The steward's beard bristled with anger as he pointed a finger at Lu Ming and roared, "You lying bastard, how dare you question my loyalty to the master? I... I'll beat you to death!"
Lu Ming shrugged. "I'm not questioning your loyalty. I'm just telling you a fact. Besides, I already said you meant well but did a bad job. It's not about disloyalty."
The old steward couldn't listen any further and was about to grab something to hit Lu Ming.
Jiang Mengxin, standing by, shook her head.
They had come to the Ma family to apologize. How had they managed to anger them instead of succeeding in their apology?
Jiang Mengxin couldn't understand it. It seemed Lu Ming possessed a peculiar ability to easily provoke others. It was truly remarkable.
In truth, it wasn't that Lu Ming provoked people.
It was that Lu Ming often spoke the truth, and many people found it hard to accept the truth.
Take the Ju Xian Xiang, for instance. Lu Ming had already told the steward that he had done a bad thing with good intentions and warned him that the item was dangerous and could kill people.
This was a fact.
But how could the old steward accept it?
Unable to accept it, he got angry, and when he got angry, he wanted to hit people. This wasn't Lu Ming's fault.
Just then, Ma Tengyun slowly descended the stairs and asked the old steward, "What are you doing?"
The old steward said, his face full of grievance, "Master, this Lu Ming is spouting nonsense, saying that the Ju Xian Xiang I got for you is problematic and will kill you. Not only you, but also the young lady and everyone living here! I was so angry that I wanted to take action."
Oh?
Ma Tengyun walked over.
He glanced at the Ju Xian Xiang and said, "This incense has a very good effect. It cured my years of headaches. How is it that in Lu Ming's mouth, it's problematic? I think it's not the incense that's problematic, but someone else, wouldn't you say?"
Someone else, undoubtedly referring to Lu Ming.
Lu Ming smiled. He didn't argue, but simply stated the truth: "This incense actually has another name, 'Huan Le Xiang' (Illusionary Joy Incense). Its fragrance is very special. It can paralyze the brain and body, making one feel refreshed and strong. But in reality, it only numbs you; it doesn't truly make you healthy. Moreover, it subtly saps your vitality and spirit, causing you to be 'sucked dry' in a state of false happiness. The longer you inhale this incense, the more depleted your body will become. Within a month, or at most three months, death is certain."
His words were so convincing that everyone present felt a chill.
Ma Tengyun frowned.
He looked at Lu Ming, then at the old steward, and for a moment, he didn't know whom to believe.
So...
He pressed further, "Lu Ming, is there any basis for what you're saying?"
"Uh..." Lu Ming thought for a moment. "It's based on experience. What kind of basis are you looking for?"
Ma Tengyun laughed. "So you have no proof? I'm speechless. The Ju Xian Xiang cured my headache, that's true. How can I abandon it because of your baseless ramblings?"
Lu Ming insisted, "Chairman Ma, your headache hasn't been cured. Your brain has merely been numbed. The pathogen still exists. If you want to cure your headache, I have plenty of ways. You don't need this Ju Xian Xiang."
The atmosphere became tense.
Everyone watched Ma Tengyun, waiting to see whom he would believe.
A moment later.
Ma Tengyun suddenly burst into laughter. He pointed at Lu Ming, then at Jiang Mengxin, and said with a laugh, "You two rascals, you're quite the storytellers. I get it now. You're trying to win my favor through this method, to set aside our previous grievances and cooperate again, aren't you? If you want to cooperate, just say so. Why fabricate all these superstitious things? Is it that interesting?"
He didn't believe Lu Ming at all!
Lu Ming sighed again. It was the same old saying, "Good advice is not heeded by a stubborn fool." He had clearly stated the facts.
Unfortunately, others simply didn't believe him.
Jiang Mengxin felt both embarrassed and angry. She said aggrievedly, "Chairman Ma, I really didn't conspire with Lu Ming to say this. The reason I brought him here was to sincerely apologize to you and Miss Ma. Whatever offense Lu Ming caused Miss Ma, I hope she can forgive him. As for cooperation, that's a matter for later. I truly have no selfish motives."
She spoke very sincerely, but unfortunately, Ma Tengyun didn't believe her.
He waved his hand. "You two, playing good cop and bad cop, it's quite amusing. Do you think I'm a three-year-old child, so easily fooled? You two can leave. I won't believe Lu Ming's lies, nor will I believe that President Jiang has no ulterior motives and is only here to apologize."
The Ju Xian Xiang will continue to be used.
Apologies? Unnecessary!
The old steward smiled triumphantly. In the end, Ma Tengyun chose to believe him and not be deceived by Lu Ming's nonsense.
This felt very satisfying.
He pointed towards the door and said, "You two, please leave."
Issuing a dismissal!
Jiang Mengxin persisted, "Chairman Ma, please believe me! Even if you don't believe me, please at least let us see Miss Ma and say 'I'm sorry' to her face, can we?"
Ma Tengyun waved his hand. "No need. My daughter explicitly told me that she never wants to see Lu Ming again in her life. You two, leave."
Lu Ming had guessed correctly.
They were from different worlds; how could they possibly want to see each other?
Jiang Mengxin was utterly despairing. It seemed reconciliation with the Ma family was impossible. Not only could they not cooperate with the Ma family, but they had also worsened the relationship. How would they continue to develop in Modu?
Thinking about it gave her a headache.
Jiang Mengxin glared at Lu Ming and said angrily, "This is all your doing! Let's go, you still have the nerve to stay here?"
Lu Ming frowned and once again said to Ma Tengyun, "Chairman Ma, everything I've said is true. I hope you will seriously consider my words."
Heh.
Consider what nonsense!
Ma Tengyun sneered. "Lu Ming, I've seen plenty of tricks like yours. Stop the nonsense. If you don't leave, I'll call security."
Sigh...
Lu Ming sighed and said nothing more, leaving directly.
Jiang Mengxin quickly followed.
Only after they had completely departed did Ma Xiaoling slowly descend from the second floor, her expression as melancholic as ever. Since parting with Lu Ming, she hadn't felt any happier.
Instead, she felt very sad.
Ma Tengyun asked with concern, "Xiaoling, I can see you still care about Lu Ming, but why..."
Ma Xiaoling shook her head. "He has his strengths, but we are not on the same path."
With that said, Ma Tengyun didn't have anything more to add.
Father and daughter sat in silence.
In the corner, the incense burner continued to emit wisps of smoke from the Ju Xian Xiang, drifting and dissolving into the air.