Chapter 27: Guarding Day and Night
The moment Jiang Changxin spoke, everyone present froze, as if the air itself had stiffened.
Though his words sounded almost nonsensical, it was clear he was testing Ye Ning.
Father Ye and Mother Ye were stunned for a long moment, then suddenly realized what had happened. Their faces lit up with joy, and their wrinkles seemed to stretch as if rejuvenated overnight, almost as if they had regained their youth.
Father Ye, being mindful of his dignity, restrained himself somewhat, while Mother Ye showed no such restraint. She eagerly fumbled at Ye Ning, her eyes and brows alight with laughter, urging him, “Ning’er! Speak up! Why don’t you answer us?”
“Yes,” Father Ye finally joined in. “Since you were little, how have I taught you and your brothers? When someone speaks, you must respond. Otherwise, people will point at our backs and say we’re ill-mannered. Though the Ye family may be poor, our pride is not small.”
Father Ye spoke in lofty phrases full of principle. He sounded like a stern father delivering timeless truths. But to Ye Ning, it was almost comical—how could his father make these words sound so grandiose? Even if Ye Ning tried, he couldn’t have said them with such solemnity.
Ye Zhu let out a sharp, teasing “Hey-oh” and said mockingly, “Our Ning Ger is incredible, really incredible! The Jiang family’s status is even higher than the Zhou’s! Tsk, such a shame…”
Ye Zhu then appraised Jiang Changxin from head to toe with his eyes and commented, “Tall and handsome, too bad… he’s a fool.”
Father Ye glared at Ye Zhu. “What nonsense are you talking?”
Ye Zhu shrugged. “Does it matter? He won’t understand anyway, so why not say it?”
Father Ye considered it and nodded slightly. Indeed, what could a fool understand? Looking closely at Jiang Changxin, he saw that the young man was still smiling foolishly, showing no trace of anger or annoyance—proof enough that he hadn’t understood a word.
Yet Jiang Changxin had understood perfectly. He saw through the Ye family’s behavior clearly. No wonder Ye Ning preferred living in the small room behind the noodle stall rather than returning home.
As Ye Ning listened to their back-and-forth, hearing their thinly veiled disdain for Jiang Changxin, a plan formed in his mind. He saw Jiang Changxin as a fool, yet also a stepping stone to elevate the Ye family—to let them rise. A surge of anger rose in his chest.
Ye Ning stepped forward. His delicate, slender frame moved to stand in front of Jiang Changxin, cutting off Father Ye, Mother Ye, and Ye Zhu’s evaluating gazes—their eyes that had been inspecting him like merchandise.
Jiang Changxin was momentarily stunned. Even as a reborn man, he rarely encountered anything that surprised him. But Ye Ning—slight of frame, narrow shoulders, a small waist seemingly delicate enough to fold in his hands—stood before him as if…
As if protecting him, Jiang Changxin.
Since Empress Cheng, his birth mother had died, those who truly cared for Jiang Changxin were few: only the “family” who treated him like treasured flesh, and his two loyal subordinates, Cheng Zhao and Yu Yuan. Everyone else regarded him as nothing more than a joke for amusement—something to chew on when bored or to marvel at how a fool could be born into fortune…
As a “fool,” Jiang Changxin had long been accustomed to the fickleness of people. Most gazes he received were either scornful or pitying, never a single stranger standing before him. And yet, here was Ye Ning—slight and seemingly fragile, yet somehow giving the impression of shielding him from wind and rain.
For a moment, Jiang Changxin forgot to restrain his expression and stared at Ye Ning deeply. Fortunately, Ye Ning had his back turned, so he did not meet those eyes, dark and fathomless as a deep well.
Ye Ning spoke, his voice cold: “How Young Master Jiang looks or what his family background is, that is his own business. I have never considered marrying into the Jiang family, so there is no need for you to speculate further.”
Jiang Changxin, still reeling from the shock that Ye Ning had defended him, received a bucket of cold water over his head.
Shaaah—
Ye Ning did not want to marry into the Zhou family, nor did he want to marry into the Jiang family.
Even Jiang Changxin was puzzled. Ye Ning was a Ger, unwilling to marry—what exactly did he intend to do with his life?
He had no idea that Ye Ning was not from this world. He was a straightforward, blunt man from another time. How could he possibly care about marriage or romantic entanglements?
“Ah! You!” Mother Ye, furious, pointed at Ye Ning.
Ye Ning did not give her the chance to speak. He turned to Jiang Changxin and said, “Young Master Jiang, I have already arrived home. You should return. Don’t worry Madame Jiang.”
Jiang Changxin knew that Ye Ning had important matters to handle today, so he did not delay further. He nodded, a face full of reluctance, yet obediently waved his hand and said, “Then I’ll go. Ye Ning, come find me another day to play—come find me!”
After saying that, he waved vigorously and walked off, glancing back at every few steps.
“Ahh!” Mother Ye could no longer contain herself once Jiang Changxin left. She shouted, “You won’t marry into the Zhou family, you won’t marry into the Jiang family! Not this one, not that one! What do you actually want? You won’t accept the Zhou family’s status—fine! Now even that foolish young master from the Jiang family came in person, and you flatly refuse! Tell me, what do you want, what do you want?!”
Ye Ning’s face turned cold. “Mother, speak with some respect. Talking behind others’ backs, calling them fools, if it spreads, it will only shame the Ye family.”
Ye Ning had already grasped Father Ye’s pulse—the family’s reputation. Indeed, the moment face was mentioned, Father Ye could not stand it. He glared fiercely at Mother Ye, pointing at her: “Shut your mouth! Do you think you, a mere woman, can say whatever you like?”
Mother Ye, on the other hand, was terrified of Father Ye. After all, in her mind, the husband’s family was like heaven, and she had to follow the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. Even if she harbored resentment in her heart, she obediently kept her mouth shut.
Father Ye sighed heavily. “Ning Ger simply wasn’t born to enjoy good fortune! You can’t reach for the high branches if you weren’t meant to. Trying to climb into the Jiang family? They’ve had officials, people retired from the capital! Do you think they’d look at Ning Ger? No—they wouldn’t even glance your way…”
Ye Zhu laughed. “Yes, our Ning Ger is just a bit handsome, that’s all. Nothing else—”
Bang!
Ye Ning didn’t say another word. He slammed something down violently onto the bamboo frame in the courtyard used to dry bamboo shoots. The crash startled Ye Zhu so much that he instinctively shrugged his shoulders and raised his hands defensively, afraid Ye Ning might strike him. Je immediately clamped her mouth shut.
It was a box. The lid wasn’t properly secured, and with a loud clunk, it shifted, leaving a gap from which the contents tumbled out—
Coins!
“So—”
Mother Ye gaped. “So many coins!”
“You… you…”
Father Ye asked, “Where did you get these? Did they come from the Jiang family as a gift?”
Ye Zhu, his fear turning to delight, eyes sparkling greedily, said, “So many! The Jiang family really is a great household. They spend generously!”
He tried to touch the scattered coins, but Ye Ning lifted a hand to stop him and said coolly, “These coins are for buying the noodle stall below, and to repay you for raising me all these years.”
Father Ye looked puzzled. “What do you mean by that?”
Ye Ning’s expression remained calm. “From now on, once you accept this money, the noodle stall will no longer belong to the Ye family. It will have nothing to do with you, and I, Ye Ning, will no longer be part of your Ye family either. There will be no connection at all.”
Ye Zhu shouted, “Father, Mother! Ning Ger is cutting ties with us!”
Mother Ye’s eyes were fixed on the coins. In their small household, they had never seen so much money. The sheer joy overwhelmed her; a disobedient Ger who couldn’t have children, who had offended the Zhou family—how could he compare to the charm of these coins?
Father Ye’s eyes bulged as he slammed his cane down. “What did you say? Say that again!”
In truth, Father Ye didn’t need Ye Ning to repeat it. He barked, “Listen to the outrageous words you’ve said! If these spread, the whole village will laugh at us!”
Father Ye’s anger wasn’t about letting go of Ye Ning. In Qingtian Village, the land was small. If a family severed ties, everyone in the village would know and gossip. It was a matter of reputation—losing face.
Ye Ning ignored him and asked, “Are these coins enough to buy the noodle stall and repay you for raising me?”
Father Ye hesitated. Should he value face or substance? Mother Ye, however, was eager and blurted, “Enough! More than enough!”
Ye Ning smiled knowingly. He had left a trick in place. If they thought these coins were all the Jiang matriarch had sent him, they were mistaken.
In reality, besides keeping all the spices for himself, Ye Ning had split the coins into two portions for Father and Mother Ye, which amounted to less than a third of the total.
He claimed the money was to buy the noodle stall and repay their upbringing, but that was just a pretense. The true goal was to buy the noodle stall.
The noodle stall originally belonged to Mother Ye. Previously, she had handed it over to Ye Ning to manage. In case Mother Ye ever came to “collect the account,” it would only stir up trouble. So today, Ye Ning decided to settle everything once and for all.
He knew Mother Ye loved money, but her vision was small. If she saw a little benefit, she’d grab it immediately, afraid of losing out. Ye Ning only offered a small portion, and of course, she bit the bait, eager to consent to severing ties immediately.
Ye Ning turned to Father Ye. “What do you think?”
Father Ye still hesitated. On one hand, he didn’t want to let go of the coins; on the other, he didn’t want the village to gossip about him.
Ye Ning didn’t need to say more. Mother Ye had already leaned toward Father Ye, whispering urgently, “Oh, old man, just agree! Hurry and say yes!”
Father Ye sighed. “It doesn’t feel right… With all this fuss, the neighbors will find out. How can the Ye family hold our heads high afterward? We’re one family—why make it like this?”
“Isn’t it just about marriage? We only care because I’m your father and she’s your mother. If we didn’t, who else would? Go out into the streets—you think anyone unrelated to you can control you?”
“We just don’t want you wandering around looking shabby. We want you to marry well and have a secure life. It’s for your own good, for your own good!”
Ye Ning couldn’t help laughing. He saw it all clearly. Father Ye only valued him for what he could get, wanting to squeeze out what little he could, reluctant to let go while eyeing the coins.
Ye Ning raised an eyebrow. “If we don’t sever ties, I can return these coins to Madame Jiang and say I acted righteously without expecting repayment. Then the villagers will respect the Ye family even more. Isn’t that right?”
“Ohhh—”
Mother Ye, anxious as an ant on a hot pan, blocked Ye Ning from taking the coins, stomping her foot at Father Ye. “Old man, speak up! Look at our house—it’s falling apart. When the Third marries and needs a Fulang, we must build a proper house! With your little patch of land, is it enough? You must think of me and Zhu Ger, and also of the Third—he will be the pillar of the Ye family. No one must suffer, especially him!”
Father Ye’s eyes darted around. He had never cared much about Ye Ning, but Mother Ye’s words tipped his resolve. He slammed down toward the coins, finally valuing substance over face.
“All right!”
Father Ye hardened his heart. “Sever ties, then. I’ll act as if I never raised you, you ungrateful wretch!”
Ye Ning didn’t let that rattle him. His thoughts were orderly. “Words alone aren’t enough. We need written documents: one for the transfer of the noodle stall, another for severing ties. Both sealed with handprints and stamps.”
“You—”
Father Ye trembled. “Do you have to make it so final?”
Ye Ning smiled faintly. “You two have already imprisoned me before. Changing your mind isn’t worth mentioning. After all, I am just a fragile Ger. If I suffer losses, I have nowhere to complain. It’s wise to leave a safeguard, isn’t it?”
Father Ye patted his chest to calm himself. Mother Ye, emboldened by the coins, straightened her back without fear of gossip. She said, “Fine! Draw up the documents, but we cannot read or write. What if you trick us?”
Ye Ning reached out. “You only need to find someone in the village who can read and write. I’ll draft the documents. Once you review them and find them correct, then you seal them.”
Jiang Changxin murmured softly to himself, “He is not an ordinary person.”
*
Ye Ning returned to the small noodle stall. The familiar dirt road, the mossy slippery log bridge, and the oppressive, humid air all seemed as before—but Ye Ning felt an unprecedented sense of ease.
He entered the stall, and soon came a soft knocking at the door. Someone peeked in, smiling. “Ye Ning.”
It was Ye Ning’s cousin, Zhang Zhiyuan.
Zhang Zhiyuan carried a tightly wrapped cloth bundle, wrapped layer upon layer, sneaking in like a thief. He quickly closed the door behind him and carefully set the bundle on the table.
Clang! It was heavy.
Zhang Zhiyuan unwrapped the bundle. Inside were the coins Ye Ning had entrusted to him that morning. He said, “Count them. Are they all there? Any missing?”
Ye Ning glanced briefly. “Do I not know cousin’s character? No need to count.”
He grabbed a handful of coins from the bundle, not counting them, and placed them in Zhang Zhiyuan’s palm. “This is a gift of thanks for you.”
“No, no!”
Zhang Zhiyuan waved his hands frantically, as if the coins were hot coals. “I can’t accept this! I’m just keeping them for you briefly. How could I bear to take such a heavy gift? It’s too much!”
Ye Ning laughed. “You flatter me. Compared to your character, this gift is too little. It’s just that I am short on funds now, so this is all I can give.”
Zhang Zhiyuan still wanted to refuse, but Ye Ning continued: “In the future, when you go to the capital for exams, there will be plenty of ways to spend money. I have surplus funds now to help you. If you rise to fame and fortune, don’t forget Ye Ning.”
Zhang Zhiyuan solemnly replied, “Of course not.”
Worried he would stubbornly refuse the coins, Ye Ning changed the topic. “From now on, this noodle stall is mine. The shop is too small, and there is only one set of tables and chairs. We need someone to fix it up.”
Zhang Zhiyuan nodded. “True. Ye Ning, your skills are so fine that people often queue outside for noodles. Expanding it is necessary, adding more counter space.”
“Hey, Zhang Sanlang, you’re here!”
Someone peeked in, smiling. “You were hard to find!”
It was Cheng Zhao.
Cheng Zhao walked in and bowed slightly to Ye Ning. “I heard, Ning Ger, that you’ve completely severed ties with the Ye family today. Congratulations, congratulations!”
Usually, when other families broke ties, people wouldn’t find it a happy topic and would avoid mentioning it. Yet Cheng Zhao smiled warmly, congratulating Ye Ning. Ye Ning smiled back and said, “Thank you for your kind words, Young Master Cheng.”
Cheng Zhao smiled, increasingly feeling that Ye Ning was different from others.
Zhang Zhiyuan looked puzzled. “You were looking for me?”
“Oh!”
Cheng Zhao slapped his forehead. “I almost forgot. You’d better hurry back—our young master is searching for you everywhere, practically carrying a lantern!”
“How strange,” Zhang Zhiyuan murmured. “All the documents assigned to me today are ready. Does the young master have some urgent matter?”
Cheng Zhao smiled. “Well… the young master suddenly wanted to start painting, insisting someone teach him. But we coarse servants don’t know how to paint, so we had no choice but to shamelessly come find Third Young Master Zhang.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiyuan understood the situation and had no doubts. He was already the Jiang family’s clerk and also served as the young master’s study companion; it was all part of his duty. He said, “Then I’ll hurry back—don’t want the young master waiting anxiously.”
Zhang Zhiyuan said a few words to Ye Ning, then quickly left the noodle stall, heading back to the Jiang residence.
Cheng Zhao stepped out of the noodle stall, unable to stop a chuckle. “You know, our master is really something. Third Young Master Zhang just spent a little time alone with Ning Ger, and yet master fusses like it’s a fire about to burn down and immediately sends him away.”
Rustle…
The leaves on the branches seemed to sway in the breeze, though there was no wind. Yu Yuan suddenly leapt down from the treetop, arms crossed, and asked, “Why doesn’t master want Third Young Master Zhang alone with Ye Ning?”
“Why else?” Cheng Zhao said. “I’d call you a blockhead and you still wouldn’t admit it—he likes Ye Ning, that’s why.”
Yu Yuan frowned slightly, clearly unconvinced. “Master said it’s just that he doesn’t want to mingle with the Quan family, not that he likes anyone.”
Cheng Zhao, exasperated, laid a hand on Yu Yuan’s shoulder. “Then I’ll ask you: Ye Ning is a Ger, Quan Qian is a Ger, master doesn’t want to mingle with the Quans, so he wants to mingle with Ye Ning? Why is that?”
Yu Yuan’s brows knitted even tighter, forming a perfect “川” shape. “Why?”
Cheng Zhao clapped his hands. “Isn’t it obvious? Because he likes Ye Ning.”
Yu Yuan: “…”
He seemed thoroughly tangled.
“Young master—young master—”
The Jiang family’s servants ran into Jiang Changxin’s courtyard. “Young master, Third Young Master Zhang has returned. We’re preparing ink, brush, paper, and inkstone for you.”
Jiang Changxin fanned himself lazily, a simple, good-natured smile on his face. “Third Young Master Zhang is back?”
“Yes, young master,” the servant nodded.
Jiang Changxin’s smile widened. Though it looked simple and naive, it carried a hint of intrigue. Lazily, he said, “I suddenly don’t want to learn painting anymore.”
The servant: “…”
The next morning, Jiang Changxin rose early, washed up, and looked at the clothes Cheng Zhao brought him. Shaking his head, he said, “Not this set. Bring me my clothes for going out.”
Cheng Zhao looked puzzled. “Master, so early in the morning—where are you going?”
Jiang Changxin considered that Ye Ning had severed ties with the Ye family yesterday, and his small noodle stall was planning expansion. There must be a lot to organize, and if he helped now, it would surely strengthen their bond.
Jiang Changxin answered succinctly, “To the noodle stall.”
Cheng Zhao laughed. “Oh—going to the noodle stall.”
Jiang Changxin glanced at him. “Why?”
Cheng Zhao quickly shook his head. “N-no reason. I was just craving some Pian’er Chuan—going to the stall sounds perfect!”
Cheng Zhao efficiently helped Jiang Changxin dress and get ready to leave. Just before stepping out, Jiang Changxin paused, frowning slightly as if remembering something, and reminded him, “Arrange some tasks for Third Young Master Zhang.”
Cheng Zhao smirked inwardly, but on the surface asked sincerely, “May I ask, Master, what tasks?”
Jiang Changxin waved his hand. “Any tasks—just keep him busy. He won’t have time to go searching for Ye Ning, that’s all.”
Cheng Zhao had guessed this already. He nodded emphatically. “Rest assured, Master. I’ll make sure Third Young Master Zhang is so busy he won’t have time to disturb you and Ning Ger.”
Jiang Changxin raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Are you joking with me now?”
Cheng Zhao dashed off. “Not daring, not daring! I’m going to handle matters for you, Master!”
Zhang Zhiyuan had hurriedly met Ye Ning yesterday and rushed back to the Jiang family, only for the young master to lose interest in painting moments later. Early this morning, Zhang Zhiyuan had planned to ask Ye Ning if he needed help. After all, Ye Ning was small and alone, refurbishing the noodle stall—he couldn’t possibly manage everything.
Yet before he even left the Jiang residence, Cheng Zhao arrived.
“Oh!”
Cheng Zhao smiled brightly. “Third Young Master Zhang, you’re hard to find!”
Zhang Zhiyuan: “…”
For some reason, his tone and words sounded exactly like yesterday.
Cheng Zhao’s face was all sincerity. “Third Young Master Zhang, it’s like this: the weather’s been humid lately. Finally, the sun is out today, so we planned to take all the books from the Jiang family library and air them out. But several clerks are on leave, so we’re short-handed, and…”
Cheng Zhao hesitated. “You’re also a lover of books, Third Young Master Zhang. You know if books get damp, they can’t be kept—they’ll get worms! So, ah, you see, there are so many rare volumes in the library, it would be such a shame to waste them!”
Hearing this, Zhang Zhiyuan felt a surge of passionate energy. He patted his chest. “No problem. I’ll help air them out. Such fine books mustn’t be wasted.”
Cheng Zhao smiled, smoothly setting a little trap. “Thank you so much, Third Young Master Zhang. But… there are quite a lot of books, the whole upper floor, in fact.”
“No problem, no problem.”
Zhang Zhiyuan waved his hand. “I have nothing to do today anyway.”
He thought that today was finally sunny; otherwise, he’d visit Ye Ning tomorrow. Today, he’d air the books.
Cheng Zhao watched Zhang Zhiyuan busy himself and shook his head in a sigh. “Such an honest person…”
After arranging Zhang Zhiyuan, Cheng Zhao went to report back to Jiang Changxin. The two then left the Jiang mansion and headed toward Ye Ning’s noodle stall.
Knock knock—
Someone knocked on the modest wooden door of the noodle stall.
So early in the morning, it was unclear who it could be. Ye Ning was tidying things up and had just pulled out a checklist to record what was needed, so he wouldn’t forget anything.
He put down his pen and went to open the door.
Looking outside, he was surprised. “It’s you?”
Outside the door stood a single person. He wasn’t particularly tall, roughly the same size as Ye Ning, both of them slender. He had a small, pointed face and a pair of bright, almond-shaped eyes that always looked timid—somewhat shy and introverted.
“Quan Qian?”
Ye Ning was surprised. “What are you doing here?”
Quan Qian shifted awkwardly at the door. “Yesterday you said, when I had time I could come find you… I hope I’m not disturbing you?”
Ye Ning motioned him in. “Not at all. This place is simple, but sit anywhere you like.”
Quan Qian stepped into the noodle stall and looked around. The small, crude space fascinated him. It was obvious he was from a wealthy, prominent family—never stepping outside, always pampered.
His eyes gleamed as he stared at the cooking counter. “I’ve always wanted a station of my own, but Father and Mother wouldn’t allow it.”
His gaze dimmed, like a flame dying out, and he sighed. “Ye Ning, you’re amazing. You beat Zhou Dahu so thoroughly and skillfully, and on top of that, you had the courage to sever ties with your family and start your own stall. I… I don’t dare do anything. I spend my days fearing what others might say behind my back, their pointing and gossiping.”
Ye Ning raised an eyebrow. “You’re afraid of gossip? Of people pointing fingers?”
Quan Qian nodded, his voice low and ashamed. “Father and Mother said that as a Ger, I shouldn’t worry about such messy things. I should wait to get married, manage a household, raise children. If I stir up trouble, people will mock me and speak ill of me.”
Ye Ning laughed, as if hearing something amusing. “Then let me ask you—being in the wealthy Quan family in Jiangnan, do people outwardly show respect while secretly belittling you, saying you’re only lucky, born to a good life, and can’t actually do anything yourself?”
Quan Qian’s eyes widened. “How did you know? There are people like that… quite a few of them, actually.”
The Quan family was famous in Jiangnan. Even the government courted them for favor. The matriarch often brought Quan Qian to tea gatherings and social events, where young ladies and Gers outwardly acted polite but secretly criticized him.
Ye Ning nodded. “Exactly. You behave properly, and others still think you rely on your ancestors’ luck, a useless burden. Either way, you’re bound to be gossiped about. Why not work hard for your own ideas instead? The talk is from others, but your path must be walked by your own feet. Your parents can lead you, carry you, even shield you—but they cannot walk for you.”
Quan Qian stared at Ye Ning for a long, long time without speaking. His cheeks gradually turned pink, his breathing quickened, and suddenly he grabbed Ye Ning’s hand. Excitedly, he said, “Ye Ning, please… take me as your apprentice!”
Ye Ning: “…”
?
A question mark slowly appeared in Ye Ning’s mind. Was it always this quick-witted, the son of a wealthy family?
Fearing refusal, Quan Qian hurried on. “My parents won’t let me learn cooking. They don’t even let me into the kitchen, let alone hire a master. Your skills are so good—even ordinary red dough can be turned into something delicious by you. Even my aunt praises you. You can definitely teach me!”
“And that’s not all,” Quan Qian continued. “I’m not asking to learn for free. I heard from Third Young Master Zhang that your stall needs renovation, that you want to expand. I may be useless at home, but I’ve studied many ledgers and often listen to the managers of the branch stalls. I can help with bookkeeping. If you want repairs, I also know some old craftsmen in the provincial town. I can negotiate prices for you and make sure they don’t overcharge!”
He spoke in one breath, eyes wide and pleading, staring directly at Ye Ning. Ye Ning felt like a little rabbit with enormous eyes was staring straight at him.
Ye Ning thought for a moment, then said, “I don’t take apprentices lightly. You can try here first, but I warn you: if it doesn’t work out, or if you slack off, I’ll let you go.”
Quan Qian slowly opened his eyes wide and exclaimed, “That’s wonderful! Thank you, Ye Ning!”
“Oh, right,” Quan Qian added, “tomorrow we should go to the county. I know there’s a skilled old craftsman there. It just so happens… Zhou Dahu’s verdict will be out tomorrow. We can go together, alright?”
Ye Ning nodded. “Very well.”
Coincidentally, Ye Ning didn’t have many connections in Qingtian Village, much less in the county or provincial town. With Quan Qian’s help, renovating the stall would be much easier. They agreed to go together the next day.
Jiang Changxin approached the stall door and could already hear joyful laughter inside. Ye Ning’s tone was stiff, businesslike, but in reality, he had agreed to take Quan Qian as his apprentice.
“Great…”
Cheng Zhao’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably. Embarrassed, he muttered under his breath, “Master, what do we do now? Day and night we guard against this, and only managed to keep Third Young Master Zhang from interfering… yet now Quan Qian of the Quan family came first. In terms of old craftsmen contacts, Master is clearly outmatched by the Jiangnan Quan family…”
Jiang Changxin: “…”
Cheng Zhao sighed again. “Wasn’t Quan Qian the one the matriarch found to match you with? You thought he wouldn’t come for you, but he circles around Ye Ning all day… sigh, really…”
As he spoke, someone patted his back. Yu Yuan appeared silently behind him, looking down at him, and said calmly, “Speak less.”
“Why?” Cheng Zhao asked, confused.
Yu Yuan glanced at the dark, stormy expression on Jiang Changxin’s face. “Because it’s safer.”
Cheng Zhao: “…”
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