"Sorry about that." Shi Xiao Nian lowered her head apologetically. "It's my fault that you got involved in my family."
"No, don't worry about it." I shook my head and waved her apologies away. "Your sister is a real bitch, you know?"
Shi Xiao Nian giggled at that, but she turned away glumly. "No, that's…"
"Anyway, let's go," I told her when she trailed off, unable to refute my statement. "I have to visit the Na Lan patriarch, and you might as well come along too."
"Huh? Is that okay?"
"Of course."
"No, but I'm not…I shouldn't tag along. I wasn't the one invited…"
"Don't worry about it. I already told Na Lan Yan Ran that you will be coming along. If you don't show up, it'll be awkward." I scratched my head. "Besides, it's better for you to meet her rather than just walk about alone here, where your sister might jump on you again. At least you have a valid reason to be outside, right?"
I was rambling right now, and none of my words made any sense, but whatever. Shi Xiao Nian watched me for a moment before giggling and nodding.
"Fine."
It took less than an hour for us to reach the Na Lan manor, and the guards were already waiting out there for us. When I approached them, thy transmitted a message to the interior. A minute later, Na Lan Yan Ran appeared, along with Na Lan Yan Rou.
"Oh, Brother Cong is here!" Na Lan Yan Rou was delighted, and she ran up to me. I stopped her by placing a firm hand on her head. She pouted before turning to Shi Xiao Nian and tilting her head to the side. "Is this person your girlfriend, Brother Cong?"
"Not at all!" Shi Xiao Nian said, sounding horrified. Whoa, she didn't have to deny it so vehemently. Then again, she was still in love with Mu Qian Chu, so she didn't want to have any misunderstandings.
Funnily enough, she had no qualms admitting to Jin Bai He that she had a crush on Si Nan. Then again, I didn't want to be her rebound guy or a substitute for Mu Qian Chu. I had more self-respect than that.
"Why did you bring her?" Na Lan Yan Ran asked, dropping her voice to a whisper so that the other two girls couldn't hear her. I also lowered my volume.
"She just got dumped by her first love, who was stolen from her by her sister…so I was afraid of leaving her alone. She's in a fragile state of mind right now."
"Understood." Na Lan Yan Ran straightened. Being fellow women, she most likely could understand and empathize with the heartbreak that Shi Xiao Nian must be currently suffering. She gave me a look. "I'll take care of her. In the meantime, head to the library. My grandfather wishes to speak to you."
"All right."
First, Na Lan Yan Ran led Shi Xiao Nian to the guest hall where they received guests. Then she escorted me to the library before excusing herself. Evidently the conversation with her grandfather was to be kept private – it wasn't as if I didn't trust Na Lan Yan Rou to be able to entertain a downcast Shi Xiao Nian by herself. The younger sister was perfectly capable of reading the mood and offering some encouragement.
"I've been expecting you."
Na Lan Jie was seated at the back of his massive mahogany desk. A few paces away, his son (and Na Lan Yan Ran's father), Na Lan Su, was relaxing in a couch. He gestured for me to take a seat in another sofa opposite the desk, and I obeyed him.
"What is it, sir? Is there something you need from me?"
"Ah, I'm actually here to talk to you about the cultivation world. First of all, your choice of university."
"I'm applying to Guo Jiao University," I replied immediately. Na Lan Jie regarded me before smiling in approval.
"An excellent choice, and I'm sure someone of your aptitude and intelligence will be able to get in without any difficulty."
"You flatter me too much. I'm not sure if my grades will be high enough. The results of the Gao Kao aren't out yet."
"You're being modest, as usual." Na Lan Jie waved his hand. "That's quite the admirable trait. Guo Jiao University will be lucky to have you as a student. That said, I hope you can consider one of the six universities in Xing Hao Island as an alternative."
"Six universities in Xing Hao Island?" I repeated. Na Lan Jie nodded.
"The six universities on Xing Hao Island are very special…and they cater exclusively to cultivator students. You probably haven't heard of them – that's because it's not very well-known."
"To put it bluntly, the existence of Xing Hao Island itself is a secret from the normal world," Na Lan Su spoke up. "That's why none of the other students have heard of it. It teaches cultivation techniques to cultivators."
"Your friends from the other day – Si Nan and Mu Zi Xing, they have already been offered a place at one of the universities in Xing Hao Island – Seven Stars University, in particular – and are currently training to be cultivators. You will definitely have a place there, if you want. Or you could choose any of the other five."
"That's…"
"We won't force you, of course," Na Lan Jie assured me. "You don't have to apply for any of the universities in Xing Hao Island if you don't want to. Guo Jiao is a good university, after all."
"One of the best," Na Lan Su agreed.
"Thank you. But could you explain more about this Xing Hao Island? Where is it?"
Na Lan Jie and Na Lan Su exchanged a glance before the both of them smiled mysteriously.
"You'll find out," the older Na Lan man said. "Suffice to say, the island itself exists in a separate, pocket dimension. You've been to the Dragon Pool in the Divine Dragon Sect's Tian Long Temple, correct? I heard from Elder Ye."
"That's right, sir. So it exists in a separate space? Only, in a much bigger scale?"
"Oh, a much bigger scale." Na Lan Jie nodded. "Xing Hao Island is essentially a continent itself. There are six universities established upon its surface, each and every one of them dedicated to training and nurturing cultivators."
That sounded cool.
"What are the six universities?" I remembered Cheng Long's words. "Is Imperial Valley University one of them?"
"Oh! You already know about Imperial Valley University!" Na Lan Jie sounded delighted. "That's the one my granddaughter will be enrolling in."
"But Imperial Valley University is meant for summoning cultivators." Na Lan Su frowned "I don't know if it suits you. You're better off enrolling in Ten Thousand Sword University, in my opinion. They focus on combat techniques, which seems to be what you're practicing."
I decided not to tell him that I had received a recommendation from Cheng Long to enroll in Imperial Valley University. But Ten Thousand Sword University sounded cool too.
"There's also Snow Plum University, but that's meant more for female students. It has a 75% population of women." Na Lan Jie shook his head. "Unless you specialize in water or ice techniques, they are unlikely to accept a male disciple."
"Then you have Spirit Forge University, which produces the brightest and most talented alchemists and artisans – those who concoct spirit pills, elixirs, forge spirit artifacts and weapons." Na Lan Su studied me. "Unless you are interested in alchemy or blacksmithing, I don't think it's a fit for you."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"There's also Dark Shadow University."
"No." the vehemence in Na Lan Jie's voice surprised me and I glanced at the older man. He narrowed his eyes sternly. "I do not recommend that you enroll in Dark Shadow University."
"Dark Shadow University has a notorious reputation," Na Lan Su explained before I could ask why. "It usually trains assassins, saboteurs and spies. They have connections with the underworld and an intensive network of crime."
"No good will come out of getting involved with them," Na Lan Jie growled.
"I only brought Dark Shadow University up because it happens to be one of the six universities on Xing Hao Island," his son explained in a placatory manner.
"You should have brought up Seven Stars University first," Na Lan Jie grunted and returned his gaze to me. "Seven Stars University might be the lowest-ranked university and receives the least resources when compared to the other five, but it is still a very prestigious university. Much better than any cultivator university you'll find outside of Xing Hao Island. I believe they specialize in spirit arrays, scholarly works and the arts."
"Will be a fine fit for you. As we said, your friends are already enrolled in there." Na Lan Su nodded in agreement.
"I understand. I will consider your advice and look through the universities on Xing Hao Island."
"Excellent. That's all we ask of you." Na Lan Jie smiled in satisfaction.
And with that, the conversation was over. I headed back to the guest hall, where Na Lan Yan Ran was speaking patiently to a slightly depressed Shi Xiao Nian. Fortunately, Shi Xiao Nian looked better than before. Perhaps speaking to a fellow girl helped her ease her heart a lot.
"How did it go?" Na Lan Yan Ran looked up at me when I stepped into the room. I shrugged.
"All right, I guess. I'll be helping out here and there, but I still don't know about the university stuff. I'll consider it."
"That's fine." She got up. Noticing that the reason for our invitation was over, Shi Xiao Nian also rose to her feet. Na Lan Yan Ran turned back to her with a smile before holding her hands. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact me."
"Thank you very much."
"Not at all. We girls have to look out for each other. If there's anything at all, tell me." Na Lan Yan Ran clenched her fists. "Especially if your sister tries to harm you again."
"All right." Shi Xiao Nian wiped a tear from her eyes. "Thanks."
"You're leaving already, Brother Cong?" Na Lan Yan Rou asked. I nodded.
"I'll see you around. I think."
"That reminds me." Shi Xiao Nian glanced from me to the Ling sisters, looking puzzled. "What exactly is your relationship?"
"Brother Cong saved my life!" Na Lan Yan Rou explained excitedly. "Twice!"
"I see. You seem pretty close."
"Don't get the wrong idea." Na Lan Yan Ran folded her arms. "Shu Cong is not worthy of me. I'm engaged to the next leader of the Divine Dragon Sect. Our statuses are too different. Don't even dream about it."
"Yeah, yeah, I heard that before…"
"I never said anything like that," Shi Xiao Nian muttered. "I only asked what your relationship is."
"It's a pity, isn't it?" Na Lan Yan Rou sighed dramatically. "Sister is letting such a good guy slip out of her grip."
"I'm not as good as you think I am," I told her. Then I waved and left the room. "I'll see you guys around."
After leaving the Na Lan manor, I saw that it was getting late. So I escorted Shi Xiao Nian home. When we reached her home, which while not as grand as the Na Lan manor, was a luxurious estate in its own right. Probably over ten times the price of my parents' property, that's for sure.
To my surprise, Shi Xiao Nian's father was out there. He stormed out, glaring at her and yelling.
"How dare you go out?!" he bellowed. "Stalking Mu Qian Chu and your sister again? Do you want to be grounded?"
"Oi." I stepped between them, seizing the bastard's hand before he could slap Shi Xiao Nian. "Is there something wrong with your brain? Xiao Nian has been with me the whole day. I was the one who invited her out. What's this nonsense about stalking? Did you hear the accusations from your biological daughter and decide to just believe her without asking Xiao Nian for her side of the story?"
"Who are you?! How dare you interfere?!"
"Dude…I just told you I was the one who invited your adopted daughter out for today…" I buried my face in my palm. "And why shouldn't I interfere? You're the one coming out screaming and raging at your daughter for no reason…just because your biological daughter made up a false accusation."
"What do you know about my family situation? How dare you…?"
"Oh, shut up. I was there when your biological daughter and her boyfriend showed up and began to verbally abuse Xiao Nian right in front of everybody. You want to watch the video? It's being disseminated in social media right now. How about I add a recording of this conversation? Of you just jumping at her for no reason? I'm sure your Shi family would love a public scandal, wouldn't it?"
Shi Xiao Nian's father went silent at that, then he turned away and stormed into the house, muttering under his breath.
"The fuck is wrong with your family?" I asked a fearful Shi Xiao Nian. Shaking my head, I offered a piece of unnecessary advice. "You should just leave them and go stay with Na Lan Yan Ran instead. She'll take care of you."
"No, that's not necessary." Shi Xiao Nian shook her head and forced a smile. "Even though they are biased against me, they are still my family. They're the ones who brought me up and took care of me this entire time."
"If you are sure." I studied her. "But if they abuse you again, let me know. I'll bring hell upon them."
Shi Xiao Nian gave me a cold look. "You do realize that it's none of your business, right? You're not my real father."
"Ah. Sorry. It's just that…" I hesitated. I couldn't possibly tell her that I had promised Jin Bai He that I would take care of her. It would enrage Shi Xiao Nian even more. "The injustice, it's just too much. They have no right to treat you like that."
Shi Xiao Nian gave me another suspicious look, as if to ask why I cared so much.
"My family, my business, I'll take care of it myself. I'm sorry…I know you probably mean well, but stop trying to be a white knight or whatever. It's…a turn off, honestly."
"Sorry."
Most likely I was going about this the wrong way. No, before you asked, I didn't expect her to fall for me or any sort of nonsense like that, just because I was helping her. I never had such motives to begin with.
It was just my obligation to Jin Bai He…the promise I made to her.
However, it was clear that my attempt to protect Shi Xiao Nian might backfire. I might have protected her for now, but what happened once she stepped inside the house? Out of my sight, her father would get angrier. And I couldn't just barge into their home and stop him from hitting her.
What should I do?
Completely at a loss, I could do nothing but watch Shi Xiao Nian disappeared back into her house. Closing my eyes, I prayed that she would be all right.