AQR1: A Peerless Genius from Two Cities [COMPLETED]

3: Ming People

Then they started making their way to the Chief's house... or more likely, a temple.

Sa harap nito ay ang malawak na training ground at sa ibaba lang ng bundok ay ang mismong temple house na ang naroroon.

(A/N: 😱 Help me with Chinese traditions and cultures)

We walked in the middle of the training ground hanggang sa makarating kami doon sa temple house.

***

The hosts were all men. Actually, an old man and three young men. Yung old man yung tinatawag nila na Chief habang yung tatlo naman ay ang mga apprentice niya.

The three young men were obviously close with Franco dahil agad silang nabatian.

"Nasaan si Lie Chen?"

"Nilamon na naman siguro ng barracks."

"Alam niyo naman iyon." Sabi ni Franco na natatawa pa.

"Hindi ba sila pupunta dito?"

"Susunod daw sila." Singit ni Francis sa usapan nila.

Agad naman silang bumati kay Francis na inumpisahan silang biruin nito.

Then they all stopped ng lumabas na yung chief.

"Chief Cao Wei..." Everyone gave him respect at agad naman siyang ngumiti. Nilapitan niya si Francis na nag-umpisa ng ipakilala sila isa isa.

"Chief, eto po si Shin Hans, kapatid ko at ang asawa niya na si Shelly. These are their children, Shantal, Sabrina and Samuel. At eto naman ang pamangkin namin sa yumao kong kapatid na si Emerald Hans. She has been staying with our family for six months now."

Like the rest, Emy had bowed. But she noticed na nagstay sa kanya ang mata nung chief.

"Come near, young miss."

Nagulat man ay lumapit na din siya dito. Tapos ay saka nito sinuri siya. It caused Emy a little bit of awkwardness pero hindi siya nagcomplain.

"What a beauty." He finally said.

Napailing na sabay sabay sila Franco. But Emy felt different. It feels like this Chief can see through her.

Hindi nga ba kadalasan sa mga kagaya niyang chief ay considered din na mga wise men?

Nginitian siya nito ng makahulugan bago kinausap ng muli sila Francis.

Si Sammy naman ay muling kumapit sa kanya.

Actually, naging babysitter na nga siya ni Sammy sa buong araw eh. Habang sila ay kanya kanyang usap ay siya ay busy sa pagbabantay kay Sammy. Ayos lang naman sa kanya since hindi siya ganoon kahusay makisocialize.

Halata naman sa dami ng kakilala niya mula sa Grey City, di ba? And Emy is no different at all.

Maya maya ay dumating na sila Lie Zhang at Lie Chen at pinakilala na naman sila isa isa.

"You are Emerald?" Gulat na tanong ni Lie Chen. Agad naman siyang tumango. "Wow... I am surprised these guys have not started hitting on you yet." Sabay turo pa niya sa mga binata na kasama ni Franco gamit ang kanyang pamaypay.

He is also a young man. Probably a year or two older than Franco. But he looks so prestine as he is wearing white all over at nakatali sa likuran niya ang mahaba niyang buhok.

"Yah, Lie Chen, wala namang ganyanan." Sabi nung ipanakilala kanina na Choi Kang, the one who was showing his biceps dahil walang manggas ang kanyang damit.

"Oo nga. Mababait kaya kami." Dagdag naman ni Liu Fu. He is the opposite of Choi Kang na mamuscle masyado. He's lean like the other one but he seems to be the type na masyadong maloko.

"Actually, they have started with my nicest cousin first." Franco said saka tumawa ng malakas.

Hindi naman napigilan na taasan ng kilay si Franco. Is he implying that she is not nice?

Agad naman siyang siniko nung katabi niya sa kanan na si Wei Haow nang makita nito ang naging reaksyon niya. Then Franco got the signal and looked at Emy. His laughing gradually stopped.

Si Emy naman ay tumingin ulit kay Lie Chen. "Brother Lie Chen, Grandpa Lie Zhang, it is my pleasure to receive your kindness by letting me live under your roof kasama sila Uncle Francis at Aunty Feng kahit na hindi niyo po ako kadugo."

Hindi nakaligtas kay Franco na hindi siya binggit ng dalaga. Nangunot ang noo niya. Mukhang nainis na naman ito sa kanya ah. Kakaayos lang nila noong isang araw eh.

"Don't mention it, Emy. Relatives of Francis is our relatives too." Sabi naman ni Lie Zhang. He has the same aura of Uncle Francis. Strict and strong aura. The kind na mahirap galitin dahil panigurado hindi ka na aabutan ng bukas. Unlike the Chief's aura na may pagkamysterious at laidback na attitude.

Emy smiled at saka tumabi na kay Lie Feng. Then Franco met her eyes. She just smirked at him.

***