Chapter Thirty-Seven: A Beauty's Wrath

The uproar from the martial arts exam passed quickly. Though there was much regret, people soon forgot all about it. Torrent City had a population of three million, with countless young talents; losing one or two was like losing a few fish in the vast sea—not even a ripple appeared.

In the tea room on the third floor of the restaurant, Lu Yanhe sipped his tea, occasionally shaking his head and sighing. Wang Li and Lin Yuan could more or less guess what was on his mind, but neither spoke. Since he said nothing, they were content to remain silent as well, and the tea room grew so quiet that even a pin dropping could be heard.

At last, Lu Yanhe could not hold back any longer.

“Wang Li, Lin Yuan, do you know why Grandpa Lu is sighing?” he asked.

“We don’t know,” the two replied, shaking their heads hurriedly.

Lu Yanhe sighed again. “I’m nearly seventy this year, half a foot already in the grave.”

Wang Li quickly responded, “Grandpa Lu, why would you say such things? You’re still strong and healthy—I’m sure you’ll live to a hundred.”

Lin Yuan chimed in, “Exactly! Some masters of physical arts live to two hundred, hahaha...”

Lu Yanhe shook his head. “No matter how long I live, it won’t make me happy. I have a lifetime’s worth of skills and nowhere to pass them on. Young people these days, not many are willing to endure hardship and study physical arts. Even you two brats are obsessed with Qi energy and origin force, aren’t you?”

“Haha... is that so?” Lin Yuan and Wang Li replied, brushing him off.

Lu Yanhe paid no mind to their evasions. “The Flying Bird Style—there are only a handful of people in the academic world who know it. It’s a shame his spot was canceled due to cooperation with the Temple. But... he can still become my disciple and learn from me. Don’t you think so?”

Sure enough, what was meant to come had come.

“Grandpa Lu, you... want to take him as your disciple?” Lin Yuan asked tentatively.

“Not quite,” Lu Yanhe stroked his beard and shook his head. “I am a leading figure in the world of physical arts; I don’t take disciples lightly. But if a talented youth sincerely seeks knowledge, for the sake of passing on these arts, I would not hesitate to teach and answer questions.”

“I can tell that boy wants to become my disciple, but after what happened, his pride won’t let him ask.”

Wang Li and Lin Yuan exchanged glances. How could we not see that?

“So, you two should go enlighten him—young people shouldn’t have too much pride.”

...

Of course, they knew this was coming, and both cursed silently.

“What are your plans next, Ye Ran?” someone asked.

In the “Good Again” restaurant, Ye Ran had changed his clothes, holding a teacup and blowing gently, though not taking a single sip. He remained stubborn as ever, refusing to go to the hospital despite his injuries and unwilling to accept help.

Ye Ran replied calmly, “Same as before. If I can, I’ll run a small business in a while. Fu Ruiya is already nine—next year she should start school. She can’t stay cooped up at home forever...”

The more casually he spoke, the worse Yun Meng felt. She had only just learned about the martial arts exam—it was a huge blow and a terrible injustice. If he cried or cursed, she would understand. Yet, he suppressed it swiftly, as if nothing had happened.

“By the way, I’ll return those two books and the notes tomorrow. Thank you for everything these days,” Ye Ran said, still just blowing at the steam rising from his cup.

Lin Ma brought out the dish Yun Meng had requested, glanced coldly at Ye Ran, scoffed sarcastically, and went back to the kitchen.

Ye Ran noticed, feeling as if he’d swallowed bitterness. He stood up. “Yun Meng, I’ll head back now. Sorry for bothering you.”

He set down the cup and rose.

“Ye Ran... let me walk you out...”

“No need, I’m fine.”

Despite his words, Yun Meng still saw him out, offering a few words of comfort before he left.

When she returned to the restaurant, her pretty face was stern.

“Lin Ma, come here,” she said, then walked into the study.

Lin Ma emerged from the kitchen, puzzled, but seeing only Yun Meng’s back, she sensed that the gentle young lady was angry.

Yun Fang stuck out his tongue at her—he knew this sister well: gentle and soft on the surface, yet fierce at heart.

Sure enough, once Lin Ma entered, Yun Meng, seated in a chair, asked, “Lin Ma, do you look down on Ye Ran?”

It was Lin Ma’s first time seeing her like this. The young lady was always considerate toward the staff, rarely sitting when speaking to them. In the Yun family, there were rules—when the master sat formally and talked to the servants, it was no different from a reprimand.

Lin Ma’s confidence faltered; she stammered, “Miss, I did not...”

“Did not?” Yun Meng’s willow brows arched, her tone growing angrier.

Lin Ma felt intimidated again, but thinking of her years of loyal service in the Yun family, she felt she had earned some consideration. Surely the young lady wouldn’t disregard her for the sake of an outsider. She steeled herself and said, “Miss, I do look down on him. He’s not worthy of you.”

“Lin Ma, you are a senior in this house, yet you’ve forgotten the rules. In all these years, when have the servants ever interfered in the master’s affairs?” Yun Meng interrupted her before she could finish. “You even dared to say he’s ‘not worthy.’ Lin Ma, have I been reckless, flippant, or overstepped my bounds to make you so uneasy?”

“On what grounds do you look down on him? In what way is he inferior to you? You have what you have only because of the Yun family’s grace. If you and he had the same background, would you be his equal?”

Her words were harsh. Lin Ma felt a tightness in her chest, trembling slightly with grievance. She lowered her head, her eyes already red. “Miss... I didn’t mean that.”

“Lin Ma, I’m not making this into a big deal, but some things must be said, or you’ll never understand. It’s better to make it clear now, so you don’t cross the line again.”

Yun Meng’s anger flared quickly and faded just as fast. Seeing Lin Ma’s fear, she softened. “You know, whether at home or outside, whatever I do, Master has never said a word or interfered, because I have always acted with propriety, whether in public or private matters—including my relationship with Ye Ran. Do you think Master doesn’t know? I told him before you even realized. Do you know what he said?”

Lin Ma looked at her in surprise—the young lady’s courage and way of handling things were truly remarkable.

“He only said, ‘Handle your own affairs yourself.’ He told me to inform him if necessary, and whether he agreed or not would be decided then. In other words, he has long been aware of my relationship with Ye Ran, but chooses to let it be. Even if one day Ye Ran becomes son-in-law, he only needs Master’s approval, not your judgment.”

“If you understand, you may go. You are a senior in the household; mistakes are inevitable, and I will give you a chance to correct them. Just don’t let it happen again.”

Lin Ma bowed and left the study, and as she glanced at Yun Meng’s figure, her gaze was filled with newfound respect...