Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Chapter 387 Struggle

"Yes, you always say you'll treat me to a meal, right? I have time today, so I'll say yes and put your mind at ease. Just pick a restaurant, anything casual will do."

Despite having experienced malicious slander, Song Tingnan was unwilling to think too badly of human nature. She could see the struggle in Li Li's eyes, and decided to help if she could.

"Okay, okay, it's getting dark soon, how about I treat you to dinner?"

"It's all arranged?" Song Tingnan glanced at her, then caught a glimpse of her master's figure flashing by on the roadside, which gave her more confidence. She readily agreed, "Okay, let's go!"

This time, Li Li didn't hold her hand; instead, she walked ahead to lead the way, and Song Tingnan sensed that she was a little nervous.

As Li Li walked, she slowed down. Further ahead lay a bustling area filled with large hotels of considerable price. The Dream Bar was not far ahead, and Ting Nan wanted to give her another chance.

Song Tingnan called out to her, "Li Li, don't go any further, let's stop here!"

"Why?" Li Li asked in a low voice without turning around.

“There are small hotels nearby, but the prices up ahead are too high, and I’m afraid you can’t afford them.”

"Can't you afford it?" Li Li murmured, took a few more steps forward, then suddenly turned around, "Song Tingnan, you should leave!"

"Huh? You're not going to invite me to dinner?"

"Go on, go back to school."

"Ok?"

Seeing that Song Tingnan was standing still, Li Li came over and shoved her, "Go away quickly. Don't be so kind in the future, and don't trust anyone so easily."

Song Tingnan grabbed her hand and said, "I'm not leaving. I'm hungry. If you won't treat me, I'll treat you!" As he spoke, he pulled her into a hotel on the street.

"Ting Nan, is this your friend?" Gao Haoran greeted them, sizing up Li Li. "Come in, your uncle and I are here."

Before Li Li could react, she was led into a warm private room. She nervously looked him over; inside sat a man with a handsome face, fair and delicate skin, the texture of fine silk. His eyebrows were slender and long, their slight upward curve perfectly outlining his dashing appearance.

A pair of deep eyes, like a still well, gazed at her quietly, as if they could see through the filth hidden in her heart.

"Tingnan, is this your friend?" The man turned to look at Song Tingnan, his tone unusually gentle.

“Yes, Uncle, her name is Li Li.” Song Tingnan pulled Li Li and introduced her, “This is my uncle, Song Yanchu, and the one at the door just now is my master, Gao Haoran.”

"Uncle Song... Uncle Gao... Hello!" Li Li stammered as he greeted them. Song Yanchu? His uncle's surname was Song. Maybe he could take a gamble.

"Li Li, sit down and have a meal with us. Don't be shy. It's rare for my son, Ting Nan, to make such a friend." Gao Haoran smiled kindly.

"Friends?" Li Li picked up her chopsticks.

It was completely dark by then. As usual, Gao Haoran waited until Tingnan finished eating and put down his chopsticks before speaking.

However, this time he was addressing the uneasy Li Li. "Li Li, I am a martial arts master. I can tell at a glance that you have extraordinary talent. I wonder..." Gao Haoran's words sounded like those of a charlatan, but before he could finish, Li Li's face turned deathly pale, and he stood up abruptly.

Song Tingnan pulled her back again, placing his hand on her pulse once more. "Master, Uncle, her pulse is beating very strongly now, but the speed has slowed down. In the afternoon, the frequency was faster, but relatively weaker. Could it be true?"

"Didn't you study traditional Chinese medicine? Besides, the world is full of wonders," Song Yanchu replied lazily.