When Qiao Moyu saw Ye Peicheng staring at her, her first reaction was to flee.
Within 0.01 seconds, her legs were ready and prepared for her to run away, but as her brain spun, she realized another problem:
If she ran away, wouldn't this be revealing where the three hundred taels of silvers are stored?!
(T/N: Chinese idiom meaning that a person wants to conceal something but ends up getting exposed instead. It's based on a folk tale where a man named Zhang San who buried money, fearing others would steal it. He left the note: 'There is no 302 taels hidden here.' Meanwhile, the neighbor Wang Er stole the money and left the note: 'Wang Er from next door did not steal.')
Moreover, her Spiritual Void Sect had just been established. As the Sect Leader, if she saw someone she was familiar with, and immediately ran away... wouldn't she end up discrediting her own brand?!
After all, she really wasn't bluffing. She truly had skill for opening the light!
What's more, Ye Peicheng might not even recognize her if she was dressed up like this!
With that in mind, Qiao Moyu's mood was at ease. She took a deep breath and put on a detached expression. She looked at Ye Peicheng indifferently, and waved her hand towards Luo Luo. "Come here."
She had to make sure not to let Luo Luo out of her sight!
Luo Luo was very obedient. When he saw his mother calling him, he immediately ran towards Qiao Moyu with his short stubby legs.
Qiao Moyu extended her hand and held onto Luo Luo's hand. The two of them stood together. They were dressed in the same style and color of Taoist robes, just like how a river crab would attract other river crabs of the same color.
Ye Peicheng indifferently raised his eyebrows. His deep eyes were locked onto Qiao Moyu, but he did not say anything. There was an indifferent and deep look on his face.
Qiao Mo Yu wasn't sure if he suspected anything or not, so she didn't dare to speak up. She was only waiting to say goodbye to Lu Beige before she left immediately.
At this moment, Lu Beige finally finished recording his inspiration.
He held the paper in ecstasy, obviously very satisfied with the work he had just produced. When he turned around, he realized that the Enlightenment has already ended. Meanwhile, the cool breeze from the Wutong Courtyard blew past. There was a slight chill on his back. Was it the water from a talisman?
"Taoist Priest Qing Yin, I'm really sorry, I was too engrossed just now!" After Lu Beige finished, he turned and looked at Ye Peicheng. His eyes were full of gratitude, but could only say one sentence: "Peicheng, thank you for coming!"
Ye Peicheng nodded. His eyes seemed to pass over Qiao Moyu as he said to Lu Beige, "Are these two your friends as well?"
"Yes, these two are the great experts of the Spiritual Void Sect. I have invited them to help open up my studio!" As Lu Beige spoke, he smiled wryly, "The present is different from the past. Peicheng, I can only place my hopes on fate!"
Ye Peicheng did not comment, instead he said, "It's about time. The reporter I've invited is just outside. Let's begin."
When Qiao Moyu heard that there were also reporters, she panicked. However, she was the Sect Leader; she couldn't lose her prestige!
In the next second, Ye Peicheng looked at her and said meaningfully, "It may be time to make this Taoist wait in the side chamber."
Lu Beige came to his senses and apologized to Qiao Moyu. Then, he led her and Luo Luo to the side hall.
"Fellow Taoist, I am really sorry. I couldn't arrange it properly, so I can only let you two suffer a bit!" As Lu Beige spoke, he brought two plates of food over. One plate of fruit, one plate of various nuts. "I wonder what the two of you would like to eat? I'll let you down for a bit..."
As he was speaking, Luo Luo opened his mouth. "Uncle, mom- master said that Luo Luo cannot eat things given to him by strangers! "
Qiao Moyu: "..."
She sweated, afraid that Luo Luo would expose her again. After Lu Beige left, she picked Luo Luo up and put him on her lap, speaking softly, "Baobei, remember that when we come out in this outfit, you have to call mommy 'master.' Also, when you meet people you know, pretend not to know them, so don't ever greet them. "
The little one did not understand why. His confused and big eyes were filled with questions as they locked onto Qiao Moyu.
Qiao Moyu thought for a moment and then gave him a reason: "Because we are the heroes that are saving the world, and just like the heroes in Peter Pan, we are not allowed to speak carelessly!"
When the little one heard this, he immediately understood. He puffed out his chest. Giving a very serious look: "Luo Luo knows! Heroes only fight, they don't speak! "
Chapter 85
Qiao Mo Yu: "..." Come to think of it, let's do it this way for the time being!
She sat on the sofa and peeled grapes for Luo Luo, who was eating them one by one. His lips was shiny as he asked, "Master is feeding Luo Luo. Since you're not a stranger, it's okay for me to eat."
"Mmm, Luo Luo is really smart!" Qiao Moyu bent over and kissed him.
Outside, the reporters were interviewing Lu Beige. Meanwhile, anyone with even the slightest bit of color could see that most of the footage regarding Lu Beige actually included Ye Peicheng. They mentioned some of news related to Ye Peicheng, just for the sake of Lu Beige.
By the end of the interview, Luo Luo had eaten plenty of grapes and melon seeds. The little toddler heard a sound coming from the door and immediately jumped down from Qiao Moyu's leg. He straightened its back and tried to look calm and composed.
Lu Beige came in and smiled: "The interviews over there have ended, I've prepared lunch, let's have lunch together!"
Qiao Moyu was aware of Ye Pei City's existence, so then, how could they be willing to go? She immediately waved her hand, "There are some mundane matters over at the Taoist temple. We won't disturb Teacher Lu!"
After saying so, she pulled Luo Luo out, took the props, and was about to leave.
However, at this time, Ye Pecheng's voice came from behind them, "Are the two Taoists going to drive back?"
Qiao Mo Yu's heart skipped a beat. She turned her head and said, "We plan to walk."
Without saying any more to her, Ye Peicheng had already stood to bid farewell to Lu Beige, saying that he had something to do at noon and would not be able to attend the banquet.
When Qiao Mo Yu heard this, she could not help but regret her decision. If she knew earlier, she would have stayed here to eat for free!
She held Luo Luo as they walked through an alley at an old section of the imperial city. The noonday sun shone down on them. Since they were dressed in Taoist robes, their bodies felt a bit hot while their foreheads were covered in a layer of sweat.
At that moment, the sound of a car came from beside him. Qiao Mo Yu's gaze shifted until she caught sight of Ye Peicheng.
Ye Pecheng's fingers bent slightly behind the window, tapping lightly on the black steering wheel. His eyes shone with an unfathomable light: "The drama crew didn't pay you?"
Qiao Mo Yu's hand trembled.
Ye Peicheng's gaze grew deeper as he spoke gently, "If you want to act as someone else, you should make sure to cover up all the details."
Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but wonder, 'How in the world did Ye Peicheng recognize her?!'
So then, he deliberately pretended not to know until now?
And here she was, a mother who brought her son to pretend to be a Taoist...what was this feeling of being caught red-handed by an acquaintance?
Qiao Mo Yu simply shrugged. "Shadow Emperor, did you recognize me at first glance?"
"At first, I just felt that it was a little familiar." Ye Pecheng stopped the car, opened the door, and got out.
He pulled Qiao Mengyu's forearm up and pointed at the burn on his wrist. "This place allows me to confirm your identity."
The robe was rather long. When she left earlier, Qiao Mo Yu had rolled up her sleeves due to the hot temperature. Thus, Ye Pei Cheng was clearly able to see the wounds on her wrist.
At that time, he didn't know how to describe his feelings. How many girls has he met like the one in front of him now? She actually disguised herself as a Taoist Priest to swindle money from someone. How could she think of doing such a thing?
The alley was empty at noon. The narrow stone road was quiet except for the occasional whistle from the distant street.
Ye Peicheng glanced down at the two 'Taoists' in front of him from a high vantage point. It was easy to tell that the taller one of the two was obviously a girl; only a fool like Lu Beige would truly mistake her for a man.
As for the little one, he was clearly a toddler that had just been weaned.
He rubbed his brows in a troubled manner, squatted down, and said to Luo Luo, "Baby, I'll go and-"
For a moment, he suddenly had no idea how to address Qiao Moyu in front of this kid. Ye Peicheng continued, "-talk to her for a moment. Baobei, you can wait for us on the side.
Chapter 86
After listening, Luo Luo nodded obediently. Anyways, it should be fine as long as he didn't make a sound.
Perhaps he felt that he had yet to become someone like Peter Pan, so he took out his plastic 'peach wooden sword' that Qiao Moyu gifted him and pointed it at Ye Peicheng. He stuck out his small belly and looked up with a solemn expression.
Ye Peicheng was left speechless. He stood up, glanced at Qiao Moyu and said with a serious voice, "Follow me."
Qiao Moyu felt a surge of pressure for some reason.
She followed his footsteps about three meters before stopping. Then she raised her head and showed a flattering smile as she spoke softly, "Film Emperor Ye, about this matter, is it okay if you keep it a secret?"
Her voice had always been soft, but when she deliberately added a tinge of gentleness, listening to her was like having a cat reach out to gently poke his heart. Ye Peicheng frowned even more. He took a step forward and sternly asked, "Where did the child come from?"
Qiao Mo Yu's gaze shifted. She took two steps back, only to realize that there wasn't any space left. Her back was pressed against the brick wall in this narrow alley with way to avoid him.
"The child-" Qiao Moyu pursed her lips. "He's the 32nd successor of our Spiritual Void Sect..."
Ye Peicheng's eyes narrowed as he placed one hand on the wall beside her face. His upper body leaned over and he spoke with a low voice, "Qiao Moyu, you are now a public figure. Do you know the consequences if news spread out that you're teaching superstitions to children?"
His words, was the situation really that serious? Qiao Moyu gulped. She looked up and grinned at the man. "Film Emperor Ye, you won't expose me, right?"
When she was young, she would often coop up in her room after doing something bad. Each time she was caught red-handed by her brother, she would try out her luck by acting cute.
But now, she was trying to act cute in front of another man; she didn't know if it would work with him. Seeing that Ye Peicheng remained motionless, Qiao Moyu thought for a moment before speaking, "You know Director Wang, right? His movies are on fire right now."
"So what are you trying to say?" Ye Peicheng replied with a heavy look in his eyes.
"What I want to say is, actually, I have a true ability, and this is not just some old superstition." Qiao Moyu blinked and said with a reasonable tone, "Why don't you wait and see if Lu Beige will become popular? If his album doesn't meet success, I'll wash my hands clean and never pursue the position of a Taoist ever again. But if he succeeds, that proves that I'm not bluffing? Isn't your family involved in business? If the future, I can help your family prosper for free..."
"So, you're trying to bribe me?" Ye Peicheng stood very close to Qiao Moyu, to the point where they can hear each other's breathing. A cool breeze swept over. There was a light, sweet smell that teased the tip of his nose.
"That's not what I mean! I just feel that we're more familiar with each other. Perhaps your father, who's a businessman, might believe in Kai Guang and fortune. Rather than looking for an outsider who may not have the ability, why not have me do it instead-"
"Qiao Moyu!" Ye Peicheng interrupted her. "How much money do you need?"
"Ah?" "I'm not lacking..." Qiao Mo Yu shook her head. "I'm really not lacking. If you don't believe me, go and ask Lu Beige. I don't charge any fees!"
"So -" A smile appeared on Ye Peicheng's face as the pressure around him intensified. "Are you trying to say that you're doing charity?"
"I -" Qiao Mo Yu didn't know why Ye Peicheng was so hard to deal with. Could it be, does she want him to touch her so she can lead him forward and show money on the ground, that way he can see for himself? But then, would he think she was a monster?
Just when she didn't know what to say, Luo Luo Luo ran over, grabbed ahold of Qiao Moyu's arm, then looked up urgently at Ye Peicheng. He really seemed to be in a rush, since before pulling his mother along with him, he managed to quickly say, "Master, Luo Luo needs to pee!"