"Dad, Mom, Xiaoyu, I'm back," Xiao Bao's signature call echoed before he even appeared.
A crowd surged out from the main house, at the center of which were the leader of
the Jin Money Clan and his wife, surrounded by their maids.
"You little rascal, always away from home, gone for more than a month at a stretch.
How can you never sit still?" Old Master Jin scolded with a smile from afar.
"Hehe, Dad, I know you all miss me, so here i am, back again."
Xiao Bao then took his mother from the maid's arms, cooing, "Mom, I'm back. Did
you miss me?"
Madame Jin Zhao, looking at her only beloved child, was filled with indulgence,
"How could I not miss you? My heart flutters with unease not seeing you for even a
day."
"Hehe, I brought back some beautiful embroidered silk for you, Mom. I'll have them made into a few dresses for you tomorrow. You'll look stunning in them, but then you look stunning in anything."
Madame Jin Zhao beamed, "You sweet-talker."
"Ah, where's Xiaoyu?"
"Oh, she's taking a nap. Xiao Die went to call her. She's been clamoring for her brother every day. The moment she hears you're back, she'll definitely come running."
Before she could finish, a crisp child's voice rang from afar, "Brother Xiao Bao~~
Brother Xiao Bao~~ You're back~~"
Turning around, Xiao Bao saw a little girl in goose-yellow, bouncing towards him.
Leveraging the momentum, he swept her up into his arms, spinning her around
several times in the air, making the little girl giggle uncontrollably.
Planting a firm kiss on her tender cheek, he asked,
"Xiaoyu, did you miss your brother?"
"Yes."
"How much?"
Xiaoyu fixed her round, gleaming eyes on him for two seconds, then planted a big
kiss on his cheek, "This much."
Then, everyone burst into laughter.
Holding Xiaoyu, Xiao Bao weighed her in his arms, "Xiaoyu, you've gotten so much
heavier."
The little one pouted unhappily, "I'm growing taller."
"Growing taller or growing wider? I wasn't as heavy as you when I was ten, little fatty," Xiao Bao teased, pinching her chubby cheeks.
"Liar, look at how plump you are now. You must have been fatter than me when you
were young."
"Ah, you little girl, daring to make fun of your brother? I tell you, you are definitely
heavier than I was back then. If you don't believe me, ask them."
"I'm not fat at all. Everyone says I'm pretty."
The people around burst into laughter again, especially Xiao Bao, who laughed so
hard he pretended he couldn't hold her anymore and almost dropped her, scaring the little girl into crying out.
The entire Jin residence was filled with joy and laughter. Wherever Xiao Bao was, it
was always lively.
After dinner, Old Master Jin called Xiao Bao into his room.
"Dad, is something the matter?"
"Yes." Over the years, Old Master Jin had grown accustomed to a life of luxury,
shedding any semblance of his bandit past. Now in his middle age, plagued with
asthma and a bit overweight, he looked nothing more than a harmless businessman.
Who would have thought that this man once climbed to the top by stepping over his
rivals?
Sitting down, Xiao Bao noticed his father's somewhat sallow complexion, "Dad, how has your health been lately?"
"Ah, still the same. At my age, I've come to accept it."
"Don't talk like that. We have plenty of money. Your illness can definitely be cured.
Did you receive the medicinal herbs I had sent over the other day?"
Old Master Jin nodded, not wanting to dampen his son's filial spirit with his own
worries.
"I called you here to talk about something regarding Xiaoyu."
Xiao Bao's expression turned unusually serious, "Is someone investigating again?"
"Yes, but I've managed to suppress it."
Xiao Bao looked guiltily at Old Master Jin's tired appearance, "Dad, I've caused you
trouble again. I was careless."
"What are you talking about? We now consider Xiaoyu as our own daughter. Her
matters are the Jin family's matters."
Xiao Bao was deeply moved.
Three years ago, when he brought Xiaoyu, covered in blood, back to the Jin residence, his parents strongly opposed and insisted he send her away. Yet, he stood firm, believing in the principle that a man must honor his commitments. A dear friend
had entrusted her to him with his life, and he was determined to keep her in the Jin
residence, as she had no one else in the world and nowhere else to go for protection.
For the first time in his life, Old Master Jin had a confrontation with his son over
this. Usually, he doted on Xiao Bao and indulged his every wish. But this matter was
of great importance. Although Xiao Bao was young, he understood the serious
implications of Xiaoyu's identity. If discovered, it could spell doom for the entire Jin money Clan. Yet, sending her away would mean certain death for the child.
At that time, the entire Jin residence was in utter chaos. Eventually, Master Jin and
the lady of the house had to compromise, spending a significant amount of money to
bribe their way through, sealing all leads. They announced they had adopted a
daughter, changing her name and identity, thus keeping Xiao Yu safe within the Jin
estate.
Xiao Yu, with her delicate and exquisite appearance, was not only extremely
intelligent but also very sensible at such a young age. Coupled with her pitiable
background, she quickly became the darling of everyone in the residence, from the
master and lady to the lowest servants; there wasn't a soul who didn't feel tenderly
towards her.
"As long as the Jin family stands, no one can touch my daughter. In this world, money talks; it's just about spending more. In another two or three years, no one will
remember the incident, and we'll be safe. You needn't worry too much, but still, we
must be cautious in all we do."
"Yes."
"Recently, I've been considering hiring more martial artists from the jianghu. Xiao
Yu is growing restless staying in the estate, always nagging about going out, ah."
"I've been thinking the same. I'll instruct the steward accordingly."
"Good, that's settled then. You may go rest...uh...right, you've been back from
Suzhou for three days and haven't gone home yet. Everyone's saying you brought
back a stunning beauty. Is there any truth to this?"
Xiao Bao instantly reverted to a playful and slightly embarrassed grin, chuckling,
"Dad, you found out so quickly."
Master Jin snorted heavily through his nose, "In the domain of Suzhou, there's nothing I don't know about. You, my son, have been a lecher since you were young, always unable to resist a pretty face."
"Heh, Dad, this is different. I believe my feelings for her are genuine."
"Pah, genuine, I've heard you say that to several maids in the eastern courtyard
since you were twelve."
Xiao Bao frowned, "Dad...aren't you always urging me to find a wife? I want to
marry her, and you'd definitely approve. She surpasses ten courtesans in beauty..."
"Pah, the world is full of beauties, are you out of your mind? The woman's
background is unknown, she emanates a deadly aura, and you'd dare marry her if she
were willing? Besides, she doesn't even care for you."
Xiao Bao's face fell, "Those damn brats, Zhao Cai and Jin Bao..."
Master Jin heaved a heavy sigh, knowing his son was impulsive and lecherous, not
the brightest, lacked firmness, and was often emotionally driven, leading to foolish decisions. Not only was he unsuitable for business, but after nearly twenty years, it
was unclear what his talents were. He was neither as ruthless and decisive as himself
nor as clever and agile as his mother. The only consolation was his son's filial piety
and kindness, leaving him to wonder whether his upbringing was a success or failure.
Certainly, indulging him into a lazy, idle good-for-nothing was their fault as parents.
Fortunately, with their substantial family wealth, supporting their only precious son
for a lifetime was no issue. Peace was, after all, a blessing.
"That woman's identity and background are unknown, and she's involved in fights
and killings; her origins are definitely questionable. Such a person cannot be allowed into our Jin family. If you really like her, have someone check her background
thoroughly. If her background is unclean, it's absolutely impossible to let her into our
household, understand?"
"En, understood."
"Alright, alright, I know what you're anxious about. Go do what you need to do."
Xiao Bao scampered off, his mind full of Huai En's stunning beauty and her various
indifferent expressions, which, even so, were utterly enchanting.
Today marked the final performance in Suzhou by the famous theater troupe from
the capital, Huaijing. He had spared no expense for the best private room, planning to invite Huai En to join him, his heart brimming with eager excitement.