God's Descent in the Magical City

Chapter 57: Enthusiastic Cold Reception

A Lai and his grandfather arrived at Li Xiuqin's upscale villa. Grandpa Lei lightly knocked on the large iron gate and called out, "Fangfang's mom, are you home?"

There was no response.

A Lai clearly heard movement inside the villa, so he knocked harder.

"What's all the knocking about?"

The door opened, and there stood Li Xiuqin, wearing a nightgown. She seemed surprised to see A Lai and his grandfather, hesitating for a moment before sneering, "Well, well, what brings the old principal here?" She glanced down at their shoes, clearly not intending to invite them in.

A Lai, who had seen a bit of the world, understood that she found their rural shoes dirty and smelly. Noticing the shoe covers by the door, he said, "There are shoe covers here. We won't take our shoes off."

Grandpa Lei added, "We'll just sit for a bit, say what we need to, and be on our way. We won't take up much of your time."

Reluctantly, Li Xiuqin handed them the shoe covers, and once they had put them on, she stepped aside to let them into the living room. A Lai followed, bringing in the large bags of gifts and fruit, which he placed in a corner.

"Oh, you shouldn't have. Buying all this fruit, wasting money," Li Xiuqin said with a twist of her body, making a show of preparing tea.

A Lai quickly stopped her. "No need to fuss. We're on a tight schedule and will be leaving soon to catch the bus."

"Why have you come?" Li Xiuqin asked suspiciously, sitting down on the sofa. She adjusted her pink nightgown, revealing more of her thigh and exuding a jasmine-scented perfume.

Grandpa Lei got straight to the point. "We've come to ask if you could give A Lai Fangfang's phone number."

Li Xiuqin's face darkened. Coldly, she replied, "If Fangfang didn't give it to him before she left, then I certainly won't give it now."

Grandpa Lei, feeling awkward, explained, "A Lai has a phone now."

Li Xiuqin's expression turned frosty. "Old principal, I advise you not to bother Fangfang anymore. Let her focus on her studies abroad. She already did her best in tutoring A Lai..."

Grandpa Lei continued, "Even though A Lai had some trouble with the exams, he still has options. With his scores, he can get into a decent college. And if he retakes the exams, I'm sure he'll get into a prestigious university."

"Is that so?" Li Xiuqin responded with a sarcastic tone.

Grandpa Lei nodded confidently.

Li Xiuqin looked at A Lai with disdain and said coldly, "You were a repeat student. Even if you get into an average college, it's all thanks to Fangfang. Without her, you wouldn't even be in school. Kid, take care of yourself."

Grandpa Lei agreed, "Yes, A Lai's progress is largely due to Fangfang's help, and we're here to thank her."

Li Xiuqin sighed and said, "There's no need. Let's be clear: Fangfang and A Lai are not meant for each other. Old principal, I ask you not to play matchmaker or come up with schemes."

Grandpa Lei defended himself, "Fangfang and A Lai's relationship is something you're well aware of. Now that they're older, I haven't interfered with their feelings."

Li Xiuqin grew angry, her words sharp. "Don't think that just because I've been away from the village, I don't know what's going on. Fangfang's relationship with A Lai is all because of your meddling. You've always bragged about Fangfang being your pride, using moral pressure to keep her at your house under the guise of tutoring A Lai. Everyone can see what's going on. Who are you fooling? I've warned you repeatedly, but you and A Lai just ignore me..."