Chapter 973 - 938: Casual Acquaintances

Gao Xiaobai was looking for Xu Chunliang to inquire about Bai Lan’s whereabouts. She was a loyal fan of Bai Lan’s, and recently there were rumors that Bai Lan had mysteriously disappeared. She was in the midst of following Bai Lan’s "Lady Doctor," and if Bai Lan vanished like that, wouldn’t she miss the ending of the comic? She remembered that Xu Chunliang and Bai Lan had a good relationship and thought he would know where she went.

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t ask me, I’m just an acquaintance of hers."

Gao Xiaobai said, "An acquaintance? Aren’t you good friends?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Not really. It’s just that when she had book signings missing people, I’d help by gathering some folks. We don’t have a deep relationship."

Gao Xiaobai said, "I heard she even went to Changxing Hospital to help you out especially. That’s what I’d call a ’through thick and thin’ kind of friendship."

Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but laugh. Did this story spread that far? Actually, thinking about it, it was quite natural. Gao Xinhua definitely told this as a joke to his daughter.

Xu Chunliang then briefly recounted the incident to Gao Xiaobai. Bai Lan didn’t go to Dongzhou to find him, but rather because of a commission from the Lexus Group.

Gao Xiaobai said, "Recently, she suddenly disappeared without any news. There was a planned book club meeting tomorrow, but now it’s canceled. I’ve heard that..." She paused, then lowered her voice, "She killed someone when she was a child."

Xu Chunliang thought, she kills people now too; Bai Lan is actually a professional assassin disguised as a writer.

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "Really?"

Gao Xiaobai said, "There was a post on a book fan forum on the Peninsula recently, saying Bai Lan was a defector. She had a very tragic fate in her youth. After escaping to the south, she was sent to an orphanage, then adopted by a couple who turned out to be villains. Not long after, Bai Lan killed them. This case was sensational at the time, though she wasn’t called Bai Lan then."

Xu Chunliang said, "Where did you hear this gossip?"

Gao Xiaobai said, "Don’t you think her life is legendary? In the past, I thought ’Jindalai’ couldn’t have been written without firsthand experience. Now it seems that’s true."

Xu Chunliang said, "Then I really have to stay away from her in the future. Why does it sound like she’s a bit mentally unstable?"

Gao Xiaobai said, "Shouldn’t you feel sorry for her? She’s suddenly disappeared now. As a friend, shouldn’t you be concerned about her?"

Xu Chunliang thought, men’s and women’s brains sure work differently. Feel sorry for Bai Lan? This woman is strong and cold-hearted; she doesn’t seem to need my sympathy. However, I have helped her a lot by arranging for her sister, Jin Xin Hui, to go to Qiaocheng, at least temporarily relieving her worries.

Xu Chunliang said, "I have a lot of things to deal with now. I don’t have time to sympathize with a foreigner. With that effort, I might as well care about our country’s women."

Gao Xiaobai said, "I really don’t want her to encounter any danger. If something happens to her, I won’t see the ending of ’Lady Doctor’."

Xu Chunliang said, "You’re a top student too. Can’t you write it yourself?"

Gao Xiaobai said, "Each profession has its specialty. I don’t have a talent for writing."

Talking about writing made Xu Chunliang think of his godmother, Lin Sijin. He wanted to use this opportunity of them going to Dongzhou together to help ease their relationship.

Gao Xiaobai noticed Xu Chunliang was distracted and coughed, "Hey, what are you thinking about? Why are you so absent-minded?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Nothing."

"Heartbroken?"

"Huh?"

Gao Xiaobai said, "Don’t pretend; I’ve already heard about it. You broke up with Mei Ru Xue."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Why do I feel like my breakup is something that everyone is celebrating nationwide? Did everyone have no faith in Mei Ru Xue and me?" Gao Xiaobai wasn’t surprised by this. After all, her grandfather had come to the Capital City specifically for this issue, and with his relationship with Gao Hong Hall, she was sure he had said quite a bit.

Gao Xiaobai said, "I’m not gloating. As a friend, of course, I want you two to be happily in love, in perfect harmony. Anyway, I think you and Mei Ru Xue are quite a good match. As an old classmate, let me give you a piece of advice: in future relationships, don’t be fickle."

Xu Chunliang found her earnest demeanor somewhat amusing, "How am I fickle? Can’t I just have a regular girlfriend?"

Gao Xiaobai said, "Only you know if they’re regular. The player is always baffled, while the spectator sees clearly."

Xu Chunliang said, "What do you see clearly? Your dad was even thinking about setting the two of us up before."

Gao Xiaobai said, "Let’s stop here, we’re not suitable."

"Why? You think I’m not good enough?"

Gao Xiaobai said, "I know my own limits. I can’t match you. You’re too outstanding, plus I’m not magnanimous enough to tolerate my future partner having multiple lovers both at home and outside."

Xu Chunliang said, "Gao Xiaobai, why does it sound like you’re insulting me a bit?"

Gao Xiaobai laughed, "Also, I have someone I like."

Xu Chunliang said happily, "Congratulations, congratulations, bring your Prince Charming out someday for me to see, and I’ll help you verify."

Gao Xiaobai said, "I’m telling you this because I trust you, don’t tell my parents."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m not as gossipy as you."

Gao Xiaobai took a sip of milk tea and said, "By the way, I heard you introduced a whole bunch of daughters to my dad, and now they’ve taken my place."

Xu Chunliang laughed helplessly, "Don’t worry at all, that god-sister of yours is worth billions; she’s not after your family’s little fortune."

Gao Xiaobai said, "That’s even scarier; they’re stealing my parental love."

Xu Chunliang said, "Who told you to never come home and plan to stay in the Capital City for your career, forcing Uncle Gao to become an empty-nester? If you won’t give them warmth, how can you stop them from seeking it themselves?"

Gao Xiaobai said, "I’m not that petty, just joking with you. Actually, I kind of wish I had a sister."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s a complicated world now. Be extra cautious when making friends, and don’t just look at appearances."

Gao Xiaobai said, "Got it, and also, don’t meddle in my studies. Qu Chuanfu is not a decent person; I don’t need his help."

After school in the afternoon, Xu Chunliang saw Ye Qingya’s car waiting outside the school gates. He walked to the car, saw Ye Qingya reading on her phone inside, and knocked on the window. Ye Qingya realized he was there and quickly unlocked the door; after the scare, she had become much more alert.

Xu Chunliang sat in the front passenger seat, "Sister Qingya, been waiting long?"

Ye Qingya said, "About ten minutes. I’m worried about parking since I’m not good at driving."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "I think it’s pretty good."

Ye Qingya drove towards home, and on the way, she told Xu Chunliang that her family already knew about the threat. Her grandfather asked her to close the studio and move back home. She was troubled by this, being a grown-up; she didn’t want to be controlled by so many people. Going home now felt regrettable, needing permission even to go out, like being grounded.

Xu Chunliang also thought moving back home wasn’t a long-term solution for Ye Qingya. Everyone needs their own space, especially someone like Ye Qingya, who is involved in artistic creation.

Ye Qingya said, "Could you help persuade Grandpa to give me some freedom? He listens to you the most."

Xu Chunliang said, "The news spread too fast. Grandpa is worried about you and definitely not trying to restrict your freedom."

Ye Qingya said, "I know he means well, but I’m not a child anymore. I can take care of myself."

Xu Chunliang said, "How about you take this chance to go for a break? Maybe it’ll get better after some time."

When they arrived at the Ye Family, only Elder Ye was home. Ye Changyuan had an engagement and couldn’t return for dinner. Elder Ye had prepared some special products for Xu Changshan, making Xu Chunliang feel warm inside. Despite Elder Ye’s high status, he never puts on airs and treats the Xu family with genuine respect. Respecting Xu Changshan means respecting Xu Chunliang.

Elder Ye said, "Why didn’t you tell me about Qingya being threatened at the studio a few days ago?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Qingya specifically instructed me not to, worried you might get anxious."

Elder Ye sighed, "Although it’s well-intentioned, whenever something like this happens, let us know immediately. The same goes for you."

"Alright!"

Xu Chunliang said, "I heard you asked Sister Qingya to close the studio?"

Elder Ye glanced at him, "Did she ask you to persuade me to change my mind?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "When you decide something, my persuasion is of no use."

Elder Ye said, "Good that you know. Qiao Rulong must’ve offended someone to shift the focus onto Qingya, which is absurd. They’ve already divorced—do they think our Ye Family is easy to bully?"

Xu Chunliang felt it wasn’t appropriate for him to get involved in the Ye-Qiao family matters, so he changed the subject, "Are you planning to assign a guard to protect her 24/7?"

Elder Ye said, "Are you mocking me?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "How would I dare, Grandpa? I think, with this kind of situation, vigilance is important, but there needs to be a balance. If it goes too far, it won’t be good. I actually have an idea: I’ve been thinking about some self-defense techniques and plan to teach them to Sister Qingya. If she really encounters danger, five or six big guys shouldn’t be able to get close to her."

Elder Ye said, "Really that effective?" Though he knew Xu Chunliang had exceptional skills, his granddaughter was untrained, and without any martial arts background, it would take at least three to five years to reach a level where five or six big guys couldn’t get close.

Xu Chunliang knew from Elder Ye’s expression that he didn’t believe him.

Xu Chunliang said, "You don’t believe me, do you?"

Elder Ye said, "Isn’t your real intention to make me change my decision? Tell you what, if you teach her self-defense and she can defeat Xiaozhou, I’ll reconsider."

By Xiaozhou, he meant his bodyguard, whose fighting skills were exceptional.

Xu Chunliang thought this would be simple.

After dinner, Xu Chunliang relayed Elder Ye’s words to Ye Qingya, who sighed upon hearing them. Considering Xiaozhou’s abilities—with him being able to handle ten men—beating Xiaozhou as a condition to change his decision was essentially saying he wouldn’t change his mind.

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Qingya, how do you know it won’t work if you don’t try? Find a place for me to teach you some combat techniques. I’m not bragging; after just two hours, you’ll be able to defeat Xiaozhou."

Ye Qingya said, skeptical, "Really?"