Chapter 88: Respect for the Elderly and Care for the Young?

A frowned, noticing out of the corner of her eye that after Sui Yi left, the disciples inside the hall all wore visible expressions of relief. Truth be told, Sui Yi’s dazzling display, coupled with her status as a new initiate, had put enormous pressure on them—perhaps even more than on A herself.

Joy, gratitude, jealousy, awkwardness?

Sui Yi really disliked such a complicated atmosphere, so her eagerness to leave was unsurprising.

------

As soon as she stepped outside, Sui Yi saw a row of sedans quietly parked along the road ahead.

Leaning against the iron chain by the railings was the enigmatic Miss Nine.

In the misty, rippling waters of Nanxun, before the Langya Bridge, stood a beauty. When Miss Nine turned around, she smiled—a smile as dazzling and proud as a noble, coquettish cat.

With graceful steps, she walked over and stood before Sui Yi, her red lips gleaming, “I knew you’d come out to find me.”

Sui Yi didn’t even glance at her, her face and tone both cool, “Actually, you’re blocking my way home.”

Miss Nine’s amber eyes darkened, and she gave a cold, mocking laugh, “Oh, spare me... A person like you? I could see through you in seconds.”

Sui Yi glanced at her silently. If anything, I could easily see right through your body... yes, right through your clothes.

See your flesh...

“Finished watching now?” Sui Yi replied indifferently, stepping past her to leave.

Never before had Miss Nine been snubbed so thoroughly. She felt as though she were a rotten fish left out for years, or a pair of socks or underwear worn and tossed aside by boys—utterly despised.

“Sui Yi!” Miss Nine finally broke her composure, reaching out to grab Sui Yi’s arm, but Sui Yi twisted nimbly, executing a smooth, arcing step. As she turned to face Miss Nine, she saw that the regal Persian cat had transformed into a bristling feline, like one denied cat food or rudely awakened from a nap.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Palm strikes and elbow blows came quickly; after a few exchanges, Sui Yi frowned. Miss Nine’s internal strength far surpassed hers. Earlier, it was only because Miss Nine had underestimated her, and she seized the opportunity, that the situation had been reversed. Now, with Miss Nine so close and fighting desperately, Sui Yi found it hard to counter.

And so...

After more than twenty fierce moves, Miss Nine’s elbow collided with Sui Yi’s, joints twisting. Suddenly, Sui Yi was forced back against the wall. She frowned slightly, sidestepped, and evaded Miss Nine’s palm.

A bright handprint appeared on the white wall.

Miss Nine seized the chance to grab Sui Yi’s right arm. Sui Yi twisted, palm chopping down.

With a crisp sound.

The next instant.

......

Feng Sha and the others all twitched their brows in unison.

In their view, their mistress stood behind Sui Yi, twisting Sui Yi’s right arm behind her back, her brows raised in triumph, “Did you really think I’m beneath you? I simply wasn’t serious before. If I really tried...”

Feng Sha and the others couldn’t help but lower their eyes. Well, to be honest, miss, you looked pretty serious before...

But this did prove that Miss Nine was extremely vindictive; the technique she used to restrain Sui Yi now was exactly the one Sui Yi had used on her earlier.

As Sui Yi listened to the proud words behind her, her slender brows arched slightly.

Suddenly, her right leg shot out, the knee striking Miss Nine’s numbing acupoint with lightning speed. The triumphant Miss Nine felt a sudden tingling in her body—before she could react, Sui Yi twisted her arm in reversal!

Counterattack!

In a flash, Miss Nine found herself pinned to the wall by Sui Yi, who gripped her shoulder with one hand and pressed her palm against the wall with the other.

“And now? Miss Nine...” Sui Yi looked coolly at the woman now pinned beneath her, a ripple of amusement in her eyes.

Miss Nine’s expression fluctuated wildly. After a moment, she spat out a single word—

—Damn!

Such a blunt, vivid curse made Sui Yi frown slightly, casting her a cold glance.

“Those who insult others will themselves be insulted.”

Miss Nine was infuriated. Damn it, can’t I even curse once?

So sanctimonious!

“Sui Yi, show some respect to the young miss!” Feng Sha and the others behind them turned pale, yet dared not act rashly.

After all, their mistress was still in Sui Yi’s grasp.

At that moment, a group of young women rounded the corner, their laughter bright and clear.

But their voices suddenly cut off.

They stared in astonishment at the scene before them, their eyes wide.

They had never expected to witness such a thrilling tableau while taking a shortcut.

To put it simply, in their eyes, it was a wild, stunning beauty being pinned against a wall by a tall, slender, and aloof woman. The beauty was defiant, her face fiercely proud as she glared at her icy captor—who, though youthful and serene in appearance, held her down with quiet dominance.

A silent pressure.

One cold, one fiery; one refined, one wild. Their hair and clothes were both slightly disheveled.

Two hands intertwined, pressed to the wall—the pose was...

Feng Sha and the others, as well as the two on the wall, all noticed the shock on the girls’ faces, their eyes lighting up as they began to whisper excitedly.

“Wow, it’s her...”

“So intense!”

“Are they fighting? Judging by that pose... so the rumors are true—lovers can make up after a fight...”

“Is she taking her by force?”

Their gazes were so blatant, and with those words, Sui Yi’s eye twitched violently. She instinctively glanced at herself and Miss Nine.

Miss Nine did the same—glancing from herself, trapped, to Sui Yi, who held her down. Her expression was stormy, as if on the verge of explosion. Yet, in a certain moment, she suddenly smiled.

Her other hand abruptly encircled Sui Yi’s slender waist, and she buried her head, seductive and alluring, in Sui Yi’s neck...

“If you like being on top, I’ll let you this once—but be gentle, hmm~~”

......

Feng Sha and the others were collectively petrified.

The girls let out a chorus of howls.

Ladies, as passersby, shouldn’t you be embarrassed and hurry away?

Why do you act as if you’re settling in to watch a movie?

Sui Yi frowned, silently letting go and backing several steps away from Miss Nine, moving quickly as if startled.

Miss Nine, triumphant, thought, Ha, I finally got my revenge!

This prim Sui Yi really is afraid of such things!

But Sui Yi merely brushed her arm, gave Miss Nine a look, and then turned to Feng Sha, muttering, “Your young miss’s fits can only be suppressed temporarily...you’d best take her home. It’s too dangerous out here...”

Miss Nine took a moment to react, then reflexively retorted, “Are you calling me crazy?”

Before Sui Yi could reply, she was already certain she’d been insulted!

Damn! Miss Nine cursed again!

You pretentious brat!

Perhaps Miss Nine’s killing intent was too strong, for the girls—who had planned to stay and watch the forbidden love scene—finally realized they should leave, though they kept glancing back as they hurried off.

“So the wild beauty is the ‘top’ after all.”

“I thought something was off...why was the ‘top’ the one being pinned? The younger one looked more like the ‘bottom’...”

“Uh...am I the only one who thinks this kind of reversal is really hot?”

There was a brief silence, followed by a chorus of mischievous laughter...

Behind them, Feng Sha and the others looked conflicted, while Sui Yi lowered her gaze, thinking, What are kids these days even thinking...

After the group left, Miss Nine’s mood suddenly improved.

“I’m the top...you’re the bottom... At least some people have good taste.”

Sui Yi frowned. Was that really the point?

“Mm, you’re just older,” she pointed out.

Damn! Miss Nine blurted out her third curse of the day.

Sui Yi reconsidered her earlier judgment; how had she ever thought Miss Nine was mature and sensible?

She was clearly a shameless, arrogant Persian cat.

Was this the aftereffect of being defeated twice?

--------

A quarter hour later, Sui Yi and Miss Nine sat facing each other in a private room at a café.

Feng Sha stood silently by the window.

Miss Nine ordered coffee, set down the menu, and looked at Sui Yi. “You must know why I came to find you...”

“Mm, though I am surprised you sought me out after losing...”

Are you calling me shameless? Miss Nine’s hand paused as she stirred her coffee. She shot Sui Yi a glare. “Just because you’re younger doesn’t mean I won’t throw this coffee in your face.”

Sui Yi’s eyes flickered as she folded her hands over her lap, speaking slowly, “Respect for elders?”

Miss Nine reminded herself to focus on the bigger picture, not to kill anyone—at least not yet.

So...

“Aren’t you curious about that tomb...” Miss Nine prepared her pitch, ready to tempt Sui Yi.

“When do we leave? How many people are involved? Are there others interfering? And what have you learned from your research on the corpse water? Send me the full dossier before we go,” Sui Yi cut her off, rising and heading to the door. She paused to look back at Miss Nine, adding, “You’re not that old, really—just six or seven years older than me...”

Bang—the door closed. The coffee cup shattered against it.

By the window, Feng Sha suddenly felt a wave of melancholy.

How are they supposed to work together like this?

--------

Sui Yi was genuinely curious about the ancient tomb. Besides, she had a lingering feeling that her own grandmother’s attitude toward it was... odd.

And thirdly... Miss Nine was not one to give up easily. Rather than be pestered repeatedly, it was better to cut the matter short.

Sui Yi thought she’d planned it all out, but she never expected that very evening a dossier would arrive in her inbox.

Along with a note:

—There’s been a change. We leave tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Sunday...

Sui Yi opened the file, scanning the images and text, lost in thought. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please support it with votes and recommendations on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.reading.)