Chapter 449: Mrs. Rong Sr.’s Arrival
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“I was thinking of getting him a little charm for good luck,” Rong Qi said, her voice laced with nonchalance.
“Really now, you care about such things?” Ling Mozi sneered disdainfully.
Rong Qi chose not to respond.
After a moment, Ling Mozi stood and retrieved a red string from a central cabinet. “This red string has been blessed by the light of Buddha for years. You can braid it and have him wear it. Hell, you could even snip a lock of your hair and place it inside.”
Carefully, Rong Qi took the red string from Ling Mozi and started braiding it without a word. Her movements were delicate and efficient.
“You’re not putting your hair inside? Isn’t that meant to symbolize love? Isn’t that what you young folks are into?” Ling Mozi queried, scrutinizing her.
“I’m not a fan,” Rong Qi replied without looking up.
A lock of hair for a piece of soul; young girls often snipped their hair to make such red string charms for their beloved. Yet the implied meaning was heavy: ‘If you betray me, you’ll be damned for eternity.’
Rong Qi was here to pray for Ye Nanshen’s well-being, not to curse their love. Just as she was finishing the charm, a young monk’s voice echoed from outside, “Master Zenith, your appointment from last week has arrived.”
“I’ll take my leave, then. I’ll visit you some other time,” Rong Qi said as she completed the braid.
“Shoo, go on, get! Who asked you to come? Can’t you see I’m busy?” Ling Mozi retorted, puckering his lips.
Standing, Rong Qi smoothed out her clothes and flashed a grin, “Don’t worry, I’ll make time for you. You’re getting old, so take care of yourself. Call me if you need anything. My number hasn’t changed.”
After that, Rong Qi walked out, leaving Ling Mozi to fix his robes and resume his solemn facade before following her out.
Rong Qi took her red string, made a donation at the merit box, and left the mountain. She hailed a taxi and headed straight to Clearcreek Mansion. As she arrived, she noticed Mrs. Hong approaching. Leaning in, Mrs. Hong whispered, “Ma’am, Mrs. Rong, your sister, and your grandmother have arrived. They’re waiting in the living room.”
A flicker of scorn crossed Rong Qi’s eyes. She said, “I’ll go see for myself.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mrs. Hong nodded.
In the living room, three people were seated on the luxurious sofas, inspecting the surroundings. Upon Rong Qi’s entrance, their faces temporarily hid the awe, but the blend of envy and contempt couldn’t be concealed. Wang Qing was practically seething.
‘So, this is the opulent life that Rong Qi had been living all along! Is this a villa or a palace? Every artifact and piece of furniture screamed of extravagance. I’d heard of the mansion from Feiyu, but seeing it first-hand, it was even grander than I’d imagined!’ Wang Qing thought to herself.
It irked Wang Qing to no end that this life should’ve been Rong Feiyu’s. Barely masking her irritation with a forced smile, Wang Qing greeted her, “Little Qi, your grandmother wanted to see where you live, so we decided to pay a visit.”
Rong Qi arched an eyebrow, her voice dripping with irony, “Oh, is that so?”
‘Just how did they go from brandishing swords at the hospital one moment to cheekily inviting themselves over the next?’ Rong Qi thought to herself.
Settling into a sofa with an air of detachment, Rong Qi crossed her legs and eyed the trio, “So, y’all had a look-see. Anything else?”
“You…”
“Sister, how could you talk to Grandma like that? She’s our elder, for goodness’ sake. Your tone makes it sound like you’re not welcoming her. If word gets back to Mr. Ye, he might think you’re disrespectful and ungrateful, and that’ll tarnish the Rong family name..”