Though Zhou Shaojin had lived two lives, she had never encountered such a shameless person before.

She tightly grasped Nanny Shang’s sleeve without speaking.

Xiao Zhenhai became even more frivolous, smiling. “Beautiful lady, if you’re reluctant to part with your personal silver, why not let me continue hiding in your trunk and take me to the capital? Once we reach the capital, I’ll immediately give you a large residence. You can sell it for your personal funds, or keep it as part of your dowry…”

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t hear a word he said. She watched him tensely, afraid he would rush over and grab her.

Xiao Zhenhai found this amusing and wanted to tease her more, but a voice as cold as ice rang out in the room: “I didn’t know you owned a large residence. Where might it be? I’m looking for a residence to house my subordinates—why don’t you give it to me instead?”

Everyone in the room turned toward the sound.

Without anyone noticing, Cheng Chi had entered.

He wore a fitted outfit, standing tall and straight like a pine tree. In his hand he carried an iron bow about three feet long, and at his waist hung a quiver containing white-feathered arrows. His expression was stern, radiating a cold intensity.

A few steps away stood Huai Shan with his hands tucked in his sleeves and eyes slightly lowered.

Zhou Shaojin was stunned.

Uncle Chi—what kind of attire was this?

Nanny Shang’s face showed delight.

If Fourth Master hadn’t arrived and Xiao Zhenhai continued to pester Second Young Miss, she would have had no choice but to fight Xiao Zhenhai to the death.

But that would have alarmed the Zhou family and caused Fourth Master great trouble.

Now that Fourth Master had arrived, the one surnamed Xiao was a turtle in a jar—no longer a threat.

She retreated behind Zhou Shaojin.

Xiao Zhenhai’s eyes nearly popped out. Like a cat seeing its natural predator, he stared at Cheng Chi with hair standing on end, stammering, “You, you—how did you find this place?”

Cheng Chi said nothing, turning his gaze toward Zhou Shaojin.

Those eyes were cold and clear, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Why was Uncle Chi looking at her like this?

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes immediately moistened as she called out pitifully, “Uncle Chi.”

“What?” Xiao Zhenhai’s eyes went round with shock. He looked at Cheng Chi, then at Zhou Shaojin, and said, “Uncle? Cheng Si is your uncle? That means he’s the brother-in-law of Baoding Prefect Zhou Dacheng? This, this is impossible…”

Cheng Chi sneered coldly.

Xiao Zhenhai jumped up. “I know now! I know! Cheng Si, you’re a descendant of the Cheng family of Jiuru Alley in Jinling! No wonder, no wonder! I encountered you four times near Jinling! Your ancestor was the one who founded the Seven Stars Hall, so despite your young age, people in the southern underworld respectfully call you ‘Fourth Master’… That’s why Seven Stars Hall has official backing… That’s why all these years those martial families haven’t dared provoke you, letting you act with impunity…” As he spoke, he turned to jump out the window.

Zhou Shaojin only saw a flash before her eyes and heard the sound of tearing fabric. Like a butterfly, Xiao Zhenhai was pinned to the window frame by a white-feathered arrow through his left shoulder.

“The Meteor Arrow of Seven Stars Hall’s Fourth Master Cheng—truly lives up to its reputation!” After glancing at the white-feathered arrow in his shoulder, Xiao Zhenhai’s gaze fell directly on Cheng Chi’s face. His eyes were sinister, as if he wanted to engrave Cheng Chi’s appearance into his bones for revenge in kind—gone was any trace of his earlier frivolity and recklessness. Like a tiger in the mountains, he suddenly revealed his cruel and vicious side.

Zhou Shaojin’s face went pale with fright.

“Uncle Chi!” She rushed toward Cheng Chi.

As if by doing so, she could shield him from Xiao Zhenhai’s malice.

Without hesitation, Cheng Chi used his free hand to embrace Zhou Shaojin.

“Don’t be afraid!” He looked at Xiao Zhenhai with an icy expression, as if nothing could shake his resolve, yet spoke gently in Zhou Shaojin’s ear. “With me here, he can’t hurt you. Be good, listen—go to Huai Shan.”

Though only a few short sentences, Zhou Shaojin sensed his killing intent.

She said tremulously, “Uncle Chi, he, he didn’t harm me just now…”

If Xiao Zhenhai could be spared, it would be best to spare him.

If he couldn’t be spared, then she would just pretend she saw nothing.

As Zhou Shaojin spoke, she closed her eyes.

Cheng Chi understood.

A trace of hesitation flashed in his eyes.

Shaojin was a Buddhist who wouldn’t even step on an ant—how could he kill someone before her!

Xiao Zhenhai was already at a dead end—there would be other times to kill him. Why frighten Shaojin now?

Cheng Chi gently patted Zhou Shaojin’s back.

But Xiao Zhenhai’s heart churned like overturning seas.

That young girl had pleaded with Cheng Zichuan on his behalf, and Cheng Zichuan had actually hesitated.

Cheng Zichuan, with his heart like stone and iron will, had actually hesitated!

One had to know—his conflict with Cheng Zichuan wasn’t about competing for supremacy, but involved the destruction of his family. It was a fight to the death.

Cheng Zichuan had finally caught him, yet now because of that young girl, he might change his mind!

Like a beast’s instinct, Xiao Zhenhai immediately seized this opportunity.

“Cheng Zichuan, you’re ruthless.” He said harshly, “I, Xiao Zhenhai, consider myself upright and have never owed anyone a favor. But this time I owe this young lady a life-saving debt. Don’t you want me to take the blame for you? I, Xiao Zhenhai, am now alone with nothing—I have no way to retaliate against this young lady. For her sake, I’ll help you this once. Consider it repaying the young lady’s kindness…”

Turning swords into plowshares—how wonderful!

Zhou Shaojin raised her head, looking at Cheng Chi with hopeful eyes.

Cheng Chi raised his eyebrows, laughing inwardly with contempt.

He was merely desperate and decided to surrender, yet wanted to maintain his dignity while negotiating terms, even dragging Shaojin into it.

If people in the martial world asked why the famous Xiao family head would serve him—”a life-saving debt with no way to repay”—what a convenient excuse!

Cheng Chi glanced at Xiao Zhenhai disdainfully.

Xiao Zhenhai’s face flushed, but he quickly recovered.

However, when Cheng Chi lowered his head to look at Zhou Shaojin, he froze in place.

Her eyes were red, long lashes holding a crystal teardrop that threatened to fall but hadn’t, translucent as morning dew. She looked at him so pitifully… His chest felt blocked… How could he voice his refusal…

Cheng Chi’s mind spun round and round… yet it was only a matter of moments.

Then he would deal with Xiao Zhenhai later!

Cheng Chi handed the bow and arrow to Huai Shan, instructing him, “Take Master Xiao to treat his wound.”

Huai Shan slowly walked over, supported Xiao Zhenhai, and pulled out the arrow from his body.

Blood gushed out in waves.

Huai Shan pressed Xiao Zhenhai’s acupoints.

Xiao Zhenhai hastily pressed the wound, glanced at Zhou Shaojin nestled in Cheng Chi’s arms, and suddenly laughed. His tone returned to its previous frivolity as he said to Zhou Shaojin, “The residence I promised is still yours. Send someone to my place to get the deed someday. If you can’t find me, ask your Uncle Chi. He’ll definitely know where I am.”

Zhou Shaojin felt Cheng Chi’s arms around her stiffen slightly.

She quickly said, “I don’t want it. I don’t want your residence!”

Xiao Zhenhai laughed carelessly. “Whether you want it is your business. Whether I give it is mine. Don’t worry—your Uncle Chi isn’t that petty!” As he spoke, he whistled and walked past Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin.

Huai Shan quietly glanced at Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi’s face was expressionless.

Huai Shan hurried out of the guest room.

Only Zhou Shaojin, Cheng Chi, and Nanny Shang remained in the room.

Quiet, without a sound.

Only then did Zhou Shaojin realize she was still pressed against Cheng Chi.

Waves of heat rushed to her face.

She quickly pushed Cheng Chi away and stood to the side with lowered eyes.

Nanny Shang was terribly embarrassed. She quickly said, “I’ll find someone to tidy up the room,” and ran off like smoke.

Cheng Chi also felt somewhat uncomfortable.

At that moment, he had simply wanted to protect Zhou Shaojin under his wing. He hadn’t thought much about it, but now in retrospect, it seemed an extremely uncontrolled action.

Cheng Chi suddenly cleared his throat lightly and said gently, “I didn’t inspect when you left the city. I never imagined he’d hide in your trunk. When I thought of this possibility, I rushed over… Did I frighten you?”

Zhou Shaojin shook her head.

Uncle Chi’s cold expression earlier had frightened her…

Cheng Chi smiled. “That’s good then!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and lowered her head.

In the middle of the night like this, she should ask Uncle Chi to leave, but she couldn’t bring herself to say such words to him.

The moment grew awkward.

Cheng Chi thought it was impossible to expect this little girl Shaojin to salvage the situation. But leaving just like this also seemed improper… He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly and said, “I’m also going to the capital. Shall we travel together?”

“Yes, yes!” Zhou Shaojin raised her head, her eyes bright as twinkling morning stars, brimming with unmistakable joy. “With Uncle Chi as company, we won’t have to worry about where to stop or where to lodge!”

And it would be very safe too!

The atmosphere became cheerful again.

Cheng Chi felt his own mood lighten.

He smiled. “Nanny Shang will tidy up the room. Don’t worry about anything—rest quickly. We still have to travel tomorrow.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded and saw Cheng Chi to the door, her gaze involuntarily falling on him.

She noticed Cheng Chi wore an emerald thumb ring on his right thumb.

Uncle Chi must have used this to draw the bow just now!

But how could Uncle Chi be so formidable?

And Xiao Zhenhai had said Uncle Chi was some Fourth Master of Seven Stars Hall… Seven Stars Hall didn’t sound like the name of a merchant house!

Zhou Shaojin came back to herself, her mind in chaos.

Cheng Chi looked at her with a slight smile, teasing, “Do you like it that much?”

“Ah!” Zhou Shaojin raised her head in confusion, her expression blank.

Cheng Chi laughed softly and removed the emerald thumb ring from his hand. “Weren’t you staring at this? You like it, don’t you? I’m giving it to you!”

“No, no.” Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed red as a morning cloud.

Cheng Chi’s smile deepened.

He pressed the thumb ring into Zhou Shaojin’s palm and said gently, “I’ll explain everything to you in detail when I have time!”

“Huh?!” Zhou Shaojin was even more confused.

Cheng Chi laughed heartily and left.

In the night, his figure was handsome and graceful, his steps as swift as flight.

Zhou Shaojin caressed the thumb ring in her hand. After a long moment, she understood Cheng Chi’s meaning.

He was saying he would explain his relationship with Seven Stars Hall to her when there was an opportunity, wasn’t he?

The corners of Zhou Shaojin’s mouth curved high. Her heart felt as sweet as honey.