Chapter Text
The first thing that came to Jin Ling’s mind as he woke up was the grief-stricken face of his uncle. He couldn’t believe that somehow, he was able to forget about that, last evening. His heart suddenly clenched so hard it hurt.
But Jin Ling realised his heart was not the only thing that was hurting. His back was hurting as well. So was his head. He most definitely wasn’t in his bed. Instead, he was lying on cold granite somewhere outside.
A little turn of his neck brought him the answers. He was lying on the steps to his house. One door was halfway open. There was another young man lying on the steps wearing red. Oh, he remembered. He was one of the Ouyang disciples. He stood up to go inside, and his head started to pound. His door was half open and there were three boys all tangled up on his bed. One was obviously drooling, and Jin Ling had to restrain himself from pulling him out of his bed. Two others were lying on the floor; one was half naked and Fairy was also lying on his stomach, sleeping like a log. He turned around scanning the room.
“She must have left.” Zi Zhen greeted him with a smile and put his arm around his shoulders. “I woke up an hour ago, and didn’t even see a sign of her.”
“Why would I care? She wasn’t invited anyway. She’s the one who forced us to let her stay.”
“Yes, yes, what you say is true. Ah the things I dreamt last night… Oh I really hope those are just dreams. Otherwise, it would be so embarrassing. Do you remember any of it?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I?” This was a total lie, and Jin Ling was not that good of an actor to hide his worry from Zi Zhen as he would have liked.
Anyway, Zi Zhen thought it would be best not to upset Young Mistress Jin, so he said, “Jin Xiong, why don’t we ask your servants to bring some breakfast, I’m starving. And some hangover medicine as well. Looks like a lot of us can use it including myself.
The ones who were still asleep didn’t look like they were planning on waking up anytime soon. So, they asked the servants to set a table outside in the garden. This was clearly Zi Zhen’s idea. Jin Ling had never felt the need to have a meal out in the open. But that morning was really nice and he felt like his headache was already drifting away.
“Jin Xiong, you really like that lady, don’t you?”
Jin Ling suddenly turned into a tomato, “What lady? I don’t like any ladies.”
Zi Zhen tightened his lips to hold himself back from laughing. “Is it because I was drunk, I think her name has slipped my mind. But you clearly know which lady I’m talking about. The one who drank with us last night.”
“Ah Qi Xue? She just likes Fairy.”
“Yes, and I think you like her.”
“How many times do I have to tell you; I don’t like her. And what about you. Aren’t you the one who like her? You were the one who was running around trying to grab her attention by calling her pretty lady and all.”
“Okay, okay, I won’t lie, I think she’s very beautiful.” Zi Zhen said. Jin Ling turned even redder. “But if you like her, I won’t come in between.”
“Who won’t you come in between, young master?” Two of the Ouyang disciples came and joined them at the table.
Zi Zhen knew it would have been better if he could have talked about this with Jin Ling in private. But because the situation turned out this way, he decided to play it cool and light-heartedly. “Ah, we were just talking about Jin Xiong and that beautiful lady.”
Jin Ling hit him on the ankle with his foot but Zi Zhen continued as nothing has happened. “Since our young master Jin like her very much, don’t you guys think that we should help him to get the lady?”
“Of course, we should,” said one disciple, and “We are at your service,” said the other.
“WHO SAID I LIKE HER?” Jin Ling stood up and turned to go away, but two hands grabbed his shoulders and sat him back on his seat. It seemed another disciple had woken up and had walked up to the table.
“Young master Jin, why are you running away while there’s still food on the table? But let me tell you, if you run into the lady at least half as fast as you started running right now, she might even completely fall for you.” He had clearly heard their conversation.
Jin Ling didn’t expect these disciples to be as cheeky as Zi Zhen himself. But it seemed there’s really no running away now. So, he asked, “Okay, fine, if you really want me to get Qi Xue, I challenge you to come up with methods. Let’s see whether she’ll fall for any of them.”
“Okay Jin Xiong, don’t worry, I will make sure you get your lady,” said Zi Zhen. “You have my full support. All you have to do is follow my lead.”
…
Papers. More papers. Seriously, when will the papers end. Jin Ling shoved the table away with his foot and threw the brush on the floor and laid down spread eagle. Even though he could burden the servants with all the decorations and other preparations, he had to deal with the political matters on his own. He wished his uncle Jin was there to help him, or at least his uncle Jiang. Well, if he was there, they surely would be fighting, not doing any actual work. But fighting felt way more appealing right now than arranging the main topics that should be discussed during the meeting.
Jin Ling was about to scream out of frustration when a sweet smell drifted into his nostrils, and made his mouth water. He most definitely wasn’t hungry after that huge breakfast. But he couldn’t resist the smell, so he followed it.
He was about to go out when he saw the Ouyang disciples coming towards his house. Taken by surprise, and not knowing what to do, he hid himself behind his door. After breakfast Zi Zhen had told him he would go out with the disciples leaving Jin Ling to do his own work. He had promised that they would only come back in the evening in order not to disturb Jin Ling. So why were they already back? And why the hell did he hide? It wasn’t like he was doing something wrong. But Zi Zhen had already stepped inside his door so he remained where he was.
“Young master Jin? Jin Xiong? Seems like he’s not here.” Seeing the kicked off table Zi Zhen said, “See, I knew he would already be bored and boredom sure would make our maiden Jin angry.”
Jin Ling had enough. He jumped out from behind the door and head locked Zi Zhen. “Who are you calling a maiden?”
“Okay, okay, fine Jin Xiong, I’m sorry, let me go, pretty please, let me go!!!” Zi Zhen choked. “I even brought you some sweets, pretty please.”
“Fine, only because I’m feeling hungry.” He let Zi Zhen go.
“Yes, yes, come and have some. Don’t be so angered and hide behind doors… like a little maiden.”
Zi Zhen dodged the scroll that came flying his way and ran out. Picking up Suihua sword, Jin Ling started to chase him. The others also joined in to cheer the two who were fighting.
After running around for a while, Jin Ling finally managed to tackle him to the ground, and they started a full-on wrestling match. Zi Zhen trying to get up and Jin Ling trying to keep him pinned to the ground. But they were both laughing so hard. Jin Ling couldn’t remember the last time when he had this much fun. This must be what it was like to have friends.
Losing his breath, Jin Ling collapsed to the ground next to Zi Zhen and panted on. The others came and sat around as well. One handed them some water and later the sweets were also distributed, and they kept on munching them.
“Young master Ouyang, these taste really good. Where did you get them from? I would like to order some for the banquet.”
“Jin Xiong, I don’t think there’s anything special with these sweets. I’m pretty sure the Jin sect’s cooks can do a way better job. It’s just that we are eating this together, with our friends, that they taste better.”
“Wei Wu Xian is right. You really are a sentimental one.”
“Whatever you say. But Jin Xiong, isn’t he your uncle too? How come you never call him that?”
Jin Ling looked down. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to say that he didn’t want Wei Wu Xian to be his uncle, because he knew it would hurt Wei Wu Xian so much. But he didn’t want to admit that he cared about him either.
Seeing his discomfort, Zi Zhen changed the subject, “What’s with these murders anyway. Isn’t this why you are holding the meeting? To talk about them? Why is this a big deal for you to even gather the sects?”
“Would you consider it a big deal if I told you even Hanguang Jun can’t figure it out?”
“What! I didn’t expect it to be that bad.”
“I heard that whole villages were murdered without even a single survivor,” a disciple said. “Young master Jin, what are you planning on doing about this matter?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m discussing it with other clan leaders.”
“We should go on a night hunt to see whether we can catch whomever doing it,” another Ouyang disciple suggested.
“Yes, Jin xiong, that seems like a good idea,” Zi Zhen added. “Ah! While we are at it, why don’t we invite that pretty lady as well. It would be a good opportunity for you to get to know her. You can even show her some of your fighting skills to win her over.”
“Wow, Zi Zhen, you really are good at this, aren’t you?” Jin Ling said, suddenly very interested in the subject. “So, how are we going to invite her? Would you ask her to come?”
“Jin Ling, it’s something you have to do yourself. If someone else invited her, how would she know that you are the one who wanted her to be there? So, man up and do it yourself.”
They heard a laugh and turned their heads to see Jin Chan approaching with his squad. “If Young Master Jin here had such guts, our sect would be better off than this. Oh, by the way, don’t let me stop you. It would be quite fun to watch you coming back totally defeated by a maiden with your tail in between your legs”
Jin Ling stood up throwing away the piece of sweet he was holding. “You seem very confident that I would be defeated.”
“Of course, who would want to be with a sissy like you? And girls don’t like dandy guys either. And with that face that makes anyone want to vomit, if a girl likes you, she should be totally insane”
The only reason Jin Ling didn’t already launch at him was because Zi Zhen gripped his arm so tight. Everyone was on their feet and was ready to draw weapons if needed.
Zi Zhen spoke up, “Jin Chan, you shouldn’t say such nonsense. Jin Ling is quite attractive. Any lady is lucky to have his attention.”
Jin Chan’s eyes were completely locked in Jin Ling’s. He didn’t even look towards Zi Zhen to acknowledge the fact that he spoke. “Look at you Jin, surrounded by a minor sect. Obviously because no one from your own sect would side with your pathetic ass. You are an enemy to your own sect. Spending time with others like this, how dare you even ask to become the sect leader without any shame? Alas, you should be banned from the sect.”
“Who said hanging out with someone from a different sect is a bad thing? Maybe you should set aside your prejudice and try talking to someone from a different sect. Even my uncle set out with Hanguang Jun in search of the Yin iron pieces. They were from the Yunmeng Jiang sect and the Gusu Lan sect, and even to this date it is considered a noble mission.”
“Your uncle? Are you talking about that Wei Wu Xian? It is the YiLing Patriarch you are talking about, and you calling him uncle, just shows that you are in the same level. If you have some dignity, you would despise that he once resided at the Lotus Pier itself. And noble my ass, it is needless to say how rotten everything he does is.”
“Hey Jin Chan,” Zi Zhen’s face was as red as Jin Ling’s, “what do you mean rotten? Don’t forget you are only alive because of him. If he didn’t sacrifice himself at the burial mounds, we would all be dead.”
“Yes, I remember what a show off he was. Trying to look like a total brainiac figuring it all out. I won’t get fooled by…”
Both Jin Ling and Ouyang Zi Zhen were upon him in a matter of seconds. But Jin Chan also had some buff disciples with him, and both sides would have ended up being severely wounded if not for Fairy coming, running like a hellhound carrying the wrath of hell itself, scaring Jin Chan and his gang away.
Jin Ling just wanted to go back to bed and roll in his cosy blanket. His stomach felt so bad. He didn’t even know where the nervousness was coming from. His uncle Jin made it all look so easy. Seriously how did he host all those banquets. And no matter how many times he adjusted his robes and hair in front of the mirror, he couldn’t stop himself from thinking that something was off.
The banquet was still one hour away, but Jin Ling really didn’t want to be late and let something go wrong in the last minute. But he couldn’t bring himself to step outside his door. He heard someone approach. That was bad. If anyone decide to approach his chambers, it must be because something was terribly wrong. Jin Ling rushed out to see what had gone wrong and was met with a pleasant surprise.
Fairy ran past him and jumped at Qi Xue. “Lady Qi Xue, what are you doing here this early?”
“Oh, I just missed Fairy so much. He’s such a cutie,” she replied scratching his head and giving him little pecks all over his snout.
“Fairy won’t appreciate if you call him cutie. He is a gentleman… okay, gentledog. So, he has his own pride.”
“So, what? Why should that bother him at all. And why are you dressed like that? Ah! Oh, I almost forgot. That’s the other thing I came for. I wanted to wish you well on your first banquet.”
Jin Ling’s heart did a flip. He didn’t think Qi Xue would care about his work at all. But his thank you was hindered by the Ouyang disciples who came running to greet him.
“Oh Jin Xiong, look at you! You look like a thousand gold coins. If I didn’t know any better, I would think it’s your wedding day or something.”
Jin Ling turned red. “If you only come here to mock me, wait for your dishes to be as spicy and disgusting as that congee Wei Wu Xian made.”
Zi Zhen put his arm around Jin Ling’s shoulders. Jin Ling had gotten used to this action so much within these few days, he knew when Zi Zhen went back, he is going to miss it. “Alright, alright. Don’t get mad. We just came here to take you to the banquet hall. Come, let’s go.”
“Wait.” Qi Xue said suddenly. “I came here for another reason as well. I heard you guys are going on a night-hunt together. If it’s not going to bother you, may I join? I mean, my cultivation is not that high, but if I just stayed back because of that, how can I ever level up?”
Jin Ling and Zi Zhen couldn’t help but secretly glance at each other with smirks. Jin Ling’s eyes were gleaming with a cunning excitement. All this time he was contemplating whether his request would get rejected, and now he didn’t even have to make a request to get what he wanted.
“Lady Qi Xue, we weren’t planning on bringing anyone else. Zi Xiong and I have night hunted together before, and we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. And these are the Ouyang disciples and Zi Xiong knows everything about them. So, it was not a problem. But if you really insist, we really shouldn’t deny, should we? It is not nice to say no to a beautiful lady.”
Qi Xue’s face was gleaming with excitement. “Ooooh, thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said bouncing on her heels. “You are going soon right? Then I guess I should hurry and get ready. Don’t you dare forget your promise. If you leave me behind, it’s going to be your funeral.” With that she ran off.
“Wow, young master Jin, you really are a hypocrite, aren’t you?” Zi Zhen said with excited eyes. “’We were not planning on bringing anyone else’? With such a big lie, you really should go to hell.”
Ouyang Zi Zhen had to keep telling Jin Ling that everything is going to be okay. Everything is already perfect, and nothing would go wrong. When people started coming in, Jin Ling really missed his uncle. He was never that good at conversing with people, and hosting and entertaining guests was something he really wasn’t born to do. He tried his best, but no matter what, he couldn’t stop but feel awkward.
The two disciples who were running for the sect leader’s position entered the hall together. Maybe they have come to the conclusion that they were not strong enough to fight this battle by themselves, and had decided to join hands together. Jin Ling promised himself that he won’t get wavered by this matter. At least not today, not until the banquet was over.
His aunt was already there complaining about how poor the banquet was arranged, even though for Jin Ling it looked quite similar to a grand banquet his uncle have thrown.
“Jin Xiong,” Zi Zhen came running back to where he was, after getting scolded by his father for not staying in his seat, ruining the Ouyang clan’s reputation for several times now.
“Zi Xiong, I appreciate your help. But you are going to boil your old man’s blood, if you keep leaving your seat like this. Don’t worry, I think I got this.”
“That’s not why I’m here. I just wanted to ask you when you got enough guts to invite Lady Qi Xue to the banquet?”
“I didn’t.” Jin Ling was too excited to even be mad at having an uninvited guest at his banquet. He turned around trying his best to spot her. Maybe she just came for the food. If so, this is a good opportunity for him to lure her with the wealth of the Jin clan.
“Ah, is that so?” Zi Zhen’s face was shadowed and Jin Ling couldn’t even figure why. “Then you definitely won’t like it when I tell you that she is standing next to that Jin Chan kid.”
“Wh…What?!” Jin Ling turned to where he last spotted Jin Chan’s family and without any doubt, there she was. “Wait, are they holding hands?”
“Oh my god, Jin Xiong, I didn’t even notice. Isn’t that Jin Chan’s mother? Why the hell is she smoothing the pretty lady’s hair. Now they are smiling at each other. What is going on?”
Jin Ling thought he would go and find out what’s going on right away. But he could only take a few steps towards them when a disciple -one from the few who were willing to follow him- who was in charge of the banquet came and told him that it was high time for him to start the banquet. But before he turned to head towards his seat, his heart froze and a chill ran through him when Qi Xue gave him a beautiful, wide smile like nothing was wrong.
Jin Ling’s heart was pounding in his ears, making it hard for him to hear the others and his hands were trembling, but he was really grateful for his voice for not trembling and giving away how nervous he was. While he was talking about the matters at hand, he didn’t even have time to think about Qi Xue, and what was going on.
He was also hoping that the inner matters of the sect won’t be brought out in the middle of this banquet. He thought these people would have enough braincells not to bring out the ugly side of the sect in front of the others. But he got to know it was only wishful thinking, when Jin Chan’s father finally opened his mouth.
“As the main sect of Lanling, it is so shameful that we haven’t yet figured out how to solve this problem. Indeed, not enough night hunts were arranged, nor any other measures were taken to solve this matter. I think I should apologise for this. But I think you will understand that it is very hard to be done, when the sect doesn’t have a proper leader to guide it, and is relying on someone so young and incompetent.”
“Who are you calling incompetent?” Even though Jin Ling appreciated Ouyang Zi Zhen’s bold vote of confidence, he wished he hadn’t spoken up.
“If he is not incompetent, he won’t be hanging out with a looser like you.” That was obviously Jin Chan who got a deadly scowl from his father right afterwards. At least the old man seems to have enough braincells to realise, insulting other sects is not going to do any good.
“If I can govern the sect in the meantime, I will have enough time to teach my children how to be better sect leaders in the future. And the sect will really be in good hands while they learn.”
Children? Did he say children? Jin Ling couldn’t believe that he had more than one evil spawn. “Master Jin,” Jin Ling really didn’t want to call him uncle at all, “how can you guarantee that your children would learn better than me?” Even though Jin Ling knew losing his temper is not going to do any good, he couldn’t help himself.
“Who do you have to teach you? It is a pity your parents aren’t here to do that, but they just aren’t here, are they?” This was Jin Chan’s mother and her voice sounded angry and like she was crying at the same time.
It was the same thing every day. Weren’t these people fed up with repeating the same thing every day. He felt like his parents’ death is something that is known worldwide. But these people keep on talking about it, like it’s hot news. He had heard about it so many times, to the point it didn’t even disturb him anymore. Just frustrated that they won’t stop it. So, he managed to keep his mouth shut while bracing himself for the next insult.
Jin Chan’s mother opened her mouth like she was going to say something, but Qi Xue gently touched her knee making her calm down. That touch was so family-like, Jin Ling was surprised. There’s no way she is… How? Is she?”
Even though it stopped Jin Chan’s mother, his father very eagerly took her place and as time went on, others joined. And to Jin Ling’s disappointment, he found out the leaders of the other sect’s also had their own opinions, even though it was none of their business. But Jin Ling could not concentrate on those words anymore and kept on glaring at Qi Xue for the rest of the meeting.
Even though Qi Xue did a great job at pretending young master Jin’s glares didn’t bother her at all, she was feeling so down as she walked in an isolated corridor, too eager to get away from the crowd. She felt like those people were made out of mould, and felt disgusted to be near them. But someone grabbed her hand so hard she nearly screamed in pain and shock.
She wasn’t even a single bit surprised to see Jin Ling, but when she saw the anger in his eyes her heart sank even deeper.
“Was it fun?” His voice sounded so cold.
“Was what fun?”
“What you did all this time. Making me such a fool must have been fun.”
“I didn’t make you a fool. Why would I, when you do it so well yourself.”
“Haha, so funny. Anyway, what did I expect? Why did you want to go on the night hunt with us? Were you being in the kitchen that night even a coincidence? Why did you follow me all the way to my room?”
“What are you getting at young master Jin? You pretty well know why I followed you that evening, and I clearly told you why I wanted to go on the night hunt. Wait, do you think that I am spying on you?”
“Were you?” Jin Ling knew there was no other reason why she would want to talk to him. But he still didn’t want to believe it.
“Now, why the hell would I do that?”
“Because you hate me!” Jin Ling wanted it to sound like a scolding, but it sounded more like weeping. Yikes, he can’t believe that he is this heartbroken over such a small thing.
“Why do you think that I hate you?” Qi Xue’s voice rose an octave.
“Because you are Jin Chan’s sister.” Jin Ling’s voice had become so loud. Way louder than he expected it to be, that he was sure everyone in the vicinity heard it.
“So that’s the freaking reason for your anger? My family?” Qi Xue had already figured out even while they were in the banquet hall, that Jin Ling hated her family and within good reason too. But she didn’t get why she should be bashed because of her family’s behaviour. She’s not her parents nor her brother. “Didn’t know you were that scared of my family. Anyway, it’s good to see that your pea-brain could figure out that I’m ‘Jin Chan’s sister.’”
“You don’t have to mock me. It’s obvious how good of a liar you are. You’ve got Zi Zhen, the others and me completely fooled.”
“Liar? I didn’t lie about anything.”
“Then why didn’t you tell that your name is JIN Qi Xue? Is your name even Qi Xue?”
“It is. I didn’t lie. I just like when people call me Qi Xue rather than Jin Qi Xue. That’s why I didn’t care about telling you that.”
“Yeah, nice try. But so sorry I won’t be so easily fooled by you anymore. And it was so low of you to use Fairy like that.”
Qi Xue’s eyes went wide. “Use Fairy? Use Fairy for what?”
“Oh, don’t pretend. Wasn’t it your awesome plan to get close to me? I can’t believe you used Fairy for such a dirty deed.”
Qi Xue had never felt like this before. She willed her heart to stop burning, but it wouldn’t. Jin Ling thinking that she spied for her brother was one thing. ut Jin Ling thinking she used Fairy only as an excuse to get close to him; she just couldn’t live with that. She saw the disgust in Jin Ling’s eyes, but most importantly she saw how much he was hurt. Was that pain for Fairy, or was he actually hurt because he thought he lost a friend?
Either way, it was too much. From the moment she saw Fairy, she knew they were both in love with each other. How can anyone not love Fairy, he is an absolute darling. But from the moment she saw that stupid boy in the forest, she liked him too. She wanted to be his friend and teach him lessons till his stupid pride was gone. She was a bit taken aback when she learned that he was the Jin Ling her brother had told her about. But it was clear to see this boy wasn’t even as half bad as her brother had led her on to believe. So ,ever since, she never gave it that much thought.
She had assumed that because it didn’t bother her, it wouldn’t bother Jin Ling either. That their friendship is beyond that. Oh, but how wrong she was!
She heard someone walking into the room and willed her river of tears to stop, but it seemed that the emotional dam was overflowing and is not capable of stopping any time soon.
Jin Chan definitely wasn’t one who would console his sister. But looking at her, he knew this was no light matter. He had seen his sister cry so many times, but never like this. He tried his best to come up with something to say. Something that would comfort her. But his mind was completely blank.
“What are you crying for this time?”
Qi Xue wanted to scream for him to go away, but she also knew her stubborn brother won’t budge. Not unless he really wanted to go away. So, instead she said, “I just won’t be able to play with Fairy anymore. Anyway, why do you care?”
“YOU ARE PLAYING WITH THAT BEAST?”
“Oh, shut up. He’s not a beast and if you are a nice enough human, he would treat you as such.”
“Mom told you, you couldn’t have a pet and you go ahead and play with a hell hound? And for the record, I don’t want to be a nice human. What had being nice had ever done to you? And do you know whose dog that is?”
“Yes, young master Jin’s.”
“So, you even know it’s that Jin Ling’s, and yet you dare go and play with it?”
“’That Jin Ling is not as bad as you think he is. He’s just a poor kid. Do you really have to talk about him like that?”
“You and your pity. Are women really this dumb?”
“Say that again and I’m going to cut off your tongue.” Qi Xue’s eyes blazed with anger. She knew her brother is an annoying brat, but he never really said such things to her.
Jin Chan also regretted the words as soon as they came out of his mouth. This was his little sister and if anyone had a brain, she did. But right now, she was really annoying him taking the side of that son of a bitch. “Is this how you are going to help father? He has done so much for this sect. He deserves this position. You know that more than anyone, and you are his only daughter. Yet you dare take that Jin Ling’s side?”
“I didn’t mean that. I’m just saying that father have real supporters. People like him, because he had helped them a lot. So, aren’t we confident we can win through fair fight? Why do we have to drag down a poor kid? He doesn’t have his parents, and think how wrong it is for us to use that against him?”
Jin Chan heaved a heavy sigh. How can he make her understand? “Listen, I agree with you that we shouldn’t bully a poor child. But Jin Ling is far from that. Because he is Jin Guang Shan’s grandson, people think he is the rightful heir to the position. That is in itself a huge blow for us, not to mention his crappy personality.”
“He is not bad.”
“What do you know? Haven’t you heard me tell you countless times how rude that brat is? He has sect leader Jiang’s temper, and on top of that he thinks he’s better than us just because he is Jin Zi Xuan’s son. He never cares about his own sect. Didn’t you see how he was hanging out with those Ouyang disciples? And you have no idea how many times he had threatened me and my friends, and how many times he had fought us. Are you telling me that it is better if someone like him becomes our sect leader? Didn’t you see what his uncle did? With such power, he is a threat to the whole world.”
“But he isn’t like that. You are the one who is not listening. How many times do I have to tell you that he is not a bad person?”
“How can you say that when you haven’t even met him?”
“But I have.”
“What? When. What are you talking about?”
Qi Xue knew she was making her brother angry and she should stop. But she was angry herself. And Jin Ling really shouldn’t have accused her just because she was her brother’s sister. She was really mad at Jin Ling at this point she couldn’t understand why she was protecting him, except that she was even more angry at her brother for making Jin Ling hate her.
“You are so dumb. If not, you would have already realised when I hung out with Fairy Jin Ling was there as well. So yes, I hung out with him a few times, and I know him. And I’m telling you he is…”
“Why the hell would you do that? Do you really want to see our family get ruined by that brat? Otherwise, why would you even talk to him, unless… Wait a minute, you don’t like him by any chance, do you?”
Qi Xue was also taken aback by his question. She knew she liked Jin Ling as a person, but she knew that her brother meant more than that. She herself had not given it much thought. But why couldn’t she say no? She didn’t want to say yes either. How can she say yes? He is just a stupid boy. Definitely not up to her standard. There’s no way she would fall for someone like that now, would she?
“You do like him, don’t you?” Jin Chan’s eyes were filled with anger, but Qi Xue saw something else there as well. Is that fear? Why though? What is he scared of? Is he scared that his sister would really fall in love with his enemy?