Chapter 143: Holding Hands
Jin Sui saw the slight upturn of his lips and felt relieved, but quickly felt indignant. If they continued to play riddles like this, who knew how many rounds it would take to get to the main topic.
She suddenly realized, what was there to be afraid of! Any business the Yan clan wanted to cooperate on had to go through me. If the talks completely broke down and we didn’t cooperate, I could find another partner. You guys won’t find another person with the perfume formula!
Thinking this, she naturally picked up her chopsticks and ate, saying with a smile, “I’m starving. I’ll eat first, Jiulang, don’t be polite.”
The smile on Yan Jiu’s lips turned into a slight twitch. These were the dishes *I* ordered.
But he elegantly poured Jin Sui a cup of tea, “Slow down.”
The Persian cat jumped down from his lap, and Jin Sui, with quick eyes and hands, scooped it up and petted it fiercely, causing the chubby little cat to meow like a molested maiden.
She put it back into Yan Jiu’s arms with a smile, “So cute! Send me one when it has kittens.”
“Bai Shi is male.”
…
Jin Sui coughed lightly, put down her chopsticks, and began to speak, “I understood the story Jiulang told last time. Jiulang seems to have forgotten one thing.”
“It’s not just the tiger falling into Pingyang, but also a group of implicated small beasts that also fell into Pingyang. These small beasts, like the tiger king, are not native to Pingyang.
Besides banding together with the tiger king for survival, there’s also the reason they have to stay by the tiger king’s side.”
Yan Jiu’s eyes narrowed slightly, but a hint of joy, imperceptible to anyone else, appeared in the depths of his gaze. As long as he was willing to talk, it meant he was given an opportunity.
His biggest worry was the Li King before him, who was determined to follow Gu Changxiao and gave him no chance at all.
“If the small beasts don’t look for Pingyang people, how will they know others can’t help them?”
Jin Sui sighed lightly, “You really can’t help! You are indeed very strong in Yandi, but if I want to clear my Father Shen’s name, I can only rely on Gu Changxiao.”
Taking on side jobs, in later generations, if the boss found out, and you were capable, the boss would turn a blind eye. If you were mediocre, the boss would at most fire you.
But in this era, neither Gu Changxiao nor Yan Jiulang could accept their subordinates taking on side jobs.
It could even cost them their lives!
By joining Yan Jiu’s ranks, she and Grandpa Jin An had truly settled down in Yanzhou, and from then on, they could live the life she yearned for: living in a mansion, wearing fine clothes, and eating delicious food.
All she had to do was help Yan Jiu make money, and life would be quite easy. Even if her identity as Ling Jin Sui were exposed, Yan Jiu’s abilities would be enough to cover it up for her.
As for their fugitive status as her and Jin An, under the Yan clan’s protection, it was even less of a concern. The Imperial Court would never demand them from the Yan clan.
To summarize, joining Yan Clan Corporation meant living a comfortable, retired life ahead of time.
What about following the startup boss, Mr. Gu? Heh, I earn my own salary. No, I earn my colleagues’ salaries too. Even the boss has to rely on me for sustenance!
Not to mention the food, clothing, and housing, there’s no guarantee of personal safety. The enemies in the open are too many to count, and the enemies in the dark are equally numerous.
I’m even a body double for the boss, not just doing the work, but possibly risking my life.
But if you asked her to abandon the current Gu Changxiao and the border city, and casually go to Yan Jiu’s side to live a life of luxury, it wouldn’t just be her, even Grandpa Ling would feel uneasy and lose sleep at night.
It’s no exaggeration to say that without Jin Sui, many projects in the current border city would immediately halt production, and it’s unknown when the new district would be completed.
Is Gu Changxiao the only one in the border city? No! There’s also Han Xing, who went through life and death with her, young but a rigid patriarch.
Hei Hu, who would do anything she said and wanted to marry her, and Cheng Yu, who would sell her life for her.
Chen Yunniang, leading a group of self-reliant women, gradually moving towards independence and strength under her influence.
The border soldiers of the Tuntian Camp, looking at her expectantly, working desperately without complaint, just to have enough to eat and warm clothes.
The refugees, cautiously peeking out from the mountains, willing to earn a living under the Li King.
And the orphans of the martyrs who died in the battle against the Tartars. She had sworn at the cemetery that she would ensure those orphans survived in the border city.
In the past, she always believed that these people were in the border city because of the Li King, but now she proudly says it’s because of her, Ling Jin Sui!
You take the lead and encourage them here, everyone trusts and admires you, and then you turn around and join the Yan clan, leaving them to fend for themselves in the bleak and dilapidated border city?
If she really did that, Jin Sui felt she wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly for the rest of her life!
She looked sincerely into Yan Jiu’s eyes and smiled slightly, “Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Jiulang, but I’m destined to work hard my whole life and can’t enjoy a life of leisure.”
“I’m sorry, although my future with the tiger king is uncertain and I might lose my life at any moment, this is my choice. As a friend, I hope you can support me.”
Yan Jiu met her gaze, his well-defined fingers stroking the back of the Persian cat in his arms repeatedly, and the little meow let out a comfortable purr.
Jin Sui truly admired such people, as if nothing could cause them great emotional fluctuations. If it were her, she would have increased the pressure and hurt the little cat.
Yan Jiu looked at her quietly for a long time before speaking, “Can you tell me your name?”
Jin Sui was stunned for a moment. Ling Jin Sui and Ji Sui lingered on her tongue, but soon the name Ling Jin Sui was swallowed. For the safety of her grandfather and Jin An, she couldn’t say it!
She chuckled, “Ji Sui, my name is Ji Sui.”
Yan Jiu extended his hand towards her, “How do you write it?”
Jin Sui raised her finger as a pen, her fingertip about to land on his palm. Looking at his hands, which were like white jade, her fingers couldn’t bear to write.
She poured a little tea onto the table, and with a smile, dipped her finger in the water and wrote the two characters ‘Ji Sui’.
Yan Jiu remained as calm and composed as ever. Using the tea Jin Sui had poured, he wrote the two characters ‘Nan Gui’ next to hers.
“This is my courtesy name. Brother Ji, greetings.”
Jin Sui smiled, this time with much more sincerity, completely shedding the anxiety of the past few days. She cupped her hands and said, “Yan Nan Gui, that sounds wonderful! Brother Yan, greetings!”
The two looked at each other and smiled. Just then, Jin An brought over a large bowl of steaming hodgepodge and said with a smile, “Grandpa said your dishes were cold, so eat this hot one.”
The rising steam formed a mist between them, and Yan Jiu’s face seemed like a banished immortal seen through the clouds, making one reluctant to profane.
Jin Sui quickly lowered her head to eat, returning to her carefree persona as Daoist Ji:
“Regarding the coal ball business Jiulang mentioned, we should open a shop and sell them before the first snow. Once the snow falls, the roads will be difficult to travel, making it hard to deliver them to the city.”
Yan Jiu nodded, “Later, I’ll have the steward go to the workshop to discuss it. The sea salt business is the same. Let’s finalize everything while I’m in the border city.”
Jin Sui’s heart skipped a beat, “You’re going back? Aren’t you going to watch the competition?”
Yan Jiu shook his head slightly, “The competition is not as important as you. I didn’t stay for the competition; I stayed for you.”
However, since your mind is made up, I can’t force you. There’s no need to stay in this border city.
“The Yan clan has some miscellaneous matters. Yan Jiu can come to watch the finals later.”
Jin Sui smiled, “That’s fine. I’ll invite you to the awards ceremony then.”
“I’m full. I’ll take my leave. Jiulang, enjoy your meal!”
Jin Sui waved goodbye to him, then smiled and waved to Yan Shi’er Niang at another table before striding away.
She didn’t notice Gu Changxiao standing behind a wooden beam not far away, watching the entire scene.
But from his vantage point, he couldn’t see the table clearly, only Yan Jiu reaching out towards Daoist Ji, and Daoist Ji using her finger as a pen… was she writing on his palm?
Gu Changxiao clenched his fist, his fingernails digging into his palm until it hurt.
What he didn’t know was that Yan Jiu glanced towards his hiding spot and calmly picked up his teacup.
Who told you, Ji Sui, that I would only snatch you away once?
There’s plenty of time in the future.
Playing with the accessory at her waist, Jin Sui skipped along towards the polo field, occasionally waving and greeting acquaintances by the roadside. Everyone could see she was in a very good mood.
Everyone thought the Prince was in a good mood because the Black Feather Team had won a beautiful match in the morning. Only Gu Changxiao gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot.
Is Daoist Ji so happy with Yan Jiu?
Meanwhile, Yan Shiyi casually asked his brother:
“We’re watching the matches this afternoon, and we can only have special training at night. I’ll go borrow a venue. Brother, have you figured out how to beat the Black Feather Team and that big black guy?”
Yan Jiu glanced at him indifferently, “That’s a question for you, the captain, to figure out. I’ll be returning to Yanzhou with Shi’er Niang this afternoon. The steward will stay to look after you. Fight well.”
Yan Shiyi was in a panic. This was not what they had agreed upon!
“Brother, why are you going back on your word? You said you’d help me if I helped you, and then you’d give us special training!”
Yan Jiu’s eyes narrowed, and Yan Shiyi shrunk his neck, retreating to a spot where his brother couldn’t kick him, and stubbornly said, “You’re going back on your word!”
Yan Jiu sneered, “I promised to give you special training, but I didn’t promise you could win the championship. I’ve already trained you. Whether you can beat the Black Feather Team is your concern as captain.”
Yan Shi’er Niang whispered from the side, “Eldest Brother, I have several businesses to manage, I can’t leave!”
Yan Jiu knew she had partnered with Jin Sui to open a Pear Garden, which, unlike traditional Pear Gardens, performed new plays and was very popular with young people.
But now there were too many people in the border city, and Yan Shiyi was too careless. He couldn’t rest assured leaving his sister behind.
Besides, if he left, Yan Shi’er Niang would definitely go to see the Li King every day. With so many eyes watching, his sister’s reputation still mattered.
He couldn’t explain much to them at this time. He only needed to… sweep his icy gaze over their faces and say in a firm tone:
“You have half a day to hand over your affairs to the steward. I’ll pick you up at Shen Shi Yi Ke.” He then left with Bai Shi.
Yan Shi’er Niang was huffing, her eldest brother was too mean and overbearing! Why did he have to take me with him when he went home!
She exchanged a look with Second Brother, and they both encouraged each other with their eyes, “You go!”
But the reality was that neither dared to retort and could only swallow their anger.
Because their eldest brother only kept Bai Shi with him when he was very angry or suppressing some emotion.
And when he was in such a mood, even the family dog wouldn’t dare to bark! As for the two of them, they didn’t dare to talk back at all.
They say an elder brother is like a father, but a father might go easy on you when he hits you, but when your elder brother hits you, he really hits you…
He was just talking and laughing with the Li King earlier, telling stories! Who angered him now?
After Yan Jiu walked away, these two cowards didn’t dare to voice their opinions. They only grumbled in a voice Yan Jiu couldn’t hear:
“Why? I wanted to cheer for Second Brother too!”
Yan Shiyi didn’t appreciate it at all, “You want to find the Li King to play with after Big Brother leaves, don’t you?”
Yan Shi’er Niang was very angry, “I treated the whole team to milk tea yesterday! You didn’t say a word for me.”
Yan Shiyi’s features were twisted into a knot, “Big Brother isn’t looking after us, how can I beat that big black guy!”
The siblings were not on the same wavelength, and both felt the other was a coward for not being able to say ‘no’ to their eldest brother.
With a heavy snort, one continued to eat the hodgepodge, “I haven’t eaten enough yet!”
The other went to find a savior, “I earn so much silver for the Prince every day, he definitely won’t let me go!”
Yan Shi’er Niang went all the way to the racetrack and saw Jin Sui laughing and talking with a group of workers. The Prince was not arrogant at all and even helped hand tools to the workers.
A bold child ran over, and he took maltose candy from his purse and gave it to the child, patting the child’s head and chatting with him.
If other gentry youths did this, people would laugh at them for lowering their status and being unseemly.
But when the Prince did it, it felt so natural.
Yan Shi’er Niang even felt that the Prince’s current smile was very attractive, more sincere than when he faced her.
She suddenly felt a little hesitant to approach and disturb him. As expected, a worker saw her and quickly bowed respectfully, not daring to speak further, his waist bent extremely low, not daring to look her in the face at all.
The refugees all knew that young ladies should not be looked at. Sometimes, if you accidentally glanced at her, her house guards would rush over and beat you.
Jin Sui noticed her and walked over with a smile, “Miss Yan, why are you here so early? The polo match is still more than half an hour away!”
Yan Shi’er Niang said with a slight urgency, “Your Highness, I need your help with something.”
Jin Sui patted her chest, “Tell me, as long as I can help, I will do my best.”
“My eldest brother wants me to return to the Yan clan with him, but I don’t want to leave for now. I want to stay and watch Second Brother’s match, and see our Pear Garden and Rouge Shop.”
“Could you please speak to my eldest brother for me and let me stay?”
Jin Sui’s smiling face turned awkward, “Well, I just refused your brother, so it’s really awkward to see him!”
“Um, the border city is too chaotic right now. Your brother is also doing this for your own good. Why don’t you go back with him first, and then come back to watch the finals.”
Yan Shi’er Niang’s face was full of disappointment. How could even the Prince be like this? Does my eldest brother eat people? Everyone is afraid of him!
Before she could say more, Han Xing hurried over, “Your Highness, there’s a secret report.”
After whispering in her ear, Jin Sui’s expression changed drastically. She cupped her hands towards Yan Shi’er Niang, “I must take my leave.”
“Oh, and Han Xing, personally escort Miss Yan to the Yan family head’s inn.”
With the previous incident, she was afraid Yan Shi’er Niang would run away and hide halfway.
She herself hurried to find Gu Changxiao. It was strange, Gu Changxiao seemed to be around her all the time, and she could always see him no matter when. Today, she hadn’t seen him for half the day.
While anxiously searching, Gu Changxiao walked over leisurely, “Brother Ji…”
Before he could finish, Jin Sui, in her haste, grabbed his sleeve, “Quick, Huo Zi’an is back.”
Gu Changxiao’s expression also tensed instantly. Huo Zi’an, whom they all thought had escaped during the Zheng Yun case, must have gone to Chang’an. Why would he return at this time?
He lowered his head and saw Jin Sui holding his sleeve, her fingers fair and slender.
The image of those small hands writing on Yan Jiu’s palm flashed through his mind. As his own large hand moved, it occasionally brushed against the skin of that small hand.
His hand was very hot, and her hand was slightly cool.
Suddenly, his hand seemed to move uncontrollably, turning his palm upwards, and he took Jin Sui’s hand.
Jin Sui seemed not to notice at all, still holding his hand as they ran to the stables.
