Chapter 139: My First Love
In the vast and luxurious restaurant.
The three of them sat at the dining table eating dim sum, adhering to the table etiquette of not speaking while eating, and no one spoke.
Lian Li glanced out of the corner of her eye at Jin Shi Yue on her left, then at Jin Yan Ting on her right, and felt a sense of daze.
How did she end up eating breakfast with them?
The two brothers of the Jin Family, born noble and aloof, exuded a silent, awe-inspiring oppressive aura.
The chef brought over a light seafood congee and respectfully served each of them a bowl, introducing the ingredients, their nutritional benefits, and their place in traditional Chinese medicine, such as records in the Compendium of Materia Medica and Chinese medical theory… Lian Li was absent-minded and didn’t take it in.
Jin Yan Ting signaled the chef to give the first bowl to Lian Li, then said to her, “You ate heavy flavors yesterday, so today’s diet is lighter, which is beneficial for digestion.”
“Thanks, brother.”
After Lian Li thanked him, something suddenly pressed against her left leg under the table. Even through the comfortable fabric, she could feel the intense heat of its presence.
Lian Li suppressed the instinct to look up at Jin Shi Yue and slowly drank her congee, her long, thick eyelashes lowered.
Not only were their legs under the table, but Jin Yan Ting’s were there too. Lian Li dared not move, so she could only let Jin Shi Yue’s leg press against hers.
Breakfast was almost over. Jin Yan Ting slowly wiped his fingers with a handkerchief and looked at Jin Shi Yue opposite him, asking, “Is there a big problem in Shanghai?”
Changing plans to arrive in Shanghai and staying at a hotel was not something the Second Young Master would do.
Knowing that Jin Yan Ting was asking about work, Jin Shi Yue tapped his long fingers on the table and smiled with narrowed eyes, “I’ll turn a big problem into a small one.”
No one could control Jin Shi Yue; he would fix any trouble he caused, so Jin Yan Ting never worried.
His brother had been different since childhood.
He didn’t want the family conglomerate, claiming he had international business and wouldn’t do business with foreigners; he didn’t want to be a civil servant, finding it boring; he joined the military, endured years of gunfire and rain of bullets, and then voluntarily withdrew… A few years ago, the Old Master could still use the Jin family’s ancestors to pressure him into compromising for family interests.
Now, the Old Master sighed, “I don’t think there’s anything in this world he wants.”
The mysterious questions and mysterious answers were beyond Lian Li’s understanding.
She quietly drank her milk beside them, not disturbing their conversation.
Jin Yan Ting put down his handkerchief and abruptly changed the subject, saying with a meaningful tone, “The Old Madam and the Third Miss are hoping you’ll settle down. Are you serious about the young lady?”
The Third Miss referred to their mother, Chen Shifei, and the young lady.
“When have you ever seen me not serious?” Jin Shi Yue raised his eyebrows slowly.
Jin Yan Ting was self-disciplined because his mind was entirely on power struggles and he had no time for romance, while Jin Shi Yue spent most of his time in the military region.
For the remaining time, he would hang out with young masters and had seen how they treated the women around them. Those men were like rutting dogs when it came to women, which the Second Young Master disdained greatly.
“Since you’re serious,” Jin Yan Ting said with a calm gaze, “bring the young lady home for dinner as soon as possible.”
Jin Shi Yue appeared calm and composed, “My first love is easily shy. I’ll bring her home after she’s accustomed to me.”
Lian Li: “…”
He really thought she was cherries, to be “accustomed to.” Why didn’t he just “kill” them while they were fresh?
“Whose young lady is she?” Jin Yan Ting asked with a flat tone, accompanied by the concern of an elder brother for his younger brother.
Jin Shi Yue lazily hooked his lips, “Mine.”
Jin Yan Ting’s eyebrows were deeply etched, and he subtly glanced at Lian Li, who seemed uninvolved, peeling and eating pistachios one by one.
Assistant He found that a room on the 18th floor was registered to Tao Su. The room was neither too close nor too far from Lian Li’s room, showing no deliberate attempt to avoid or approach.
Jin Yan Ting continued, “To what extent have you discussed it?”
“We’re in love now,” Jin Shi Yue said lazily, “and in the future, until the seas run dry and the rocks decay.”
Hearing this, Lian Li couldn’t help but lift her foot and gently step on him under the table.
Unexpectedly, Jin Shi Yue reacted strongly and looked at her, “Sister, are you kicking me?”
The word “sister” made Lian Li’s scalp tingle.
“Sorry.” She looked up at him, her smile apologetic, “It was unintentional.”
“I heard that Sister is a top student in the mathematics department and can keenly detect errors.” Jin Shi Yue’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I thought I said something wrong and you were going to correct me.”
Lian Li cursed him inwardly but maintained a composed expression, “You flatter me.”
“Big brother, where did you find such a strategist?” Jin Shi Yue leaned back in his chair, turned to look at Jin Yan Ting, and said casually, “Find one for me too.”
Jin Yan Ting scanned their expressions. One was calm and distant, the other indifferent and casual, as if they were not familiar with each other.
“Lian Jingcheng’s daughter.” Jin Yan Ting stated concisely.
Jin Shi Yue understood and said no more, his reaction being entirely within expectations.
The long breakfast finally ended. Jin Yan Ting walked ahead and lifted the white curtain to let Lian Li go out first. Jin Shi Yue watched them with a cold gaze.
He sent her a message with a dark expression: 「Are you two planning to elope in front of me? 」
Before she could even hold him accountable, he was already displeased.
Lian Li lowered her eyes to stare at her phone, and Jin Yan Ting’s voice suddenly sounded from above, “Xiao Li, go wait for me in the car first.”
The two brothers probably had confidential matters to discuss.
Lian Li nodded and said okay.
Before Jin Shi Yue could receive a reply, he watched helplessly as Lian Li got into Jin Yan Ting’s Cullinan.
“A Yue.”
Jin Shi Yue turned off his phone screen and met Jin Yan Ting’s gaze.
“The Jin family and the Pei family have always kept to themselves. Why did you suddenly acquire Zhongtai shares?”
Jin Shi Yue’s expression remained unchanged, his tone indifferent, “It’s only 2.1%, it won’t cause any major waves.”
He was avoiding the main issue and not stating the reason, so Jin Yan Ting could not force him to speak.
2.1% of Zhongtai Bank’s shares were unattainable for most people, but for the Jin family, it was neither here nor there.
For dividends? Jin Shi Yue was not short of money; for acquisition? Jin Shi Yue had a close relationship with Pei Qingji and wouldn’t cause conflict. Moreover, the Pei family’s banks were global, not something that could be acquired just like that.
“Then I won’t interfere with this matter.” Jin Yan Ting said, “I trust you, and not just because you are my brother.”
The word “brother” sounded unpleasant in Jin Shi Yue’s ears.
He glanced sideways and saw Lian Li rolling down the car window, smiling, and making a gesture to him from afar. His bad mood improved slightly.
Jin Yan Ting strode towards the Cullinan and got into the back seat.
Lian Li looked out the car window. Jin Shi Yue had his hands in his pockets, his dark eyes filled with cold indifference.
She sent him the message she had edited: 「It has nothing to do with eloping; it’s about work. 」
Jin Shi Yue said expressionlessly: 「Then why did you make the OK gesture to me? 」
Lian Li: 「What OK? That was three. I was indicating the number three. 」
Lian Li: 「Three points to finish. 」
Lian Li no longer wanted to dwell on Jin Shi Yue’s unauthorized appearance in front of her and Jin Yan Ting without greeting her.
Jin Shi Yue: 「His many secretaries are all useless. Do you have to accompany him for work? 」
