Cheng Chi looked at Zhou Shaojin, her snow-white face buried in the furry hood of her sapphire blue four-lobed auspicious pattern silk-carved cloak, and couldn’t help but laugh.
After just a few days apart, the young girl’s features had relaxed, taking on a woman’s soft beauty.
After exchanging a few courteous words with Zhou Zhen, he asked Zhou Shaojin, “With such heavy snow, what made you think of going to worship Buddha?”
Zhou Shaojin stammered, unable to answer.
Just like a mischievous child caught red-handed by adults after causing trouble.
Cheng Chi’s smile deepened. He turned back to Zhou Zhen, “That’s roughly how things stand. Master Zhou’s broad-mindedness fills Zichuan with both admiration and shame. After returning, I will certainly discipline Jiashan properly and not fail Master Zhou’s magnanimity. However, I still have matters to attend to. Staying at the government office might be somewhat inconvenient, so I won’t disturb Master Zhou.”
Zhou Zhen didn’t press him to stay, “If that’s the case, let me see Zichuan out.”
Zhou Shaojin stood there dumbfounded.
Uncle Chi had come to her home but wouldn’t stay the night?
Why didn’t Father urge him to stay?
Also, she had encountered Xiao Zhenhai at the temple…
Zhou Shaojin’s hands and feet moved faster than her brain. She grabbed Cheng Chi’s robe, “Uncle Chi, didn’t you promise to come visit me? I just returned and you’re leaving already… Please stay at our home for a few days!”
Moreover, this way Xiao Zhenhai wouldn’t be able to find Uncle Chi. And even if, taking a thousand steps back, Xiao Zhenhai knew where Uncle Chi was, he wouldn’t dare forcibly break into the prefect’s office.
She turned to look at her father, “Father, please ask Uncle Chi to stay. When I was in Jiuru Lane, I benefited greatly from Uncle Chi’s care.”
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but shake his head inwardly with resignation.
This little girl—just moments ago he thought she’d grown up, but in the blink of an eye she revealed herself.
Was this any way to ask a guest to stay?
He had destroyed the Xiao family, and Xiao Zhenhai was leading several clan elders who had escaped, seeking revenge against him! If he stayed here overnight and was discovered by Xiao Zhenhai, it would be troublesome if the Zhou family became targeted.
Cheng Chi smiled, “I still have matters to attend to. I’ll come visit you another day.”
Zhou Zhen felt a headache watching this.
Cheng Chi represented Jiuru Lane in apologizing to him over Cheng Xu’s matter. Seeing that both daughters had grown up in Jiuru Lane, that the Cheng family had handled things appropriately, and that Zhou Shaojin’s reputation and person had suffered no harm, he hadn’t held it against the Cheng family. By rights, Brother Zichuan should be able to sense his goodwill. Yet he kept calling him “Brother Zichuan” while Cheng Zichuan kept addressing him as “Master Zhou”—smiling warmly but revealing a certain aloofness and indifference from his very bones.
He, Zhou Dacheng, wasn’t the sort of person without shame or dignity.
In the future when they met, they could simply be polite to each other.
He had no intention of asking Cheng Zichuan to stay at his home.
Couldn’t his daughter hear this?
But when he saw the pleading look in Zhou Shaojin’s eyes, his heart softened. He had no choice but to say, “Zichuan, you see. Even Shaojin is so sincere in asking you to stay—please remain for a few days. Otherwise, when I return to Jinling, how will I face Old Madam Guan? How will I face Old Madam Guo?”
Zhou Shaojin looked toward Cheng Chi.
Her beautiful eyes were dark and moist, like a small beast still crying to be fed.
Cheng Chi surrendered.
He had originally planned to subdue Xiao Zhenhai to restrain the Xiao family members.
If this was how things stood, then forget about Xiao Zhenhai.
He smiled at Zhou Zhen, “I’d be disrespectful to refuse such kindness.”
A flash of surprise crossed Zhou Zhen’s eyes.
Cheng Zichuan toward Shaojin… truly did care for her!
That smile radiated warmth.
Still, this was a good thing.
It meant Shaojin had fared very well in Jiuru Lane.
Fine. For his daughter’s sake, he wouldn’t quibble with Cheng Zichuan over these matters.
Zhou Zhen smiled and called for Li Changgui, instructing him to prepare a guest room for Young Master Cheng. He added, “Also inform Madam. Have her order a table from Yichun Hall. Today I’ll drink a few cups properly with Zichuan.”
Zhou Shaojin quickly said, “Uncle Chi doesn’t eat fish.”
Li Changgui respectfully acknowledged this with a smile and withdrew.
Zhou Zhen felt slightly dejected.
Cheng Zichuan didn’t eat fish, but he liked it!
He invited Cheng Zichuan to the study for tea.
Before Cheng Chi could respond, Zhou Shaojin was already complaining, “Father, really! Uncle Chi just arrived and already talked with you for ages. You won’t let him return to rest early—what tea drinking? Anyway, Uncle Chi will be staying at our home for several days. If you want to drink tea with him, there’s plenty of time. Today just let Uncle Chi go rest in the guest room quickly—he still has to drink with you later!”
She still needed to tell Uncle Chi about Xiao Zhenhai!
Without caring what Zhou Zhen might say, Zhou Shaojin pulled Cheng Chi toward the door, saying, “Uncle Chi, I’ll accompany you to the guest room. I know where the guest room is!”
Very enthusiastic indeed.
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but laugh.
The young girl was much livelier than when she’d been at Hanbi Mountain Villa. Clearly Zhou Zhen and Li Shi treated her very well—sending her back had been the right decision.