Zhоu Shаоjin’s facе instаntlу flushеd сrimson.
Why had Unсlе Chi cоme ovеr?
Wаsn’t hе suрроsed to bе inside studying chess manuals?
Zhоu Shаojin hurriеdly соvеrеd her fееt with hеr skirt аnd didn’t dаre рut on her shoеs, wаlking barеfoot towаrd Cheng Сhi.
Cheng Сhi, bеing оbsеrvаnt, nоtiсed the snаil shеlls washеd uр bу the tidе alоng thе embankmеnt аnd said with а smile, “Don’t cоme over—thеrе аre snаil shells here. Ве сarеful nоt tо stер оn them.”
Unсlе Chi must hаve sеen her running bаrefооt оn the bеасh…
Zhоu Shaojin’s faсe grew even reddеr. She stood thеre awkwаrdly, unsurе whеther tо move left or right.
Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, Cheng Chi thought for a moment and walked down from the embankment. “My mother is talking with Madam Song. That Madam Song talks far too much—asking about this and that. I decided to take a walk instead, and somehow ended up here.” He asked Zhou Shaojin, “Is it fun here?”
“Mm!” Zhou Shaojin nodded shyly.
Their gazes drifted toward the distance in unison.
The force of the Qiantang River tide still lingered, with white waves churning across the river surface like playful children frolicking in the water. The river surged and receded, lapping against the beach from time to time.
Jiying and Chunwan chased after the waves on the beach, while Bitao and the others continued building sand castles, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Cheng Chi said, “The water of the Qiantang River is quite murky, unlike seawater. If there’s a chance next time, I’ll take you to Beihai in Fujian. The sand on the beaches there is white, and when the sun shines on it, it glitters like silver—truly beautiful. The beaches near Linyu, on the other hand, are golden. When the sun shines on them, they sparkle like gold. People there call it ‘Golden Bay’… Weizhou Island in Guangxi is different again. Its shores are all rocky, with cliffs and jagged stones. Birds occasionally swoop overhead, and waterfowl swim by. It’s desolate, yet somehow brimming with vibrant life… where the sky meets the water, the scenery is vast and magnificent…” As he spoke, his voice gradually softened, and his gaze grew distant, as if lost in the beauty of Weizhou Island.
Zhou Shaojin was filled with admiration. She stared at Cheng Chi with wide eyes and couldn’t help but whisper, “Uncle Chi has been to so many places!”
If only she could be like Uncle Chi—how wonderful that would be!
Her envious tone pulled Cheng Chi out of his reverie.
Looking at her undisguised admiration, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re still young. You’ll visit many places in the future too. No need to envy me.”
Zhou Shaojin said, “Even if I go to many places, I’ll never see as many beautiful sights as you, Uncle Chi.” As she spoke, she pursed her lips into a smile and said contentedly, “This time, I’ve had the chance to accompany the old madam to Mount Putuo to offer incense and witness the Qiantang River tide with you, Uncle Chi. I have no regrets in life now.”
Her voice was utterly sincere, conveying the earnestness of her words.
Suddenly, Cheng Chi felt that this little girl, Zhou Shaojin, was quite pitiful.Her birth mother passed away while she was still in swaddling clothes, and she lived with her stepsister in her maternal grandmother's household, with whom she shared no blood relation. Like a shadow, she lived silently in the Fourth House until she was twelve. By chance, she was discovered by her mother, who asked her to help copy scriptures. Despite her intense dislike for Cheng Jiashan, she still had to endure going to Cold Green Mountain House every day. Even when chased by Cheng Jiashan, she dared not scold him loudly but instead fled like a startled deer, preferring to seek help from strangers rather than risk the Cheng family elders learning of it and siding with Cheng Jiashan, which would have earned her a reputation for "lacking self-respect"... In her twelve years in the Cheng family, how many such grievances had she endured? How many such humiliations had she suffered?
This was the first time Cheng Chi had examined the young girl before him so carefully.
Aside from her flawless, delicate face, she also had legs longer than those of most girls, which made her appear quite tall despite her average height.
No wonder she walked with such lightness.
She would likely grow even more beautiful as she matured.
Cheng Chi smiled faintly.
If not for a twist of fate that led her to encounter his mother, he might never have known that there was such a little girl hidden in the corners of the Cheng family. Though timid, gentle, and not particularly clever, she was also cheerful and lively, occasionally revealing a hint of a young girl's cunning—like a kitten. Usually, when she looked at you, she would only "meow" to please you, but if she wanted to act spoiled, she might also extend her claws to scratch you twice. If you got angry and scowled, she would dart away, hiding behind the door to watch you. When you were no longer angry, she would cautiously return, squatting before you, tilting her head and staring motionlessly until you finally smiled...
He couldn't help but chuckle.
Zhou Shaojin thought Cheng Chi was laughing at her for being too narrow-minded and blushed all the way to her ears, murmuring, "I... I really think being able to visit Mount Putuo and the Qiantang River is already wonderful. Many people like me have never even left Jinling City in their entire lives!"
Cheng Chi's gaze sharpened slightly.
He thought of Lin Shisheng in the capital.
He had heard that, with his father-in-law's covert support, Lin had secured a substantial position as a commander in the Dragon Cavalry Guard.
Was Zhou Shaojin connected to this man in any way?
Suddenly, he felt his interest wane.
"I'll head back first!" Cheng Chi said with a smile. "You two can play a little longer, but don't stay out too late. It's getting dark, and the river water is quite cold at night—be careful not to catch a chill. We'll be setting off for Suzhou in a couple of days, and falling ill would be miserable."
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly. "We'll go back right away!" Yet inwardly, she felt a pang of anxiety.
She hadn't said anything wrong, so why had Uncle Chi suddenly become displeased?
Should she apologize to Uncle Chi?
The problem was, even if she wanted to apologize, she didn't know what she had done wrong or how to make amends.
Zhou Shaojin pursed her lips. When she looked up again, she saw that Cheng Chi had already strode toward the embankment and was now several yards away from her.
Better to let it go.
Zhou Shaojin hesitated. She could ask Uncle Chi about it another time when the opportunity arose.
As she pondered this, someone suddenly tapped her on the shoulder.
Zhou Shaojin jumped in fright, and Jiying's voice came from behind her: "What did Fourth Master come over for? I can't stand his lecturing, so when I saw him talking to you, I pretended not to notice him and stayed away...""Couldn't you have called out to me first?" Zhou Shaojin covered her chest, still shaken as she chided, "People can scare people to death!"
"Alright, alright, my fault," Jiying offered an insincere apology. "What did Fourth Master say to you? I noticed he looked a bit off when he left."
So Jiying had also noticed Uncle Chi was in a bad mood. It wasn't just her imagination then.
When she said that following Old Madam Guo to Putuo Mountain to offer incense and coming with him to watch the Qiantang River tide had left her with no regrets in life, he had laughed at her. But when she repeated it a second time, he suddenly turned cold... Why exactly?
Zhou Shaojin felt her head spinning. To make matters worse, Jiying pressed her impatiently: "What did Fourth Master say? Why are you standing there dazed as if you've seen a ghost?"
"You're the one who's seen a ghost!" Zhou Shaojin retorted irritably.
Unexpectedly, Jiying chuckled twice and said, "What's the difference between encountering Fourth Master and running into a ghost? Am I wrong?"
Zhou Shaojin didn't even have the energy to argue anymore, replying listlessly: "Uncle Chi told us to return early, saying the river water gets too cold later and we might catch a chill. If we get sick, we'll only suffer ourselves."
"I knew he'd threaten us like that!" Jiying muttered. But she still followed Cheng Chi's suggestion and called out to Chunwan and the others, "Let's go back! It's getting late."
Chunwan and the others reluctantly put on their shoes and socks, all dripping wet as they returned to the Zong family's villa.
The maids busied themselves heating water for them to wash up.
After Zhou Shaojin and the others had freshened up and changed, they went to the main quarters to pay their respects to Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo was still speaking with Madam Song, though it was evident from her eyes that she was beginning to show subtle signs of impatience. Madam Song, however, was animated and thoroughly enjoying the conversation.
Only then did Zhou Shaojin understand why Cheng Chi had gone to the riverside.
She quickly said, "I'll go draw the embroidery patterns for Madam now. Would you like to watch? If there are any designs you particularly like, I can try to incorporate them."
Madam Song was greatly intrigued.
Old Madam Guo frowned slightly and was about to intervene.
But Zhou Shaojin gently shook her head at Old Madam Guo and smilingly invited Madam Song to the hall.
Better to let Madam Song bother her than to trouble Old Madam Guo.
By the time Song Min and the others returned from Xiaoshan, it was already time to light the lamps. Zhou Shaojin and her companions had finished their evening meal, and Madam Song had received the new embroidery patterns.
Song Min naturally expressed his gratitude repeatedly.
Cheng Chi handled the social niceties. He invited Song Min and Huang Yijun to stay for dinner and even offered lodging: "...The city gates are closed by now. Besides, the young master is exhausted. The inns outside the city gates mostly cater to merchants who missed their lodging or cheap porters. While you, sir, might make do, Madam Song shouldn't have to endure such conditions. Please don't stand on ceremony with me."
Song Min, being straightforward by nature, readily agreed and said, "When you come to the capital someday, remember to look me up. I'll treat you to drinks at the best tavern in the capital."
Cheng Chi laughed heartily and said, "Do you, esteemed elder, know which tavern is the best in the capital? Where is it? How do you get there?"
Song Min replied candidly, "I may not know, but surely my son's coachman does? In any case, you won't lack for drinks!"Cheng Chi laughed heartily once more, instructing Qin Ziping to fetch the strong liquor: "I can't get used to that Jinhua wine. I wonder if the old gentleman can handle it?"
Song Min chuckled: "Is Lian Po old, yet still able to eat?"
"Excellent!" Cheng Chi laughed. "Today we'll drink that strong liquor."
Huang Yijun's expression stiffened slightly.
Song Min simply sent him away: "Take Fifth Son to his mother. He's been following us around all day and must be tired."
Huang Yijun breathed a sigh of relief. After Song Sen paid his respects to Song Min and Cheng Chi, he withdrew.
Cheng Chi poured a bowl of wine for Song Min.
Song Min sniffed it, closing his eyes in rapture, and said: "It's been many years since I've tasted such fine liquor. How did you think to borrow lodging at Master Zong's villa? Had I known earlier, I should have borrowed his villa too. Perhaps we could have met sooner."
Cheng Chi smiled: "And how did the old gentleman find this place?"
Song Min was taken aback.
Then the two looked at each other and laughed.
In unison, they exclaimed: "The River Chart and Luo Writings!"
※
Sisters, today's update.
Tomorrow's update will be around five in the afternoon.
o(n_n)o~
ps: It's Minor New Year, but diligent Zhizhi still asks for pink votes...
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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