Jiang Feng immediately understood Liang Dachao's intentions from his gaze. It seemed this guy couldn't hold back any longer.
But that was fine. Jiang Feng was more than willing to play along.
Sure enough, Liang Dachao pointed at Jiang Feng and said, "I plan to have a guzheng performance contest with this classmate Jiang Feng. Since Miss Qiu Yue'er is here, she can judge us and determine who's better."
Swish, swish, swish!
Everyone's eyes turned to Jiang Feng.
"Who is this guy?"
"No idea, never seen him before."
"He looks decent, probably some rich kid."
"But being targeted by Liang Dachao, he's likely to embarrass himself today."
"Haven't you noticed? Look at the beauty next to him."
"Isn't that Cheng Shaoqing?"
"Yeah, and look how close she is to him. This is definitely going to provoke Liang Dachao."
"Exactly, everyone knows Liang Dachao is pursuing Cheng Shaoqing. Now this guy is asking for trouble by getting close to her. He won't even know how he dies."
"No wonder Liang Dachao wants to challenge him. I'd do the same."
"Yeah, how can the woman you love be with someone else?"
"I support Liang Dachao. Make this guy lose face and get lost."
"Yeah, get lost, don't embarrass yourself here."
"Wait, I think I recognize this guy. Isn't he Jiang Feng from our Meilong Middle School? Yeah, it's him," a student from Meilong Middle School shouted.
"He's from your school? What's his story? Tell us," someone asked, sensing something interesting.
"Of course there's a story, and it's quite dramatic. Jiang Feng is a country boy who got into Meilong Middle School through his aunt's connections. He even had a pretty girlfriend, but his grades were poor, always at the bottom. Just a few days ago, his girlfriend broke up with him in front of the whole class. I also heard a rumor that he's been kicked out of his aunt's house and is now a homeless wanderer."
"So there's such a rich story behind him, but in the end, he's just a poor kid."
"Yeah, it's hard for someone from a poor family to succeed. With bad grades and no help, it's tough to make it in the city."
"But why is he dressed so well? Looks high-class."
"Are you dumb? Cheng Shaoqing must have spent money to dress him up."
"That makes sense..."
Now everyone had a preliminary understanding of Jiang Feng, but it was all negative, earning him unanimous disdain and scorn.
Jiang Feng listened to the crowd's chatter without changing his expression, as if he hadn't heard their mockery at all.
After five hundred years, Jiang Feng was long used to others' gossip and didn't care at all.
Seeing this, Cheng Shaoqing, worried that Jiang Feng might feel hurt, quickly said, "Jiang Feng, don't listen to their nonsense. They're just crows, only good at making noise."
Jiang Feng nodded slightly and smiled, "It's okay. Such idle talk won't bother me. No matter what they say, I have a clear conscience."
"That's good. Don't care about others' opinions," Cheng Shaoqing nodded, pleased with Jiang Feng's resilience.
"You should be careful. Liang Dachao is quite skilled at playing the guzheng. If you're not confident, don't accept the challenge," Chu Qingqing kindly reminded.
"Thank you for your concern. I'll be careful," Jiang Feng replied.
"Do you dare to face me?" Liang Dachao shouted.
An invisible spear pointed directly at Jiang Feng.
Jiang Feng smiled silently. A guzheng competition? What a perfect choice.
"I bet he won't dare."
"I think so too."
"Look at him, a country bumpkin. He probably hasn't even touched a guzheng, let alone played it."
"Yeah, a bumpkin is a bumpkin. No matter how well-dressed, he can't hide his rustic nature."
"He shouldn't have come today. This is not his place."
"A sparrow can't become a phoenix just by perching on a high branch. At best, he's a phoenix man."
"Hahaha..."
The crowd burst into another round of disdain and mockery.
"Jiang Feng, let's just leave. Don't stoop to their level or respond to Liang Dachao's provocation," Cheng Shaoqing said, worried that Jiang Feng might embarrass himself.
"No need. Since they look down on me, I'll shut their mouths and slap them in the face," Jiang Feng said. "Besides, Liang Dachao just wants to humiliate me in front of you to win your favor. How could I back down? If I retreat, it means I've lost, and everyone will look down on me even more. I don't want to see that happen."
"But do you know how to play the guzheng?" Cheng Shaoqing asked, still worried.
"Not really, just a little," Jiang Feng said calmly.
"A little?" Cheng Shaoqing said, "Liang Dachao is very skilled."
"Yes, you should listen to Cheng Shaoqing and leave. I shouldn't have told you so much today, but you seem decent, not as bad as I thought, so I wanted to help you. Don't be stubborn and ungrateful," Chu Qingqing said.
Chu Qingqing was really making an exception today. In the past, she would have loved to see such a drama unfold and would have added fuel to the fire.
But she didn't know why today she suddenly felt some goodwill towards Jiang Feng. Maybe it was because everyone was targeting him, and she felt a bit indignant.
"I understand your kindness, but as a man, I won't back down. You don't need to persuade me anymore. I know exactly what I'm doing," Jiang Feng said.
After so many years in the Immortal Realm, he had long developed a domineering nature. He believed in striving for everything and never retreating. Retreating was the behavior of a coward, not his style.
For someone like Liang Dachao who sought trouble for no reason, Jiang Feng would never back down.
He had to fight back, and fight back hard.
Jiang Feng's words made Cheng Shaoqing and Chu Qingqing tremble, as if they were seeing a broad-shouldered hero who bore everything and stood tall, daring to face any unknown danger.
Cheng Shaoqing was the most moved. She had been in contact with Jiang Feng for a few days, and each time he surprised her greatly.
She wanted to understand Jiang Feng more deeply. A strong curiosity grew in her heart, unstoppable.
"Alright, I support you. Go ahead. Winning or losing doesn't matter. Taking this brave step is the best," Cheng Shaoqing said.
It seemed she was influenced by Jiang Feng and began to agree with his thoughts.
Jiang Feng looked deeply at Cheng Shaoqing, his lips curling slightly, "Thank you for understanding."
Then Jiang Feng looked at Liang Dachao, showing a meaningful smile, and said in a deep voice, "I accept your challenge."
"Good, very good. That's what I was waiting for. Let's start then, and not waste everyone's time," Liang Dachao said excitedly. As long as Jiang Feng accepted, his plan for today was a success.
He was confident he could make Jiang Feng embarrass himself.
He didn't believe Jiang Feng could play the guzheng, so he was sure he would win.
"Then let's talk about the stakes," Jiang Feng said calmly.
The stakes were important. He didn't want to miss the most exciting part.
"Hmph, the stakes? The loser has to give the winner five million," Liang Dachao sneered.
In his eyes, five million was an amount Jiang Feng's entire family couldn't come up with.
But Jiang Feng shook his head.
"What, you don't dare? Are you backing out?" Liang Dachao said, "Fine, if you kneel and kowtow to me three times now, I'll let you off."
"No, you're overthinking. I just think money as a stake is too vulgar. Don't you think?" Jiang Feng shook his head again.
"Hmm?" Liang Dachao was stunned, "Then what do you suggest?"
"How about your 'Star of Love' as the stake? If you lose, it belongs to me," Jiang Feng pointed at the sapphire "Star of Love."
"Hahaha... What a big ambition. Don't you know the saying 'Greed knows no bounds'? You really dare to dream," Liang Dachao laughed.
"I can agree to that. But if you lose, what can you offer?" Liang Dachao asked coldly.
"If I lose, my life is yours. How about that?" Jiang Feng said.
Liang Dachao was taken aback. He didn't expect Jiang Feng to be so ruthless, betting his life like a desperate gambler.
Everyone present was stunned, looking at Jiang Feng in shock.
"This guy is crazy."
"I think he's stupid. What a brute."
"He's probably thinking he has nothing to lose and is going all out against Liang Dachao."
"Sigh, he's throwing his life away for nothing. Not worth it."
"An idiot."
"Huh, he's got guts. I kind of admire him now."
"Not bad, at least he's got guts."
"..."
"Jiang Feng, don't. This is too reckless," Cheng Shaoqing was shocked and quickly tried to stop him.
Jiang Feng turned back and said, "Trust me, it's okay."
Cheng Shaoqing fell silent. Yes, at this moment, she should trust Jiang Feng, stand with him, and face the enemy together.
"Alright, be careful," Cheng Shaoqing said, stepping back.
"Fine, as you wish," Liang Dachao said, laughing after his initial surprise. Jiang Feng was asking for death, so he couldn't be blamed.
"One more condition. If you lose, you have to kneel and kowtow to me three times, calling me grandpa," Jiang Feng added.
Now Liang Dachao was completely enraged, certain he wouldn't lose. No matter what conditions Jiang Feng proposed, he would agree.
"Fine, any other conditions? Say them all. I'll agree to everything. Let's see how you handle it later," Liang Dachao said, patting his chest.
"No, that's all," Jiang Feng said with a faint smile.
"Alright, let's sign a life-and-death agreement. I don't want you backing out later," Liang Dachao said, calling over a waiter to bring two life-and-death agreements.
"Sign it," Liang Dachao said disdainfully.
Jiang Feng smiled slightly, stepped forward, and signed his name without any fear, showing a strong heroic spirit.