So, you all just attract jerks, don’t you?

By the time Du Ruo and Xiang Yuanyuan picked up Li Qiyao and returned to their rented courtyard, it was already past seven in the evening.

To be honest, Du Ruo hadn’t expected Li Qiyao to be this efficient.

During the ride, Du Ruo had already listened to Li Qiyao recount how she’d handled the matter, and couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. Who would have thought that this woman, who seemed so gentle and delicate, could be so ruthless in her methods?

“Here, this is the Coiling Dragon Wire.”

Back at Du Ruo’s rented place, the table was already set with food—something she’d arranged to be delivered from a restaurant while still in the car. Seated by the table, Li Qiyao took a wooden box from her bag and handed it to Du Ruo.

Du Ruo took the box, opened it, examined the contents for a moment, and then slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.

“It’s pretty enough, but I don’t see what’s so special about it. It’s just a bracelet—why are you so excited?” Xiang Yuanyuan eyed it with curiosity, unable to understand why Du Ruo valued it so highly—first asking Li Qiyao to design it, then spending a fortune to have it made. In the end, it looked like nothing more than a bracelet, and not even an exquisitely crafted one at that.

“Hehe, let me show you what it can do.”

Smiling, Du Ruo admired the bracelet on her wrist, then, responding to Xiang Yuanyuan’s question, she rose and walked over to the training area. Her action drew the attention of both women—even Li Qiyao, who’d already seen it demonstrated, was curious to see what kind of power this weapon could unleash.

Du Ruo slapped the dragon’s head on the bracelet, and the dragon’s tail shot out—not flung directly like the old craftsman had shown, but gripped in her hand. Using the “Yin Hand” technique, she flicked her finger, and the dragon’s tail shot through the air.

Bang!

A loud crack resounded—the dragon’s tail punched straight through one of the wooden stakes of the plum blossom posts. Du Ruo kept hold of the dragon’s body and gave a sharp flick of her wrist to the left.

Crack!

The tail swung sideways, showering splinters, leaving a gaping hole in the wooden stake.

Instead of retracting the dragon’s tail, Du Ruo clasped the dragon’s body with her right hand and began to whirl it around. Brief flashes of silver danced around her, the wire hissing faintly as it sliced through the air, forming a tight barrier.

After a few elegant maneuvers, she reeled the tail back in, then gripped it with her right hand again. Using the “Yang Hand” technique, she harnessed the power of her arm and wrist and sent the tail flying once more.

Bang!

The force of the “Yang Hand” throw was far greater than that of the “Yin Hand.” In a flash of silver, the dragon’s tail pierced another wooden stake clean through. Du Ruo’s body darted between the posts several times, and when she finally stopped, the plum blossom stakes were wrapped in steel wire—so fine that only a careful look revealed the faint glint of silver.

Click—click—click—

Standing firm, Du Ruo gave a sharp flick of her arm. The bracelet on her wrist swung, the wire behind her tightened, and a series of sharp clicks rang out as the taut steel wire bit into several stakes.

“Ahem… Right, I forgot this one uses steel wire instead. The wire’s thicker now—much tougher and stronger than before, but it’s lost some of its sharpness. If I force it too hard, the wire might snap.”

Du Ruo said this awkwardly as she began to untangle the steel wire from the posts, explaining as she worked.

She’d intended to create a spectacular effect—all the stakes neatly severed with a flourish. But she’d miscalculated the cutting power of the wire and the toughness of the wood, resulting in this embarrassing scene. The grace she’d shown weaving through the posts was now matched by the clumsiness of disentangling the wire.

Hehe—

Xiang Yuanyuan and Li Qiyao exchanged glances, both amused, yet still awed by the Coiling Dragon Wire’s power. They weren’t fools; if the wire could cut so deeply into the stakes, just imagine what it could do to a neck or a joint. Especially Li Qiyao, who’d already seen the craftsman’s demonstration.

Du Ruo finally untangled and rewound the wire, stroking the bracelet with satisfaction, his smile undiminished. He was thoroughly pleased with the Coiling Dragon Wire’s power.

The human body is, after all, fragile. This level of strength was more than enough—and if necessary, he could always infuse it with “Qi.” Then, it would be no less formidable than the original Coiling Dragon Wire.

“A-Qi, thank you. I owe you one. If you ever need my help, just let me know.”

Back at the table, Du Ruo offered Li Qiyao a sincere thanks; she’d truly done him a huge favor.

“Boss Du, do you take disciples?” Li Qiyao bit her lip at his words, then ventured the question. The shadow between her brows had long since cleared, but she still looked as delicate and pitiable as ever.

“Take disciples? I don’t accept disciples. But since you’ve asked, I suppose I could teach you a few self-defense techniques.”

Du Ruo looked at her as he replied, but ultimately refused. Frankly, martial arts had little place in today’s society. Still, he’d just promised to help if needed, and turning her down outright now seemed a bit harsh, so he added the offer.

“No, no, Boss Du, you misunderstood. It’s not for me—I have a younger cousin. Her situation is a bit complicated.”

Seeing Du Ruo had misunderstood, Li Qiyao quickly waved her hands. When both Du Ruo and Xiang Yuanyuan looked at her curiously, she hesitated, then continued.

“My cousin is two years younger than me and has been married for two years. Only after getting married did she discover her husband is abusive—whenever something displeases him, he beats her.”

“Honestly, does your family have some kind of magnet for scumbags? You get cheated on by a clingy jerk, and your cousin ends up with a wife-beater. I’ve lived this long and never known anyone around me to go through things like this,” Xiang Yuanyuan blurted out, unable to restrain herself. Her words left Li Qiyao momentarily speechless.

“In this kind of situation, divorce seems like the best option,” Du Ruo said, not joining in the commentary. As the saying goes, even an upright official finds it hard to settle domestic disputes—without knowing the specifics, he didn’t want to judge.

“My uncle and aunt have also urged her to divorce, but the husband’s parents keep insisting that a little fighting between couples is normal.”

“And what does your cousin think?”

Du Ruo had little patience for the story and cut straight to the point.

“My cousin probably still has feelings for the man. She says a scumbag like him shouldn’t be allowed to leave her and hurt another woman, but after he hits her, he always sweet-talks her and gives her gifts and flowers…”

“So?” Du Ruo didn’t see what this had to do with accepting a disciple.

“My cousin was still hesitating, but after what happened to me, she decided she wants to become stronger. She’s tried looking for coaches at several boxing and martial arts gyms but couldn’t find a suitable one. So I thought, maybe Boss Du could teach her.”

“So your cousin wants to learn so she can get in on the ‘little fights between couples’ too, is that it?” Du Ruo was speechless—what a bunch!