Chapter 22: Do I Feel Wronged Riding in My Car?
“Junior Sister.” Jin Shi Yue observed her with leisurely composure, his cool voice tinged with a hint of languor.
Lian Li’s eyelids involuntarily trembled.
The way he called her Junior Sister made it sound as if he were about to seize her money, putting her on guard.
Their eyes met. Jin Shi Yue’s fingers circled the rim of the celadon cup, his posture far from that of a proper guest, overly relaxed, exuding a lazy, handsome charm.
“Did you make this?” he asked casually.
“No. The auntie at home made it.” Lian Li’s gaze shifted from the man’s face to the food container, answering truthfully.
Jin Shi Yue glanced at it indifferently and said nothing.
His demeanor was like that of an ‘old uncle’ putting on airs.
Lian Li indulged this ‘old master’ and offered him a dish of pastries, “This cheesecake pastry is also good, would you like to try some?”
Jin Shi Yue’s gaze swept over her.
The girl was wearing a misty blue shirt dress. The color wasn’t particularly vibrant, and the style was rather loose. A waistband cinched her waist, accentuating her slender, delicate figure.
Her fingers holding the dish were as smooth and lustrous as porcelain, her skin fairer than snow, like unblemished jade.
The ginkgo branches in the courtyard swayed in the breeze. His well-defined fingers and the gentle wind approached simultaneously. The difference was, the wind blew away, while his long, well-proportioned fingers plucked a biscuit and leisurely returned.
Jin Shi Yue put it in his mouth, ate it with a composed expression, and casually commented, “It’s alright.”
“Show off,” Elder Mei chuckled from the side. “Little Li, you don’t need to fuss over him. Have some tea.”
The celadon cup, thin as cicada wings, held tea. Lian Li picked it up, and the aroma of tea instantly filled her nostrils.
Pei Qingji glanced at the celadon jar and found it somewhat familiar. “This is a rare and excellent tea.”
Elder Mei poured tea with the zisha teapot and looked at Jin Shi Yue, saying with a smile, “This tea was sent over by this kid around National Day.”
“It’s freshly picked pre-rain tea from the tea plantation. There’s very little yield, and after over ten processes of careful selection, hardly any is left,” Jin Shi Yue said. “We got a few cans of tea; Old Madam kept one, and the rest were given away.”
Mentioning Old Madam Jin, Elder Mei asked with concern, “How is your grandmother’s health?”
“She was sick a few days ago and went to the hospital. Since returning, she’s been working on her translation day and night, more energetic than young people.”
Old Madam Jin was a translator from the 1960s and 70s. After retiring, she didn’t rest and engaged in textual translation work.
The old lady always wore a pair of reading glasses, her graying hair tied back. Having held a high position for decades, her influence was profound. Though her gaze was kind, it couldn’t hide her sharpness and authority.
Zhong Yang said, why does Old Madam always stare at me with such a stern gaze, making me afraid to breathe deeply in front of her, and I have to be extremely careful with all my actions.
Pei Qingji said, “Old Madam has been publishing consistently over the years. I often see books she translated in the United States.”
Elder Mei also said, “It’s no wonder they called your grandmother a ‘workaholic’ in her youth.”
Jin Shi Yue smiled noncommittally.
Lian Li listened quietly from the side, mostly in silence, and only chimed in a few times when she was mentioned.
Their conversations were unrestricted, ranging from irrelevant daily matters, like the Zhong Family’s garden being designated a protected cultural relic and not open to the public; to the Pei Family opening a new Beijing cuisine restaurant; and to the Shen Family’s downfall, their power crumbling like sandcastles.
Lian Li had to go to the Wen Gang Orchestra in the afternoon, and it was about time. She stood up, the wind blowing her skirt, and bid them farewell:
“Then I’ll be going now.”
Elder Mei nodded and asked Secretary Nie to escort her out. “Come visit again when you have time.”
Lian Li nodded.
In the chess pavilion, the remaining three master and disciples. Jin Shi Yue casually withdrew his gaze, curbing some of his arrogant demeanor, and asked Elder Mei:
“Regarding the demolition matter, so many people advised you, yet you refused them all and shut them out. Why did you only listen to a young girl?”
Pei Qingji was taken aback by this.
He had heard that Jin Yan Ting had resolved the demolition issues in the Bei Tang Lane area and had assumed it was Jin Yan Ting who had persuaded Elder Mei.
After all, Jin Yan Ting was low-key, composed, and humble, which Elder Mei greatly admired and liked.
Elder Mei took a sip of tea, placed one hand on his knee, and said calmly, “She is Huier’s student.”
Lu Huier was Elder Mei’s student, and Lian Li was Lu Huier’s student.
Jin Shi Yue leaned back, appearing completely at ease.
“You wouldn’t lower your standards just because of a connection.”
Elder Mei also understood his student. At first glance, he seemed casual and not very attentive, but in reality, his mind was as clear as a mirror.
“Then tell me, what is my reason?” Elder Mei asked, adopting the persona of a strict teacher.
Pei Qingji glanced at Jin Shi Yue, who, with a poker face, looked at Elder Mei and smoothly replied, “Lian Li, the person.”
Elder Mei had always been unyielding, indifferent to kinship, and unswayed by power or profit. Only one thing could move him:
People.
Elder Mei’s stern expression softened, and his voice grew heavy. “You got it right, you brat.”
“She is a stock that is always trending upwards,” Elder Mei said. “Perhaps the trend line isn’t obvious now, but I believe she will bring unimaginable returns in the future.”
Upon hearing this, Jin Shi Yue’s eyebrows arched slightly, revealing a playful, unrestrained air.
The sun blazed in the sky, its rays illuminating the undulating green shade and the climbing vines on the red walls in the courtyard, revealing the faint moss patterns on the stone steps.
Lian Li stood in the shade, chatting with Secretary Nie while waiting for her car.
“Little Li, this area is hosting dignitaries today, so several roads are blocked, and there’s strict security. The car will take a while,” Secretary Nie told Lian Li after taking a phone call.
Lian Li said, “Okay. Uncle Nie, if you have something urgent to attend to, you can go ahead.”
The young girl was observant. Secretary Nie did indeed have something to handle first. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard movement behind him.
He turned around and saw Jin Shi Yue and Pei Qingji emerging. They were tall with long legs and took large strides, reaching them in no time.
Jin Shi Yue walked with a relaxed, casual gait, carrying a suit jacket in his hand. Upon seeing Lian Li, he lazily called out to her, “Standing guard? You’re just going to wait because I told you to? Did I pay you?”
Lian Li: “……”
Only you can talk like that.
Pei Qingji looked at Lian Li, then at Secretary Nie, whose expression was helpless:
“There’s a lockdown outside. The old gentleman’s car is picking up guests and hasn’t returned yet, and other cars can’t enter for now.”
Pei Qingji lowered his gaze to check his wristwatch and said, “My Old Master is waiting for me.” He then looked up and said to Jin Shi Yue, “Since you have time, why don’t you give Junior Sister a ride?”
Lian Li’s intuition told her that being with Jin Shi Yue would affect her financial luck.
“No need, I’m not…” in a hurry.
Before Lian Li could finish her refusal, Jin Shi Yue lowered his eyelids and glanced at her. “What, you feel wronged riding in my car?”
Two updates will officially begin next month.
