Chapter 125
"Thank you, you've worked hard." Wang Jin said hospitably, "It's almost noon, stay for lunch."
Upon hearing this, those beastmen shook their heads. "No, we must return to report after delivering the items. Farewell, Young Master."
Wang Jin quickly called a ger to see the guests out.
After the people had left, Wang Jin pulled Yuan Heng along happily. "Brother Heng, we have money now. This money is enough for us to live on for quite a while."
"Don't worry, Brother Heng," Wang Jin declared, thumping his chest confidently. "I'll be the one taking care of you from now on."
"..." The ger's expression was brimming with delight... his expression one of immense pride. Yet this pride was different from when the Danmu tribe presented some new, practical invention and sought his praise. This was more like he had obtained something that made him very happy.
It reminded Yuan Heng of the look the ger received fruits or meat back in the Danmu tribe, but even happier than before. His eyes sparkled brilliantly, the clear black pupils within them shining like captured stars... a sight so captivating it could make one's heart flutter.
Yuan Heng's fingers twitched slightly, and uncontrollably, he hooked Wang Jin's fingertips, gently enveloping them in his own palm...
His peripheral glance swept over that box of golden, glittering things, and an idea took root in his heart.
Wang Jin held Yuan Heng's hand in return, his excitement undiminished. He found the newly hired accountant and instructed him, "Keep these safe, record the amount clearly. From now on, you and Uncle Shan can decide all expenses for the pavilion, but you must keep clear records. I will check them monthly. Furthermore, aside from me and Brother Heng, no one else is permitted to withdraw funds."
The accountant who had come was a beastman. The beastman had a ger, children, and parents in his family, and had lived in the city for many years. Uncle Shan had inquired about him, it was said this man's character was acceptable, so he was hired.
"Yes, thank you for your trust, Young Master," the beastman replied.
Wang Jin saw the guards were about to carry away the box of gold and, as if suddenly remembering something, stopped them: "Wait."
"?" Everyone was puzzled.
Wang Jin looked at Yuan Heng and said, "Brother Heng, the accounts room is gloomy. Shall we change the location for the accounts room?"
Yuan Heng nodded. "Everything as you say."
"Then what about the west wing?" Wang Jin asked, pointing to a location. That area had several rooms, the courtyard was connected to the front courtyard, and there was a very large peach tree in front.
Yuan Heng nodded in agreement, thought for a moment, and then said, "Then let me have the original accounts room."
"?" Wang Jin frowned. "I was thinking of having that place torn down. What does Brother Heng want it for?"
Hearing this, Yuan Heng's eyes filled with a helpless smile. "You ger, have you forgotten? The gift we said we would prepare for the City Lord when we came to Ning'an City."
Wang Jin suddenly understood, his fingers tightening as he gripped Yuan Heng's fingers. "Right, the things we brought back!"
"They're all here, I stored them safely. I'll go retrieve them this afternoon."
Wang Jin then relaxed and laughed a little sheepishly. "I almost forgot."
Yuan Heng shook his head. Wang Jin secretly signaled the others to go about their business and pulled Yuan Heng to wander aimlessly around the courtyard, talking about how to renovate the pavilion.
Actually, for the most part, Wang Jin was the one talking, while Yuan Heng just listened quietly beside him, occasionally agreeing with a word or two.
Logically, such a one-sided conversation could make one feel they weren't getting a response and lose interest in continuing, but Yuan Heng listened extremely attentively. He took every single word Wang Jin said to heart. Although he rarely replied, his light-colored pupils reflected Wang Jin's figure, his wholehearted attention making it seem as if Wang Jin was the only person in his world. The emotion in his eyes also carried affirmation, and this bit of affirmation gave Wang Jin great encouragement...
"Young Master."
Just as the two were enjoying their conversation, a ger from the gate came in. "A young master named Cheng Bai is outside requesting to see you."
"Cheng Bai?" Wang Jin turned his head. "Is his injury healed?"
"My injury has been healed for a long time. Thank you for your concern, little one." Cheng Bai's voice sounded from the courtyard.It seemed he had grown impatient and let himself in, trailing the gatekeeping ger who was on his way to deliver the message.
The beastman was wearing a moon-white robe embroidered with subtle patterns. The material was of excellent quality, and it looked particularly luxurious on him. Combined with his ethereal temperament, at first glance, it seemed as if he hadn't walked in, but had descended from the heavens, landing directly in the courtyard.
This Cheng Bai is indeed good-looking, no wonder the original owner had been so fond of him.
But... he had deceived the original owner... betrayed the original owner...
Scenes that had flashed before his mind when he fainted previously surfaced in his thoughts. The images of the original owner clinging to Cheng Bai felt as if they had happened just yesterday. The repeated instances of deception also made Wang Jin's chest feel heavy and stifled.
Harboring such feelings, no matter how good-looking the person before him was, Wang Jin couldn't muster a shred of interest.
Wang Jin's eyebrows rose slightly, a flash of impatience passing through his eyes as he said, "I haven't finished my sentence."
"What?" Cheng Bai asked.
Wang Jin said, "And you dare to come."
"..." The smile on Cheng Bai's face stiffened, a mix of guilt and sorrow flashing in his eyes. "You... you're still angry? Can't you... can't you forgive me?"
No comments:
Post a Comment