Chapter 60: What is your relationship with Xiaozhu?

As for this job that pays tens of thousands, he really didn’t care. A monthly income of tens of thousands has its way of living, just as a monthly income of a few thousand has its own lifestyle. When he was a courier, he had a salary of just around two thousand, yet he still got by, and had more freedom, without so many constraints.

On the way back, he had already made up his mind that it didn’t matter whether he kept this job or not; all he wanted was to live a comfortable and leisurely life.

Of course, aside from these reasons, Zhu Hong’s appearance might also be one of them, though he didn’t want to admit it in his heart.

"Big brother, I’m full."

Seeing Little Hua patting her round belly and walking over, Ling Chen smiled, touched her head, and stood up saying, "Since you’re full, then I’ll take you back."

After leaving the Nanrong Family, Ling Chen happened to see a Land Rover driving out of the garage. Su Lin couldn’t persuade him, so she had no choice but to ask Zhou Qing to take the guest away.

"Wanqing, what were you all talking about just now?"

Inside the villa, Su Lin had a gossipy face as she circled around Nanrong Wanqing, asking curiously.

"Why do you need to know so much?"

"Oh come on, I’m just curious." Su Lin chuckled: "Be honest, when you saw your old flame again, did you feel anything stirring in your heart?"

"What old flame? Don’t talk nonsense, I just regard him as a close friend."

"Really just friends? That simple?" Su Lin teased: "I think it’s more than that. Wanqing, we are good sisters, and there are no outsiders here, feel free to tell me, I promise I won’t spread it."

Nanrong Wanqing gave her an unimpressed look: "I’ve told you, I have no feelings. By the way, has Ling Chen sent Zhu Hong away yet?"

Hearing her mention Ling Chen, Su Lin’s face immediately fell, and she complained: "Wanqing, you must properly teach that guy a lesson. He actually dare to defy orders and not even listen to you. I had no choice just now; I had to ask Zhou Qing to send Zhu Hong away at the last minute."

"Why wouldn’t he agree?"

"How would I know? That guy is so annoying; you really need to give him a lesson and let him know who’s in charge here."

"Alright, don’t be angry, no need to stoop to his level."

On the road for more than twenty minutes, Ling Chen drove to Qingyun Martial Arts Hall.

By this time, it was already past eight o’clock in the evening. The Martial Arts Academy was brightly lit, and many disciples lingered outside the door, looking worried.

"Quick, look, the little junior sister is back."

At that moment, someone noticed Little Hua getting out of the car and immediately called out in surprise.

"Quick, go inform the Master."

"Mr. Ling."

Seeing Ling Chen getting out of the driver’s seat, the disciples of the Martial Arts Academy quickly greeted him respectfully. They remembered what happened last time; if not for Ling Chen speaking to Ye Liangyong on their behalf, they might have been driven out of the academy. They regarded Ling Chen as their benefactor.

Accompanied by the crowd, Ling Chen smiled and entered the Siheyuan.

In no time, He Ziyun was seen hurrying out of the building dressed in a traditional Chinese Tang suit.

"Little Hua."

"Master."

Little Hua rushed to He Ziyun, her voice carrying a sob: "Master, Little Hua was so scared, scared that she would never see you again."

He Ziyun tenderly picked her up and gently patted her back, his face full of compassion: "There, there, don’t cry anymore, it’s all right now. I promise you as your master, this kind of thing will never happen again."

Little Hua wiped her tears, looking like a pear blossom bathed in rain, nodding her little head, appearing pitifully lovable.

Watching the warm scene between master and disciple, Ling Chen couldn’t help but marvel. Life is like a play, it’s all about acting; this saying is indeed true. Looking at the little girl’s performance, it would be a pity if she doesn’t become an actress in the future.

Earlier, when they were in the car, Little Hua was worried that her master would scold her for running out alone. In her heart, her master was always a strict person, which made her very fearful. Thus, Ling Chen gave her a bad idea, telling her that as long as the tears come down, there is nothing that couldn’t be solved.

A woman’s tears are always the best weapon, and little girls are no exception.

Unexpectedly, the little girl’s acting skills were so good; the tears just fell without any need for brewing.

"Friend Ling, please come in."

After soothing Little Hua in his arms, He Ziyun finally remembered Ling Chen and hurriedly welcomed him inside.

"Mr. He, how have you been recently?"

"Thanks to you, everything is fine. Friend Ling, we’re really indebted to you for helping Little Hua avoid disaster this time. On behalf of everyone at the Martial Arts Academy, I thank you."

"Mr. He, we’re all friends, there’s no need for such formalities." Having said that, Ling Chen couldn’t help but inquire: "Mr. He, if I may be so bold as to ask, why did the kidnappers want to abduct Little Hua?"

"Friend Ling, it’s a long story, I’ll explain it to you in detail another time."

Upon hearing this, how could Ling Chen not understand He Ziyun’s intention? The other party obviously didn’t want to divulge it right now, so he looked for an excuse to defer the conversation. He wasn’t oblivious to social cues; the other person had already made it quite clear, and if he continued to ask, it would certainly upset He Ziyun. Besides, he was purely driven by his own curiosity, nothing more.

"Little Hua, Little Hua..."

In the midst of the conversation, an anxious voice suddenly came from outside.

"It’s Sister Xiaozhu returning."

Little Hua’s face lit up with joy, and she hurriedly ran out while cheerfully calling out, "Sister Xiaozhu."

Accompanied by Ye Liangyong, Zhu Xiaozhu quickly stepped inside, and immediately embraced the running Little Hua, her eyes gentle like water, brimming with tears.

"Sister Xiaozhu, don’t cry, Little Hua is fine."

"Sister isn’t crying; as long as I see you are fine, that’s enough." Zhu Xiaozhu, with her cheek pressed against Little Hua’s flushed little face, sobbed.

Following behind, Ye Liangyong scanned the room with a glance, his gaze immediately falling on Ling Chen, then he strode over to him, grasping his hands and said: "Ling Chen, thank you for saving Little Hua."

"Mr. Ye, you’re welcome." As he said this, a trace of an unusual color flickered in Ling Chen’s pupils. Before, Ye Liangyong had referred to him using ’Mr.’ or ’young brother,’ but just now he called him by name directly. There seemed to be no difference, but the implications were significant. If Ye Liangyong’s previous address was out of politeness, he now regarded him as a friend.

Ye Liangyong patted his shoulder: "In the future, don’t call me Mr. Ye, you and Xiaozhu are of the same generation, just call me Uncle Ye."

Ling Chen nodded: "Uncle Ye."

"Ling Chen, thank you." At this moment, Zhu Xiaozhu also thought of the person who saved Little Hua’s life and promptly stood up to thank him.

"What’s our relationship? You don’t have to be so polite," Ling Chen replied with a beaming smile.

Standing beside them, Little Hua blinked her watery big eyes, her face full of innocence, and asked: "Big brother, what’s your relationship with Sister Xiaozhu? I don’t know about this."

Seeing her adorable appearance, Ling Chen couldn’t help but tease: "Of course we’re friends, what else did you think?"

Little Hua pouted her little mouth: "I thought that you were..."