A moment after the two left the room, Old Chen Tou walked in.
His eyes fell upon Meng Jingwei, dining alone at the table, appearing lonely and dejected, her face etched with worry and fatigue.
Her dark circles were particularly noticeable, an obvious sign she hadn't rested much the previous night.
"Still remembering to eat breakfast, that's good."
Old Chen Tou walked to Meng Jingwei's side and offered a compliment.
He had expected that with Qing Muyue's disappearance, Meng Jingwei would be too distraught to eat or sleep, consumed by the urgency to find him.
He hadn't anticipated she would shed her former impetuosity, gradually settling down and becoming much more composed.
Meng Jingwei took a sip of porridge, then looked up at Old Chen Tou, "He's just missing, not dead."
A flash of light crossed Old Chen Tou's shrewd eyes, and he then smiled, "Muyue is smart and wise, with great fortune. Of course, he won't die."
"Wouldn't that dash your hopes, Master?"
She picked up some vegetables, put them in her mouth, and chewed, speaking with a touch of sarcasm.
Her sudden words made Old Chen Tou pause.
After a moment of stunned silence, he walked to Meng Jingwei's side and sat down, "Do you think his death has anything to do with me?"
Could it be she already knew something?
Meng Jingwei's hand, holding the vegetables, faltered slightly. She lowered her gaze, lost in thought, then looked up at him, "Whether it has to do with you or not, it doesn't matter. What's important is finding him."
As she spoke, she continued to lower her head and drink her porridge. Only after finishing the last drop did she put down her bowl and chopsticks, take out a napkin to wipe her mouth, and then face Old Chen Tou squarely, "Let's make a deal."
"What deal?"
He listened attentively.
"I know that with your abilities, finding A Ye would be a simple matter. Therefore, I implore you to help me find him. Once he's found, he and I will work together to deal with the He Ka clan and secure the position of Hidden Master. How about it?"
Upon hearing her words, Old Chen Tou sighed deeply, "Jingwei, you think too highly of me. If I had the power to reach the heavens, I would have long ago assisted Madam Lan Ya in regaining the position of Hidden Master. I wouldn't be racking my brains and resorting to such schemes now."
Old Chen Tou's words drew a light snort from Meng Jingwei. He had also omitted a crucial detail.
That is, he had not only racked his brains and resorted to schemes, but also employed every trick in the book and put on a dazzling performance!
"I know you are considering candidates for the Hidden Master. However, as you wished, Li Yun'er has died on the mountain and can no longer be used by you. He Xiao Lan Ya has no daughters, and I am the sole heir. If you can help me find A Ye, I can find a way to have him remain within the Hidden Clan."
She began to try and persuade Old Chen Tou, hoping he would help her find Qing Muyue.
Old Chen Tou took out his large tobacco pipe, fiddled with the tobacco leaves, lit it, and began to smoke, puffing rhythmically, but his brows remained furrowed, and he stayed silent.
Meng Jingwei continued, "You should know how important A Ye is to me. If he dies, I, Meng Jingwei, will not live on alone. Because he has already done enough for me, death is the only way I can repay him."
Old Chen Tou: "..."
"I know you don't believe me, but Master, you are cunning and far-sighted. I suspect you have already reached out to my two children in Lan Cheng. If you use the children to threaten me, wouldn't I have no choice but to obey you? Moreover, your Hidden Clan still possesses the ancient art of 'memory sealing,' right?"
"Either way, you can easily control the situation. Why then would you watch A Ye die? His survival, for you, is at least a significant advantage at present. And if he dies, I will ensure you will never have a candidate for Hidden Master."