When Jiang Zhan saw the Xie siblings, he warmly greeted them: “Yin Lou, where have you been?”
Xie Yin Lou’s face showed a little smile, but his gaze towards Jiang Zhan wasn’t cold: “I just took my sister shopping.”
From beginning to end, he only glanced once in Jiang Si’s direction, giving a slight nod before averting his gaze.
In comparison, Jiang Zhan was much more enthusiastic, openly greeting Xie Qing Yao: “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Sister Qing Yao. You’ve become even prettier.”
Of course, still not as pretty as his sister.
Xie Qing Yao’s face slightly reddened, but she wasn’t shy at all. She gave Jiang Zhan a sweet smile: “Thank you for the compliment, Second Brother Jiang. I think so too!”
Jiang Si listened quietly on the side, unable to help but smile with pursed lips.
Sometimes she felt that her second brother and Qing Yao were more like siblings. As for Xie Yin Lou—
Jiang Si found this young man, whom she had watched grow up alongside her, quite perplexing.
She vaguely remembered that when Xie Yin Lou was little, he was similar to her second brother, also a mischievous troublemaker who often bullied her and Xie Qing Yao. Later, for some unknown reason, he gradually became cold and serious.
People say girls change greatly at eighteen, but she felt Xie Yin Lou had changed the most.
“Are you heading back home?” Jiang Zhan asked.
Xie Yin Lou replied concisely with an “Mm.”
“That’s perfect. Let my fourth sister go back with you. I have some errands to run.”
Xie Yin Lou remained silent, glancing at Jiang Si once more.
Xie Qing Yao affectionately linked arms with Jiang Si: “That’s wonderful! I was just thinking of spending time with Ah-Si. Ah-Si, if you’re not busy, come to my place for a while instead of going home.”
Jiang Si hesitated briefly, but Xie Qing Yao began shaking her arm: “Please, please! I wanted to invite you over the other day, but with what happened at your house… I didn’t feel right about coming…”
Jiang Si couldn’t resist and nodded: “Alright, but I’ve been out for a while, so I can only stay for a bit before heading back.”
“That’s no problem at all. Our families live right next to each other. We can just send A Man back to let them know…” Xie Qing Yao walked forward, arm in arm with Jiang Si.
Jiang Zhan rubbed his nose.
He hadn’t left yet, and they were already ignoring him?
“Yin Lou, please look after my fourth sister.”
“Don’t worry,” Xie Yin Lou turned and walked behind Jiang Si and Xie Qing Yao, maintaining a considerable distance.
Jiang Zhan let out a long sigh.
Look at him, so reassuring as an elder brother. Now compare that to Seventh Brother Yu—
Jiang Zhan headed to Quezi Hutong, carrying the expensive ginseng.
Yu Jin finished eating a portion of liangpi clean, not even leaving behind a shred of chili. After eating, he washed up, changed into a set of snow-white undergarments, and lay down on the bed. Remembering the kiss from earlier that day, his heart was filled with joy, and he turned over.
The next time he saw Si, he would propose to her.
“Master, Young Master Jiang has arrived,” Long Dan ran in to report.
Yu Jin casually put on an outer robe and walked out.
In the courtyard, the silk tree swayed in the wind, its countless little fan-shaped leaves dancing. Jiang Zhan walked over quickly, carrying a gift box: “Seventh Brother Yu is injured, why didn’t you just wait for me inside instead of coming out?”
They entered the room together, and Long Dan brought tea before retreating to the side.
“What’s this, Second Brother Jiang?” Yu Jin raised an eyebrow, looking at the red wooden box Jiang Zhan had placed on the table.
“I bought an old ginseng root. It’s best for brewing soup to replenish your energy.”
“Second Brother Jiang, you’re too kind.” Yu Jin knew the price of an old ginseng root and was quite touched.
Come to think of it, in all his years, besides Si, Jiang Zhan had been the kindest to him.
He was indeed a lucky person.
“There’s also this.” Jiang Zhan took out a money pouch.
Long Dan, standing in the corner, couldn’t help but rub his eyes.
Was he seeing things? Why did that money pouch look so familiar?
“It’s from my fourth sister. She said to let Seventh Brother Yu buy whatever he wants to eat.”
Yu Jin stared at the money pouch: “I can’t accept this.”
He seemed to have seen this money pouch with Long Dan before.
“Seventh Brother Yu, please accept it. You’re my lifesaver, and in my fourth sister’s heart, you’re the same as her lifesaver.”
“Lifesaver?” Yu Jin murmured these four words, looking at Jiang Zhan.
He didn’t like this description at all.
Si had feelings for him, how could she simply consider him as her brother’s lifesaver?
Jiang Zhan turned to Long Dan and said, “Long Dan, please step out for a moment. I have something to discuss with Seventh Brother Yu.”
Long Dan looked at Yu Jin, who gave a slight nod.
Long Dan reluctantly glanced at the money pouch on the table one last time, clutching his chest as he retreated.
With only the two of them left in the room, Jiang Zhan decided to clarify things.
“Seventh Brother Yu, when I ran into my fourth sister visiting you today, on the way back I asked her—”
As Jiang Zhan paused, Yu Jin’s heart rose with anticipation.
Si might have been too shy to admit it in front of him, but perhaps she had revealed her true feelings to her brother…
Yu Jin’s earnestness made Jiang Zhan a bit uncomfortable. He raised his hand to scratch his head: “My fourth sister… she… she doesn’t have any special feelings for Seventh Brother Yu… I know Seventh Brother Yu’s feelings for my fourth sister, and if she were willing, I as her brother wouldn’t say much. But since she’s not interested, I can’t just watch Seventh Brother Yu continue like this. It’s not good for either of you…”
These words were originally difficult to say, but it was precisely because of his closeness with Yu Jin that Jiang Zhan spoke his mind.
Since his fourth sister didn’t like Seventh Brother Yu, it would be awkward for him as a brother to see Seventh Brother Yu making eyes at his fourth sister.
Rather than affecting their friendship later, it was better to be frank now.
Seventh Brother Yu was a proud person; surely he wouldn’t pester a girl who wasn’t interested.
As these thoughts ran through Jiang Zhan’s mind, he noticed Yu Jin’s face had turned frighteningly pale. He was startled: “Seventh Brother Yu, is your internal injury acting up?”
Yu Jin gave a bitter smile.
How could it be his internal injury? It was purely an unexpected stab to his heart, and he hadn’t recovered from the shock.
“Is this truly what Miss Jiang thinks?”
Seeing that Yu Jin didn’t seem ready to give up, Jiang Zhan steeled himself and said, “I won’t hide it from Seventh Brother Yu. My fourth sister said that even if she were to marry, she wouldn’t want to marry you. She also promised not to see you again in the future—”
Before Jiang Zhan could finish, Yu Jin had already stood up.
“Seventh Brother Yu?”
“It’s nothing,” Yu Jin forced out a smile. “Second Brother Jiang, I’m injured and shouldn’t sit for too long. I’ll treat you to a drink another day.”
“Of course, we can drink another day. Seventh Brother Yu, about my fourth sister—”
“Since Miss Jiang has said so, I understand. Don’t worry, Second Brother Jiang.”
After Jiang Zhan left, Yu Jin sat motionless for a long time, unconsciously fiddling with the green cord on the money pouch.
“Master—” Long Dan eyed his money pouch, secretly swallowing.
“Hm?” Yu Jin raised his eyes to look at Long Dan.
His eyes, usually clear and bright, were now deep and waveless, lifeless.
Long Dan couldn’t help but shudder, forcing a dry laugh: “It’s nothing.”
Yu Jin grabbed the box containing the old ginseng and the money pouch, throwing them both at Long Dan: “Get out!”
Long Dan hurriedly ran out, clutching the box and money pouch. Once outside, he patted Er Niu’s back: “Er Niu, the master seems to be in great pain. Why don’t you go in and check on him?”