29: Chapter 29 The Grandson-in-Law Recognized by Jing Hongchen

Mu Qingci gently gathered Meng Hongchen's snow-white hair in his hand.

Then, just as he had practiced many times in his mind, he coiled the hair together, inserted the wooden hairpin, and secured the hairstyle in place.

With her changed hairstyle, Meng Hongchen gained a touch of classical beauty. Paired with her gentle and lovely face, she now carried an air of a refined young lady from a prominent family.

"There, all done! So beautiful!"

Mu Qingci praised her sincerely from the bottom of his heart.

Meng Hongchen picked up the mirror she had just bought and looked at herself. Her cheeks flushed like slightly ripened apples, white with a hint of red.

Seeing the small sun pendant resting on her chest in the mirror, her heart felt as warm as if bathed in sunlight.

Like a newly dating couple, the two left their footprints on every street of Mingdu, walking hand in hand, admiring the city embraced by the setting sun's afterglow.

"Qingci, today is the happiest birthday I've ever had."

At this moment, Meng Hongchen was no longer her usual lively and mischievous little imp; she had become gentle and serene.

Mu Qingci held Meng Hongchen's hand as they sat together on a park bench, appreciating the beauty of the sunset glow.

At this moment, everything was understood without words.

In the evening, Mu Qingci walked Meng Hongchen back and happened to run into Xiao Hongchen.

"Mengmeng, happy birthday!"

Xiao Hongchen took out a gift he had prepared long ago—a brand new spirit tool storage ring.

Seeing Mu Qingci, his face immediately showed displeasure. For this guy who had 'stolen' his sister away, he naturally wouldn't give any friendly looks.

But when his gaze swept over the small sun pendant on Meng Hongchen's chest, his pupils contracted slightly.

Xiao Hongchen recognized this spirit tool. Jing Hongchen had introduced it to him before—the Level 8 defensive spirit tool, Suns Protection.

Xiao Hongchen was certain that this spirit tool was definitely not given to Meng Hongchen by Jing Hongchen.

Glancing again at the small moon pendant hanging around Mu Qingci's neck, Xiao Hongchen seemed to understand everything.

Then, looking at the wooden hairpin adorning Meng Hongchen's beautiful hair, Xiao Hongchen's gaze towards Mu Qingci softened a bit.

"Let's go. Grandpa is looking for you. For your birthday this year, he turned away all those troublesome guests. It's just our family celebrating."

"Yay!"

What Meng Hongchen hated most every birthday was facing those fawning people. After all, as a young lady of her status, whatever jade jewelry, spirit tools, and the like she wanted, her grandfather Jing Hongchen could give her. There was simply no need to accept things from those people.

Mu Qingci was just about to leave when he felt his hand being tightly gripped by Meng Hongchen: "Qingci, you're coming with me too."

Xiao Hongchen was about to say something, but upon seeing the necklace around Meng Hongchen's neck, he swallowed his words, tacitly giving his consent.

The three of them walked together towards the most luxurious restaurant in Mingdu.

Entering the private room, Jing Hongchen had already been waiting for some time.

Seeing that Mu Qingci had also come, a faint, almost imperceptible flicker of displeasure crossed his face—a grandfather's genuine reaction upon seeing his granddaughter being 'taken away.' It had nothing to do with Mu Qingci's status.

However, Mu Qingci caught that expression.

After Meng Hongchen entered the private room, Mu Qingci spoke up, intending to leave: "Sister Meng, this is your family gathering. I, an outsider, shouldn't intrude, right? I'll take my leave now."

Saying this, Mu Qingci turned to leave.

"Mu Qingci!"

Meng Hongchen grabbed his clothes: "You promised to treat me as family! How can you be so distant?!"

It was the first time she had raised her voice at Mu Qingci like this. Then, realizing she might have been too intense, she quickly apologized: "Sorry, Qingci. I just... I really want you to stay and celebrate my birthday with me..."

Jing Hongchen also noticed the necklace on Meng Hongchen's chest at this moment. Exchanging a glance with Xiao Hongchen beside him, he immediately understood the situation.

"Today is Mengmeng's birthday. Since she wants you to stay, consider it doing this old man a favor."

Jing Hongchen certainly knew what that Level 8 spirit tool meant. He had also heard some rumors about Kong Deming causing a scene at the imperial palace with Mu Qingci before.

In any case, this spirit tool could be considered something Mu Qingci earned through hard work. The fact that he was willing to give it to Meng Hongchen meant its value had passed the test.

"Mengmeng, why the change in hairstyle today?"

Jing Hongchen noticed Meng Hongchen's coiled-up hair and asked curiously.

"Hehe, Qingci did this for me with his own hands. How is it? Pretty, right?" Meng Hongchen said, pointing to the hairpin on her head.

Jing Hongchen's gaze swept towards Mu Qingci again, softening considerably.

Giving the hairpin showed thoughtfulness; giving the Suns Protection showed sincerity. Jing Hongchen hadn't expected this kid Mu Qingci to be so considerate.

Only at this moment did he truly, in his heart, accept this young man who might potentially become his grandson-in-law in the future.

"Come on, let's eat. The food will get cold soon."

Jing Hongchen smiled, pulling out two chairs beside him for his grandson and granddaughter to sit. Mu Qingci sat next to Meng Hongchen.

The four of them spent what Meng Hongchen considered the happiest birthday of her life so far.

Time flew, and three months passed quietly.

Mu Qingci's current Soul Power cultivation had reached level 46. Considering the hindrance of his extreme attribute, achieving this speed was already quite respectable.

Today was a crucial day for him—the day to break through to become a Level 3 Soul Engineer.

Mu Qingci now rarely attended classes at the academy. He merely held the title of Class One monitor for the first-year students, while in reality, he spent most of his time studying under Jing Hongchen and Kong Deming.

No one had any objections to this. After all, one was the master of Mingde Hall, and the other was the master of the Enshrinement Hall. Those teachers certainly didn't think they could teach better than these two.

Many legends had also spread within the academy about this mysterious Class One monitor.

Titles like the future successor of the Enshrinement Hall, the designated grandson-in-law of the Mingde Hall master, were countless.

Mu Qingci himself didn't have much feeling about it—just some student gossip. Nowadays, he simply devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivation and the study of spirit tools.

Occasionally, he would accompany Meng Hongchen for relaxation on the streets of Mingdu. His days were peaceful and interesting.

Today was a key day for Mu Qingci. He was going to take the Level 3 Soul Engineer assessment.

In the original story, Huo Yuhao becoming a Level 2 Soul Engineer in eight months was hailed as a miracle of Shrek. But now, Mu Qingci was trampling that miracle underfoot.

As long as he successfully became a Level 3 Soul Engineer today, and then worked hard to break through to Level 4 Soul Engineer within the next half a year or so, he could become Kong Deming's personal disciple.

That was an existence even more prestigious than the status of the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire.

In the main hall of the Enshrinement Hall, Kong Deming looked at the confident Mu Qingci before him and nodded with satisfaction.

"That kid Jing was right indeed. Qingci, your talent in spirit tools is truly unparalleled, past and present. It's only been a little over three months, and you're already challenging Level 3 Soul Engineer. This teacher has high hopes for you."

He gently patted Mu Qingci's shoulder: "Come, follow this teacher for the test."