Lao Xue: Are You Deaf?

After sitting alone by the lake for a while, Jiang Bai finally rose when the night breeze turned cool, ready to head to the cafeteria for his belated dinner.

However, just as he turned to step onto the path leading to the cafeteria, he suddenly froze.

Not far ahead, a figure stood silently, though he had no idea when the man had appeared.

The man looked to be in his thirties or forties. He was exceptionally handsome, with a unique charm in his brows born of time and wisdom.

A faint smile rested on his face.

He was tall, but not particularly broad or muscular. Instead, he looked somewhat lean.

He wore a simple gray robe, and his long black hair was neatly draped behind him.

Qian Daoliu?!

A name flashed through Jiang Bai's mind like lightning.

Considering that Qian Renxue had just left, along with this man's transcendent air and features that bore a faint resemblance to hers, the answer was practically obvious.

Still, he suppressed the storm in his heart and forced his expression to remain calm. With just the right hint of confusion and caution, he cupped his hands in greeting.

"May I ask who you are, sir?"

"This old man is Qian Daoliu. Xue'er's grandfather," Qian Daoliu said.

So it really was him!

Jiang Bai's heart tightened, but he did not dare show any disrespect. He bowed again. "This junior is Jiang Bai. Greetings, Great Pontiff!"

"No need for such formalities."

Qian Daoliu waved casually, his gaze falling upon Jiang Bai as he calmly assessed him.

"Jiang Bai," Qian Daoliu said in the same mild tone, "as a grandfather, I am grateful that you comforted and guided Xue'er tonight. She... carries many thoughts in her heart. It is not easy for her to listen to someone."

There was no condescending scrutiny in his words. Instead, there was the approval of an elder toward a junior, as well as a deeply buried affection for his granddaughter that he could not fully conceal.

As he spoke, he slightly raised his left hand, and a card shimmering with a faint golden glow appeared in his palm.

"There are one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins in here. Consider it a small token of thanks from this old man."

Qian Daoliu extended the card toward Jiang Bai.

One hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins!

Jiang Bai's pupils contracted slightly. That was an astronomical sum! His entire fortune amounted to only a few dozen Gold Soul Coins now.

Qian Daoliu truly did not do things halfway.

Jiang Bai did not hesitate for long. He accepted the weighty gold card with both hands and bowed. "Thank you for your generous reward, Great Pontiff."

He did not hypocritically refuse it and accepted the "gift of thanks" without pretense.

A nearly imperceptible trace of satisfaction flashed through Qian Daoliu's eyes.

This boy was not pretentious, knew when to advance and retreat, and seemed to harbor no ill intentions toward Xue'er.

With his hands behind his back, he looked past Jiang Bai toward the dark lake. His voice remained peaceful, but it seemed to carry a faint, hidden implication.

"This is what you deserve. Jiang Bai, you are a clever child. This old man... thinks highly of you as well."

He paused, seemingly weighing his words before continuing.

"Xueer's childhood... was not easy. She needs friends, and she also needs... proper guidance. This old man hopes you can continue accompanying her through this period and be a good... playmate."

He emphasized the final two words slightly, his gaze returning to Jiang Bai's face, his eyes filled with complicated meaning.

After saying that, he vanished in a flash without waiting for Jiang Bai's response.

Jiang Bai stood where he was, staring in the direction Qian Daoliu had disappeared, then lowering his head to look at the gold card in his hand. He was a little bewildered.

What was that old man babbling about besides showering him with money?

He scratched his head.

"Forget it, I won't think about it. The money is real!"

Jiang Bai shook his head and carefully placed the gold card into his Storage Bracelet.

One hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins! Hehe. (๑•ω•๑)

His stomach rumbled in protest again.

Jiang Bai stopped dwelling on it and hurried toward the brightly lit cafeteria.

The next day, at the Pope's Palace.

Deep within the solemn and majestic hall, beneath the towering relief of the Six-Winged Angel, the newly appointed Pope, Bibi Dong, sat upon the throne that symbolized supreme authority.

She wore magnificent papal robes, a violet-gold crown upon her head and a scepter in hand. Her face was breathtakingly cold and beautiful, imposing even without anger, and the entire hall was shrouded in her powerful presence.

The hall doors opened, and a slender yet upright golden figure slowly entered. It was Qian Renxue.

Today, she had changed into a more formal pale-gold dress. Her long hair was neatly pinned up, her little face tense, and an unprecedented determination shone in her violet eyes. Step by step, she walked to the center of the hall and stopped several yards from the throne.

She raised her head and looked at Bibi Dong, seated high above her. Her lips moved slightly.

The form of address she had rehearsed countless times in her heart—"Mother"—froze on her lips the moment she met those utterly warm-less violet eyes, which even carried a hint of disgust.

She drew a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. She changed to the most formal form of address, her crisp voice carrying a faint dryness that was difficult to detect.

"...Your Holiness the Pope."

Bibi Dong's red lips curved into a half-smile as she looked coldly down at Qian Renxue.

She had long expected Qian Renxue to come, and she believed she had complete control over the thoughts of this little girl who yearned for maternal love.

"What? Have you made up your mind?"

Bibi Dong's voice was not loud, yet it echoed clearly through the empty hall, carrying unquestionable authority and the certainty of one who had expected this all along.

In her eyes, Qian Renxue would certainly submit for the sake of that illusory "recognition" and choose the thorn-covered path Bibi Dong had carefully arranged for her.

This little bitch had never been able to escape her control.

Qian Renxue straightened her back, her hands clenching faintly at her sides as her nails nearly dug into her palms.

She drew two more deep breaths, as though trying to drive every trace of hesitation and cowardice from her chest. Then, gathering her courage, she spoke clearly and firmly.

"I've made up my mind."

She paused, meeting Bibi Dong's suddenly sharpened gaze without retreat, and stated her decision word by word.

"I am not going!"

"Fine, since you've chosen to go, then..."

Bibi Dong spoke almost reflexively, ready to issue the following arrangements, but she abruptly stopped halfway through!

Clear astonishment appeared on that breathtakingly cold face, swiftly replaced by surging fury!

Her beautiful eyes narrowed at once. A dangerous light gathered within them as she stared fixedly at Qian Renxue below, her voice suddenly rising with incredulous coldness.

"What did you say?!"

She could hardly believe her ears!

This little bitch, who had always cowered before her and craved even the slightest bit of her attention, actually dared to defy her will?!

Qian Renxue felt the terrifying pressure and fury rushing toward her, so intense it nearly became tangible. Her body trembled slightly despite herself.

But she bit down hard on her lower lip and forced herself to stand firm. She repeated herself, her voice even louder and clearer than before.

"I said, I am not going! Are you deaf?!"