Chapter Twenty-Six: Luo Changning Is Overprotective of His Sister

Luo Changning was, of course, unaware of Ma Qingyun's thoughts. He knocked gently on the carved wooden door. “Aunt, it’s Ning’er and Xue’e.”

“Come in,” came the gentle, melodious voice from inside the room.

The two of them pushed the door open and entered.

Su Meng was dressed in a gown of watery green, her slender, jade-like neck exposed, glowing with a soft luster. At that moment, she sat poised at the desk, her delicate hands turning the pages of a thick account book.

Hearing the sound, she looked up and smiled. “I heard the commotion outside long ago. Yinglong is here too, isn’t he? That booming voice of his—Doctor Wang truly has his work cut out for him.”

“Aunt Su, you’re absolutely right. Brother Xiang talks even more than Xue’e. I finally understand how you all felt about me in the past,” Ma Xue’e ran to the desk, winked at Su Meng, and stuck out her tongue playfully.

It was clear she didn’t truly mean these words; she was only acting coy for affection, with not a trace of real annoyance.

Luo Changning played along, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “How could that big lummox Yinglong compare to you? My dear Xue’e is so adorable, and your voice is sweet too. Not at all like Yinglong, who’s such a rough fellow.”

“Hee hee, just wait—I’m going to tell Brother Xiang what you said about him…” Ma Xue’e declared triumphantly, looking every bit the mischievous kitten, and impossibly cute.

Watching her almond-shaped eyes narrow in feline delight, Luo Changning’s heart ached with longing. If only… If only she truly were my sister, how wonderful would that be? I would dote on her even more than Brother Ma does, cherish her, and give her the very best this world has to offer…

Ah, Luo Changning realized he was too far down the path of doting on a younger sister, past all hope of saving himself.

Yet, much later, he would come to learn that what Ma Xue’e most desired in this world was the one thing he could never give her.

“Oh, right, Aunt Su, these are lotus blossom cakes from Gaosheng Restaurant that Brother Changning packed for you—they’re delicious!” Ma Xue’e took the box from Luo Changning and offered it to Su Meng.

Su Meng smiled gently. “I know you two are good children. Even with your greedy little appetites, you never forget my share.”

“Never, never. I could forget anyone’s, but never Aunt Su’s,” Ma Xue’e giggled.

Su Meng couldn’t help but laugh at her coquettish antics, though there was a faint melancholy in her heart. Once, she and her own elder sister had been just like this—youthful, carefree, each day filled with laughter and joy, untouched by sorrow…

“What’s so amusing? I could hear your laughter from afar,” Ma Qingyun stepped over the threshold and entered the accounting room, exuding a refined, noble air with a touch of rakish charm.

Though the face he wore was no more than a plain, ordinary human-skin mask, he nonetheless gave the impression of a graceful young lord. Indeed, temperament was everything…

At the sight of Ma Qingyun, Su Meng’s smile faded, replaced by a faint reserve. She could see all too clearly where Xue’e’s brother’s heart lay—it was the same look Luo Feng had once given Su Qinqin…

Ma Qingyun, for his part, noticed Su Meng’s coolness, and his heart sank.

Luo Changning sensed a shift in the atmosphere of the accounting room, especially around Ma Qingyun, who now seemed unfathomable.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on what was odd, but it left him uneasy, stirring up again the feeling he’d had that morning—that some fine cabbage was about to be trampled by a pig.

He shook his head. What was he thinking? Brother Ma was obviously elegant and noble—nothing like a pig at all…

Thankfully, Ma Qingyun at least knew where to draw the line. He’d long since noticed Su Meng’s attempts to avoid and distance herself. He couldn’t rush; he still had plenty of time.

Besides, matters of the heart were not the most pressing concern. That place… he would return there sooner or later, and his mother’s vengeance would be repaid…

The three remained in the accounting room for a while, but the atmosphere only grew more stifling, enough that even the youngest, Ma Xue’e, could sense something amiss.

Once Su Meng had finished the lotus blossom cakes, they took their leave.

“Aunt, Yinglong and I have something to discuss with Brother Ma. We’ve already taken up much of your day, so we’ll go now.”

“Very well, off you go.”

Once outside, the carved door closed behind them, Ma Xue’e heaved a sigh. “What was that just now? It felt so stifling in there.”

Luo Changning glanced at Ma Qingyun’s now icy expression and agreed, “Yes, it was.”

He might be slow about such matters, but he wasn’t a fool—he now understood there was something off about Brother Ma’s attitude toward his aunt…

Back in the courtyard, Xiang Yinglong was still pestering Doctor Wang, oblivious to their departure.

“Doctor Wang, how come you’re still not married at your age? A man shouldn’t be too picky—cute is enough, don’t ask for too much…”

He talked on and on, until Doctor Wang’s face flushed red with anger, his beard bristling in outrage.

“Master Xiang, you’re unwell—gravely so! Let me take your pulse!”

Unwell? How am I unwell? I’m the sturdiest young man at the Luoyang Martial Hall. Well, maybe I ate something wrong today, just a little excited, that’s all! I must make a good impression on Xue’e and not scare her off…

Xiang Yinglong grumbled inwardly, just as he saw Luo Changning and the others approaching in a line.

“Hey, Changning, hurry and take the lotus blossom cakes to Aunt Su so we can talk to Brother Ma about the martial hall ranking competition.”

Ma Xue’e giggled, “Brother Xiang, did you not sleep well last night? You only just thought of Aunt Su—the cakes are long gone, and now there’s only a dusting of crumbs left.”

“Heh heh, sorry to make you laugh, Xue’e. It’s just been so long since I saw Doctor Wang. I got carried away and chatted a bit too long,” Xiang Yinglong scratched his head sheepishly.

Doctor Wang: …

If this continent had the Internet, he would surely have told Xiang Yinglong, “Boy, are you out of your mind?”

They left the clinic, bought some food on the way, and returned to the Su family’s small courtyard.

This time, no one came to greet them—the courtyard was quiet and still.

Su Meng was still at the clinic; Qing Gu and Uncle Zhong wouldn’t be back anytime soon either.

A certain fat bear, caught sneaking food in the kitchen, heard them arrive. Carrying a bamboo basket filled with dried cured meat in its paws, it lumbered over to them.

Xiang Yinglong thumped its chest in greeting. “Well now, you’re quite the sturdy fellow—just like me!”

In the front courtyard, at the pavilion, there were only four stone stools—no place for the big silly bear. It had to settle for leaning pitifully against a pillar, stuffing its mouth with dried meat.

The little red clay stove was burning silver-bone charcoal, and atop it Su Meng’s homebrewed wine was warming, sending a fragrant aroma wafting through the air.

The scent was so intoxicating that even Ma Xue’e couldn’t help swallowing and licking her lips, her almond eyes shining, her rosy lips glistening temptingly.

Xiang Yinglong explained the martial hall ranking competition to Ma Qingyun.

“Gao Ba and his son and disciples are nothing but trouble. If not for fear of my father’s connection to the Buddhist lay order, they’d be running wild in Qiuhe Prefecture by now.

All the smaller martial halls weaker than ours have already suffered—swallowed up by them. If you ask me, this Divine Hand Martial Hall is worse than bandits or pirates. Even a rabbit doesn’t foul its own nest, but Gao Ba has turned Heishui County into a den of filth.

Brother Ma, you’re so skilled—would you consider representing our Luoyang Martial Hall in the competition, and give that bunch from Divine Hand a good thrashing?”

Seeing Ma Qingyun’s cold face, Xiang Yinglong realized that they barely knew each other—less than half a day’s acquaintance, hardly a word exchanged. To ask such a favor was indeed presumptuous, so his tone was tinged with flattery and supplication.

Indeed, it was tough on him, worrying about the martial hall’s future day after day.

Of course, in Yaohua Continent, fourteen was still a very young age. For innate or transcendental martial artists, just a stripling. Yet even at this age, many were already married with children—some with two or more within three years.

A good man must do two things: continue the family line and establish a career.

As for the former, Xiang Yinglong was in no rush. But to carry on the martial hall, to see Luoyang Martial Hall flourish—that was his lifelong wish.

After all, he had many fellow disciples at the hall; their futures and achievements were tied together. He had to do his part for his father too.

No one could predict what heights Luoyang Martial Hall might reach in time.

Ma Xue’e, noticing her brother lost in thought, grew anxious. “Brother, help Brother Xiang, won’t you? We’re all good friends. Besides, I’d like to visit Heishui County. I’ve never been anywhere else before.”

Luo Changning, watching this, recalled the circumstances of his first meeting with the Ma siblings and suddenly understood Ma Qingyun’s hesitation.

“Brother Ma, you’re worried your enemies might recognize you, aren’t you? But you’ve seen for yourself—Aunt and Qing Gu’s disguise skills are unmatched. They can make you look like a completely different person—no one would ever recognize you.”