Su Minguan’s words came out before he could think them through. Seeing Lin Yuchan’s smiling face, he suddenly realized his tactical error.

—What do you want?

Strike first to gain advantage, hesitate, and suffer the consequences. Having been injured and grown somewhat lax, how had he suddenly handed over the initiative in pricing?

This was a serious loss of standards.

Miss Lin had truly assisted in their hour of need, pulling Yixing from the mire back to the human world—a deed of immeasurable merit. If she asked for half his shares, would he have the nerve to refuse?

Su Minguan coughed and immediately amended: “How about this…”

“Never mind, you can’t afford to thank me properly.” Lin Yuchan thought of the same point simultaneously, quickly cutting off his words. “I’ll let you owe me for now.”

With that, she snatched the pear from his hand, took a small bite, and looked up at him provocatively.

Su Minguan: “…”

One moment of carelessness and he’d taken on a debt of gratitude he couldn’t repay. Having no temper to show, he could only lean against the table edge with a resigned smile, watching the girl tantalize him before his very eyes, holding that pear and eating it slowly.

Small bite by small bite, red lips against white fruit flesh, carefully curling her tongue to prevent juice from spilling.

She hadn’t eaten even half when her cheeks suddenly flushed, and she turned to glare at him: “What are you staring at?”

They weren’t close together, maintaining a standard six-foot social distance. Yet his gaze followed the movement of her lips, hardly shifting away.

Moreover, that gaze grew increasingly heated, obviously carrying certain fantasies.

Lin Yuchan grabbed another pear from the table and tossed it in an arc: “If you’re craving it, peel your own.”

Su Minguan caught it and casually put it in his pocket, his gaze still fixed on her face. Today he wore a dark long robe that made his features appear even more refined and handsome, with moisture gleaming in his eyes as if harboring many unspoken words.

Strangely enough, in the past, when he first developed feelings for this girl, he had been bold and shameless every day, feeling no pressure about making her blush. Now that he truly held her in his heart, his mouth seemed locked, many words too embarrassing to say, fearing to displease her, fearing to make her overthink, fearing to stir up the guilt buried deep in his heart.

He finally said softly, “I want to hold you.”

His voice was extremely light, floating across six feet of air and delicately entering her ears.

Lin Yuchan had the illusion that a feather had brushed half her face, making her itch uncontrollably, then grow warm.

She pressed her lips together and laughed softly: “Then hold me.”

He immediately said, “There are people outside.”

“Draw the curtain.”

“The curtain is broken.”

Lin Yuchan giggled: “Still not fixed?”

Su Minguan said in a low voice: “I don’t plan to fix it. It’ll stay open from now on.”

She looked at him in surprise, tilting her head. His expression was serious, somewhat embarrassed, but still firmly meeting her gaze.

In compromising situations, he would no longer allow himself any wishful thinking.

The shop’s staff were all his trusted confidants who had been severely warned—even if they saw the most improper scenes, they wouldn’t dare gossip.

But precisely because of this, he needed to deliberately maintain a warning to remind himself not to lose his head.

Moreover, today, Yixing’s shop was crowded with customers and business partners. The small tea room was right next to the storefront—if someone nosy poked their head in for a look, tomorrow Yixing would probably be in the newspapers again, returning all the reputation E.C. Bennett had brought them.

Su Minguan suppressed some unrealistic thoughts, reminding himself to be content. Her obediently eating the pear he had peeled, this fragment full of everyday warmth, was already quite satisfying to him.

Suddenly, Lin Yuchan dropped the pear core, smiled at him, and opened her arms wide, making a hugging gesture from afar.

Su Minguan’s eyes crinkled as he also opened his arms across the distance, pretending to embrace her.

The warm atmosphere lasted only half a second. Suddenly, the rumble of carriage wheels sounded at the entrance, followed immediately by a female voice speaking English floating in.

“Luna, little witch, my article was published! Did you see the people reading newspapers in the park? It’s the first time I’ve seen Chinese people’s stories captivate readers so much! This is good—it shows your civilization level is progressing. Though it’s also because I wrote it well, haha! Oh, this is my payment—punctual as expected!”

Miss Compton’s second visit to Yixing found her completely at ease, laughing as she greeted the staff.

The Western young lady’s exposed shoulders and slender waist were devastatingly attractive. For a moment, all the customers in the shop lost their composure, not knowing what expression to wear, and with a whoosh, they cleared a large space.

Miss Compton had submitted anonymously, so the reply obviously couldn’t be sent to her home address. Having friends receive it was also risky—they might tell her father. After much consideration, she had left Yixing Tea House as the address. In the newspaper staff’s eyes, a journalist completing an interview at Yixing’s establishment and writing the article there to send to the paper was perfectly normal.

Miss Compton received the envelope containing her payment, opened it to count, and beamed with joy.

A mere ten silver dollars, not enough to buy a piece of pearl jewelry. But it was the first money she had earned through her ability, circumventing prejudice and constraints.

Lin Yuchan quickly rushed out of the small tea room. Miss Compton’s skirts swirling, she unhesitatingly rushed over and gave her a fierce hug.

“I’ve decided—I won’t confront my father for now. I want to continue writing under this pen name until the North China Herald can’t do without me… Hehe, Britain’s first female overseas correspondent… Just thinking about it is exciting, isn’t it, Luna?”

She turned to Su Minguan: “Mr. Minguan, you look so much better! Is your ship repaired? Any fresh news lately? I think perhaps I should apply for a column in the Maritime Commercial Daily…”

As she fantasized, she enthusiastically approached him, offering her well-defined face.

Su Minguan’s smile stiffened slightly.

A minute ago, he had been pointlessly conflicted about an improper embrace; now someone was trampling the word “propriety” underfoot, rushing up to faire la bise with him!

This foreign girl was overwhelming when she let loose.

The room full of customers was also stunned. Though they couldn’t understand Miss Compton’s English, her body language made her intentions clear.

Suddenly, dozens of gazes shot toward Su Minguan, nailing five words onto him: envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Strangely enough, if a Chinese girl got too close to a foreign man, she would immediately be condemned by all, considered to have debased herself and dishonored the nation. But conversely, if a Chinese man was fortunate enough to exchange a few words with a foreign girl and gain her favor, it would bring universal praise, believing he must have exceptional qualities.

And in those extremely rare cases where a young Chinese man married a Western woman, it was simply bringing glory to the country, making all compatriots proud.

Thirty years ago in the Qing Dynasty, “fraternizing with foreign barbarians” was still considered shameful to one’s ancestors. But now the tide had turned—being able to curry favor with foreigners was like having one’s ancestral graves emit auspicious green smoke.

So when everyone saw a Western girl being quite friendly with Boss Su, seemingly about to do something that would make people blush in public, they immediately realized Boss Su was no ordinary person—he could subdue foreign girls. This reflected glory on everyone, making them feel quite proud.

Everyone smiled expectantly, preparing to watch the show.

Su Minguan’s nose caught a waft of fragrance as Miss Compton’s exaggerated, harmless smiling face appeared before his eyes.

How could he not understand others’ mentality? Under everyone’s gaze, the foreign girl was condescending to show him favor. Word of this would spread, and his status would double in the future—no one would dare look down on him.

As a shrewd businessman, he shouldn’t pass up such an opportunity.

But perhaps it was his natural rebelliousness. This broad path paved with Chinese dignity—he simply refused to walk it.

He smiled slightly, imperceptibly stepping aside while considerately moving a blocking chair.

“This chair back needs sanding—be careful it doesn’t snag your dress.”

Miss Compton cried out in alarm, hurriedly checking her skirt hem while complaining: “Chinese furniture is just so rough. I thought things here would be more refined.”

Su Minguan smiled slightly: “My apologies. Eastern furnishings indeed aren’t quite suitable for your use.”

Miss Compton completely missed the barb in his words, continuing: “Exactly! My dresses are expensive to make—you couldn’t afford to replace one if it got damaged.”

After complaining briefly, she forgot about the cheek kiss. After all, there was no need for such formal etiquette with Chinese people.

Su Minguan sighed inwardly. If Western men were as easy to handle as these foreign girls, his life would be much easier.

With a few polite words, he sent Miss Compton off, watching her board her carriage happily. She still clutched the payment envelope like a treasure when getting in.

By now, Yixing was also nearing closing time. Su Minguan returned to the shop, reviewed the business progress, and then felt a pair of warm eyes smiling and following him around.

He turned his head. Lin Yuchan was smiling mischievously, her finger stroking the smooth chair back, then pointing at her cheek.

“It’s fine,” she said softly. “I don’t mind.”

Su Minguan’s face darkened, so angry he wanted to pin her against the wall and give her a hundred la bises. Not only had she seen through his little maneuver, she was teasing him for being shy!

“We’re closing,” he said with a straight face, showing her out. “Miss Lin, please leave.”

Lin Yuchan laughed: “Not keeping your benefactor for dinner?”

“Fine. Millet congee, steamed buns, pickled vegetables—help yourself.” He pointed to the adjacent Yixing Tea House. “Please.”

Seeing her instantly puff up with indignation, Su Minguan’s lips curved in laughter.

“Such a fuss. I eat this every day. For wound recovery, the doctor said to keep it bland.”

Lin Yuchan immediately exploded: “Which doctor? The one who said ‘there’s no hope’? I’m telling you, you need to eat more meat now! For resistance, to heal faster!”

Su Minguan had indeed been eating so blandly that he was going stir-crazy. Hearing her say “meat,” his mouth immediately watered.

He pointed pitifully next door: “You convince the cook at Yixing Tea House first.”

The cook was also one of his “members,” a senior health expert. With the boss ailing, how could he let him court death? Every meal was as bland as possible, specifically cleaning the pot before cooking to leave not a trace of oil. Salt was measured grain by grain, fearing he’d “get overheated.”

Lin Yuchan sighed, giving him a sympathetic look.

“Thanks, but no thanks.” She pushed open the shop door, pointing to the bulging pouch at her waist. “I’m carrying too much money—Boss Su, could you have someone escort me home?”

Su Minguan nodded, surveying the shop to find it nearly empty.

Yixing Shipping had been swamped with orders lately—everyone was busy.

He turned again to see the mischievous glint in her eyes, and couldn’t help but smile, his lips curving upward.

“Miss Lin’s righteous assistance saved my shipping company’s life—how could I be negligent? I’ll escort you personally.”

At the gate of Boya Hongkou, Su Minguan stopped.

He was satisfied to see that after renovation, the small courtyard’s gate had an additional lock, and the walls were topped with spikes, enough to deter most petty thieves. Any truly clumsy fool attempting to climb over would likely end up with a punctured posterior.

“I won’t go in…”

He hadn’t finished half the sentence when he suddenly concentrated and fell silent.

From beyond the wall came an unusual aroma. Roughly distinguishing it, there was meat, fish, and soup, immediately making his mouth water. The pickled vegetables and millet congee from his last meal instantly evaporated from his stomach, leaving him feeling somewhat hollowed out.

Lin Yuchan pounded on the door forcefully, laughing: “Please come in!”

Su Minguan was surprised: “Who’s inside?…”

Before he could finish, the gate opened, and Aunt Hong appeared with a beaming smile.

“Oh my, Young Master Minguan, long time no see! Come in, come in—we’ve made hometown dishes and were just waiting for our girl to return for dinner.”

Suddenly seeing a group of familiar faces, Su Minguan felt momentarily dazed.

Lin Yuchan smiled exaggeratedly: “Don’t tell me your people didn’t inform you? Oh, right, you were recuperating.”

…

Su Minguan asked a few questions to understand the whole story, then laughed helplessly for a long time before finally understanding the background of those strong ruffians who had come to Yixing that day and started fighting without distinguishing right from wrong.

Blowing on his fresh fish slice congee, he caught up with several old friends among the spinster women, then asked with a smile: “Do you know the names of those dock bullies from Shiliupu Wharf?”

Aunt Hong and the others exchanged glances, smiling with difficulty.

“Let’s not pursue it.”

Lin Yuchan had already given Aunt Hong and the others a detailed report on her current situation, and had subtly mentioned that Minguan now managed some secret societies—this wasn’t surprising to Guangdong people. Twenty years ago, Guangzhou City was crawling with secret societies. Guangzhou Prefect Ye Mingchen had once complained that if you lined up all the young men in the city and executed every other one, you’d still miss some.

But after all, a strong dragon doesn’t suppress the local snake, so Aunt Hong and the others’ first thought was to avoid trouble.

The courtyard now had Cantonese cuisine experts, so Aunt Zhou hadn’t needed to help in the kitchen these past few days, sitting at one side of the table and eating contentedly.

Su Minguan glanced at Aunt Zhou, intensified his dialect, and said quietly: “Aunt Hong, when I was thirteen, I knocked on your courtyard gate to hide from a vicious dog and stole two plates of your food. I didn’t tell you—I wasn’t hiding from a dog, but from soldiers. I was carrying secret society messages then.”

Aunt Hong was shocked: “You…”

The other spinster women also clutched their chests, laughing awkwardly: “Young master, you nearly got our whole courtyard in trouble.”

Su Minguan smiled, asking: “What are the dock bullies’ names?”

This debt of gratitude couldn’t remain unpaid forever.

Aunt Hong’s expression toward him immediately changed, carrying awe.

Finally, without hesitation, after conferring with her sisters, she provided two or three names.

Early summer days grew longer each day. In the gentle twilight, everyone shared news of their times apart, especially recent developments in Guangzhou—Aunt Hong said that Defeng Trading had been caught trafficking people two years ago, paid a 500,000 tael fine, and Old Master Qi was betrayed by all and died of exhaustion soon after. Young Master Qi couldn’t sustain the family business, keeping only one storefront. Relying on secret recipes, old craftsmen, and a few foreign customers, they were barely operating, having fallen to a third-rate small tea house.

Aunt Hong bit into a piece of roast goose, laughing as she asked: “Honestly, little sister, young master, did this have anything to do with you two?”

“No!”

The two troublemakers replied in unison.

Everyone laughed.

Su Minguan asked again: “How do you make a living now?”

“Room and board are all here with our girl,” Aunt Hong still habitually called Lin Yuchan “little sister,” smiling. “Usually we move some tea leaves, spin thread, and weave cloth in the evenings, and play mahjong when there’s time—quite comfortable!”

Lin Yuchan smiled bitterly inwardly. Relaxed was relaxed, but funds were constantly being consumed—who knew how many more days this comfort could last?

After dinner, she didn’t let Su Minguan clean up, leading him to the courtyard and looking meaningfully at several small rooms.

“When Aunt Hong and the others can’t stay here anymore, can you help?” she asked quietly. “They’ve already paid hometown association membership fees.”

Su Minguan nodded. Fellow provincials seeking refuge rarely included women, and when they did, they usually came with male family members. Spinster women had a special status and were indeed difficult to place.

But given his relationship with Aunt Hong and the others, he certainly wouldn’t refuse.

He suddenly remembered the recent diet of millet congee and steamed buns, wickedly fantasizing: “We could replace Yixing Tea House’s head chef first.”

He glanced at her sideways, somewhat surprised.

“I just returned so much money to you—still not enough?”

Lin Yuchan looked down at the bulging pouch at her waist, smiling bitterly: “This money won’t last long in my hands. Next month, I need to repay a batch of loans under Mr. Rong’s name. The property taxes and fees for his small foreign-style house, plus various business taxes, are also due. Then there are two penalty payments… After deducting all these odds and ends, only a fraction will remain.”

During Yixing’s difficulties, she had run around helping with strategies and risky moves, appearing to handle everything with ease, but her resources were nearly exhausted.

Even if Rong Hong could live peacefully and long, he couldn’t fly back tomorrow. She had to start considering her retreat.

Lin Yuchan suddenly looked up, seemingly casual, and asked with a smile: “You have broad connections—help me keep an eye out for anyone willing to take over the lease of this small courtyard. Also… if you want any of the furniture and goods here, I’ll give them to you at cost.”

Su Minguan hummed, asking: “Urgent?”

“Not… not urgent. It’s manageable. Within a month.”

He fell silent for a moment, seemingly calculating something, then looked up with a smile.

“Then I’ll take your safe first.”

As expected, everyone wanted the good stuff, especially since this safe was something she’d found as a bargain.

Lin Yuchan felt bitter inside, reluctant as if marrying off a daughter, smiling: “But I still need to use it now. I’ll give it to you when I’m completely broke.”

She pushed the bedroom door open, lit a lamp, bent down to open the safe, carefully placing the stack of bank notes from her waist pouch—over a thousand pounds borrowed and returned, now converted to over four thousand taels of silver, Boya’s last lifeline—inside the cabinet and locked it.

The bank notes were of various versions and conditions. She counted them one by one carefully, her slender fingers moving through the large sum.

Click—a soft sound as the door behind her closed.

She broke out in a fine sweat, closed the cabinet door, her heart skipping a beat, and laughed: “Robbery?”

Su Minguan approached, stopping two steps behind her. As if sensing her nervousness, he laughed softly.

“A’Mei,” his voice was deep with a hint of inquiry, “there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you.”

Lin Yuchan hummed in response. The lamplight from the side cast both their shadows, one tall and one short, both elongated by a third, their profiles clear and every strand of hair distinctly swaying.

Though they were apart, their shadows seemed to meld together. Su Minguan raised his hand two inches, and the shadow on the ground also raised its hand, just touching her shadow’s waist.

She felt short of breath, turned around, breaking the intimacy in their shadows, and smiled: “What’s so serious?”

“You have to tell me the truth.”

He stepped closer, his breath touching her neck. Having just eaten his fill, his voice carried satisfied laughter.

She thought irritably that he didn’t dare act improperly on his territory, playing the gentleman, but here at her place, he started letting loose, knowing that a courtyard full of women couldn’t cause trouble, truly picking on the soft persimmons.

She answered carefully: “Can I choose not to answer?”

“You can.”

Su Minguan reached out, gently hooking the small safe key in her hand.

“A’Mei,” his voice grew lower, “with so much cash on you for so many days, haven’t you ever thought… You could just leave and never have to struggle again for several lifetimes?”

Lin Yuchan turned in surprise, seeing his expression calm, eyes smiling, as if just chatting about the hometown dishes from earlier.

She laughed: “No.”

Su Minguan seemed disbelieving, stepping closer, almost cornering her between the safe and the wall, his gaze deep as he asked with a smile: “Not even a fleeting thought? Several thousand taels of silver.”

“No… no.”

“It’s fine, I’m not exactly a good person either. Tell me the truth, and I’ll share one of my secrets with you.”

She again felt that familiar urgent pressure, seductive and aggressive, not allowing thought, making her want to blurt out foolish words and step by step slide into his gentle trap.

The “ancient person’s” skill was increasing—she could barely resist.

She looked down at the small jade button at his waist, smiling shyly: “It’s your fault for reminding me. Now I’m seriously considering this path. What do you think—would Hong Kong be better, or Macau?”

Su Minguan laughed softly, suddenly cupping her face, forehead against forehead.

Warm, not hot, just a bit nervous. Her gaze didn’t waver, showing none of the signs of having guilty secrets exposed.

“Macau is suitable for retirement in seclusion.” He also followed her words, his lips curving beautifully as he murmured, “Portuguese houses are beautiful and durable. My family once had a summer villa there. When I visit you in the future, we’ll eat freshly caught lobster and buy almond pastries from the street.”

Lin Yuchan almost believed him, surrounded by his gaze, her cheeks burning as she whispered: “What should I do? You’re making me tempted.”

Su Minguan laughed, the spring tide in his eyes slowly receding as he released her face.

“When the master has problems, servants running off with money—it’s not uncommon.” He said, “You took a huge amount of cash but didn’t leave it all at Boya headquarters, showing you don’t completely trust the people there either. A’Mei?”

Lin Yuchan’s heart trembled slightly.

This was her first time handling such an emergency, acting partly on instinct. She truly hadn’t had such ugly thoughts at the time.

But… deep down, she did have such unspeakable thoughts.

She defended herself: “I… I do trust them, just…”

“Then have you thought about how they’ll view you… Keeping all this money with yourself?”

Lin Yuchan suddenly realized, feeling cold all over. Su Minguan raised his hand to stroke her hair, but she gently blocked him.