Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2441 - 2377: Lifelong Bachelor

Right before the chicken leg could smack into his face, the fellow snatched it mid-air, yet he failed to dodge Meng Xinian's swift kick. With no chance to pull back his leg, he tumbled backward onto his rear, clutching the chicken leg tightly all the while.

"Hey, who exactly is this fierce lady to you?"

He eyed the chicken leg gripped in his palm, a glint in his gaze, before turning back to Chiang Xiao.

That throw had packed quite a punch.

Had it actually struck his face moments ago, the pain would have been intense.

This woman packs a real wallop.

Earlier, her move had been totally unforeseen.

Plus, considering Meng Xinian's temperament, how would he tolerate any disruption in the midst of a friendly bout?

Yet at this moment, a quick look at Meng Xinian revealed he seemed somewhat embarrassed.

"Little one, I'm okay."

"You claim you're okay, and suddenly everything's fine?" Chiang Xiao huffed, "Had that kick truly connected earlier, let's see you brush it off so easily!"

Both the man and Chen Yin stared at Meng Xinian with astonishment.

"Are you hurt?"

"Xinian, you're hurt?"

Unaccustomed to revealing his wounds or being fussed over as if wounded, Meng Xinian merely rubbed his nose and muttered, "Just a minor scratch."

Chiang Xiao rolled her eyes in exasperation.

Minor scratch?

Without the aid of the Spirit Spring Water and Spatial Spirit Medicine, the bleeding might have already resumed by this point.

What's more, she was convinced that even lacking the Spatial Spirit Medicine and Spring Water, Meng Xinian would have pressed on with the fight against this fellow.

Hmph.

From the look on Chiang Xiao's face, the man could sense it was far from the "minor scratch" Meng Xinian described.

"Whoa, you still took me down while hurt?"

Meng Xinian flashed a sly grin and stayed silent.

The pair understood well that the recent kick wouldn't have landed on him.

Meng Xinian had braced himself for any counter.

Maybe due to Chiang Xiao's limited fighting background, she couldn't spot it from mere observation.

Extending his hand to the man, their palms clasped solidly, Meng Xinian yanked hard to haul him to his feet.

"Allow me to introduce," he stated, "Meet Zhu Shun. He served as a special forces operative before, and these days he's..."

Zhu Shun picked up where he left off, "These days, you might not realize? I handle various gigs—hauling cargo, managing small ventures, acting as a bodyguard, safeguarding shipments or folks. I dabble a little, then lay low for a spell."

Caught off guard by Zhu Shun's current line of work, Meng Xinian shot him a look but held his tongue.

"This is my wife-to-be, Chiang Xiao. Our wedding's set for August 27th this year. Will you join us?"

Zhu Shun elbowed Meng Xinian lightly and murmured, "Your fiancée's a real stunner; no surprise you got hooked. I figured you'd stay a bachelor for life."

Then, facing Chiang Xiao, he added, "Greetings, sister-in-law."

Chiang Xiao pressed her lips together.

Hearing that title felt fresh to her ears.

In the past, Meng Xinian's buddies, fellow soldiers, and underlings had all used sister-in-law for her, Chen Yin included.

But this marked the very first time from someone new.

"How should I address you? Brother Zhu?"

"Nah, nah, that'd make me sound like Brother Pig, you know, the swine from pork!" Zhu Shun chuckled once more, "If it's alright with you, go with Brother Shun. You seem so youthful—did Xinian pull some fast one on you or what..."

"Since when do I pull fast ones?" Meng Xinian's expression soured, cutting in right away.

Letting this go further would drag his age back into the spotlight.

Lately, he'd begun sensing his years catching up.

Twenty-five already.

Alas.