Chapter 128: Chapter 128 Taking Every Advantage of Me
Translator: 549690339
Hand in hand, the two of them walked into the scenic area, chatting and laughing all the way.
The Summer Palace boasts a sight that could truly be called “spectacular”—the Long Corridor.
Stretching over seven hundred meters, the corridor is adorned with more than fourteen thousand vibrant and exquisite paintings.
Having studied classical culture with his grandfather for many years, Luo Ziling had a keen interest in things filled with ancient charm.
And with Yang Qingyin being a top history student, their shared hobbies were once again evident as they walked through the Long Corridor, engaging in both debate and discussion. After passing through, they exchanged smiles, a sense of mutual appreciation naturally arising.
“How many ancient cities have you visited?” Yang Qingyin asked Luo Ziling.
“Aside from going to Wushi and now Yanjing, I haven’t really been to any other big cities,” Luo Ziling answered, somewhat embarrassed. “If Yanjing counts as an ancient city, then I’ve only been to one!”
“Of course Yanjing is an ancient city, one of the six great ancient capitals of Huaxia,” Yang Qingyin squeezed Luo Ziling’s hand and playfully turned her head to say, “Chang’an, Luocheng, Jinling, Bianjing, Yanjing, Qiantang—many people hail these six cities as the great ancient capitals of Huaxia. All of these cities are worth visiting; you should really go and see them.”
“Does that mean you’ve been to all these ancient capitals?” Luo Ziling felt the movement in Yang Qingyin’s hand, his heart fluttering, and he gripped her soft hand tightly, speaking tenderly, “Actually, I’d really like to see these ancient capitals too, especially Chang’an. Whenever I read about the Powerful Han and the Prosperous Tang periods, I yearn for them. Chang’an thrived during the Han and Tang Dynasties. Last year, I watched a documentary called ‘Daming Palace’—the grandiose opening of palatial gates to the sky, the many nations paying homage in their finery; the sight of all the nations coming to court during the Prosperous Tang is truly mesmerizing. In those two eras, Huaxia was genuinely powerful, ‘Offend the Powerful Han, and though distant, you shall be vanquished,’ a notion that could only be realized during those times.”
“Looks like this history student will have to consult you on historical matters in the future, won’t I?” Yang Qingyin stopped walking, looked at Luo Ziling with a smile, “Right, junior?”
“Well, aside from some relatively modern subjects, like English, computer science and electronics, Advanced Mathematics and such, I guess I’m not too bad in other areas,” Luo Ziling said with a touch of pride. “Although I’ve never attended school, my grandfather has taught me a lot. He’s truly a master in every sense—proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and highly knowledgeable in astronomy, geography, and various philosophies. To quote him, he’s a recluse scholar, a master in many fields. It’s just a pity…”
Saying this, Luo Ziling sighed softly.
“A pity what?” Yang Qingyin was a bit slow to catch on.
“A pity he doesn’t like to involve himself in worldly affairs and has retreated to the Northwest,” Luo Ziling’s face showed a hint of sorrow.
Yang Qingyin, being considerate, did not press further. She understood that Luo Ziling’s background was complex. She didn’t want to stir up sad memories for him, nor did she want to be misunderstood.
Yang Qingyin also sensed that Luo Ziling’s background was certainly not simple. She could feel an air of nobility emanating from him, an aura not easily found in ordinary people. Hearing about Luo Ziling’s grandfather made her think that significant events must have taken place in the lives of his ancestors, and perhaps his forebears or great-grandparents were famous figures of their time.
“When will you take me to meet your grandfather so I can learn from him in person? How about it?” Yang Qingyin playfully asked Luo Ziling.
“No problem,” Luo Ziling agreed without hesitation. “My grandfather would definitely like a pretty and cute girl like you.”
“Your grandfather is a master of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, astronomy, geography, and various philosophies, which means you’re someone of the same caliber?” Yang Qingyin asked Luo Ziling earnestly, then broke into a playful smile. “That’s the most understated brag I’ve ever heard, you flatter yourself in such a unique way.”
Luo Ziling paused for a moment before he realized what Yang Qingyin was implying, and then he laughed awkwardly, shaking his head firmly, “No, no, that wasn’t what I meant. I’m not as accomplished as my grandfather. I fall short in many aspects.”
“Your grandfather is still a martial-arts master?”
“How did you know?” Luo Ziling exclaimed in surprise!
“You alone were able to kick a bunch of people from the Martial Arts Team into a pool, so your martial arts must be exceptional. Everything you’ve learned comes from your grandfather; he must be a martial-arts master; otherwise, you wouldn’t have such good skills!” Yang Qingyin said this without blinking, her eyes shining with something sparkling.
A young man with both literary and martial skills, who also knows medical techniques, is a rare find in all of Yanjing.
“You know about that too, huh?” Luo Ziling said with an embarrassed smile, “That day I was just impulsive and ended up kicking them into the pool. Luckily, it didn’t lead to a bigger commotion, and the school didn’t punish me. I was really lucky.”
Yang Qingyin didn’t say anything else but gave Luo Ziling a meaningful look.
Luo Ziling, feeling embarrassed, added, “My grandfather is indeed quite skillful. Even though he’s in his seventies, the average young adult wouldn’t be able to get close to him.”
“With your impressive skills, how about I hire you as a bodyguard next time I go out?” After saying this joke, Yang Qingyin was struck with a thought and immediately continued with the previous idea, “I’ll dress you in black clothes, give you a pair of sunglasses to wear, and having you follow me would definitely make for a cool bodyguard. That way, I wouldn’t have to worry about getting robbed.”
If she went out with Luo Ziling following her, she really wouldn’t need any other bodyguards. She could go anywhere—that was what Yang Qingyin was thinking at the moment.
“What’s the compensation for being your bodyguard?” Luo Ziling, not aware of the changes in Yang Qingyin’s thoughts, casually cracked a joke.
“One ice cream a day, how’s that?” Yang Qingyin said with a serious face, but the slight curl of her lips revealed her playful mood.
“Aren’t you being a bit too stingy?” Luo Ziling held back a laugh, speaking with equal seriousness, “It can’t be less than three ice creams. One for each meal is a must.”
Yang Qingyin laughed at the sight of Luo Ziling holding up three fingers so earnestly, increased her grip on his hand, and started running, saying as they ran, “No problem, I can even throw in a packet of instant noodles.”
“Still so stingy,” Luo Ziling ran alongside Yang Qingyin and teased her again, “At least three bowls of instant noodles for me, you know I have a big appetite, one bowl won’t fill me up.”
When they reached a willow tree by the lake, Yang Qingyin stopped and, panting, looked at Luo Ziling, “I’d better treat you to a big meal instead, so you can’t say I’m stingy, and instant noodles are so shabby.”
“You’re the one who said it, so let’s start with a big meal tomorrow night,” Luo Ziling seized the opportunity and interlocked his fingers with Yang Qingyin’s, continuing the joke, “Start treating me to dinner from tomorrow on, and by the National Day holiday, the big meals can be my compensation for protecting you on your travels during the holiday!”
“Junior, you’re so bad!” Yang Qingyin didn’t reject Luo Ziling’s gesture, but playfully reprimanded with a smile, “Taking advantage of me!”
“Really?” Luo Ziling’s eyes fell on their tightly clasped hands.
Yang Qingyin’s face turned a shade of red, but she didn’t say anything.