Chapter 605  : Joking Around

“Understood, Miss.”

Nie Yun was a fairly simple person. Since their young lady had issued an order, there was nothing else to do but to carry it out.

So what if Uncle Tianwas a force to be reckoned with?

The same could be said for Yao TangandNie Yun’s team.

Even if the enemies decided to strike later on for revenge, it wouldn’t be much of a big deal.

Besides, since they were given the chance to cripple Uncle Tianand his men this early in the game,Nie Yunmight as well do some lasting damage.

This shouldn’t be a problem at all.

Nie Yun cracked her knuckles, prepared to do the worst.

Little did she know that Yao Tangmeant so much more than what was apparent on the surface.

Yao Ran andUncle Tianmade no effort to hide their intention to get rid of her once and for all.

Sure enough, someone was bound to be eliminated that day, but it wouldn’t be Yao Tang.

Yao Ran had been sounding out the situation from afar all this time.

Like everyone else, she assumed that Uncle Tianwould only get beaten up byYao Tangand her bodyguards.

What was more, he had effectively absolved her of whatever punishment he would receive. Reassured of her safety, she stepped forward.

“Yao Tang, I am still your cousin. You and I both know that our family hopes for us to get along well no matter what.”

Yao Ran didn’t want to take any chances. She wanted to defuse the situation before things got out of control again.

“Besides, Uncle Tianand his men were just joking around. They didn’t really do anything, did they? I hope you will find it in your heart to be magnanimous and let them go just this once.”

As she spoke, she put up her usual act of gentle sincerity.

But as always, beneath her well-meaning facade were snide implications that put the other party in a bad light.

“Oh?” Qin Jingsaid with mock surprise. “Is that how it is? They were just joking around?”

Yao Ran nodded in earnest.

“I see,” Qin Jingsmirked knowingly. “So this was all a joke to you. Well, did you know thatYao Tanglikes to joke around as well? I’m sure you do, since you’re cousins and all.”

At this point, Yao Ranwas so desperate that she barely had time to think things through before she nodded again.

Relief slowly took over her emotions. Just as she had expected, these people were pretty easy to fool. She only needed to push a little more, and her escape was as good as guaranteed.

The next thing Yao Ranknew, a dagger whizzed past her cheek.

She felt the cold kiss of steel against her skin.

It was immediately followed by a deep, stinging pain.

Yao Ran reached up to touch her face, only to feel something wet and hot against her fingers.

She looked down at her bloodstained hand.

Yao Ran felt weak in the knees.

“Didn’t I tell you that it was all a joke?” she screamed at Qin Jing, who was looking at her without a care in the world. “How can you do his to me? If my face gets permanently disfigured, theYao familywill never forgive you! What is it that you have against me?”

“I’m not sure I know what you mean,” Qin Jingreplied blandly.

Yao Ran covered her face with her hands and wailed. “Then why do you keep bullying me? You even went so far as to ruin my face! Are you happy to see me so miserable?”

“Huh?” Qin Jingfurrowed her brows. “Why are you suddenly accusing me of bullying you? Don’t you know that I’m just joking around? I didn’t expect you to take things to heart.”

Meanwhile, Yao Tangstood by her friend with a small smile on her lips. If one didn’t know any better, one would have thought that she was the one who had thrown the knife.

Yao Ran was shaking with rage. “You call this a joke?!” She pressed her hand against the cut on her cheek to stop its bleeding.

Qin Jing looked amused by her outburst. “You’re the one who started joking around. I didn’t want to ruin your fun, that’s all.”

Yao Ran could do nothing more than weep in anger and frustration.

The scene baffled Uncle Tian. He had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right with the situation.

How could that person’s daughter be so weak-willed?

Perhaps she had been coddled too much in the household that raised her. After all, she was still the young lady of a wealthy family.

Once again, Uncle Tianconvinced himself that everything was all right.

In any case, that person’s token was in Yao Ran’s possession. There couldn’t have been any mistake about her identity.