CHAPTER 388: CHAPTER 388: BORN TO BE SENIOR AND JUNIOR DISCIPLES

What do I do if I’ve offended my little junior sister on our first meeting?

Numerous thoughts flashed through Ji Zhangzhuo’s mind as he tried to make sense of the whole situation.

"I was wrong."

Ji Zhangzhuo said honestly, then quickly added, "But it was you who prompted us to spar. Besides, the senior brother also joined in. All three of us were at fault."

Tuanzi still looked at him with puffed cheeks.

She was already fair-skinned, with chubby cheeks, and now they were puffed up, which made Ji Zhangzhuo think of a bun. Instinctively, he pinched the ’bun’ and remarked, "Pretty soft."

Tuanzi got even angrier.

This isn’t the right attitude for an apology!

"I don’t care. You have to compensate me with flowers, or I won’t call you senior brother!"

Ji Zhangzhuo glanced at the flowerbed and suggested, "How about I take care of your flowers? If I take good care of them, it’ll count as my compensation. How about that?"

Tuanzi thought for a moment; that might work.

It’s like hiring a gardener for the price of a single flower, pretty cost-effective.

She would only need to stand by and supervise, instructing this senior brother to work, and she’d get a garden in return.

Isn’t this just great?

Tuanzi immediately felt delighted, her eyes curved in a smile.

Already pacified so quickly?

Ji Zhangzhuo mused, it seems this little junior sister is easy to coax!

He took the opportunity to introduce himself, stating his name.

"I should be ranked second."

His slightly grey eyes stared at Tuanzi, full of suggestion.

Tuanzi hummed and didn’t want to acknowledge him, holding the fallen flower and strolling toward the house.

Ji Zhangzhuo followed quickly, grinning, "Oh right, little junior sister, I’m penniless. Master said once I arrive, I should listen to your arrangements, so are you responsible for meals and accommodations?"

[Ancient Martial System: ...] That sounds like mooching, doesn’t it?

Duan Xiayou was already half-reclining on the living room sofa and replied lazily, "Self-reliance brings riches. There’s plenty of work in this era; support yourself."

Ji Zhangzhuo chuckled.

"I know, I know, support myself, and support little junior sister."

He was merely speaking for the sake of it.

He’s an adult already; he doesn’t need his little junior sister’s support. It’s more like he should support her.

Tuanzi placed the flower on the table and, hearing this, proudly puffed her chest, "No need for your support, Miaomiao can support herself. Miaomiao works very hard!"

She shoots promotional and instructional videos and earns a fee for them. Although it’s not much, she doesn’t spend much either!

Besides, every time she appears on a program, she earns an appearance fee. Since her aim is to promote Ancient Martial Arts, she hasn’t asked for much, but little by little, it adds up to real money!

Tuanzi boasted about how much she earned, enough for several years of food and drink.

Ji Zhangzhuo gave a few complementary praises, his slightly grey eyes reflecting deep thoughts.

"But little junior sister, with your family background, you don’t need to earn money by participating in those programs, do you? It seems you have other motives."

Tuanzi immediately became less boastful.

She turned away, pretending to fuss with her flowers, not saying a word, but internally wailing.

[Miaomiao: Ahhh, why is this senior brother also so astute?]

Senior brother seemed lazy but actually sharp; this senior brother had a baby face, appearing easy to deceive, yet his words hit the nail on the head.

Ah, senior brother is too smart, hard to trick!

Anyway, if she doesn’t want to answer, she can change the topic, something she’s quite adept at!

Tuanzi composed herself, turned around as if at ease, crossed her arms, and tried to emanate an ’I’m very serious, don’t joke around’ aura.

"Although you know our Master’s Secret Skill and have the Spirit Jade, you still seem a bit suspicious."

Seeing that she wanted to change the topic, Ji Zhangzhuo didn’t press on. Given time, he would know.

"Little junior sister, tell me, what’s suspicious about me?"

Tuanzi raised a finger and circled around him.

"First, how did you know Miaomiao’s name, appearance, and identity?"

At first, even the senior brother only knew her as ’Miaomiao’ and didn’t know her surname.

At that time, they could meet because the system detected someone from the Otherworld coming and a helpful bystander sought out the little junior sister for the senior brother.

But now, this senior brother seemed to have full knowledge, which was quite abnormal!

Ji Zhangzhuo felt like a little kitten was circling him; she paced gracefully, tail swaying gently, her gaze carrying a hint of wariness.

"The name and appearance were told by Master!"

Ji Zhangzhuo simply explained his experience.

In his world, when being chased, the Spirit Jade suddenly gleamed, allowing him to return briefly to Master.

"Master said I wouldn’t stay long and would likely come to your world, so he told me your name and showed me your portrait."

Indeed, not even half an incense stick of time, he was repelled and soon arrived in this era.

Duan Xiayou couldn’t lie down anymore, sat up straight, and gazed at Ji Zhangzhuo with a deep look.

At the time, he had only spent a few words worth of effort in that era, barely knowing anything before being sent over.

Same senior brother, different fate.

"Senior brother, why are you looking at me like that?"

Ji Zhangzhuo looked innocent.

Duan Xiayou replied softly, "If that is the case, how did you learn Miaomiao’s identity and manage to locate her?"

"Ah, that story starts with me saving a woman."

Ji Zhangzhuo simply recounted his experience.

He appeared suddenly on the outskirts of Jiangcheng, finding the scenery unfamiliar, and then noticed someone using a stone to strike a tin can, with a woman trapped inside. She was frightened, so he instinctively saved her.

"I didn’t expect that tin can to move, quite impressive."

Tuanzi couldn’t help picking up a nut to nibble on, watching Ji Zhangzhuo as she ate.

"Your experience seems like Miaomiao’s. I also rescued a pretty sister in the suburbs, who gave Miaomiao food and sent Miaomiao to the city."

"Speaking of which, that woman mentioned once being rescued by a little girl in the suburbs as well, though she never named her savior."

Guo Xia felt it was all too coincidental. While bringing Ji Zhangzhuo to the city, she couldn’t help but mention being saved by a little girl with great skills in the past. However, she would never randomly disclose Gu Miaomiao’s information.

At the time, Ji Zhangzhuo unfamiliar with the era’s circumstances, assumed many trained in martial arts from a young age and didn’t think much about it. But he guessed if the little junior sister suddenly returned to modern times, a similar incident might happen.

Now pondering, perhaps the little girl spoken of by that woman was indeed the little junior sister!

Tuanzi was so startled she almost dropped her nut.

"Is it really such a coincidence?"

Ji Zhangzhuo’s mood improved further.

"It seems we’re destined to be siblings, even saving the same person."

Tuanzi thought the logic was flawless, nodding in agreement.

Ji Zhangzhuo was about to say more but felt a chill down his spine. Looking back, he saw senior brother staring at him intently.