967 Whetstones (1/2)

Luo Dajiang's parents watched helplessly from the sidelines. They looked afflicted, words at the tip of their tongues, but forcefully swallowed them back.

It was evident that this was a scene they had witnessed one too many times. It was not that they did not know what to say - they just didn't know how to say it. If they did, who should they advise? Who could be persuaded? It was a dilemma, without a clear sense of who was right or wrong.

”Ah, ah, so it's Lady Jiang Luoluo.”

Yun Yang laughed. ”Lady Jiang's arrival at our place is the Residence of Nine Supremes' pride. Please come in. We're immensely thrilled and pleased to have you here… I'd like very much to have a friend like you since I first glanced at you, Lady Jiang. Come in quickly, come in.”

As he spoke, he eyed Jiang Luoluo. Realization colored the young lady's eyes as her expression changed and she chuckled, replying lightly, ”Nice to meet you, Supreme Cloud. I'm Jiang Luoluo. Greetings. You're my friend now, Supreme Cloud. It feels like meeting an old friend seeing you, we could have been friends all of our lives.”

”That's right. We hit it off well, we're friends for life. Lady Jiang, hurry now. Come on in,” Yun Yang invited with a laugh.

Jiang Luoluo stepped into the Residence of Nine Supremes proudly, puffing her chest without a second word, no longer concerned with Luo Dajiang.

Luo Dajiang was exasperated.

”First Supreme Cloud, you… Jiang Luoluo, you can't come in!”

”What are you saying? Who are you to say this? Didn't you hear that it's my best friend, Supreme Cloud, who invited me inside? It has nothing to do with you. Who are you to meddle with my freedom? I didn't come here with you- I'm here to visit my good friend. Supreme Cloud is my good friend!” Jiang Luoluo retorted with an upraised chin.

Luo Dajiang was speechless.

”Brother Luo,” Yun Yang said melodiously, still looking as friendly as ever, ”I must do my best as a host when I have a friend visiting from so far away. If there's any issue at all, let's talk about it in the future… Tonight, we're going to throw you fellows a welcoming party!”

He cut off Luo Dajiang's words and congenially invited Wu Menghuan and Luo Dajiang's family members into the Residence of Nine Supremes.

Wu Menghuan had been watching everything from the side. A genuine smile suddenly found its way to the corners of his lips as his posture relaxed. He laughed. ”Since it's a welcoming party, is there wine? Will there be enough if there is?”

”Of course there is, and good wine at that. Surely there's enough for everyone!”

”That's great, that's great…”

Wu Menghuan said no more, entering shoulder to shoulder with Yun Yang and ignoring Luo Dajiang who was standing, stunned, by the door.

Standing there dumbly for a moment, a wash of relief flashed across Luo Dajiang's eyes. He sighed softly and followed the crowd. His eyes quietly shifted to the red-gowned silhouette beside Yun Yang, fondness pouring from his gaze.

It was a surprise that Jiang Luoluo turned around abruptly and glared at him. She then scoffed and tipped her chin high, prideful as she walked forward.

Luo Dajiang felt a pang in his heart. He saw the tears that filled the girl's eyes sprinkling in the air as she turned away. He could feel her finally letting the pressure slip a tiny bit away from herself.

”Perhaps, the Residence of Nine Supremes is really where my destiny changes. I hope it doesn't encounter disaster due to my arrival,” Luo Dajiang murmured inwardly.

…