Chapter 4798 — Snatching It Away
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
At this moment, Wei Zhao and Ning Xuefei were chatting in the courtyard, with no one else around. Liu Ziqi and Huo Yudie had gone back to Chenjiao Academy early that morning and likely would not be able to meet up again for a few days, while Chen Xinglan had also happened to step out on some business, leaving just the two of them.
"Didn't they say all the new disciples live here? How come I haven't seen a single newcomer since yesterday?" Ning Xuefei asked, leaning on the stone table with her chin propped on her hand.
"It's probably not the season yet. The major sects usually recruit disciples in spring or autumn; I imagine the East Continent academies are much the same." Wei Zhao could not help thinking of Chenxing Academy—perhaps Xiangyun Academy was doing the same thing right now, holding grand selection trials across the various cloud-tier islands in search of genius disciples.
"What? Then it'll be so boring with just me. Sister Huo can only come by every few days to see me, so you'd better stay and keep me company for a while!" Ning Xuefei pouted and whined coquettishly. Fortune's wheel had turned; now it was just her and Wei Zhao alone together again, and the feeling was rather nice.
"Mm." Wei Zhao nodded. To be honest, he was not comfortable just leaving Ning Xuefei to fend for herself. Only by staying a while longer to observe and make sure nothing would go wrong here could he leave with peace of mind.
"Wei Zhao, you're the best!" Ning Xuefei giggled, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she hugged his arm intimately. A few months ago she had never imagined she would actually end up with Wei Zhao, and now the two of them had already pledged themselves to each other. Truly, the world was hard to predict—but she liked it!
A soft yet springy sensation traveled up his arm, and the girl's pure, fresh scent filled his nose. Wei Zhao could not help feeling a stir in his heart. Though this girl always seemed like a child who never grew up, she was hardly lacking in the assets department—a little temptress who could spell a man's doom without even trying.
The two were lost in a tender, ambiguous moment when Wei Zhao suddenly caught sight of someone peeking around outside the gate. After hesitating a while, the figure walked toward them, holding a small, exquisite box in his hands. "Excuse me, are you Miss Ning Xuefei?" he asked.
"That's me. Is there something you need?" Ning Xuefei exchanged a glance with Wei Zhao.
"The old shopkeeper of the Eastern Merchant Guild sent me to deliver a gift to you—a belated birthday present, he said. He insists you must accept it." Qian Rui calmly held the box out before Ning Xuefei.
"The Eastern Merchant Guild?" Ning Xuefei was rather surprised. She had once heard her mother mention it—a top-tier merchant guild of tremendous strength, though its activities had always been confined to the East Continent. Its fame on the other cloud-tier islands was therefore not especially high, but within the East Continent it was an absolute colossus.
Ning Xuefei had never heard of any dealings between the West Island and this Eastern Merchant Guild, but since they had sent the gift to her door, it would hardly do to refuse them to their faces. Perhaps they were looking to build ties in preparation for expansion; having one more top-tier guild on good terms with the West Island could only help, never hurt. So by both sentiment and reason, she had to accept the gift.
"In that case, please convey my thanks to the old shopkeeper. I will pay a visit in person when I have the chance." Ning Xuefei gave a slight nod. Before outsiders, her words and bearing were always most proper—after all, the image of the entire West Island was at stake, and nothing could be treated carelessly.