Chapter 16
Chapter 16 – White Zhiqing’s Contract
Lin Dongming couldn’t stand, couldn’t sit, so he just stayed there explaining how to use lightning force for body-forging, listing all the important precautions.
White Zhiqing, right beside him, looked very pleased. She kept leaning close, glancing at Han Xiangjun from the corner of her eye, wearing the smuggest smile.
Lin Dongming sighed internally, already thinking up excuses to make a quick getaway.
But then Han Xiangjun suddenly stood and walked over. “Junior Lin, come here a sec—I need to ask you something.”
Lin Dongming: “…Huh?”
White Zhiqing grabbed his hand instantly. “Sorry, Senior Han, Senior Lin’s still helping me. You’ll have to wait your turn.”
Han didn’t back down: “Junior Zhiqing, let your senior go first. My matter is more important.”
White Zhiqing yanked Lin Dongming toward the side. “Get in line!”
Han was left standing there, stunned. A moment later, she stomped her foot. “That brat! How dare she talk to me like that?!”
Lin Dongming got dragged behind the waterfall by his collar and sighed. “Why are you picking a fight with her? What good does it do you?”
“It’s not like that,” White Zhiqing grinned. “Maybe I just genuinely like Senior Lin and want to rescue you from Han Xiangjun’s evil clutches?”
He gave her a deadpan look. “Try that again with a tone that makes it even 10% believable.”
“I thought you’d be easier to fool.”
“Not when you slap your motives on your face like that. So why do you hate Han Xiangjun? Don’t tell me it’s because she beat you in some dumb sect beauty ranking or whatever.”
Her eyes widened a little. “Wait, that was real? I only heard rumors. Didn’t think anyone was bored enough to actually make a list—and put me below her.”
Lin Dongming: “…So you do know about it. And yeah, the list exists.”
“That’s just one reason.” She rolled her eyes. “I just can’t stand how she acts like she deserves everything, all arrogant and bratty.”
“Figures… A lot of people don’t like that about her.” Lin Dongming sighed.
To be fair, Han Xiangjun wasn’t a bad person. She was polite and even kind sometimes. If someone simped for her, she’d at least try to be nice about it. If they gave her stuff, she’d pay them back in spirit stones.
But the issue was, she leaned way too hard into the privilege of being the grand elder’s daughter. She was just a spoiled girl who liked fun, not the responsible senior disciple she was supposed to be. People who had their heads screwed on saw that and just shook their heads.
If she were just a normal elder’s kid, she’d probably be popular as a cute, slightly gifted junior. But that mismatch between identity and personality made things complicated.
Thankfully, Senior Brother Yuan Jianyi carried the burden as the sect’s true senior. Without him, when the Bihai Blade Sect or Xuankong Temple came knocking, the younger generation wouldn’t have had anyone who could actually step up.
“So… why did you really drag me over here?” Lin Dongming asked. He knew about Han Xiangjun’s flaws, but it wasn’t enough reason to yank him behind a waterfall.
“I want you to stop hanging out with Han Xiangjun.”
“…How old are you?” Lin Dongming blinked. That sounded like something a middle schooler would say.
“Not much younger than you,” she snapped.
He rolled his eyes. “Then stop acting like a kid. Wait… do you like her or something?”
“…Huh??”
“You like her, so you don’t want anyone else getting close to her. Makes total sense.”
“Like hell it does!” she blushed hard. “What kind of stuff are you thinking all day?!”
Lin Dongming patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret. You’ve got this.”
“THERE IS NO SECRET!”
“Okay, so what’s the real reason?”
“I want you to help me piss her off,” she said instantly—like it was a reflex.
“…That’s not any better.”
He sighed. “So, I used to simp for—no, chase—Han Xiangjun. You hate her, so now you want to use me to make her mad?”
White Zhiqing nodded.
“Why are you so immature when it comes to her? I mean, I don’t even chase her anymore. You sure you don’t wanna pick someone else? Like Yuan Jianyi?”
“She doesn’t like Yuan Jianyi. And I hate arrogant guys.”
“You’re getting bolder by the second. Aren’t you afraid I’ll rat you out?”
“You got no proof.” She didn’t care.
“You picked that up from me, didn’t you?” His eye twitched. “Anyway, I’m not interested. Ask someone else.”
He turned to leave, wanting some peace and quiet.
“You don’t think I’m pretty? Fake dating me comes with benefits, you know!” she shouted after him.
“Pretty doesn’t fill my stomach.” Plus, it’s not like he hadn’t seen plenty of beauties.
“You don’t want me to owe you a favor?” she tried again.
“Can’t spend favors like spirit stones.”
“Then I’ll pay you!”
That made Lin Dongming stop and reappear right in front of her: “Sugar mama, you’ve got my attention. Details?”
“……Fine, you money-grubber.” She muttered.
“Money makes the world go round,” he grinned. “Need a bodyguard? Emotional support? Errand boy? I do it all—as long as the spirit stones are right, I overdeliver every time.”
“…How about 10 mid-grade spirit stones a month?” That was the same as 10,000 low-grade ones.
Lin Dongming nodded. Damn, these rich girls are wild.
“Did Han Xiangjun ever pay you?” White Zhiqing asked, curious.
He shook his head. The elder did—Han herself didn’t.
That made her even more annoyed: So you genuinely simped for her, but I have to PAY you to act?
Lin Dongming already had a contract and ink ready. Just needed her signature.
She snatched the contract, signed with a scowl: “You better stick to it!”
She’d scanned it with her spiritual sense—it covered protection, training companionship, emotional support, and more. And he had to follow the employer’s requests as much as possible.
If Lin Dongming really played the part, he’d basically be a 100% loyal lapdog. More than enough to make Han Xiangjun jealous.
Still… something about that idea made her chest feel a little tight.