Chapter 264
Why have I never seen you in Gengjin City even once all these years?
The morning sunlight slanted through the cracks in the window and shone on her face, making her surprised smile even brighter.
Without the slightest hesitation, Ning Rongrong immediately picked up her almost untouched bowl of porridge and chopsticks, and like a light butterfly, quickly left the place that was bothering her, heading straight for Lin Xia and Zhu Zhuqing's table.
She even completely ignored Oscar, who was still talking non-stop next to her.
"Brother Lin Xia! Zhu Qing! Good morning!"
Ning Rongrong's voice was clear and melodious, carrying the sweet tone unique to the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, refined by good upbringing, and now it was filled with a touch of heartfelt joy.
She sat down naturally on the bench next to Lin Xia, as if they were old friends.
Oscar's smile froze.
He subconsciously thought of getting up and following, muttering to himself as he did so.
"Hey, Rongrong, wait for me..."
However, when his gaze fell upon Lin Xia's calm, handsome face, a chilling sensation, deeply ingrained from yesterday's memories, suddenly shot up from his spine, instantly freezing all his movements and words.
Lin Xia.
The name exploded in Oscar's mind.
The figure who restored the earth with a wave of his hand yesterday, controlled terrifying beasts, and even made Dean Flander bow down, instantly overlapped with the ordinary-looking, calm-tempered boy in front of me!
It was a natural sense of awe and intimidation stemming from an indescribable, overwhelming sense of disparity, like an ant gazing up at the heavens.
Oscar felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and the awe and fear he felt last night overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.
He abruptly pulled his outstretched foot back, and the fawning expression on his face instantly turned into embarrassment, fear, and a forced, dry laugh. His lips twitched a few times, and he swallowed back the words he was about to say.
"Uh...hehe...Lin Xia...City Lord...you guys chat, you guys chat..."
Oscar's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. He hunched his neck like a frightened quail, obediently returning to his original seat and staring blankly at the steamed buns and pickled vegetables in front of him. His back exuded a strong sense of loss and self-pity, as if he had been abandoned by the whole world.
Lin Xia's gaze merely swept over Oscar briefly before returning to its original position.
The full beard on his face was so "shocking" that Lin Xia couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness.
Such conspicuous features, coupled with that sycophantic expression, make him a textbook example of sleazy behavior, so much so that it's unbearable to look at.
His attention naturally fell on Ning Rongrong, who was radiant and took the initiative to approach him.
This little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was indeed extremely beautiful, charming and lively, with a noble air. However, the reason Lin Xia became interested in her was not solely because of her appearance and status.
He thought of Ning Fengzhi.
The refined and wise sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has indeed made quite a few trips to Gengjin City over the years.
Each visit was made with great sincerity and a strong desire for cooperation in soul tool technology.
The two went from initial tentative contact to in-depth cooperation, and even had frank exchanges on some strategic issues.
Ning Fengzhi is a person who is tactful and sincere in his dealings with others. He is one of the few "partners" that Lin Xia recognizes as having a long-term vision and cooperative value.
During their numerous meetings, Ning Fengzhi did indeed mention his only beloved daughter, Ning Rongrong, more than once, either explicitly or implicitly. His words were filled with a father's pride and doting affection.
"My daughter Rongrong is exceptionally talented. She inherited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul and has already broken through to the Great Soul Master realm at such a young age. Her future achievements are limitless."
"He was just spoiled by us since he was a child, and he is a bit spoiled and willful, but he is kind-hearted and a good child."
"Brother Lin is so young and promising, truly a dragon among men. If my daughter could be fortunate enough to witness his talent and be influenced by him, it would surely be of great benefit to her."
“My daughter always complains that home is too stuffy and longs for the outside world. When she gets older and more sensible, I will definitely take her to visit Gengjin City in person, let her see what the heart of the mainland soul tool is like, and let her learn from Brother Lin.”
Lin Xia was a man of great stature, and he naturally understood Ning Fengzhi's subtle yet clear-cut foreshadowing.
He just found it amusing that someone like Ning Fengzhi could actually set aside his pride and become an ordinary father worrying about his daughter's marriage.
Logically speaking, given Ning Fengzhi's high regard for Ning Rongrong and his repeated expressions of interest, Ning Rongrong should have been brought to Gengjin City for "appearances" at least once or twice over the years.
However, the truth is that Lin Xia had never seen the legendary Miss Ning in Gengjin City.
This inevitably aroused Lin Xia's curiosity.
Was it Ning Rongrong herself who was extremely resistant?
Or is there some other reason behind it?
Was Ning Fengzhi's statement merely a polite formality?
At this moment, looking at Ning Rongrong, who was approaching her with a bright smile and the charming naiveté of a young lady, Lin Xia decided to directly ask her question.
He put down the steamed bun he had just picked up, his gaze calmly falling on Ning Rongrong's delicate face, and asked a question. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached Ning Rongrong's ears.
"Ning Rongrong, right? Your father, Sect Master Ning, and I are old friends. Over the years, he has visited Gengjin City many times to discuss cooperation. Every time he comes, he mentions you, praising you highly and showing that he cares about you a lot."
Lin Xia paused slightly, gazing into Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes, which were now sparkling with curiosity and a hint of barely perceptible pride, before posing the core question.
"But I find it strange. Since your father values you so much and has repeatedly expressed his desire to bring you to Gengjin City... why have I never seen you in Gengjin City even once in all these years?"
hum-
Lin Xia's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake!
"Bang!"
The delicate silver spoon, inlaid with small gemstones, slipped from Ning Rongrong's slightly open fingers without warning and slammed heavily against the edge of the rough earthenware porridge bowl in front of her, making a crisp, jarring sound.
A few drops of scalding hot porridge splashed out and landed on the back of her hand, but she didn't even notice.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
Ning Rongrong's bright, sunrise-like smile froze on her face, like a lake surface instantly frozen.
Immediately afterwards, that smile shattered like broken ice crystals, peeling away with a crash, replaced by an extreme and undisguised astonishment and bewilderment.
Her eyes widened suddenly, her pupils contracting to their maximum size in an instant, as if she had heard the most incredible and absurd thing in the world.
Her long eyelashes trembled violently, like the wings of a startled butterfly.
"Huh?!" (End of Chapter)