Running Away While Pregnant with the Villain’s Child - Chapter 21

It was said to be a case of letting Pei Junzhuo try it out, but in reality, Luo Xingran hadn’t even thought about taking action herself.

Her “attempt” was more about spending those fifty yuan to engage in the act of having fun. As for whether she played personally, Luo Xingran didn’t want to dwell on it too much.

“My god, has she studied this before?”

“Every single arrow has hit the ten-ring, and this is already the ninth arrow.”

“This girl is so skilled at archery; one would imagine her strength with a crossbow wouldn’t be mediocre either. It looks like the boss’s ‘treasure of the shop’ is likely going to be lost this time.”

“Go, go, go, you jinx! Is archery the same as using a crossbow? Can’t you wish some good luck on me? Get lost, get lost!”

The stall owner was exasperated, and inwardly, he was feeling a bit fearful. However, on the surface, he was unwilling to lose face—after all, he was the one who had just said he wasn’t afraid at all.

Nine arrows had all hit the mark. Seeing that Pei Junzhuo was just one last arrow away, she suddenly stopped.

“Xingran, want to play too?” As soon as Pei Junzhuo spoke, Luo Xingran began to shake her head repeatedly.

She had never touched these things before; she definitely couldn’t do it.

“This is the last arrow! Little girl, once you’ve cleared the stage, just let the other girl play another round.”

“Exactly, exactly! Why are you being so silly at such a critical moment?”

“Could this girl be a ‘shill’ hired by the boss? To prove that someone can actually pass the level and then attract other people to play?”

The onlookers chattered away, their voices buzzing and causing Luo Xingran, who already felt like retreating, to feel even more intimidated.

“What are you people talking about? I run a legitimate business. If she can do it, she can do it. Me, hiring a shill? Am I crazy? For a small stall like this, I’d hire a shill? Is there something wrong with me?”

The boss looked at the surrounding people and couldn’t help but curse under his breath.

He admitted that when Pei Junzhuo asked Luo Xingran to try, he was happy. Luo Xingran looked so frightened, which indicated she probably didn’t know how to play.

However, once he heard others spinning conspiracy theories about him self-directing and acting out a play, his mood soured.

He had always run his business honestly. Although the riddles were difficult, he hadn’t been truly excessive. To be slandered out of nowhere and accused of faking it—that was something he couldn’t stand.

He had hired shills before, but that was ancient history from years ago. He wasn’t doing it now, so being accused of it was something the boss simply couldn’t accept.

“I can’t do it…” Luo Xingran watched the crowd’s reaction, becoming increasingly afraid. She waved her hands while backing away.

“You can do it. How about I teach you?” Pei Junzhuo looked at Luo Xingran very earnestly; she wasn’t swayed in the slightest by the others.

Even if Luo Xingran herself felt she couldn’t do it, Pei Junzhuo firmly told her that she could.

“Okay.” Luo Xingran felt she must have been bewitched by Pei Junzhuo; she actually agreed.

The moment the words left her mouth, she wanted to regret it. However, looking into Pei Junzhuo’s eyes, which were brimming with delight, she couldn’t say a single word of refusal.

Ugh, if it really doesn’t work out, I’ll just shell out the money to let Pei Junzhuo try again.

“Here, hold it.” Pei Junzhuo placed the bow and arrow into Luo Xingran’s hands, meticulously teaching her how to position her hands step by step.

Luo Xingran’s hands trembled slightly as she held the bow. She looked up into Pei Junzhuo’s eyes.

Seeing that Pei Junzhuo’s eyes were still full of trust and joy, any words of withdrawal died in Luo Xingran’s throat.

She thought she should be more confident for Pei Junzhuo’s sake.

The people around them were still noisy, everyone seemingly having endless things to say.

However, Luo Xingran no longer took those words to heart.

“First, draw the bow, then use this spot to aim… Yes, you’re doing great.”

“Then, once you’ve aimed, you can let go.”

Standing behind Luo Xingran, Pei Junzhuo held her hands, teaching her bit by bit how to draw the bow, how to aim, and how to release.

Luo Xingran felt as if her entire being was enveloped by Pei Junzhuo’s scent. This feeling gave her an unprecedented sense of security.

Following Pei Junzhuo’s instructions, Luo Xingran released her hand in one smooth motion. The arrow flew toward the target like a wild horse breaking free from its reins.

“I hit it!” Seeing the arrow land steadily on the target, Luo Xingran jumped up in pure joy.

So this was what it felt like to buy happiness with money!

The moment she hit the mark, Luo Xingran felt as if she were the most incredible human being in the world!

Overwhelmed with happiness, Luo Xingran turned around and hugged Pei Junzhuo, who was standing behind her.

Pei Junzhuo was still feeling happy for Luo Xingran when she suddenly felt a cute little deer dive into her arms.

Looking down, it was indeed the most adorable “baby deer” in her heart.

“Are you that happy?” Pei Junzhuo looked down at Luo Xingran, who looked ready to fly, and couldn’t help but smile.

“Yes! Very happy!” Luo Xingran shouted with full vigor, looking like a rising little sun.

Seeing Luo Xingran so happy increased the joy in Pei Junzhuo’s heart even more.

Before losing those memories of that time, Luo Xingran had once been the national champion in mounted archery.

It wasn’t just ordinary fixed targets like this; she truly shot moving targets from horseback. Back then, Luo Xingran was simply like a dazzling flame. Everyone’s eyes were gathered on her.

The current situation bore a few similarities to that time.

“I thought this girl couldn’t do it, but she’s actually really good.”

“Oho, looks like the boss won’t be able to keep that ‘treasure of the shop’ today.”

“I wonder if the boss regrets letting these two talented people play this.”

As everyone chattered, the happiness in Luo Xingran’s heart grew even more. Almost instinctively, she looked up at Pei Junzhuo.

She was still looking at her tenderly. For some reason, Luo Xingran only felt the temperature of her cheeks grow hot.

What should she do? How could she describe Pei Junzhuo’s current gaze? Luo Xingran didn’t know; she only felt her heart beating so fast and her happiness growing more and more.

“Hmph, this is only the first stage. What are you all so proud of?” Seeing how happy everyone was, the boss stood with his hands on his hips, indicating that this group of people was celebrating too early.

“A progress bar at one-third—is that worth being this happy about?”

After the boss finished speaking, he put on his reading glasses, went behind the stall, and pulled out a book.

The book looked heavily covered in dust. The boss held the book and said, “The second stage is changed. It’s not riddles; we’re doing a classical poetry relay.”

“This boss is truly unethical, changing the rules on the fly.”

“After graduating, who still memorizes classical poetry? This is ridiculous.”

“Sigh, I’m not coming to this stall anymore if he’s testing poetry. I’m completely clueless about that stuff.”

Seeing more and more people criticizing him, the boss also grew flustered.

“Six questions! As long as you can answer six questions, I’ll consider you passed for the second stage.”

The boss gritted his teeth, changing the requirement from ten questions to six.

Luo Xingran frowned; she indeed had no memory left for classical poetry.

“Alright, I agree,” Pei Junzhuo nodded with a smile, showing no sign of difficulty on her face.

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