Chapter 76: Sulky

Liu Qingqing huffed and puffed as she ran into the room, sat on the bed and felt sulky.

Senior Brother is really hateful!

Master too, says he treats everyone equally, but in the end he doesn't blame Senior Brother for anything, while I get slapped for the slightest mistake!

Liu Qingqing isn't unaware of Master's kindness to them; after all, she grew up with Master since childhood, and she knows his temper.

Sometimes, even if Master is right and I know it's my fault, I still feel uneasy inside.

It's obvious, Master now treats Senior Brother like a personal disciple, giving him anything good he can, and is getting stricter with me!

I originally wanted to apologize to Master, but seeing Senior Brother just made me angrier!

Not even as good as Uncle Ji I just met; Uncle Ji is so nice to people and can even joke.

Liu Qingqing held the IOU, seeing that the repayment time wasn't written and there was no official notarization, showing they never intended to get the money back.

In other words, Uncle Ji completely trusts that I won't owe money and not pay back; even whether I pay or not doesn't matter to him.

How could this be?!

Shh, keep it down!

Master and Senior Brother's voices came from the other room; Liu Qingqing froze, pressing her ear to listen clearly.

But soon, there was no sound at all in the room.

Liu Qingqing looked puzzled, opening the door just in time to see Yun Hua come out of Master's room, returning to her own with a solemn expression.

Hmph! Now you don't tell me anything, only telling Senior Brother!

Liu Qingqing felt even more wronged, as if she were about to be excluded by Master; am I not his disciple?

What important matter could they be discussing that they have to hide from me?

After washing up, lying in bed, Liu Qingqing stared wide-eyed, unable to stop feeling resentful, and didn't sleep all night.

A few days passed.

The old man summoned Yun Hua and Liu Qingqing, saying: 'You two, these few days go to town and help me deliver a letter to the local prefect.'

The prefect?

Mm, that prefect will naturally tell you what to do after reading the letter.

Okay.

Yun Hua and Liu Qingqing set off together; after all, it was Master's orders, and even if Liu Qingqing felt resentful, she wouldn't act petty.

But she really hasn't rested well these days, staggering along the way, her spirits worrisome.

Junior Sister?!

Huh? What's wrong?

Liu Qingqing, with dark circles, snapped back to attention, seeing Yun Hua with a complex expression.

Yun Hua sighed: 'Junior Sister! You've been like this for days, still angry? Master already told you, we'll be going near the Zhi Sheng Dian soon; if you keep this up, Master might send you back to the mountain gate early!'

'Going back is going back, you think I wanted to come?' Liu Qingqing pouted, looking indifferent.

Yun Hua frowned: 'Junior Sister! You're almost eighteen, already an adult; even if you have thoughts about me and Master, don't delay the important matter!'

No need for you to say!

You...

'How good is your relationship with Master, it's like you're his real child. As a girl, I don't understand these things; after delivering the letter I want to buy something in town, don't follow me, otherwise I'll go straight back to the mountain gate!' Liu Qingqing, also seeming angry, said this and walked ahead on her own.

Sigh.

Yun Hua rubbed her forehead, wondering where that obedient, well-behaved junior sister had gone; coming down the mountain, her mind is all on playing.

Even though training at the mountain gate was bitter and exhausting before, she never complained; could this trip down the mountain have made her heart restless?

This isn't good; if it's really like that, better to have Master quickly arrange for her to return to the mountain gate.

After arriving at Shuibian Cheng, the two went together to the prefect's mansion and delivered the letter.

Soon, the two entered the mansion and paid respects to the prefect.

I already know why you've come; this is what you need.

The prefect said indifferently, ordering a servant to bring over a box and hand it to Yun Hua.

Yun Hua nodded, took the box, and bowed with fists cupped: 'Thank you, Prefect.'

You're welcome; please leave quickly, don't stay too long in town during this time.

May I ask what happened?

The prefect sighed: 'A few days ago, a gang called the Earth Rat Gang was wiped out overnight, and even their nearby hideouts were completely uprooted. Though this is a good thing, we don't know where that expert came from. If he's truly a righteous do-gooder, fine; but I fear he may have ulterior motives.'

Yun Hua nodded: 'The Earth Rat Gang sounds like nothing good either.'

Well, these people are basically hooligans, loitering in gangs on the streets, either extorting protection money or pulling scams on merchants; with their numbers, the prefecture finds it hard to convict them. Whenever they cause a big ruckus, they push out a few people to take the blame; truly dealing with them would take effort even for me as prefect, but the current situation... you two know that as well. The prefect said.

Yun Hua understood the prefect's meaning, after all the Kan Dao region is now in chaos, beacon fires everywhere with rebel forces, and Shuibian Cheng also suffered a flood, displacing many residents.

Such a street gang as the Earth Rat Gang can quickly gather a large crowd; if driven to desperation with no way out, they'd likely rebel on the spot.

As for after a rebellion, the prefect's fate is easy to imagine.

Yun Hua nodded, and together with Liu Qingqing left the mansion.

Junior Sister, let's head back first, we can buy things later.

No, buying something doesn't take that much time; you go back yourself!

Liu Qingqing snorted and turned to leave.

Yun Hua wanted to speak but held back, then resignedly said: 'Junior Sister, I'll wait for you at the city gate; if you don't come by noon, I'll go find Master myself to look for you.'

You! Yun Hua, are you threatening me?!

This is for your safety.

Hmph! Who asked you to worry about these!

Liu Qingqing glared angrily at Yun Hua, then turned and ran.

Yun Hua helplessly returned to the city gate to wait.

Liu Qingqing, who originally came to the city to change her mood, now has no good mood left.

Seeing the dazzling array of goods on the street, she also lost interest, walking blankly with empty eyes, not knowing what she was thinking.

"Boss, where did you source this rouge, face powder, and eyeliner?"

"Oh, you're in this line of work?"

"No, no, no, I also have some secret formulas; I'd like to talk with these suppliers, I don't know about your side..."

"Secret formulas? Do you have any goods?"

"Yes, yes, yes, take a look."

The rouge shop owner took the face powder, sniffed it, tried a bit on his hand: "Oh, not bad, the fragrance is light yet has an elegant touch. Good stuff, indeed worthy of a secret formula. How about this: I know the supplier, Boss Li; why not introduce you two another day?"

"Then thank you, boss; I'll give you this box of rouge."

"Thanks."

That person clasped his hands, left his contact information, then just stepped out the door and saw Liu Qingqing.

Who else could it be but Yan Buji?

Yan Buji raised his eyebrows.

I don't know how many times I've run into her these days; could it be... that my fate lies with this person?

Yan Buji isn't exactly a believer in fate and coincidence, but running into her so many times, and given their extraordinary backgrounds, isn't there a lot to be made of this?