"Ah, little friend, why be so polite? I wanted to hear your opinion first and see whether you and this old man had arrived at the same conclusion. If I spoke first, wouldn't you have nothing left to say? Come, come, no more suspense. You go ahead and tell us." Old Man Qingwei patted my shoulder, his face full of encouragement.
I shook my head with a smile. Naturally, everyone knew Old Man Qingwei probably couldn't really say it, so no one wanted to waste time letting him try. Besides, Qingweixin was also begging me to explain how to deal with her grandfather's swordsmanship. It was partly out of consideration for her grandfather's dignity, too.
"Let City Lord Xia speak instead. Red Maiden is practically furious, you know? I prepared so thoroughly. I thought I was about to win, but what happened? I suddenly lost in the most baffling way. How am I supposed to accept such an inexplicable defeat?" Soft Red Maiden couldn't help complaining.
"Auntie Red Maiden, you always call yourself 'this old woman' in the usual way. Why are you suddenly speaking to Big Brother Xia like an equal? Isn't that a little much?" Qingweixin asked, covering her mouth. Soft Red Maiden was immediately rendered speechless. After coughing once, she said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Call me Sister Red Maiden. I'm only a few hundred years older than you, and I'm still young! Even your father is older than me. Why are you calling me auntie?"
Qingweixin immediately burst into giggles, and even Liulisha couldn't help laughing.
I shook my head. I had no intention of getting drawn into the girls' banter. That would lead to an endless digression, so I turned to the main subject and said, "Very well. Since none of you understand,