Old Master Hao was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, “Thank you for the gift. I’m an old man, and I never expected the new head of the Xia family to personally come to celebrate my birthday. It’s truly an honor!”
“Grandpa Hao, you flatter me. Hao Shuai and Zhiwei are both my brothers. I’m here today as a junior!” I said with a smile, then suddenly turned to Yang Weize and said, “Young Master Yang, what do you think of my status as a wild boy compared to yours, sir?”
“I…” Yang Weize was probably kicking himself now. Offending the four great families in Beijing never ends well. He directly called me a wild boy; I wouldn’t let it go so easily.
Before he could finish speaking, I continued, “I heard that Young Master Yang gifted Old Master Hao a Tang Dynasty tri-colored glazed pottery peach-shaped plate. That’s no cheap thing!” Turning to Old Master Hao, I said, “Grandpa Hao, would you be so kind as to show it off to someone as unsophisticated as me?”
Everyone present was a smart man; they understood I wanted to punish this short-sighted Yang Weize, so they all waited with glee to see the show.
Old Master Hao was probably not too pleased with Yang Weize’s actions, and immediately said, “Of course!” He then had someone bring out the peach-shaped plate.
I took the plate, glanced at it, and then smiled at Yang Weize, saying, “This is the Tang Dynasty tri-colored glazed pottery you mentioned?”
“That’s right! Although I’ve offended you, this peach-shaped plate is absolutely genuine!” This brat Yang Weize still wouldn’t back down; it seems it’s necessary to give him a beating.
Hearing Yang Weize’s words, I burst out laughing: “Young Master Yang, I’m a bit naive. What does ‘Made in China’ mean?”
Although Yang Weize didn’t understand why I asked that, he still replied, “Made in China!”
“Oh!” I responded, then looked at Yang Weize with amusement and said, “The people of the Tang Dynasty were quite clever. Not only did they know that many years later we would change our country’s name, but they also knew how to use English!”
“What do you mean!” Yang Weize realized something was wrong and glared at me, asking sharply.
“You ask me what I mean?” I stopped smiling and said coldly, “I also want to ask you, why does this Tang Dynasty plate say ‘Made in China’ on the bottom!” Saying this, I held up the plate; the words “Made in China” were engraved on the bottom of the peach-shaped plate!
“Impossible!” Yang Weize shouted! Old Master Hao frowned and said, “Hmph! Your Yang family is getting more and more outrageous, daring to send me a fake birthday gift! Guards, throw him out!”
And so, Yang Weize was forcibly taken away by the Hao family guards.
I smiled and said to Old Master Hao, “Grandpa Hao, keep this safe, it’s not a fake!” Then I turned and left.
The peach-shaped plate was real, and the letters were formed by my true energy.
I gave Zhang Yu a wink and left the Hao family hall.
I’m a petty person, so I wasn’t going to let Yang Weize off so easily. The thing I hate most in my life is being called a wild boy!
Yang Weize walked out of the Hao family gate looking dejected. I couldn’t act immediately; I had to give the Hao family some face. I waited until he was some distance away.
Zhang Yu then took out a sack and put it over Yang Weize’s head.
Zhang Yu had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, so his speed was extremely fast.
Without saying a word, we started punching and kicking Yang Weize.
“I…I’m the young master of the Yang family! You…you dare to lay a hand on me!” Yang Weize shouted from inside the sack.
Zhang Yu and I exchanged glances, our eyes full of amusement. While hitting him, I used my inner energy to alter my vocal cords, saying in a simple, honest voice, “I don’t care if you’re the young master of the Yang family or anything like that! Today I’m acting on behalf of Heaven!”
After saying that, things fell silent…
*****
“Boss, where did you and Zhang Yu go?” Lu Sen asked as soon as we returned.
I smiled, “Just going out for some fresh air, nothing!”
“Really?” Lu Sen asked incredulously.
Zhang Yu looked at Lu Sen and cursed, “I told you, you ‘ma$turbation god,’ stop your babbling!”
“Damn it! I told you not to call me that, and you still do!” Lu Sen said to Zhang Yu. Zhang Yu laughed, “I’m quite comfortable calling him ‘Luo Shen’ (a nickname implying excessive ma$turbation), no need to change it!”
“Damn!” Lu Sen cursed, looking helpless.
Seeing how well they got along, I felt much more at ease.
After giving the gifts, it was time for food and drinks. The young people sat at a table and started eating.
To my surprise, Hao Shuai somehow managed to keep Sun Jing with him.
Sure enough, in this day and age, good looks are very important!
They were having a great time, and I took the opportunity to call Fatty out.
“Xia Tian, what do you want?” Fatty asked, looking at me.
I took a deep breath and looked at Fatty, saying, “Fatty, do you want to stay in the Hao family, or come with me?”
“Of course I’ll come with you! I don’t really like this kind of family management!” Fatty said directly.
I sighed, “Alright, then you’ll come with me today! I’ll talk to Hao Shuai.”
“That’s great!” Fatty exclaimed excitedly.
I told Fatty to go back first, while I went to find Old Master Hao, because I still needed to get the bead from the Wang Hailan Pearl back.
“You mean that bead?” Old Master Hao asked me.
I nodded and continued, “I can pay for it.”
“What are you talking about? I heard Ren’er say that the Longevity Pill is actually yours. Not only that, you also gave me a hundred-year-old ginseng. As for the bead, you can take it if you want!” Old Master Hao said, ordering someone to bring the bead over.
“Thank you!” I thanked Old Master Hao and took the bead.
I immediately examined the bead, but the result was unexpected. This bead was different from my two; it had no spiritual energy, and it was much larger than mine.
I handed it back to the servant. The bead was just ordinary crystal; I had no use for it.
“What? Is something wrong?” Old Master Hao looked at me, asking suspiciously.
I smiled and shook my head. “Nothing, Grandpa Hao, I’m going to eat now!” I turned and left.
I hadn’t expected to be wrong. What a fuss…
After the banquet, I had Zhang Yu and the others take Fatty back first.
Miss Qin was still with me; I had to take her back to school.
“I can go back by myself!” Qin Mengdie said calmly.
I scratched my head. “Actually, I didn’t want to take you…” Did saying that mean I deserved to be alone forever?
“Although our relationship is fake, putting all that aside, I’m worried about letting you go back to school alone, you’re a girl!” This was half true, half false. I wouldn’t bother with ordinary girls; what I was worried about was the SR organization’s decision to make a move. Although there hadn’t been any activity for several days, I was becoming increasingly uneasy.
Qin Mengdie didn’t speak, hailed a taxi, and got in with me.
“To Shenghua University, please!” I said to the driver.
Qin Mengdie remained silent, I wondered what she was thinking.
Our situation was awkward enough. Sometimes I wondered what would happen if Qin Mengdie couldn’t find a boyfriend and ended up marrying me… Damn it! Facing a silent, ice-cold person all day, I might as well be dead!
“Hey, Qin Mengdie, why aren’t you saying anything!” I looked at Qin Mengdie helplessly.
Qin Mengdie glanced at me and said, “I don’t like talking.”
“If you don’t like talking, why do you have a mouth!” I said irritably.
Qin Mengdie looked out the window and said calmly, “Eating…”
I was speechless and turned my gaze to the window as well.
“Driver, are you on the wrong road?” I asked, realizing the car wasn’t heading towards Shenghua.
“N-no, there’s construction ahead, so we’re taking a detour!” The driver seemed very nervous.
I was a little confused: “Sir, why do you speak so haltingly?”
“I…I stutter, it’s natural!” the driver quickly replied.
Stuttering? That’s not right! The weather isn’t hot, but the driver’s head is covered in sweat, and besides, we’ve already driven to the suburbs…could it be…we’ve taken an unlicensed taxi?