Chapter 36: Go to Hell You Idiot Driver!
Editor: TheSloth
Luo Qiu understood.
As a human being, one tends to bump into some pretty embarrassing stuff in one’s daily life, even among relatives.
He was adapt in observation, so it was easy to understand what Ren Ziling’s was thinking just from her expression.
During puberty, due to access to a wide range of information, different sexual preference were easily formed. The longing for older women was usually due to lack of maternal love…etc.
But according to Luo Qiu’s understanding of Ren Ziling, all of these thoughts would point to only one conclusion.
“This is all my fault…neglecting all these details.” Ren Ziling took a deep breath, “Leave me alone, I need to think about this problem.”
Ren Ziling suddenly shut her door.
The two were separated just like that, by a mere door, as time slowly passed.
When the door was opened once again, Ren Ziling revealed a serious expression, looking at Luo Qiu. “Luo Qiu, we need to have a serious talk. Listen, it is nothing to be ashamed off. Be optimistic.”
Luo Qiu had the impulse to cover his face, he had a million words to choose from, but in the end, merely left a “Have a good sleep.”
“What…”
All Ren Ziling felt was a strong drowsiness, which made her not able to keep her eyes open. In a flash, she leaned against the door and slumped down until she sprawl on the floor, before finally falling asleep.
Luo Qiu stretched out his finger and pointed her. Ren Ziling’s body floated up from the floor, before sending her back to bed. He eyed the sleeping Ren Ziling with a little annoyance.
Luo Qiu shook his head. The space near him suddenly turned warped slightly. The next second, the puppet with a beautiful face walked out from the space.
“Master, what is the matter?”
Luo Qiu said, “You Ye, can you hypnotize her and erase a small part of her memory?”
You Ye nodded after looking around the room, “Sure. However one will be doubtful if there was a blank period in one’s memory. It’s better to make up a story to fill this blank.”
Luo Qiu considered it for a little while, “How about this. ‘I didn’t see Luo Qiu after returning home. Since I was too tired to take a shower, I fell onto bed and fell asleep immediately’.”
“Understood.”
You Ye walked to Ren Ziling, pressed her palm against Ren Ziling’s forehead, then lowered her head and whispered some words into Ren Ziling’s ear.
Soon, You Ye stood up, “Master, she will only think of what you said just now when she wakes up tomorrow.”
Luo Qiu breathed a sigh of relief, “Thanks, you worked hard. Go back to the club.”
You Ye didn’t stay long. She disappeared as soon as she heard the order, leaving through where she came.
Luo Qiu took one last glance at Ren Ziling, levitating the quilt to cover her body, then closed the door gently and went back to his room.
He was not sleepy, so he turned on his laptop and logged into his account. He found two answers to his question.
First one: Are there only these words? Is there anything else? Because for ancient words, the same ones throughout different times would be similar. Thus it’s hard to distinguish which kind of words it was if no further evidence can be shown.
Second: It is probably Coptic Language, which was invented in later period in Ancient Egypt. But I’m not sure. It’d better if there were more references.
Luo Qiu thought about it, then renewed the question after adding a screenshot of some other words, which were merely the most clear and legible sentences.
After he posted it, Luo Qiu waited for a moment. Nobody answered him, so he turned off his laptop, then lay on his bed with his cellphone searching Coptic Language on the internet.
“In 3rd century AD…there were plenty of Greek literature copied into Coptic Language, especially the parts of the Christian lection…what the hell is this?”
Luo Qiu felt sleepy as he read the information. Without realizing it, he fell asleep.
……
The next day, he was awaken by a sound coming from the kitchen.
It turned out Ren Ziling was cooking breakfast in the kitchen, full of energy. There were toasts, fried eggs, sliced ham and cherry tomato salad for a balanced diet.
It had been a long time since he had breakfast cooked by Ren Ziling.
“Luo Qiu, you got up?” Ren Ziling walked out of the kitchen, wearing an apron and holding two glasses of milk. “I wonder why I’m so spirited today! Have a taste of my cuisine!”
“…are any special skills needed for toast and fried eggs?”
Ren Ziling gave him an angry stare, knocking Luo Qiu’s forehead, “Don’t prattle on, are you going to eat it or not?”
Luo Qiu shrugged his shoulders and started to butter the bread.
Ren Ziling bit the bread and asked Luo Qiu, “Hey, have you been up to anything wrong lately? You’ve been coming back late, unlike a lonely single man, who should be back home early.”
Luo Qiu was already used to this woman’s sarcasm, so he didn’t feel anything and threw out his appropriate response which was prepared in advance. “I’m working part time recently, and will normally return late in the evening.”
“But you said you were travelling the last two times.” Ren Ziling wouldn’t be deceived that easily.
Luo Qiu just repeated his 3 words, “Part time job.”
“…”
Right at this time, Ren Ziling’s cellphone rang. Therefore she had to put a hold on this topic and answer the phone. Her expression changed after listening to the other side, then she rushed off to get ready to leave, “We’ll continue this subject later. I have to go to the newspaper office now.”
Actually Luo Qiu had always admired Ren Ziling for straightforward character.
Like now, she hurried into her room to change clothes, combing her hair while walking, searching for her keys, rushing out of the door then coming back again to grab and bite bread with butter that Luo Qiu was just about to eat, then rushed out again.
“I’ll talk with you about your part time job later!”
Ren Ziling yelled at him as she closed the door.
Luo Qiu sighed. Finally he could have his breakfast quietly. While taking a bit from the bread, he prepared to watch the morning news. However, he found a folder near the TV stand.
The phone rang at this time.
“Hey, Luo Qiu? Do you see a folder with a drawing of a circle on it??”
“It’s on the TV stand.”
“Good! Come on my boy! Listen, can you send it to my company? I’m now on the way to another place and have no time to return home! F*ck! The idiot in front! Do you know how to drive?”
Ren Ziling continued along with the sound of a harsh horn, “I know you’re the best! Mum will recommend a girlfriend to you some day…Hello? Hello? Brat, hanging up on me?!! F*ck you b*itch, are you able to drive?!! If you piss me off, I’ll give you trouble! Go to hell you idiot driver!!!”
As Ren Ziling smashed the gas pedal, her dark red MINI-CLUBMAN rushed out like an arrow, going down the highway.
Chapter 37: Three Kowtows and the Scene At the Office
Editor: TheSloth
Zhong Luochen supported Old Zhong, arriving at Gu Yue Zhai.
Zhang Qingrui had been waiting at the hall. She then led the two to Zhang Li Lanfang’s room upstairs.
Old Zhong and Zhang Li Lanfang looked at each other without a word. After a while, Old Zhong spoke first, “The item, I here to return it. Luochen.”
As per Old Zhong’s instructions, Zhong Luochen promptly opened the box in his hand. Zhang Li Lanfang glanced at it, then nodded.
Zhang Qingrui received the box from Zhong Luochen.
Just then, Zhang Li Lanfang said, “Qingrui, put this back in its original place. Remember, keep it carefully.”
“Yes, grandmother.” Zhang Qingrui replied in a soft voice.
Zhang Li Lanfang added. “Zhong’s Luochen, I have something to talk about with your grandfather, so leave us alone.”
Zhong Luochen seemed a little hesitant, but Old Zhong waved his hand. “That’s alright. Wait for me outside.”
Zhong Luochen could only say, “Ms. Zhang, if you don’t mind, I’ll accompany you, what about that?”
Zhang Qingrui said coldly, “I can do it myself.”
Zhong Luochen smiled faintly but didn’t insist.
After the two youngsters left, Old Zhong gave a sigh. “Lanfang, how are you these years?”
Zhang Li Lanfang tidied her Cheong Sam, then turned sideways, looking out of the window instead of gazing at Old Zhong, before saying, “Better than you, an old guy that almost entered a coffin.”
Old Zhong gave a wry smile. “It’s really time for me to sleep forever in a coffin. Thank you for lending your black card this time, or I wouldn’t have an opportunity to drop by to visit you for the rest of my life.”
Zhang Li Lanfang said indifferently, “It was to return a debt of gratitude since your grandson came to see me with the jade lock. I agreed to meet you today not because I’m pleased to see that you are still alive, but to see what you’ve paid in exchange for extending your lifespan. I’ll be even happier watching your terrible appearance.”
Old Zhong sighed again. “Lanfang…You still haven’t forgotten that matter all those years ago?”
Zhang Li Lanfang laughed grimly, “Why? Do you wish for me to forget it? Or you think I would go senile at my age and forget that event?”
Old Zhong answered hurriedly, “No, no! That’s not what I mean! We both knew that we were at fault… After that event, we’ve been feeling guilty, so we decided to take care of your Zhang Family. We never thought you would leave one night without saying goodbye. When we asked about your information, and found out that you came here, I wanted to visit but was afraid that you were still mad, so I waited till now.”
While saying that, one could hear the sorrow in Old Zhong’s voice. “Actually…I was too ashamed to see you. If I wasn’t at death’s door this time, alas…”
Zhang Li Lanfang sneered, “Don’t act helpless in front of me! I know all your tricks! Hum, you acted like that all those years ago as well, preaching and forcing my husband to go to that place in the name of a righteous cause! I’ve not heard from him ever since. And I don’t even know if he is still alive. Good! Good! Very good! You even dare to come to see me!”
Old Zhong shook his head. “Say whatever you like. But I came here this time for only two things.”
Zhang Li Lanfang didn’t seem to care about this words, so he continued speaking. “First, to thank you for lending us the black card, even though you declare it was due to a debt of gratitude… I was saved, Nevertheless, I’ve paid a large price for it. However, that is all in the past now. The second thing is that I hope you can allow our Luochen to marry your granddaughter.”
“Pardon me?” Once Zhang Li Lanfang heard that she pounded the table indignantly. “Dare you say that again?”
Old Zhong said in a hurry, “Please let me finish my words. The marriage will only be helpful to your granddaughter without any disadvantage. Listen, I’ll designate Luochen as the only successor to inherit all my property. That means, your granddaughter will be the first lady of the Zhong Family…you should know what I mean. If it wasn’t for the sixth child’s sacrifice, our families wouldn’t exist now, so whatever I owed him, I’ll pay it back for him.”
Zhang Li Lanfang sneered at once, “What a nice saying…but wouldn’t all the property belong to the Zhong Family at last?”
“The family name of their kid will be ‘Zhang’.” Old Zhong replied in a low voice, “If they get married, the surname of the first kid is ‘Zhang’, whatever it’s a boy or a girl, he or she will be the next successor of the Zhong’s Family.”
“You…”
Old Zhong stood up suddenly, holding the chair and kneeling down in front of Zhang Li Lanfang in tears. “Lanfang, it was all our fault, Old Zhong will kowtow as an apology!”
DONG,DONG,DONG.
Three not very loud but very heavy kowtows.
…
…
As Zhang Qingrui was passing through the hallway, she heard the sound of something breaking. Hence she hurried over. The scene shocked her. “Manman, what happened to you?”
A receptionist of Gu Yue Zhai laid on the ground with broken teacup beside her.
She was Manman, a girl had been working here for half a year.
“I…Sorry, manager. I was on the way to serve tea to Mrs. Zhang and her customer, but I got careless…” Manman said in fright. “Sorry, I’ll pay for the broken teacup.”
“Pay?” Zhang Qingrui helped her up and said, “You’re hurt by the shattered pieces and even bled. It’s an occupational injury, we should pay you instead.”
“Oh, no, no, manager!” Manman shook her head. “It’s not necessary… it’s all my fault due to my fumbling behavior.”
Zhang Qingrui said, “Come to my office, I can help you stop bleeding.”
“Ah, manager, how can I bother you…I can do it myself.”
“Did you hurt your foot? Are you able to walk?” Zhang QIngrui said. “Come now. Let me help you.”
In the manager’s office, Zhang Qingrui was looking for something in the other cabinet near the bookshelf, “That’s weird. I remembered I left it here. But I can’t find it.”
Manman glanced at Zhang Qingrui, making up her mind, she opened the box Zhang Qingrui left on the tea table.
She took out an identical black card and replaced it with the real one in the box.
Enduring her fear, she hid the black card she stole before calming her mind, “Manager, it’s not serious, I can handle it by myself. A customer is coming, and it’s not necessary to waste your time on me.”
“I found it, it fell here.” Zhang Qingrui turned and walked to her, and applied the medicine to stop her bleeding. “It used to be called ‘The Miracle for Bones and Muscles Injury’ and is effective as it doesn't leave scars.”
Manman witnessed the whole process. Once the white powder was applied to her wound on the leg, the blood stopped immediately and a cool and refreshing feel replaced the pain. She sighed with emotion. “It’s really magical! Only important figures such as you, manager, would use it. We common people just use a bandage for everything.”
Zhang Qingrui cleaned Manman’s wound. “A girl should cherish herself. Nobody will take care of you if you don’t pay attention to yourself.”
“I’m good now.” Manman abruptly said.
Zhang Qingrui said, “I’ll give you half day off to go see a doctor. If you still feel pain, take another day off tomorrow. It’s a sick leave with pay, don’t worry.”
“Thank you, manager,” Manman said.
Zhang Qingrui smiled. Then she stood up and took the box. After seeing Manman off, she headed towards the collection room.
She opened the box and took out the black card. After glancing at the card, she gave a start. It gave her a feeling that she never felt before.
She was doubtful. But nothing could be wrong since her grandmother had checked it before sending it here. Plus her grandmother had frequently told her not to touch it.
She was curious but could still feel something strange about that black card, so she locked it promptly.
Soon, she came back to Zhang Li Lanfang’s room.
“Grandmother, has Old Zhong left?” Zhang Qingrui looked at Zhang Li Lanfang and asked in amazement.
Zhang Li Lanfang said, “Did you put it away?”
Zhang Qingrui nodded, “It has been put back to its original place.”
Zhang Li Lanfang said, “My girl, come over here.”
Zhang Qingrui then walked close to Zhang Li Lanfang, who held her arm softly, “What if you get married to Zhong Luochen?” ①
“Grandmother, why do you suddenly…” Zhang Qingrui’s face changed a little but did not lose her composure due to her good upbringing.
“Answer me, do you agree or not.”
Zhang Qingrui shook her head without hesitation.
Zhang Li Lanfang forced a smile, “I know your answer, but what if I force you to do so?”
“Grandmother…are you joking with me?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” Zhang Li Lanfang said in a deep voice, “You kept asking me what happened all those years…I will tell you now, then you may understand why I made such a decision.”
…
…
Ren Ziling’s workplace. Luo Qiu had been there several times---because sometimes he had to deliver items which this woman left at home.
He had an impression of Ren Ziling’s office since he came here before. So he teleported himself to the office immediately.
Just like her bedroom, the office was extremely dirty, disorderly and bad.
Luo Qiu sighed and left the document on the office table, but then saw a partly exposed picture on a document under the files.
He was curious, thus opened the document and took out the picture.
“This guy…what on earth was she investigating?”
1 According to ancient custom, a girl’s spouse used to be chosen by her elders, usually male relatives such as father or grandfather, sometimes her uncle or other relatives would also suggest a person. The girl herself was usually not allowed to select her spouse based on her own preferences. Even in modern society, the comments from a girl’s parents or other seniors in her family play an important role. Their words hold great weight in determining her marriage partner.
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