KUNLUN – The Little Lotus

Chapter Three

Without even looking at him, she quietly walked around it. His brows drew together. "Would you stop for a moment? My grandmother asked you a question. The least you could do is answer." Only then did the girl slowly raise her head. Her deep black eyes met his, and for reasons he couldn't explain, he felt an unexpected chill run down his spine. Her voice remained calm and perfectly steady. "Why should I do what someone I've never met tells me to do? Who are you? A few minutes ago I was informed that I'm nothing more than a beggar or a peddler and therefore not permitted to use the front entrance. Thank you, but I won't be staying here." She turned and continued walking before pausing ever so slightly, her head tilting just enough for her voice to carry back over her shoulder. "If anyone else tries to stop me, don't blame me if I become impolite."

The young man watched the small figure disappear toward the road before turning to his grandmother in complete confusion. "Grandmother... why is she so rude?" The old woman didn't answer with words. Instead, she brought her walking stick down sharply against his leg. "You foolish boy! Is showing another person a little respect really such a difficult thing?" Without waiting for a reply, she turned toward the servant standing by the gate. "Explain what happened here." The servant quickly recounted everything. He had escorted the girl to the side entrance, but she had refused to enter. "I explained that she wasn't entitled to use the main entrance. After all, she's just a girl nobody knows. She did have an invitation card with her, though." The elderly woman's expression immediately darkened. "Where is that invitation?" "Miss has it inside the house," the servant answered. The old woman slammed the tip of her walking stick against the ground with enough force to make everyone nearby jump. "Very well," she said coldly. "Then let's go and have a look."

The young man followed his grandmother straight through the gate while the servant hurried ahead to open the front door. As soon as they entered the entrance hall, a young woman who had been waiting on one of the sofas immediately stood up. "Where's our guest?" she asked. The servant lowered his head respectfully. "She left." The young woman barely had time to react before she noticed the elderly lady. Her face instantly lit up with a smile. "Grandmother!" This time, her voice was sweet and affectionate, but the old woman ignored her completely. Instead, she extended her hand toward the servant. "The invitation." He immediately picked up the card from the table and handed it to her. The moment she saw it, the color drained from her face. She hurriedly took out her phone and was just about to place a call when it began ringing. She answered at once. "Hello?" A warm voice came from the other end. "Minister Wu. How kind of you to call." She listened for a moment before sighing deeply. "I've only just returned home myself. I had no idea my granddaughter would behave this way. I met the young girl at the airport today. She saved my life." She fell silent again before exclaiming, "She saved your life as well? She even performed surgery on you?" Her eyes widened. "Good heavens... she's a genius." Another pause followed. "Yes... I'm deeply sorry. She absolutely did not deserve such treatment. One of the servants tried to stop her, and she threw him to the ground." She listened once more before asking in surprise, "How old is she?" Whatever answer she received made her blink several times. "Seriously?" Another brief silence followed before she shook her head. "I swear she doesn't look a day older than ten." She continued listening. "The villa next door?" Another pause. "Do you think she'll agree?" Finally she nodded. "Very well. Don't worry, Minister. I'll personally take care of everything." After ending the call, she slowly turned toward her granddaughter. The warmth had vanished entirely from her face."It seems I've spoiled you far too much," she said coldly. "Your parents have spoiled you far too much as well. Kneel down and remain there until they return. Then we'll discuss this." The family butler entered the hall just then, only to find the old woman's icy gaze fixed on him. "That little girl is someone truly extraordinary, yet you called her a beggar and tried to force her through the servants' entrance?" The butler lowered his head. "Where is my head butler?" she demanded. "He's currently away, Madam," another servant answered nervously. "He went to prepare for the arrival of a very special guest." The old woman let out a humorless laugh. "The very special guest whom you and that foolish girl have already insulted?" She held up the invitation. "I now have to answer personally to Minister Wu." Her grandson stepped forward, trying to calm her. "Grandmother, please settle down. She's only a little girl." The old woman ignored him completely, walked to a chair, sat down with perfect dignity, and pointed her walking stick toward the floor. "All three of you. Kneel."

Several hours later, the parents returned home. The moment they entered the hall, they froze. Both of their children were kneeling on the floor while their grandmother sat calmly in her chair, silently watching them. Only after a moment did they even notice that the butler was kneeling as well. The mother immediately rushed toward her children, intending to help them up, but an authoritative voice stopped her cold. "Those two will remain exactly where they are. They have brought shame upon this family, and that cannot go unpunished." The father slowly sat down opposite his mother. "Mom... what happened?" The elderly woman answered without hesitation. "Didn't I tell all of you that an important guest would be arriving today? Minister Wu personally asked our family to host this guest for a while. And what do I discover? Not only did that important guest save my life today and cure my heart condition, she was forbidden from using our front entrance." She slammed the tip of her walking stick against the marble floor.