11 A Whole Lot of Trouble (1/2)

The conversation had turned irreparably awkward.

Yun Yang was clearly unconcerned about his boorish behaviour, while Ji Ling seethed with rage inwardly, a hair’s breadth away from bursting out in anger. Lao Mei, for all his dry laughter, was internally picking his young master to shreds for his lack of civility and emotional quotient. The young master and thelady sat across each other at the tea table in a moment of awkward silence, broken only by a stifled cough. No, the awkwardness was all from Ji Ling; Yun Yang was completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere. In all her years, she had never come across such a situation!

“I apologize.” Yun Yang sounded contrite.

“My humble home is extremely lacking. It has been far too long since a guest came, so we no longer have any more tea in the residence… Please pardon my lack of courtesy.”

Lao Mei felt faint.

Who said our house has no tea?

Ji Ling looked at Yun Yang’s flawlessly handsome face, and was completely dumbstruck. “Heh, heh, heh…” Ji Ling forced a chuckle, and shook her head, “I don’t mind the joke, this is Ji Ling’s first time encountering such treatment since birth; or should I say, the only time in my life.”

Yun Yang straightened up, “You’re wrong, miss.”

Ji Ling stared at him in confusion.

Yun Yang continued, “Whatever it is, once there is a first, there will inevitably be a second time! This is the law of the world. Today may be the first time that you have encountered such treatment, but mark my words, you’ll get the chance to be treated similarly in the future.”

He smiled, “In time, you’ll eventually realize that I’m actually right.”

Ji Ling’s large eyes stared unblinkingly at Yun Yang’s face, with skin so smooth that even women would be envious of it. Her thoughts, however, were entirely focused on keeping her hands from lashing out and tearing that insufferable grin from his countenance.

“I have never met such a terrible man.” Ji Ling spoke through gritted teeth. While she was generally more well bred than most of her peers, just a short encounter with Yun Yang had her contemplating murder.

“You’ll meet more in the future.” Yun Yang said slowly, “How many gentlemen are there in this world? Sooner or later, you are bound to come across those who aren’t.”

Ji Ling sneered coldly, “Looks like Young Master Yun is aware that he is not a gentleman himself.”

Yun Yang’s expression was curiously composed. “Miss, please do not insult me.”

Ji Ling replied, “Having admitted that you are no gentleman yourself, how can you accuse me of insulting you?”

In a serious tone, Yun Yang said, “What I meant was, do not mock me with the term ‘gentleman’. I do not deserve that title, regardless of whether you believe it of me or not..”

“…”

Ji Ling was astounded. It was ironic that this man could speak of righteousness so unashamedly. Admittedly, there weren’t many people like him. She remained silent for a while before breaking out in laughter, leaving Yun Yang somewhat bewildered.

Should this woman not be angered and leave? Why was she laughing?

Ji Ling continued chuckling as she spoke, “I am aware that Young Master Yun does not welcome me, but curiosity has gotten the better of me. May I make a few inquiries of Young Master Yun?”

Yun Yang answered guardedly, “What would you want to know, my lady?”

“Before last night, we have never met. As such, I am puzzled.” Ji Ling asked with unfeigned interest, “The young master wants me to leave so badly. Why is this so, Young Master Yun?”

Yun Yang grinned but Ji Ling lifted a finger before he could speak, “Young Master Yun, speak truthfully, and then I will turn around and take my leave. I will not linger and play the part of the unwelcomed guest...”

Yun Yang looked at her questioningly as Ji Ling nodded in all seriousness. She meant what she had said.

Yun Yang smiled in amusement, “First, I dislike intrusions in my life… I appreciate peace and quiet. Secondly, but also the more important reason, your visit heralds the coming of tribulations, and I am terribly averse to trouble of any sort in my life.”

Ji Ling asked in confusion, “I can accept the first reason, but the second… how are you so certain that I’m bring with me… tribulations?”

Yun Yang’s split into a grin and started counting on his fingers, “First, our encounter last night was not a delightful one. Second, you brought along with you a Thousand Illusion Monkey, which indicates that you are far from an ordinary person.”

Ji Ling nodded slightly in acknowledgement of this undeniable observation.

“Third, the appearance that you wear now is false; fourth, the same goes for the name that you have given me,” Yun Yang spoke with the conviction of a person who knows that he is correct.

Ji Ling blinked like an owl caught in bright light, and coughed, “Perhaps not entirely real. Let us leave it at that, shall we?.”