Two areas in Wuyin Temple attracted the largest crowds: the bell-striking zone and the pagoda plaque prayer site. Local business magnates would visit at the start of the lunar year to acquire a pagoda plaque for enshrinement in the pagoda, believed to ensure prosperity throughout the year. These plaques ranged from hundreds to tens of thousands in price, with higher-cost plaques allegedly placed at more elevated positions—a notion the wealthy devoutly embraced.
The pagoda’s vicinity was particularly packed. Initially walking together, the trio got forcibly separated in the throng. Unfamiliar with the area, Jiang Mu tried calling the others, but her phone had no signal—likely due to the overwhelming crowd. Halting her advance, she anxiously scanned the sea of faces, growing increasingly flustered.
Suddenly, an arm draped over her shoulder, pulling her from the chaotic stream of people. Startled, she whirled around to find Jin Chao standing protectively behind her. Jiang Mu spoke, but her words were swallowed by the surrounding din.
Rising on her toes, she shouted near his ear, "Where’s San Lai?"
Jin Chao shrugged dismissively. "Should we look for him?" she pressed.
He gestured toward the bell-striking area and led her to join the queue. Fearful of another separation, Jiang Mu threw caution to the wind—lowering her head to find his hand and clasping his fingertips. It was perhaps the boldest act of her eighteen years: actively grasping a man’s hand amid a jostling crowd. With anyone else, she’d never have dared, but because it was Jin Chao, she mustered just enough courage—though not without a blush.
Feeling her soft palm, Jin Chao glanced back. Jiang Mu promptly averted her gaze to the pagoda’s glowing lights.
He turned forward to clear a path, her grip firm on his fingers as she trailed him. His tall stature allowed him to see over most heads and navigate effortlessly; few could compete with his presence. Sheltered in his wake, Jiang Mu felt utterly secure, needing only to follow without worrying about directions.
At the bell-striking site, the crowd thickened further. Jiang Mu nearly got shoved backward by a burly man, her hold on Jin Chao slipping. In response, he enclosed her hand fully in his. Leveraging his strength, she squeezed past the man and pressed flush against Jin Chao’s back, guarding against any further intrusions.
Jin Chao pivoted to draw her in front of him, their hands still linked, his palm searing her skin. She stole a glance upward, but he had already released her to assess the queue.
Amid the cacophony, Jiang Mu’s heart raced uncontrollably. Rising on her toes again, she asked, "Have you struck the bell here before?"
Bending to her level, he replied, "No."
As she prepared another question, he remained stooped. She leaned close to his ear: "You’ve lived in Tonggang so long but never came?"
He lowered his head. "Look at this chaos. One visit costs you a layer of stamina."
Her eyes crinkling into smiles, she brushed her cheek against his jawline. "Did you come because of me?"Amidst the dazzling lights and thunderous cheers, they were submerged in the crowd—insignificant, even trivial. No one knew them, nor was anyone aware of their relationship. Those repeated whispers close to each other’s ears felt like a lover’s murmurs. Though Jiang Mu knew it was only to hear each other clearly, her heart still raced with every proximity. The thrill of the forbidden was masked by the lively atmosphere, as if everything had become perfectly natural.
Someone behind her suddenly stepped back and bumped into Jiang Mu. She stumbled, her soft lips brushing against Jin Chao’s cheek. The distinct touch and his clean, intoxicating masculine scent struck her mind simultaneously. Unversed in matters of intimacy and having never been close to the opposite sex, Jiang Mu found Jin Chao’s innate allure both dangerous and mesmerizing.
She froze completely, her face flushed crimson, like a bewildered kitten shrinking before him, suddenly falling silent. Watching the crowd continuously retreating ahead, Jin Chao raised his hand to shield her back, half-encircling her in front of him.
Jiang Mu wanted to see his reaction. Slowly, bit by bit, she lifted her head, her bangs brushing against her cheeks, making her face appear as small as a palm. The multicolored glow of the lanterns swept across her features, bright and delicate.
Jin Chao lowered his gaze to meet hers, neither avoiding her eyes nor showing any peculiar expression. He always concealed his emotions impeccably, leaving Jiang Mu no trace of vulnerability. Yet, when he focused on someone, his dark pupils held a captivating magic.
Jiang Mu blinked softly, melting into his gaze as if falling into a vast expanse of stars and an endless sea—unable to find an escape, and seemingly unwilling to seek one, content to drown in it.
Jin Chao’s hand on her back subtly shifted. Jiang Mu couldn’t tell if he had exerted force to draw her closer or if she had lost control of her steps, but she leaned against his chest. She watched as he lowered his head, his gaze lingering on her lips for a few seconds. For a moment, Jiang Mu even thought the ambiguous tension between them would be unveiled. But he didn’t. Instead, he lowered his head and said to her, "Wait for me on the steps later. I’ll go ask how to pay."
Jiang Mu lowered her eyes and nodded. She obeyed, climbing onto the steps and watching him head to a small window nearby to pay before returning to her side. He bought only one ticket and handed it to Jiang Mu. She asked him, "Aren’t you going to strike it?"
"No, I’ll take photos for you," he replied, then walked to a stone pillar nearby to wait for her.
Jiang Mu handed the ticket to the staff and approached the large bell. She lifted her eyes toward Jin Chao, who aimed his phone at her. Gazing in his direction, she struck the bell three times: first, wishing her parents health and happiness; second, wishing Jin Chao a smooth journey ahead; third, wishing them countless days and nights together.
…
When they left Wuyin Temple, they walked side by side.
Jin Chao said to her, "San Lai probably went to the parking lot when he couldn’t find us."
Jiang Mu nodded. "Let’s go back and check."
Along the way, Jiang Mu didn’t look at him, keeping her head down and watching the shadows at their feet. They exchanged sporadic words as they made their way toward the gravel parking lot, neither mentioning the earlier interlude in the crowd again.However, before San Lai's car could be located, they unexpectedly ran into another group of people in the parking lot. These men stood under a large tree smoking, some holding briefcases, others sporting thick gold chains. Their attire suggested they were anything but law-abiding citizens.
Jin Chao had noticed the group from afar. He furrowed his brow slightly and changed direction, intending to lead Jiang Mu away from them. Unfortunately, someone in the crowd had already spotted him and called out, "You Jiu, where are you off to? Why so distant now? Acting like you didn't see us? Aren't you going to come wish Boss Wan a happy New Year?"
Jiang Mu glanced over. Though she didn't recognize any of the men, she spotted Little Green Snake standing among them in high-heeled boots.
Jin Chao didn't pause his steps and continued forward. Several of the men swaggered over and blocked their path. Jin Chao slowly came to a halt, his expression cold and stern, his voice steady and devoid of warmth: "A good dog doesn't block the way."
Hearing this, a few of the younger men flared up. One immediately retorted, "You fucking don't want to walk out of here alive?"
Jin Chao kept his hands in his pockets, not bothering to waste words. He lifted his foot and kicked a stone from the gravel-covered ground directly at the speaker. The move was swift and precise—the stone struck the man's knee, causing him to buckle in pain and nearly kneel reflexively. Enraged, the man charged at Jin Chao, but a hand pressed down on his shoulder, and the young man stepped aside. From behind him emerged another group of people.
At the forefront was a middle-aged man who appeared shrewd and experienced. He wasn't particularly tall but had a prosperous-looking face, wearing a smile that didn't reach his sharp, calculating eyes.
Little Green Snake also came over and stood beside the middle-aged man. Though they didn't look very alike, the resemblance in their expressions made it clear they were father and daughter.
Boss Wan put on a show of scolding his subordinates: "No manners. You Jiu is senior to you in terms of seniority. Is that any way to speak to him?"
The young man clearly wasn't convinced but could only lower his head without arguing back.
Little Green Snake crossed her arms and looked at Jin Chao. Boss Wan raised his gaze and said to him, "I was planning to gather the old crew for a reunion on the fourth or fifth day of the New Year, and here we run into you by chance. How have you been lately?"
Jin Chao's face showed no extra emotion as he replied indifferently, "Same as always."
Boss Wan took a few steps closer to Jin Chao. His bodyguards immediately tensed and followed, but Boss Wan waved them off. They stopped in their tracks. He walked up to Jin Chao, stood still, and silently sized him up before patting his arm and saying, "You've grown much stronger now. Back when you first came to me, you were just a scrawny kid."
Boss Wan's words seemed like casual conversation, but they carried an undertone—hinting that Jin Chao had been weak and vulnerable when he first followed him, and now he had grown wings and learned to fly. The remark was soft yet pointed, leaving its interpretation open to the listener.
This was Jiang Mu's first time meeting the legendary Boss Wan, and her internal alarm bells immediately went off. Though the man's appearance didn't seem particularly villainous, the thought of what he had done to Jin Chao in the past made Jiang Mu feel that beneath his gentle expression lay a smile laced with hidden needles.Jin Chao didn't react much, still responding calmly, "People aren't set in stone. There's no need for unrelated individuals to gather casually."
Boss Wan wasn't angered by Jin Chao's rejection; instead, he chuckled, though his smile sent a slight chill down Jiang Mu's spine.
As they spoke, another man around thirty, smoking a cigarette, stepped forward. This was He Zhang, who specialized in handling external affairs for Boss Wan. Though not working at the auto shop, he was a seasoned figure. He addressed Jin Chao directly, "You can skip the meal, but let's be clear. I heard you're planning to get involved in the business at Xikou Pass? Ambitious, aren't you?"
Jin Chao slowly met He Zhang's gaze, unfazed, "Whether I get involved isn't up to me, nor you. It's all about capability."
He Zhang snorted coldly, "You've got capability, all right—wrecking Xiao Yong's car halfway, climbing over several people's rankings, and catching the higher-ups' attention in such a short time. Are you planning to go against Boss Wan and take over Xikou Pass? Let me tell you, don't be naive. It's not too late to back out now."
Jin Chao ignored him and turned directly to Boss Wan. He lowered his eyes with a soft laugh, then lifted his head, his gaze sharp and piercing, "So confident I'm targeting you? Why would I aim at you?"
His question left everyone looking uncomfortable. Jin Chao's eyes shot straight toward a man in the crowd, who flinched back under his stare. A trace of disdain curled at Jin Chao's lips. Though Jiang Mu couldn't see the man clearly, she could almost deduce it was Boss Wan's nephew, Wan Da Yong, hiding cowardly in the back.
Boss Wan's face resumed its affable expression as he said to Jin Chao, "She argued with me about this for days recently—in the end, she still sides with you. You're a boss yourself now. As they say, harmony brings wealth. In business, why settle for mutual loss when there can be mutual gain?"
Jin Chao followed up, "What kind of mutual gain?"
Boss Wan chuckled and patted his shoulder, "You know I only have one precious daughter. If I'm willing to entrust her to you, why would we need to speak as strangers?"
He Zhang's expression changed abruptly, cutting in, "Boss Wan, you—"
Wan Sheng Bang waved a hand to stop him, then continued to Jin Chao, "Since you're unwilling to join me for a simple meal, I'll lay it out clearly today. You can take the auto shop business if you want, but if you have designs on the alliance, I advise you to tread carefully. Of course, I admire ambition in young people, but in my book, ambitious youths fall into two categories: insiders and outsiders."
Jin Chao lowered his gaze and said lightly, "What about insiders? And outsiders?"
Wan Sheng Bang smiled, "I treat my daughter well, and I'd treat a son-in-law the same."
Jiang Mu was taken aback and turned to look at Wan Qing. Jin Chao glanced sideways at Jiang Mu, hearing Wan Sheng Bang add, "Conversely, if it's an outsider, I can't control it."
As soon as Wan Sheng Bang finished speaking, the young men behind him closed in. Wan Qing, standing a step behind Wan Sheng Bang, silently shook her head at Jin Chao, signaling him not to push it.Even Jiang Mu, standing nearby, could sense the tension thick in the air. She nervously swallowed hard.
The conditions offered by Boss Wan were tempting. From a man's perspective, Wan Qing, despite her bold personality, was truly a rare beauty. If one set aside personal ambitions and chose to be with her, not only would they win the beauty's heart, but they could also build a career together.
If Jin Chao was burdened with a massive debt, then laid out before him was a shortcut many men could only dream of.
Whether it was agreeing to Boss Wan's conditions or using it as a temporary measure to placate the other party and secure an escape, it seemed Jin Chao had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Jiang Mu understood this logic, yet her chest tightened with anxiety. She lowered her head, her eyes flickering restlessly. Never before had she felt so deeply engulfed by a sense of powerlessness.
But just then, a large hand firmly grasped hers—resolute and unwavering.
She abruptly looked up at Jin Chao. His profile remained calm and stern, yet the chaotic helplessness in Jiang Mu's heart suddenly found solid ground. The unsettled light in her eyes instantly steadied.
This subtle gesture did not escape anyone's notice, seemingly conveying his stance. At that moment, all eyes turned to Jiang Mu.
Wan Qing had never been publicly humiliated like this before. She turned and drove away without a word. Boss Wan had always believed that given the history between Jin Chao and Wan Qing, there was some affection between them. He never expected Jin Chao to act so directly. Seeing his daughter slighted, the smile vanished from Boss Wan's face.
Sensing the situation turning sour, Jiang Mu instinctively moved closer to Jin Chao. She counted the number of people on the other side, silently assessed the terrain, and wondered—if a fight broke out, should they run to the left or the right? Could they reach the security booth at the scenic area entrance within two minutes if they sprinted at full speed?
Just as tensions were about to erupt, a man suddenly shouted loudly, "China's Marriage Law explicitly prohibits arranged marriages, mercenary marriages, and any other acts that interfere with the freedom of marriage! Is there no rule of law anymore?"
Everyone turned to look. A man dressed in an expensive mink coat was standing on a tall concrete pillar. Perhaps because the wind was stronger up high, the red scarf around his neck fluttered in the breeze, making him look like a righteous elementary school student wearing a red scarf.
Author's Note: I need to sort out some other drafts in the next couple of days, so updates might be a bit late. If there are any special circumstances, I'll notify you at the top of the synopsis. If there's no special notice, it means updates will continue as usual.
Leave a comment to grab a red envelope! See you tomorrow.
Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated with nutrient solutions between 2021-09-22 16:17:19 and 2021-09-23 16:56:58~
Thanks to the little angel who threw a hand grenade: 17444142, 1;
Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: You Ya, "Dazzling" 1, Really Want to Become a Panda, Peach Loves Kiwi, 47253517, 1;
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solutions: Time, 40 bottles; Shen Manman, 34 bottles; Cold White Skin Bao Qingtian, Little Fish, 20 bottles; One Strawberry Crystal, Beijing Is Far, Warmth, 2 bottles; 50260040, Grace, Six Thirty's Salted Egg Yolk, Love Yourself, Love Life, 1 bottle;Thank you all for your support! I will continue to work hard!
OpenNovel