Chapter 1413: Chapter 1414: Xiao Hong Snatches Master Jin’s Snacks (4)
Chiang Yu looked helplessly at the two surgical knives embedded in the table in front of him, shaking his head in resignation.
"Miss An, you are truly a remarkable woman. It seems I have no choice but to accept this bet." Chiang Yu slowly stood up from his chair, extending his right hand with a smile, "I am Chiang Yu, and I look forward to your guidance, Miss An."
An Yiqing also stood up, extending her right hand to shake Chiang Yu’s firmly, "Mr. Chiang, you will not regret your decision today."
The two exchanged a smile, sat back in their chairs, and happily chatted while eating.
The meal lasted a long time, and An Yiqing and Chiang Yu felt as if they had known each other for years. Whether it was history or current events, their views had many similarities. Especially in the art of employing people, they found themselves in agreement and quickly became close friends, regardless of age.
Chiang Yu felt that tonight’s dinner was somewhat tasteless, not because he was in a bad mood, but because he was too happy. The more he talked with An Yiqing, the more he discovered her profound knowledge and her mature views, comparable to someone in their forties or fifties. In some aspects, her insights were even more mature than those of older individuals, and her approach to problems was sharper and more unique. As a result, Chiang Yu appreciated and admired An Yiqing even more, without treating her as a junior.
In just one meal, the way Chiang Yu and An Yiqing addressed each other changed from the formal "Mr. Chiang" and "Miss An" to "Uncle Chiang" and "Xiao Qing." Chiang Yu was forty-two years old, only a few years younger than An Zisheng, so it was fitting for An Yiqing to call him uncle. Chiang Yu also liked An Yiqing, this younger girl, who was stable and mature yet full of youthful vigor and vitality. Having dedicated his life to the Xuanqing Sect, without children or relatives under his care, An Yiqing’s personality matched his taste, making him suddenly feel a sense of being a guardian.
Thus, Chiang Yu and An Yiqing shifted from adversaries to friends, and Chiang Yu’s reputation as "An’s top strategist" spread widely from today!
In the evening, after a bath, An Yiqing comfortably nestled on the sofa, holding a tablet and video chatting with the An Family.
"Grandpa, rest assured, I’ve passed the challenge. I brought Chiang Yu back with me, and he’ll be a strong addition to my team." An Yiqing beamed at Old Master An on the screen, filled with longing.
"Good! As long as you’re unhurt. Did anything unexpected happen during your time at the Xuanqing Sect? That Long Zaitian didn’t try any tricks?" Old Master An didn’t believe that someone as petty as Long Zaitian would let Chiang Yu go easily. He had seen many such spiteful and venomous people, obsessed with power, regardless of family or loved ones who couldn’t overstep their boundaries, lest they face elimination. For Long Zaitian, Chiang Yu leaving the Xuanqing Sect to join An Yiqing was the biggest threat. He wouldn’t just sit idly by.
"Grandpa, you’re indeed wise with age, you’ve guessed it all right." An Yiqing marveled with admiration, the old man with his years of experience could discern Long Zaitian’s intentions even from Xuandu City.
After expressing her feelings, An Yiqing recounted her experiences at the Xuanqing Sect over the past few days in detail to Old Master An, which made him grunt in anger.
"Long Zaitian really has some nerve! Daring to bully my granddaughter! Over the years, he’s been wrecking havoc in Jinyin City and the Xuanqing Sect. I usually turn a blind eye, not wanting to interfere. Yet now he’s overstepped his bounds, thinking he could do as he pleased just because he’s the sect leader!" Old Master An’s moustache quivered with anger, his old hand thumping the table, disturbing the chessboard that An Zisheng and An Zhihang had painstakingly arranged.
An Zisheng sighed helplessly, "Dad, ease up a bit, be careful not to hurt your hand..."
"Hurt what? Niuniu’s being bullied, and you’re still in the mood to play chess? What sort of father are you?" Old Master An glared at An Zisheng, venting all his anger on him, "What was Xiao Shi thinking when she chose you? You don’t even care about your own daughter, just obsessed with chess!"
Sitting nearby watching TV, Kong Shi winked at An Zisheng, who had a bitter face, and shared a quiet chuckle with Old Lady An.
An Yiqing watched the scene on the screen, a warm feeling in her heart intensifying her longing for her family.
An Zisheng, berated profusely by Old Master An, looked woefully at the computer screen, "Niuniu, are you alright? Did you have dinner? If you’re upset, tell Dad, and I’ll fly over to get back at them for you!"
"Dad, don’t worry, I’m fine. Besides, with Ah Lin around, it’s a miracle I don’t bully others." An Yiqing chuckled at An Zisheng’s bitter expression.
An Zisheng nodded in agreement, "That’s true, with Lao San the ruffian around, it’s a wonder if you don’t bully others. But Niuniu, you should still..."
"Meow! Your Master Jin can’t see this!"
Before An Zisheng could finish, Old Jin’s heart-wrenching howl rang through the computer. Following this, An Yiqing saw the bulging figure of Old Jin jumping up and down variously behind An Zisheng, its cat face showing myriad expressions, quite entertaining. Unable to hold back, An Yiqing finally burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.
"Meow! How dare you laugh! Not a single call from you all day, do you even remember me and Old Black? Just the other day, that little girl Yin Xilin came with that pesky little snake! You wouldn’t know, that little snake is getting more audacious, daring to snatch snacks from me and Old Black, a lowly reptile! Where’s the justice, the law?"
Holding her aching belly from laughter, An Yiqing watched Old Jin’s aggrieved cat face and Xiao Hei’s wet amber eyes, her heart melted like a pool of water.
"Don’t be mad, Xiao Hong is young, let it slide. When I return to Xuandu City, I’ll bring you some tasty treats, okay?"
Old Jin snorted, "Always off on these silly adventures, not knowing to come home, such a worry! If you don’t bring us treats when you return, then don’t come back!"
Xiao Hei nodded his head, then foolishly shook it, "No way, the master must come back, and tasty treats too. Xiao Hei wants both!"
"Yikes! Old Black, can’t you have some backbone? You’re embarrassing me, Master Jin!" Old Jin swatted Xiao Hei on the backside in exasperation.
Xiao Hei fidgeted a bit, mumbling, "Master can’t be lost, neither can the treats, neither of them!"
Old Jin got furious, the An Family burst out laughing, and An Yiqing clutched her tablet, laughing uncontrollably, oblivious even as Gu Yelin appeared behind her.