Seeing Wayne’s troubled expression, Hefei couldn’t help but prepare for the worst and spoke bluntly, "Did that woman use some tricks on you? Tell me how she’s bullied you; I’ll go settle the score with her."
"You’re joking, Teacher. After all, she’s a High Priest of The Church, representing the highest authority in the Windsor District. With such a status, she wouldn’t resort to forceful tactics against me," Wayne said.
"That’s exactly what’s troublesome!"
Hefei’s face grew colder, "I know your character; you’re always grateful and value repaying kindness. I’m not afraid of her being forceful; I’m afraid of her using soft tactics."
Teacher, you’re so smart; how could you get conned by social trash to dig your own grave?
Wayne scoffed internally, Hefei’s intelligence was anything but dull, equipped with both wits and schemes, a formidable woman indeed, yet she fell hard for Austin.
With a High Priest like you in The Church of Naturalism, the other churches in Windsor...
Oh, the Moonlight Church also boasts High Priests smitten with love; nobody outdoes the other. Arch enemies, equally matched in incompetence.
Then there’s nothing to worry about!
"Anyway, stay on guard; she knows you are of the Protogenos Bloodline and certainly won’t let it go easily!" Hefei said, her head aching with annoyance. Stupid people everywhere trying to steal her student, leaving her feeling utterly insecure.
Suddenly, she remembered something and cautioned, "Beware of her beauty; you’re still young, mostly judging people by appearances. Don’t assume she’s a good person just because she looks pretty. I’m not afraid to tell you she’s already eighty years old, old enough to be your grandma."
Eighty is a bit of an exaggeration, half that age is more likely.
"Wayne, say something!"
"Teacher, you know me. I’ve always been able to resist the allure of beauty, and besides..."
Wayne, with an expression of speechlessness: "She’s a High Priest; even if she harbored such thoughts, it’s unlikely she would act personally. Most likely, she would arrange for someone else to execute the plans."
Hefei nodded and told Wayne to find Veronica after he finished talking with Austin, casually imparting some strategic advice.
She encouraged Wayne to charge ahead boldly, unafraid of Veronica’s rebuke. She knew her daughter too well; the harsher the scolding, the more she liked it. Those she truly disliked wouldn’t merit a second glance even if they threw themselves at her.
Hefei walked away quickly, the romantic developments between her student and daughter painfully slow—nothing youthful about it.
She couldn’t rush things in this area and could only protect them for now, wary of the Moonlight Church playing dirty. She felt it necessary to meet with Philomena.
After all, both churches were allies, and since Philomena’s arrival in Lundan, Hefei hadn’t officially extended her congratulations. This would be the perfect opportunity to make things clear.
Hefei didn’t want to dig up the past, but now that Wayne was her student and had The Church of Naturalism’s seal, she hoped certain pests wouldn’t bother looking for trouble.
Megan stood at the door, opposite the furiously indignant young miss. She sighed; it was still the same old spiel.
It’s about the future of the family. Please wait a moment, Miss.
Whether intentional or accidental, as this spiel ended, Veronica’s fists clenched audibly.
There’s a debtor for every debt; her punches were meant only for Wayne.
Wayne stood tall and proud, showing off his medal. Austin rolled his eyes, losing any interest in playing with the Ancient Silver Coin, and languidly stood up, opened the bookshelf partition and started to display his own medals and trophies.
A whole wall full of them, especially the certificates for the repeated office as the mayor of the Financial City, prominently placed in the center.
Young man, open your eyes wide and see clearly, this is what status looks like.
Wayne’s Knight Commander Medal was something Austin also possessed, of little value to him, left unshown and tucked away into a corner, even boxed up.