章 71: Turning the Tables (2)
"Don't put pressure on Jiran. We can't actually do anything as of yet. Let's inform Yan Qing Shan first and see what she has to say." The science genius, Jia Wei Ren stopped the other Aces halfway through their rain of abuse to the poor hacking expert. Qin Jiran gazed at him teary-eyed and grateful while he glared hatefully at the chuckling Qi Xia.
Qin Jiran, after being saved from coercive abuse of his companions, took off his computer from the projector and proceeded to slump at his seat. His rhythmic typing had glum tone to it giving away his current mood. Also, his lips pouted all the way through the door in obvious grievance.
"Aren't they a rowdy bunch?" The sultry alto of Yui spoke through the silence that pervaded between her and the other person. They were observing the Aces from a corner near the balustrade of the living room's entrance.
"Being rowdy is also good. I envy them to be honest. They are not confined to rigid and strict etiquette like we are. No matter how hard we try, we can't be Ami's friends. Even if we deny it and she forbids it, there will always be the boundaries of master and subordinate. Having them by her side will help her a lot. Ami needs people like them." Aki's voice had a tinge of relief to it.
He was glad that Ami found a place among these Aces. He had always been worried about her tendencies to close off on people and avoid social interactions. Not that there was anything wrong with it. It was only that such trait would not help her prosper. Ami cannot thrive on her own. No one could.
"True. She seems to be brighter and livelier. Ami, something in her changed." Yui looked on the Aces and paused for a little while. Aki retained his silence and waited for Yui to continue.
"She seemed mechanical back then. It was like she was just there for the heck of it. Like a machine unaware of its purpose so it's trying to self-destruct. But now... now it's like she's truly alive. It's like she's found her purpose."
Aki did not respond to what Yui declared. He didn't need to do so for there was already a tacit agreement between them. Yui knows that he agrees with her observation. It seemed that Asahi Reo's worries were unfounded.
The two guardians looked on at Yan Qing Shan's companions, the comfort of silence wrapping around the two of them.
"Qi Xia, you make the call." Jia Yi Lan said after the small altercation they had with Qin Jiran. She wanted Yan Qing Shan to be informed of the developments as soon as possible. Even if she was aware of the circumstances, it was still good measure to inform her.
Seeing the demanding expression on Jia Yi Lan's face, Qi Xia the fox decided to preserve his life and promptly took out his phone. It took a few rings before Yan Qing Shan answered.
"I was just about to call you." Yan Qing Shan cool voice cut off the greeting that Qi Xia was just about to say.
"Oh. You were? Why? What's the matter?" Qi Xia asked neutrally. Yan Qing Shan scoffed playfully.
"Oh please. Don't pretend that you aren't aware of it yet. I'm pretty sure it has already exploded over the web. Jiran has probably let you people see it. If he hasn't, then he's staining the glory of his code name." She chided him. Qi Xia was speechless for a moment. His presumptions were correct. Yan Qing Shan was a step ahead of everything. She had already predicted the sequence of events that has unfolded this day.
"Sigh. He has already informed us. What is up, Sovereign?" Qi Xia was resigned so he chose to give in and not prolong his embarrassment.
Yan Qing Shan let out a derisive laugh before replying.
"Oh, it's nothing much. You are just witnessing the handiwork of my loving stepmother."
Qi Xia went quiet. He recalled Yan Qing Shan's status at her home. She was the outcast daughter, overridden by the second madam who came in just after her mother died. The worst thing about it was that, it was her own aunt who took advantage of her folly.
Zhao Ming Hua, however, was well-loved by the socialite circle. She had a reputation of being kind, humble, and generous to a fault. She was dubbed as the perfect madam. Except, it seems that that was not entirely the case.
"What are you planning to do then?" Qi Xia asked afterwards, instead of answering Yan Qing Shan requested Qi Xia to put Qin Jiran on the phone.
"Hello." Qin Jiran sullen voice rang out on the other end of the line. Yan Qing Shan raised her brow at this but decided not to pry for now. After all, she had more urgent matters that need attending to. And it will all depend on Qin Jiran and the Aces' expertise.
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