262 Conversing was an Intricate Art
Xie Yunjin asked warmly, “What’s wrong?”
Lu Jiao shook her head. From outside, Feng Zhi walked in with an invitation.
“Ma’am, Baohe Tang sent you an invitation. It is an invite for you to attend their grand opening ceremony tomorrow.”
Lu Jiao responded in shock, “They’re opening tomorrow? That was fast.”
!!
She thought Baohe Tang would need some more time to prepare before they opened. Who knew they would start business again so quickly?
Lu Jiao thought about it and decided that they must’ve acquired someone else’s operating business. That was why they were able to open so quickly.
“What did the messenger say?”
“I think the messenger was just one of the workers from Baohe Tang. He said the owner wanted to let you know that they bought the clinic from someone else. The business wasn’t good so the previous owner sold. The new owner took a bit of time to clean everything up before reopening. He also asked for your attendance tomorrow.”
Of course, Lu Jiao was going to attend. She had a third stake in that business, why would she not go?
“Okay, I got it.”
Feng Zhi left. Lu Jiao opened the invitation and saw that it was simply a piece of paper that asked for her attendance.
Lu Jiao couldn’t help but smile while Xie Yunjin studied her solemnly.
Lu Jiao asked him casually, “What’s wrong?”
Xie Yunjin knew that Lu Jiao had made up her mind and talking about it more likely won’t result in fruition. He shook his head, “Nothing. Are you going to Baohe Tang’s grand opening then?”
Lu Jiao was in a great mood, “Definitely.”
Xie Yunjin’s eyes darkened. He silently decided to keep an eye on Baohe Tang’s owner. If he ever digs up any dirt on that man, he will act accordingly.
Xie Yunjin then smiled at Lu Jiao, “Congratulations on the grand opening of Baohe Tang.”
His words deepened Lu Jiao’s smile.
Though her smile was somewhat blinding, the tension between the two of them appeared to have eased.
When he saw how happy Lu Jiao was, Xie Yunjin discovered that conversing was an intricate art. See, if he objected to this matter again, it would’ve resulted in a fight between the two of them and their relationship would’ve gotten hurt. But cheering Lu Jiao on made her so happy.
Xie Yunjin appeared to have learned from this. He grinned and stood up, “Since you’re going to Baohe Tang tomorrow, you should sleep early.”
He then left. Lu Jiao was very satisfied with his attitude.
The next day, Lu Jiao didn’t rush it. She first cleared more areas of the front courtyard. She needed to bring some people with her to the city center in order to purchase some wood.
She wasn’t familiar with the city at all and didn’t know where she would be able to purchase what she needed. Therefore, after breakfast, she asked Xie Yunjin, “Do you know where I can buy some wood in the city? I need some so the craftsmen can start making things out of them.”
Xie Yunjin asked caringly, “Aren’t you going to Baohe Tang today? When will you have the time to buy the materials as well? How about I go buy what you need for you? I may not know much about the properties of wood, but I can bring some artisans with me.”
Then, the four little ones demanded, “Daddy, mommy, let’s go together. We want to go too.”
Lu Jiao thought about it and then agreed. Baohe Tang won’t open until around noon, which gave her time to visit the stores beforehand anyway.
Taking the four little ones into the city to look around was a good idea. It was important for children to meet people while they were young. Only then, will they get over their social anxiety and grow braver.
“Sure, let’s go together.”
Lu Gui also chimed in, “Sister, I want to go as well.”
“Come, come.”
The family plus Lu Gui then headed out.
Out in the front courtyard, however, their neighbor’s daughter, Zhao Hehua, was visiting again.
Lu Jiao was impatient now. Since Zhao Hehua wanted to get with Xie Yunjin, she kept on intruding on their home. This was very inconvenient.
Sadly, this young woman had no self-awareness. When she saw Xie Yunjin, she became blind to everyone else. Xie Yunjin was all she could see.
“Brother Xie, are you going shopping? If you are, I can take you.”
The four little ones grew cautious right away. They hated women who were too eager to talk to their father.
They were traumatized from their days back in the village.
The First Born spoke first, “My daddy doesn’t even know you. Why do you refer to him as ‘brother’?”
The Second Born stared at Zhao Hehua and commented, “Are you trying to become my daddy’s concubine? My daddy has vowed to never get concubines.”
The Third Born evaluated Zhao Hehua, “You’re too tall and too dark. Your eyes are too small. You’re not my daddy’s type.”
The Four Born added salt to the wound, “My daddy likes pretty women, like my mommy. My mommy is an angel sent from the sky.”
Zhao Hehua was stunned by the words that came out of the four little ones’ mouths. Once she realized what was said, she started to cry.
She looked at Xie Yunjin, “Brother Xie, how can your children talk like this?”
She then glanced at Lu Jiao to indicate that it was his wife’s fault that his children were so rude.
Xie Yunjin’s expression was ugly. He hasn’t even managed to get Lu Jiao to stay and there were already people getting in his way. He was highly exasperated and his eyes oozed with coldness.
“Lady Zhao, we are not close. Please don’t call me ‘brother’. Calling me that may cause a misunderstanding. We are merely neighbors – new neighbors at that. I also don’t like to be in contact with women.”
He then looked towards uncle Wen and ordered, “Uncle Wen, from now on, report all visitors to us. Whether or not we agree to see them will be up to us.”
Uncle Wen agreed. He honestly didn’t like that Lady Zhao either. It was obvious to him that she had poor intentions.
However, given that the Zhaos were their neighbor and the fact that Lady Zhao’s father was an officer, uncle Wen was worried she would get offended and stir up more trouble. That was why he endured her presence. Now that his master had given him orders, he had no more reasons to be patient.
Old man Wen bluntly walked over to escort Zhao Hehua out, “Lady Zhao, this way. My masters have things to do.”
Zhao Hehua cried loudly and shrieked, “You’re very rude! I’m going to tell my father this.”
She then ran away. As she ran out the gate, she thought silently to herself about how she originally came today to warn Lu Jiao about the grand commander’s daughter. Since they decided to treat her this way, she had no reason to warn them. Hmmph!
After Zhao Hehua left, Xie Yunjin said sternly, “We need to keep our distance from the Zhao family. They aren’t very nice.”
...
Lu Jiao agreed, “We know. Let’s go buy some wood.”
She honestly had no idea how officer Zhao managed to give birth to a daughter like that. Plus, Lady Lu, the wife of the family, was such a kind and respectful woman. She’s also met the family’s younger daughter. Their younger daughter was very self-aware and very friendly. Their older daughter was definitely the odd one out.
The family, along with the an artisan, headed to the street that sold construction materials.
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