Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
âI was thinking of getting him a little charm for good luck,â Rong Qi said, her voice laced with nonchalance. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âReally now, you care about such things?â Ling Mozi sneered disdainfully.
Rong Qi chose not to respond.
After a moment, Ling Mozi stood and retrieved a red string from a central cabinet. âThis red string has been blessed by the light of Buddha for years. You can braid it and have him wear it. Hell, you could even snip a lock of your hair and place it inside.â
Carefully, Rong Qi took the red string from Ling Mozi and started braiding it without a word. Her movements were delicate and efficient.
âYouâre not putting your hair inside? Isnât that meant to symbolize love? Isnât that what you young folks are into?â Ling Mozi queried, scrutinizing her.
âIâm not a fan,â Rong Qi replied without looking up.
A lock of hair for a piece of soul; young girls often snipped their hair to make such red string charms for their beloved. Yet the implied meaning was heavy: âIf you betray me, youâll be damned for eternity.â
Rong Qi was here to pray for Ye Nanshenâs well-being, not to curse their love. Just as she was finishing the charm, a young monkâs voice echoed from outside, âMaster Zenith, your appointment from last week has arrived.â
âIâll take my leave, then. Iâll visit you some other time,â Rong Qi said as she completed the braid.
âShoo, go on, get! Who asked you to come? Canât you see Iâm busy?â Ling Mozi retorted, puckering his lips.
Standing, Rong Qi smoothed out her clothes and flashed a grin, âDonât worry, Iâll make time for you. Youâre getting old, so take care of yourself. Call me if you need anything. My number hasnât changed.â
After that, Rong Qi walked out, leaving Ling Mozi to fix his robes and resume his solemn facade before following her out.
Rong Qi took her red string, made a donation at the merit box, and left the mountain. She hailed a taxi and headed straight to Clearcreek Mansion. As she arrived, she noticed Mrs. Hong approaching. Leaning in, Mrs. Hong whispered, âMaâam, Mrs. Rong, your sister, and your grandmother have arrived. Theyâre waiting in the living room.â
A flicker of scorn crossed Rong Qiâs eyes. She said, âIâll go see for myself.â
âYes, maâam.â Mrs. Hong nodded.
In the living room, three people were seated on the luxurious sofas, inspecting the surroundings. Upon Rong Qiâs entrance, their faces temporarily hid the awe, but the blend of envy and contempt couldnât be concealed. Wang Qing was practically seething.
âSo, this is the opulent life that Rong Qi had been living all along! Is this a villa or a palace? Every artifact and piece of furniture screamed of extravagance. Iâd heard of the mansion from Feiyu, but seeing it first-hand, it was even grander than Iâd imagined!â Wang Qing thought to herself.
It irked Wang Qing to no end that this life shouldâve been Rong Feiyuâs. Barely masking her irritation with a forced smile, Wang Qing greeted her, âLittle Qi, your grandmother wanted to see where you live, so we decided to pay a visit.â
Rong Qi arched an eyebrow, her voice dripping with irony, âOh, is that so?â
âJust how did they go from brandishing swords at the hospital one moment to cheekily inviting themselves over the next?â Rong Qi thought to herself.
Settling into a sofa with an air of detachment, Rong Qi crossed her legs and eyed the trio, âSo, yâall had a look-see. Anything else?â
âYouâ¦â
âSister, how could you talk to Grandma like that? Sheâs our elder, for goodnessâ sake. Your tone makes it sound like youâre not welcoming her. If word gets back to Mr. Ye, he might think youâre disrespectful and ungrateful, and thatâll tarnish the Rong family name..â