"Right,"
"What were you going to say just now?" Chen Jinzhao stared at Tao Qiyue.
Tao Qiyue finally snapped back to attention, smiling sweetly, "It's nothing really, do you really want to hear it?"
"Mhm."
Chen Jinzhao nodded.
Tao Qiyue's smile grew even sweeter, her beautiful eyes sparkling, "Alright, I'll only say it once, so listen carefully."
"Chen Jinzhao, I like you."
Chen Jinzhao had already guessed Tao Qiyue would say this, so he smiled back, "I appreciate your affection, I like you too."
Unexpectedly, Tao Qiyue let out a soft scoff, "A man's mouth is a deceiving mouth."
"I don't believe you."
Chen Jinzhao chuckled awkwardly.
Tao Qiyue quickly smiled again.
Whether Chen Jinzhao's words were meant to please her or were sincere, Tao Qiyue truly felt a sense of satisfaction.
This was what it meant to judge by actions, not intentions.
And besides.
Tao Qiyue had prepared herself for the possibility of having nothing in the end.
She didn't want Chen Jinzhao to take responsibility, nor did she need him to give her any formal status. She was content just to be together occasionally.
"Let's go back, it's too cold out here," Tao Qiyue suggested.
Snowflakes, like goose feathers, drifted down, blanketing the entire city in white and lending it an air of mystery.
In this icy world, there would always be a warm sanctuary.
One night passed.
Tao Qiyue woke up in bed.
She stared blankly at the ceiling, then at the snow falling heavier outside the window. A sudden feeling of loss washed over her.
By eleven in the morning, Chen Jinzhao was long gone.
What had happened last night felt unreal to Tao Qiyue. She couldn't even tell what was real and what was a dream.
She ran a hand through her messy hair and sat on the bed, lost in thought.
It wasn't until Tao Qiyue saw the breakfast on the nightstand and the note left by Chen Jinzhao that she realized it hadn't been a dream.
Seeing Chen Jinzhao's flowing calligraphy, Tao Qiyue knew he had left around seven or eight in the morning. She picked up her phone and sent him a voice message, telling him she was awake and that he didn't need to worry about her.
On the other side.
Chen Jinzhao couldn't help but smile slightly when he saw Tao Qiyue's message.
"Candle Dragon, what are you smiling about?" asked Man Xiong, sitting opposite him.
Chen Jinzhao put away his phone and replied to Man Xiong, "Nothing, just some news from home."
Man Xiong chuckled heartily, "I thought so. Only family would make you wear such a gentle smile. It's quite unusual."
"Let's get back to what we were talking about," Chen Jinzhao said.
Man Xiong had come to find Chen Jinzhao early in the morning to discuss the matter of the deserted island at sea. According to him, he had made inquiries within the military and discovered that these people genuinely knew nothing about the island's existence, indicating it wasn't an intentional cover-up by the military.
Furthermore, the island was located near international waters and had gone uninvestigated for a long time.
Therefore, Man Xiong planned to send people to investigate the situation firsthand and had come to discuss a cooperation plan and contingency measures with Chen Jinzhao.
After a morning of discussions, most of the arrangements had been made.
Man Xiong said gravely, "If there's a problem with that deserted island, I'll inform you immediately."
"Mhm, have your people be careful and don't push yourselves," Chen Jinzhao added.
Man Xiong nodded.
Chen Jinzhao then asked, "By the way, how much do you know about the Ji family?"
Since he was attending a banquet hosted by the Ji family that evening, Chen Jinzhao was uncertain and saw this as an opportunity to gather information from Man Xiong.
"The Ji family is the largest family in Fengtian, and they are undisputed in the three northern provinces. However, it's strange, the Ji family has been very low-key over the years, showing no ambition, and rarely getting into conflicts with others, unless someone truly provokes them."
"Also, this Ji family always keeps a low profile, and outsiders find it difficult to ascertain their true situation."
"If you want to know more, you'll probably have to consult Li Tian Ce."
Li Tian Ce had been active in the north for many years and should have considerable knowledge of the Ji family. Chen Jinzhao shook his head, "I don't want to trouble Li Tian Ce for now. What are your thoughts on the Ji family's banquet tonight?"
"Strange!"
That was the only word Man Xiong had.
"As far as I know, the Ji family hasn't actively invited anyone to their home for a banquet in a very long time. Even when Li Tian Ce came to Fengtian, the Ji family patriarch only hosted a banquet at a hotel."
"Candle Dragon, you need to be careful."
Chen Jinzhao nodded upon hearing this, "Thank you for the warning, I will be cautious."
"It's getting late. You should go back and deploy your mission. If there's any unexpected development, I'll notify you immediately."
They parted ways.
Chen Jinzhao returned to his residence with a frown and had lunch with Tao Qiyue.
Tao Qiyue could sense that Chen Jinzhao seemed to be in low spirits, so she didn't bother him too much.
By five in the afternoon.
Chen Jinzhao and Tao Qiyue parted ways and met Wu Lingyun in the city center.
The winter nights descended quickly. It was already getting dark around five o'clock. When Chen Jinzhao saw Wu Lingyun, he momentarily thought he had mistaken her for someone else. Wu Lingyun usually dressed in a simple and elegant manner, but today she was wearing a bright red woolen coat and deep red lipstick. Without a closer look, he wouldn't have recognized her.
"Cousin, why are you looking at me like that?" Wu Lingyun said.
Chen Jinzhao averted his gaze, "It's nothing, just a little surprised. It's getting late, let's head to the Ji family's place."
Wu Lingyun responded with an "Oh" and got into Chen Jinzhao's car.
As Chen Jinzhao drove, Wu Lingyun occasionally glanced at him, thinking to herself, "Could he have seen through me?"
After a moment of hesitation.
She mused inwardly, "He probably hasn't. If he had, he wouldn't be so polite."
As night fully enveloped Fengtian City, Chen Jinzhao and Wu Lingyun arrived outside the Ji family mansion. The Ji family compound was even more understated than the Fu family's, possessing less ostentation but a more solemn and imposing aura that inspired awe.
Two large red lanterns hung on either side of the gate, swaying gently in the wind.
In the quiet night, they appeared particularly eerie.
Chen Jinzhao subconsciously glanced at Wu Lingyun, only to find she showed no surprise, seemingly treating it as a common occurrence.
Wu Lingyun noticed Chen Jinzhao's gaze and looked at him in confusion, "Cousin, why do you keep staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
"It's nothing, I just think you look particularly beautiful today." Chen Jinzhao spoke insincerely, which made Wu Lingyun secretly relieved.
"Really?"
"Since you think I look beautiful, cousin, then stare a little longer."
Chen Jinzhao smiled but said nothing.
Creak—
The dark red gate was pushed open from the inside, and a handsome young man in a貂皮大衣 (diao pi da yi - fur coat) walked out, approaching Chen Jinzhao directly.
"Chen Jinzhao, welcome to the Ji family."
A strong, eerie atmosphere emanated from the young man. Chen Jinzhao took a deep look at him—Ji Boan, the eldest young master of the Ji family.
"Please lead the way."