The Beauty CEO's Personal Expert

Chapter 1516 - 1822: A More Mature Master Su

"Ling Chen, long time no see." Su Mei stood up, walked gracefully to stand in front of Ling Chen, and gave a faint smile, like a hundred flowers blooming all at once, incomparably gorgeous. That blend of innocence and sultriness made Ling Chen freeze on the spot.

Tsk tsk! This chick is really getting more and more outrageous. Innocence and sultriness are supposed to be two extremes, yet both kinds of charm appeared on Su Mei at the same time, which was truly surprising. However, Ling Chen had to admit that this kind of charm was indeed hard to resist.

As the saying goes, "With one backward glance, a hundred charms are born, making all the powdered faces of the six palaces lose their color." This ancient line fit Su Mei quite well.

"Master Su, I’m very glad to see you." After speaking, Ling Chen glanced around the council hall and asked, "Why don’t I see Elder Du?"

"Elder Du has some matters to deal with and can’t spare the time to come receive you for the moment. I’ll apologize on his behalf first."

"You’re too polite, Master Su. Elder Du is a senior, I should be the one visiting him. How could we trouble him to come receive us?"

"Thank you for your understanding." Su Mei smiled sweetly, then turned her gaze toward Ling Gengqiu beside him. After sizing him up twice, a barely noticeable gleam flashed across her eyes.

"Ling Chen, you still haven’t introduced me."

"This is my elder Ling. He insisted on tagging along to Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion to broaden his horizons, so let’s just ignore him." Ling Chen didn’t mention Ling Gengqiu’s name. Come on, Su Mei knew who Ling Gengqiu was, and not only that, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had detailed files on Ling Gengqiu. Back then, it was Su Mei who gave him those files, which was why he understood Ling Gengqiu’s past so well.

"Song, could you trouble yourself to take my elder around for a stroll? I’ve got something to talk over with Master Su."

"Alright. Ling, this way, please!"

Watching Song Ge and Ling Gengqiu leave, Ling Chen and Su Mei both sat down. In the huge council hall, only the two of them remained.

"Ling Chen, you came all the way from East Sea City to Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. What’s the matter?"

Ling Chen opened his mouth and said, "Master Su..." Before he could continue, Su Mei suddenly raised her hand to stop him, and said with some dissatisfaction, "When did you become so distant? Didn’t you used to just call me by my name? How come now it’s ’Master’ this and ’Master’ that every time you open your mouth? Do you not see me as a friend anymore?"

"That’s not how it is. Private friendship is one thing, but right now we’re respectively representing Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and Dragon Tiger Hall, so we can’t address each other as friends." Ling Chen smiled and said, "Of course, if you’re willing to give me some preferential treatment for the sake of our friendship, I’d be more than happy to talk to you as a friend."

"You’re right." Su Mei nodded slightly and said, "I was being a bit immature. So go ahead, what did you come to me for?"

"Master Su, it was Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion that first proposed rectifying the Martial Arts Association. Now that the rectification is done, I wonder if you’re satisfied with the result?"

Hearing this, Su Mei gave Ling Chen a meaningful look and said, "Nothing in this world is absolutely perfect. There are things to be satisfied with and things to be dissatisfied with. That’s inevitable."

As expected!

Ling Chen rubbed his nose. Su Mei had learned to talk like an official now. What she said sounded very reasonable, but in fact contained nothing.

"Then what do you think of Qi Yong as a person?" Ling Chen simply tore off the fig leaf and asked outright.

"He’s a man with ambition and scheming. Ling Chen, why did you suddenly bring him up? Don’t tell me you’re very interested in him?"

"Don’t!" Ling Chen hurriedly waved his hand. "Watch your wording, please. What do you mean I’m interested in him? I’m not gay. I’m a real man and only interested in beauties—for example, great beauties like Master Su." As he said this, Ling Chen deliberately let his gaze linger for a moment on Su Mei’s two full mounds.

Feeling where Ling Chen’s eyes had landed, Su Mei’s pretty face flushed red. She shifted a bit uneasily, turning her side toward Ling Chen.

"Haven’t seen you for a while, and you’ve really gotten better at talking." Su Mei rolled her eyes at Ling Chen, a hint of playful reproach in her tone.

"Can’t be helped. People always say my IQ is high but my EQ is low, so I’ve got to make up for my shortcomings." Pausing for a moment, Ling Chen shifted back to the main topic, his expression turning serious. "I heard Qi Yong came looking for you."

"I also heard he went to see you."

"Since that’s the case, let’s not beat around the bush. We both know exactly what Qi Yong is after. To be blunt, whether it’s for Dragon Tiger Hall or Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Qi Yong is like a ticking time bomb. He could explode at any time and hurt both our forces. Before that happens, I hope we can take precautions early."

"You mean... weed Qi Yong out? Didn’t you tell me back then that only healthy competition between each other can allow the Martial Arts world to develop? Wouldn’t doing this go against your original intention?"

"There’s nothing wrong with healthy competition, but please listen carefully: I said healthy, not vicious. Qi Yong came to us for cooperation purely to join one side and suppress the other, then reap enough benefits from that to strengthen himself and seize greater discourse power. Master Su, do you think that still counts as healthy competition?"

Su Mei lowered her head slightly, as if mulling something over, and didn’t respond immediately.

Seeing this, Ling Chen went on, "Master Su, like I said just now, I only want to take preventive measures in advance, nothing more. I hope you understand."

"I understand. But I still need to think this over carefully. After all, every decision we make now could affect the future development of the Martial Arts world."

"Of course." Ling Chen nodded with a smile and said, "I’m not asking you to answer me right away. Don’t worry, I’ll give you plenty of time to consider it."

"Thank you! You’ve been rushing about all this way, you must be tired. I’ll arrange lodgings for you first so you can rest early. Once I’ve thought it through, I’ll come find you."

"Alright, then I won’t disturb you."

Leaving the council hall, Ling Chen waited outside the tall tower for a while. Soon, he saw Song Ge walking over with Ling Gengqiu.

"Ling, come on, I’ll take you to see your rooms."

Not long after, under Song Ge’s arrangements, Ling Chen and Ling Gengqiu were each settled into a room. On top of that, Su Mei also assigned four Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Disciples to stand guard outside. Officially it was to serve them better, but Ling Chen knew very well this was open surveillance.

After a short rest, by dusk, Ling Gengqiu came in from outside. Seeing Ling Chen, who had just finished dinner, he said, "You full? I’ll take you out for a walk."

Ling Chen picked up a napkin, wiped the oil from the corner of his mouth, and asked, "Elder, where do you want to take me? I’ve been to Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion a few times already. There’s nothing much to see. I’d rather stay in the room and sleep if I’ve got the time."

"Cut the crap." Ling Gengqiu kicked Ling Chen lightly. "Come with me, I’ll take you somewhere."