a sense of emptiness.
Tonight's "big show" started way too early. Ning Rongrong, as the main attacker, delivered a high-intensity live performance throughout.
Everyone's mind was focused on how to nail Yu Xiaogang to the pillar of shame, and no one had time to even pick up their chopsticks.
Ning Rongrong rubbed her stomach and suggested, "The night market is bustling right now, and there's delicious food everywhere. Why don't we go for a stroll and grab some late-night snacks?"
The girls raised their hands in agreement without hesitation.
Anyway, I'll just go back to the hotel to sleep, and I definitely won't be able to fall asleep if I toss and turn in bed on an empty stomach.
What's more... if Xuan Hao, that unrestrained little pervert, also goes back to the hotel tonight, everyone might be forced to do some physically demanding "nighttime work."
If I don't eat something to replenish my strength quickly, I'm definitely going to suffer a lot later!
After reaching a consensus, the group immediately changed direction and plunged into the brightly lit night market.
With Ning Rongrong, the little rich girl from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, present, everyone naturally wouldn't eat at a roadside stall. Instead, they went straight to the most upscale restaurant in the city center of the night market.
However, as soon as they stepped onto the private seating area on the second floor of the restaurant, the sharp-eyed Xiao Wu immediately stopped, tugged at Ning Rongrong's sleeve, and pointed to a prime spot by the window.
"Hey, look! Isn't that Xuan Hao?"
Following Xiao Wu's finger, everyone saw Xuan Hao sitting there, indulging in the familiar "storm inhalation" mode over a table full of delicacies.
Sitting directly opposite him was none other than Tang Yuehua, the owner of Yuexuan Pavilion, dressed in elegant palace attire, gently picking out fish bones for him.
"Why would he suddenly drag Aunt Yuehua out to eat at the night market so late at night?"
Dugu Yan asked in a low voice, somewhat puzzled.
Ning Rongrong's eyes darted around, and in an instant, she connected all the clues in her mind.
She lowered her voice and said excitedly, "Could it be... also because of Tang San?!"
"Think about it, Brother Xuanhao personally told us that Tang San is Tang Hao's son!
And this Aunt Yuehua is Tang Hao's younger sister, which means she's Tang San's aunt!"
The more Ning Rongrong analyzed it, the more she felt that her thinking matched Xuan Hao's brainwaves:
"Look, just now at Blue Tyrant Academy, we belittled that hypocritical master Yu Xiaogang to the point of being worthless, greatly diminishing his image in Tang San's mind."
If, at this critical juncture, Tang Yuehua, Tang San's aunt who is not only directly related by blood but also has extensive connections in Heaven Dou City and can provide him with substantial help…
"Wouldn't that perfectly fill, or even directly replace, Yu Xiaogang's place in Tang San's heart?!"
"Brother Xuanhao's actions tonight must be part of a grand scheme!"
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly and asked hesitantly, "Could it be... that you're overthinking it?
Maybe he's just hungry and just wanted to have dinner with someone?"
"impossible."
Na'er, who knew Xuan Hao best, gently shook her head.
"Sister Yuehua has always preferred quiet and is someone who pays attention to aristocratic manners."
She would never go out late at night, let alone come to a bustling restaurant in the city center.
She only reluctantly accompanied us out for walks before, just to take care of my brother and me.
"Tonight, my brother must have used some underhanded methods to drag her out."
"If nothing unexpected happens, my brother wants to take advantage of this relaxed environment to lower Sister Yuehua's guard first, and then gradually lure her into the trap he has already set up."
Xiao Wu was completely confused and blinked, "So what do we do now?
Should we go over and say hello?"
"Of course we have to go!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up.
"We just brilliantly launched our attack on Yu Xiaogang.
Now, we can take the opportunity to chat and accidentally reveal some of tonight's events to Tang Yuehua.
This is the perfect assist for Brother Xuanhao!"
Without hesitation, Ning Rongrong immediately put on a sweet smile and led the way, jogging towards Xuan Hao's table.
Na'er, Dugu Yan, and the others quickly followed.
Xuan Hao, who was engrossed in his meal, keenly sensed the familiar presence of the girls.
He put down his chopsticks and turned around with a puzzled look on his face:
"Weren't you guys at Blue Tyrant Academy? What are you doing here?"
Good evening, Aunt Yuehua~
Ning Rongrong first greeted Tang Yuehua politely, then sat down next to Xuan Hao without any hesitation.
She picked up a pair of spare chopsticks in front of him, picked up a piece of tender braised pork and stuffed it into her mouth. "Don't even mention it, I was so busy cursing that I didn't even eat my fill."
Na'er and the others greeted Tang Yuehua and then naturally sat down around the large table.
Fortunately, Xuanhao's appetite was so terrifying that he chose the largest round table on this floor from the beginning.
Even with the six girls included, it didn't feel crowded at all.
Seeing that another Na'er with a "giant stomach from the abyss" had arrived, Tang Yuehua smiled gently and immediately beckoned to the waiter, who then added a whole table full of hearty dishes.
While waiting for the food, Ning Rongrong ate while gesturing wildly and vividly describing to Xuan Hao their "feats" at Blue Tyrant Academy that evening.
She revealed everything, from how Xiao Wu feigned innocence to ask questions, to how she dropped bombshells, and finally how she drove Yu Xiaogang to desperation and ruined his reputation.
Tang Yuehua sat quietly to the side and listened.
When she heard the name "Tang San," her breathing quickened noticeably, and her eyes became concerned.
However, given Tang Hao's current sensitive status as the Spirit Hall's number one wanted criminal, she swallowed her questions in the crowded restaurant, intending to ask Xuan Hao for clarification when she got back.
"...That's how it is! In the end, that old bastard Yu Xiaogang couldn't even fart, and Tang San left alone with a disappointed look on his face!" Ning Rongrong looked at Xuan Hao with a face full of praise.
However, after listening to their report, Xuan Hao merely nodded indifferently, grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouth, and asked in return:
"That's it? You didn't press your advantage and finish them off when they were down?"
"ah?"
Ning Rongrong was stunned for a moment, then blinked in confusion.
"But... according to the psychological tactics you taught me before, after inflicting such extreme psychological stimulation and causing their persona to collapse, shouldn't we know when to stop and give them some time to buffer and rest?
Otherwise, pushing too hard will only make them instinctively become extremely wary and rebellious, right?"
Xuan Hao sighed helplessly, tapping her forehead with a look of exasperation:
"You may have memorized the theory, but what's the use of just studying it by rote? You have to consider the specific situation!"
"What you set up tonight was indeed well-prepared, but the ending was too drawn out!
It wasn't aggressive enough towards Yu Xiaogang, and it wasn't provoking Tang San enough either!"
"Take the attacks on Yu Xiaogang for example. What's the point of you just harping on his past emotional grievances about deserting the battlefield?
That only proves that he has a bad character."
What you should have done then was to strike while the iron was hot and launch a full-scale attack on the validity of his so-called core theories!
You should have used a professional perspective to critique his theories to the point of being worthless, causing Tang San to fundamentally and devastatingly undermine Yu Xiaogang's academic value!
"Furthermore, given Tang's weakness of not being able to prioritize and his blind faith in theories, why didn't you bring out some ready-made control cases to thoroughly slap him in the face?!"
Xuan Hao pointed to Na'er, who was quietly eating her rice next to him, and then to Ye Lingling and Ning Rongrong herself:
"Why don't you use these ready-made examples?
Are you saving them for the New Year?"
"You should have pointed at Na'er and asked Tang San back then: Na'er is a few months younger than you, but she has already reached the Soul Master realm of over forty levels, which is more than ten levels higher than you!
And she is a seemingly harmless girl!
Look at Lingling, although she is two years older than Tang San, she is already close to the threshold of Soul King!"
"Shove these stark differences in skill levels right in his face and ask him:
We girls who don't study those boring theories completely crush you, this self-proclaimed genius and master's disciple, in every way.
What's the point of you holding onto those worthless papers all day?!
Aren't these the most lethal examples?"
"This barrage of attacks will not only greatly stimulate Tang San's fragile self-esteem and competitive spirit, but also subtly weaken his hostility towards your attack just now."
Xuan Hao looked at Ning Rongrong and precisely analyzed Tang San's human weaknesses:
"After all, Tang San is a man with a strong sense of male chauvinism at heart.
If he finds that he has given his all and has actually lost to you women, whom he sees as weak, in terms of absolute strength, his first reaction will be extreme shame and self-doubt, not pure anger like Dai Mubai's.
Your antics tonight were high at the beginning but low at the end, and your offensive was far too weak."
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