Chapter 44: Forty-four, agreed. Chapter 44: Forty-four, agreed. “Grandpa, I won’t be in any trouble, just stay home and keep Grandma company, I’m worried about her being alone at home. Grandpa Qin said he would send someone to protect me, so you can rest assured, Grandpa. Besides, your granddaughter is so smart, how could anything happen to her, right, Grandma?” Yang Lisheng leaned her head on Li Meixiang’s shoulder and playfully winked at Yang Lisheng. If Grandpa came along, she would have no freedom and would also have to be distracted by protecting him. Jiyin Land is no ordinary place, and even she would need to be extra careful.
“I really can’t do anything about you,” Yang Lisheng shook his head helplessly. This child was nothing like her mother, except for her stubbornness, which was just like Xinxin’s; once she made up her mind, not even ten bulls could pull her back. He really didn’t know whether to consider that a good or bad thing.
“Grandma is fine, as long as Xiao Ning is fine, Grandma is happy. Listen to Grandma and let your Grandpa come with you, otherwise, Grandma will be worried,” Li Meixiang said with a smile, patting Song Yan Ning’s back with a warm feeling in her heart.
“Grandma, I’m also worried about you being alone at home. Grandpa, Grandma, please just agree this one time, okay? I’ll take my cell phone with me and contact you every day,” Song Yan Ning pleaded coquettishly. She had to seize this opportunity; there would be plenty of times later for her to go out for training. Although she could train in the Emperor Realm, she always felt uneasy there, perhaps because her strength was still too weak.
Yang Lisheng and Li Meixiang exchanged glances. They really didn’t know whether to agree to Xiao Ning’s request. If she were a little older, they wouldn’t be so hesitant, but she was only seven years old, and no matter how smart, she was still a child. However, this matter involved He Yuqing’s life, and they couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
Seeing that Yang Lisheng and Li Meixiang couldn’t come to a decision, Mr. Qin cleared his throat, “Old Yang, Mrs. Yang, don’t worry, this time I will have Qingshan protect Xiao Ning. With him around, Xiao Ning will definitely be safe.” Liu Qingshan was the second-ranked master among the top ten in Huaxia and a member of the Liu family, a renowned ancient martial arts family. He had a good relationship with the Family Head Liu, and borrowing Qingshan for a while shouldn’t be an issue.
“Can you really get him to come?” Yang Lisheng was somewhat incredulous. Although the Qin Family was powerful in Beijing, Liu Qingshan’s background was no simple matter and couldn’t be enticed by just money and power.
Many legends circulated among Beijing’s elite about the world of ancient martial arts, which regular people couldn’t easily access. Because of his medical skills, Yang Lisheng had come into contact with some ancient martial cultivators and therefore knew who Liu Qingshan was. If Mr. Qin could really get Liu Qingshan to accompany them, he could be at ease.
Mr. Qin nodded with certainty, “I have some connections with Family Head Liu, and I believe he will help me with this favor.”
“Alright then, but please make it quick; Xiao Ning is about to start school,” Yang Lisheng gave Li Meixiang a reassuring glance.
“I’ll call Family Head Liu right now,” Mr. Qin happily stood up and walked toward his study.
“Xiao Ning, would you like to come to school in Beijing?” Liu Shanyue looked at Song Yan Ning, her eyes filled with affection. She really hoped Song Yan Ning could study in Beijing, so that her son, Xiao Shen, would have time to spend with Song Yan Ning; perhaps the two children could develop feelings for each other.
“I don’t want to.” Song Yan Ning shook her head, her expression leaving no room for doubt. What was so great about Beijing? There were no mountains and no waters, and one was subject to restrictions everywhere. Besides, that family didn’t like her, and her coming back would just be a nuisance, right?
Liu Shanyue sighed inwardly. This child was really having a hard time; if it were her, regardless of how ugly the child was, she wouldn’t abandon her own child.
“Xiao Ning, you can stay at Aunt Qin’s house for the next few days, there’s a young boy there you can play with,” Liu Shanyue said, picking up a handful of candies from the candy dish to give to Song Yan Ning.
“Thank you, Aunt Qin! I’d rather stay with my grandparents,” Song Yan Ning accepted the candies. She had no close relations to the Qin Family and didn’t consider staying there. As for the arranged marriage, she had heard of it; such antiquated practices like arranged engagements and child betrothals were out of fashion. And if the Song family really took that engagement seriously, they wouldn’t have sent her away.
Liu Shanyue turned to Yang Lisheng and Li Meixiang, “Uncle Yang! Aunt Yang! I really like Xiao Ning, let her stay at my place for a few days.” Xinxin disliked Xiao Ning and would surely say something hurtful if they met. Although Xiao Ning was sensible, she was still a child, and Liu Shanyue worried she’d get hurt.
“That won’t be necessary; we’ve already arranged with Xinxin, and she’ll be coming to pick us up shortly,” Yang Lisheng said with a smile, declining the offer. He had decided to stay in a hotel instead; it was just for a few days anyway.
Mr. Qin returned from the study with a beam on his face, “Old Yang, Family Head Liu has agreed, and Liu Qingshan will arrive in three days, just when Old Song’s birthday celebration is over.” They were here to attend Old Song’s birthday celebration, and he couldn’t let his own affairs delay them.
“Okay,” Yang Lisheng nodded. Now that the decision had been made, he planned to buy Xiao Ning a cell phone for easy contact.
At that moment, the phone rang. Yang Lisheng took it out and, seeing that it was Song Yufeng’s number, pressed the answer button.
“Dad, where are you?” Song Yufeng’s voice came from the other end.
“We’re at the Qin Family,” Yang Lisheng didn’t intend to keep it from Song Yufeng.
“I’ll come over to pick you up now,” Song Yufeng had only just learned about Xinxin selling the old house, and he was already in touch with the homeowner to negotiate buying it back. He had already failed his daughter; he couldn’t disappoint his in-laws as well. Even though Xinxin had sold the old house and bought a new one for her in-laws, he knew the elderly were sentimental; it didn’t matter whether the house was new or old, good or bad.
“Okay,” Yang Lisheng replied softly and hung up the phone. He had already decided to find the homeowner first thing the next morning and negotiate to buy the house back.
Soon after, Song Yufeng arrived at the Qin Family house and, with the help of the Qin family servants, found his way to the living room, “Uncle Qin! Dad! Mom! Xiao Yue.”
Mr. Qin smiled and nodded, pointing to the sofa to invite Song Yufeng to sit down, “Why didn’t Xinxin come with you?”
A flicker of awkwardness crossed Song Yufeng’s face as he glanced at Yang Lisheng and Li Meixiang, “She’s not feeling well.”
Song Yan Ning’s lips slightly curled up with a hint of sarcasm. Considering how energetic she had been at the train station, how could she possibly be unwell?