Chapter 22: No Need for Your Help

Two young girls first bowed slightly, then took their seats opposite Li Lin.

Li Lin clasped his fist in return, looking at them with some surprise.

"Please forgive me, Brother Li Shixiong. My elder brother could not return in time, and my father is occupied with urgent matters, so only we two sisters can host our honored guest. If there are any shortcomings, please bear with us."

In Li Lin's eyes, the one speaking was the younger Han girl, who was graceful and carried an air of pride.

In contrast, the Hu Ji beside her, who looked so dignified, now appeared shy and awkward, keeping her head bowed as if she dared not look at Li Lin even once.

"Since you address me as 'Shixiong,' I will also take the liberty of calling you Huang Ermei," Li Lin said with a slightly apologetic smile. "Then the one beside you must be Huang Damei."

He did not know the personal names of these two young girls, so this was the only option.

Although this way of addressing them seemed a bit 'rustic,' it was indeed a proper form of address.

Huang Ling raised her hand, and a servant brought tea from the side, pouring it for all three of them.

"Please drink, Shixiong." Huang Ling held up her cup with both hands as a gesture, then took a sip, acting very naturally.

The Hu Ji beside her lowered her head and took a small sip of tea, then, sensing Li Lin looking at her, seemed to become even more nervous.

"This younger sister is somewhat curious: how did you and my elder brother become acquainted?"

Huang Ling was indeed very curious. Her elder brother was always arrogant and proud, yet he alone held this man in high regard—someone who, apart from his looks, seemed quite ordinary in every other aspect. He even praised him as possessing "Lin Qiyu." Such an evaluation was not something an ordinary person could receive.

Li Lin pondered for a moment, then said, "That day, I had just become a Spirit Hunter. I was wandering through the market when Brother Zi Jing came to find me."

"My elder brother actively sought you out?" Huang Ling became even more curious. "You don't know the reason?"

Li Lin shook his head.

Huang Ling could only bury this curiosity in her heart and ask her elder brother about it later.

After that, it was just her chatting idly with Li Lin.

In fact, she kept asking questions while Li Lin answered.

However, because Huang Ling possessed high 'emotional intelligence,' her tone and wording when asking were very appropriate, never causing anyone to feel annoyed.

In about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, she had almost completely figured out Li Lin's 'background.'

Of course, Li Lin was no fool; for things that could not be spoken, he naturally would not speak them.

As for what had already been said, even if he didn't mention it, others could find out with a little investigation.

During this process, that 'Hu Ji' was very well-behaved, sitting quietly and listening.

Her gaze mostly fell upon Li Lin, but whenever Li Lin turned his gaze toward her, she would panic like a little rabbit, clumsily lowering her head.

Tsk... She is clearly a tall foreign woman, yet why does she possess such a gentle temperament typical of Han women?

This contrast indeed allowed Li Lin to feel her charm.

After chatting for a while, Huang Qi appeared.

Li Lin breathed a sigh of relief. If that Huang Ermei continued to probe, she would probably ask him what posture he used to rest in last night.

"Since my elder brother has returned, this younger sister and my elder sister will return to our rooms first. It was a great pleasure to converse with you, Shixiong."

Huang Ling bowed slightly, then left with her elder sister.

Huang Qi clasped his fist and smiled, saying, "This younger brother was impolite. On the way, I encountered an old woman who had fallen, so I helped her up and escorted her back home, wasting some time. Please do not hold it against me, Brother Kunge."

Li Lin's expression was somewhat strange... Guess whether I believe your nonsense!

On the other side, Huang Ling brought Huang Qing to the study.

Normally, they were not allowed here, but this time their father had specifically instructed them to come.

They knocked on the door, and after receiving permission, the two entered.

"Ling'er, what is your opinion of this man, Li Kunge, today?" Huang Yan put down the wolf-hair brush in his hand and asked with a smile.

Huang Ling pondered for a moment, then said, "He's alright. His speech and conduct are not particularly refined, but he doesn't give the impression of being rude. Father, please do not arrange any more matchmaking meetings for me. I do not like this person very much."

"Why?" Huang Yan paused, stroking his beard as he asked, "Besides his lack of ambition, what else do you dislike about him?"

Huang Ling sighed: "This man is a lecher. I was chatting with him, but he often looked at my elder sister, and his gaze frequently fell upon her chest."

Hearing this, the 'Hu Ji' Huang Qing beside her turned extremely red.

Huang Yan, however, laughed heartily: "I do not agree with your view. He is not a lecher."

"Where did I, your daughter, speak incorrectly?" Huang Ling asked.

"Then does he look at you with the same gaze he uses for your elder sister?"

"That is not the case..." At this point, Huang Ling suddenly realized: "Does he only look at my elder sister?"

Huang Yan nodded: "Judging solely by appearance, you surpass your elder sister. If Li Kunge were truly a lecher, he would look at you with the same gaze... but he does not."

"He has taken a fancy to my elder sister!" Huang Ling was dazed, then understood: "So this matchmaking arrangement was for my elder sister?"

Huang Yan stroked his beard and nodded: "Since you had already clearly stated that you did not like him, how could I force you?"

Huang Ling instinctively frowned. For some reason, she felt somewhat uncomfortable in her heart.

Huang Yan looked at his eldest daughter: "Qing'er, what are your thoughts?"

Huang Qing, her face red, lowered her head and said, "Your daughter leaves everything to Father's decision!"

"Good, good!" Huang Yan was overjoyed upon hearing this: "It seems your mother and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. This matter requires careful planning, yet also swift action. When your elder brother returns later, I will discuss it with him. For now, you two should return to your rooms."

Huang Qing, her face flushed, moved to leave. She reached out to take her younger sister's hand, but could not pull her.

Huang Ling shouted loudly: "I do not agree to this!"

Both Huang Yan and Huang Qing were stunned.

"My elder sister's status is noble; how can she marry such an ordinary man?"

"Younger sister, I... do not feel that I am noble." Huang Qing's expression was very gentle: "In others' eyes, I am a Hu Ji. My hair is yellow, my eyes are blue; these cannot be changed. I am of a foreign race!"

Huang Yan sighed: "Ling'er, do not act foolishly. Qing'er is already nineteen; in another year, she will be twenty! It is difficult to find a suitable match, and the two have already taken a fancy to each other. If you break them apart, it will be almost impossible to meet someone so well-matched again. Do you want your elder sister to spend her life before an ancient Buddha lamp, lonely and desolate?"

These words were somewhat harsh. Huang Ling felt aggrieved: "That is not what I meant. I simply hope my elder sister marries someone even better."

"Now is the best time." Huang Yan stated firmly: "I know you and your elder sister are close, but no matter how good the bond, one day you must part. Qing'er will marry, and in another year or two, you will marry as well."

Huang Ling rarely heard her father speak so severely; she understood that at this point, the matter was already set in stone, and she could not change it.

Yet she truly felt that Li Lin was not worthy of her eldest sister.

Leaving the study, Huang Ling took Huang Qi's hand and said, "Big Sister, rest assured, I will definitely help you and will not let you fall into the sea of suffering."

"I do not need your help!" Huang Qi said, pouting.

(End of this chapter)