Chapter 265
According to seniority, shouldn't I call you "uncle"?
A short, incredulous gasp escaped uncontrollably from her small, cherry-red lips.
The sound wasn't loud, but it had a sharp, tearing quality that made it exceptionally clear in the now-silent cafeteria.
Ning Rongrong froze on the bench as if struck by an invisible lightning bolt.
Her back was ramrod straight, her shoulders slightly tense, and her small chin was unconsciously raised, as if this would allow her to see more clearly and confirm whether she had misheard.
"What...what did you say?"
Ning Rongrong's voice trembled noticeably, the crisp sweetness from before vanished, replaced by a dry, hoarse, and uncertain tone, as if her throat was being choked.
Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Lin Xia, as if trying to find a trace of a joke on his overly calm face.
However, Lin Xia's eyes were deep and calm, without any mockery, only a pure inquiry waiting for an answer.
Father Ning Fengzhi...knows Lin Xia?!
Still an old friend?!
He...he often visits Lin Xia in Gengjin City?!
And... every time you go... you bring up yourself?!
And...and he even said he wanted to take me along?!
How...how is this possible?!
A tremendous sense of absurdity and a powerful cognitive shock overwhelmed Ning Rongrong like a raging tide, instantly drowning out all her thoughts.
Her mind was in complete chaos, countless thoughts colliding violently like exploding fireworks.
My father never mentioned it!
Not even once!
At home, all she heard was her father's growing worries about the Spirit Hall, his plans for the future of the sect, and his entrustment to Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone... Geng Jincheng?
Lin Xia?
She had only vaguely heard this name a few times before yesterday outside the sect's high-level council hall, but she only knew that it was a newly emerging place with powerful soul tool technology, and one of the objects that the sect needed to befriend or be wary of.
Her father had never mentioned Lin Xia's name in front of her! Let alone any "old friend"!
Go to Gengjin City?
Take her there?
This is utterly absurd!
Geng Jincheng?
A place known for its ores and crude forging?
In her past understanding, it was a "countryside" place full of smoke, noise, sweat and crude craftsmen!
How could her father possibly want to take her to a place like that?!
How could she possibly want to go?!
Just imagining the environment there made her feel uncomfortable all over!
Father's praise?
miss?
Ning Rongrong's heart clenched suddenly, a strange bitterness and grievance welling up inside her.
Her father... truly loved her and gave her the best of everything.
But in her memory, her father's praise for her was often mixed with admonitions such as "You must be sensible," "You must act like a lady from a respectable family," and "Don't be willful."
As for worrying about it?
Her father was always busy with work and often went out. Whenever he came back, he would mostly inquire about her progress in cultivating her soul power and remind her of etiquette and manners. She had never felt or imagined that her father would do such a thing in front of others, showing pride in his daughter and a desire to "take his daughter to see the world."
Ning Rongrong's gaze once again focused on Lin Xia's face.
The terrifying power he displayed yesterday filled her with awe, and the scene of him healing the earth like a god left her in awe.
Looking at him up close today, setting aside that awe-inspiring aura of power, he himself is so young and handsome, with a calm and detached demeanor, and deep eyes that seem to see into people's hearts.
His calm words carried an undeniable truthfulness. Moreover, he mentioned his father's name, her nickname "Little Witch" within the sect, and his assessment of her as talented but spoiled... These details made it impossible for her to doubt the veracity of Lin Xia's words.
In other words... everything is real!
Father really knows Lin Xia!
But why?!
A sudden surge of inexplicable grievance welled up in Ning Rongrong's heart, instantly overwhelming her shock and confusion.
It's a profound sense of loss—being kept in the dark by loved ones and excluded from important events!
It's as if I'm just a doll that's been kept in the dark, carefully dressed up, but never taken out to be shown off!
"He...he never told me that!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes instantly reddened.
"They've never mentioned it even once! What Geng Jincheng! What visit! What... what old friend! I've never heard of him!"
Ning Rongrong's face flushed red, her chest heaved violently, and her beautiful eyes were filled with tears, a mixture of disbelief, grievance, anger, and hurt at being deceived.
"He only told me that it was dangerous outside! Especially that the people in the Spirit Hall were unpredictable! He told me to stay in the sect and cultivate obediently! He told me not to be willful and cause trouble! He... he never said he knew you! He never said he would take me to Gengjin City!"
"Does he not love me anymore?"
Seeing Ning Rongrong's eyes slightly red and on the verge of tears, Lin Xia was indeed somewhat surprised by her strong reaction.
Although he was insightful, he lacked sufficient empathy for the girl's delicate and sensitive thoughts, especially the subtle estrangement and longing between father and daughter.
With a helpless sigh, Lin Xia ran his slender fingers along the seemingly ordinary belt at his waist, and a soft, plain handkerchief with understated gold embroidery on the edges appeared out of thin air in his palm.
Lin Xia naturally handed it to Ning Rongrong, her voice slightly softer than before.
"Don't rush, wipe yourself clean. I was just asking casually. Perhaps Sect Master Ning does have his concerns, that the time is not right, or that he feels you are still too young to take you to those kinds of occasions."
These gentle words and the handkerchief handed to her were like a refreshing spring quenching Ning Rongrong's turbulent emotions.
Ning Rongrong then realized her lapse in composure, and two blushes suddenly appeared on her cheeks. She quickly took the handkerchief and gently dabbed at the corners of her eyes, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"I'm...I'm sorry, Brother Lin Xia, Zhu Qing."
Her voice had a slight nasal tone, but her eyes regained their brightness.
“I was just too emotional. My father… he’s actually a very good person, he’s always been very loving towards me. It’s just… it’s just that in recent years he seems to have become increasingly busy, with sect affairs, all sorts of things happening outside… his mind is completely absorbed in all of that.”
Ning Rongrong took a deep breath, trying to make her tone sound more relaxed.
"So when I suddenly heard that he was so familiar with you and even mentioned me in public, I... I just couldn't control myself."
Lin Xia and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helpless amusement in each other's eyes. Lin Xia nodded slightly.
"It's human nature, I understand."
Zhu Zhuqing also gently comforted him:
"Sect Master Ning must cherish you, his daughter, very much."
Seeing that the two people did not look down on or find her lapse in composure annoying, but instead were tolerant, Ning Rongrong's awkwardness instantly dissipated, and her lively spirit returned immediately.
Her big eyes darted around, and she leaned forward slightly, getting closer to Lin Xia with a sly curiosity on her face.
"Hey, Brother Lin Xia, according to what you just said, you and my dad are old friends! Friends... then according to seniority, shouldn't I call you uncle?"
She deliberately dragged out the melody and winked playfully.
"Uncle Lin—Xia?" (End of Chapter)