140 An Adulterous Pair (1/2)

The trip to Laifu Inn ended up in vain.

When Helian Jing saw how sad Yaoyao was, he tried to console her by saying, ”Yaoyao, don't be worried, you still have me!”

Ye Jiayao smiled bitterly. ”Don't mind me. It's not really a big deal.”

Of course, every owner would want to earn some big buck. Shopkeeper Li just had been too kind to her so she had been spoiled. She wasn't used to working for someone who's so strict so she was feeling out of sorts.

”Oh, right. Little Jing, I have to return this to you. I really cannot accept it,” Ye Jiayao said, handing the piece of jade to Little Jing.

Helian Jing jumped away. ”Yaoyao, how can I take back the thing I already gave? What I will take back are the words I said that day. We're still brothers, right?”

Seeing Little Jing flee from the jade, Ye Jiayao couldn't help but laugh. Well, it looked like she was stuck with this jade.

The next day, Little Yang came over during lunch break, saying that Li Erniang has gone to ask Shopkeeper Li and he said that he signed a secrecy pact. Unless the new owner wishes to show himself, he was not allowed to say anything.

In the evening, Helian Jing came again. He said that he went to the constable to look for the restaurant's modification document but it was password protected and he was unable to take a look. He reckoned that this person was in a high position to be able to pull this off.

Ye Jiayao's heart was cramping from the depression. Who is this greedy rat?

”Yaoyao, tomorrow is mid-autumn, let's go and admire the full moon! We can also go see the lanterns if you'd like,” Little Jing suggested.

Ye Jiayao shook her head. It has been a few days since Chunyu came to see her so she figured that he might be too busy. Since tomorrow is a celebration, it might be his only chance to come see her. ”No, I already promised Uncle and Auntie Jiang that I will spend mid-autumn with them.”

Helian Jing was disappointed but he said, ”Then I'll go with you.”

”What? No! Your grandmother is very old, each year passing is a year lost. You should keep her company,” she scolded.

He knew that what Yaoyao said made sense, but he still wanted to spend mid-autumn with her! He said discontentedly, ”Alright. We'll celebrate it together next time.”

Ye Jiayao smiled assuringly. ”Sure.”

The mid-autumn festival is a day where families have a reunion at their respective homes. Therefore, there were only a few random customers in so the crew had a free afternoon. However, Manager Qian has made it clear that Ye Jiayao has to go back by the evening to prepare supper to send over to Zui Chun Lou for Liu Yiyi.

There was also a repeated reminder to collect the money.

Once again, Ye Jiayao cursed Liu Yiyi out. It was rare to get a holiday and this darn woman has to torture her like that.

In her free time, Ye Jiayao went out to buy some presents for the Jiang family as a way to thank them for taking care of her.

She got Uncle Jiang a bottle of top-grade Zhu Ye Qing because it was his favorite wine. For Jiang Yue, she bought a jade bangle and pair of pearl earrings.

Ye Jiayao was in the fabric shop to pick out a cloth for Auntie Jiang when she heard someone behind her say, ”I am in a hurry to wear this dress, get it done quickly. I don't want any delay in this.”

”Yes, yes, certainly.”

She turned around and nearly jumped when she saw Jinrong and Xia He. They were with a young woman who has a sharp chin, big eyes, and a mole in the center of her brows. She looked a little familiar but Ye Jiayao couldn't recall where she has seen her.

”Second sister, let's go,” Ye Jinrong urged.

Second sister? Was this the fake Second Lady Ye that Ye Ning brought? Ye Jiayao wracked her brains, trying to figure out where she has seen this lady.

Oh, right! She's Ning's niece, Fang Wanting! She has been to their house many years ago and Ning even praised her mole then, calling it a beauty spot.

Ye Jiayao smirked in excitement. Fine. You think you've won just because you found someone to stand in as the Second Lady Ye? Just wait and watch how I expose you for your lies.

That Miss Fang was betrothed.

At this discovery, Ye Jiayao momentarily forgot the unhappiness brought about by the change of restaurant owner.

Back at the courtyard, Ye Jiayao distributed the gifts to everyone. Auntie Jiang kept saying that she shouldn't have spent too much money even though her eyes are shining with gratitude.

Ye Jiayao said, ”This is nothing. I just want to thank you guys since I have been giving you a lot of trouble by staying here.”

”It's no trouble at all! We have actually benefited from you,” Auntie Jiang said, smiling.

”That's right. You even give Ah Li and Yue-er wages, we are so embarrassed,” Uncle Jiang added.

”It is only right to give them wages as they have been a great help.”

”Sister Yaoyao, my brother has finished making the safe that you were talking about,” Jiang Yue chimed in, making her brother scratch his head in embarrassment.

”Is that so? Quick, show me,” Ye Jiayao exclaimed.

The ancient version of a safe has been crafted according to Ye Jiayao's request. It was fixed on the wall and a secret door has been made in the huge closet. After opening the secret door, there was a box covered in metal that was around a foot and a half long and a foot tall. On top, there's a row of wooden keys.

Jiang Li demonstrated to Ye Jiayao how it worked. She would have to press a few wooden keys first before inserting the key into the keyhole. The box would open once a click sounded.

”If the wooden keys are pressed wrong, it would not open,” Jiang Li said.

Ye Jiayao whistled, impressed.