Chapter 4764 — Why Are You Still Here?
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
His head was full of romantic fantasies, yet the moment he stepped through the door, Ren Zhongyuan's expression changed at once. The scene inside was identical to last time—only Liu Ziqi sat there, and there was no sign of Huo Yudie at all. Could she have hidden herself away out of shyness?
"Where is Junior Sister Yudie? I know girls are thin-skinned, but we're all old acquaintances by now—there's really no need for shyness, is there?" Ren Zhongyuan smiled with what he took to be great poise, while his eyes roamed the room, trying to spot Huo Yudie.
"You needn't bother looking. Die'er isn't here—she's gone off to play with Wei Zhao." Liu Ziqi gave him a bland glance.
"What? She's gone to play with Wei Zhao?!" Ren Zhongyuan ground his teeth at the words, fury written plainly across his face. He eyed Liu Ziqi with open hostility. "Vice Principal Liu, isn't this rather improper of you? She's about to be married, yet you actually indulge her running off to play wildly with another man—that doesn't seem quite right!"
"Married?" Liu Ziqi smiled noncommittally. "Married to whom? Wei Zhao, you mean? He'd be a fine match, but not for the time being—he's already the Western Island's consort. That really is a pity."
"Huh? What are you talking about? What does that brat Wei Zhao have to do with any of this?" Ren Zhongyuan failed to grasp her meaning for a moment, staring at Liu Ziqi blankly, at a loss how to react. Today's situation was utterly unlike what he had imagined—why was nothing following the script?!
"Nothing at all. Do you have some business here? If not, you'd best be on your way. This is a young lady's boudoir, no place for you. Consider this a warning—don't let it happen again." Liu Ziqi's tone was indifferent.
Ren Zhongyuan was now completely dumbfounded. Something was very wrong here. He had come today in the posture of a victor, to claim Huo Yudie—so how had the initiative somehow ended up in the other party's hands?
This old woman Liu Ziqi was worthy of being a power in the academy. She clearly needed something from him, yet she could seize control of the rhythm with just a few words, making it seem as though he were the one begging her. Could she be angling to raise the price again?
Collecting himself, Ren Zhongyuan decided he had seen through her intentions. The corner of his mouth curled. "Vice Principal Liu, let's not play the fool with one another—we're both sensible people. Aren't you afraid that doing this will backfire, and make me withdraw those generous terms I agreed to before?"
"What terms? Did I ever agree to anything with you?" Liu Ziqi regarded Ren Zhongyuan with a smile that was not quite a smile.
Ren Zhongyuan choked with anger. This old woman really was hard to deal with, he thought—at this rate he would be led by the nose. He could only lay his cards on the table. "Vice Principal Liu, you won't release the hawk until you see the rabbit, I see. Fine—I'm the junior here, so I'll indulge you. Hand me the Lightning Mystic Vine now, and when my father has refined it, I'll have the Lightning Mystic Pills delivered straight to you. That should settle it, shouldn't it?"
"Oh, that matter. The Lightning Mystic Vine has already been refined into Lightning Mystic Pills, so there's no need to trouble you further. Thank you." Liu Ziqi's tone was flat.
"What? Already refined into Lightning Mystic Pills? Impossible—how could it be that fast? Even my father would need at least three days and nights to form the pills. Vice Principal Liu, you can't fool me with such a tale!" Ren Zhongyuan sneered, instinctively assuming Liu Ziqi was lying—that the old woman was still trying to drive up the price.
"There is always a mountain beyond the mountain, and a man beyond the man. Nothing in this world is impossible. See for yourself—is this not it?" Liu Ziqi took out the box Huo Yudie had given her and set it on the table.