manynovel Chapter 561 The True Master
Chapter 561 The True Master
Chapter 561 The True Master
Liu Erlong didn't notice Yu Xiaogang's suddenly darkened expression, and quickly led Ye Qifeng into the reception room hand in hand.
"Boss Fu, Xiao Gang, let me introduce you. This is Xiao Feng, my younger brother."
Upon hearing Flander's question, Liu Erlong smiled, her beautiful face instantly beaming with joy. Then, in a soft yet cheerful voice, she briefly introduced Ye Qifeng to the two people who had been waiting in the reception room.
"Brother, younger brother?"
Flander's eyes widened slightly, showing surprise, yet also a hint of unexpectedness:
"Erlong, could this little Feng brother be the same one you mentioned in your letter, the one who co-founded Blue Tyrant Academy with you?"
"Yes, Xiaofeng is from Blue Tyrant Academy."
Liu Erlong nodded slightly, a happy smile on her face. Just as she was about to continue to introduce Ye Qifeng's identity information in detail, she was interrupted by a hoarse and unpleasant voice.
"When did you get a younger brother?"
The one who interrupted Liu Erlong was none other than Master Yu Xiaogang.
At this moment, his face had turned completely gloomy, his brows were deeply furrowed, and his gaze first swept coldly over Ye Qifeng before staring straight at Liu Erlong, asking in a cold voice.
His words were full of questioning, and also revealed obvious displeasure and anger.
Liu Erlong, whose strength had improved significantly, sensed the gloomy aura emanating from Yu Xiaogang almost instantly, and also felt his displeasure from his questioning tone.
Liu Erlong's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, a slight annoyance rising within her, but she suppressed it and patiently explained:
"That's right, Xiaofeng is my adopted younger brother, we've known each other for several years now, back then..."
"A younger brother he's adopted?" Liu Erlong wanted to explain, but Yu Xiaogang seemed unwilling to listen and interrupted her again:
"How could you just randomly recognize a stranger as your younger brother?"
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang's questioning tone seemed to become more intense, even carrying a hint of accusation.
"Why can't I recognize Xiaofeng as my younger brother?"
Liu Erlong paused slightly, then subconsciously asked a question before continuing:
"First of all, Xiaofeng is not a stranger; he is someone I approve of."
"Secondly, Xiao Feng saved my life. Without him, I might have died long ago. Besides, Xiao Feng has done many other things for me. I can never repay his kindness in this lifetime. Recognizing him as my younger brother is already a huge advantage for me."
Hearing Liu Erlong's words, Yu Xiaogang was clearly surprised. He did not expect that Ye Qifeng had such a great debt of gratitude to Liu Erlong, and that Ye Qifeng seemed to be very important to Liu Erlong.
Logically speaking, Yu Xiaogang, as Liu Erlong's sworn brother, cousin, and even former lover, should express his gratitude to Ye Qifeng, who has done Liu Erlong a great favor.
However, Liu Erlong's acceptance of Ye Qifeng as her younger brother and her overly intimate behavior with him aroused Yu Xiaogang's dissatisfaction.
His face was grim, and he gave Liu Erlong a deep, scrutinizing look before speaking in a low voice:
"Erlong, don't forget who you are."
The forced smile on Liu Erlong's lips gradually disappeared:
"Xiao Gang, what do you mean?"
Yu Xiaogang seemed oblivious to the change in Liu Erlong's expression; instead, his own expression turned serious and earnest.
"Erlong, have you forgotten who you are? Have you forgotten whose blood flows in your veins? How can you just recognize a random stranger as your brother? Did you ask your second uncle? And did you ask me?"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Liu Erlong finally couldn't hold back any longer. His face suddenly darkened, and he frowned as he looked at Yu Xiaogang, his tone becoming somewhat impolite:
"Xiaogang, it's my freedom to choose who I adopt as my younger brother. There seems to be no need to consult you, right?"
"Also, don't mention that person to me, and don't talk to me about their identity. You were just trying to talk about family, right? What does that have to do with me? I'm not a member of that family. Besides, you yourself have been kicked out, so what right do you have to lecture me?"
Yu Xiaogang's arrogant, questioning expression froze on his face.
"Erlong, you..."
Liu Erlong didn't give Yu Xiaogang a chance to continue speaking. She glanced at him with a slight frown and then continued:
"Perhaps you still have feelings for that family, but that's your business. Don't drag me into it. The rules of that family don't apply to me."
"I can do whatever I want, and I can adopt Xiaofeng as my younger brother if I want. Nobody can stop me, including you."
Yu Xiaogang finally understood the meaning behind Liu Erlong's words. He stared wide-eyed at Liu Erlong in disbelief:
"Erlong, are you going to give up hope of returning to the family? Haven't you always wanted to give your mother a proper status? If you return to the family..."
Upon hearing this, Liu Erlong's eyes became slightly unfocused, as if lost in memories, and she looked somewhat wistful. After a long while, she finally let out a long sigh.
"Yes, I worked so hard back then to seek justice for my mother and to demand a rightful status for her from that person."
"But none of that matters now. Who would have thought that guy was actually the second-in-command of that family, your second uncle?"
At this point, Liu Erlong raised her eyelids to look at Yu Xiaogang, and smiled faintly as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders:
"In retrospect, perhaps we should all be grateful that he appeared in time back then, preventing us from getting married smoothly and making a big mistake."
"Xiao Gang, don't you think so?"
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, wanting to say "incomprehensible," but looking at Liu Erlong's eyes, which were gradually becoming indifferent and angry, he didn't dare to actually say it and could only swallow it back down.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became awkward.
…………
"Xiaogang, Erlong, it's not easy for you two to get together, don't fight over such a small thing."
At this moment, Flander moved between Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang, blocking their view, then turned back to glare at Yu Xiaogang, frowned slightly, and whispered:
"Xiaogang, what's wrong with you?"
"Before we came here, didn't I tell you to speak properly and not to make Erlong angry? Why didn't you listen? Why do you always end up arguing with Erlong every time you come here? Are you bored?"
"Quickly put away your bad temper. We're here to talk business, not to argue. Don't forget why we came here."
Yu Xiaogang was slightly annoyed after being scolded by Flander, but remembering the purpose of his visit, he managed to control his temper, shook his hand, snorted, and turned his head away.
While Flander was advising Yu Xiaogang to curb his bad temper, Ye Qifeng also pinched Liu Erlong's soft palm and back of her hand, waking her from her melancholy and annoyance.
Feeling the warmth in her hand, Liu Erlong subconsciously looked up at Ye Qifeng's handsome face, wanting to say "sorry".
But seeing the latter gently shake his head to indicate that there was no need to say more, he suddenly felt a warmth in his heart, and a warm and gentle smile appeared on his bright face.
…………
With Flander and Yoruichi's reassurance, everyone finally sat down calmly.
However, the originally cheerful situation became somewhat awkward due to the argument between Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang, and the atmosphere became rather subtle.
Flander and Yu Xiaogang sat on chairs on the same side of the coffee table.
Ye Qifeng and Liu Erlong sat close together opposite them.
"Dean Flanders, Master Yu, hello."
Without Liu Erlong's introduction, Ye Qifeng sat down and nodded to Flander and Yu Xiaogang opposite him with a gentle smile, greeting them.
"Hello, Brother Xiaofeng."
Seeing Ye Qifeng greet him, Flander's lips curled into a symbolic, cunning smile, and he returned the greeting with just the right amount of politeness.
Yu Xiaogang remained silent, merely nodding slightly before making no further comment, as if he didn't take Ye Qifeng seriously.
Although his temper had been somewhat tempered, his face still looked very unpleasant, especially since Ye Qifeng didn't give him a good impression.
The other person appeared handsome and gentle, yet he couldn't help but feel a chilling fear, as if sitting opposite him was a ferocious beast ready to devour him, making him feel extremely dangerous.
Therefore, Yu Xiaogang did not want to give Ye Qifeng any kind look.
However, his actions caused Liu Erlong, who was sitting next to Ye Qifeng, to frown.
Flander, who had been observing Liu Erlong, noticed the change in her expression and quickly chuckled to himself:
"I know this Brother Xiao Feng."
"Erlong told me that a few years ago she encountered a crisis and was on the verge of death when this young man appeared and saved her life. Then..."
With a smile on his face, Flander, a shoehorn-shaped man with a full beard, recounted the crisis that Liu Erlong had described in their correspondence, as well as the process of recognizing Ye Qifeng as his younger brother.
Of course, he was saying these words to Yu Xiaogang.
After hearing this, Yu Xiaogang seemed somewhat surprised. Regardless of what he had done to Liu Erlong in the past, their years of interaction and the brother-sister relationship they once shared were not entirely fake.
"Erlong, is what Flander said true? You really almost lost your life because of it?"
Yu Xiaogang's lips trembled, his throat was dry, and it took him a long time to finally manage to utter a single sentence.
Faced with Yu Xiaogang's question, Liu Erlong's feelings were slightly complicated, but in the end she just nodded lightly and said "Mm".
Flander listened to Liu Erlong's nonchalant "hmm" and looked at her beautiful and very young face, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Didn't you tell Xiaogang about the past?"
After a moment, he seemed to realize something, subconsciously glanced at Yu Xiaogang, then at Ye Qifeng who always had a gentle smile on his face, and finally his gaze fell back on Liu Erlong. He asked with a hint of surprise.
"There's nothing to say, it's all in the past."
Liu Erlong waved his hand nonchalantly on the surface, but in his heart he was thinking, "What's the point of talking to him? Will he even listen? He always argues with me every time he comes over. Heh, I'm too lazy to talk to him."
Yu Xiaogang's expression changed several times. He looked at Liu Erlong apologetically and suddenly said:
"Erlong, I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you when you were in danger."
Liu Erlong glanced at him indifferently. "You? Forget it. With your meager strength... if you had been the one who showed up back then, I'd probably be overgrown with weeds by now. Luckily, it was Xiao Feng who came to my rescue."
Gathering her chaotic thoughts, she smiled slightly and said calmly:
"At that time, I was facing a giant scaled beast that was over 40,000 years old and its strength was comparable to that of a Soul Saint. Even if you were there, it would have been useless, and I would have had to spare some attention to protect you."
"But given my condition at the time, I definitely couldn't have protected you. If you had been there, you probably wouldn't be alive today."
After hearing this blunt truth, Yu Xiaogang was immediately speechless, his mouth agape.
"Okay, that's all in the past, let's not bring it up again. I'm doing just fine now, aren't I?"
Liu Erlong waved his hand to ease his embarrassment, then forcefully steered the topic in another direction:
"Let's talk about you guys. Your visit here isn't just about seeing me, is it? You seem to have something else to say?"
Flander and Yu Xiaogang exchanged a glance. Flander seemed hesitant to speak, but Yu Xiaogang seemed less reserved. He straightened his face and looked at Liu Erlong:
"Erlong, what's your opinion on what we discussed with you last time?"
So it really is about that matter after all? Liu Erlong sighed inwardly, glanced at the two people sitting opposite him with a complicated expression, and finally slowly shook his head:
"I'm sorry, Boss Fu, Xiao Gang, I'm afraid I can't agree to your requests."
Flander's mouth was slightly open, somewhat puzzled, but he was too embarrassed to speak.
Yu Xiaogang frowned, then stood up abruptly, seemingly somewhat agitated:
"Why? Why can't you agree? We've known each other for so many years, can't you just take a step back and make an exception?"
"Xiaogang, don't get agitated, I haven't finished speaking yet."
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's sudden agitation, Liu Erlong felt helpless and slightly displeased, but she didn't show it. Instead, she softened her tone and explained gently:
"This isn't a matter of friendship; it's that I can't do it this way because Blue Tyrant Academy doesn't belong to me alone."
"So, there's no room for negotiation?"
Yu Xiaogang was clearly dissatisfied with Liu Erlong's answer, and his tone unconsciously turned cold.
"It's not that there's nothing to talk about," Liu Erlong shook her head, not wanting to explain too much. She had said some things many times, but Yu Xiaogang just wouldn't believe her. There was nothing she could do. Now that things had come to this, she had no choice but to bring up Ye Qifeng. "It's that you shouldn't talk to me. You should talk to its real owner."
Thank you to [Bookworm Who Loves to Sleep In] for the 1300 Qidian Coins! Thank you to [Spring Insect] for the 200 Book Coins!
(End of this chapter)