Ye Qing grabbed a napkin off the table to clean the oil stains on his shirt.
Wang Ma witnessed the accident that occurred. Ye Qing was a talented young man working under the Fourth Young Master. Only those most capable and reliable could have the chance to serve the head of the family. Taking two steps forward, she asked, âYe Qing, how old are you this year?â
âIâm 27. Why is Wang Ma asking me this?â Ye Qing enquired as he wiped the oil stains.
Wang Ma was 50 years old this year. A 27-year-old man was but a child in her eyes. As if coaxing a small animal, she asked, âHave you thought about starting a family?â
Ye Qing nearly burst into laughter. âItâs not like Wang Ma doesnât know. I donât even have a girlfriend. What more a family?â
âThatâs alright. Wang Ma shall help you find one. What do you think?â
âSure,â Ye Qing answered, not thinking that Wang Ma was being serious.
Wang Ma immediately perked up when she saw Ye Qing nod. âHow about Lizhi? What do you think of her? You do like Lizhi, donât you? Sheâs only 25. Sheâs pretty and diligent. If youâd like, I could play matchmaker for you two.â
Ye Qing paused mid-wipe and stared at Wang Ma. Seeing that she did not look like she was joking, he smiled somewhat hesitantly, âWang Ma, Lizhi doesnât like people like me. You donât have to trouble yourself.â
âHey, you brat, how do you know that Lizhi doesnât like someone of your nature?â Wang Ma rebutted unhappily.
/
âA few years ago, I heard Lizhi and Shi Yan talking. Shi Yan asked who she would pick to be her boyfriend if she were to pick one from among the Ye brothers. Lizhi didnât respond. It means she doesnât like men like us.â
Hearing this, Wang Ma grew confused. When did this happen? Why did she not know about it?
âThen, do you like girls like Lizhi?â Wang Ma asked.
âWhatâs the use of me liking her? Iâm not going to talk to you anymore. I still have urgent matters to attend to, and I need to speak with Ye Luo.â
Ye Qing hurried away, covering a great distance with his large strides.
Wang Ma watched Ye Qing retreat down the hallway. It seemed like she ought to have a word with Lizhi. Busying herself with empty bowls and other utensils, Wang Ma shuffled to the kitchen, a plan forming in her mind. She would need all her wits about her to help these two lovebirds.
â
Afternoon.
At the airport...
Before boarding the plane, Qin Shu called Fu Tingyu. When the line connected, she said,â Iâm off! Iâm boarding the plane now. Iâll see you when I see you.â
So soon?
Fu Tingyu stopped flipping through the documents in his hands. It was too late to ask her to stay. He still hadnât had enough fun yet! Last night could not have been more than an appetiser...
âBe careful on the road. Call me when you get there.â
âOkay, take care of Xiao Jiu. Please donât yell or be too hard on him; heâs still a child no matter how mature he may seem.â
âIâll listen to my wife. I wonât scold him.â
âIf you have time, spend more time with him. Donât pressure him into doing things he doesnât want to do.â
If only to appease his wife, he complied, saying, âI know. Iâll listen to my wife.â After all, what she did not know would not hurt her.
While outwardly agreeing with his wife, he kept his true thoughts to himself. How could he retire quickly and spend his days with his wife if he did not put any pressure on Xiao Jiu? It was wholly unacceptable in his mind.
âWhile Iâm away, try and cultivate your relationship with him. Youâre his father; you should foster a bond with your son. Donât miss me too much. Hopefully, I wonât be away for too long...â
âWhat about your poos husband? Wouldnât I be all alone without you accompanying me at night? What if I die without your love?
Shi Yan had just pushed open the door and entered when he heard such melodramatic words, the coffee cup in his hands nearly spilling. Why did he feel that the Fourth Young Master was like a husband who had suffered a deep grievance?
He eyed the piping cup of coffee wearily as he considered his options. His decision was the most obvious. Closing the door behind him, Shi Yan left to perform his other duties. He would return later when the Fourth Young Master was not shamelessly flirting with his wife while at work.
Qin Shu scolded her husband, calling him a shameless ruffian in her heart. âToo bad!â
âBabe, shouldnât you feel sorry for your hubby? I must be the only man with a wife who would abandon him before things got good...â
âHa. Ha. I forgot to remind you. Donât overexert yourself, or youâll be injured. Again.â
Qin Shu hung up before Fu Tingyu could say anything more to embarrass her or himself. Fu Tingyu would behave like an ill-bred ruffian whenever they spoke on the phone, his words growing more shameless with each exchange.
âYe Luo, weâre leaving. Please get the bags.â
Ye Luo carried President Ba with one hand, using his other for the suitcase, following closely behind Qin Shu.
â
Nightfall.
At the dining table...
Dinner was not the same without his wife.
Even eating was a laborious affair.
Xiao Jiu was a chip off the old block, practically a miniature version of Fu Tingyu. They sat at opposite ends of the table, eating their dinner in silence.
The father and son did not speak.
When the dinner was over, Xiao Jiu washed down dinner with a glass of water, wiping away the excess with a napkin. âFather, Mother is not at home tonight.â
Fu Tingyu put down his cutlery and said, âYes. I wish to speak to you later. Come to my study after dinner.â
Xiao Jiu had a bad feeling. âWhy do you want to see me in your study?â
Fu Tingyu looked up at Xiao Jiu. âYou have been slacking off a lot during my absence, so I want to make sure youâre doing your studying properly. If thereâs anything you donât know or understand, you may ask me.â
His fatherâs words disgruntled Xiao Jiu, and he complained, âIâm going to practice coding tonight. Father, you canât take away my private time.â
âThereâs no need to rush coding. Iâm sure youâve already learnt the basics. You can have as much time to yourself as you want when you become an adult and take charge of things. Whatever you decide to do then is none of my concern,â Fu Tingyu answered faintly.
âFather is bullying me! Iâm going to call Mother.â
Xiao Jiu whipped out his phone and dialled his motherâs number.
No sooner had Xiao Jiu dialled his motherâs number than he realised he was no longer holding on to his phone. Fu Tingyu had confiscated his phone and was now toying with it in his hands; the sight caused him to gnash his teeth in hatred.
In a deep, menacing voice, Fu Tingyu threatened, âIf you dare to complain to your mother, Iâll teach you a lesson youâll never forget.â
Xiao Jiu straightened his back and said, âIf you dare to hit me, Iâll tell my mother.â
Fu Tingyu was amused, but he still kept a straight face. âIs that all you can do? Please donât let outsiders know youâre my son. I wouldnât want to live with the embarrassment.â
âIf I go out, Iâll say that Iâm my motherâs son. I wonât mention you. I wouldnât want anyone to mistake me for your son; that would be an utter disgrace to my motherâs good name.â
â...â
âIâm confiscating your phone. Follow me upstairs,â Fu Tingyu said, his tone brokering no room for argument.
Fu Tingyu got up, walking unhurriedly.
Xiao Jiu sighed. His mother was not home, and his father had gone mad.
He followed his father upstairs, helpless. Looking at Fu Tingyu, who was walking in front, he said, âFather, I would like to speak to you.â
Fu Tingyuâs reply came short and clipped, âIf you have something to say, say it quickly.â
Xiao Jiu kept up with his father despite his much shorter strides, âI miss Grandfather. I hope heâll return soon...â
Fu Tingyu scoffed. âThereâs no use in flattering him. Your grandfather is still a thousand miles away.â
Xiao Jiu sulked, refusing to respond.
â
They arrived at the Ancient City of Wind and Moon around 3 am.
Qin Shu drank in the familiar sights. Some of her happiest memories were of her time in this city. Just as her mother once said: Martial arts is a path of hardship, one of suffering, but it is also a path proving the reality of life.
Fengyue Inn never closed; they were open 24 hours a day.
It was her Inn of choice.
The next morning, Qin Shu and Ye Luo went up the mountain.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, Qin Shu realised that apart from the outer formation, the inner formation had been disabled.
Without the formation, she could easily climb Mount Qi, spending less than three hours to reach its summit.
Just as she stepped into the forbidden area of the Celestial Sect, two tall guards appeared in front of her. They were the two guards she had met previously.
âMiss Qin, what brings you here?â
Qin Shu did not state her purpose for going there. Instead, she said, âIâve lived here for more than three years. Canât I return to my old home every once in a while?â
The two of them looked at each other and nodded. âOf course.â
The guards stepped aside, allowing her entry.
Qin Shu ignored them and entered the compound with Ye Luo.
She had lived there for more than three years. Although many years had passed since then, it did nothing to stifle the sense of familiarity she had growing up in this place.