Zhоu Shаоjin hаd lived two lifеtimеs, уеt shе had never еnсounterеd such a shаmеlеss реrsоn.
She tightly сlutched Nanny Shang's sleеvе without sаying а wоrd.
Хiаo Zhеnhаi grеw еvеn morе frivolous, laughing аs hе said, "Вeauty, if уou cаn't bear tо раrt with уоur рrivаte savings, whу nоt let mе hidе in уour luggаge аgаin and takе mе to thе capitаl? Once wе rеаch thе capitаl, I'll immеdiаtelу gift уоu а grаnd mаnsion. Yоu сan sеll it, cоnvert it into рrivatе sаvings, оr keер it аs dоwry..."
Zhou Shaоjin couldn't hear a singlе word, nervouslу watching him, аfraid hе might rush оver аnd seize her.
Xiao Zhenhai found this amusing and wanted to tease her further when a voice as cold as ice echoed in the room: "I didn't know you owned a grand mansion. Where is it? I happen to be looking for a residence to settle my subordinates—why not gift it to me?"
Everyone in the room turned toward the voice.
Unbeknownst to them, Cheng Chi had entered the room.
He wore martial attire, standing tall and straight like a pine tree, yet he carried a three-foot-long iron bow in his hand, with a quiver of white-feathered arrows hanging at his waist. His expression was stern, radiating a chilling aura.
A few steps behind him stood Huaishan, hands tucked into his sleeves, eyelids slightly lowered.
Zhou Shaojin was stunned.
Uncle Chi, what kind of attire is this?
Nanny Shang's face lit up with joy.
If Fourth Master hadn't arrived in time and Xiao Zhenhai continued to harass the Second Young Lady, she would have had no choice but to fight Xiao Zhenhai to the death.
However, doing so would likely alarm the Zhou family and cause significant trouble for Fourth Master.
Now that Fourth Master had arrived, Xiao Zhenhai was like a turtle in a jar—nothing to fear.
She retreated behind Zhou Shaojin.
Xiao Zhenhai, on the other hand, looked as if his eyes were about to pop out of his head. Like a cat facing its natural enemy, his hair stood on end as he stared at Cheng Chi, stammering, "You... how did you find this place?"
Cheng Chi didn't answer. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Zhou Shaojin.
His eyes were cold and detached, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Why was Uncle Chi looking at her like this?
Zhou Shaojin's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she called out pitifully, "Uncle Chi."
"What?" Xiao Zhenhai's eyes widened in shock as he looked back and forth between Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin. "Uncle? Cheng Si is your uncle? That means he's the brother-in-law of Baoding Prefect Zhou Dacheng? This... this can't be..."
Cheng Chi sneered.
Xiao Zhenhai jumped up: "I get it now, I get it, Cheng Si. You're a descendant of the Cheng family from Nine Prosperities Lane in Jinling! No wonder, no wonder! I've encountered you four times near Jinling City! Your ancestors were the ones who founded the Seven Stars Hall, which is why, despite your youth, people in the southern martial world respectfully call you 'Fourth Master'... So the Seven Stars Hall has official backing... That's why all these years, the martial arts families haven't dared to provoke you, allowing you to act recklessly..." As he spoke, he turned to leap out the window.
Zhou Shaojin only saw a blur before her eyes, followed by the sound of tearing fabric. Xiao Zhenhai, like a butterfly, was pinned to the window frame by a white-feathered arrow piercing through his left shoulder.
"The Meteor Arrow of Fourth Master Cheng of the Seven Stars Hall truly lives up to its reputation!" Xiao Zhenhai glanced at the white-feathered arrow in his shoulder before fixing his gaze squarely on Cheng Chi's face. His eyes turned sinister, as if he wanted to etch Cheng Chi's image into his bones, vowing to repay tooth for tooth and eye for eye. Gone was any trace of his earlier frivolity and recklessness, replaced by the cruel and ferocious demeanor of a tiger in the mountains, revealing its ruthless nature.Zhou Shaojin’s face paled with fright.
“Uncle Chi!” She threw herself toward Cheng Chi.
As if by doing so, she could shield him from Xiao Zhenhai’s malice.
Without hesitation, Cheng Chi wrapped his free arm—the one not holding the bow—around Zhou Shaojin.
“Don’t be afraid!” His expression icy as he glared at Xiao Zhenhai, as though nothing could sway his resolve, yet his tone was gentle as he whispered into Zhou Shaojin’s ear, “With me here, he can’t harm you. Be good, listen to me, go to Huaishan.”
In just those few words, Zhou Shaojin sensed his killing intent.
Trembling, she said, “Uncle Chi, he… he didn’t hurt me just now…”
If Xiao Zhenhai could be spared, then spare him.
If he couldn’t be spared, then she would pretend she saw nothing.
As she spoke, Zhou Shaojin closed her eyes.
Cheng Chi understood.
A flicker of hesitation passed through his eyes.
Shaojin believed in Buddhism—she wouldn’t even step on an ant. How could he kill someone in front of her?
Xiao Zhenhai was already at the end of his rope. There would be plenty of chances to kill him later; why frighten Shaojin now?
Cheng Chi gently patted Zhou Shaojin’s back.
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhenhai’s heart was roiling with shock.
That young girl had pleaded for mercy on his behalf to Cheng Zichuan, and Cheng Zichuan had actually hesitated.
Cheng Zichuan, whose heart was as firm as stone and whose will was unyielding, had actually hesitated!
It was important to remember that he and Cheng Zichuan were not merely rivals in a contest of strength—they had a feud that involved the destruction of families, a fight to the death.
Cheng Zichuan had finally caught him, yet now he might change his mind because of that young girl!
Driven by an animal-like instinct, Xiao Zhenhai immediately seized this opportunity—in the past, he had clashed with Cheng Zichuan before, but never like this. He could feel Cheng Zichuan’s killing intent. If he hadn’t used every ounce of his strength to dodge that arrow, it would have pierced through his chest.
“Cheng Zichuan, you’re ruthless,” he said fiercely, though inwardly he had decided to surrender. “I, Xiao Zhenhai, have always stood tall and never owed anyone a favor. But this time, I owe this young girl a life-saving debt. Isn’t it just that you want me to take the fall for you? I, Xiao Zhenhai, am alone now, with no way to repay this young girl. For her sake, I’ll help you this once. Consider it repayment for her kindness…”
Turning conflict into harmony—how wonderful!
Zhou Shaojin looked up, her eyes fixed pleadingly on Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi raised an eyebrow, inwardly sneering.
So, he had decided to surrender only because he was cornered, yet he still put on airs to negotiate terms with him, even dragging Shaojin into it.
If anyone in the martial world asked how the renowned head of the Xiao family came to serve him, “a life-saving debt, beyond repayment” would be a perfect excuse!
Cheng Chi cast a disdainful glance at Xiao Zhenhai.
Xiao Zhenhai’s face flushed red, but he quickly regained his composure.
Yet when Cheng Chi lowered his head to look at Zhou Shaojin, he froze in place.
Her eyes were red, long lashes adorned with a teardrop about to fall, crystal clear like morning dew, gazing at him sorrowfully… His chest felt as if it were blocked… How could he utter words of refusal?
Cheng Chi’s mind raced round and round… though it was only a matter of moments.
Then he would deal with Xiao Zhenhai later!
Cheng Chi handed the bow and arrow to Huaishan. He instructed Huaishan, “Take Master Xiao down to tend to his wounds!”
Huaishan slowly walked over, supported Xiao Zhenhai, and pulled the arrow from his body.Blood gushed out in large patches.
Huaishan struck Xiao Zhenhai's pressure point.
Xiao Zhenhai pressed his hand haphazardly against the wound, glanced at Zhou Shaojin nestled in Cheng Chi's arms, and suddenly laughed, his tone regaining its former flippancy. He said to Zhou Shaojin, "My promise about that house still stands. Send someone to me for the deed whenever you like. If you can't find me, just ask your Uncle Chi—he'll definitely know where I am."
Zhou Shaojin felt Cheng Chi's arm around her stiffen slightly.
She hurriedly said, "I don't want it! I don't want your house!"
Xiao Zhenhai chuckled and said, "Whether you want it is your business; whether I give it is mine. Don't worry. Your Uncle Chi isn't that narrow-minded!" With that, he whistled and walked past Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin.
Huaishan stole a glance at Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi's expression remained impassive.
Huaishan quickly left the guest room.
Only Zhou Shaojin, Cheng Chi, and Nanny Shang remained in the room.
Silence fell, with no sound to be heard.
Only then did Zhou Shaojin realize she was still clinging to Cheng Chi's embrace.
Waves of heat rushed to her face.
She hastily pushed Cheng Chi away and stood to the side, lowering her gaze.
Nanny Shang was extremely embarrassed. She quickly said, "I'll go find someone to clean up the room," and scurried away.
Cheng Chi also felt somewhat uneasy.
At the time, he had only wanted to shield Zhou Shaojin under his wing, without thinking much about it. Now, it seemed like a highly uncontrolled situation.
Cheng Chi suddenly cleared his throat softly and said gently, "I didn't check when you left the city, never expecting he would hide in your luggage. Later, when I thought of the possibility, I rushed over... Were you frightened?"
Zhou Shaojin shook her head.
It was Uncle Chi's cold expression earlier that had frightened her...
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "That's good!"
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly and lowered her head.
In the middle of the night, she should ask Uncle Chi to leave, but she couldn't bring herself to say such words to him.
For a moment, an awkward silence hung in the air.
Cheng Chi thought it was impossible to expect Shaojin, this young girl, to break the tension. But leaving just like this also felt inappropriate... He couldn't help but sigh inwardly and said, "I'm also heading to the capital. Would you like to travel together?"
"Great! Great!" Zhou Shaojin lifted her head, her eyes bright like twinkling morning stars, brimming with unmistakable joy. "With Uncle Chi accompanying us, we won't have to worry about where to rest or stay overnight!"
And it would be very safe too!
The atmosphere became cheerful again.
Cheng Chi felt his own mood lighten as well.
He smiled and said, "Nanny Shang will take care of the room. Don't worry about anything; get some rest quickly. We have to travel tomorrow."
Zhou Shaojin nodded and saw Cheng Chi to the door, but her gaze involuntarily lingered on him.
She noticed a Feicui archer's ring on the thumb of Cheng Chi's right hand.
Uncle Chi must have used this to draw the bow earlier!
But how could Uncle Chi be so skilled?
Also, Xiao Zhenhai said Uncle Chi was the Fourth Master of something called the Seven Stars Hall... The name Seven Stars Hall didn't sound like a business name, did it?
Zhou Shaojin snapped back to reality, her mind in a jumble.
Cheng Chi watched her with a slight smile, teasing her, "Do you like this very much?"
"Ah!" Zhou Shaojin looked up, confused, her expression blank.
Cheng Chi chuckled softly and removed the Feicui archer's ring from his finger. "Weren't you staring at this? Do you like it? I'll give it to you!""No, no." Zhou Shaojin's face flushed like morning clouds.
Cheng Chi's smile deepened.
He placed the thumb ring into Zhou Shaojin's palm and said gently, "I'll explain in detail when I have time later!"
"Huh?!" Zhou Shaojin grew even more bewildered.
Cheng Chi laughed heartily as he walked away.
In the night, his figure was elegant and his steps swift as flight.
Zhou Shaojin rubbed the thumb ring in hand, only understanding Cheng Chi's meaning after a long while.
He meant he would explain his relationship with Seven Stars Hall when he had the chance, right?
Zhou Shaojin's lips curled high, heart feeling sweet as if having eaten honey.
※
Dear readers, apologies—I'm at work and somehow can't connect to WiFi. I've tried several offices nearby and am getting desperate.
(>_<)
PS: Next update still tomorrow morning...
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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