Chapter 298: Refusal
Facing a smiling Yang Haoran, Luo Dui took a sip of his tea, a smile spreading across his own face as well.
"I did come here today for a reason. First and foremost, I came specifically to thank Emissary Yang. Had it not been for your timely assistance, our Spirit Police would not only have suffered more casualties this time, but Deputy Captain Zhou himself might have met with misfortune. " Luo Dui thanked him with a smile, his words filled with sincerity.
"You're too kind, Luo Dui. We're not just partners, we're friends. I merely did what I ought to do; there's nothing to be grateful for."
Yang Haoran's humility only deepened Luo Dui's gratitude.
"On behalf of all Spirit Police officers, and indeed all ordinary citizens of Lecheng, I thank Emissary Yang. We will remember this kindness. Should you ever need anything in the future, do not hesitate to speak up. Anything within my power, I will do my utmost to assist with. " Luo Dui's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression as he made his pledge to Yang Haoran.
With Luo Dui's promise, Yang Haoran was naturally pleased. Though the average Spirit Police officer's strength might be unremarkable, Luo Dui and Deputy Captain Zhou's combined power was far from weak. Luo Dui, in particular, subtly emanated powerful energy fluctuations from within, his strength far surpassing that of Deputy Captain Zhou.
Though he had never witnessed Luo Dui in action, Yang Haoran had never underestimated the Spirit Police captain. Should he ever come to blows with Luo Dui, Yang Haoran wasn't certain he could emerge victorious.
Moreover, Luo Dui represented the official authority of Lecheng. Gaining official support could significantly reduce trouble in many matters.
While pleased internally, Yang Haoran's expression remained unchanged, maintaining his familiar smile.
The solemnity on Luo Dui's face vanished, replaced by an expression of slight awkwardness.
"Well, *ahem*, there is one more thing. I'd like to meet that cultivated white snake demon you brought back."
Luo Dui was usually a man of few words, but he was quite particular about how he spoke. For instance, just now, he hadn't used the term "snake demon" to refer to Bai Xue, but rather the distinct appellation "cultivated white snake demon."
Yang Haoran had initially thought Luo Dui was here to arrest the snake demon. However, seeing his awkward expression, and hearing his tone and choice of words, he dismissed that suspicion.
"You want to see her? " No sooner had Yang Haoran's questioning voice faded than he sensed something. He then said to Luo Dui, "Coincidentally, she's here."
Not only had Yang Haoran sensed it, but Luo Dui had as well. Both men's gazes turned towards the study door.
The snake demon, clad in sportswear, appeared in the doorway. A captivating smile graced her face. She first glanced at Yang Haoran, then her gaze settled on Luo Dui.
Luo Dui's expression froze. The snake demon's beauty had exceeded his expectations. In all his life, he had never seen such a beautiful woman.
However, he was not an ordinary man after all. His momentary daze lasted but an instant before he regained his composure.
"You're looking for me? Are you here to arrest me? " The snake demon walked into the study, her face still bearing that smile, and asked Luo Dui.
"Of course not, you've misunderstood. I'm here today because. . ."
Before Luo Dui could finish speaking, Yang Haoran stood up. Then, with a smile, he said, "You two chat. I'll go check on the child."
Yang Haoran perceived that Luo Dui seemed to have something important to discuss with the snake demon. So, without waiting for Luo Dui to speak, he found an excuse to leave the study, giving the space to Luo Dui and the snake demon.
Luo Dui did not stop Yang Haoran from leaving. Instead, he nodded gratefully towards Yang Haoran, expressing his heartfelt thanks.
After Yang Haoran left, only Luo Dui and the snake demon remained in the study.
Yang Haoran didn't intentionally listen to their conversation in the study, nor did he have any intention of eavesdropping. He went downstairs, arriving at the counter on the first floor.
Xiao Kang was currently diligently studying at the counter. A children's educational video played on the computer. The little fellow watched intently. Even when Yang Haoran came to stand beside him, he didn't notice.
Yang Haoran lightly patted the little boy's shoulder. The child startled. Seeing Yang Haoran standing beside him, a smile immediately bloomed on his face.
"Uncle Yang, why do you have time to come down today? Didn't an uncle just arrive? Aren't you going to keep him company? " the little boy asked with a smile.
"That uncle wasn't looking for Uncle Yang, so Uncle Yang doesn't need to keep him company. " As he spoke, Yang Haoran glanced at the clothes the little boy was wearing, and continued with a chuckle, "Didn't Uncle Yang buy you new clothes yesterday? Why aren't you wearing them?"
"That outfit is too beautiful; I couldn't bear to wear it, so I put it away. Mommy said all children wear new clothes for New Year's, so I. . . I want to wait until then to wear it. " the little boy replied with a smile.
"You've collected so many new clothes you can barely count them all. Will you be able to wear them all by New Year's? " Yang Haoran asked with a laugh.
Ever since Xiao Kang was adopted by Yang Haoran, Old Master Wu would send him new clothes every other day, and Yang Haoran had bought him quite a few as well. But the little boy always couldn't bear to wear them, treating them like precious treasures and collecting them.
"It's okay if I can't wear them all; I can wait until next New Year's to wear them. " the little boy said.
"You're growing every day. If you wait too long, they won't fit anymore. " Yang Haoran said.
"But. . . but I already have two sets of clothes now, enough for changing and washing. And they're both brand new; it would be such a waste to swap them out. " Xiao Kang said.
"If you don't wear them, and they eventually don't fit, wouldn't it be even more of a waste to throw them away? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.
"Why would I throw them away? If they really don't fit me then, I can give them to other children who need them. Children without clothes are very pitiful; I used to be like that."
Yang Haoran was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Xiao Kang to say something like that.
The hearts of innocent children are the purest and kindest. But as they grow older day by day, and their exposure to society becomes wider and more frequent, how many will ultimately be able to preserve that innocence, that kindness?
No one could say for certain what the future held, or what Xiao Kang would become; he didn't know either. But for now, he knew that Xiao Kang was, at the very least, a kind-hearted child.
However, if this kindness persisted, he wasn't sure if it would be a blessing or a curse for Xiao Kang.
Shaking his head with a smile, Yang Haoran cast aside this question that wouldn't yield an immediate answer. He gently stroked Xiao Kang's head and said, "Stay a bit further from the computer. Sitting too close isn't a good habit."
Xiao Kang was very obedient, immediately doing as Yang Haoran instructed and moving his chair back a bit.
"Xiujuan, don't push the child too hard. Let him rest appropriately. He needs to learn, but you can't let him lose his childhood. " Yang Haoran spoke to the Soul-Gathering Bead hanging on Xiao Kang's chest.
"I. . . " Xiujuan hesitated, seemingly wanting to say more, but then she spoke, "I understand, Emissary."
In truth, Xiujuan wanted to say that her time was limited. That was why she wished to witness her child's growth as much as possible within her remaining time. However, she kept those words to herself, fearing they might affect the child if spoken.
As Xiujuan's voice faded, footsteps echoed from the staircase. Yang Haoran's gaze turned towards the stairwell, just in time to see Luo Dui's disappointed expression.
Yang Haoran was somewhat surprised. He had assumed Luo Dui would speak with the snake demon for a long time, but he hadn't expected their conversation to conclude in mere minutes.
"Luo Dui, you're done talking so soon? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.
Luo Dui forced a faint smile onto his face. Then, he nodded at Yang Haoran.
"Yes, we're done. But the result wasn't quite ideal."
Luo Dui didn't elaborate on what he had discussed with the snake demon, so Yang Haoran didn't proactively ask.
"You didn't get the result you wanted? You didn't consider trying more, giving up so quickly? " Yang Haoran said with a smile.
Luo Dui shook his head, his expression turning somewhat helpless. He replied, "It's not that I've given up, but it's certainly impossible to continue talking today. She has already refused me, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation. So, I'll have to come back another day."
"Refused you? " Yang Haoran's expression turned a little strange.
Luo Dui, seeing the odd look on Yang Haoran's face, spoke with a speechless expression, "Please don't get the wrong idea. Thank you for your time today; I'll come again another day."
Comments