Recognising someone by sound.
Ye Qiu could tell who it was just by the footsteps, a slight smile curved his lips, and he quickly slipped back under the covers.
Creak—
The door was pushed open, and a graceful figure stepped lightly into the room from outside.
Lin Jingzhi!
Lin Jingzhi was wearing a Chinese qipao, adorned with delicate blue floral patterns, exuding a classic yet elegant charm.
She glanced over, seeing Ye Qiu still fast asleep, a coy smile spread across her face.
She approached the bed.
Lin Jingzhi lifted a corner of the blanket and slipped her head underneath.
Soon, Ye Qiu let out a comfortable moan, “Oh~”
Lin Jingzhi redoubled her efforts.
After a while, she climbed fully onto the bed, straddling Ye Qiu, and purred with a smile, “Awake?”
“Big Sis Lin, what brings you here?” Ye Qiu asked, feigning surprise.
Lin Jingzhi replied with a hint of grievance, “You heartless git, coming to Suzhou-Hangzhou and not visiting me, I was just too lonely, so I had to come find you.”
“Really?” Ye Qiu sounded delighted.
Lin Jingzhi nodded, “Really.”
“Then let your husband see just how lonely you’ve been,” Ye Qiu said with a wicked grin, pulling Lin Jingzhi under the covers.
A while later.
Ye Qiu’s exclamation rang out, “The sea!”
“Husband, don’t say it out loud, I’m shy~” Lin Jingzhi said, her face full of bashfulness.
Ye Qiu couldn’t hold back, immediately setting to work filling her emptiness.
An hour later.
The two stopped their revelry.
Only then did Ye Qiu ask, “Big Sis Lin, why’d you suddenly come to Suzhou-Hangzhou?”
“Didn’t I say? I missed you,” Lin Jingzhi replied with a smile, “Don’t you believe me?”
“I do, but not entirely,” Ye Qiu said, “Is something up?”
“Can’t fool you, my husband’s too clever,” Lin Jingzhi planted a kiss on Ye Qiu’s cheek and said, “There’s some company business, I need to head to Dali soon, plus yesterday I got a call from Auntie, she hoped I’d come check on Grandpa, so here I am.”
That explained it.
Ye Qiu’s eyes flickered as he said, “Big Sis Lin, your trip to Dali isn’t urgent, right?”
“Not urgent,” Lin Jingzhi said, “The company’s been expanding fast lately, we’ve moved into hotels, beauty, pharmaceuticals, and now we’ve opened a jewellery firm.”
“There are jade mines in Dali, a lot of domestic jewellers go there to source stones.”
“I’m heading over this time to buy a batch of jade.”
Ye Qiu said, “In that case, I’ll go with you.”
“You’ll come with me?” Lin Jingzhi seemed surprised, “Do you have the time?”
“Even if I don’t, I’ll make time for you!” Ye Qiu said, “Dali’s near the border, it’s a messy place, you’re so beautiful, what if someone covets you? That’d be dangerous.”
Lin Jingzhi laughed, “Don’t worry, my heart’s yours forever.”
“I don’t just want your heart, I want all of you.”
Ye Qiu pinned Lin Jingzhi down again.
Truth be told, aside from worrying about her safety, he had another reason for joining her in Dali—to visit Tianlong Temple, meet the monk Kongjian, and study the Six Meridians Divine Sword manual.
Last time he returned from Beijing, Ye Wudi and the War God had repeatedly urged him to hurry up and boost his cultivation, so he’d have a chance to protect himself when those old freaks from the Forbidden City emerged.
Those old monsters hadn’t come out yet, but the pressure on Ye Qiu was immense.
Plus, if his background got exposed, the Beijing families involved in that turmoil from over twenty years ago would surely come after him too.
He’d be surrounded on all sides, and the only way to change that was to grow stronger.
Ye Qiu firmly believed that with enough power, he could crush any enemy in the world.
Another hour passed.
“Knock knock—”
A knock came from the door.
Qian Duoduo’s voice called from outside, “Cousin, you awake?”
“What for?” Ye Qiu asked, annoyed, still sweaty from the exertion.
“Cousin, get up for breakfast,” Qian Duoduo said.
“Not eating,” Ye Qiu replied, with Lin Jingzhi still coiled around him like a snake, how could he think about breakfast?
“You’d better get up, everyone’s waiting in the hall,” Qian Duoduo said, “Family rule—anyone living here eats breakfast together.”
Bloody hell, what a rubbish rule.
Ye Qiu was miffed.
Lin Jingzhi coaxed, “Come on, let’s get up, don’t keep them waiting too long, besides, it’s my first visit, I don’t want to leave a bad impression.”
Ye Qiu brushed it off, “What’s to fear? We don’t live here.”
Lin Jingzhi, understanding his mood, said gently, “Be good, tonight I’ll take care of you again, I’ve learned some new tricks, they’ll blow your mind.”
That cheered Ye Qiu up a bit.
They washed up, stepped out of the room, and found Qian Duoduo still lingering by the door.
“Why’re you still here?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Waiting for you, Cousin,” Qian Duoduo said, his eyes darting over Lin Jingzhi, asking in awe, “Cousin, where’d you find this lass, how’ve I never seen her?”
Smack!
Ye Qiu slapped Qian Duoduo’s forehead, sternly saying, “Don’t talk rot, this is your sister-in-law.”
Lin Jingzhi smiled and introduced herself, “I’m Lin Jingzhi.”
“Oh, sister-in-law! Sorry, I spoke out of turn, I’ll slap myself,” Qian Duoduo said, smacking his own mouth twice before grinning, “Sister-in-law, I’m—”
“Big Sis Lin, ignore him, he’s just a lickspittle,” Ye Qiu said, pulling Lin Jingzhi away.
Qian Duoduo’s cheeks puffed with anger, he stood there clenching his fists, muttering furiously, “What’s wrong with being a lickspittle? I’m proud, I’m chuffed.”
“Big Sis Lin, have you met Grandpa yet?”
Hearing Ye Qiu, Lin Jingzhi knew he was worried she hadn’t brought a gift and might seem rude on her first visit, she smiled, “Don’t worry, I saw Grandpa this morning when I arrived, gave him a gift.”
“I brought presents for the rest of the family too, handed them to Auntie to pass on.”
Lin Jingzhi chuckled, “I don’t slip up on etiquette.”
Ye Qiu couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
Big Sis Lin was thoughtful, meticulous with people, she had the air of a harem mistress—just not sure if she could handle that little minx Qianshan Xue in the future.
They reached the doorway, about to enter the hall, when Ye Qiu’s phone suddenly rang.
He pulled it out, saw it was Cao Yuan calling, and said, “Big Sis Lin, you go in, I’ll take this call.”
He was puzzled—why was the Nine Thousand Years calling so early?
Ye Qiu hit answer and asked, “Nine Thousand Years, what’s up?”
Cao Yuan’s voice was grave, “Got some bad news for you, the old freaks from the Forbidden City have come out!”
