50 Stalk (1/2)

After the feast ended, Zhao Qixuan played host once again and invited everyone to have a night tour along the Qin Huai River. Helian Jing waved his hand and declined, ”I have already toured it this afternoon, I can't take another round. You guys go ahead, I will be going home.”

Zhao Qixuan saw that Helian Jing clearly had other matters in mind so he decided not to force him. ”Alright, you go ahead. Don't worry about the issue that you asked help for. As long as he is in Jiang Xi, my brother-in-law would find him for you.”

”Actually,” Helian Jing started. ”Now that I had given it more thought, I think it would be better if I just stop looking.”

”What? Why?”

Because I already found him! ”I just realized that maybe he was intentionally misleading me. It's possible that he didn't even go to Jiang Xi. I'm thankful that you're willing to help, but let's just forget it for now.”

”Little Jing, we make a sad pair, huh? However, you are far more reasonable and clear-headed than me. Me? I am a simple fool. Even though I know that little Su is lying to me, I still keep searching for him, refusing to give up. Oh, why can't I just get over it?” Zhao Qixuan said, dejected.

Helian Jing stared blankly at him. They weren't a sad pair. They weren't a pair, period. He didn't have the same problem as him.

”Nevertheless, even if I crack my head open bashing against a wall, I would gladly do it. Little Jing, if there's a will, there's a way. I believe that as long as I persevere, there would be a day where the sky would clear and the moon would surface. I will not give up, and neither should you.”

After that, Zhao Qixuan patted his shoulder, as if he was the one who needed comforting and left. Helian Jing saw him glance up at the moon with a mournful expression.

Ye Jiayao was feeling great even after downing six shots of Zhuang Yuan Hong. However, after she returned to the kitchen, the effects of the alcohol started kicking in. She used to be a good drinker. Her minimum was a catty of spirit, she could handle seven to eight bottles of beer with no sweat. Although she does not drink rice wine often, she could also manage half a catty of it easily. Her problem tonight was she drank six consecutive shots on an empty stomach.

Shopkeeper Li was extremely satisfied with his new hire but he observed that Li Yao was turning a bit pale. He turned to Li Erniang and said, ”Second sister, go back to the inn with Li Yao. You don't have to come back early in the morning tomorrow, but be sure to be on time for the lunch hour.”

Li Erniang replied, ”I'll take him with me, but I won't be coming over with him tomorrow. The inn is short of manpower and I need to be there.”

Shopkeeper Li felt bad. ”It has been hard for you these few days, I know. Heavenly Residence will compensate for the losses in your inn.”

”There are no losses, and even if there is, I cannot ask you for compensation. It is only right for siblings to help each other out.” Li Erniang smiled.

”Get old Guan to send you two back.” Shopkeeper Li tasked little Lu to get old Guan to prepare the horse carriage.

Already tired and dizzy, Ye Jiayao did not refuse. She handed Shopkeeper Li a 100-taels banknote, and said, ”Shopkeeper, I would have to trouble you to break the note and split this with the rest.”

Shopkeeper Li replied, ”This is your reward from the Heir-son Lord, you can keep it for yourself.”

”I wouldn't have been able to do it alone, everyone has a contribution,” Ye Jiayao said with a kind smile.

Shopkeeper Li hesitated for a while before finally saying, ”Alright. I will split this up for you but I will only split 30% of it with everyone.”

Although her generosity was genuine, splitting up a hundred taels would still hurt Ye Jiayao. She was currently impoverished and although she does not have to rely on others for survival, she was still strapped for cash. Shopkeeper Li's offer worked well for Ye Jiayao so she simply said, ”Shopkeeper Li, I'll trust you with the arrangements.”

Shopkeeper Li's care and concern for Li Yao made other workers envious. For them, it was already quite obvious that the position of the master chef was sure to be given to Li Yao. Most of the workers have no opposing opinions on that matter and was actually wishing for Li Yao to succeed as he was amiable and generous. Li Yao acknowledged everyone's help and even split his reward with them. Even without factoring his cooking skills in, on attitude alone, he has already surpassed Head Chef Niu by a mile.

However, Zhong Xiang firmly thought that Li Yao only made it through because of his connection. Splitting his reward and being kind to the other workers was his way to win their heart. Without Li Yao, he would've been the one in the limelight. Li Yao was the sand in Zhong Xiang's eye, the thorn in his flesh that he must remove.

Ye Jiayao was a little surprised that she did not see Helian Jing as she walked out of Heavenly Residence. From what she knew of little Jingjing, his impatience would've forced him to wait for her outside to interrogate her.

Ah, forget it! I think I just thought too highly of myself.

Little Jingjing probably has returned to the prince's mansion and does not need her help anymore.

Ye Jiayao opted to walk and let Li Erniang board the carriage. Now that she was dressed up as a man, she could not just ride with Li Erniang. Although the second lady was a middle-aged woman, she was still quite attractive, Ye Jiayao did not want to tarnish her reputation.

Li Erniang said, ”Li Yao, you can take a seat with old Guan.”

”No, thank you. I want to take a walk and enjoy the breeze to get rid of the smell of alcohol. It is not a long walk, anyway,” Ye Jiayao refused politely.

The horse carriage moved slowly, the click-clacking sound that it made on the limestone pavement resonated on the empty streets.

From afar, the sweet sound of traditional Chinese musical instruments drifted over. The Qin Huai river was dotted with lights that looked like twinkling stars. Many grand pleasure boats floated along silently among the dazzling lights in the river. The vivid descriptions of history books that she read were brought to life right before her eyes.

Ye Jiayao vowed that when she gets rich, she would book a pleasure boat, invite the prettiest girl in Jin Ling, and tour the river with her. She thought about her dreams and aspirations when she suddenly remembered something. Little Jingjing already knew that she was at Heavenly Residence. There was a great possibility that he would either mention it to the dumb donkey or bring him at the restaurant.

All the hiding and pretending she was doing was all because she wanted to avoid that dumb donkey. It was not like she could just leave. She had already signed a contract and she was too honorable to break it.

Ugh! Whatever! She was going to achieve her goals and follow her dreams no matter what happens with the dumb donkey. After all, what does she have to be afraid of? The battle at the Black Wind Ridge wasn't even over yet, and Chunyu had already denied any connection with her. It was entirely possible that he might even pretend not to know her when they cross paths.