Then, as if on instinct, the woman in red's gaze shifted back to Lin Feng.
A faint, knowing smirk curved her lips, sharp and slightly mocking, as though she were issuing a subtle, silent challenge with her smart comeback.
Even without speaking another word, she made it clear that she had not been impressed by his show of authority.
It was also at this time that Chu Jiangyue replied to break the ice.
"I'm not going anywhere else, Aunt Mei," Chu Jiangyue said, her voice firm and steady, carrying a determination far beyond her years.
"I've found a good teacher here… someone I truly want to learn from and I plan to stay."
Qiao Mei froze the moment the words left her niece's lips.
For a brief second, she wasn't sure she had heard correctly.
