by Feng Yue
He looked warmly at his coldly staring daughter. “How has Bai Xi been these years?”
Bai Xi opened her mouth to speak but Ye Qingxuan stopped her, shaking his head slightly. This guy was not good news. They better let Charles test the waters first.
“She eats well, sleeps well, and gained a ton of weight!” Charles raised his voice in an unspoken agreement. However, he was talking as if he was selling meat. “Bro, you don’t gotta worry. Look at how we raised Bai Xi to be nice and plump, so cute.”
“That is great. I am relieved.” Yunlou Qingshu seemed to have not noticed anything and kept smiling pleasantly. “Bai Xi has never been an obedient child. She loves making trouble and giving people headaches. Seeing how she has become, I am happy as well.”
“So are you done looking?” Charles waved as if they were visiting each other. “If you’ve got nothing else, go now. We’ll take Bai Xi to see you some other day. We have other plans tonight.”
No matter how tolerant Yunlou Qingshu was, he was a little taken aback by the merciless shooing. He chuckled awkwardly and glanced at the table.
“I’m a little hungry. Can I eat some?”
Charles shook his head. “It’s very hard to live in the Sacred City. I don’t have much money.”
“It’s okay. I’ll pay.”
Charles shook his head again. “Time’s running short.”
“It’s okay. You can go,” Yunlou Qingshu said. “I just need to speak with Bai Xi.”
Charles froze before quickly sighing. “Ah, to be honest, I signed Bai Xi up for a math class a few days ago. Oh, look at the time. It’s almost time for class. Come, Bai Xi, let me take you to class.” Without waiting for Qingshu to reply, he pulled Bai Xi up. Before she could fight back, he swung her over his shoulder and ran…
This guy had swung his junior over his shoulder and ran!
Before leaving, he threw a glance at Ye Qingxuan as if saying, that’s all I can do for you! The rest is up to you!
In the awkward silence, Abraham cleared his throat. He tried to act as if nothing had happened. Pulling out a pipe, he rose. “I’m going for a smoke.” And he escaped too. He really did not understand the situation but seeing as Charles had run, he could not help with matters either. It was up to the young ones.
In the end, all that remained in the empty restaurant were Ye Qingxuan, Yunlou Qingshu staring at each other across a table of leftovers.
“Seems that I won’t be able to talk to her today.” Yunlou Qingshu shook his head and sighed. “I still came at the wrong time. I was too rushed. A rushed conversation will never achieve the goal. It will only make the kid hate me more, right?”
“Mr. Yunlou Qingshu, sit down.” Ye Qingxuan sighed and pointed at the seat across from him. “Sorry that this happened but please be rest assured, I won’t run. You can talk to me.”
He studied Yunlou Qingshu, who was still composed. He said quietly, “After Bai Xi lived with all of us, we are like her family because she doesn’t have any other family. Charles and I are her brothers. We will protect her and if anyone wants to bully her, they have to get past us first.”
Yunlou Qingshu nodded. As if welcoming his daughter’s friend home, he was very pleased. “You’ve worked hard.”
“Not just people who want to bully but her father too.” Ye Qingxuan’s expression grew cold. “You’ve never asked about Bai Xi all this time. She has been living by herself in this world. Now you suddenly drop out of the sky like some caring father and to be honest, even I’m grossed out…” He stared at Yunlou Qingshu and uttered, “What do you want?”
Stared at by those eyes, Yunlou Qingshu smiled and shook his head. “Why must you be like this? Haven’t we met once before?”
Snapping a finger, he had the server come and clear the table. A bucket of iced wine was quickly brought over as well as two glasses. Yunlou Qingshu lifted his glass and motioned for Ye Qingxuan to follow.
After drinking a glass, he suddenly asked, “How old is Bai Xi this year?”
Ye Qingxuan froze and frowned. “Nineteen.”
“Already nineteen? Just like her sister.” Yunlou Qingshu sighed. “That’s the age to get married… As a father, I must think of my daughter and choose a good husband for her. I came to the Sacred City for this as well.”
“You don’t need to worry about Bai Xi.” Ye Qingxuan shook his head. “And no offense but, to her, you’re the true trouble for her. Do you think Bai Xi will listen to you obediently and marry someone she’s never met before?”
Qingshu smiled meaningfully. “It’s okay. She will always be my daughter. Sometimes, she will listen. So, I must say,” he paused and said nonchalantly as if describing a truth, “you still don’t understand her well enough.”
Ye Qingxuan’s face darkened. He did not know what unknown things this man had in his hands. But if he was here and wanted to do something to Bai Xi, Ye Qingxuan would not let him go so easily.
Even if this man was Bai Xi’s father.
What a joke. Even if this was his father Ye Lanzhou, he would not care, let alone someone else’s dad… He was sure that if he beat Yunlou Qingshu up here, Bai Xi would be happy for three months. Unfortunately, this guy was the duke of Yunlou City. He had a higher position than Ye Qingxuan. If he made a move, he would have to fight passively…Yunlou Qingshu was prepared and he had to be sure about the other’s plan and hidden cards.
However, Ye Qingxuan was not confident he could get an advantage from an old fox like him who had climbed out of the dirty sewage water. He could only take each step as it happened.
Thankfully Bai Xi had been taken by Charles. Otherwise, he would be even more passive.
-
“Did you know?” Yunlou Qingshu drank by himself and spoke animatedly. “In the past, I wanted Bai Xi to marry to the crown prince of Anglo. She could be the queen that was above all but one person. But she didn’t like him and even ran away from home… It’s such hard work to be a dad. I have to put in so much thought to find a son-in-law.”
Ye Qingxuan remained silent.
“Actually, it’s not hard to find a son-in-law. It’s hard to find a good one.” Yunlou Qingshu pointed at the Sacred City, lit with lanterns and lights. “Look, the Sacred City is filled with officials and nobles. As long as I reveal that I want my daughter to marry, you don’t know how many wives will suddenly die tonight… Thankfully, I’ve already found a better one and don’t need to do all that.”
Ye Qingxuan frowned. “Such as?”
Yunlou Qingshu smiled. He patted the young man’s shoulder. “Such as you, Ye Qingxuan.”
468 Son and Father-in-law
“Such as you, Ye Qingxuan.”
In the silence, Yunlou Qingshu smiled and dropped another bomb. He patted Ye Qingxuan’s shoulder with satisfaction. “You’re much better than that idiotic crown prince, better than anyone else, don’t you think?”
“Mr. Yunlou, you think too highly of me.” Ye Qingxuan’s expression was indifferent. “To be honest, I’m just a handyman for Anglo. Even if I’ve become more famous after becoming a musician, I still have nothing to do with true power.”
“Don’t look down on yourself, young man,” Qingshu said lightly. “You are only nineteen-years-old, aren’t you? In half a year, you went from a student who knew nothing to a powerful Disturbance level musician. You have a weapon like Jiu Xiao Huan Pei and countless inheritances from various schools. You also have something like the Philosopher’s Stone.
“The greatest traitor, Ye Lanzhou, is your father, Mr. Bach’s only student Wolf Flute is your good friend, Maxwell sees you as his heir, Anglo sees you as their sword bearer, and you are the future shadow minister and head of the Fifth Department. The Silent Authority is sparing no expenses in turning you into one of their one. Even the core of the Cardinals and Constantine think highly of you. That Charles, who seems out of it, sees you more important than life itself…
“To Anglo, you are the future pillar and Lancelot dreams of you retu
rning to the family. And let’s not even mention Princess Mary, who loves you. When you officially enter your position, you will become the first uncrowned king in a century to have the Sword in the Stone, the Fifth Department, and Lancelot’s armor…
“To the East, you are the undisputed leader of the Ye family. So many people wish you’ll go back. Once you past the test of the dragon blood, you’ll become a duke, equal to me with a promising future…”
Yunlou Qingshu gazed at Ye Qingxuan as if looking at a priceless gem. “How many people on this planet do you think are equal to you in talent and connections?”
“I see.” Ye Qingxuan arched an eyebrow. “If not for your reminder, I wouldn’t have realized how valuable I am. Unfortunately, why do you think I’ll marry Bai Xi if I have such a promising future?”
“Will you let her marry just anyone?” Qingshu asked in return.
Ye Qingxuan fell silent.
Qingshu smiled happily and poured wine for him. “Ye Qingxuan, see, you care for her,” he murmured in the youth’s ear like a wraith. “Instead of giving my daughter to someone who doesn’t love her as a toy, why don’t I find a good man who is willing to sacrifice for her?”
Ye Qingxuan sneered. “Not just sacrifice for Bai Xi, but for you too, right?”
“Ye Qingxuan, you’re almost twenty. Why do you still not act like a man?” Qingshu shook his head sadly. Standing up, he looked around the luxurious yet empty restaurant as if drunk. Looking at the bustling night outside the window, he smiled mockingly.
“Why are you afraid to look your desires in the eye? Men must grasp what they love in their hands! No matter if that is beauties, power, richness, or a country. If it doesn’t belong you, then what meaning does your love have? Are you really willing to watch Bai Xi get married to a fat and balding old man?”
The voice was like a demon’s murmurs.
Qingshu walked behind Ye Qingxuan and gently pressed down on his shoulders. He still smiled politely but now, there was a bit of drunkenness and craziness. His voice seemed to come from hell.
“She is only nineteen this year, Ye Qingxuan. So young, so cute. She’ll tremble in shyness when holding your hand, so intoxicatingly sweet. You’ve done so much for her. She should belong to you!
“Think about it. If you aren’t there, that unmarred body would be pressed under a vile old man and played with until her tears run dry. She’ll be a little doll put on display…”
Ye Qingxuan remained silent. But under his long white hair, his face was livid. Angry moonlight burned in his eyes.
“Mr. Yunlou, don’t cross the line…”
“Don’t cross the line?” Yunlou Qingshu laughed. “Do you know where we are? Ye Qingxuan, this is the Sacred City. Do you know what creatures these big figures become after they take off their uniforms?
“Have you seen how they play with women? When they get bored, they’ll call their friends over. Three people, five, even—”
“I said enough!” Ye Qingxuan growled.
The illusion of cold moonlight rose in thin air. Instantly, it sliced like a sword. Six ripples appeared in the aether sea. However, the brewing moonlight was forcefully extinguished. In the silence, there was a string of crackles between them. Two powerful strengths burst out, freezing the world and distorting the reality.
In an instant, two vastly different music theories clashed in a short yet intense fight. After distorting the material world, they went into the aether sea, creating giant waves. Before alerting the Sacred City enchantment, they quickly moved into a dark corner.
Deep under the aether sea, they created wild aftershocks. The moonlight sword swung and hacked, breaking through sixteen barriers in quick succession until the other was forced into a passive defensive position. However, the other was obviously a Scepter level. Even using Yunlou Qingshu as a source and fighting with Ye Qingxuan from thousands of meters away, he could still move at ease and ensure Qingshu’s safety.
The fight in the aether sea was reflected in reality. With a string of sharp sounds, the terrifying aftershocks shattered the bricks, walls, and chandeliers. The table melted into dirt but the tablecloth turned into steel. The glasses vaporized but the wine inside solidified into vile rubber…
The short yet shrill wine suddenly stopped. Ye Qingxuan’s finger was pressed against Qingshu’s neck. The aether waves on Qingshu’s body were furious but did not burst out due to Qingshu’s calmness.
The other man did not expect that the renowned Ye Qingxuan would have such a high starting point… In that instant, Ye Qingxuan used pure power to force him back. His sub-originator had stirred the aether sea, forcefully destroying the protections around Qingshu.
He had thrown the Philosopher’s Stone as if it was a steel ball!
Now, he only needed to think and activate his heart of sound to turn this duke into a pile of mangled flesh. The other man did not dare to take the risk.
“Calm down, young man.” As if he did not understand his danger, Yunlou Qingshu did not show any fear. “Do you think I’m a despicable man? Don’t worry, I’m still her father. I won’t let that happen. You won’t either, right?”
“You did say something right.” Ye Qingxuan let go and looked at him expressionlessly. “I did so much for her, so she does not belong to you. No matter what cards you have hidden or plans you have, I hope that you won’t appear before Bai Xi again before you leave this city… Otherwise, I promise I will make it painful for you.”
“You learn quickly, Ye Qingxuan.” Qingshu patted his shoulder with praise. “You did not disappoint me. You’re even more valuable than I thought. If possible, I even want Chaoyue to marry you…but I’m sure you won’t listen to anything I say now.”
Reaching out, he took off his torn jacket. The servant in the darkness walked over and submissively helped him put on a new and clean robe. He still looked majestic and glamorous.
“It’s getting late and I should go. A cardinal representing the Sacred City wishes to meet me tonight.” Glancing at his watch, he sighed. “I can’t believe the first unfortunate meeting between a father and son-in-law would end like this. Take care, Ye Qingxuan.”
With one last glance, he turned and left. The door slammed shut behind him.
-
Outside the door, the servants waited beside the elegant carriage in the night wind. They knelt on the ground to welcome Yunlou Qingshu back. However, he stayed by the door and looked beside him. At the side of the road, Abraham sat on the fire hydrant, smoking with his head low. His clothes were ugly and his hat was old. He looked more like a homeless guy than a musician.
Yunlou Qingshu went over with a cigarette. “Can I borrow some fire?”
“Of course.” Abraham reached up. His metal fingers snapped, creating a spark that lit the cigarette. Using the firelight, Qingshu studied Abraham’s features.
“I heard of you twenty years ago. I have looked up to the name ‘Abraham’ for a long while.”
“Thank you.” Abraham shook his head. “That is all in the past. Now, I only want to be a teacher but you tried to take my student away, so don’t say things like looking up to me.”
“I can’t help it.” Qingshu shook his head sadly. “As a father, I must be strict.”
“Coincidentally, I’m like that too,” Abraham said calmly. “Bai Xi is a good girl. She’s obedient and cute. So, if she doesn’t like you, it must be because you treat her badly instead of strictly.”
Yunlou Qingshu remained silent. He could always explain himself before the others but faced with Abraham’s straightforward logic, he was powerless.
He sighed. “You misunderstand me.”
Abraham put out his pipe and emptied the ashes on the fire hydrant. He put it back and looked at Qingshu. “You know, for a moment…” he said, “I really wanted to kill you.”
-
When Ye Qingxuan found Bai Xi, she was on the swing set in the embassy’s backyard. Ye Qingxuan looked at her back quietly. After a long while, she lowered her
head. She wiped her face forcefully and turned around. Her eyes were slightly red but they weren’t sad.
“Did you beat him up?” Bai Xi asked.
Ye Qingxuan nodded. “Yeah.”
“Did you win?”
Thinking for a bit, he shook his head. “Didn’t lose.”
“Oh.” Bai Xi was a little sad but she quickly got onto her tiptoes and patted his shoulder. “It’s okay. Work harder and you’ll win next time.”
“Yeah.” Nodding, Ye Qingxuan smiled. “Let’s go back. Professor and Charles are worried.”
Bai Xi nodded obediently. Tugging his sleeve, she followed him. However, Ye Qingxuan paused and grasped her hand. Her hand was cold, delicate, and small. Holding it, he didn’t dare to apply pressure, scared that it would melt like a snowflake.
Bai Xi stiffened.
“Cousin?” She looked up but Ye Qingxuan was walking before her against the light. She could not see his expression clearly.
“Bai Xi…”
“Yeah?”
“Will you go back with your dad?”
Bai Xi laughed and shook his head. “No.”
“Really?”
She nodded forcefully. “Really.”
“Okay.” Ye Qingxuan lowered his head. He tightened his grip and seemed to smile. “That’s good.”
-
A few days later, it was still snowing endlessly. Tomorrow was the Winter Festival. Most stores were closed and the crowds had thinned. The falling snow muffled all sound, making this steel city peaceful and serene.
Ye Qingxuan allowed the snow to fall onto him. He walked on the soft carpet, listening to the snow crumbling under his feet. Finally, he pushed open a vintage door. The heat from the fireplace welcomed him.
The antiques store was decorated subtly and comfortably. The fireplace burned and emanated with the smell of pine wood. There might be some spices as well. It was faintly fragrant and calming.
Among the precious antiques, someone sat on the sofa. Covered with a blanket, he had his head buried while writing something.