Chapter 93: Seeing Si Si Tianming

The streets of Daxia City were far more spacious and grand than those of Nanfeng City, paved with neatly fitted bluestone, each thoroughfare branching out in all directions, while towering buildings rose from the ground, giving anyone within them a sense of being lost.

The dense crowds of people seemed endless, the clamor boiling up like muffled thunder, reverberating above the city.

This was Daxia City, the heart of Daxia.

And as Li Luo sat in the carriage, his gaze passing through the window to take in this city that gave off an air of majesty, on another street, Si Qiying ascended a restaurant facing the street, then entered a private room.

"Yo, you're back?"

In the private room, a young man was sipping tea, leisurely watching the streams of people on the street. He turned his head and saw Si Qiying, and could not help but laugh.

The young man had a tall, slender build, a rather dashing appearance, with sword-like brows and starry eyes—except his hair, like Si Qiying's, was a vivid green, presumably a family trait.

He was none other than Si Qiying's elder brother, Si Si Tianming.

"How did it go? You met that young mansion lord, didn't you?" Si Si Tianming asked with a smile.

Si Qiying clenched her teeth and said, "I met him. He's nothing but a little rascal! No real ability, only knows how to tattle, as childish as a little kid!"

"And Sister Qing'e is way too biased—she actually gave me a beating." Si Qiying said, a little unhappy. In the past, Jiang Qing'e had been on quite good terms with her, treating her almost like a younger sister, but now she realized Jiang Qing'e clearly valued Li Luo more.

"I think you're the childish one. What kind of relationship do Li Luo and she have? If you wanted to compete with Li Luo, wouldn't that just be inviting humiliation on yourself?" Si Si Tianming said helplessly.

"I'm not competing with him at all. But big brother, even Sister Qing'e said she can't stand you." Si Qiying shot her brother a look and said.

But Si Si Tianming merely laughed it off, saying, "Do I even need to be told something like that? When we usually spend time together, can't I feel it for myself?"

"Besides, someone as outstanding as Jiang Qing'e has the right to say such things."

But Si Qiying said, somewhat displeased, "Sure, big brother, you can't compare to Sister Qing'e, but at the very least, aren't you a hundred times stronger than that Li Luo?"

"You're now a student of the Four Star House of the Sacred Mystic Star Academy, with the strength of a Earth Fiend General. Even some of the Golden Radiance mentors in the academy say you have an extremely high chance of being ennobled in the future, becoming a top-tier powerhouse in our Daxia!"

"But do you think being ennobled would earn Jiang Qing'e's favor?"

Si Si Tianming sighed softly and said, "Qiying, I've told you long ago—the right to dissolve that engagement between Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e doesn't lie with Li Luo, but with Jiang Qing'e. As long as she is unwilling, no one can touch that engagement."

"Besides, although I like Jiang Qing'e, that doesn't mean I must pursue a result."

Si Qiying pursed her lips and said, "Big brother, you're quite the romantic saint. Then let me ask you—if you had the chance to pursue Sister Qing'e, would you be willing?"

Si Si Tianming showed a somewhat awkward smile; the answer was self-evident.

Si Qiying gave him a contemptuous glance, then encouraged him: "Big brother, believe in yourself. Your talent, strength, and reputation are all top-tier among the younger generation in Daxia. As long as you persevere, I think Sister Qing'e will one day discover how outstanding you are!"

"And with that Li Luo as a comparison, it only makes you look like the better match!"

Si Si Tianming smiled helplessly and said, "Don't worry about these matters. Also, don't go looking for trouble with Li Luo in the future. There's no need. After all, he is the young mansion lord of House Luolan Mansion. If you provoke him and Jiang Qing'e decides to deal with you, I won't be able to step in."

"I have no interest in looking for trouble with him." Si Qiying said lazily.

"But he made me unhappy this time. Next time Duze Duze Beixuan wants to cause him trouble, I won't step in to shield him again."

Si Si Tianming shook his head and said no more. Besides, that young mansion lord should have some ability to deal with trouble on his own; otherwise, being the number one of this Tianshu Prefecture would be far too watered-down.

But speaking of which, the Duze Mansion seemed to be making some moves recently—wonder if they're targeting House Luolan Mansion.

The carriage passed through wide street after wide street, finally stopping outside an estate.

This was the headquarters of House Luolan Mansion.

Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e stepped out of the carriage. He gazed at the estate before him and could not help clicking his tongue. The old residence in Nanfeng City was already considered expansive, but compared to this headquarters, it still lacked a bit of grandeur.

Around the estate, guard patrols moved back and forth, and on some watchtowers, sharp gazes swept in all directions.

"I've already notified all of House Luolan Mansion's people in charge in Daxia City. They'll gather at the headquarters later. Since the young mansion lord has come to Daxia City, he should get familiar with these backbone members of House Luolan Mansion." Jiang Qing'e said.

She glanced at Li Luo and said, "These people in charge manage all of House Luolan Mansion's various industries in Daxia City. You should know that of House Luolan Mansion's annual income, all the branches outside Daxia combined only account for sixty percent, while the remaining forty percent comes entirely from the industries here in Daxia City."

Li Luo was rather surprised upon hearing this. He had not expected the income from Daxia City to carry such a high proportion within House Luolan Mansion as a whole.

Truly worthy of being the heart of Daxia.

"In the early years when I first took over House Luolan Mansion, the various industries in Wang Cheng had been severely meddled with by Manager Pei Hao. But after these years of rectification, many of the hands he had inserted have been cut off, and things here in Wang Cheng are considered stable now." Jiang Qing'e continued.

Li Luo said upon hearing this, "It must have been hard on you, Sister Qing'e."

House Luolan Mansion's industrial weight in Wang Cheng was too great. If this place had been eroded and controlled by Manager Pei Hao, then the House Luolan Mansion headquarters would truly have been a name without substance. Fortunately, Jiang Qing'e had acted swiftly; otherwise, House Luolan Mansion's situation would be far worse now.

As the two spoke, they had already walked through the estate's main gate. But at that moment, a burly figure suddenly charged toward Li Luo, and a wailing voice tore through the air: "Ah, my young mansion lord! You've finally come to Daxia City! Old Niu has missed you to death!"

The wailing exploded right by Li Luo's ear, leaving him completely dumbfounded. He felt as if his entire body had been locked in an iron hoop, unable to even breathe.

Moreover, the thick greasy smell coming off the person in front of him drilled into Li Luo's nose and shot straight to the top of his head.

"Uncle Biao, you're suffocating him." Jiang Qing'e's voice, laced with amusement, came from the side, saving Li Luo.

The burly figure hurriedly released Li Luo upon hearing this. Only then did Li Luo get a clear look at him—a particularly hefty, bald middle-aged man, his whole body gleaming with oil, his face carrying a fierce, menacing air. At his waist, a butcher's knife reflected a cold gleam.

"You are…" Li Luo looked at the man, vaguely recalling something, but for the moment could not call out his name.

"Young mansion lord, I'm Niu Niu Biaobiao! Don't you remember? When you were little, it was me who cooked for you!" the bald man hurriedly said.

Hearing the name, Li Luo's memory became a little clearer. In his memory, there had indeed been a bald man who stayed with him when he was young, but later, as House Luolan Mansion's headquarters relocated, he had no impression of him anymore.

"Uncle Biao is the most senior person in House Luolan Mansion. When Master and Mistress founded House Luolan Mansion, he was already there. His cooking is famous throughout Daxia City, and he now handles the food here at headquarters." Jiang Qing'e said to Li Luo with a smile.

Li Luo suddenly clapped his hands: "I remember now!"

"You're Uncle Biao! The Uncle Biao who looks all fierce but doesn't even dare kill a chicken himself! The Uncle Biao who tricked me into the kitchen as a kid and made me kill the chicken for him!"

Niu Niu Biaobiao's face instantly stiffened, and he said awkwardly, "Young mansion lord, your memory is really too good—to still remember something from so long ago."

Li Luo could not help but laugh out loud, because the fierce appearance of the man before him contrasted so sharply with his personality. Who would have thought that someone whose looks alone could scare a child into stopping crying didn't even dare kill a chicken himself.

People said that the butcher's knife at Niu Niu Biaobiao's waist had probably never seen blood in its entire life—pure decoration.

But after the laughter, a sense of familiarity welled up again. After all, the man before him was truly a veteran of House Luolan Mansion—someone truly worthy of trust.

"Uncle Biao, I'll be troubling you to look after me again from now on." Li Luo reached out, patted Niu Niu Biaobiao's greasy, thick arm, and said.

Niu Niu Biaobiao emotionally grasped Li Luo's hand and said, "I wanted to go to Nanfeng City to look after the young mansion lord long ago, but little Jiang wouldn't let me. Now that you've come to Daxia City, I'll definitely fatten you up nice and plump."

He felt Li Luo's arm and sighed, "The young mansion lord is still a bit frail. I'll go whip up a pot of something nourishing for you right now!"

With that, he turned and bustled off in a whirlwind.

"This Uncle Biao is still as impatient as ever." Li Luo watched his burly retreating back and laughed.

Jiang Jiang Qinge said, "Uncle Biao is a trustworthy person. Originally I planned to let him take charge of some other industries of Lu Lan Mansion, but he was unwilling, and only wanted to stay in the kitchen."

"If he's happy, that's fine — no need to force him," Li Luo said.

Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded and said, "Let's go, I'll take you on a tour of the place first. After we eat, those people in charge should arrive. Today might be a bit tiring."

Li Luo smiled and said, "How is that tiring? Sister Jiang Qinge, you've been holding things up for several years now — aren't you even more tired?"

"You're getting better and better at sweet-talking. You must have said plenty of it to the little girls at the academy, right?" Jiang Jiang Qinge said with a half-smile.

"Jealous?"

Jiang Jiang Qinge gave a light scoff, and walked ahead with her long legs, a faintly proud voice drifting back from in front.

"Jealous? I haven't even experienced what it feels like yet. Keep at it — I hope you can let me experience it."

Li Luo stared at her breathtakingly beautiful back, and chased after her in some exasperation.

What should I say? Jiang Jiang Qinge, don't push it too far — thirty years east of the river, no, that's not right either.

Today's you couldn't be bothered with me — the mood isn't right either.

Sigh, forget it.

"What are we eating tonight?"

(End of Chapter)