Chapter 47: Lord Yaoguang’s Affection

Chapter 47: Lord Yaoguang's Affection

Thus, she extended her hotel stay for a few more days, spending her days hunting down the scarce ingredients for the Tianjia Spell Bath. Finding them wasn't hard, but their quality varied wildly. She sifted through the dregs of the city's pharmacies, searching for the best among the mediocre.

At night, she experimented with alchemy using the Coiling Dragon Cauldron. It was true, spirit tools were indeed effective. Her electric rice cooker-like cauldron was truly automatic, and even with her culinary skills, she didn't fail at concocting potions.

The potion was cumbersome to use, so Xiong Zhaozhao turned the recipe into pills. Each portion consisted of three large, egg-sized pills, and she prepared three portions for Big Lin Zi.

Lord Yaoguang gave high praise to the pills she had kneaded, saying that one pill alone could choke a child to death.

"Does it matter how big you knead it after dissolving it in water?" Zhaozhao retorted, unwilling to concede.

"You could avoid kneading them into balls altogether and wrap them up individually. These black orbs look unprofessional; you've embarrassed the Panlong Cauldron!"

It was somewhat true.

Yao Guang continued, "You've already added the spirit spring water, one portion should be enough. Why are you refining three portions?"

"The kid Daqi is decent company for Big Lin Zi. Once Big Lin Zi succeeds, I'll have to lend a hand again sooner or later."

Truly living up to your reputation.

Instead of awaiting the Yaoguang, they first received a call from Qin Qing.

She had inquired about her whereabouts from Qin Yunmei again, suggesting that since they were both in Chong Hai, they should meet up.

Frankly, it was rather annoying. Despite Xiong Zhaozhao's refusal, the other party feigned misunderstanding. Taking advantage of her free time, she decided to see for herself what Qin Qing was up to.

Arriving at the agreed-upon teahouse, Qin Qing wasn't there alone. Pushing open the private room door, she found two people inside.

Qin Qing, who had aged considerably since ten years ago, was with a man in his thirties.

Upon seeing her enter with Yaoguang, both of them were taken aback, and it was the man who recovered first, standing up. His movement prompted Qin Qing to react as well.

Yaoguang commented on her shoulder: These two seem rather inexperienced.

Regaining her composure, Qin Qing warmly greeted, "It's Zhaozhao, isn't it? If you didn't resemble me when I was young, Mother wouldn't have dared to recognize you! You've become so beautiful after these few years! Please, sit down!"

Xiong Zhaozhao truly admired her, in all aspects, including but not limited to her thick skin.

"Look at me, I forgot to introduce you. This is your sister's cousin, City Liu. He works for the Chong Hai municipal government, and it just so happens that I had something to discuss with him today."

City Liu extended his hand towards her, "Hello! Miss Xiong."

Xiong Zhaozhao couldn't fathom what Qin Qing was thinking, bringing along an outsider to this awkward meeting that she could already envision.

The way this man was looking at her was utterly repulsive!

Xiong Zhaozhao gave him a casual nod without returning the handshake, promptly taking her seat.

The big parrot couldn't bear it anymore and directly said to City Liu, "What are you looking at? I'll gouge out your eyes if you keep staring!"

"Yaoguang, I love you!!!"

Xiong Zhaozhao sent a telepathic message, passionately confessing her love to Yaoguang.

Yaoguang criticized, "You're too shy when you should be shameless; there's no need to save face for someone like that."

City Liu pushed his glasses up, also taking a seat, acting as if nothing had happened, "Miss Xiong's parrot sure knows quite a few words."

Yao Guang: Take a look at this, what thick skin.

Qin Qing was no less forward, "Zhaozhao, is this parrot yours? You really need to teach it better. It's fine among us, City Liu wouldn't be angry, but it's unacceptable for it to be so rude with others."

How are we considered 'among us'?

Xiong Zhaozhao wanted to get to the point quickly, "Did you call me here today just to discuss my parrot's vocabulary? My parrot is very smart; it knows when to say what. It never offends anyone, Ms. Qin, you don't have to worry about it."

Qin Qing was getting dramatic again, "You!... Zhaozhao, are you still hating your mother? Who calls their own mother 'Ms. Qin'? Waaah~ It was all out of necessity in the past, but we'll have plenty of time to get along properly from now on. You'll eventually understand that everything your mother did was for your own good."

Yao Guang asked with evident curiosity, "Are you from the entertainment industry? Have you ever won a Best Actress award?"

Xiong Zhaozhao replied, "I apologize; my parrot has watched too many TV dramas. I have social anxiety and dread chatting or dining with people. If you need to find me in the future, please contact my second aunt instead. Otherwise, if you have matters to attend to with your nephew, go ahead. I also have something to do, so I'll be on my way."

Xiong Zhaozhao was starting to realize that this man's gaze upon her was rather repulsive, as if he was sizing her up. Qin Qing, who was clearly proud of her government job, couldn't have just been showing off. Knowing that Xiong Zhaozhao might not give her face, why would she bring her husband's nephew along to spectate? Could it be that she wanted to introduce her to a potential partner? How ridiculous!

Qin Qing hastily said, "Why are you leaving right after arriving? I've already finished what I came here for with City Liu..."

At that moment, City Liu stood up and spoke, "Second Aunt, I have a meeting to attend later, so I'll be taking my leave now. You two can continue chatting."

"Oh dear, civil servants like you are indeed too busy, having to attend meetings even on your day off. I was hoping you could take Zhaozhao back home later," Qin Qing said.

"Next time, next time. There's no time today."

"Just be sure to drive safely!"

In a flash, they swiftly went through their routine, and soon the private room was left with the award-winning actress, the socially anxious one, and the TV drama enthusiast parrot.

After a brief silence, the actress managed to gather her emotions once more. "Zhaozhao, I know you hate me for leaving you alone back then. I was just too worn out, unable to hold on any longer. Your grandmother was sick, our family was in dire straits, and when your father left as well, it completely broke me. Zhaozhao, I've never forgotten about you; believe me! Your grandfather didn't approve of me, which made it hard for me to visit you, but there's still plenty of time ahead. We can even live together and gradually build our relationship. Mom will make up for everything!"

Living together?

Has Qin Yunmei found out about her hundred million fortune? How did she spin it to her younger sister?

Xiong Zhaozhao can't take it anymore, her skin crawling with goosebumps. The idea of living together is particularly laughable.

When she was young and naive, around five years old, seeing everyone else had a mother, she would incessantly ask Old Master for one too. He, heartbroken by her pleas, secretly went to Liujiaji and asked Qin Qing to visit her eldest granddaughter. Xiong Zhaozhao doesn't know the specifics of their conversation, only that she never met Qin Qing and was later scolded by her aunt who came back for a visit.

She's forgotten the exact words, but she remembers the gist: to be more understanding, not to sadden Old Master, not to let a heartless person disgrace him. There are plenty of children in this world without parents, and she has a grandfather who cherishes her as his treasure, which should be enough happiness. This speech left a deep impression on her childhood. Back then, she didn't fully grasp how foolish she was; it wasn't until she grew older that she understood.

Every word that came out of Qin Qing's mouth was now hilarious; some people never change. Xiong Zhaozhao lost all interest in watching her act and got up directly, saying, "I meant what I said earlier. If there's something major, you can contact Qin Yunmei to relay the message to me. What's considered a major issue? Let me give you an example: if neither of your daughters is around, and you need someone to sign off on removing the oxygen tube."

"You!!"

Without waiting for the actress to build up her next emotional wave, Xiong Zhaozhao simply opened the door and left.

Comfortable!

Feeling refreshed!

As they stepped out of the teahouse, Yao Guang inquired of her, "Did your birth mother set her sights on our wealth?"

"What else could it be? She never does anything without personal gain, and her current husband is said to be quite the schemer too. It's been three years since my grandfather passed away, and she didn't reach out to me. Even when I returned to the island and spent the first three months here, she stayed silent. But now that we've acquired the Yao Guang and the Poseidon Ship, and built a mansion costing over ten million, she suddenly misses me every other day? Mount Chang isn't that big; she must have heard about our success."

"Why did she bring that lecherous nephew along then?" Wouldn't it be better to stir up emotions secretly?

He talks of government work and civil service, then sizes me up with that look in his eye – perhaps considering introducing me as a potential partner? If it works out, it's the old adage, 'charity begins at home'; he'd be her husband's nephew, and I couldn't possibly comment on whose idea it might be.

Yao Guang was infuriated, "That despicable man? That ugly creature is unworthy of her! He's not even fit to shovel excrement for Huanhuan! No way, I'm going to gouge his eyes out this instant!"

As she was about to turn and chase after him, Xiong Zhaozhao hastily grabbed his wing, coaxing, "There's no need, there's no need! Don't sully Lord Yaoguang's claws with that ugly thing! What's there to be angry about? Let him dream on! We'll talk about it if he causes trouble again next time. After all, we didn't make any explicit rules, so let's just let it go this time."

Lord Yaoguang was very angry, and after a while, he indignantly summarized, "Even if Qiao Jinnian falls face-first onto the ground, he'd still be ten thousand times better looking than him!"

Xiong Zhaozhao: ...

Just what is your deal? Do you like him or not?