Chapter 4657 — Alone with His Thoughts
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Wei Zhao smiled at that. Qi Wenmo's words were no false modesty: before Wei Zhao's time, the Qingtian Escort Agency had been known only within the Weihu Sea Region, and beyond that not even the other sea regions of South Continent were likely to have heard of it—let alone West Island, ten thousand li away and wholly unconnected to them.
"This time I came under the banner of the South Continent Escort Alliance. Seizing this rare opportunity, my old man sent me out to see the world—and, if the chance arises, to make a few useful connections along the way. That's the advantage of being the overlord of the South Continent escort world: you can speak for the entire South Continent sea region. If we'd come under the Qingtian Escort Agency's banner alone, they wouldn't even give us a proper look, and we might not have gotten through the door." Qi Wenmo smiled bitterly.
"One step at a time. The fact that the Qingtian Escort Agency can reach beyond the South Continent sea region is itself a welcome advance—at the very least, it shows you've risen a whole level above the past." Wei Zhao smiled and went on to analyze: "Besides, the Qingtian Escort Agency is the overlord of the South Continent escort world now. Any great power that wants a share of the South Continent sea region will ultimately have to go through you. Where there's profit, there are connections—this is a perfect strategic window for the agency to rise further."
"What do you mean 'you'? It's 'we,' isn't it? Don't forget, Brother Ling, you hold shares yourself!" Qi Wenmo said, his expression turning serious.
"All right, all right—we." Wei Zhao could not help laughing. He pressed on: "So, Brother Qi, you've come all this way to West Island just for the birthday feast and to broaden your connections?"
"Not exactly. Those are only incidental. I'm actually here bearing a weighty mission." Qi Wenmo shook his head.
"A weighty mission?" Wei Zhao was taken aback.
"That's right. You saw what happened at the birthday feast, Brother Ling. My old man sent me here specifically on account of this West Island princess. On her eighteenth birthday she'll surely be choosing a husband, and he told me to find some way to compete for it. The odds aren't good, but if I succeed—with a colossus like West Island as our backer—then the Qingtian Escort Agency will stand on unassailable ground." So said Qi Wenmo.
Hearing this, Wei Zhao's expression turned somewhat peculiar. He had guessed there would be no shortage of rivals this time, but he had never imagined that Qi Wenmo would be among them. He truly did not know what to say.
"What is it?" Only then did Qi Wenmo notice Wei Zhao's expression. He started. "Could it be that you're in the running too, Brother Ling? Oh, of course—you're North Island's envoy. I hear North Island and West Island have always been on good terms. It's only natural you'd have such a duty…"
"I…" For a moment Wei Zhao did not know how to begin. His gaze drifted awkwardly to the letter on the table. Surely he could not come out and say that he and Ning Xuefei had long been involved?
Following Wei Zhao's eyes, Qi Wenmo's gaze fell upon the letter as well. He had noticed it from the start: the paper was not fully folded, and the neat, delicate handwriting of a young woman was easy to make out.
In that instant something stirred in Qi Wenmo's heart, and he understood. He glanced at the letter in surprise, then turned to Wei Zhao, hardly able to believe it. "Brother Ling, could it be that you and Ning Xuefei…"
Wei Zhao gave a bitter smile and said nothing.
"Ha! So that's how it is. Then I won't compete—I couldn't beat you anyway!" Qi Wenmo burst into teasing laughter. (To be continued) R466