Mr He smiled sheepishly. He didn't seem fazed by the frosty look on Jiang Ning's face.
"Third Miss has shown a marked improvement in the latest test. Chief Liu wishes to thank you for your hard work."
He clapped his hands and summoned his men. They entered the courtyard carrying chests with them.This text is © NôvelDrama/.Org.
Liu Qing was stunned at the sight.
She would have been satisfied with a few words of praises from her father for passing the test.
Why was her father rewarding Jiang Ning instead?
Jiang Ning had helped her with her training, but he hardly deserved such a generous reward.
She watched as a dozen chests were brought into her courtyard and placed on the ground with a loud thud. The meeting of heavy chests and the ground sent dust flying in the air. What were these chests filled with?
"I won't list the contents of the chests. They are simple gifts. I doubt you'd be interested in listening to me list them out one by one." Mr He shrugged. Tve delivered the gifts. I will take my leave now and return to my duties."
Having said that, he turned and started to make his way out.
"Hold on," Jiang Ning shouted.
Mr He turned and smiled. "What's wrong? Do you need me to deliver a message to the sect leader?"
"I didn't do anything to deserve these gifts," Jiang Ning said mildly. "They must be extremely valuable. It's going to be tough for me to return you something of equal value in the future if I were to accept these gifts now."
"Then don't," Mr He said. "This is meant to be a reward. Chief Liu is happy as long as the both of you are happy together."
He was insinuating something.
Liu Qing didn't have to be a genius to realize that there was something odd with what Mr He had just said.
"Hold on!"
Liu Qing was the one who yelled at Mr He this time. She grabbed his sleeve and stopped him in his tracks.
"What's the meaning of this? What did you mean when you told us to be happy together? And why would my father be happy about that?" She grew increasingly agitated as she spoke.
Did they take her for a fool?
She was young, not stupid.
"Third Miss, I'm simply carrying out the sect leader's instructions. I have no idea what he's thinking," Mr He smiled politely. "Why don't you ask him?" "Let's go then.' Jiang Ning rose to his feet. Liu Qing was taken aback.
Why was he tagging along?
He was going to make things more complicated.
"No, I meant..."
"Let's go."
Jiang Ning strode off. Mr He seemed to have expected this to happen. He didn't seem surprised at all.
He led the way while Jiang Ning followed him. Liu Qing hurried after them. There were a few times when she wondered hesitantly if she should ask what was going on.
But Jiang Ning didn't have a clue and Mr He wasn't telling. The only person whom she was going to get her answers from was her father.
They reached the Sect Leader's residence within no time.
Before Liu Qing could seek out her father, Mr He raised his arm before her and stopped her in her path.
"Third Miss, Chief Liu is busy, so he can't see you now." He turned towards Jiang Ning then. "This way, please."
Liu Qing gaped at him speechlessly.
Hadn't he just said that her father was busy?
He had no time for her, but he had time for Jiang Ning?
She wondered who his real child was.
"Hey! Hey!" she yelled after Mr He and Jiang Ning. They ignored her.
Jiang Ning followed Mr He into the residence.
Liu Qing stomped her foot in frustration. She wanted to barge right in, but this was the sect leader's residence. Her status as Third Miss didn't matter to the guards at the gates. She wouldn't be able to shoulder the consequences of entering the residence without permission.
All she could do was watch as Jiang Ning disappeared behind the doors.
"Humph!"
These people had gone too far!
This was an important matter and she was the main party concerned. Yet she didn't even get the chance to speak to her father and ask him what was going on. Jiang Ning had been let into his residence instead.
How did he get involved in the first place?
The thought sent heat rushing to Liu Qing's ears. This was ridiculous.
She barely knew Jiang Ning.
How could her father let her...this wasn't proper at all.
They barely knew each other at all.
Liu Qing's thoughts began to wander as she paced in front of the gates.
Meanwhile, Liu Chuandao was sitting in his study when Jiang Ning walked in. He looked up and beckoned him over.
Mr He shut the doors behind Jiang Ning immediately, leaving him and Liu Chuandao alone in the room.
Jiang Ning made himself at home and found himself a seat. He exchanged a look with Liu Chuandao.
"I have a few conditions," he said
openly. He didn't mince his words at all. He spoke as if he had known Li Chuandao for years. There was no need for courtesies between old friends. "Fulfill these conditions and I'll help you. If you don't, you can forget about getting my help."