"So you wanted someone smelly and hardheaded, so you found me?"
After hearing Li Ye's words, Old Kang's already unlikable expression, made so by his stubborn old-fashioned ways, turned even darker and uglier.
Huang Gang quietly tugged at Li Ye's sleeve, reminding him not to speak so harshly.
Although "smelly and hardheaded" had been Huang Gang's assessment of Old Kang, saying it right to the man's face was far too disrespectful.
But Li Ye still smiled and said, "Sorry! Actually, I was looking for someone capable, reputable, able to stand by his principles, with no sand in his eyes, someone who would give petty villains a headache at first sight."
Li Ye rattled off a whole string of words, sketching out the kind of image he wanted—someone "righteous and awe-inspiring."
But Old Kang said woodenly, "Isn't that still just smelly and hardheaded?"
Li Ye froze for a moment, then could not help smiling. Huang Gang grew a little anxious and hurried forward to persuade him. "Master Kang, my brother here still values your skills. A twenty-eight-story building—ordinary people can't keep watch over something like that, can they?"
Old Kang waved his hand. "If you say nice things like that, I'll think you're a swindler. But if you call me smelly and hardheaded, I feel more at ease instead."
Huang Gang was taken aback, thinking that Old Kang really did have a strange temper. He was unhappy when praised—had so many years of suppression given him some sort of problem?
But Old Kang's family clearly did not share his strange temperament. From the moment they heard "smelly and hardheaded," they had been glaring furiously at Li Ye and Huang Gang.
Huang Gang said helplessly, "How about we go outside and find somewhere to talk? Don't worry, we won't go far. The