CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 2: UNINVITED GUEST

"Alright, can’t you see that you’re about to suffocate Little Qingqing?" Being a man, Zhuo Tingqiu couldn’t quite give Gu Qingqing a hug, so he was jealous of Yun Ran and spoke sarcastically.

"Hmph, don’t think I don’t know you’re jealous of me!" Yun Ran glared at Zhuo Tingqiu, but she did loosen her grip on Gu Qingqing.

Gu Qingqing left Yun Ran’s embrace and hurriedly tidied her hair. Once she found it wasn’t messed up, she was somewhat satisfied.

[Sister Yun, we haven’t seen each other for a few days, and you’ve gotten prettier.] Looking at Yun Ran in her red dress, Gu Qingqing blinked her big watery eyes and sincerely complimented her.

"Little Qingqing sure knows how to talk," No woman doesn’t like being complimented for her beauty, and Yun Ran was immediately overjoyed, holding Gu Qingqing’s face and kissing her cheek, "Little Qingqing is getting prettier too."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingqing’s eyes turned into crescent moons with her smile.

"Qingqing, I’m counting on you this time. My father didn’t even give me a guard when he knew I was traveling with you, so you have to protect my safety." Unwilling to let Yun Ran monopolize Gu Qingqing’s attention, Zhuo Tingqiu said pitifully.

Fifteen-year-old Zhuo Tingqiu was around 1.75 meters tall, dressed in a black tight-fitting brocade robe, with half of his long hair tied up with a jade hairpin, and the other half draping behind his head.

His looks had matured a bit, becoming much more handsome, like a sunny boy with a unique youthful exuberance.

Over the years, under Zhuo Zhen Song’s guidance, he had become a competent young master, able to handle matters independently, appearing distant and polite to outsiders, only showing such liveliness in front of Gu Qingqing.

"Qingqing still has to take care of me, she doesn’t have time for you! Take care of yourself!" Yun Ran pushed Zhuo Tingqiu aside, blocking Gu Qingqing, and said crossly.

Gu Qingqing was caught between the two, looking at Yun Ran and then at Zhuo Tingqiu, a bit helpless as she turned her gaze to Rong Ye, who was a step away, sending a signal for help.

Rong Ye had long wanted to pull Gu Qingqing away from Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu, but since Gu Qingqing still valued them, he hadn’t taken action. Now receiving Gu Qingqing’s signal, he had a reason to intervene.

"You two, let go of Qingqing and talk properly." Rong Ye, being older than Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu and having the most fiery temper among the siblings, walked over directly, pulling Gu Qingqing out while shooting a glare at Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu.

Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu had both experienced Rong Ye’s formidable nature and knew his temper. Especially Zhuo Tingqiu, who had been reprimanded by Rong Ye before, didn’t dare to retort under his gaze, and could only watch helplessly as Gu Qingqing was pulled away.

"Alright, it’s getting late, let’s enter the city." Si Lin, being the leader, stepped up to take charge, immediately curbing any rowdiness from the others.

Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu didn’t have Heavenly Qilin Horses, so they rode in the carriage with Gu Qingqing, while Si Lin and the others continued riding, making their way to Chasing Cloud City together.

The meeting place was set in Chasing Cloud City not only because Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu happened to be nearby, but also because Chasing Cloud City was a necessary passage from the Ten Thousand Miles Mountains to the Great Tang Dynasty.

The condition of Chasing Cloud City was as bustling as it was five years ago. Gu Qingqing sat inside the carriage with the others, looking outside through the curtains.

"Five years ago, we first met here. I still remember, when I almost got abducted, it was you, Qingqing, who discovered me." Yun Ran looked at the street ahead, reflecting nostalgically.

If it hadn’t been for Gu Qingqing spotting her and getting her senior brothers to rescue her, she didn’t know where she’d be now. This grace had always been remembered in her heart, also being the reason she insisted on befriending Gu Qingqing when they met for the second time.

This wasn’t something proud for Yun Ran, so she hadn’t mentioned it in front of Zhuo Tingqiu before. Hearing Yun Ran’s words now, Zhuo Tingqiu was a bit surprised at first but quickly understood Yun Ran’s feelings for Gu Qingqing.

"Qingqing really is our savior. If it weren’t for Qingqing and Brother Si Lin rescuing me in Qingfeng City back then, I’d have been drained of blood by a demon cultivator, with grass a person tall growing on my grave by now." Zhuo Tingqiu said emotionally, looking at Gu Qingqing.

Yun Ran nodded vigorously beside him, "Finally, you said something sensible!"

Zhuo Tingqiu was so choked he nearly lost his breath, pointing at Yun Ran, gritting his teeth for a long time, but eventually turning his head away, not looking at Yun Ran.

Winning the argument against Zhuo Tingqiu, Yun Ran proudly raised her head, revealing a bright smile on her face.

Gu Qingqing watched the two of them talking in silence, a faint smile at the corner of her lips.

After arriving at the lodging, Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu helped Gu Qingqing down the carriage from both sides, while Mu Chen went forward to communicate with the inn.

The inn’s lobby was already bustling with people. Upon seeing Gu Qingqing’s group of handsome men and beautiful women, their ambiguous and upfront gazes never stopped.

Fortunately, they were used to such stares and scrutinies, so they didn’t mind, following a waiter to their courtyard instead.

After tidying up slightly, Yun Ran dragged Gu Qingqing out for a stroll, with the others naturally accompanying them.

"Qingqing, let’s see if there are any new jewelry pieces at the Tian Gong Pavilion." Similarly interested in rouge, powder, jewelry, and clothing, Yun Ran was most fascinated by jewelry. Naturally, she wouldn’t miss this opportunity with Gu Qingqing now.

Before Gu Qingqing could nod, Yun Ran had already pulled her towards the nearby Tian Gong Pavilion, with Si Lin and others helplessly tagging along behind.

As one of the top chains in the Xuantian Continent, Tian Gong Pavilion was filled with exquisite items, albeit expensive. Even so, it still drew a crowd, with young ladies shopping alone or with maids, selecting their favorite pieces.

As a Miss of the Yun Family, Yun Ran certainly wouldn’t miss the VIP treatment at Tian Gong Pavilion. Upon entering and presenting her credentials, she was naturally escorted to the second floor to select jewelry.

"Miss Yun, here are some of the latest jewelry pieces from our store. Please have a look." The manager, accompanied by a maid, appeared in the private room, with the maid holding a tray of the newest jewelry from Tian Gong Pavilion.

Yun Ran immediately pulled Gu Qingqing up to browse these exquisite pieces.

"This hairpin is beautiful and suits you, Qingqing." Yun Ran picked up a jade hairpin and held it up to Gu Qingqing’s head.

Gu Qingqing didn’t move her head, allowing Yun Ran to compare.

Just as Yun Ran was getting enthusiastic, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the door.

"I must see who snatched away the jewelry I had my eye on!" said a slightly bossy female voice from outside.

Soon, the door to Gu Qingqing’s private room was pushed open, and a girl barged in with several guards.