After Luo Yang went downstairs, he returned to his original seat and continued eating and drinking. Since Jiang Bin had said all expenses would be charged to him, Luo Yang ordered a whole table full of dishes in one go.

He seemed to feel it still wasn’t enough, so he turned his attention to those beggars outside. Thus, he ordered many more dishes to give to them. The innkeeper and servers were all dumbfounded, but then thought that since Young Master Jiang was paying anyway, and the more Luo Yang ordered, the higher the inn’s profits, they busied themselves attending to them. They wished they could bring out all the remaining food and drink in the inn. This left the other diners in the establishment gaping in astonishment. Several people even came forward to greet Luo Yang directly, wanting to probe his background—what if he was a young master from some wealthy household? They might be able to climb up the social ladder, and their future livelihood would be secured.

But Luo Yang pulled them all to eat together!

They hastened to clean out all the dishes on the table.

He also packed up many things. Finally, he left the inn with his belly round and full.

Completely satisfied!

Meanwhile, in a teahouse across from the inn, Jiang Bin sat there taking in all his actions. Watching him swagger away with his belly full, that sight truly made one’s heart uncomfortable.

Yet Jiang Bin just smiled.

A fan had somehow appeared in his hand. He gently opened it and fanned himself. This early autumn season was already somewhat chilly—who knew what pose he was striking with that fan!

Sitting across from him were those several men who had been thoroughly drunk earlier. They were now mostly sober. The plump man furrowed his brow and asked with a puzzled expression: “I say, Jiang Bin, who exactly is that fellow? Even you have to give him some face?”

Someone else chimed in: “That’s right, who is he exactly? I’ve never seen him in Yanjing City. He seems quite arrogant.”

“Jiang Bin, you seemed rather afraid of him.”

Afraid?

Jiang Bin put down the fan in his hand, looked at the several people before him, and said: “I’m not afraid of him, but rather giving consideration to General Wen.”

Hmm?

Everyone was puzzled and exchanged glances.

Who didn’t know the Wen family? Who didn’t know General Wen!

The most powerful families in the court now were the Wen family and the Su family, weren’t they?

The plump man asked: “What do you mean? How does this involve General Wen?”

Jiang Bin then explained unhurriedly: “That person is called Luo Yang. I met him at Ning’an Manor. He’s one of General Wen’s people, and he even helped prove the Young Master’s innocence, so he’s also half a life-saver to the Young Master. Tell me, can we afford to fight with such a person? If we become his enemy, wouldn’t that be the same as becoming enemies with the Wen family and the Young Master? On this point, we absolutely cannot act rashly and invite trouble for ourselves.”

Uh!

When everyone heard this, they were all shocked!

They had indeed heard about this matter—that some young hothead had stepped forward to help the Young Master.

But they didn’t know that person was the same scoundrel-looking fellow who had stood in front of Liu Yunyan earlier!

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and said: “Jiang Bin, we’re fortunate you stepped in to mediate, otherwise we really would have gotten into trouble. Neither the Wen family nor the Young Master are people we can afford to offend.”

Ever since Wang Huai’s death, their gang had become somewhat desolate!

Like a group of dragons without a head!

Jiang Bin looked at Luo Yang’s departing figure and smiled: “No matter what, having one more friend is always better than having one more enemy. Moreover, he has the Wen family backing him. If we can become friends, we’ll also have indirectly established a connection with the Wen family.”

Someone immediately threw cold water on this: “I think after this incident, he may not necessarily see it that way!”

“All things are possible!” Jiang Bin smiled confidently.

…

Xiao Ba sat in the courtyard with his chin propped up on his hands, waiting eagerly. Not knowing where Luo Yang had gone, he could only wait.

Just as he was about to head out to the alley entrance, he saw Luo Yang returning!

Carrying many things in his hands.

And several jars of wine!

“Brother, where did you go?”

Although Luo Yang had eaten and drunk his fill, he still looked troubled. He stuffed the things into Xiao Ba’s hands, saying: “Good food. Eat it quickly while it’s hot.”

Hearing it was good food, Xiao Ba’s eyes lit up.

He quickly took the items.

There were chicken legs and duck legs, along with many delicacies and pastries. Xiao Ba held those things and began eating in the courtyard, while Luo Yang plopped down on the stone steps and started drinking.

“Brother, you already drank so much yesterday. If you drink more, you’ll die.” Xiao Ba said with concern, his mouth full of food.

Luo Yang didn’t listen!

He continued drinking.

The wine was truly fragrant, its aroma filling the entire courtyard. Xiao Ba ate steadily and continuously. Realizing he seemed to have something on his mind, he grabbed a chicken leg, walked over, and asked: “Brother, are you unhappy?”

“No.”

“Is it because… Miss Ji left?”

“…”

“Actually, you shouldn’t be sad. If you two are fated, you’ll definitely meet again.”

“…”

The other party indicated he didn’t want to talk to you and threw you a big eye-roll!

Xiao Ba was truly concerned about him and continued asking: “Brother, say something. Are you really thinking about Miss Ji in your heart?”

Although Xiao Ba’s mind was a bit slow, he ultimately wasn’t stupid. He had seen everything that happened during this period of time, and having been brothers with Luo Yang for so many years, he understood his thoughts to some extent.

Hearing his words, Luo Yang poured another mouthful of wine down his throat, reached out to put his arm around his shoulder, and said: “Xiao Ba! Tell me, is your brother foolish?”

“Of course you’re not foolish. You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met.” Xiao Ba said with pride.

In his heart, Luo Yang was the smartest.

Luo Yang chuckled, put down the wine, and asked him: “Then tell me, should we continue staying here or not?”

“Stay here?”

“Now that Miss Ji has already left, I’ll listen to you. If you want to leave, we’ll leave. If you don’t want to leave, we’ll stay.”

If it were before, Xiao Ba would definitely want to leave.

After all, he didn’t really like it here. Too many people, too large a place—like a big cage trapping people tight.

But after staying for a while, he felt this place was quite good. The weather was nice, no worries about food or clothing, lots of people made it lively, the air was good. How could it compare to Zhuxin City, where every day was filled with yellow sand—yellow sand in the water, yellow sand in the food? But Yanjing was different. Here there was much to eat and drink, different things every day. After getting used to it, he felt this place was actually quite good.

So he took a bite of the chicken leg in his hand and said: “Brother, how about… we still stay? Even if we leave, we won’t necessarily find Miss Ji. What if she comes back here looking for us? Right?”

No problem with that logic!

Even if they really left, they might not necessarily meet Ji Yunshu.

Luo Yang thought about it, put down the wine bottle in his hand, looked up at the sky with a long sigh, and muttered: “To stay? Or not to stay?”

Staying meant he could become an official. Not staying meant he’d have to return to his former life. But he couldn’t return to Zhuxin City—Tiger Lord was probably still searching everywhere for him. Returning would be suicide! If he didn’t return to Zhuxin City, he’d have to take Xiao Ba and wander to the ends of the earth, living without a fixed dwelling. He simply couldn’t foresee the future.

Seeing him like this, Xiao Ba asked: “Brother, so what are you thinking?”

“Ai!” He sighed heavily again.

“Brother?”

“Stop asking. Let me think this through properly.” With that, Luo Yang took the wine bottle and ambled back into the room.

Should he stay or not stay?

This question required careful thought.

Xiao Ba watched his retreating figure, feeling worried in his heart. He scratched his head, stood dazed for a while, then continued gnawing on the food in his hand. Sitting alone in the courtyard, he felt completely carefree and couldn’t comprehend Luo Yang’s complex emotions at this moment.

Luo Yang lay on the bed, his dark eyes gazing at the gauze canopy overhead, his thoughts gradually drifting back to several months ago.

That night when he first met Ji Yunshu!

Scene after scene flashed continuously through his mind, deeply imprinted in his heart.

From Zhuxin City to here, much had happened between them. During this time together, his heart had gradually fallen…

Yes, he could finally clearly acknowledge his own feelings—he had indeed fallen in love with Ji Yunshu!

Loved her to the point that her every smile and frown could touch every one of his nerves!

He worried because she worried, was happy because she was happy, was sad because she was sad…