"Cheng Gong, this isn't my master's fault, is it!" Before anyone else could react, Zhang Chen was the first to get angry.
Everyone knew Li Chonglou was his master now.
Cheng Gong clearly wasn't giving Li Chonglou face, and it was obvious he wasn't giving him face either.
Lin Ying didn't even need to speak; he was already riled up.
"Hmph, people who meddle in other people's business are all sick," Cheng Gong said, his words laced with double meaning, without even looking at him.
Lin Ying's pretty face turned cold, and she was about to speak.
Li Chonglou gently placed a hand on her back and asked calmly, "Where's Professor Song? Why isn't he here?"
These kinds of people had mouths fouler than dogs.
He couldn't stoop to their level just because he was bitten by a dog, could he?
Engaging with him would only make him more arrogant.
Teamwork and unity were paramount, and Li Chonglou didn't want to be the one to disrupt that.
Besides, he wasn't Zhang Chen; mere verbal sarcasm was inconsequential to him.
Lin Ying glanced at her junior disciple, a look of appreciation in her eyes, and her smile returned.
Li Chonglou's mental fortitude was even stronger than hers, and she couldn't help but feel fortunate that she had let him participate in the archaeological expedition.
Although Cheng Gong was sharp-tongued and rash, he was, after all, Professor Song's student and a member of the team she was responsible for protecting. Internal conflict before the work had even begun was not something she wished for.
"Oh, Professor Song is researching the ancient tomb's information and said not to wait for him," Zhao Zheng quickly chimed in, seeing the situation.
This exchange effectively sidelined Cheng Gong.
Seeing Cheng Gong's iron-grey face twitch slightly, Zhang Chen couldn't help but chuckle a couple of times.
He had to admit Li Chong楼's methods were impressive; by simply ignoring him without argument or dispute, he had effectively shut him down.
No humiliation was more effective or satisfying than this.
No one liked Cheng Gong's venomous tongue, but because they were familiar with him, they tolerated it.
Now, finally, someone could deal with him.
"Since Teacher Song isn't coming, we'll have someone send food up later," Lin Ying added. "We'll eat and then get some rest."
"Tomorrow morning, we'll head to Hongdou Valley at the foot of Mengding Mountain where the ancient tomb is located."
These few words temporarily diffused the awkwardness among everyone, and the dishes were soon served.
Zhao Zheng had arranged for Yuchi's authentic Jiudaodao cuisine, and the restaurant had steamed a Ya fish.
After everyone had a satisfying meal, they returned to their respective rooms.
Just as Li Chonglou was about to close his door, Lin Ying followed him inside.
She picked up the kettle, filled it with some water, and put it on to boil. Seeing Lin Ying already seated on the sofa, he asked, "Senior sister, do you have something to tell me?"
"Do you know why Cheng Gong has such strong animosity towards you?" Lin Ying smiled slightly and patted the space beside her.
Li Chong楼 sat down next to her, and immediately a faint, serene fragrance wafted towards him.
It wasn't perfume, but a unique body scent.
It made his heart flutter slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and sat up straight.
He had always respected his senior sister immensely, both in his previous life and this one.
He had even subconsciously never considered that she was a woman.
It was only at this moment, so close to her, that he realized this.
Senior sister was not only excellent but also beautiful, especially her unique, unconventional aura, which was unlike that of ordinary women.
But no matter what, she was still his respected senior sister.
How could he have any inappropriate thoughts? He desperately suppressed the fluctuations in his heart and calmly said, "My skills are still far from master's; I can't figure it out."
"It's because of that watch ring. After we returned last time, we each researched the artifacts. Cheng Gong was originally in charge of the watch ring."
"But then Zhang Chen, not following the rules, took the watch ring back without permission, and you happened to reveal its origin."
"Originally, he could have used this paper to become a professor, but now that's impossible."
"You've blocked his path to promotion, so it's no wonder he's targeting you."
"If it were me, I'd be uncomfortable too."
Hearing this, Li Chong楼 finally understood.
No wonder Cheng Gong's face turned dark the moment he saw him.
And Zhang Chen had spoken up for him; it turned out there was this connection between them.
However, this was of no consequence to him.
The matter of the watch ring was in the past, and he didn't care about Cheng Gong; it was just a few unpleasant words, nothing that could hurt him.
"Senior sister, don't worry. I wouldn't harbor resentment and disrupt unity," Li Chong楼 stated his position.
Lin Ying waved her hand slightly. "I'm not afraid of that."
"Why do I feel like you're a bit nervous?"
"Are you afraid of me?"
"Little junior disciple, you're really interesting. My father said you're a dragon among men, a rare find in the world. In my eyes, you seem more like a big boy."
The first half of her sentence was spoken in a very normal tone, but as she got to the latter part, her beautiful eyes were filled with amusement.
This little junior disciple had been tested several times, and each time he had exceeded expectations with his excellence. In her heart, she had already acknowledged his capabilities.
Yet, someone who appeared as calm as an elder in public seemed so constrained like a child in front of her.
This filled her with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
"Ahem, it's not fear, it's concern," Li Chong楼 quickly explained.
He could be unrestrained and fearless with outsiders.
But with family members like his mother and senior sister, he was actually very cautious all the time.
He didn't want to hurt them in any way.
In fact, he knew very well that the more cautious one was, the more likely it was for things to go wrong, but subconsciously, he couldn't change this habit.
It was all because he cared too much.
"I heard that girl today was quite pretty. Are you playing the hero saving the damsel?" Lin Ying chuckled, her beauty blooming like a flower, deliberately teasing him. "As expected, young girls have their advantages; even someone like you would glance at them more."
"Is she as beautiful as your wife and senior sister?"
This...
What kind of a question was this?
Li Chong楼 was instantly dumbfounded.
How had his usually straightforward and chivalrous senior sister suddenly become like a little woman?
Her words put him in a difficult position, as he didn't know whether to answer or not.
A test!
Yes, it must be a test.
Senior sister had a peculiar personality and liked to joke.
If he didn't answer properly, he might face consequences.
A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.
Li Chong楼's mind had never spun as fast as it was now.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, he answered with utmost seriousness, "Their temperament is different, their types are different. I didn't help her because she was beautiful."
"It's because I can't stand public extortion."
"People who like antiques would never allow anyone to tarnish the reputation of antiques to satisfy their own interests."
"Do you also think I was meddling, senior sister?"
This answer was impeccable.
After speaking, Li Chong楼 even felt a bit proud of himself.
He, who was so reluctant to speak falsehoods, had actually dared to weave a lie to fool his senior sister.
Just as he was congratulating himself on getting away with it.
Lin Ying suddenly turned and brought her pretty face close to his, less than a centimeter away.
Her breath was like orchid fragrance, "You've learned to be evasive too."
"What a shame, little junior disciple. If you weren't married, it would be great. Then you could marry into our Lin family as a live-in son-in-law."
"Senior sister would certainly not mistreat you."
In that instant, Li Chong楼's skin crawled, his scalp tingled, and his hair stood on end.
Why would his senior sister suddenly say something like this to him?
Was this still the senior sister he respected like an elder?
Clearly, the usually playful, unconventional, and strong-willed woman had transformed into an incredibly alluring little woman.
This scene was far too unexpected for him.
For a moment, his heart pounded wildly. If his mental fortitude wasn't strong enough, he would have broken out in a cold sweat.