Some things are better left unknown; knowing the truth almost made her laugh in anger.
As for why he called her 'Mother', she remembered it quite vividly.
She recalled him shamelessly flattering her back then, saying how beautiful she was. Having never read much, he couldn't come up with new ways to praise her, and hearing the same old lines over and over again became tiresome.
So she told the big guy to save it, saying she could be his mother…
Who knew that before she could finish, the big guy plopped down on his knees and smoothly called her 'Mother'.
It was quite startling; it utterly stunned her at the time.
Her original intention was to tell him to speak with more respect, not to adopt a son. She quickly said that wasn't what she meant and told him not to call her that again.
Yet, ever since, no matter when they met, he never changed his mind and just kept calling her that.
And so, it became one calling her 'Mother' and the other telling him not to.
If it weren't for the rules of the Land of Exile, making it inconvenient to act in Zhixu City, she felt she would have pulled out his tongue even if she didn't beat this 'cheap son' to death.
She just couldn't understand it.
Even an idiot could see he was trying to curry favor; there was no sincerity. Was there any point in clinging to such a relationship shamelessly? Then, recently, she didn't know what idle curiosity possessed her subordinates, but when they made a delivery, they specifically reported to her, who was outside, about Shi Chun and his group.
They said that the East Nine Plains group had acquired a large amount of supplies, and a whole faction had obtained the qualifications to escape their suffering, with over a hundred people emerging at once.
This was by no means a small number in the Land of Exile; it was an extremely large one, making her somewhat curious.
What was going on?
So she found two quick-witted individuals from the East Nine Plains personnel who had left, saying she wanted to recommend them to work at Far-Gazing Tower, and asked if they were willing.
She was referring to the Far-Gazing Tower outside; Far-Gazing Tower had a vast enterprise in the cultivation world, and Lan Qiaoyan was only responsible for the business in the Land of Exile.
For those who had just left the Land of Exile, being able to join Far-Gazing Tower was an incredible opportunity. How could they not be willing? They were more than willing.
But there were no free lunches in this world; naturally, there were conditions. As a result, these two immediately sold out Shi Chun and his group, recounting the process of obtaining those supplies.
And to curry favor, they spoke at length about both distant and recent events.
Among them, they revealed that Wu Jinliang had called many women 'Mother'.
Calling 'Mother' was secondary; the problem was that most women Wu Jinliang had called 'Mother' had met a bad end, and even worse, some were personally killed by Wu Jinliang's own hand.
Calling 'Mother' to one's face and stabbing them in the back—is that something a human does? Now he still dared to come and call her 'Mother'; it would be strange if she weren't angry.
She could only comfort herself by thinking it was not advisable to act in Zhixu City.
Fortunately, her tolerance seemed decent.
After glaring at the bewildered Wu Jinliang, her gaze fell back on Shi Chun, and her tone became slightly more normal, “Are you leaving?”
She also noticed he was different from usual; Wu Jinliang had a bag and luggage on his back.
Shi Chun nodded gracefully, trying his best to appear refined and gentle, saying, “Precisely.”
Regarding his demeanor, Lan Qiaoyan's smile didn't reach her eyes. He was always pestering her daughter, so how could she not investigate what kind of person this chief of East Nine Plains was? Since this fellow took over, the notorious brutal reputation of East Nine Plains in this area wasn't feigned gentleness; it was earned through killing.
This fellow's hands were stained with countless bloodsheds; he was a truly ruthless killer.
On the surface, she tried to appear nonchalant, saying, “It’s good that you're leaving, but the rules outside are different from the laissez-faire violence here.
Be careful.”
“Yes,” Shi Chun cupped his hands in thanks again, and casually asked, “Proprietress, where is Miss Miao?”
This question left Lan Qiaoyan somewhat speechless.
She didn't know what was going on; could it be a karmic entanglement? She had her daughter running around the twelve cities of the Living Prison, balancing accounts, to let her learn and practice. She wanted her daughter to achieve something at Far-Gazing Tower in the future; how could she do that without knowing how to manage accounts? She also never intended for her daughter to stay in this godforsaken Land of Exile forever.
Coupled with this brat's shameless pursuit and numerous tricks, she was genuinely afraid that over time, her daughter might not be able to resist. It wasn't about looking down on him; it was just that their statuses were too far apart, making them truly unsuitable.
So, three months ago, after her daughter's last visit here to balance accounts, she sent her daughter out, arranging a job for her in Far-Gazing Tower in the outside world.
Well, wouldn't you know it, she turned around, and this fellow had solved all the departure problems for the East Nine Plains group, and he himself was also leaving.
Wasn't this the most impeccable timing? It made her feel as if she had been paving the way for the two young people in advance.
The problem was that Far-Gazing Tower was not a trifling matter, and it wasn't that there would be any problem if she transferred her daughter back or to another place.
It wouldn't be a big problem if she wanted to transfer her, but such casual transfers were inappropriate. How long had it been since she was just transferred? A well-established place has its own rules, and things must be done carefully.
The entire Far-Gazing Tower wasn't just hers to command.
So she was unwilling to tell him her daughter's whereabouts and perfunctorily said, “She has something to do and didn’t come to balance accounts this time.”
The old man by her side, plainly dressed with a face that was both astute and gentle, was known as Old Tan. He was Lan Qiaoyan’s capable assistant and usually a very steady person.
At this moment, hearing Lan Qiaoyan’s words, he couldn't help but chuckle. He seemed to have guessed the proprietress’s thoughts, a clear smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
He knew the proprietress disliked these two young men, yet had a certain appreciation for them. Otherwise, they wouldn't have the qualification for this conversation, nor would they have had so many easy opportunities to interact with Miss Miao.
Some things were indeed clearer to him as an outsider.
Didn’t come? Shi Chun was slightly taken aback.
He had intended to specifically bid farewell to Miss Miao. Although he wouldn't have to pretend to pursue her once he was outside, he had, after all, pretended for so long.
It would be a loss to expose his act just as things were ending. What would people think? Playing with someone's daughter; did they think she was easily provoked? Far-Gazing Tower’s influence was far greater than the Qi family behind Shen Youkun.
Besides, he still wanted to tell Miss Miao about having Far-Gazing Tower's delivery team give them a ride out. With Miss Miao's gentleness and kindness, he assumed she wouldn't refuse.
Her not being here was troublesome.
What else could he do? Shi Chun's calculating gaze landed on Lan Qiaoyan.
He sighed, “What a pity. I'm leaving and can't see Miss Miao one last time.
My heart is truly heavy, filled with immense regret. This sorrow is profound, and I will regret it my whole life.”
He then cupped his hands again, saying, “Proprietress, when you see Miss Miao later, please convey a message from Shi Chun: tell her Shi Chun has left, and may we meet again if fate allows!”
“Alright, noted,” Lan Qiaoyan waved her hand grandly, a hint of mockery in her tone, “Go, go, have a safe journey.”
Wu Jinliang, whose secrets had been exposed, could no longer swagger.
He quietly kept his mouth shut, his large eyes glancing between one person and the other.
His objective not yet achieved, how could Shi Chun give up so easily? He immediately played along with her words, putting on a worried expression, “Proprietress is indeed discerning; you saw that we cannot have a safe journey.”
Did what I just said mean that? Lan Qiaoyan asked herself, almost bewildered by him. Had she expressed herself wrongly? Then she grew a little curious and asked, “Why can't you have a safe journey? What bad deed have you done now?”
Shi Chun spoke sincerely, “The outside world is unfamiliar, and going to an unfamiliar place truly makes one a bit nervous and scared.”
“Hmph,” Lan Qiaoyan chuckled, “You, scared? I find that a bit hard to believe. Do you even have a moment when you’re scared?”
She had paid attention to him and naturally knew that this fellow had done many audacious things in the Land of Exile.
“After all, the way things are done outside is different from here. I heard there are many rules, so I am indeed a bit scared,” Shi Chun explained briefly, then cupped his hands again, “I beg you, Proprietress, to be kind.
When your goods depart later, could you please give us a ride? Allow us to follow the delivery team and learn along the way. Just a small favor, Proprietress, rest assured, we will absolutely not be a nuisance.”
Lan Qiaoyan didn't quibble over such a small matter and readily agreed, “When are you leaving? You can ask Old Tan later.”
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were overjoyed at the words.
Just as they were about to bow in gratitude, Lan Qiaoyan, who was about to turn and leave, let out an 'eh?', stopped, and turned back, a look of suspicion on her face. She asked, “Could it be that you've offended too many people and are afraid of being ambushed outside the gate?”
Whoosh! Shi Chun suddenly moved, pulling a knife from Wu Jinliang's back.
He said calmly, “Though Shi Chun is a scholar, what I am best at is wielding a knife. I fear everything, but I do not fear engaging in a fight.
What is there to fear in living by the sword? Proprietress, do not underestimate Shi Chun. With this knife in hand, I can prove my resolve!”
“And me!” Wu Jinliang shouted, brandishing his large saber in support.
Lan Qiaoyan gave him a cold look, clearly conveying, 'What does that have to do with you?' Wu Jinliang immediately deflated, his saber, no matter how big, useless, and he lowered it.
However, Lan Qiaoyan actually believed Shi Chun's nonsense, believing that this fellow was indeed not afraid of fighting, but that didn't stop her from retorting with a sneer, “A scholar? Have you even seen what a book looks like?”
Shi Chun: “I saw one at Miss Miao’s place.”
He brought her daughter into it again. Lan Qiaoyan didn't want to say another word.
She immediately turned and walked away, giving Old Tan a meaningful look as she did so.
Old Tan immediately understood and nodded, indicating he would make the arrangements.
As Lan Qiaoyan walked away with light steps, she gave Wu Jinliang another hateful glare. She just couldn't understand it; such a dignified, tall man, with proper thick eyebrows and big eyes—he looked like the perfect specimen of a good man—how did he develop the habit of constantly kneeling and calling people 'Mother'?
Knowing the truth, she found it somewhat unacceptable; it was too disgusting.
Knowing that she detested his calling her 'Mother', Wu Jinliang also had a slight look of grievance. At first, he hadn't wanted to do it either, but then, forced by circumstances one time, Chuntian himself didn't want to acknowledge a 'mother', so he convinced Wu Jinliang to go.
Later, he tasted the sweetness of it and got used to it.
It was Chuntian who told him to be sweet-mouthed when he saw Lan Qiaoyan, so he felt quite wronged, feeling that he had sacrificed a lot during Chuntian's ascent to the top of East Nine Plains.
Shi Chun was unaware of his thoughts and only focused on quickly catching up with Old Tan to ask when exactly they would leave.