Chapter 42
Chapter 42 - From the Faang Family
Grandmaster!
The ranks of the Whisperers were divided into master and grandmaster.
One could become a master with dedication and practice, but becoming a grandmaster required exceptional talent.
After all, a grandmaster could establish their own sect.
As Zhou Qishan concluded, disbelief shone in Lan Qingqing's eyes.
She understood the significance of being a grandmaster.
“Miss Lan, you've witnessed my gambling prowess. May I take my leave now?” Ye Hao asked, shifting the focus from Zhou Qishan's remarks to Lan Qingqing beside him.
“Young Master Ye, I apologize for the earlier intrusion. Please allow me the opportunity to make amends,” Lan Qingqing implored, her amber eyes glistening as she blinked.
Ye Hao, meeting Lan Qingqing's gaze, replied with a hint of resignation, “Are you suggesting a meal as your way of apologizing?”
“Is that a yes?”
The smile on Lan Qingqing's face was infectious, and Ye Hao found himself captivated.
Conversing with Lan Qingqing was always effortless. She had a knack for dialogue that made every conversation flow naturally, without ever a dull moment or awkward pause.
This was truly a testament to her social finesse.
Seizing the right moment, Lan Qingqing broached the subject, “Ye Hao, would you consider becoming a consultant at my casino?”
Ye Hao recognized the crux of their meeting.
“I don't have such plans at the moment. I'm still a student,” he responded.
“A student? Are you in high school or college?” Lan Qingqing inquired.
“I've just finished the SAT. I'll be starting college soon.”
“Which college are you aiming for?”
“Riverdale College!”
Lan Qingqing, familiar with Castoace's prestigious institutions, probed further, “You must have performed quite well. What was your score?”
“900 points.”
“You should have no trouble getting into Riverdale College,” Lan Qingqing remarked, a hint of astonishment in her voice.
Ye Hao's score was impressive, potentially opening doors to the nation's top six universities.
Unbeknownst to Lan Qingqing, Ye Hao had scored zero on his Moplauso exam, a detail he had no intention of sharing with her.
There's no need for that!
Just then, Lan Qingqing's complexion shifted, and she began to cough violently, her hand covering her mouth.
Once Lan Qingqing had regained her composure, Ye Hao noticed her lips were stained with fresh blood.
“What's wrong with you?” Ye Hao asked with a hint of hesitation.
“Just an old ailment,” Lan Qingqing replied, her face growing pale as she dabbed at her mouth with a tissue.
“Do you need me to take you to the hospital?”
Lan Qingqing gently shook her head.
“I've heard that the dean of Riverdale College is the preeminent doctor. Miss Lan, have you ever sought his treatment?” Ye Hao suddenly remembered.
“If not for Hwa Xu, I would have died years ago,” Lan Qingqing responded with a touch of bitterness.
It seemed there was no solution.
Hwa Xu was the top doctor in Castoace.
If even Hwa Xu couldn't heal Lan Qingqing, it appeared she was beyond help.
But then, an image flashed through Ye Hao's mind.
“Actually, there might be a way,” Ye Hao said after a moment's thought.
Lan Qingqing looked at him, astonished.
She couldn't fathom why Ye Hao would make such a statement.
“Ordinary people might not have the means, but the Way of Nature could possibly cure you.”
Ye Hao's words left Lan Qingqing visibly taken aback.
“The Way of Nature?”
“Yes.”
Lan Qingqing's expression turned grave as she inquired, “Do you know someone from the Way of Nature?”
“I'm acquainted with a disciple from the Way of Nature,” Yang Mo confirmed with a nod.
Yang Mo had witnessed Mei Xinxue's extraordinary abilities; she was undoubtedly a disciple of the Way of Nature.
Lan Qingqing's excitement grew, and she asked, “Could you introduce me to this person?”
The Way of Nature had always been shrouded in myth, yet Lan Qingqing believed in its existence. The Way of Nature was known to shun ordinary interactions. Despite the Lan family's extensive efforts and resources, they had never managed to locate the fabled Way of Nature.
Ye Hao spoke softly, “The disciple from the Way of Nature will eventually seek me out because I have something of hers that's quite important. But I'm not sure when she will come looking for me.”
“What is it?” Lan Qingqing asked, aware of the impoliteness but driven by the urgency of her situation.
“This is her personal bronze dagger,” Ye Hao stated.
“You must let me know when she comes looking for you,” Lan Qingqing insisted earnestly.
“I will plead with her to save you,” Ye Hao affirmed with a gentle nod.
The situation surrounding Ye Hao continued to escalate.
As the Weyphia Daily Newspaper teased a major news reveal for the following day, numerous netizens found themselves restless throughout the night.
They were all eager to learn the nature of the impending news.
At the break of dawn, the Weyphia Daily Newspaper Office punctually released several photos and an article.
“It turns out Ye Hao missed the SAT because he was helping others.”
“People willing to lend a hand are becoming a rarity in our society.”
“A student like this deserves another shot at the exam.”
“I propose that the Education Ministry schedule a retake for Ye Hao.”
“We shouldn't let those who help others be disadvantaged. After all, Ye Hao is a hopeful for the title of champion.”
While countless netizens were sharing their thoughts, the Weyphia Daily Newspaper dropped yet another bombshell.
The report claimed that Captain Liang had provided Ye Hao with a police escort upon his discharge from the hospital.
Netizens were taken aback.
So, Ye Hao had indeed attended the exam, and he had been accompanied by an officer to the testing site.
Then how could Ye Hao's Moplauso score still be zero?
As they sought answers, the Weyphia Daily Newspaper teased another revelation for the next day.
This led many netizens to lambast the newspaper for its lack of scruples.
Despite their frustration, they remained highly anticipative of the next morning's disclosures.
One thing about the Weyphia Daily Newspaper was certain: if they promised explosive news, it was bound to be both sensational and substantiated.
In the early hours of the next day, the Weyphia Daily Newspaper's website featured a video.
The footage vividly captured Ye Hao arriving at the gates of Oak Park High with Liang Mo by his side.
The nation's netizens watched in outrage as Xu Lili thwarted Ye Hao's attempts to enter the school time and again.
“Despicable.”
“Does such a person deserve to be a teacher?”
“I vehemently recommend that such a teacher be removed from the profession.”
“This teacher deserves to face legal consequences.”
“My tears fell when I saw Ye Hao so enraged that he seemed ready to burst. He might claim to be alright, but he must be deeply distressed inside.”
“If it weren't for Xu Lili's interference, Ye Hao would have undoubtedly been the champion this year.”
“Xu Lili is harboring resentment towards Ye Hao because he impacted her chances for a promotion. She's really out of line.”
“Did you see how upset Ye Hao's mentor was? I bet if the security guard hadn't intervened, he would have definitely taken a swing at Xu Lili.”
As numerous netizens voiced their disapproval of Xu Lili, they also persistently called for the Education Department to seriously consider Ye Hao's plea for a retake of the exam.
Buckling under the pressure, the leadership of the Education Department claimed they were condemning the idea of granting Ye Hao a second chance at the examination.