The Happy Farmer Wanderer-Chapter 668: Shisan, Half-Dead from a Cat’s Beating_1
Li Qing had now realized that discussing serious matters with Zi Ling was futile; they could never get to the point in just a few sentences.
For such matters, he had to speak with Real Master Hong Fang directly.
Over the phone, Real Master Hong Fang told Li Qing that he was on his way to Tongcheng and would probably arrive by early morning.
Unlike his two disciples, who were not focused on serious business, Real Master Hong Fang did not indulge in idle chatter. He concisely told Li Qing that he was fully responsible for this matter, and they would assist, following his commands.
However, he advised not to enter the Underground Palace so early before his arrival in Tongcheng; it might be better to wait for him to arrive, discuss it together, and then consider which way to proceed.
Li Qing wholeheartedly agreed with this suggestion.
Although the Ninth Bureau was currently under his leadership, he lacked both the experience and strength compared to Real Master Hong Fang.
According to the information received so far, Li Qing dared not underestimate King Qi’s Underground Palace. It was necessary to plan carefully, organize the various bits of information collected, and then decide how to proceed.
After hanging up the phone with Real Master Hong Fang, Li Qing had just taken a few sips of tea when Zi Ling’s call suddenly came through.
"Where have you died off to?" As soon as the call connected, Zi Ling asked bluntly, like a nagging housekeeper.
"I’m drinking tea. Miss me already?" Li Qing teased.
"Drop dead!"
With a beep, the phone call was abruptly ended.
Li Qing smiled, put down his phone, and leisurely sipped his tea.
Sitting at the top floor in the highest office, looking through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, sipping tea while enjoying the view of Tongcheng city created a unique sensation.
It was as if one could unwittingly muster a swath of boldness.
Ambition began to burn fiercely along with it.
It wasn’t long before Zi Ling’s call came again.
"When you come up, bring me a portion of braised chicken. I haven’t eaten yet," Zi Ling ordered bluntly.
"The hotel offers room service. Just order a portion. I’m upstairs, not outside," Li Qing said.
This cunning woman commanded him around quite adeptly, speaking without a trace of politeness.
"Where exactly are you upstairs?" Zi Ling asked.
"Forgot to tell you, I have an office here," Li Qing said. "You stingy woman wouldn’t even give me water, so I had to fend for myself."
"Damn, you rogue! You actually have an office in this place?" Zi Ling exclaimed in surprise.
"Be a bit more polite with your words. I admit I’m no gentleman, but I’m still a distance away from being a rogue. Be careful or I’ll sue you for slander!" Li Qing retorted righteously; this person seemed to be addicted to cursing him.
"Pah!" Zi Ling disdainfully spat and hung up again.
Li Qing: ...
Truly, a woman’s face and the weather in June could change at a moment’s notice, with no way for one to guard against it.
After ending the call, Li Qing hadn’t enjoyed a few moments of peace when Zi Ling and Shisan, with a bandaged head, suddenly barged in.
"President Li, they said they are your friends, and they came in before I could ask for your permission," Mi Bai said apologetically and cautiously.
"It’s fine, go on with your work," Li Qing said.
"Alright." Mi Bai seemed relieved and left the office with a quiet reply.
"You have a pretty impressive nose there, needing someone to lead the way just to find a place. How did you find your way here?" Li Qing asked in surprise.
Zi Ling snorted haughtily, "The hermit has his own clever strategies. Even if you hide inside a woman’s belly, I could still sniff you out."
Li Qing: ...
It had become impossible to have a pleasant conversation with this lady. He then turned his gaze to Shisan.
Shisan was somehow more pleasing to the eye.
"Were you beaten up by a cat?" Li Qing asked in surprise.
"Brother Li, didn’t that cat come looking for you?" Shisan asked anxiously.
"It did come by, but it didn’t hit me!" Li Qing couldn’t help but laugh; Shisan looked truly pitiful.
His head appeared to be scratched open, and his right leg was lame.
No wonder Zi Ling said this guy was currently bedridden; he did seem quite badly hurt.
"Brother Li, you really need to be careful, and watch out for your Elixir. That darn cat is too awful, sneaky and brutal, not to mention immensely strong. It could shatter my Vajra Talisman with a single swipe of its paw," Shisan warned earnestly, still frightened.
"It stole my clothes twice and even dismantled a wardrobe, but it didn’t touch the Elixir. However, we’ve made peace now, so there shouldn’t be any problem," Li Qing said with a smile.
Actually, this wasn’t the time for him to be smiling.
But seeing Shisan looking so miserable, he really couldn’t help it.
"Why is there such a huge difference between the two of us?" Shisan cried out in despair.
"You idiot! Of course, it’s because of the disparity in strength between you two," Zi Ling scolded irritably. "Most wild spirits have an acute sense of danger, and that cat has obviously cultivated to a considerable level. It can sense that this scoundrel is strong, so what’s so strange about that?"
"If it’s strong, it naturally chooses to harass in such a way. But for a weakling like you, isn’t it easier to just lash out directly?"
Shisan was instantly at a loss for words, "But... the gap between Brother Li and me can’t be that big, can it?"
"He could beat you up a thousand times, and yet you can’t even get close to him. You call this not a big gap in strength?" Zi Ling asked in astonishment. "On what basis do you think the gap between you is not that large?"
"It’s what you said, Sister! You said Brother Li couldn’t even beat you, that you could pin him to the ground and rub him in the dirt!" Shisan said, morose.
Zi Ling couldn’t help but look a bit shameless, "You believe whatever I say? That was... that was because he didn’t dare to kill me."
Li Qing looked at Zi Ling dumbfounded, "Pin me to the ground and rub... you seem pretty proud of it, huh?"
"In close combat, you’ve never been my match. Is there a problem?" Zi Ling asked, raising an eyebrow.
Li Qing nodded somewhat helplessly, "Indeed, no problem there, it is a fact."
On this matter, he really had no confidence whatsoever.
The gap in real strength had nearly become his heartache.
"You rascal, this place is not bad at all, looking pretty lavish here!" Zi Ling teased as she looked around Li Qing’s office.
"Although it’s nominally mine, it’s not much use to me," Li Qing said indifferently.
If it weren’t for his happenstance visit to Impression Hotel today, he probably wouldn’t even remember to take a glance at the office.
Lü Zong had mentioned several times before, urging Li Qing to spend a couple of days here, to get to know the higher-ups in the company.
But Li Qing thought, after all, he was only a deputy head in name and had no actual power. There was no point in meeting with those executives, so he never took it seriously.
Today was just a coincidence that brought him here, and he wanted to find a place to rest, which is why he remembered this office.
