Qiu Nuo was stunned for a moment but quickly realized that Qiu Yue must have seen her collecting the Red Lotus Fire Spirit.
Thankfully, no one present knew about the existence of the Red Lotus Fire Spirit. Even if someone exposed her, she would just say that she had collected a Red Lotus Fire Stone.
“Sister, what are you talking about? I don’t understand you.”
Qiu Nuo looked around her. Because of Qiu Yue’s words, everyone around was now staring at her with malice.
“Sister, we saw what happened earlier. You dug a Red Lotus Fire Stone. Logically speaking, it should be handed over to our family clan. You can’t keep it for yourself.” Qiu Yue insisted.
Qiu Nuo’s frown deepened, and she replied in a low voice, “Sister, can you stop it. Don’t you see that everyone is staring at us? We’d better continue this conversation after we get out.”
Only then did Qiu Yue realize that she had raised her voice a little too much and immediately shut up.
…
No one had expected the Flame Tree to wither.
Seeing that there was nothing left to benefit from, everyone scattered away, and Qiu Nuo followed Qiu Yue and the team out of the valley as well.
“Sister Yue’er, you’re back.”
At the mouth of the valley, Qiu Nuo met up with Lin Hao and the rest keeping guard there. The arrogant Su Qingqing was also with him.
“Brother Lin Hao.” Qiu Yue’s expression was coquettish, and she called out to Lin Hao gently.
“Sister Yue’er, how was it?” Lin Hao asked with a smile.
“This… You’ll have to ask my elder sister.” Qiu Yue stepped aside to reveal Qiu Nuo behind her.
“Why are you here too?” Lin Hao frowned upon seeing her. He made no effort to conceal the disgust in his gaze.
“I was just on my way.” Qiu Nuo shrugged. “If you have nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
Of course, Qiu Yue wasn’t going to let her have her way. Her eyes glimmered, and she stepped in front of Qiu Nuo to stop her. She gently said, “Sister, it’s your freedom where you go. But you should at least leave the Red Lotus Fire Stone behind!”
“Red Lotus Fire Stone? How could I ever have such a thing?” Qiu Nuo wrapped her arms around her chest and chuckled.
“Sister, how can you go back on your word?” Qiu Yue stared at her angrily. Her eyes were watery, as though she had been wronged.
“But I never admitted that I had a Red Lotus Fire Stone. How is that going back on my word?” Qiu Nuo smirked.
“You’re lying!” That disciple cut in to testify. “I saw you pick up a glowing red stone. What else could that be if not a Red Lotus Fire Stone? Everything that we get in Juyan Valley belongs to the family clan. If you insist on keeping your find to yourself, be prepared to be kicked out of the family.”
“Red stone? Are you talking about this?” Qiu Nuo retrieved a red crystal stone the size of an egg. She chuckled. “Are you kidding? How could this be a Red Lotus Fire Stone? I thought that it looked pretty, so I just wanted to sell it for some pocket money.”
Qiu Yue grabbed the red crystal from her and analyzed it carefully, only to find that it had no fire attribute power to it at all.
“How’s that possible? How’s it possible that it’s not the Red Lotus Fire Stone?” Qiu Yue could not believe her eyes. “Sister, where did you hide the Red Lotus Fire Stone? Yes, your sack! Open your sack and let me take a look!”
Qiu Nuo sneered and took the sack from her back, opening it in front of Qiu Yue. In the end, only the bloody remains and bones of a beast could be seen inside.
“Are you happy now? I have nowhere else to hide things!” Qiu Nuo smirked.
On the way out, she had gotten Xue Ling to prepare a suitably-sized red crystal, and she had thrown the Ring of Contract into it. There was no way Qiu Yue would find anything on her.
“Forget it, Sister Qiu Yue. It looks like she really doesn’t have the Red Lotus Fire Stone.” Qiu Sinan shook his head while tugging on Qiu Yue.
Initially, he had been doubtful too. After all, the Red Lotus Fire Stone was buried deep within the hard rock layer. There was no way she would have been able to dig it out without any tools.
Even that disciple was vexed, and he looked apologetically at Qiu Yue. “Maybe I was wrong.”
“What shall we do? I promised our elders that I would definitely bring a Red Lotus Fire Stone back!” Qiu Yue cried. Seeing that she wouldn’t be able to take advantage of Qiu Nuo, Qiu Yue could only turn her eyes toward Lin Hao. “Brother Lin Hao, can you give me a piece of Red Lotus Fire Stone first? I’ll pay you for it in gold.”
A trace of embarrassment flashed on Lin Hao’s face as he looked at Qiu Yue’s expectant face.
He did indeed have an extra Red Lotus Fire Stone, but only one.
In order to please Su Qingqing, he had already given that extra Red Lotus Fire Stone to her. He couldn’t possibly ask Su Qingqing for that Red Lotus Fire Stone back now, right?
“I’m sorry, Sister Yue’er. There’s nothing I can do…” Lin Hao hardened his heart.
“That’s right. He’s already given the extra Red Lotus Fire Stone to me. Stop with your wishful thinking,” Su Qingqing said smugly.
“Brother Lin Hao, you…” Qiu Yue’s tears fell freely. She was truly upset this time.
Along the way, she had already been upset by Su Qingqing countless times. It was all because that b*tch was the daughter of the Prime Minister.
And now, the first person Lin Hao wanted to give the Red Lotus Fire Stone was Su Qingqing, and not her!
She had had enough!
She was just the daughter of the Prime Minister! One day, she would trample this b*tch under her feet!
Lin Hao opened his mouth upon seeing Qiu Yue’s expression, but he couldn’t utter a single word.
He suddenly felt stressed and annoyed by the teary face in front of him. Besides, there were so many people around. He wasn’t going to put his dignity down for the sake of coaxing a woman.
Seeing that Lin Hao showed no response, Qiu Yue’s expression was gloomy and filled with disappointment. “Brother Sinan, let’s go.”
Qiu Sinan nodded and quickly followed behind her. “Don’t worry, Sister Qiu Yue. I’m sure we’ll find a way!”
…
This time, Lin Hao didn’t even try to stop Qiu Yue from leaving.
Qiu Nuo couldn’t help but smirk upon witnessing this scene.
Where was the love that they had said was stronger than gold? Was this the true love they spoke of?
What an irony!
Now that the show was over, Qiu Nuo saw no need to remain there any longer. She mixed into the crowd and headed back.
This time, she would get back what belonged to her!