shuhaige
Chapter 940 Given a Hard Time
Chapter 940 Given a Hard Time
An old man with winter-white hair walking with a long walking stick appeared.
Ninety should be a ripe old age, no matter what health condition he's in. He was slightly hunchbacked,
and his face was covered with deep wrinkles. Those eyes seemed glassy, but he made a strict
expression to them.
“Well, I'm here now. What's the matter?”
The local guide explained to him at once, “Sir, these reputable guests come all the way from the city to
meet you. I'll leave you to chat with them. Now I must beg you to excuse me.”
Hardly had he finished when he fled the scene.
Mr. Quill paid no attention to him, but narrowed his eyes to check them out.
“Who are you people? What do y’all want from an old man like me, eh?”
Archie stepped forward and politely said, “Sir, I'm Mrs. McCarthy's grandson. I believe she has
mentioned that we are going to drop by today?”
Mr. Quill frowned at him immediately.
Having remained silent for a moment, he then sneered, “I know, you are coming for that precious, eh?
All right then, come in.”
He stepped back and let them in, the rest, however, had a distinct impression that he was rather
unwilling to do so.
Exchanging some glances, they finally walked into the house.
Natalia walked behind them all, so she was the one who shut the door, then followed Mr. Quill to the
living room.
“Your grandma did tell me about you, and I know you are actually coming for the jade. But let me be
honest with you, that is not jade at all! Do you think I don’t know those legends of its great effects? Like
bringing death to life or immortality.”
Speaking of it, he sneered.
“Immortality? What kind of fools would believe it? Maybe young people like you. When you get to my
age, you’ll know that's total bullshit. I’ve seen all kinds of treasures, including the so-called elixir. As if it
would work! They are just imaginary stuff fabricated by us mortals with sinful lust.”
Natalia immediately nodded in agreement.
“You're absolutely right, Sir. I knew it at first sight, that you are a phenomenal person, and now I’ve
been much enlightened by your words!”
Mr. Quill glanced at her and gave a loud snort.
“Girl, you are way too naive. You think if you say something nice to flatter me, I'm just gonna hand over
it to you?”
Hearing his words, Natalia froze.
Felix, however, said calmly to him, “Since Mr. Quill knew our intention, there's no need to beat around
the bush. Would you please just name your price?”
Unexpectedly, Mr. Quill shook his head, and dismissed them with a wave of the hand.
“Not a chance.”
“Excuse me?”
Natalia's face grew grave, and so did Queeny’s.
All four put on a frown simultaneously.
Archie said to Mr. Quill, “Sir, the precious is of no use to you, but we need it to save one's life. We
sincerely ask for a quarter for the sake of my grandma.”
Mr. Quill sat down on a wooden antique chair, with one side of his mouth pulled up into a smirk.
“For the sake of your grandma? I did know her, but we haven't seen each other for god knows how
long! Besides, she now is the noble old Mrs. McCarthy, and who am I to befriend her? I'm just a senile
old man, ain't got nothing!
As for you brats, why should I care about your lives? I don't think it's my responsibility to save you.
People die every day, and if I had to save all of them, wouldn't I die of overwork?”
He seemed to be taking pleasure in talking like so, simply because Queeny's life was at stake.
Felix‘s face became eager.
Had it not been for Queeny who kept holding him back, he should have flipped the table, snatched the
thing, and run.
He took a deep breath to hold his temper and said, “Sir, there's no need to resort to petty sarcasm to
make your point. Please name your price, and I’ll do whatever I can.”
Archie followed, “I am also happy to do what I could, Sir.”
Mr. Quill took a squint at them, then turned to Natalia and Queeny.
“What about you two?”
Natalia was dumbstruck, and so was Queeny.
They quickly made eye contact, and then Natalia said with a smile, “Your command is our wish. We’ll
do whatever you want, just name it.”
Stroking his beard, Mr. Quill seemed to be quite satisfied with her words. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
He thought for a moment, “Well, you two seem to be some hard-working fellas. How about doing my
laundry, eh?”
No one had seen that coming.
Archie and Felix did not seem happy about it at all. They wouldn't even let their wives do their own
laundry, and now they have to do other people's?
Before they could make an objection, Natalia and Queeny interrupted.
“Sure, no problem. We’re on our way.”
Led by Mr. Quill, they headed to the backyard hand in hand.
At first, Natalia thought it wasn't a big deal. How many clothes could an old man have? Besides, how
difficult could it be to wash clothes? Just put them in the washing machine, and then hang them up.
Easy peasy!
For the sake of Queeny's well-being, it was nothing.
By the time they reached the backyard, they were shocked by the number of dirty clothes.
There was a helluva lot of them!
Piles of clothes lay in a heap on the floor of the backyard, dirty as if they had been worn for months, for
the stink of them offended their nostrils in the distance.
When the four were still disgusted by the smell, Mr. Quill pointed at the clothes and said, “There you
go. Finish it before the sun goes down.”
Noticing that Archie and Felix were about to lose their temper, Natalia hastily asked, “Sure thing! By the
way, could you please show us where the washing machine is?”
As if he had just heard the most hilarious joke in his life, Mr. Quill widened his eyes, and then let out a
sneer.
“Washing machine? Girl, you gotta be kidding me. We ain't got any of those fancy things here. Besides,
my clothes are made of the most valuable yet delicate fabrics. If they were ruined, can you even afford
to make up for me?”
Natalia's countenance fell.
“I’m sorry, we need to wash them by hand?”
“Of course! What? You would rather use your feet?”
Just as Archie was about to retort, Natalia held him back.
She took a deep breath and managed a fixed smile. "No problem, don't you worry about it. We assure
you that we’ll finish the laundry before the sun goes down.”
Mr. Quill nodded with satisfaction to her good attitude, and then turned to Felix and Archie.