Meanwhile.
Yan Shaozhe believed Gu Qingnian could understand the meaning behind his question and recognize what he was doing. It was a hint, and he also wanted to see how Gu Qingnian would react.
He was also probing Gu Qingnian's state of mind further. Under these circumstances, an outright refusal would directly offend Yan Shaozhe, perhaps even the Martial Soul Department.
Although someone of Yan Shaozhe's standing might not hold it against him, the same could not necessarily be said of his subordinates. They might make life difficult for him in any number of ways.
But if he agreed outright, Yan Shaozhe would secure Gu Qingnian for a pittance and reap a massive windfall. Gu Qingnian would lose out badly and could easily offend the Soul Tool Department as well.
After all, he was still studying in the Soul Tool Department. Joining the Martial Soul Department would be a little...
Yet if he gave a tactful answer, Yan Shaozhe might pursue the matter relentlessly. It was a difficult situation to respond to.
Gu Qingnian replied calmly, "Ah, Dean Yan, about this matter..."
At those words, Yan Shaozhe and Du Weilun strained their ears, their hearts rising into their throats, afraid they might miss a single word.
Then Gu Qingnian suddenly paused and stopped speaking. Yep, he was deliberately keeping them hanging.
That left both men thoroughly exasperated. Well, well. So that's how you're going to play it?
Yan Shaozhe reined in his expression slightly and coughed twice, his voice still gentle. "About this matter?"
Gu Qingnian sighed and said with apparent sorrow, "Ah, about this matter, I could say the Martial Soul Department is where I was nurtured, while the Soul Tool Department is where I study.
"Teacher Fan Yu once said that, with my talent, I might become a