However, after today’s meeting, Old Master An developed a hint of admiration for Duan Yuntian. Previously, he had only heard through the grapevine how remarkable the Head of Muyun Society was, and now, he had finally witnessed it with his own eyes. In both demeanor and speech, Duan Yuntian impressed Old Master An tremendously.
As the saying goes, heroes appreciate other heroes, and both Old Master An and Duan Yuntian were men of hearty and generous character. After just a few words, they found themselves getting along famously and clicking wonderfully. In merely a few short minutes, they had gone from strangers to old friends, as if they had known each other for years.
While Duan Yuntian, Old Master Gu, and Old Master An were engaged in an animated and spirited conversation on one side, Duan Tang, clad in white, and Gu Yelin, dressed in black, stood facing each other from a not-too-distant space, gazing intently into each other’s eyes. The earnestness and focus in their eyes almost made Ruan Hao mistakenly think they were involved in an illicit affair.
Just when Ruan Hao could no longer bear their concentrated stares and was about to separate the two, the usually silent Duan Tang suddenly spoke up.
"Take good care of her. If the girl suffers even the slightest grievance, I will immediately snatch her away from you."
Gu Yelin’s dark eyes deepened as he said, word by word, "You won’t have the chance."
"What chance? What are you two talking about?" At this moment, a flirtatious voice came from nearby.
Gu Yelin and Duan Tang turned their heads and to their surprise, it was Bai Yiming, clad in red. Beside him stood Old Master Bai and Bai Yiming’s parents.
Seeing the bright, festive red suit on Bai Yiming, Old Master Gu’s eyebrows twitched violently, and his brow instantly furrowed deeply.
"I say, Old Bai, your outfit today..."
"Ahem! Ahem!" Old Master Bai suddenly began to cough violently, interrupting Old Master Gu, "Brother Gu, don’t bother with this rascal. He’s used to sauntering around Xuandu City in red clothes every day, all sultry and smug. Despite my Herculean efforts, I couldn’t peel that outfit off him. It’s truly a misfortune for our family!"
As Old Master Bai spoke more apologetically, Old Master Gu quickly changed the subject.
"What are you talking about, Brother Bai? Everyone knows what kind of temperament Old Bai has. He parades around in red every day through Xuandu City, and unless something really happens, that ghastly color seems to be painted on him." Old Master Gu looked up at Bai Yiming and then turned to observe Gu Yelin before nodding satisfactorily. "Well, looking all around, it seems that my Lao San looks the most like a bridegroom after all."
Old Master Gu’s words were laden with meaning. Upon hearing them, the seductive expression on Bai Yiming’s face instantly stiffened. In fact, on a day like today, he really shouldn’t have worn red, but thinking about An Yiqing throwing herself into Gu Yelin’s arms, Bai Yiming felt exceptionally disgruntled. Of course, he wouldn’t do something excessive to upset An Yiqing, but wearing red to irritate Gu Yelin wasn’t a bad idea, right?
Bai Yiming had schemed thoroughly, but was outplayed by the cunning Old Master Gu.
Fine, no matter how he dressed, he indeed was not the groom. Bai Yiming pursed his lips, grumbling inwardly.
"What were you two discussing just now? What’s this about snatching someone away?" Seeing his plan foiled, Bai Yiming quickly changed the topic, asking Gu Yelin.
"It’s nothing, just a solemn promise between men," Duan Tang said with a slight smile, his face beaming, but his eyes bereft of any amusement.
Bai Yiming arched his elegant eyebrows, looking at Gu Yelin with a playful gaze, then at Duan Tang, inwardly guessing the content of their promise.