Chapter 1000: Chapter 989: Dragon City Young Commander!
“This… this…”
“What’s wrong? Is there some unpleasant past between you and my mother?” Ning Fan asked in confusion.
Zhao Xue’er quickly shook her head, “No, it’s not that! I didn’t expect you’ve forgotten so completely… this is really a… very cruel topic for you.”
A very cruel topic concerning my mother?
Ning Fan took a deep breath and tried hard to search through the vague memories, but still found nothing.
Forgetting his parents completely, it’s unthinkable, it’s such an unfilial act.
Ning Fan clenched the bicycle handle hard and sighed, saying:
“It’s fine, Xue’er, you should tell me, what exactly did my mother go through?”
“Well… you rarely mentioned your mother before, and hearing words like ‘mom’ would make you very upset… I only know your mother’s background wasn’t very good, and she was… killed very early…”
Zhao Xue’er was still avoiding Ning Fan’s gaze, with a slight blush on her face, like a girl who has done something wrong.
“…So, who killed her?”
Ning Fan’s heart trembled, and a hint of killing intent appeared in his eyes.
His mother was killed, yet he forgets it completely, no matter how invincible he is, how can he hold his head high between heaven and earth?
Zhao Xue’er looked at her toes and replied softly:
“It was your father’s first wife, your elder brother’s birth mother… I don’t know her exact name, and… she’s already dead, you even told me she deserved it.”
“So I have a brother?”
“Yes, not just one. Your elder brother is Ning Jianyang, second brother is Ning Qingfeng, both are among the top fighters in Dragon City.”
Zhao Xue’er spoke while mimicking the sword moves of heroes from television.
Ning Fan suddenly realized he had so many relatives, he couldn’t help but imagine what they each looked like.
“Hmm… by the way, is Ning Xinlan also from our family?”
Zhao Xue’er clearly mentioned something distressing and sighed:
“I only found out later, Ning Xinlan is your elder brother Ning Jianyang’s daughter, regarding seniority she should call you uncle, but she has always been with her grandma, neither you nor I have met her before.”
Ning Fan felt a little amused, shaking his right index finger:
“This unruly girl… wait, if Ning Xinlan calls me uncle and you call me brother, shouldn’t she call you aunt? Why would she cause you trouble?”
Zhao Xue’er shook her head, smiling bitterly:
“Actually, your family doesn’t really like me because my family is too ordinary… only your dad is a bit kinder towards me.”
“It’s probably that same boring notion of high versus low social class, right?”
Ning Fan frowned slightly, showing disdain for worldly prejudices.
Relying on family power is indeed a shortcut, but there are many who have made a name for themselves through their own abilities.
Back in the days when I fought bloody battles, establishing the names ‘Asura’ and ‘Nine Lord,’ I didn’t rely on any family power!
Zhao Xue’er looked up at the blue sky, replying calmly:
“Yes, once Uncle Ning called me over alone, sighed, and told me you and I aren’t people of the same world, being too close isn’t good for anyone.”
“Not people of the same world? He’s quite poetic.”
Ning Fan slowly pushed the tricycle, his voice tinged with bitterness.
According to this notion, his parents would also “not be people of the same world,” perhaps he really meant it for Zhao Xue’er’s good by advising her so.
Zhao Xue’er brushed her long hair off her shoulder and gazed at Ning Fan with eyes full of warmth.
“Brother Ning Fan, back then everyone thought you were dead. I wanted to see for myself at your funeral, but I was practically thrown out… thinking about it,
Ning Xinlan making things difficult for me is completely understandable. But, regardless, it’s great that you can return to Dragon City and walk alongside me like this!”
“Funeral was held? How great a calamity did I face back then?”
Upon hearing Zhao Xue’er’s words, Ning Fan couldn’t help but smile bitterly repeatedly.
Though thinking carefully, a mere scuffle shouldn’t result in memory loss.
“If you survive a great disaster, there will be blessings! Brother Ning Fan, with your skills, you must have become an astonishingly great figure outside, right?”
Zhao Xue’er’s lips curled slightly, her eyes twinkling.
Ning Fan touched his nose and said casually, “It’s manageable, just enough to make a living. After saying so much, what kind of person was I before?”
“Brother Ning Fan, back then you were the ‘Young Commander’ known to everyone in Dragon City!”
Zhao Xue’er raised her arm, making a brilliant gesture, her laughter was like silver bells in the wind, her eyes full of admiration.
“Hmm… So when I return as this Young Commander, why is no one paying attention at all?”
Ning Fan appeared slightly dejected, giving a couple of bitter laughs, spreading his hands sideways.
Zhao Xue’er blinked and curled her right index finger before her chin, responding:
“You often said that important figures shouldn’t casually show up, entering must have style, so those who know you in Dragon City should be some notable figures, like the Sect Leader, Hall Master, and such.”
“So, are you saying Xue’er is really a big figure in Dragon City?”
Ning Fan said while touching Zhao Xue’er’s head.
Zhao Xue’er dutifully tilted her head towards Ning Fan:
“I wouldn’t dream of such… right, where are you staying now?”
“I now use the sky as a cover, the ground as a bed, wandering everywhere at will, isn’t that delightful!”
Ning Fan drew an unrestrained arc at his side, dragging his tone deliberately.
“Then where are you heading now? Where should I deliver this cart of dried fruits?”
Zhao Xue’er suddenly stopped walking and gently grabbed Ning Fan’s left wrist.
“No way do I really want this cart of dried fruits… do you think I’m supernaturally born to eat them sack by sack?”
Ning Fan said while raising his eyebrows at the sacks behind him.
“That’s unacceptable, you’ve paid already!” Zhao Xue’er shook her head firmly.
All along Zhao’s father, who hadn’t spoken much, also stepped forward resolutely, saying sternly:
“Yes, Young Commander, although I, Zhao Gang, am poor, I cannot take things for free! Moreover, Young Commander, you’ve helped us father and daughter many times before, we can’t be ungrateful!”
Ning Fan turned his gaze to Zhao Gang, speaking softly:
“Alright, Uncle Zhao, I haven’t visited you and your daughter for so many years, and the Ning Family keeps bullying you, I do feel very guilty about this. Let this twenty thousand be a small compensation!”
“Young Commander, I can’t accept it! How dare I harbor any resentment against you!”
Zhao Gang repeatedly waved his hand, as if being reprimanded.
“Uncle Zhao, you and Xue’er are in such difficulty now partly because of me. If you don’t accept this twenty thousand, it means you refuse to forgive me, Ning Fan!”
Ning Fan’s voice was very determined, unwilling to compromise.
“Young Commander, how could I… ah, I won’t say more, anyhow, you are a great benefactor to our Zhao Family, please accept my bow!”
As Zhao Gang spoke, he prepared to kneel, Ning Fan hurriedly stopped him.
Zhao Gang offered many words of gratitude, repeatedly bowing.