When Lin Que brought up the outfit, Ao Xinyu seemed a little nervous and somewhat expectant. But when she realized he was asking about the designer of the Flowing Fairy Dress, she suddenly became alert.
“Why do you want to know about her?”
Ao Xinyu narrowed her eyes suspiciously but still answered Lin Que’s question. “Yes, I do know her. She’s my friend.”
“Mm… I’m just really curious about someone who could design such an innovative style of clothing. Plus, there might be a potential collaboration to discuss with her. Xinyu, could you introduce us?”
Lin Que trusted Ao Xinyu’s character. Since this suspected transmigrator was her friend, it was likely nothing too concerning.
At the very least, she was someone worth trying to approach.
Of course, one should never let down their guard completely. Lin Que still planned to feel the person out after meeting her.
“Oh, so that’s what it is. I thought you were…”
Interested in her.
Ao Xinyu let out a quiet sigh of relief. After all, although her friend was a bit eccentric in personality, she truly was a beauty in the making.
What if Lin Que ended up taking a liking to her…
Then again, Ao Xinyu quickly shook her head.
As if that could happen. Lin Dacque is a married man now. Besides, he didn’t even fall for me, so there’s no way he’d be into her…
Yeah… he didn’t even like me… sob…
At that thought, Ao Xinyu suddenly felt an inexplicable wave of sadness in her heart.
“I can introduce you to her, but even I can’t guarantee whether she’ll agree to meet you.”
“Just you being willing to help is more than enough. Thank you,” Lin Que replied with a gentle smile. Then, he smoothly steered the conversation back. “Are you sure you don’t need me to kill anyone for you?”
Ao Xinyu nearly choked on her tea at those words, and the younger shopkeeper sister nearby began trembling.
“Really, it’s not necessary. Liuli Pavilion is quite well-established now. Even if there’s anything shady going on, we can just have one of the guest elders deal with it.”
Lin Que didn’t entirely believe her.
During their chat that afternoon, the older twin who usually stood behind Ao Xinyu had left several times. Each time she returned, she looked visibly anxious and whispered something urgently into Ao Xinyu’s ear only to be waved off impatiently.
Eventually, the elder sister didn’t return at all, leaving only the younger one behind in the Glazed Pavilion.
Was there something urgent going on? But judging by Ao Xinyu’s demeanor, she didn’t seem eager to deal with it right now.
Curiosity is part of human nature, and Lin Que was no exception. The more Ao Xinyu tried to hide something, the more intrigued he became about what exactly she was facing.
As the sun began to set, Lin Que took his final sip of spiritual tea, glanced at the scenery outside the window, and realized it was time to go.
“It’s getting late. I should head back.”
“Eh? Not staying for dinner?”
“No, my partner’s still at home waiting for me to cook,” Lin Que said with a smile.
“…Is that so?”
Ao Xinyu lowered her gaze, eyes tinged with melancholy. “I really envy Wanyuan… she gets to enjoy dishes personally prepared by Great Chief Lin.”
“If you don’t mind, you’re welcome to visit sometime. Actually, my partner was supposed to come today too, but she had some sudden insights during cultivation and decided to go into seclusion.”
“Mm… if I get the chance, I’ll definitely visit. By the way, which peak are you living on now?”
“Same as before. Still on Drunken Jade Peak. But not the old cave residence; it’s the newly built one halfway up the mountain.”
“Oh, I see.”
Ao Xinyu nodded and quietly memorized the location.
Just as Lin Que was about to leave, something seemed to occur to him. He turned to Ao Xinyu and said, “Right, before I go, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
“Just say it. No need to be so polite.”
“I’ve got some materials from a few Nascent Soul-stage spirit beasts that I’d like to consign for auction. You can decide the commission cut.”
“Nascent Soul-stage spirit beasts?”
Ao Xinyu blinked. “No problem at all. I’ll take you straight to the appraisers. I guarantee you’ll get a fair deal.”
“I’ve already taken up so much of your time today. No need to trouble yourself with something like this. Besides, it looks like you’ve got things of your own to handle. Maybe you should go take care of them first.”
“All right then, I’ll have Ping’er go with you.”
Ao Xinyu waved her hand and called over the younger shopkeeper sister, gave her a few instructions, and had her lead the way for Lin Que.
It was only then that Lin Que finally learned her name.
“S-Sir Lin, this way please…”
For some reason, ever since they met today, the younger shopkeeper Ping’er had seemed scared of him. As if she were facing some terrifying creature.
This puzzled Lin Que a bit.
Still, he didn’t dwell on it. The three of them left the Glazed Pavilion together, and after walking some distance, Ao Xinyu parted ways with Lin Que, heading off on her own path.
Lin Que and Ping’er continued on toward the appraisal hall.
The materials from the Nascent Soul-stage spirit beasts were all given solid starting prices. Especially the one from a beast at peak Nascent Soul level, which had a base price that exceeded Lin Que’s expectations.
“Safe travels, Sir Lin. Once the auction is complete, we’ll contact you immediately,” Ping’er said courteously.
“Mm. Thanks for your help.”
Lin Que nodded, then casually asked Ping’er, “By the way, who was your Pavilion Master meeting just now?”
“…I’m sorry, Chief Lin, I don’t know either.”
Recalling Ao Xinyu’s instructions, Ping’er shook her head.
However—
Just then, Cui’er, the elder shopkeeper who had been gone all afternoon, walked over quickly and answered his question. “Chief Lin, the one currently meeting with our Pavilion Master is Liu Yongge, a prodigy of the Blade Sect and one of the top sixteen in the last Eastern Domain Tournament.”
That very tournament had been the one Lin Que himself had participated in.
“Sister, the Pavilion Master told us not to speak of this… Wait, what happened to your face?!”
Ping’er had originally meant to remind her sister that the Pavilion Master had explicitly told them not to reveal this to Chief Lin, but then she suddenly noticed that the right side of her sister’s face was swollen, bearing the clear imprint of a large hand.
“I’m fine.”
Despite the mark, Cui’er didn’t show any sign of pain. She still wore a faint smile as she looked at Lin Que.
“Liu Yongge?”
Lin Que blinked. The name didn’t ring a bell, but seeing the slap mark on Cui’er’s face, he could tell the visitor hadn’t come with good intentions.
“I see. Then I’ll take my leave for now. Until next time.”
“Very well. Safe travels, Chief Lin,” Cui’er said with a smile, bowing politely.
With that, Lin Que turned and left the Glazed Pavilion.
“Big sister, why did Chief Lin leave just like that?” Ping’er asked anxiously, staring at Lin Que’s departing figure. “Didn’t you just tell him about Liu Yongge? Why did he…”
“When did I ever mention anything like that to Chief Lin?” Cui’er frowned at her younger sister, signaling with her eyes for her to stop talking.
After a brief moment of confusion, Ping’er finally understood what was going on.
“…I see.”
They really hadn’t said anything to Lin Que. And when he left, he hadn’t known a thing. So if he were to do something later like sneak off to where the Pavilion Master was, it would have nothing to do with them.
“That’s why you still have a lot to learn.”
Cui’er affectionately pinched her sister’s cheek.
Ping’er didn’t resist. But afterward, as she rubbed her cheek, she asked Cui’er, “Sister, are you sure your face is okay?”
“It’s nothing. I’ll put some ointment on and it’ll be fine. But that so-called prodigy from the Blade Sect… daring to make such outrageous demands. He’s in for a rude awakening.”
Cui’er shook her head and said with a faint smile.
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