[Davis (smugly): "Father, you're too kind! This reward Q&A livestream is an opportunity not just for all of Douluo Continent but also for our Star Luo Empire. I'm only doing my duty to bring honor to our nation. Unlike my third brother, I truly strive for the Empire's greatness. He, on the other hand, wastes his time, indulging in luxury and leisure!"]
In the livestream, after Davis had shown off in front of the Heaven Dou Empire, he modestly tried to downplay his accomplishments but still took a sharp dig at Dai Mubai.
Meanwhile, back at the Third Prince's residence in Star Luo City...
Seeing Davis's words, Dai Mubai clenched his fists in anger, his heart burning with resentment.
You got the answer right, fine, but why drag me into this?Is it my fault that I have to live this way?
It's because you're six or seven years older than me, that you've got all the ministers and spirit masters on your side!
You've always had more resources than me. Even when recruiting scholars, they either go to Father or you. No one ever comes to me!
Facing you, I have no hope of winning. If I'm doomed to lose, why shouldn't I enjoy the little freedom I have left, enjoying a bit of life's pleasures?
I've already lost so much. Yet here you are, still suppressing me when I'm on the verge of leaving Star Luo City altogether!
This is too much!
[Zhu Xuanfeng (satisfied): "Haha! Well said! The Crown Prince truly lives up to his title as the number one genius of Star Luo City! My daughter Zhu Yun is truly fortunate to be engaged to you!"]
Seeing Davis get the question right, the Duke of Netherworld, Zhu Xuanfeng, who was Davis's future father-in-law, couldn't help but applaud in the livestream, showering him with praise.
[Zhu Zhuyun (indignant): "Father, what do you mean by saying it's my fortune to be with him? I'm no weaker than anyone else! I'll answer a question right next time too!"]
[Davis (modestly): "Zhuyun is right, this time I just got lucky. As long as she keeps preparing for the live stream and doesn't slack off like my third brother, she'll have her chance to get it right one day!"]
As the only royal who had answered a question correctly in the live stream, Davis wouldn't miss the chance to boast, not just to poke fun at the Heaven Dou Empire but also to reinforce his standing in Star Luo. And, of course, taking a jab at his third brother, Dai Mubai, was second nature.
After all, while Davis held a considerable advantage, the Star Luo Empire's system was more akin to a brutal competition, where heirs fought to secure the crown. As long as the title of Crown Prince wasn't officially decided, Davis still faced the risk of losing.
So, when given the opportunity, Davis would plant the image of Dai Mubai as a lazy, carefree wastrel in the minds of Star Luo's citizens. It was a sure way to gain more popular support.
But Dai Mubai had finally had enough. He couldn't bear being mocked any longer.
[Dai Mubai (furious): "Davis! You can gloat all you want, but can you stop mocking me? You only have the upper hand because of your age! If we were the same age, I'd never lose to you! I could have been the one to get the question right!"]
In the Crown Prince's residence, Davis's eyes lit up with delight when he saw his third brother respond. He was even happier now.
If Dai Mubai hadn't engaged, Davis would've been hitting an empty target. It would've been all bluster with no substance. But now that Dai Mubai had taken the bait, Davis could easily spin the narrative and solidify Dai Mubai's image as a spoiled wastrel.
Without this live stream, discrediting his third brother's reputation would've been challenging. But with this platform, it was a piece of cake!
[Davis (smirking): "I admit, I'm older than you, but does that mean just because you're younger, you're doomed to be inferior? That you'll never become Crown Prince? I don't think so. Our Empire has had younger princes rise to claim the throne. Age is no excuse for being lazy and wasting away!"]
Davis countered Dai Mubai's angry outburst with a cold smile.
Dai Mubai found himself momentarily speechless. He didn't know how to respond.
Because in the Star Luo Empire, being the older prince didn't guarantee victory. There had been cases where younger princes defied the odds to win the throne. But those were rare exceptions!
Meanwhile, back on the hill behind Notting Academy...
Watching Davis's words, Lin Yu couldn't help but agree.
On Douluo Continent, Lin Yu had a personal top-three list of people he despised. Number one was Tang San, number two was Yu Xiaogang and number three was Dai Mubai.
Sure, Davis had an advantage being older and more powerful. But that didn't justify Dai Mubai's complete surrender to his circumstances!
In a similar situation, Zhu Zhuqing never gave up. She continued to fight against her fate with unyielding determination!
Lin Yu's distaste for Dai Mubai wasn't only due to his weakness. After all, it wasn't his fault he was in such a difficult position. What truly bothered Lin Yu was how irresponsible Dai Mubai was!
This brings us to Zhu Zhuqing.
Lin Yu freely admitted that Zhu Zhuqing was his favorite character in all of Douluo Continent. His dislike for Dai Mubai stemmed largely from how he treated her.
In Lin Yu's view, Zhu Zhuqing was the best girl on the entire continent. Yet, despite being her fiancé, Dai Mubai had left her behind in Star Luo City, while he ran off to Sotto City to indulge himself.
Lin Yu could easily imagine how, after Dai Mubai left, Zhu Zhuqing had to face constant pressure from her sister Zhu Zhuyun and future brother-in-law Davis, making her life unbearably hard.
And then, when Zhu Zhuqing risked her life to escape from Star Luo City and find Dai Mubai in Sotto City...
The first time Dai Mubai laid eyes on her at Shrek Academy, without even knowing who she was, he lusted after her immediately.
Despite all his past mistakes, Dai Mubai never showed any guilt. Instead, he had the nerve to argue with Zhu Zhuqing!
In Lin Yu's eyes, Dai Mubai was a cowardly, irresponsible scumbag who didn't deserve Zhu Zhuqing in the slightest!
[Zhu Zhuyun (disdainfully): "Only weaklings make excuses for their failures and then indulge in their vices as if it's justified. Dai Mubai, you lack discipline and persistence. You love indulging yourself—don't even try to deny it. My sister Zhu Zhuqing faces the same challenges you do, yet she never acts like you!"]
Back in the Duke's mansion, Zhu Zhuqing stood silently.
Has my fiancé given up on fighting and chosen to indulge himself?
She had been unaware of this, as she spent most of her time in the mansion training hard to cope with the pressure from her sister, Zhu Zhuyun. Unless it was necessary, she rarely left the mansion.
But if her fiancé had already surrendered and chosen a life of indulgence, what was the point of all her effort?
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly felt lost.