Chapter 013: Li Ping
Knock, knock, knock!
The sound of someone rapping at the door interrupted Zhao Feng’s thoughts. He shook his head, pushing last night’s dream aside.
“Who is it?” Zhao Feng called out, but there was no reply from outside his room.
Knock, knock, knock! Knock, knock, knock!
No voice answered, only the relentless knocking continued, making Zhao Feng frown in irritation. He slipped into shorts and a T-shirt, got out of bed, and slid his feet into a pair of sandals with holes. His green shorts and grey top gave him a casual air, and at seventeen or eighteen, Zhao Feng looked particularly handsome. Perhaps it was the years spent among the immortals that lent him an indescribable aura.
Stretching languidly, Zhao Feng muttered, “Who on earth is it?”
He strode to the door and flung it open, only to freeze in surprise. Standing outside was Chen Ying.
“Good morning!” Chen Ying greeted him with a bright smile, holding a white box in her hands.
Zhao Feng spoke with little enthusiasm, “Why is it you? Didn’t I tell you to leave?”
“Look! See what I brought you!” Chen Ying said, still smiling.
Zhao Feng glanced at the white box. “What’s that?”
Chen Ying chuckled, “It’s a phone, of course!”
Zhao Feng was a bit surprised. “The phone shops aren’t even open this early, are they?”
Chen Ying nodded. “You’re right. I had my family deliver it overnight.”
“Overnight delivery?”
“Yes!”
Zhao Feng rubbed his nose. “You’re very thoughtful.”
Chen Ying giggled, “Hurry, see if you like it!”
“Alright,” Zhao Feng said, taking the phone box without fuss. Like a newborn, he was filled with curiosity about the device before him.
Scratching his head, Zhao Feng asked, “How do I open it?”
Chen Ying rolled her eyes but patiently explained, “Pull it upwards.”
“Oh!” Zhao Feng pulled gently, and sure enough, the box opened to reveal a brand-new phone.
“Well? Do you like it?” Chen Ying asked with anticipation.
Zhao Feng rubbed his nose. “I do like it, but the screen is a bit large. I wanted something smaller.”
“What?” Chen Ying’s face scrunched up in disappointment.
Zhao Feng laughed, “I’m teasing you, just joking.”
“Yay!” Chen Ying jumped for joy at his words.
Zhao Feng put away the phone. “How do I use this?”
Chen Ying beamed, “I’ll teach you!”
“Alright.”
She continued, “Later, bring your ID. I’ll take you to the phone shop to get a SIM card, and we’ll put on a screen protector.”
“Screen protector?”
“Yes!”
“What’s a screen protector?” Zhao Feng asked.
Chen Ying laughed, “It protects the phone.”
“Oh,” Zhao Feng nodded.
Chen Ying giggled happily.
Just as they were about to continue their conversation, Chen Lan’s voice floated up from downstairs.
“Feng, Ying, come down for breakfast!”
“Oh, alright!” Chen Ying quickly replied.
Zhao Feng looked at her strangely.
Chen Ying blinked. “What is it?”
Zhao Feng folded his arms, resting his chin in his hand. “What spell did you cast on my mother? Even the way she addresses you has changed.”
Chen Ying’s cheeks flushed red.
She would never admit that, to change Zhao Feng’s impression of her, she’d called her best friend overnight to prepare gifts, which were delivered before dawn. Heaven rewards the diligent; she had successfully bribed Zhao Feng’s mother.
Chen Ying quickly shook her head. “It’s nothing, really!”
Zhao Feng rolled his eyes but didn’t press further. The two headed downstairs.
In the living room, a strange young man was pacing back and forth, which made Zhao Feng frown.
“Who’s this?” Zhao Feng asked.
“Oh, this is my best friend’s brother. He was the one who delivered the things,” Chen Ying hurried to explain.
“I see,” Zhao Feng replied indifferently.
At that moment, the young man noticed Zhao Feng. His name was Li Ping; not especially handsome, but he carried a certain air of nobility.
Li Ping strode over and extended his right hand, “Hello, I’m Li Ping. You must be Zhao Feng?”
Zhao Feng was a bit taken aback. “You know my name?”
Li Ping smiled, “Sister Chen Ying has already told my sister about you, said you’re quite remarkable and have a certain presence. But…”
Zhao Feng stroked his chin. “But what?”
Li Ping gave a sly, insincere smile, “To be blunt, I don’t see anything extraordinary about you.”
Zhao Feng also smiled, “I’ve never considered myself superior to others. I’ve always seen myself as an ordinary person.”
Li Ping replied, “It’s best to have such self-awareness. People should learn to see themselves clearly.”
Zhao Feng frowned, sensing that Li Ping was not particularly friendly—the words had an undercurrent of hostility.
Li Ping seemed about to say more, but Chen Ying interrupted angrily, “That’s enough!”
Li Ping wisely shut his mouth.
Chen Ying said, “Li Ping, you’re a guest here. This is Zhao Feng’s home, and he’s the host. You’re acting a bit presumptuous.”
Li Ping rubbed his nose. “Alright, I apologize for my earlier behavior.”
Chen Ying pointed to Zhao Feng, “Apologize to Zhao Feng!”
Li Ping’s smile froze.
Chen Ying glared at him, “I said apologize to Zhao Feng. Didn’t you hear me?”
Li Ping took a deep breath, looked at Zhao Feng, and said, “Zhao Feng, is it? I apologize for my earlier behavior.”
Zhao Feng waved his hand, “I don’t accept apologies that lack sincerity.”
Li Ping’s eyes grew dark.
He inhaled deeply, about to say something, but Chen Ying’s gaze made him swallow his words.
He looked at Zhao Feng, and bowed deeply. “Mr. Zhao, I apologize for my earlier behavior.”
“Oh,” Zhao Feng replied calmly, “Then I suppose I’ll accept your apology, barely.”
Zhao Feng’s words nearly drove Li Ping mad with frustration. He forced himself to remain calm, slowly straightening up.
Li Ping took a deep breath, “Mr. Zhao, I won’t trouble you any further.”
“Oh, I wasn’t planning to invite you for breakfast anyway,” Zhao Feng said.
In truth, Zhao Feng was not someone who would press his advantage. It was just Li Ping’s attitude—his air of superiority and arrogance—that was so off-putting.
Zhao Feng’s words brought Li Ping to the brink of collapse once more.
“You—” Li Ping stammered, unable to speak as Chen Ying’s gaze bore into him.
“Hmph!” Li Ping exhaled sharply, “I’ll take my leave.”
Zhao Feng nodded indifferently.
Li Ping cast a glance at Chen Ying and turned to go, but Chen Ying’s voice rang out, “Li Ping, don’t leave just yet!”
Li Ping felt a spark of hope, thinking Chen Ying might thank him.
Yet her next words struck him like a bolt of lightning.
“Wait a moment before you go! I need your car to take Zhao Feng to get a SIM card.”