Cheng Chi was furious.

With the matter of Huang Li as precedent, and Zhou Shaojin’s predictions accurate down to the year, month, and day, he absolutely didn’t believe the Cheng family or their in-laws had such capable people. Everything he had said and done from beginning to end was merely hoping to help Zhou Shaojin let go of her psychological burden and tell him the truth.

Even if she couldn’t tell him the truth, at least getting a few sentences out of her would be good.

But he had never imagined that what he’d draw out was Cheng Xu!

This nephew in whom he had invested infinite hope.

For this nephew’s sake, he had even refused his mother’s proposal to have him mentor Cheng Rang, just to avoid creating a rival for him and affecting the Cheng family’s stability and harmony.

That little beast!

Cheng Chi gripped Zhou Shaojin’s arms tightly, trying his best to make his voice sound less harsh: “Shaojin, don’t be afraid. I’m Cheng Zichuan!”

But Zhou Shaojin seemed caught in a nightmare, shrieking and kicking at him.

Nanny Shang rushed in: “Fourth Master…”

Cheng Chi’s gaze swept over like a blade, his voice as cold as ice shards: “Get out!”

Nanny Shang retreated in fear and trembling.

Zhou Shaojin struggled even more violently.

Cheng Chi had no choice but to restrain her in his embrace, reminding her gently by her ear: “Shaojin, I’m Cheng Zichuan, I’m your Uncle Chi…”

The scent of Ruwenwowen incense was elegant and fresh, like nameless little flowers blooming in the wild mountains—having both the fragrance of flowers and the freshness of grass, calming one’s emotions when inhaled.

Zhou Shaojin gradually quieted down.

Cheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief, gently patting her back, comforting her like a small infant: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid!”

Zhou Shaojin felt as if she had returned to her mother’s embrace. After a while, she came to her senses and discovered she was helplessly half-embraced in Cheng Chi’s arms.

She shuddered and pushed at Cheng Chi with her hands.

But unexpectedly, Cheng Chi was stronger than she imagined. Not only did she fail to push him away, but she made Cheng Chi misunderstand that her emotions were becoming agitated again. He tightened his arms around her, continuously comforting her softly: “Don’t be afraid, I’m Uncle Chi! Don’t be afraid. Everything’s all right now…”

So Uncle Chi was just comforting her.

Zhou Shaojin’s whole body relaxed.

Cheng Chi’s anxious heart finally settled.

He tentatively slowly loosened his arms restraining Zhou Shaojin.

This little girl looked so soft and gentle, but when she made a fuss, she was like a little cat, scratching and clawing. If she continued like this, he really wouldn’t know what to do.

The little girl obediently remained still.

Cheng Chi couldn’t help patting her head like comforting a small animal. He said in a low voice: “Shaojin, you said you trusted me. Do you still trust me now?”

Of course she trusted Uncle Chi’s abilities.

Otherwise, in her previous life, he wouldn’t have been able to rescue Cheng Xu from the execution ground, and in this life, she wouldn’t have sought his help to pass messages to Cheng Jing!

Zhou Shaojin nodded.

That was good!

Cheng Chi pursed his lips and said gently: “Then good, Shaojin. Tell me, besides Cheng Xu, were Cheng Lu and Cheng Ju also involved?”

Zhou Shaojin’s hair stood on end.

She hadn’t said anything yet, but Uncle Chi had already guessed pretty close to the truth.

If she revealed everything about her previous life, what could possibly remain hidden from Uncle Chi?

Her body stiffened.

Cheng Chi, holding her, immediately sensed her emotions.

A flash of ferocity passed through his eyes, but his voice became even gentler: “Shaojin, don’t be afraid. Just tell me the truth… Did Cheng Xu take something of yours, so you have no way to break free…”

Zhou Shaojin was astonished.

Why would Uncle Chi think in this direction?

But what happened back then was indeed somewhat similar to this, only much more serious!

But even so, would Uncle Chi still think she was blameless?

Would he still stand on her side and help her?

Zhou Shaojin tightly gripped Cheng Chi’s lapels.

In other words, he had guessed correctly!

The flames in Cheng Chi’s heart immediately shot up rapidly, so much so that he didn’t dare open his mouth, fearing that once he spoke, he would frighten Zhou Shaojin, who was already like a startled bird.

After quite a while, he gently stroked Zhou Shaojin’s hair and said softly: “Shaojin, rest assured. I’ll help you get the item back and guarantee no one else will know. But you must tell me what it is…” After speaking, fearing it might be something extremely private, he added, “Or you can write it down for me…”

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes immediately moistened.

After she had said such alarmist words, after she had done such hysterical things, Uncle Chi not only didn’t treat her as a monster or push her away, but instead cared for and protected her as before… Perhaps in this world, no one treated her better than Uncle Chi!

She clutched Cheng Chi’s lapels and began crying with sobs.

Tears quickly soaked Cheng Chi’s lapels.

Cheng Chi’s expression darkened slightly.

The little girl was inherently someone without much scheming. Being threatened like this, how terrified she must have been in private, how many tears she must have shed, how much grievance she must have suffered. No wonder after Cheng Xu left, she became noticeably more cheerful, and when she went to Mount Putuo with him and his mother, she was as happy as a little bird… Being able to temporarily leave the Cheng household, leave Jiuru Lane, she must have been very happy!

However, no matter how absurd Cheng Xu was, he couldn’t possibly threaten a young girl…

Cheng Chi thought of Cheng Lu.

There was a period when Cheng Xu and Cheng Lu were quite close. Perhaps it was during that time that Cheng Xu changed!

Could Zhou Shaojin’s targeting of Cheng Lu also be related to this matter?

But even so, who told Zhou Shaojin about things like the Cheng family being executed in its entirety and the Fourth Prince eventually ascending the throne, and what was their purpose—he still knew nothing.

Looking at Zhou Shaojin crying so sadly and sorrowfully, Cheng Chi decided it would be better to delay resolving this matter for now.

After all, this information only benefited the Cheng family, with no drawbacks!

That person had put such thought into setting up this scheme—they shouldn’t give up so easily.

He quietly consoled Zhou Shaojin: “All right, stop crying! If you keep crying, this garment of mine will be ruined. This is a new garment I had made this year. You should at least let me wear it twice! I don’t have many clothes…”

Zhou Shaojin laughed out loud with a “puchi.”

Nan Ping made twelve garments for Uncle Chi at once… and he still said he had no clothes to wear.

She said chokingly: “My needlework is quite good too. At worst, I’ll make Uncle Chi a new garment!”

A child’s tears were truly like March rain—coming quickly and leaving just as fast.

In just these two sentences, she was already acting familiar with him again as before.

However, this was also good.

At least she was easy to coax.

If he had encountered someone as difficult as Cheng Sheng, he would have had no choice but to pull out his elder’s authority.

Cheng Chi’s mood improved greatly. He released Zhou Shaojin and said: “Not sad anymore?”

Zhou Shaojin was startled.

Wasn’t she very heartbroken? How had she suddenly stopped feeling sad?

Cheng Chi said: “I know best what kind of person Cheng Jiashan is. Your matter was most likely instigated by Cheng Lu. You must tell me what happened!”

Zhou Shaojin stared at him blankly, admiring him immensely in her heart: “Why don’t you think it was Cheng Ju?”

“He doesn’t have the ability or capability to manipulate Cheng Jiashan.” Cheng Chi said flatly. “Although Jiashan is somewhat unworldly, deep down he’s very proud. Cheng Ju is of humble birth and a wastrel besides—how could he possibly speak with Jiashan on equal terms? Let alone instigate him.”

If only she had half of Uncle Chi’s intelligence in her previous life, things would probably have turned out differently, wouldn’t they?

Zhou Shaojin fell silent.

Cheng Chi thought she was recalling her grievances with Cheng Lu and consoled her: “Shaojin, Cheng Lu will never threaten you again—I’ve already spoken with Prefect Wu and Instructor Lin. In this year’s annual examination, he definitely won’t pass. Before Prefect Wu leaves, he’ll strip him of his scholar’s robe. After that, he’ll have no capital to make trouble and will be much more docile.”

Though he might also become even more deranged.

But the little girl didn’t need to know these things.

He would handle it.

Cheng Chi smiled and pointed to the writing brush and ink on the desk, saying quietly: “Write down what you want me to find.”

Zhou Shaojin’s face inexplicably flushed crimson.

Cheng Chi said softly: “What’s wrong? Is there something else you want to tell me?”

Zhou Shaojin took a deep breath and mustered her courage: “Uncle Chi, I don’t know how to tell you. They didn’t take anything from me, and I wasn’t threatened by them. I, I just don’t know how to speak to you…” After finishing, she raised her head to look at Cheng Chi, her face full of bewilderment. “I don’t know if I’m in a dream now, or if what happened before was a dream. Or maybe neither is a dream…” Her tone paused slightly as she said gravely, “I, I seem to have lived my life over again.”

Cheng Chi looked at Zhou Shaojin in shock, his gaze becoming sharp.

Zhou Shaojin bit her lip and ultimately chose to selectively tell part of what she had experienced in her previous life.

This naturally omitted the matters between her and Cheng Lu and Cheng Xu.

Cheng Chi listened quietly, his expression alternating between stern, serious, and briefly contemplative. Only after Zhou Shaojin finished speaking did he furrow his brows: “You’re saying you know what will happen over the next eleven years?”

Zhou Shaojin nodded.

Cheng Chi found it very incredible.

He had originally thought there was someone behind Zhou Shaojin.

It seemed he had overthought the matter.

Cheng Chi clasped his hands behind his back, lowered his head, and paced back and forth in the room several times before stopping with a grave expression: “You’re saying you have the ability to foresee?” Then, without waiting for Zhou Shaojin to answer, he continued somewhat to himself, “I once met someone in western Guizhou. Everyone treated her as insane. She said she could communicate with the spirit world and see the shadows of ghosts. I once asked her to perform rituals, and she did indeed have some real ability…”

Zhou Shaojin’s vision became somewhat blurred.

Uncle Chi had just accepted her abnormality like this?

Without surprise, without doubt, without panic, without terror—he just naturally accepted what she had said.

Could this count as a form of trust?

Zhou Shaojin’s heart surged with emotion, and she very much wanted to nod and agree with Cheng Chi’s words.

She knew this was a very good excuse.

But she didn’t want to deceive Cheng Chi, and even more, she didn’t want to live forever in one lie after another.

Moreover, she believed she couldn’t deceive Cheng Chi anyway.

“No!” Zhou Shaojin murmured. “I only know about things related to myself, or things I myself knew… Like why the Cheng family was executed in its entirety—at that time I had already married and wasn’t in Jinling anymore. I had no idea of the reason. It was only after my older sister told me that I found out… I feel that wasn’t a dream… The pain of being pricked by a needle while doing needlework, the feeling of burning my tongue drinking soup, the cold of Beijing winters… I could feel them all vividly… I once told my older sister, but she thought I was possessed by something, so I never dared speak of it again…”