873 The Toughest Route (1/2)
Fatty Qian Duoduo rolled his eyes and said, ”How would I know what you should do? All I ask from you now is that we partner up during this period of time. I've felt rather fond of you and I believe we were fated to be since I saw you…”
”Pardon? Partner up? Fond and fated?”
Yun Yang turned to stare at him, his eyes widening abnormally. He was expecting a certain amount of refuge-seeking, but what vocabulary was he using?
Could he be more shameless? Was he secretly addicted to his beatings?
Fatty looked a little bashful as he said, ”I… cough… Actually… I'm just a little lonely. I want to find a partner…”
A chuckle almost escaped Yun Yang.
'Lonely? Why don't you say that you've been cold and empty? Your father has a strong embrace, but it's not for you!'
”You're scared are you? Scared that someone will finish you off anytime by being on your own?”
Yun Yang looked at Qian Duoduo mockingly.
”Following me means that you have conveniently gained a bodyguard! You can chat and dispel boredom during normal days, and you can get protection and help during critical times, too, right?”
”This – this isn't embarrassing, is it?” Fatty was flushed.
Yun Yang smiled and replied in a low tone, ”Of course it's not embarrassing.”
Fatty cheered, ”Boss, you just came here anyway. You have my introduction, but there's been no practice. You know the outline of the situation, but not the entire picture. Partner up with me; at least you have a well-informed guide, right?”
”You make absolute sense and I acknowledge it deeply. Alright! I'll be your partner,” Yun Yang agreed, nodding his head.
Fatty was elated.
”Fatty, your family background must be significant as well, I believe?” asked Yun Yang.
His question seemed to have struck Fatty's sore point as his delight waned immediately. He sighed silently and said, ”You're right, but it's too bad… my house isn't mine anymore now. My dad was the household leader, but he passed away last year and my second uncle succeeded his position. Just three months ago, he chased me out of the family and robbed me of my Celestial Luck Banner spiritual meridian… Right now, I'm nothing more than a rogue cultivator.”
Menace took over Fatty's expression as he spoke, the muscles in his face twitching violently. He took in a few deep breaths and held his tears in, speaking slowly, ”Not only am I homeless now, but I also have no shelter. The reason I risked my life for the Effervescent Rimed Orchid was actually to repair my spiritual meridian. It's just that… even if I recover it, I won't be able to share the benefits of my family's Celestial Luck Banner anymore…”
His laughter was forlorn as he said, ”Honestly, I'm left with less than a hundred spiritual jade pieces now after buying the Rimed Orchid. And a little gold and medicinal pills. I don't have anything else.”
”When they chased me out of the gate that day, I wasn't even allowed back to my own home to pack some of my belongings…”
”I see,” Yun Yang commented after a moment of silence.
He had thought that Qian Duoduo's behavior was bordering the extreme. He was like a terrified bird that was panicky and anxious, a floating piece of driftwood. It was actually due to his insecurity.
It was also due to this that he was now so warm to a stranger that he had just met.
Fatty's lonely confession seemed plausible then, but it was more believable now, supported by the isolation, resentment, helplessness, and hopelessness he had experienced.
Based on these factors, Qian Duoduo had flung himself over like a plaster, without regarding the fact that Yun Yang had just ascended without any knowledge or foundation upon confirming that the latter had no ill intentions – at least, not someone who bore ulterior motives against him.