Douluo: A Century-old Legend I Am the Second Uncle Chenxin

Chapter 1904 Lost everything

Dou Congtong appears to be of medium height, wearing white trousers, with delicately drawn eyebrows, her long, icy green hair simply tied up, and lake-blue eyes that seem to hold a glimmer of light. She has a high nose bridge and thin, rosy lips, and even her profile exudes charm.

She slapped her head in frustration and muttered under her breath, "Damn it, these are supposed to be the Three Heroes of Heavenly Struggle! They lost to Chang'an and then to Yuehua Academy, and now I've lost all the money I earned before, and my entire monthly allowance is gone! And what about those Yan Zaiyang, Xiao Qing, and Yu Tianya? They were knocked unconscious with a single sword strike, completely useless! Shameful!"

She grew angrier the more she thought about it, her footsteps clattering loudly on the uneven rooftops.

"How am I going to get through the remaining ten days...? Who can I ask for some freebies?"

Her delicate brows furrowed as she quickly calculated, "Liao Xueyao? She's probably lost everything like me, that's it. Chu Wanyu? That woman's the best at hiding money, she probably still has some left... This is so annoying!"

She shook her head irritably, her icy green hair fluttering in the evening breeze. "Sigh, my old lady's rules are still the same, we have to eat at six o'clock."

After Tian Dou Academy lost, she didn't even bother watching the closing ceremony and just slipped away.

At this moment, she was using her exceptionally long and well-proportioned legs, which gave her a superior jumping ability, to quickly leap across familiar rooftops and high walls.

She knew the area like the back of her hand, skillfully avoiding the bustling main road below and the densely packed area of ​​city guards maintaining order, her figure moving through the long shadows cast by the setting sun.

After a rapid drive of more than twenty minutes, her breathing became slightly labored, and she finally arrived at her doorstep—No. 13, Zirong Street, Shuiyaofang, Huayao District.

Huayao District is considered a mid-to-upper-level district among the 48 districts of Tiandou City. It is adjacent to the bustling Huading District to the south, Huagai District to the southeast, and Huaguang District to the east. Zirong Street is a relatively affluent residential area, with many well-maintained courtyard houses in the Tang Dynasty style on both sides of the street.

Dou Congtong's home was a three-courtyard mansion.

She calmed her breathing and raised her hand to knock on the brass ring on the courtyard gate.

With a creak, the courtyard gate opened, revealing a middle-aged man dressed in a gray-blue outfit with a sharp and composed face—it was none other than the steward, Uncle Wu Mingde.

Dou Congtong immediately smiled sweetly: "Uncle Wu, I'm back!"

Wu Mingde stepped aside to let her in and replied gently, "Miss is back. Madam is waiting for you to have dinner in the main hall."

As soon as she stepped into the front yard, a middle-aged woman dressed in a clean, plain-colored cloth dress, with an ordinary appearance but gentle features, came out quickly from the inner room upon hearing the sound. She was Wu Mingde's wife, Aunt Fang.

"Oh dear, my lady, look at you, all sweaty again!" Aunt Fang scolded, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her face. "Go wash your face and wipe your sweat first, or Madam will scold you again."

Dou Congtong responded with "Mmm," squinting her crescent-shaped, lake-blue eyes as she took the handkerchief: "Okay, thank you, Aunt Fang!"

She pressed her temples symbolically, about to walk inside, when she suddenly stopped, as if remembering something, and turned to ask Daming, "By the way, Uncle Wu, did my unreliable old man say how long he would be gone this time?"

Wu Mingde thought for a moment and replied, "The master didn't say anything in detail before he left, but according to past practice, he would probably not return for two or three months after going out."

Dou Congtong pursed her lips: "In previous summers, he had fewer problems over there, right? He could sneak back every now and then, so why is there no news this time?"

Uncle Wu gave a helpless smile: "This... I really don't know. Miss, why don't you wait for Master to return and ask him yourself?"

"Okay..." Dou Congtong replied somewhat dejectedly.

Aunt Fang, standing nearby, gave her a suspicious look and interjected, "Miss, what's wrong with you again... You're not out of money and want to ask the master for some, are you?" Dou Congtong immediately straightened her back, wearing an "How could that be?" expression, and said righteously, "How could that be, Aunt Fang! Do you think I'm that kind of person? Cough, I was just asking casually. My father promised to bring me a gift when he comes back!"

As she spoke, she quickened her pace guiltily, saying, "I'll go wash my face first!"

Watching Dou Congtong hurriedly run towards the side washroom, Uncle Wu and Aunt Fang exchanged a glance and smiled.

The two of them were old servants under Dou's father, born into the family, and helped the lady manage the mansion inside and out.

The Dou family had a small population, with only a few dozen people including servants. Their affairs were relatively quiet, so how could they possibly hide the young lady's little schemes from them?

Dou Congtong quickened her pace toward the side washroom, inwardly cursing herself for being too impatient. Asking her father for money was a last resort, and it wouldn't solve her immediate problem.

The cool well water splashed on my face, slightly calming the restlessness and frustration in my heart from losing money.

She looked at her reflection in the basin: her delicate brows and eyes seemed a little tense.

"Damn it, those few good-for-nothings, Yan Zaiyang, have wasted all the bets I placed!"

She muttered a curse under her breath, "Chu Wanyu... that woman is very shrewd. I need to find a reason to get her to willingly part with her money; forcing her definitely won't work..."

She quickly considered several options: should she use the excuse of wanting to buy new jewelry together, or should she exploit some insignificant weakness of hers to extort money? Or, should she take advantage of her vague feelings for Xiao Qing?
She hastily wiped her face dry, took a deep breath, suppressed all outward emotions, and adopted the composed demeanor befitting a lady from a prominent family.

Dou Congtong walked briskly across the front yard paved with bluestone slabs, the afterglow of the setting sun casting long shadows on the pillars.

The courtyard was quiet and elegant, with several late-blooming wisteria vines climbing on the pergola, emitting a faint fragrance.

She took a deep breath, put on a well-behaved and clever look, and lifted the bamboo curtain leading to the main hall.

My mother especially loves bamboo, and we managed to grow some at home. This Xiangfei bamboo curtain is said to be made from bamboo from my mother's hometown, and we also have quite a few bamboo products at home.

Several warm yellow soul-guided lamps were lit in the hall, casting a soft light.

A medium-sized rosewood round table is placed in the center, on which several refreshing seasonal dishes have been laid out.

Seated in the main seat was a woman dressed in a light purple brocade dress, her hair neatly tied up with a jade hairpin, her face beautiful, and her brows carrying a scholarly air of calm. She was none other than Dou Congtong's mother, Madam Lin.

"Mom, I'm back!" Dou Congtong's clear voice carried a deliberate cheerfulness as she hopped to the table in a few steps.

Madam Lin put down the book in her hand and looked up at her daughter.

Her gaze was gentle, lingering for a moment on Dou Congtong's face, especially on the icy green strands of hair on her forehead that were still damp from not being completely wiped dry.

"You're back? Please have a seat." Madam Lin said calmly, gesturing for her to sit down.

"Yes, Mother." Dou Congtong sat down as instructed, picked up her chopsticks, and first took a piece of stir-fried vegetables with elegant movements.

(End of this chapter)