Chapter 22 Snow in the Cage: Are you deaf?
After sitting alone by the lake for a while, Jiang Bai only stood up to head to the dining hall for a late dinner once the night breeze began to grow chilly.
However, just as he turned to step onto the path leading to the dining hall, his figure suddenly froze.
Not far ahead, a figure stood silently, having appeared at some unknown moment.
The man appeared to be in his thirties or forties, with an exceptionally handsome face and a unique charm between his brows bestowed by time and wisdom.
He wore a faint smile on his face.
He was tall, yet he didn’t appear burly or robust; instead, he seemed somewhat lean.
Dressed in a simple gray robe, his long black hair was neatly draped behind his back.
Qian Daoliu?!
The name flashed through Jiang Bai’s mind like a bolt of lightning.
Combining the fact that Qian Renxue had just left with this man’s otherworldly appearance—which bore a subtle resemblance to hers—the answer was almost self-evident.
Nevertheless, he suppressed the stormy waves in his heart and strove to maintain a calm expression. With a perfectly measured look of doubt and vigilance, he cupped his hands in greeting.
"And you are, sir?"
"I am Qian Daoliu. Xue’er’s grandfather," Qian Daoliu stated.
It really was him!
Jiang Bai’s heart tightened, but he didn’t dare be negligent. He bowed again and said, "Junior Jiang Bai greets the High Priest!"
"No need for such formalities."
Qian Daoliu waved his hand casually, his gaze falling upon Jiang Bai as he calmly sized him up.
"Jiang Bai," Qian Daoliu spoke, his tone remaining flat, "As a grandfather, I am very grateful that you could comfort and guide Xue’er tonight. She... has a lot on her mind. It is not easy for her to take someone’s words to heart."
His words held no condescending scrutiny; instead, they carried a hint of approval from an elder to a Junior, along with a deeply hidden care that couldn’t be entirely masked when speaking of his granddaughter.
As he spoke, he raised his left hand slightly, and a card shimmering with a faint golden luster appeared in his palm.
"There are one hundred thousand gold coins in here. Consider it a small token of my gratitude."
Qian Daoliu handed the card toward Jiang Bai.
One hundred thousand gold coins!
Jiang Bai’s pupils constricted slightly. This was absolutely an astronomical sum! His entire net worth currently consisted of only a few dozen gold coins.
Qian Daoliu’s generosity was indeed extraordinary.
Jiang Bai did not hesitate much. He took the heavy gold card with both hands and bowed. "Thank you for the generous gift, High Priest."
He didn’t hypocritically decline, frankly accepting the "thank-you gift."
A nearly imperceptible flash of satisfaction crossed Qian Daoliu’s eyes.
This kid wasn’t pretentious, knew when to advance or retreat, and seemed to truly harbor no ill will toward Xue’er.
With his hands behind his back, he cast his gaze toward the dark lake surface behind Jiang Bai. His voice remained peaceful, yet it seemed to carry a faint, underlying meaning.
"It is what you deserve. Jiang Bai, you are a clever child. I... also think well of you."
He paused, seemingly weighing his words before continuing.
"Xue’er’s childhood... has not been easy. She needs friends, and she also needs... proper guidance. I hope you can continue to accompany her well during this time and be a good... playmate."
He emphasized the last word slightly, his gaze falling back onto Jiang Bai’s face with a complex look in his eyes.
Having finished, he didn’t wait for Jiang Bai’s response and vanished in a flash.
Jiang Bai stood where he was, looking in the direction where Qian Daoliu had disappeared, then looked down at the gold card in his hand, feeling a bit dazed.
This old man... besides showing up to drop gold coins, what was he rambling about?
He scratched his head.
"Forget it, I won’t overthink it. The money in hand is what’s real!"
Jiang Bai shook his head and carefully tucked the gold card into his storage bracelet.
One hundred thousand gold coins! Hehe (๑•ω•๑)
His stomach protested again with a growl.
Jiang Bai stopped dwelling on it and quickened his pace, heading toward the brightly lit dining hall.
...
The next day, Supreme Pontiff Palace.
Deep within the solemn and majestic hall, beneath the high-hanging Seraphim relief, the new Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong sat upon the throne symbolizing supreme power.
Dressed in luxurious Supreme Pontiff robes, wearing a purple-gold crown and holding a scepter, her face was cold and peerlessly beautiful. She possessed an air of natural authority, and the entire hall was enveloped in her powerful aura.
The hall doors opened, and a slender but upright golden figure walked in slowly; it was Qian Renxue.
Today, she had also changed into a more formal light-golden dress. Her long hair was neatly tied up, her small face was tense, and her purple eyes held an unprecedented determination as she walked step by step to the center of the hall, stopping several yards from the throne.
She looked up at the high-and-mighty Bibi Dong, him lips moving slightly.
The address she had rehearsed countless times in her heart—"Mother"—reached her lips, but it froze instantly upon meeting those purple eyes that held no warmth and even a hint of hidden loathing.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and switched to the most formal title. Her voice was clear but carried a trace of subtle dryness.
"...Your Holiness."
On the throne, Bibi Dong’s red lips curled into a faint, mocking smile as her cold eyes looked down at Qian Renxue.
She had long expected Qian Renxue to come, and she believed she had complete control over the thoughts of this little girl who yearned for maternal love.
"Well? Have you made up your mind?"
Bibi Dong’s voice wasn’t loud, but he echoed clearly in the empty hall, carrying unquestionable majesty and a sense of pre-calculated certainty.
In her view, for the sake of that illusory "recognition," Qian Renxue would inevitably yield and choose the thorn-filled path she had meticulously arranged.
This little brat had never been able to escape her control.
Qian Renxue straightened her back, her hands clenching slightly at her sides, her nails nearly digging into her palms.
She took two more deep breaths as if to expel all hesitation and cowardice from her chest. Mustering her courage, she spoke clearly and firmly.
"I have made up my mind."
She paused, her gaze meeting Bibi Dong’s suddenly sharpened eyes without flinching, as she spat out her decision word by word.
"I. Am not. Going!"
"Good, since you choose to go, then..."
Bibi Dong spoke almost reflexively, preparing to issue the subsequent arrangements, but she stopped abruptly mid-sentence!
Clear astonishment appeared on that cold and peerless face, which was then rapidly replaced by surging fury!
Her beautiful eyes narrowed instantly, a dangerous light gathering within them as she glared fixedly at Qian Renxue. Her voice suddenly rose, carrying an unbelievable coldness.
"What did you say?!"
She simply could not believe her ears!
This little brat, who had always been timid in front of her and longed for a shred of her attention, actually dared to defy her will?!
Qian Renxue felt the terrifying pressure and rage that seemed to turn physical as it rushed toward her, her body trembling uncontrollably.
But she bit her lower lip hard, forcing herself to stand firm, and repeated herself. Her voice was even louder and clearer than before.
"I said, I—am—not—going! Are you deaf?!"