Chapter 196.2 - Unwavering Promise
196.2 – Unwavering Promise
Surprise flashed in Qi Qiqi’s eyes. Following her initial reaction, she stamped her feet, peeved.
“Why is even Little Sister Shui like this?!”
At this time, Xue Qilin suddenly stood up and walked to Qi Qiqi.
Qi Qiqi stepped back because Xue Qilin is staring at her intently. The other party’s eyes are limpid and contain a sense pressure, giving her the misconception that her innermost being has been seen through.
“Little Seven… can you leave Little Qing be?”
“This…”
Qi Qiqi can’t respond.
Of the people present, Xue Qilin has good reason to believe that Qi Qiqi is the most worried about Gong Tianqing’s safety.
“Don’t worry, I won’t mess around.”
The shade of waver appeared on Qi Qiqi’s face. After staying silent for quite a while, she finally asked weakly, “Really?”
“I’ll retreat if it doesn’t work, !”
Xue Qilin grinned, and then raised her head and puffed up her chest proudly.
“Besides, don’t underestimate my stealth skills! I received systematic training!”
Perplexed, Qi Qiqi crossed her arms and turned her eyes several times, looking like she’s thinking about something. In the end, however, she revealed a dispirited expression.
“Although it sounded very impressive. But I’m sorry, I didn’t understand… ”
What were you thinking just now! Xue Qilin’s foot slipped strangely, and she nearly had intimate contact with the floor.
“In short, don’t worry!”
“But…”
Even though Xue Qilin has reassured her repeatedly, Qi Qiqi still can’t be relieved. After some arguing, what she finally said was — “Then I’ll go with you.”
What? Xue Qilin put on a “are you serious?” expression.
“Hmm? What’s with your expression? It’s unsightly — right, what do you think of my proposal? Two heads are better than one.”
With that, she nodded with satisfaction.
Is she playing the fool? Xue Qilin covered her delicate face helplessly. Feeling the same, Shui Yun’er lips portrayed a bitter smile.
Although Qi Qiqi’s argument is not completely without reason, but she ignored an extremely important point — her realm is too low.
Gong Jing is a Heaven Realm master. Furthermore, the Gong Manor is also bound to have considerable combat power. Once the operation fails and they are discovered, Qi Qiqi is likely to become a burden. If there is a fight, her presence will serve as handicap for Xue Qilin.
Even if the issue of inadequate realm is put aside, with what Xue Qilin knows about Qi Qiqi’s character, this most beautiful girl in Luoyang and the Temple Master of the Merak Temple most likely doesn’t have sufficient stealth skills. The lass even imagined the other party say “I won’t learn these petty tricks!” disdainfully.
Shui Yun’er clearly noticed this. Her mouth depicted an awkward smile. At the same time, she poured cold water on Qi Qiqi suggestion.
“Big Sister Qi, I think it’s better for Young Teacher to go alone… After all, your presence is likely to be a burden to Young Teacher.”
Wah, did Little Yun had to be so blunt? Xue Qilin noticed that Qi Qiqi’s eyes became dim.
Although Xue Qilin feels that this must have hurt Qi Qiqi, but she thinks that Shui Yun’er’s words hit the nail on the head, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
— ah, but I have to comfort Little Seven, or else she will be disheartened for a while.
As Xue Qilin was distressed about how to comfort the girl in red, a crow’s cawing suddenly entered her ears.
The sound comes from the half closed window.
The three people looked at the window at the same time, where they found a black crow standing on the windowsill.
“Dark Crow?”
The Dark Crow’s arrival left Qi Qiqi full of doubts. Xue Qilin rubbed her hands unkindly.
“Aiyo, is this some sort of food delivery?”
“It is not for Young Teacher to eat. Besides, I heard that Dark Crows are not delicious.”
Shui Yun’er got up and walked up to the Dark Crow standing on the windowsill.
As she untied the small bamboo tube tied to the Dark Crow, she explained nonchalant, “This is the information I just purchased from the ‘Red Chamber’.”
“What information?”
Xue Qilin and Qi Qiqi looked at each other, and then Xue Qilin asked.
Shui Yun’er, who had already taken off the bamboo tube, turned back and showed a mischievous smile.
“The Gong Mansion is quite big. Without a map and Little Sister Gong’s location, how will Young Teacher win the hide-and-seek game?”
Oh, so it’s a map of the Gong Mansion.
Looking at the bamboo tube in Shui Yun’er’s hand, Xue Qilin finally realized that Shui Yun’er is actually more clever than she expected.
She must have guessed that things would develop this way earlier, and so bought a map of the Gong Mansion from the Red Chamber in advance.
Insight of crucial opportunities cannot be overemphasized.
It’s true that none of them is easy to deal with! Xue Qilin couldn’t help shivering. At the same time, she made a firm resolution not to offend the two people before her eyes.
＊
In a room where only faint candlelight flickers.
On a bed that appears to be overly spacious and luxurious, Gong Tianqing, shrunk into a ball, is crying silently.
Teardrops reflecting the candlelight slowly slid down her face and finally wetted the luxurious clothes she is wearing.
She forgot how long she has been crying. She only knows that she has been crying since a maid told her — “those two left”.
If you keep crying, will the tears dry out? Gong Tianqing thought thusly.
The heart is in pain. Maybe it’s already bleeding.
However, do I still have any extra blood? Gong Tianqing mused doubtfully.
She has only herself to blame for everything, it was her choice.
Yes, it was her choice — it was her choice to stay here, it was her choice to refuse to meet Xue Qilin and Qi Qiqi.
However, it could not be helped.
If they learned the truth, they wouldn’t hesitate to take her away.
However, she cannot go.
Gong Tianqing can’t leave because her brother “needs” her.
She remembers that person saying to her — “only you can save your brother”. In fact, just as he said, ever since she came back, her brother’s condition has improved significantly. He has even been able to get out of bed.
She became useful.
Gong Tianqing feels happy about this.
As long as she is “needed”, she isn’t unnecessary. Yes, that must be it.
In the next moment, Gong Tianqing’s thoughts were interrupted.
— knock knock!
The sound of the door being knocked seems especially resounding in the room where only tears are shed.
Is it time already? Gong Tianqing wiped her tears away with her sleeve.
“Doctor?”
Although she tried to stifle her sobbing, but it could still be heard in her voice.
Probably because they detected this, the person outside the door didn’t respond immediately. After a moment of silence, “it’s me” came from outside the door.
“Is it time already? Come in, doctor.”
While saying this, Gong Tianqing tried to prop herself up. However, she failed to accomplish even such a simple action.
She is getting weaker and weaker. This is the price — the price of her brother’s health.
Am I already nearly unable to get up by myself? After giving her all, she was finally able to get up. Gong Tianqing suddenly had a bitter feeling. But she has no regrets.