Chapter 48: An Encounter with Shi Huang
For the next two days, Li Luo was left alone, although he had to bear odd looks whenever he went out.
Did he care? Of course not.
It was nothing compared to what he had experienced over the last two years.
Whitespirit Garden, Wind Restaurant.
Li Luo and Zhao Kuo had come for a meal, but when they went up the stairs, they saw the hall packed to the brim with boisterous young men and women, and the roaring wave of chaos and laughter put them off.
âThatâs too many people,â Zhao Kuo murmured.
Li Luo agreed. He had just turned to leave when he spotted someone in the distance waving to him, from a seat near the window.
He looked more closely. Lu Qingâer.
âLetâs go get a free meal out of her.â
Li Luo did not hesitate, making a beeline for the table with Zhao Kuo behind. But as he neared, he saw that Lu Qingâerâs table was already seated with Difa Qing and Song Yunfeng.
âFeel free to join, if you wish. Thereâs space,â Lu Qingâer said, gesturing at the empty seats with her delicately-manicured finger.
Difa Qing shot Li Luo a look, but this time it was not followed with her previous sneering. She sat in silence, drinking her water.
It was Song Yunfeng who felt more up to his usual belligerence. He felt that they should know better.
Instead, Li Luo planted his ass right beside him with a grateful cheer. âAll my dear schoolmates, what a sight for tired eyes.â Zhao Kuo joined him.
Song Yunfengâs expression turned grim. He said sourly, âLi Luo, I heard you got into trouble again. There are so many other schools here at the Whitespirit Garden now, can you not ruin Southwind Academyâs reputation? Youâre making things difficult for the other Southwind students.â
Li Luo matched his grim tone. âIf you feel ashamed about any of my actions so far, I suggest you quit school as soon as possible.â
This elicited a new wave of anger from Song Yunfeng, and also a slightly upward twitch of Lu Qingâerâs lips.
Song Yunfeng scoffed. âWho are you to tell me to leave school, Li Luo? Iâm saying this for your own good. Donât think you can go around causing offense to other schools just because of that one draw. You clearly know best how meaningless that was.â
However, Li Luo seemed not to hear him, instead turning to Lu Qingâer, who was hailing over a waiter. âHelp us order a meal, thanks.â
Lu Qingâer did not reply, but she added two decent meals to the order when the waiter came.
This infuriated Song Yunfeng even more, the flames of jealousy burning strongly within him. He had never dared to speak to Lu Qingâer in such a casual fashion before, but this bastard Li Luo had done so while ignoring him?
âThe examinations start tomorrow. Are you all prepared?â Lu Qingâer asked, not intending to listen to them sniping at each other anymore.
They all nodded, then the topic was smoothly changed.
Li Luo did not participate much, concentrating on his meal.
But halfway through their meal, he sensed the atmosphere change drastically. He looked in the direction of the change. Someone was approaching.
It was a nondescript-looking youth, but the aura he gave off was tyrannic, a cold, cruel air that juxtaposed jarringly against the warm smile on his face. Everyone took him seriously.
Eastpool Academy, Shi Huang, son of Governor Shi Qing.
After Shi Huang made his way up the stairs, he headed straight for their position, and asked with a smile, âExcuse me, may I draw up a chair?â
Lu Qingâerâs eyes flicked up briefly, then she replied coolly, âSorry, weâre full.â
Still smiling, Shi Huang took a chair from the adjacent table, who did not dare to object. They recognized him.
Shi Huang sat on the other side of Song Yunfeng. âQingâer, our fathers are acquaintances. Surely thereâs no need to be so frosty.â
âAnd we are rivals. Surely thereâs no need to fake any amiability. Tiring, isnât it?â Lu Qingâer countered.
Shi Huang gave a tight smile. âBoth of us are destined to meet in the Astral Sage College. Weâll be peers there. Why the animosity?
âIsnât that right, Yunfeng?â He directed the question sideways.
Song Yunfeng nodded quietly.
Li Luo was happy with his meal. He put down his bowl and chopsticks, turning to Lu Qingâer. âDone eating? How about a walk for digestion?â
The tension in Lu Qingâerâs neck eased slightly. She knew that Li Luo was helping her defuse the situation. She didnât want to hang around fencing with Shi Huang either.
Shi Huangâs eyes narrowed. He picked up a broad bean and flicked it with his fingers with a loud crack. It shot forth like lightning, a silver streak aimed straight for Li Luoâs face.
But just before it landed, an ice-infused chopstick crashed into the lightning-charged broad bean, sending it flying and burying itself deep within a pillar. A small ring of frost covered it.
Lu Qingâer looked at Shi Huang coldly, and her frosty aura seemed to swell. âShi Huang, stop picking fights.â
The commotion here had stirred up the hall as well. Furtive glances were being thrown their way. When the crowd saw that it was Lu Qingâer and Shi Huang, they were immediately excited. Could it be that the first place hot favorites were going to duke it out here?
Sensing the crowdâs attention, Shi Huang smiled. âA slip of the hand⊠I hope you donât take offense, Young Lord.â
Li Luo shook his head, saying exasperatedly, âIâm not angry, but youâre wasting food. It seems like you havenât been taught well at home. Has Governor Shi not been teaching you properly? If your house is lacking whips, I can send two over.â
Shi Huangâs smile did not falter. âThe Young Lord is exactly right. I will be more careful next time.â
âRecognize your mistakes and change. Thatâs a good boy.â
Li Luo nodded approvingly, then left with Zhao Kuo.
Lu Qingâer shot one more frosty look at Shi Huang and then left as well, Difa Qing scurrying in her wake. Song Yunfeng gave Shi Huang a long look and followed.
Shi Huang sat down, unperturbed. He scooped up the few remaining broad beans on the table and threw them into his mouth with quick movements, his eyes cold and calculating.
âThis Li Luo. Is he hiding his power? Or is he truly powerless? I really want to find out,â He mused to himself, shaking his head with a wry smile.
Forget it. A crippled young lord should pose little threat to him. Lu Qingâer was the key to toppling Southwind Academy from their first place title.
Still, Li Luo was quite a detestable guy indeed.
Seemed like he would have to make some arrangements for his early elimination.
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