Chapter 80 - Ranking

The smile on my little uncle’s face did not even falter. “Young Master Shi, does that mean you have complaints about my manners?”

Shi Feng smiled and said, “Of course not! To be frank, Master Tong Si, I was expelled to M City by my father to reflect on my mistake. It is just my luck that you have decided to settle in M City permanently. My father is too busy to come congratulate you in person so he sent me and Uncle Gu Er in his stead. This is also a chance for me to redeem myself. So Master Tong Si, I still need to thank you for saving my hide!”

It had to be admitted that Shi Feng was very eloquent. He always knew the right things to say.

My little uncle turned to Master Gu Er, “Young Master Shi has such a gift of the gab. Master Shi has taught him well.”

Master Gu Er chuckled. “Big brother Shi only has one son so he pampers on him a lot.. Shi Feng, you should go and get to know your other brothers and sisters.”

My little uncle looked at Shi Feng and said with a smile. “Young Master Shi, Nanxing has a bad temper so I hope you’d stay away from her.”

Shi Feng’s smile remained as he replied, “Master Si, I’m afraid I can’t do that. I’m serious about what I said that day.”

My little uncle replied with the same smile. “I’m sorry but I disagree with that arrangement.”

Shi Feng looked vexed as he turned to me. “Nanxing, looks like I’ll have to face many challenges to get to you.”

I ignored him and told Lee Yang. “Let us go find Jing Ni.” Lee Yang nodded and followed me.

In this life, I am less than 18, I have the right to be rude and ignore people that I don’t like!

I abandoned the crowd to my little uncle and only left with Lee Yang.

“Tell Jing Tian that I want to see him.” My little uncle said. I made an okay sign without turning around.

“I’m surprised that my uncle knows your uncle. I thought you’re just a good student, I have no idea you’re a rich young master as well!” I told Lee Yang. 

Lee Yang admitted shyly, “I just want to be a normal person so I didn’t stay at Beijing but chose to come here.” I was surprised. Looks like Lee Yang came from quite a powerful background too, one from Beijing.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of what happened to Jing Ni in her past life. I was confused, could the person who forced Jing Ni to kill herself after one year of marriage be Lee Yang?

I shivered. No, impossible! That person from the previous life was Jing Ning’s friend. Jing Ning gifted Jing Ni to him to get into his good grace. Jing Ni didn’t like that person but Jing Ni did like Lee Yang.

I spotted a bored Jing Ni sitting between Old Master Jing and Jing Tian. I quietly walked over to pat her shoulder. She turned around. When she saw me, her eyes filled with surprise as she gave me a big hug. At that moment, my heart softened. In this chaotic life, Jing Ni was the only one whom I could consider a real friend. Therefore, I would do everything to protect. No one would hurt her, not even Lee Yang!

I patted her back and whispered, “Lee Yang is here.”

Jing Ni was shocked. She let me go and looked around. When she saw Lee Yang, her eyes lit up. I sighed. Such a simple girl!

A hand landed on my head. Without turning around, I knew this was Jing Tian.

“My little uncle wanted you to go meet some guests.” I told him.

“Hmm?” He raised his brows. I told him the new guest list and his brows were creased together.

“Jing Tian, I notice that these people’s titles correspond to the chinese numerals. Are you all brothers?” I asked the question on my mind. The eldest brother was Shi Feng’s father, Master Gu Er and Master Wei Wu were the second brother and the fifth brother, my little uncle was Master Tong Si, the fourth brother and Jing Tian was Master Jing Qi, the seventh brother. They sounded like disciples from those wuxia movies who shared the same master. 

Jing Tian walked towards the door. I followed by his side, waiting for him to answer me.

Jing Tian said indifferently, “That’s just a ranking people give us.”

“Then, what’s the ranking based on? Age?” I was curious.

Jing Tian thought for a moment. “Not really but that is quite a coincidence.”

“It just so happens that the ranking is also arranged according to your ages? But that is not the actual standard used to order the ranking?” I asked.

Jing Tian nodded.

“Then tell me, what is the actual standard? Is the bond of the men on the ranking stronger than actual sibling bond?” I pressed.

Jing Tian shook his head. “We have no bond with each other. In fact, we can turn into each other’s enemy and opponent at any time!”

I was startled, this was not the image I had in my mind. I thought this was some kind of brotherhood they had built.