With Yu Xingyun and Gu Yan present, the bodyguards didnât dare to display their previous attitude.
Shi Sheng supported her chin. âUncle, see? Capitalists, amirite?â
Gu Yan, ââŠâ âIâmâŠtechnically a capitalist too.â
âBut I like it.â Shi Sheng continued, âDifferent people should be treated differently. If everyone was treated the same, wouldnât complete chaos ensue?â
If everyone felt like they were equals and thus refused to get any work done or listen to their superiors, how would this world continue to run?
Gu Yan, ââŠâ âMy girl is feeding me chicken soup againâŠâ
âXiaoxia-meimei is right.â Yu Jiu piped up. âLil green plum is always right.â
Shi Sheng gave him a look, whereupon Yu Jiu smiled, revealing his dimples, an almost unnoticeable affection and indulgence in his eyes.
âMr Long said he just wanted to meet Ms Sheng. We were only obeying orders. As for the specifics, everything will be clear once Ms Sheng follows us. If Mr Gu and Mr Yu are still unassured, you can follow us too.â
In the end, the bodyguards gave in.
Yu Xingyun had nothing to fear from this Mr Long because most of his operations were still overseas. But things were different for Gu Yan.
Mr Long had businesses in the real estate industry too, and it was one of the leading ones in the industry. Gu Yan would suffer if he really offended him.
In the end, they all followed the bodyguards upstairs, leaving behind a confused crowd.
Yin Mo had been standing in a spot that wasnât too crowded. As he stared at Yu Jiuâs departing back, he spoke in a low tone, âDonât you think that boy resembles someone?â
The bodyguard hidden away in the shadows lifted his head to take a look, managing to catch sight of Yu Jiuâs profile.
âYoung Master, you must be mistaken. He appears no older than 16 at most. How could it be him?â
âEn.â Yin Mo massaged his temples. Heâd probably just been thinking too much.
âŠâŠ
Mr Longâs full name was Long Run. He was the organiser behind this event.
Long Run was nearing his eighties, a bigshot in the business world, as well as a senior in the academic circles. He seemed to have possessed countless haloes throughout his entire lifetime. It wouldnât be a problem to write a several-million-word story based on his life.
Long Run sat on the leather sofa, wearing a Mao suit[1]. Perhaps because he exercised on a regular basis, Long Run appeared in his sixties at most with half a head of white hair. His somewhat plump face was stern and his eyes were filled with a sharp light, making him appear quite intimidating.
He held a cane in his hands. The handgrip was carved in the shape of a dragonâs head, while its body wound around the length of the cane.
Plus, Shi Sheng could somewhat recognise him.
He was the old man whoâd been chatting pleasantly with Shen Jiayin in the auction from a year ago.
Shi Sheng merely gave him a cursory glance. She wasnât even afraid of the Jade Emperor, let alone this mortal.
The moment they entered the room, Yu Jiu took Shi Shengâs hand in his.
Shi Sheng struggled, but couldnât break free, so she could only pinch Yu Jiu. His grip loosened from the pain, whereupon Shi Sheng took the opportunity to wrest her hand free and give him a warning glare.
Long Run was nearing the end of his lifetime, but not once had he met people who disregarded him like thisâespecially not two youngsters. His expression darkened even further.
âMr Long.â As Yu Xingyun was an elder, he could keep his back straight and talk without bowing in front of Long Run. But since the latter was slightly older, Yu Xingyun couldnât help but use formal speech. âMay I know why you are looking for Xiaoxia?â
Long Run tapped the wooden floor with his cane, making a low thud.
âMr Yu, I wish to have a private talk with the girl.â Long Run spoke loftily.
Yu Xingyun frowned. âJust how did Xiaoxia offend this bigshot?â
He looked to Gu Yan, who gave Shi Sheng a concerned look.
Long Run could probably discern their concern, for he harrumphed. âIâm a senior. What can I do to a junior?â
The atmosphere was a bit tense.
Gu Yan, ââŠâ âIâm worried about what the lass will do to you. She doesnât bother with manners anymore! Sheâs managed to get those fellows in the company who canât hold their tongues to feel speechless!
Youâre already reaching 80. If anything happens to you because she angered you too much, I canât afford the compensationâŠâ
âUncle Gu, Uncle Yu, you guys can leave first.â
Now that Shi Sheng had spoken, Gu Yan and Yu Xingyun could only reluctantly leave. Once the door was shut, only Long Run, Shi Sheng, and Yu Jiu were left in the room.
âGo on then, what under-the-table deal do you have in store for me?â Shi Sheng lifted her chin. âThis old bugger smiles like a goddamn flower whenever he sees the FL, but scowls at me like I owe him moneyâŠâ
Long Run, ââŠâ
Yu Jiu stifled a laugh. âUnder-the-table deal? She even dares to use this description.â
Long Runâs expression darkened as a hint of oppression appeared in his tone. âDuring the competition, you helped Qu Jin pick an ore and broke the rules. Did you think I didnât notice?â
âYour eyesightâs rather good for someone of your age. Cheers for you. Bet youâve eaten your share of miracle medicines, eh?â Shi Sheng casually replied. After a slight pause, she asked with a puzzled expression, âWhoâs Qu Jin?â
âThe boy who picked the Glass-grade Emperor Green.â Long Run rumbled.
He was at least above being angered by a little lass.
âOh, him.â Shi Sheng appeared to have been enlightened. âAnd whatâs that have to do with you calling me here? Old man, donât beat around the bush. I donât want to dance circles with youâitâs a waste of time.â
Silenceâ
The whole room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Yu Jiu stood at his spot with a smile, his dimples making him look adorable.
His posture was relaxed as he stared at Long Runâs cane, not a hint of nervousness or anxiety on his face.
The other was even worseâshe simply walked to the side and helped herself to a seat. She was simply as comfortable as she would be in her own home.
Long Run harrumphed with a dark face, disapproval in his eyes. âYoung people nowadays are truly bold!â
Shi Shengâs lips curved up into a smile as she spoke in a melodious, yet immature voice, âThanks for the compliment.â
Long Run, ââŠâ
âGood, good, good!â Long Run suddenly spoke, though his expression was scarily dark. âMs Sheng truly makes others look at you in a different light! Being so arrogant from a young age, itâs only a matter of time before you suffer for it!â
âIf youâre not gonna say it, Iâm leaving.â âSonovabitch, Iâm(lz) not here for you to lecture me! Why run circles around the damn topic?â
âFine.â Long Run took a deep breath and decided to not hold her transgressions against her. âTell me, why did you help Qu Jin cheat?â
âSince when did I do that?â
âYou helped him pick the ore, how was it not cheating?â Long Run tapped his cane on the floor hard.
Shi Sheng had an innocent expression. âYour rules never said other people werenât allowed to help.â
Long Run tapped the floor even harder. âNonsense! Donât tell me you were planning to help him out for life?!â
âIâm selecting a final disciple, not someone to send me off! Everyone knows the rules to this, yet she tells me itâs not in the rulesâŠ
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SimplyâŠgoing to anger me to death! Iâve never seen such a lass with no respect for her elders!â
âWhat? Canât I just feel like helping him out this one time? Freedom of speech and all that, no? What I say is my own business. Donât tell me you want to control other peopleâs words and actions?â
Long Run felt his blood pressure rising dangerously high.
âWhy is such a good-looking young lady so arrogant?! ThoughâŠshe looks familiarâŠâ