Zhоu Shаоjin lооked up in surрrisе, tеаrs still glistеning on her faсе.
Cheng Сhi gently wiреd thе tеаrs frоm her chеeks with his thumb, speaking softly, "Yоu sеe, tо makе mе hарpу, уоu саn evеn endure things yоu dislikе the mоst. It's the same fоr me. I alsо want yоu tо bе hарру—by my sidе, lаughing when уоu fеel likе laughing, сrуing when yоu fеel likе crying, saуing 'yes' when уоu wаnt somеthing, and refusing when уоu dоn't... living freеlу... Whаt dоеs it mаtter if уоu kick mе when уou're unhаpру?"
Is thаt reаllу truе?
In bоth her lifetimes, shе had spent most of hеr time supprеssing her feеlings.
But uроn cаreful reflection, it truly was like this.
Because she knew Cheng Chi doted on her, she could act without restraint in front of him.
In his presence, she had always done whatever she pleased, hadn’t she?
No matter how she behaved, Uncle Chi would always treat her with the same kindness... Just as he had learned about her past life and still fell in love with her, even proposing marriage... She should have realized this long ago... It was her own inner turmoil, always doubting, always denying... Uncle Chi coaxed her like this, as if she were a child, with infinite patience... But even the strongest person would grow weary over time, especially since Uncle Chi secretly ran the Seven Stars Hall and was so warily regarded by the Second Branch’s ancestors... What would she do if Uncle Chi stopped liking her one day?
She needed to grow up quickly too...
How could she grow up quickly?
She didn’t know.
But she knew she should start by doing things he liked... That couldn’t be wrong.
Zhou Shaojin’s tears began to fall again like scattered pearls.
She tightly clutched Cheng Chi’s lapel and, for the first time, leaned her face against his chest of her own accord.
Uncle Chi’s embrace was always warm and clean, and she could hear the steady, powerful thumping of his heartbeat, which made her feel incredibly secure.
Zhou Shaojin’s ears slowly turned red.
Calming down, she realized some things weren’t as difficult as she had imagined.
Cheng Chi secretly let out a sigh of relief.
It was worth playing the rogue—the little girl had finally nestled into his arms on her own.
Though it was the first time, wouldn’t there be a second time after the first?
Cheng Chi hugged her encouragingly and whispered softly, "Just don’t kick me off the bed later, alright?"
"Uncle Chi!" Zhou Shaojin pushed him away in a mix of embarrassment and frustration, stamping her foot in anger.
Really... he was starting to talk nonsense again... Couldn’t he just speak properly with her?
Cheng Chi took two steps back, laughing heartily.
The little girl looked adorable when she was angry.
Her eyes wide and sparkling, her face flushed with a radiant pink that made her breathtakingly beautiful.
He stepped forward, leaned down, and kissed Zhou Shaojin’s forehead.
Zhou Shaojin’s face turned even redder.
But she didn’t run away as she had in the past.
Could this be considered progress?
Cheng Chi felt pleasantly surprised.
Just then, Huaishan’s hesitant voice came from outside the door, "Fourth Master, Zi’an has returned."
Cheng Chi smiled and patted Zhou Shaojin’s head, whispering, "Sit here quietly. Alright?"
Zhou Shaojin nodded shyly.
This was the first time she would hear Cheng Chi handle affairs.
Feeling somewhat uneasy, Zhou Shaojin began tidying the tea set.
Cheng Chi went to the main room.
Qin Zi’an walked in, looking travel-worn.
He clasped his hands in salute to Cheng Chi, then suddenly noticed Zhou Shaojin in the room.Qin Zi'an glanced at Cheng Chi.
Seeing Cheng Chi calmly take a seat before the large writing desk.
He inwardly scoffed, then proceeded to report matters to Cheng Chi with his usual deference: "Since Madam Yuan possesses solid evidence and is taking a firm stance, she even sent someone to Tongxiang to invite her brother, Master Yuan, to help uphold justice. The Second Branch's Old Ancestor, seeing Madam Yuan's determined and unyielding attitude, realized further discussion would be futile. He sent someone to inform the Old Madam that splitting the clan was acceptable, but the First Branch must be the one to leave. The ancestral properties and sacrificial fields in Jinling City would be inherited by the Second Branch. The residences in the capital would be allocated to the First Branch..." At this point, he swiftly glanced at Zhou Shaojin. "...and then the First Branch must give the Second Branch three million taels of silver..."
Zhou Shaojin was greatly startled.
Three million taels... Did they expect Cheng Chi to toil like an ox or a horse for them his entire life?
She instinctively wanted to jump in and oppose this, but with Qin Zi'an present, she decided to discuss it with Cheng Chi later.
Cheng Chi, however, remained composed. It seemed he had already anticipated what conditions Cheng Xu might propose.
He simply asked Qin Ziping, "What did the Old Madam and Madam Yuan say?"
"The Old Madam said nothing," Qin Ziping replied, his tone clearly suppressed, as he too felt the conditions were excessive. "She only instructed me to inform you of this matter. Madam Yuan refused to agree. She said the Cheng family only has three residences in the capital in total: one in Apricot Grove Lane, one in Double Elm Lane, and one near Chaoyang Gate. Among these three, the one in Apricot Grove Lane was purchased by our First Branch's Old Ancestor, Duke Zhi, during his lifetime. The one in Double Elm Lane was originally part of the dowry of the Second Elder Master's Old Madam. The residence near Chaoyang Gate was bought with the Old Madam's own private funds. Not a single one has any connection to the Cheng family. Now that Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng have done wrong, do the Second and Third Branches still have the audacity? All the assets left by the ancestors are to go entirely to the Second Branch, while the First Branch is expected to leave empty-handed? There's no such cheap deal!
"Madam Yuan also said that if they want to settle accounts, then let's settle them clearly.
"The Second Branch and the First Branch divided the family long ago under the elders' supervision, so naturally, each branch's assets belong to themselves. The only assets involved now are the sacrificial fields.
"The First Branch is the main lineage, not some child picked up from a corner somewhere. How can the sacrificial fields all go to the Second Branch? Even if this dispute were brought before the Emperor, the First Branch would be in the right. Let alone demanding three million taels of silver from the First Branch for the Second Branch.
"This clearly shows the Second Branch has no intention of splitting the clan.
"After all, even without splitting, the Second and Third Branches are always scheming to set traps for Young Master Xu, hoping to get leverage over him so he can never hold his head high for the rest of his life. Rather than waiting until his reputation is ruined beyond repair, it's better to expose everything now while Young Master Xu is still young. They can use 'youthful ignorance' as an excuse and stage a drama of 'a prodigal son's return is priceless.' Let people see what kind of person Second Branch's Master Shi is! Let them see how Third Branch's Master Zheng and Miss Jia conspired to frame their in-laws! Let the world see the true face of the Cheng family in Jinling City. When the time comes, the First Branch can sell off the properties under its name, move entirely to the capital, and what difference would splitting the clan make then?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Cheng Chi, unable to suppress his inner grumbling.Whether to divide the clan or not indeed has little to do with the main branch, and it could even drag the second branch into this dispute, distracting Cheng Shi from his studies and wearing down Cheng Xu until he collapses. By then, the second branch would be nothing more than meat on the chopping block for the main branch.
But Fourth Master insists on dividing the clan!
If the clan isn’t divided, how can Fourth Master marry the second daughter of the Zhou family?
The old lady must have seen this point too, which is why she silently handed the matter over to Fourth Master—almost as if to say, whoever caused the trouble should find a way to solve it.
Who would have thought Madam Yuan would prove so formidable at a critical moment?
To come up with such a tactic.
I wonder if Fourth Master will be so angry his expression changes.
Zhou Shaojin also looked toward Cheng Chi.
She had caught on.
The second branch had no intention of competing with the main branch for Seven Stars Hall, so they were demanding a one-time compensation of three million taels of silver from the main branch.
But wasn’t that because the second branch had no one capable of taking over Seven Stars Hall?
Even if the main branch handed Seven Stars Hall over to the second branch, what use would it be to them?
In the end, wasn’t Seven Stars Hall still managed by Uncle Chi?
It was like throwing a chicken bone to Uncle Chi and expecting him to acknowledge it as a whole chicken.
The second branch’s calculations were far too shrewd.
As if everyone else were fools.
Uncle Chi would definitely not agree.
But to her surprise, Cheng Chi raised an eyebrow and laughed, saying, “It seems my sister-in-law can be quite useful at critical moments. I just wonder if this idea came from her own mind or from the Yuan family’s uncle?”
Qin Ziping didn’t know and answered truthfully, “The Yuan family’s uncle brought five advisors with him. Three of them are said to have backgrounds as legal secretaries.”
Cheng Chi nodded with a smile. “I knew it. Although the Yuan family’s uncle hasn’t had much success in his official career, he is, after all, the son of a grand secretary. His insight and methods shouldn’t be too lacking.” He added, “What did the second branch’s patriarch say?”
Qin Ziping chuckled. “The second branch’s patriarch said, ‘When did the Cheng family start letting a hen crow in place of the rooster?’ He said if the eldest master is unavailable, then Fourth Master should return to handle it.”
Cheng Chi laughed heartily and said to Qin Ziping, “Then go back and tell our second branch’s patriarch this: I think dividing the clan is far too unfriendly. In my father’s generation, the main branch had three brothers. In our generation, we have four brothers, and by Jiashan’s generation, there are only two brothers. It’s not like the second branch, which has had single-line inheritance for three generations. By Youyi’s generation, there are two brothers, and by Geng’s generation… Youyi is… if I’m not mistaken, he’s the same age as me and already has two sons. I truly envy that. Besides, if we’re to divide the clan, wouldn’t it be better for brothers to live together in harmony?”
Qin Ziping couldn’t help but mutter to himself.
Fourth Master, you’re just putting on an act, aren’t you?
What if Madam Yuan, under the influence of the Yuan family’s uncle, decides against dividing the clan? How will you keep up the act then?
He couldn’t suppress a flicker of amusement in his eyes and replied respectfully, “Then I’ll relay your words exactly as you said.”
Cheng Chi waved his hand, signaling that he could leave.
Zhou Shaojin beamed with joy.
Cheng Chi tapped her nose lightly. “Are you this happy just because the Cheng family isn’t dividing the clan?”"Not exactly!" Understanding Cheng Chi's implication, Zhou Shaojin felt a bit embarrassed and said, "I just think the Second Branch's patriarch is too despicable! He tossed you a hot potato as if it were a treasure trove, and even had the nerve to call it a 'painful sacrifice'... You shouldn't have taken his bait! You should have thrown Seven Stars Hall right back at him."
Cheng Chi lifted her up to his eye level, gazed into her dark, clear eyes, and chuckled softly, "Are you trying to provoke me on purpose? They can all drag out the clan division for eight or ten years, but I can’t wait... Are you undermining me here..." As he spoke, he gently pressed his lips to hers.
※
Dear readers, here’s the update for June 17th.
There will be another update tonight, probably around midnight, so it’s better to check it out tomorrow morning!
PS: Liu An Hua Ming has finally released a new book! The title is "I Love a Stranger: Sleeping with the Wolf." The setting is modern, and the genre is suspenseful romance.
Book ID: 3504352
Synopsis: Living in a mansion, driving luxury cars, marrying a tall, rich, and handsome man, and becoming a winner in life?
Things are far from that simple!
Sharing a pillow with a stranger, sleeping with a wolf? What on earth is going on!
Shh, he has a secret...
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel