NOVEL NEXT Chapter 383: Taking a Disciple_2
As soon as he finished speaking, the old man dropped to his knees with a THUD. He bowed to Xia Liang repeatedly, refusing to get up.
"Master, please, you have to think of a solution," the old man pleaded.
The old man's persistence shocked everyone present. Regardless of how Xia Liang urged him, he remained kneeling. Left with no other choice and needing to complete his task, Xia Liang finally nodded.
"Alright, I agree. Please get up. From now on, Little Liu Lian will stay with me; I will take her as my apprentice. After she turns eighteen, I will allow her to return to secular life. As long as I'm around, I guarantee she will grow up safely."
Tears welled up in the old man's eyes as he nodded vigorously. For Little Liu Lian, this was perhaps the best possible option. With the matter settled, Xia Liang took down the old man's contact information, planning to choose an auspicious day for the formal apprenticeship ceremony.
Just then, a notification sound echoed in Xia Liang's mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the task. You have received the following rewards: 160 Work Points, Skill: Time Reverse.]
Pleased with his rewards, Xia Liang nodded in satisfaction and resumed his fortune-telling, though he wasn't lucky enough to encounter another task.
He checked the time; it was almost four in the afternoon and about time to close up shop. Standing, he waved his hand.
"That's all for today, everyone. Please come back tomorrow," he announced.
The moment he finished speaking, the people waiting in line erupted in protest. They had been standing there for seven or eight hours, only for him to close up so abruptly. Complaints rippled through the crowd.
"Master, you've only seen a few people today! We've been waiting for half the day! Please, just do a few more readings."
"Yes, please!"
"Master, just help a few more of us!"
But once Xia Liang made a decision, he rarely changed it. He finished packing up his sign.
"I'm sorry, everyone, but that's all for today."
Before Xia Liang could get far, Liu Piaopiao hastily approached him. Her attitude was much improved from the last time; at the very least, a smile was on her face.
"Master Xia, it's me, Liu Piaopiao. Do you remember me?"
Xia Liang nodded. "I remember. We met yesterday."
Liu Piaopiao looked a bit embarrassed, recalling her behavior the day before. She gave a slight, coy smile. "Master Xia, I'm genuinely sorry about yesterday. My attitude was terrible. If you have the time, I'd like to treat you to dinner as an apology. I hope you'll do me the honor."
This was the first time in her life Liu Piaopiao had ever taken the initiative to invite a man to dinner, a clear sign she was making a significant effort. However, Xia Liang seemed indifferent and paid her no mind.
"That won't be necessary. Miss Liu, if you need something, please get in line on the overpass tomorrow."
Queue up again? She had already queued for an entire day. Liu Piaopiao was not used to such humiliation, and she felt a surge of anger. It was apparent that Xia Liang didn't hold her in high regard, which was a huge blow to her pride.
Liu Piaopiao was the head of a real estate conglomerate in Qingyun City. Beyond real estate, she also had interests in the jewelry industry; the Saturday Jewelry Company, worth at least several thousand Yuan, was one of her assets. Accustomed to a life of being fawned over, this was the first time she had ever been given the cold shoulder.
「The next morning.」
As Xia Liang ate the breakfast Xi Yiqian had prepared, he instinctively did a quick calculation for the day, arranging his schedule according to the Five Elements to check his fortune. He discovered the evil star had moved south, signifying a day with no restrictions and favor toward the north. It was advantageous for activities like groundbreaking, marriage, and spring plowing. A benefactor would appear from the north, and all matters would proceed smoothly.
Xia Liang nodded in satisfaction. Hmm, not bad. Today is a good day to buy a house. Maybe I should go look at some?
According to the divination texts, a noble person was supposed to appear today. After breakfast, Xia Liang felt a bit worried about Little Liu Lian, unsure if the malignant aura in her body had been completely dispelled. He decided to contact the old man immediately, thinking he would take her along to see the houses.
「Qingyun Suburb.」
When he arrived at Little Liu Lian's residence, Xia Liang was taken aback. This could hardly be called a house. It was shabby and dilapidated, resembling a city slum. Garbage was strewn everywhere, transportation was inconvenient, and a foul stench permeated the air.
Thinking of Little Liu Lian living in such an environment brought a pang to Xia Liang's heart. Fortunately, he felt relieved the moment he saw her. Her complexion was much better than yesterday's, and she was already eating. With her large, round eyes, high-bridged nose, and rosy-red cheeks, she was the perfect picture of a doll-like little girl.
Before Xia Liang could even sit down, Little Liu Lian trotted over, pouting her lips. "Big Brother, what are you doing here?"
Her eyes were wide with a mischievous glint, a clear sign that the malignant aura within her had been completely neutralized. As soon as she spoke, the old man hurriedly corrected her.
"Girl, you must call him Master! Didn't Grandpa tell you that yesterday? Have you forgotten?"
Xia Liang chuckled, showing that he didn't mind. "Sir, it's alright. She can call me Master after the apprenticeship ceremony."
Little Liu Lian smiled and asked directly, "Big Brother, Grandpa just said you're going to buy a big house. Are you here to pick me up?"
Seeing her playful and innocent expression, Xia Liang agreed at once. After all, she would be his apprentice. Who knew, maybe after he taught her, he could slack off and have her do the calculations.
"That's right. We're going to look at houses today. You can pick whatever kind of house you like, and we'll buy it. How does that sound?"
Little Liu Lian nodded enthusiastically.
Not long after, Xia Liang arrived at the sales office.
The sales center was massive, covering at least a few thousand square meters, with a parking lot right at the entrance making transportation extremely convenient. The office itself was a palace-style building with carved railings, painted phoenixes, and red columns with green lacquer. It sat in the north, facing south, and was constructed entirely of wood. The structure was divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower. Each level had eaves carved with dragon-head motifs, and an antique-style, pure bronze wind chime hung from each column.
Seeing this, Xia Liang shook his head helplessly. In the past, he probably wouldn't have reacted. Now, however, he couldn't help but sigh from the heart.
What a sinful creation. Who set up this wretched arrangement? It's truly harming so many people!
"A sinful creation!"
Just then, the person who came to greet them was not the salesperson Xia Liang had spoken to yesterday, but the Chairman of the Liu Poetry Real Estate Group, Liu Piaopiao herself.
"Master Xia, hello! I heard you were coming to buy a house, so I came here early this morning to wait for you. Welcome!"
Xia Liang politely shook her hand. "You're too kind, Miss Liu. I'm just here to look. If the price is right, we can talk further."
Liu Piaopiao smiled. "If Master Xia finds a house he likes here, the price will certainly be right. Our company's properties are currently on discount, so the price will be very favorable. I guarantee you'll be satisfied. Master Xia, please, come inside."
Xia Liang, holding Little Liu Lian's hand, was led to the sales office's VIP room. The room was luxuriously decorated, furnished entirely with mahogany. Liu Piaopiao had someone bring various fruits and an assortment of expensive candies and chocolates, some of which Little Liu Lian had never even seen before.
Liu Piaopiao picked up a piece of chocolate, a children's favorite, and offered it to the girl. "Little sister, have a piece of chocolate."
Little Liu Lian shook her head.
"Then what would you like to eat? I'll have someone buy it for you right away."
Little Liu Lian looked a bit nervous. Her eyes widened, and she instinctively glanced at Xia Liang before saying, "Big Brother, I want to eat xiaolongbao."
Xia Liang knew that because of her poor living conditions, she had never tasted treats like these before.