“Haha, this is my little niece, Lu Qing’er. She has just been accepted into Southwind Academy as a cultivator, and she absolutely idolizes Miss Jiang. When she heard you were here, she was adamant in coming along. I do hope that Miss Jiang will not take offense to this,” President Lu explained as he clasped his hands respectfully with a smile on his face. 

“Greetings, Senior Sister Jiang,” Lu Qing’er said with deference as she graciously curtsied. 

Jiang Qing’e began to size up this new arrival with perfectly symmetrical features. “Since you’re a student of Southwind Academy, I suppose you’re acquaintances with Li Luo?” 

Lu Qing’er s.h.i.+fted her gaze momentarily to glance at Li Luo, who was standing by Jiang Qing’e’s side. She beamed as she gently nodded, her deep gaze captivating all. “Li Luo used to provide me with some pointers, and I’ve always been thankful to him. However, it seems like in these past two years, he hasn’t wanted to meet me…”

Li Luo let out an awkward smile as he hastily and laughingly replied, “No, no, no, no, no, please don’t jump to conclusions! We are in different schools, so it’s been very difficult to come see you!” Deep down, Li Luo felt helpless. Lu Qing’er was exceptionally famous in Southwind Academy. She was in a completely different strata compared to Difa Qing. Not only was she attractive, she was the poster girl for Southwind Academy, being the number one talent in the current generation.

When Li Luo was still attending the First School, many of the students had yet to open their resonant palaces. With his exceptional ability to utilise resonance arts, he was a cut above the rest of the students. Hence, numerous students would approach him for guidance, including Lu Qing’er.

Therefore, they could be considered close friends.

Then came Li Luo’s misfortune of blank palaces and his subsequent booting from the First School into the Second School. As a result, their interactions became spa.r.s.e.

Of course, the most important point here was that Li Luo spent his time hiding from Lu Qing’er. It wasn’t because he hated her, but because he felt embarra.s.sed whenever they met! He used to be number one in the First School, and yet he had been supplanted by her…

Who would have thought that they would meet each other again?

Lu Qing’er did not rebut Li Luo’s clearly perfunctory words but didn’t say anything else either. Instead, she turned her attention to Jiang Qing’e and began to chat with her with a casual smile on her face.

The Lu duo then proceeded to escort the two out of the bank.

“Miss Jiang, I’ve heard that there will be an event happening at House Luolan,” President Lu said with his usual, smiley demeanor.

Jiang Qing’e’s expression was unchanging as she replied flatly, “President Lu is perceptive indeed.” 

“Ah, such a pity!” President Lu sighed before continuing, “Do look for me if there is anything I can a.s.sist you with. The Golden Dragon Bank believes that harmony breeds wealth!” 

Li Luo held some doubts in his mind, but he did not voice them. He simply followed Jiang Qing’e onto the carriage, and they swiftly left.

Meanwhile, President Lu rubbed the chin of his oily, portly face as he glimpsed at Lu Qing’er, only to realise that she was still staring wistfully at the direction of the departing carriage with her sparkling eyes.  

“Cough!” President Lu interrupted her. “You little girl! You… you wouldn’t happen to have feelings for Li Luo, would you?” 

Lu Qing’er batted a glance towards President Lu as she gently replied, “I only feel pity towards Li Luo. In the past, he did guide me in the resonance arts. I merely feel appreciation towards him. If not for his blank palaces, he would have been my greatest rival in Southwind Academy.” 

President Lu patted his chest as he released a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness! That’s great… Qing’er, oh, Qing’er, he is already an engaged man. Don’t try scoring when there’s a goalkeeper… With your status and looks, just which youth in the Xia Kingdom could be your match?” 

Lu Qing’er shook her head and then turned around to walk away, ignoring her second uncle’s inane ramblings whilst he chuckled and continued to rub his chin.