Cheng Сhi wаs heartbrоken ovеr thе lоss оf silvеr, but Zhоu Shaojin didn’t bеlieve it at all. Howеvеr, seеing him clutсhing his сhеst аnd groаning, hеr hеаrt sоftenеd, and she cоuldn’t hеlp but fоllow his lead, gеntly massаging his chest fоr him.
Сhеng Сhi fеlt аs сomfortаblе as if hе hаd drunk а bowl оf chillеd mung bеan souр оn a sсorching summer dаy.
He сlоsеd his eуes, letting Shaоjin knеаd his chеst bасk аnd fоrth.
Вut soоn, hе reаlized sоmething was wrоng… All thе blооd in his bodу sееmеd to be rushing downwаrd… If this continued, he was bоund to make а fool оf himself…
Еmbаrrassеd, Cheng Chi turned over, lying on his side facing Shaojin, and said, “I feel much better now. No need to massage anymore!”
Really?
But why did he seem to be in even more discomfort now…
“Really?” she asked, puzzled. “But you look like you’re still in some pain…”
Zhou Shaojin’s clear, bright eyes were wide open, and Cheng Chi could even see his own reflection in them.
He couldn’t help but feel ashamed and quickly said, “It’s nothing, really. I’m just annoyed by this whole family division—everyone seems to think I’m out of money. They’re all coming to me wanting to go into business together, not even considering their own status. They actually think they can give me money and have me run errands for them. No matter how poor I am, I haven’t fallen to that level, have I?”
Cheng Chi exuded an innate arrogance.
What were those people even thinking?
No wonder Uncle Chi was angry!
Thinking this, Shaojin’s heart softened like water, and she gently comforted him, “Don’t be angry. Maybe they’re just trying to help you! Besides, you were so capable before. Now that they finally have a chance to drag you down, they’d be fools to let it slip.”
Words from a loved one always felt more comforting than those from others.
Cheng Chi raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Afraid he wouldn’t believe her, Shaojin quickly added, “It’s true! Back when I was in Nine Prosperities Lane, I often heard people say you were great at business. They always wanted a chance to partner with you.”
Though they probably also said he was unapproachable, arrogant, and cold, right?
Cheng Chi snorted inwardly but smiled at Shaojin and said, “That’s all in the past. No need to talk about it now. However, now that the Li family and Yutai Bank have parted ways, and Yutai Bank’s shares were valued at four hundred thousand taels and given to the second branch, Yutai Bank’s days are likely to be tough. If I were Cheng Mian, I’d take the chance to sell all my shares in Yutai Bank and invest in other businesses.”
Shaojin was startled and said, “Will things really get that bad? But that’s a bank you founded yourself!”
She felt sorry for Cheng Chi.
But Cheng Chi was grumbling inwardly.
Of course, things wouldn’t deteriorate that quickly.
Even by relying on past achievements, Yutai Bank could hold on for five or six years.
However, if he intervened, it would be a different story.
If anyone was to blame, it was Cheng Shi, who had used Shaojin as a pawn among all of the Cheng family’s in-laws…
But Shaojin didn’t need to know any of this.
He said, “Do you know how Yutai Bank got started in the first place? It was by handling the military payroll business for the nine border regions. Now that we’ve split from the second branch, we certainly won’t be helping Yutai Bank with business anymore. Plus, some merchants were only doing business with us because of my eldest and second brothers, so we’ll lose some of those clients too…”Zhou Shaojin thought of Madam Li, who had been asked by the Li family's eldest master to inquire about the division of the Nine Prosperities Lane... Presumably, many people held the same idea?
She said, "I will write to Uncle Mian right away to give him a heads-up."
As for whether to sell the shares of the Yu Qin Bank, that would be up to the Fourth Branch to decide for themselves.
Different positions lead to different choices.
She had chosen Cheng Chi.
The Fourth Branch had always hoped to establish their own household, and taking advantage of this opportunity to separate would be a rare chance. Who the Fourth Branch would choose, she did not know.
Zhou Shaojin asked, "Is your chest still hurting? Shall I massage it for you again?"
Cheng Chi thought of the soft feeling of her small hands kneading his chest and wished they were already married... But at this moment, he could only brace himself and refuse, saying, "No need, it's much better." He dared not dwell on this matter any longer and, remembering the purpose of his visit, said, "Is Madam at home? I would like to discuss with her about having you accompany my mother."
"Accompany the old madam?!" Zhou Shaojin was somewhat surprised.
She feared Old Madam Guo would not appreciate her company!
Her eyelids lowered slightly.
Cheng Chi saw this clearly, thinking that his mother's words from that day must have still hurt Zhou Shaojin a little.
He took Zhou Shaojin's hand, smiled, and winked at her, saying, "Now everyone in the entire capital, no, in all of Jiangnan, knows that my mother was 'forced' to move to the capital. She must be quite sad. Since you served my mother back in Jinling, and you happen to be in the capital now, it would be appropriate for you to visit her, wouldn't it? Seeing her so despondent, wouldn't you feel compelled to stay and serve her for a few days? And then, as her children, to make her happy, we hope someone can keep her company for a while. Aren't you the best candidate?"
This way, she could legitimately stay in the capital.
After a long pause, Zhou Shaojin said, "Is it appropriate for me to accompany the old madam?"
Cheng Chi smiled gently and asked her, "Don't you want to go?"
It wasn't that she didn't want to go, but because everything Old Madam Guo had said was reasonable, she felt a bit guilty.
But the old madam was Uncle Chi's mother.
If she wanted to marry Uncle Chi, she not only had to get along well with the old madam but also earn her approval.
"Of course I'll go!" Zhou Shaojin squeezed Cheng Chi's hand back and said, "I'm just afraid I won't do well, so I'd like to bring Madam Fan Liu and Nanny Shang along. Do you think that's all right?"
With the two nannies by her side, if she did anything wrong, they could remind her. Especially Nanny Shang, who was not only skilled in social interactions but also came from Nine Prosperities Lane and was very familiar with the affairs of the eldest branch.
Cheng Chi couldn't help but pull Zhou Shaojin toward him.
Zhou Shaojin fell onto the bed unexpectedly and was caught in Cheng Chi's arms.
She immediately struggled—the maids on duty in the study and Chunwan were waiting outside. If anyone barged in, her relationship with Uncle Chi would be exposed. But she didn't dare make a sound, whispering anxiously, "If you keep fooling around like this, I won't pay attention to you anymore!"Cheng Chi chuckled softly, burying his head in the crook of her neck. He closed his eyes, letting her faint fragrance linger in his breath as he murmured, "How am I being unruly? I just want to hold you. Be good, Shaojin, let me hold you! I haven’t seen you for days, and I’ve missed you terribly. Have you missed me?"
Zhou Shaojin’s face burned. She feared that if she answered "yes," she would encourage his unrestrained mischief, and if she answered "no," she would hurt his feelings.
After wrestling with this dilemma for a moment, she realized Cheng Chi truly meant only to hold her—and indeed, he did just that, without any further advances.
Gradually, Zhou Shaojin relaxed into his embrace.
She had missed Uncle Chi too. She had longed to see him as well, but she was too timid to dare hold him like this...
Her defenses slowly melted away.
She closed her eyes, savoring the tenderness of being held by Cheng Chi.
To Cheng Chi, it felt as though he were cradling a piece of soft jade.
Once again, his blood surged downward...
This truly was a self-inflicted torment, a plight of his own making!
Cheng Chi silently cursed himself. He released Zhou Shaojin and sat up.
Startled, Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed crimson, as if blood might drip from it. She bolted upright, leaped off the bed, and made to leave: "I... I’ll go ask Chunwan to bring more fruit. This weather... it’s the perfect time for fruit..."
With a bitter smile, Cheng Chi grabbed her arm but dared not get out of bed, afraid she might see his awkward state. His voice was hoarse as he said, "Shao Jin, don’t be angry! I heard someone moving outside..."
Only then did Zhou Shaojin’s expression soften slightly, and she couldn’t help but complain, "You... you must never do this again!"
"Alright!" Cheng Chi had already tasted the consequences; how could he refuse? "I’m not usually like this, but with you, I just can’t seem to control myself..." He wanted to kiss her, hold her—even if he couldn’t, just teasing her with words lifted his spirits immensely.
Zhou Shaojin understood immediately.
Wasn’t she the same?
Since her rebirth, even Cheng Jia holding her hand had felt uncomfortable, yet now she allowed Uncle Chi to embrace her so freely...
She remained silent, overcome with shyness.
Cheng Chi sighed and said, "This won’t do. We must find a way to marry sooner. Otherwise, sneaking around like this—knowing it’s wrong yet unable to restrain myself—will lead to trouble sooner or later..."
Trouble?
Zhou Shaojin shot him a glare.
Cheng Chi laughed heartily.
He had truly grown fond of this little girl.
Even her glare amused him, filling him with sweetness.
Cheng Chi took several deep breaths and drank a few cups of ice water to suppress his lingering desires before saying to Zhou Shaojin, "Come, let’s go see Madam—we must settle your matter quickly. If she takes you back to Baoding, I’ll have nowhere to cry!"
That smug look!
Zhou Shaojin bit her lip and gave him a light pinch.
Cheng Chi exaggeratedly cried out, "Ouch!" coaxing Zhou Shaojin into giving him a kiss before they left the study one after the other, heading toward the east wing.
When Madam Li saw Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi arriving together, her heart tightened, fearing something had happened. She hurriedly invited them in.
Without preamble, Cheng Chi stated his purpose: "...I’d like Shaojin to accompany my mother. I’ve already written to Lord Zhou, and I hope you can put in a good word for me here, Madam."He knew Madam Li couldn't make decisions for Zhou Zhen, so he only asked for her assistance from the sidelines.
Madam Li was unaware of Cheng Xu's situation. Thinking it was merely about saying a few good words—something she couldn't help with otherwise—she felt confident about this matter.
Moreover, now that Nine Prosperities Lane had split into separate branches, the relationship between the Zhou family and the main branch had become delicate. For Zhou Shaojin to continue bringing joy to Old Madam Guo would be a great boon for the Zhou family!
Even her own brother would likely rejoice for the Zhou family upon hearing this.
She repeatedly agreed with a "good," and Cheng Chi stood up to take his leave.
To avoid impropriety, Madam Li had Zhou Shaojin see Cheng Chi out on her behalf.
Cheng Chi said, "Don’t worry about this matter. I’ve also sent someone to speak with your sister. Your father might feel uncomfortable, but since Cheng Xu isn’t in the capital, he’ll likely agree to this out of consideration for your sister."
Since he had taken action, Zhou Shaojin wasn’t worried in the slightest.
Her only concern was whether Old Madam Guo disliked her.
※
Dear readers, today’s extra update.
The update will be around midnight.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel