Zhiyuan’s expression didn’t change, but Leander could still feel the disapproval.“My brother is gifted with an excess of empathy and a dearth of wisdom,” he said.
Leander sucked in a startled breath.Such insults were not acceptable.He was grateful that Shanlin didn’t know enough Chinese to see this utter lack of decorum.
Master Teacher Wang chuckled.“You shape metal with more skill than you shape relationships, Craftsman Zhiyuan.”
“I accept that as a great compliment, Master Teacher,” Zhiyuan said with a bow.“My younger brother hopes you will keep his qidi and the qidi of his qidi safe while he attempts to ascertain the nature of the strangers.”
Cold swept through Leander’s bones.“Master Teacher Wang, Craftsman Zhiyuan, I must warn against interacting with these strangers.Shanlin speaks of his mother’s caution of these individuals.She described them as dangerous, and she was not one to see threats where there were none.”
“There were no threats before you came here, stranger,” Zhiyuan said.
“So intemperate.For someone who must control heat so precisely to form metal, you are indiscriminate with the heat formed by words,” Master Teacher Wang chided.
Zhiyuan’s face grew even colder, and his gaze finally settled on Leander.His look didn’t just aim to kill, it threatened maiming, torturing, death, resuscitation, and another death.His light amber eyes were devoid of any sympathy.
Leander forced himself into a polite bow when every instinct told him to grab Shanlin and flee.“I apologize my actions attracted the attention of villains,” Leander said.“I hope I have done nothing to personally offend such an esteemed craftsman as Craftsman Zhiyuan.”
“You’ve never seen my crafts, outsider.”
“I trust that Master Teacher Wang would never name you craftsman unless you deserved the respect,” Leander countered.
“Well said,” Master Teacher Wang said.“Tell your brother to avoid being noticed by the outsiders.Come, Craftsman Lian, let us go see your qidi.”
Leander blinked at the new title.For the first time, an expression crossed Zhiyuan’s face.Disgust.Leander caught Shanlin’s hand and hurried to follow Master Teacher Wang.He did not want to be left in the same room with Heng’s brother.Either Craftsman Zhiyuan was a particularly virulent racist or he didn’t approve of Heng’s decision to name Leander as his qidi.At least Leander could reasonably assume after this that he had no obligation of filial duty to the Nei family, qidi or not.Because he and Zhiyuan were definitely not family.Either that or they were the type of family that wanted each other dead.
Chapter Fourteen
“Is that man angry atus?”Shanlin asked once the door closed.
“Craftsman Zhiyuan has his own story, one which has little to do with you or your father,” Master Teacher Wang said.
“Nei Heng should not be in Yaan by himself.These people could be dangerous.”
“Acolyte Heng is dangerous,” Master Teacher Wang countered, “and he is not alone.He has taken a friend—a woman—so his journey appears mundane.To outsiders, they will appear as a rural couple seeking a night or two of romance.In addition, she is also not without talent.”
A strange squirming filled Leander’s chest.He was not so self-deluded as to miss the signs of jealousy, but that was stupid.Heng had built his own life while Leander had been off manufacturing drugs, so he had no right to hope Heng would have waited for him.Hell, Leander hadn’t thought of Heng more than a dozen times since leaving China.He’d made his bad choices, and he’d lived with them rather than retreating into a fantasy life where he’d made better ones.He was a felon—a thug—and after chipping away at his soul, he didn’t get to hope for a happy ending.
