Su Ling reappearance and the ensuing teasing convinced me to post this. I had this in my pocket since the Madame Grey incident, two fucking years and more at this point. Credit to
@FixerUpper cuz i'm using Fatty Hao. I'm betting he made to inner sect because the last time I remember seeing him
anywhere was the promotion tournament. And I kinda missed him. Any suggestion in fixing anything I miss or mess up would be welcome.
Investment
It was great that his little investment paid off, he thought.
"So, how about it sir? Have you decided on your purchase?"
The disciple in front of him stood there, folding his arms, one hand on his chin. "I'm still quite a bit unsure, are these pills really worth as much as you say? The price is almost all of my allowance."
"Of course it is!" He said, not quite shouting. "Think of it as an investment sir. If this sets of pills managed to get you to the next sets of rewards, it will have surely paid for itself. And not to mention the advancement it would bring to your cultivation. It surely is worth the price!"
The disciple hummed to himself for a few moment, until he finally decided. "Alright, I'll take it."
"Wonderful!" They shook hand, traded the pills for the agreed upon price, and the disciple left after exchanging a few pleasantries.
"Another day, another sale." It was nice in the inner sect. Sure, the competition is fiercer, and he need to really up his game to turn a profit, but nothing's wrong with a little challenge. It''s good for his own growth anyway.
And he did mean what he said earlier. Those pills were a good investment. It was expensive even for his own taste, but it should help that disciple get to the next stage early. It was one of his best batch afterall.
And speaking of investment…
"Oi, I have your stuff. You got what I asked for?"
And here she comes. That little girl he met way back in the day have really grown.
"Of course I do. I wouldn't be the Fatty Hao you know otherwise."
She snorts. "Yeah, sure. And I'm still not sure why you're called a fatty."
He smirks. "And you will never know."
She waved her hand dismissively. They exchanged the goods that they agreed upon, their old arrangement of her gathering ingredients for him still extant. Though she prefers to be paid in materials that are more easily available in the market, given that she made her own pills now. But he might have given her a little extra today.
While Su Ling was checking the materials he gave her, she cocks hear head and asked him a question. "Hey, is this right? Cause I swear this is more than what I asked."
"Ah, yes," he said while stroking his chin. "Consider this a recovery gift. And also a little congratulations. Please give my regards to sir Gan."
The scowl that she made was legendary. It was even a notch higher than the one she made when they first met. "Oh for fucks sake! Not you too! Why everyone gotta be weird about this! I already have enough people bugging me about it. Especially those two!"
He chuckles to himself. The sect rumor mills always spin. Of course the fact that Sir Gan, right hand to The Heiress, rushing to meet the spirit blooded girl when she came back injured spread like wildfire the day it happens. It was very amusing seeing the heartbroken face of the girls that have some fantasy about him. Even the fact that that girl Ling Qi also came back at the same time injured after a probable tribulation —again— were overshadowed by the enormity of that news.
"Of course everyone is going to "be weird" about it. I imagine some people have already approached you with the intention of being closer to the Heiress inner circle."
She palmed her own face. "Ugh, don't remind me. It was creepy how a lot of people changed their face. At first everybody wants less of me, now they're all about that "being courteous" stuff and whatever."
"Well, it was to be expected," he said, his face still fixed in a smile. "No one wants to be remembered by The Heiress right hand man as someone who was rude to his partner. And I am also included in that list."
"Yeah, sure, just don't be weird about it next time. Also, tell me again if you need more stuff."
"Of course, Miss Su."
She shudders. He also heard her whispering 'gosh, that still creeps me out.' She gave him a rude gesture, and turned around to leave.
He chuckles again. It was amazing seeing how far she've come. From that little wild girl that can't even harvest some sap, to the probable wife of the province's future general. The Heiress court is really filled with upshoot talents.
He was kinda hoping that Sir Gan will know about their little connection and give some good will his way, but honestly, who wouldn't? a connection to the court of the Province's future Duchess is invaluable after all. But mostly, he felt relief that he didn't need to worry anymore for that girl. The early days of her coming back with ingredients while covered in wounds still lingers in his mind.
And as he said. It was great that his little investment paid off.
