Chapter 198-199

Chapter 198: A Gentleman 　 “I wonder who dares to do this in the capital.” Yin Wuzhan frowned. Not only did they look down on Jin’er, but they also looked down on them, the Yin Family. “You don’t have to interfere in this matter. Jin’er will investigate it himself. If Jin’er can’t find out, you might not be able to either.” Yin Wuzhan’s lips twitched. A father who was not as good as his son. He couldn’t refute that. “I heard that this matter even reached the Lingering Garden?” Yin Shuguo asked. Yin Wuzhan nodded. “Mm-hm.” “I didn’t investigate the exact details. I was afraid that Jin’er would think that we had interfered in his matters without his permission. However, I heard that the director of the Lingering Garden had resigned. It seems to be related to his adopted daughter.” “Meng Zhao?” “Mm-hm.” Yin Shuguo frowned. “Isn’t that adopted daughter of Meng Zhao the fiancée of Liu Junqing, who almost harmed Jin’er?” “Mm-hm.” “Jin’er still kept her around?” “It’s probably because she’s Meng Zhao’s adopted daughter that he gave Meng Zhao face.” Yin Wuzhan actually wanted to say that there were still rumors outside that she was Yin Jiujin’s lover. However, after thinking about it, he did not say it. To prevent the Old Master from losing his temper. The Yin Family did not allow men to be unfaithful. Perhaps it had skipped a generation, Jin’er’s temper was more like the Old Master’s. It was only because the Old Master was old and the Old Madam had already passed away that the Old Master’s temper was restrained. “It’s fine to keep her around. Don’t interact with her too much. Liu Junqing isn’t a good person. His fiancée isn’t necessarily a good person either.” 　 　 Yin Wuzhan didn’t say anything, but Min Qinglan glanced at Yin Shuguo when she heard that. It was as if she agreed that Old Master was really sharp-eyed. The other members of the Yin Family didn’t investigate Yin Jiujin further. As a result, Min Qinglan went to find out. However, she didn’t ask openly. She only asked around secretly. She knew that Yu Qingwan seemed to have tried to “seduce” Yin Jiujin and was almost crippled by him. In the end, Meng Zhao came out to plead for mercy. In the past, she had thought that Yu Qingwan was more presentable than Yan Jinyu. Now, she knew that although Yan Jinyu came from a small family and didn’t grow up at home, she was still more outstanding than some people. However, Min Qinglan had never thought that the first time she saw Yan Jinyu. She felt that she had charmed Yin Jiujin and made him neglect his job. She was indeed frightened by Yan Jinyu. She didn’t dare to have too much prejudice against Yan Jinyu now. Min Qinglan now knew that since Yin Jiujin was so ruthless as to cripple Yu Qingwan, the rumors outside about Yu Qingwan being his lover were only rumors. “Dad, don’t worry. Since Meng Zhao had to plead for leniency and even exchange his position as the Lingering Garden’s director, it’s obvious that Jin’er doesn’t care about Liu Junqing’s fiancée.” Yin Shuguo snorted. “The people in the army won’t betray their comrades for no reason. There’s obviously something wrong with Liu Junqing. Unfortunately, Jin’er doesn’t want us to interfere. Otherwise…” 　 　 “There’s something wrong with Liu Junqing. That fiancée of his might not be clean either. Perhaps, this matter is greatly related to her.” Yin Wuzhan deeply agreed with this. *** Yin Jiujin’s car headed straight for the Bamboo Forest Elegant Abode, but he didn’t enter the Azure Garden that he lived in. Instead, he entered the Elegant Court on the other side. Compared to the Azure Garden, the Elegant Court looked even more ancient. The buildings in the Azure Garden were slightly more modern, but the Elegant Court was a real old building. Even the door was made of wood, and there was a plaque above the door. The words “Elegant Court” were written on the plaque. The handwriting was very nice. The bamboo forest surrounded them like a secluded place. The person who lived here was indeed no different from living in seclusion. He didn’t go out of the main building and didn’t even go to the main building to eat with everyone during the new year. If he didn’t really live in the Yin Family’s mansion, even the Yin Family would have forgotten that there was such a person. The car stopped outside Elegant Court. Cheng Lin sat in the car and waited while Yin Jiujin got out alone. 　 　 Yin Jiujin didn’t knock when he arrived at the wooden door. He simply pushed it open and walked in. It wasn’t that he was being rude, but he knew that even if he knocked, no one would come to open the door for him. The courtyard was not big. Other than two buildings, there was only a garden. In addition to growing flowers, there were also some vegetables and fruits planted in the garden. However, in this season, be it flowers or fruits, they had all withered. There were a few osmanthus trees in the courtyard. On the other hand, the trees were evergreen. Under one of the osmanthus trees, there was a bamboo recliner with a person lying on it. Dressed in a long white jacket, he was carrying a hand warmer that had been left behind from an unknown era. His face was covered by an old book, so others could not see his face. If there was a sun today, it could be said that he was out in the late winter to bask in the sun and warm up when he was lying in the courtyard like this. However, the wind today was so cold that there was no trace of the sun. Then, if he was lying in the courtyard like this, he was either mentally ill or waiting for someone. “You’re here.” His voice was very pleasant, soft and gentle. Just from his voice, one could tell that he was a very gentle person. He removed the book on his face and sat up. Only then could one see his face clearly. He was a very handsome young man. He had a warm smile on his face, looking very much like the gentle young master of a noble family in the ancient times. It was mainly because he was wearing a long jacket and lived in such an antique courtyard. He looked even more like it. “You came a little later than I expected.” “You interfered in my matters,” Yin Jiujin said indifferently. No one could tell if he was happy or angry. The man was still smiling warmly. “Yes and no.” “Why pursue the matter so much? Anyway, this small matter can’t stump you. Speaking of which, you haven’t stepped into my courtyard for eight years, right? In other words, we haven’t seen each other for eight years. Since you’re here, why don’t you come in and have a cup of tea?” Eight years ago was the time when Yin Jiujin and the Yin Family were at odds. “I knew you would come, so I specially prepared some tea.” “Feng Yun, do you know my fiancée?” Feng Yun, who was about to walk into the house, stopped in his tracks with his back facing him. “Who knows?” “Whether you know her or not, don’t interfere in our matters in the future.” 　 　 However, Feng Yun did not respond to him. He turned back and smiled at him. “Aren’t you going in for a cup of tea?” Yin Jiujin’s eyes darkened. He stared at him and walked forward. The two of them entered the house together. Although it was a wooden building, it was much warmer inside with a charcoal fire. The two of them sat opposite each other on the soft seats. In front of them was the equipment for warming tea. The teapot on the charcoal fire was still steaming. Feng Yun flipped the teacup over and poured a cup of tea for Yin Jiujin. “Please.” Yin Jiujin glanced at him before picking up his teacup and taking a sip. “The reason.” Feng Yun poured himself a cup of tea too and smiled warmly. “Didn’t you already guess it? Why ask?” “So you’re really doing this to let me intimidate others and clear the obstacles for my fiancée to come to the capital?” “Jin, you don’t have to emphasize that she’s your fiancée. I won’t snatch her from you.” Yin Jiujin’s expression froze. He felt unnatural as if someone had seen through his thoughts. He was afraid that others would think about his girl. So what was wrong? “That girl hates trouble. Isn’t that good? With your deterrence, there will be fewer people who dare to look for trouble in front of her when she comes to the capital with you in the future.” Yin Jiujin looked at him coldly. “Don’t call her so intimately. That’s my little girl, not yours!” Feng Yun chuckled. “It’s rare to see you like this.” “You make it sound like you see me often.” “Isn’t it because you haven’t stepped into my courtyard for eight years?” “If I don’t come in, can’t you go out?” The warm smile on Feng Yun’s face froze for a moment, but it quickly disappeared. He looked at Yin Jiujin as usual. “I might not be able to see you even if I go out. Ever since that incident eight years ago, you rarely come home.” “It’s not a big deal. Why are you still holding a grudge?” Yin Jiujin fell silent. “Looking back now, it’s indeed not a big deal.” Feng Yun was surprised. He did not expect him to say that. Didn’t it cause a huge commotion then… “Whether this matter is big or not, doesn’t depend on the matter itself. However, I have my own decisions regarding this matter. I don’t want others to interfere too much in spite of my wishes.” “At the end of the day, you were in your rebellious phase eight years ago.” “…” Yin Jiujin. “I don’t have that kind of phase.” “Regardless of whether you did or not, eight years is enough. No matter how great the favor you owe, you should have repaid it long ago. Besides, that’s a traitor.” “…Someone who hasn’t left the courtyard for 10 years doesn’t have the right to lecture me.” Feng Yun choked. Yin Jiujin stood up. “I’m not asking about your matters. Whether it’s the matters after you return to the Yin Family or the matters before you return, I won’t ask too much. Similarly, don’t interfere too much in my matters, especially those related to my fiancée.” “I’ll protect my own people. You don’t have to interfere too much.” Feng Yun looked up at him and smiled. “I’m just repaying you. Why are you making things so complicated?” “I don’t care if you’re repaying me. Don’t interfere in our matters in the future.” After turning around and taking two steps, Yin Jiujin stopped again, but he didn’t turn back. “If you have the time to interfere in other people’s business, why don’t you investigate if your enemies are all dead?” “What favor are you repaying if your enemy isn’t dead!” After saying that, she left without looking back, leaving Feng Yun who was no longer smiling. He had actually found out something about the fact that his enemy was not dead. He didn’t expect his cousin to still be able to guess so much even though he didn’t say anything after he returned to the Yin Family. *** Chapter 199: A Disgusting Person 　 As soon as Yin Jiujin walked out of the Elegant Court, he saw the three people standing outside the courtyard. One of them was Cheng Lin, who had gotten out of the car to greet the two people when he saw them. The other two were Yin Yuhan and Qin Jianjia. They thought that Yin Jiujin had returned to the Azure Garden where he lived, but they didn’t expect him to come to Elegant Court. The two of them didn’t go in. They probably knew that Feng Yun didn’t like people stepping into his courtyard without permission, so they waited outside. 　 　 “Jin’er, you… saw Yun’er?” Speaking of Feng Yun, Qin Jianjia had only heard of his name and had never seen him before. “Mm-hm.” “Did you return to the Yin Family to specially visit Yun’er?” Just as Qin Jianjia finished asking and before Yin Jiujin could reply, Yin Yuhan continued, “Why did you come to see Yun’er?” “To see if he’s dead.” “…” The three of them. Cheng Lin knew why Yin Jiujin was here. In that case, the incident in the Empire Building was related to the “Yun’er” they were talking about? But who was Yun’er? He had been by his boss’s side for so many years, but he didn’t know that there was such a person in the Yin Family. Yin Yuhan was speechless inwardly, but he didn’t intend to ask further, “Is Yun’er alright?” “He eats and drinks well, and lives comfortably. What’s wrong with being bored?” “…” Yin Yuhan. Why was he so short-fused? Yin Jiujin glanced at them. “I’ll get going first.” “Aren’t you going to stay for dinner before leaving?” Qin Jianjia asked. “No.” “Aren’t you going to see Grandfather when you’re back?” Yin Yuhan asked. Yin Jiujin stopped in his tracks. “…Next time.” “What do you mean next time? Do you have to be so calculative when you come home?” Yin Yuhan didn’t get angry easily but he was indeed a little angry this time. Yin Jiujin looked up at him. “I’ll bring Little Yu over later.” He forced Yin Yuhan’s anger back. However, Yin Yuhan and Qin Jianjia were delighted to hear his words. Qin Jianjia said, “Then it’s settled. Remember to bring Yu’er over. The new year will be in a month. Bring Yu’er home for the new year then.” Yin Jiujin paused slightly. “Alright.” “I’m going.” “Alright, go ahead. No matter how busy you are with work, you have to rest. Your body is your capital. Don’t just focus on work and waste your body. That’s something that you can’t get back no matter how much money you earn.” Qin Jianjia nagged like an old mother. She was still shouting when he got into the car and the car drove away. Yin Yuhan felt a little helpless. “They’re all gone.” 　 　 Qin Jianjia retracted her gaze. “It wasn’t easy for him to come back. Why didn’t he leave without eating a meal? It’s also you guys’ fault. If you all knew his personality, why did you guys ignore his wishes and go against him then? Even Hao’er with old-fashioned temper didn’t think of stopping him.” “You’re already here. Aren’t you going to visit your cousin?” She was referring to Feng Yun. Yin Yuhan looked up at the wooden door in front of them and paused before saying, “No.” “Order the servants to take care of the Elegant Court. Send the food and drinks over on time. If Yun’er has any instructions, just do it. There’s no need to ask for permissions.” Qin Jianjia nodded. “Yes, I will.” “It’s just that your cousin can’t stay like this for long. Didn’t you think of persuading him not to stay cooped up in the courtyard?” “I tried to persuade him a few years ago, but it was useless. He even got someone to send the mourning clothes to Elegant Court when we were mourning for Grandmother.” Yin Yuhan said, “This is a psychological problem.” Qin Jianjia fell silent. A psychological problem. She didn’t ask further what kind of psychological problem it was. “He doesn’t want to see anyone but he seems to be willing to see Jin’er?” 　 　 “Yun’er is only a few months older than Jin’er. When he was young and Aunt and Uncle were busy with work, he was always in the Yin Family and often played with Jin’er. They had the best relationship. Later on, Jin’er suddenly joined the army. Yun’er’s should be a part of the reason.” “I don’t know about that. I thought Jin’er wanted to take that path himself.” “He did want to take that path, but in the end…” Then, both of them fell silent. *** Another day passed. At noon that day, in the South City Hospital. Huo Sisi brought Cao Ming a stewed bone soup as usual. This was already her fourth day delivering soup to Cao Ming. She was filled with impatience. When they arrived at the VIP ward, there was no one else in the ward other than the nurse the Cao Family hired for Cao Ming. She was peeling fruits for Cao Ming who was lying on the bed. Huo Sisi had already restrained the anger on her face when she pushed the door open and entered. “Where’s your family?” An unknown gleam flashed in Cao Ming’s eyes when he saw her. He waved the nurse out. “My father has work to do and has gone to the company. My mother has been taking care of me for a few days and is a little tired. I told her to go back and rest first. As for the others, I told them to go back and rest too.” “It’s been hard on you, Sisi. You send me soup every day.” 　 　 “We’re friends. You’re… you’re injured because of me. I’m just sending you soup. It’s only right.” Huo Sisi walked to the bed and sat down, but she placed the soup aside. “Sisi, there’s no one else here. Please pour the soup for me.” An impatient look flashed past Huo Sisi’s eyes, but she quickly hid it. However, she was still noticed by Cao Ming, who was obsessed with her to the point of being crazy. He smiled brightly. It was eerie. Seeing that Huo Sisi had finished pouring the soup and handed it to him directly, Cao Ming smiled, “Sisi, I’m a patient. Aren’t you going to feed me?” “I was injured because of you. You know that I didn’t tell anyone else in order not to implicate you. If I tell the truth, be it my parents or your Huo Family, I’m afraid…” “I’ll feed you!” Huo Sisi looked like she was gritting her teeth. If she wasn’t worried that Cao Ming would spout nonsense these few days, why would she send bone soup to the hospital every day? Every time she came, she would be scolded by the Cao Family. She had never suffered so badly! However, she endured it. Not only was the Cao Family angry with her, but Xiang Jie had also gone crazy. She had stopped her on the street and scolded her twice. She had lost all her face. Not only did she stop her and scold her on the streets, she even called her to scold her. Other than that, she also badmouthed her in their high school and university group chat. She was thoroughly annoyed. Indeed, one could not offend a villain! It was already annoying enough to see Huo Siyu and Yan Jinyu at home every day, but her brother… actually came home every day too! In the past, she would be happier than anyone else to see her brother every day. However, recently, no matter how silly she was, she could tell that her brother had only squeezed out time to go home because of Yan Jinyu. The key was that she couldn’t scheme against them for the time being, because be it Huo Siyu or Yan Jinyu, they were obviously not simple. The more she thought about it, the angrier Huo Sisi became. The soup spilled on Cao Ming’s hospital gown. “Sisi, is there something on your mind?” Huo Sisi came back to her senses and saw that his clothes were wet. “I’m sorry, I’ll get a tissue to help you wipe it.” “There’s no need to wipe it. The soup is a little hot. I seem to be scalded. Help me take off my clothes.” “…I’ll call the nurse over for you.” “There’s no need for that. I’ve already told the nurse that she can go back if someone comes over.” Cao Ming looked at her with a creepy smile that made Huo Sisi feel uneasy. 　 　 Hiding her uneasiness, Huo Sisi said, “I’ll go call the nurse.” “Sisi, aren’t you willing to help me with such a small favor? It’s just taking off my clothes. It’s not a big deal. That day, I…” “I’ll help you!” Huo Sisi leaned over and helped him undo his buttons one by one. However, she did not see Cao Ming’s expression as he closed his eyes and sniffed her hair. “You’re not scalded…” As soon as she finished speaking, her wrist was grabbed. In the next second, she was pressed onto the bed by Cao Ming. She didn’t know how Cao Ming got the strength when his legs were clearly broken and covered in plaster. This was probably proof of Yan Jinyu’s words. There was nothing wrong with being a lunatic. “What are you doing?!” Huo Sisi looked terrified. “Let go of me!” “Sisi, don’t you know how much I like you. Didn’t you tell me that you have feelings for me at the ski resort that day?” “In that case, we’re in love. A man and a woman who are in love are lying on the same bed. What do you think we should do?” Huo Sisi was really frightened because she realized that Cao Ming’s grip on her hand was so strong that she could not break free at all. “C-Cao Ming, I-I obviously have the same thoughts about you, b-but aren’t we being too anxious? You’re still injured and we’re in a ward. What if your wounds are torn open or someone suddenly pushes the door open?” “Since you like me, can you recover first? I don’t feel good seeing you lying on the hospital bed all day.” “Also, I’m the eldest daughter of the Huo Family. I-if someone suddenly bumps into you and me… the Huo Family won’t tolerate me. Can’t you think about me?” If Cao Ming did not see through her, he might really be persuaded by her pitiful appearance and words which sounded very reasonable. However, Cao Ming had seen through her. “Sisi, don’t be afraid. The doctor said that my legs probably won’t recover, so it doesn’t matter if I take good care of them or not. As for whether someone will suddenly push open the door and come in, you don’t have to worry about that. So what if they bump into us? I’ll marry you. The Huo Family can’t tolerate you, so I will take care of you.” He kissed her lips. The more she struggled, the harder Cao Ming kissed her. “How can you compare to the Huo Family! Ptui! You’re a cripple. You still want to take care of me? I’m afraid you can’t even take care of yourself! You’re out of your league! Cao Ming, I’m warning you. If you dare to touch me today, I’ll kill you!” “‘If you die under a peony, you’ll still be a playboy’. Haven’t you heard of that?” “Huo Sisi, you’re destined to be mine!” Cao Ming was still injured. Huo Sisi managed to push him away with all her might. She got out of bed and was about to run away. Cao Ming did not stop her. He just lay on the bed in a disheveled state and looked at her back, which was about to reach the door of the ward. He smiled and said, “Huo Sisi, if you dare to step out of this door, Young Master Huo will immediately hear about you making me deliberately hurt Huo Siyu in the ski resort. At that time, will the Huo Family still tolerate you?” “If you don’t leave, make me comfortable for once. If you don’t say it and I don’t say it, who is going to know? After leaving this door, you’ll still be the high and mighty eldest daughter of the Huo Family.” Huo Sisi stopped in her tracks. She turned around and glared at him angrily.