Chapter 161: Stealing Fragrance (16)
At this moment, Xiao Ji was unaware of the “test” plan Pei Yinnian and Lin Shu were preparing for him.
As soon as he entered the house, he smelled the scent of traditional Chinese medicine. The kitchen door was open, and Mother Xiao was sitting on a small stool, holding a cattail fan to fan the fire and decoct medicine for Xiao Ran.
Seeing Xiao Ji return, she quickly stood up.
“I haven’t seen hide nor hair of you for two whole days! Where have you been?!”
Xiao Ji spoke bluntly: “The Pei Residence. Tutoring the young lady of the Pei family.”
Mother Xiao knew about this, but she knew even better that there was another unspeakable relationship between Xiao Ji and the master of Huating. Having processed some of it over the past few days, she still couldn’t completely accept it. Hearing this, she asked while already knowing the answer:
“Does tutoring have to last until the middle of the night? Staying out all night?”
Xiao Ji knew she was asking something she already knew, so he didn’t explain. He simply handed over the wooden box.
“The wages.”
Mother Xiao stared at the box for a while before reaching out to take it. As she opened it, she scolded:
“I want to see just how much Young Master Pei paid you to make you so spineless…”
Her words were cut short. She was blinded by the box full of “small yellow croakers.” All her words were swallowed back into her stomach.
In the earlier years when Father Xiao was alive, Mother Xiao had lived a good life. A spacious manor, never worrying about food or drink, able to support her son studying abroad, and occasionally buying beautiful jewelry. When she went out, everyone called her “Mrs. Xiao.”
Later, Father Xiao passed away and the family declined. At that time, Xiao Ji hadn’t finished his studies. Mother Xiao sold the family home and moved here, pawning almost all her gold and silver jewelry until only one gold bracelet remained. It was the dowry Father Xiao had given her when they married; she simply couldn’t bear to part with it. After suffering so much over the years, her once-delicate hands had long ago become rough.
Looking at that full box of “small yellow croakers,” one could imagine the complexity of Mother Xiao’s emotions. Her mind was a mess, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Seeing her dazed, Xiao Ji took the cattail fan from her hand.
“Go and rest. I’ll do it.”
After Mother Xiao left, Xiao Ji finished decocting the medicine. Just as he poured it into a bowl, he saw Xiao Ran standing in the courtyard watching him. Her figure was still as thin as a ghost. But likely because she had been taking medicine for two days and knew she might not die anytime soon, her mood was better and her complexion was noticeably less grim than when they first met.
She looked at Xiao Ji. “How many silver dollars did Young Master Pei give you?”
Xiao Ji stated directly, “Do you remember the box you saw that day?”
Xiao Ran nodded. “A box of silver dollars?”
Xiao Ji shook his head. “A box of gold.”
Hearing this, Xiao Ran’s pupils trembled. After a long while, she asked Xiao Ji:
“The doctor who saw me—did he find them?”
Xiao Ji gave an “en.”
Xiao Ran looked at the medicine bowl Xiao Ji had placed on the stove, remembering what Xiao Ji had said on the day Pei Yinnian’s man came to return the wallet.
Are other people’s things so easy to take? Are you going to bear the price that must be paid?
But now, the money had ultimately ended up in their hands, and Xiao Ji had personally accepted it. The price, as one could imagine, must have been borne by Xiao Ji.
Xiao Ran’s eyes grew a bit red.
“Xiao Ji, did you sell yourself because of me or that gold?”
Xiao Ji never bothered to use any means to gain favor or sympathy. He said directly:
“It was not selling myself. Even without these things and without you, the result would not have changed.”
Xiao Ran didn’t quite believe him. She clenched her fists.
“Xiao Ji, I am afraid of death, but I’ve been psychologically prepared for so many years. You don’t need to be forced by someone for the sake of money.”
Xiao Ji said flatly, “Where do you see me being forced?”
Xiao Ran met Xiao Ji’s gaze, knowing she couldn’t meddle in his affairs, and even less so now. She hadn’t met Pei Yinnian in person, but she had heard plenty. A man like that, powerful and ruthless, with Xiao Ji’s cold and indifferent personality… he would likely be handled by him.
Furthermore, in Xiao Ran’s eyes, her brother, who only knew how to read, would certainly not be the dominant one.
She suddenly felt very bitter. She said to Xiao Ji:
“Fine, keep being stubborn. One day when that man surnamed Pei gets married and has children and doesn’t want you anymore, if you dare come back crying, I’ll blow up the Pei Residence and perish together with him!”
Hearing this, Xiao Ji fell silent for a moment. He brought the medicine bowl to Xiao Ran and reached out to pat her head.
“Drink your medicine. Stop worrying about useless things.”
With that, he walked toward the door. Xiao Ran, holding the bowl, asked him:
“Where are you going in the middle of the night?”
Xiao Ji waved his hand and opened the door.
“Back to the Pei Residence. He is waiting for me.”
Then he stepped out and closed the door behind him. Turning around, he saw Pei Yinnian leaning against the wall, not knowing how long he had been eavesdropping.
Eavesdropping wasn’t a first or second time for Pei Yinnian, so Xiao Ji wasn’t surprised. Seeing him, he only said:
“You just got over being sick. What are you doing standing here in the wind?”
Pei Yinnian walked to Xiao Ji’s side and took his hand.
“That sister of yours has quite a fierce character. I just don’t know if she only dares to speak harsh words.”
Xiao Ji allowed him to lead him, his tone indifferent.
“It doesn’t matter if she only dares to speak harsh words. What matters is that I don’t.”
Pei Yinnian froze and stopped walking. “What do you mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like.” Xiao Ji said.
Pei Yinnian let out a scoff. “What? We’ve only been together for a few days, and you’re already planning to interfere with my marriage and children?”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Xiao Ji said. “Just please, if Young Master Pei gets married or takes concubines, inform me in advance.”
Pei Yinnian looked at him. “Planning to blow up the Pei Residence and perish with me?”
Xiao Ji suddenly let out a laugh. Then, exerting force with his hand, he pinned Pei Yinnian against the wall of the narrow alley. Under the bright moonlight, he kissed Pei Yinnian.
In the deserted late night, the two of them went back and forth, inseparable. Several times Pei Yinnian tried to turn the tables and take the lead, but he was firmly pinned down by Xiao Ji.
With one hand holding Pei Yinnian’s wrist and the other stroking his cheek, Xiao Ji said unscrupulously:
“It’s not that I want to say unpleasant things, Young Master Pei. You’re so wild in bed—who are you going to marry? Wang Lu? Can she satisfy you?”
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