Chapter 7: The Sharp Fangs Behind the Warm Smile

  "Ah Zi, originally the boss... still has this talent?" Fang Xiao Ling's eyes widened in surprise, and the color of astonishment in her eyes made Ah Zi feel a little satisfied, but not enough to make him polite. He slapped down Fang Xiao Ling's overly raised head and said in a low voice, "Don't move, if the boss finds out, you won't have a good outcome."

  Perhaps the commotion here was a bit too loud, and the boss seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally glancing over, making Ah Zi break out in cold sweat, her small face unconsciously hiding behind the dense bushes.

  A Zi inadvertently caught a glimpse of Fang Xiao Ling's uncollected gaze, secretly gritting her teeth - not afraid of a god-like opponent, but afraid of a pig-like teammate, only worried that she would have to suffer punishment later.

  He grumbled and thought for a moment, deciding it was better not to mess with the boss. He then dragged that certain white idiot, who still had a look of satisfaction on his face, towards the riverbank.

  "Eh, Ah Zi, what are you doing? I haven't..." Fang Xiaoling twisted her hands, extremely unwilling.

  A Zi smiled harmlessly and cooed in a nasal tone, "Sister..."

  The little house shook slightly, and was obediently pulled by the little doll towards the riverbank. She had wanted to turn her head back for one last look, but the little doll was smiling at her, its small feet firmly planted on her foot, so she could only lower her head and stare at the ground, wanting to cry but unable to shed tears.

  I'd guess there aren't many who have been reduced to such a state, being controlled by a little brat - if this gets out, wouldn't it be laughable?!

  The boss smiled brightly as he gazed at the woman walking away and the little doll almost hidden by the grass, his phoenix eyes flashing with a hint of water light that was too quick to catch.

  Xun Qing suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, and followed the young man's gaze, but there was nothing. He couldn't help but laugh at himself - when did he become so suspicious? However, this person's background was indeed unclear, if he really had ulterior motives towards Ling'er... Xun Qing's hand clenched tightly, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, which were originally as gentle as water. This person, must be guarded against!

  The boss seemed to have no feeling of his hidden hostility, and said lightly, "It's getting late, I wonder what the lady plans to do?"

  "Qing'er, aren't you going to take your master to rest?" The woman glared at Xun Qing with one eye, extremely dissatisfied with his daze. She believed that this person had some skills, those Jianghu masters couldn't compare to him, although she didn't know why, but a woman's intuition - had to believe.

  Xu Qing furrowed her brow, somewhat taken aback by her mother's sudden harshness towards him, but still maintaining the good breeding of a noble family, she nodded slightly at the young man who had been smiling faintly all along, "You, come with me."

  The woman was so angry she could have killed this unfilial son with the sole of her shoe, but thinking that she couldn't lose her composure in front of the master, she tried hard to restrain her violent impulses. However, her hand moved faster than her thoughts and slapped Zhen Qing's forehead. "You little scoundrel!!"

  Really don't know if he is scolding his own precious son or himself.

  The boss still smiled gently, his dark eyes making the woman's face a bit embarrassed. She awkwardly touched her nose, her eyes uncontrollably glancing to the side, not daring to look at that ethereal young man again, afraid of being seen in her disheveled state and tarnishing his gaze.

  She looked at her mother in surprise, wondering how this little girl's shyness was possible. Her own father probably couldn't even make her mother look like that... But in her heart, she still felt more wary than respectful towards this man. "Since he is my husband, I should at least know his name."

  "Our master has spoken, when going out to travel, we must not reveal our names. As reclusive people, we shouldn't be involved in such mundane affairs, however... fate is like this, and we can't help but follow. Only the heavenly way of our sect's teachings, the great taboo of our school, absolutely cannot be disobeyed." The boss smoothly finished a Tai Chi move, his face not red or flustered, still diligently playing the role of an old rascal.

  Xun Qing scolded his mother in a low voice, but after talking for half a day, he didn't get any useful information. He said that the heavenly way and family teachings were useless, and he didn't believe a single word.

  However, with his own mother present, he couldn't afford to lose his temper. Half bowing, he saw the satisfied look on his mother's face and slowly said, "Junior Xun Qing pays respects to sir. We have a dinner party at home today; would sir do us the honor of joining us?"

  The boss nodded and his eyes drifted behind him, "And what about my little Tong..."

  "Don't worry, sir, our servants will bring him over."

  "Very good."

  Cui Niang let out a sigh of relief, thinking to herself that her son had indeed grown up. Looking at how he handled things, he truly had the demeanor of a Xun family member. "Let's have the servants go ahead and prepare first, it's been a long time since our home has been so lively, we need to make good preparations."

  After speaking, Cui Niang covered her face with her sleeve and softly called the two servant girls who had accompanied her to leave. She then departed with a gentle swaying motion. As she was leaving, she also gave Xie Qing a stern glance, warning him to behave himself, lest he offend this noble lady and end up with no place to cry about it.

  "Hmm..." Now only he and the newly recognized gentleman were left, and he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable all over. Originally, he thought this person must be extremely gentle and easy to talk to, but as time went on, he gradually felt that something was off.

  "What's on my face?" the boss asked innocently, this kid had indeed stared at his face for a long time. But he did like those eyes, clean and clear, with a sharp decisiveness that was quite impressive.

  Xun Qing was startled and involuntarily took a step back. When he came to his senses, he stiffened his face and quickly walked up to him with a cold tone, "I don't care who you are, if you dare to lay a hand on the Xun family or Ling'er, I will never let you off."

  "Huh?" The boss tilted his head, looking at him with interest, "Then what can you do?"

  Xun Qing snorted, gave him a white eye and turned to leave. What could he do? This was none of his business! A surge of nameless fire rose from the bottom of his heart, he could feel that sense of powerlessness, that feeling of being on the verge of losing something yet unable to grasp it, scratching his heart and lungs, but having no choice.

  "If your wife knew about you... in this state, what would she do?" The boss said softly, pleased to see Xun Qing's body stiffen, and his smile grew even thicker. "I'm really curious."

  Xun Qing hesitated for a moment, then seemed to have heard nothing and walked out without any hesitation. "I won't give you this chance."

  Firm words disappeared in an instant, scattered in the air, as if that sharp-bladed man was just a phantom, and the one who left was still that gentle jade-like gentleman.

  "Hmm... I'll be waiting with bated breath."