Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Xu Jin-kui
"My name is Xu Jin-kui, and my daughter is also a student at Cangsong Academy."
Xu Jin-kui said with a broad smile.
"I see."
Chen Ping’an nodded slightly.
"Young Master, I happened to bring some pastries. Would you care to try some?"
Xu Jin-kui invited with a smile.
As he spoke, the old servant behind him opened a wooden box and presented it to Chen Ping’an.
Chen Ping’an glanced at it and politely declined with a smile.
"There’s no need. I’m not hungry."
"Young Master, this is the plum blossom cake from Sanfu Tower. It should be quite delicious!"
Xu Jin-kui was quite insistent, pushing a plate of the plum blossom cakes toward him.
Seeing how insistent the man was, Chen Ping’an didn’t refuse again.
However, as he picked up a plum blossom cake, he remained cautious. A faint surge of his Inner Qi flowed through the meridians in his hand and into the cake.
This flowing Inner Qi, aside from being used to enhance one’s Power of Slaughter, also had a more basic diagnostic function.
Of course, this inspection couldn’t compare to a true detection ability, but it was better than nothing.
After a brief inspection, he found nothing unusual.
Besides, the Golden Bell Shield, being an External Refining Hard Skill that also involved Inner and Outer Cultivation, offered a certain degree of resistance to poison.
Still, this was a man he’d never met before. After a moment’s thought, Chen Ping’an decided not to eat the plum blossom cake after all.
When Xu Jin-kui saw that Chen Ping’an didn’t eat, he didn’t seem to mind.
"You look young, Young Master. Are you waiting for a younger sibling?"
"My younger sister is a student at the academy."
Though Chen Ping’an could be ruthless and unyielding when he needed to establish his authority, he was actually quite approachable to those with whom he had no conflict of interest.
Xu Jin-kui had a friendly demeanor, and before long, the two had become somewhat acquainted.
Eventually, Xu Jin-kui started talking about his family business.
He mentioned he was in the pastry business, with shops in the surrounding alleys, and had achieved some small success.
"In that case, I should call you Landlord Xu!"
Chen Ping’an said with a laugh.
"You flatter me, Young Master. It’s just a small business."
Xu Jin-kui waved his hands dismissively.
After talking about his own business, Xu Jin-kui casually asked what Chen Ping’an did for a living.
Chen Ping’an didn’t elaborate, only giving a simple overview of his situation.
"I make a living working for the Government."
Hearing this, Xu Jin-kui’s expression turned respectful.
"I didn’t realize you were a Lord Official from the Garrison Commandant’s Office!"
"Not at all. I just do some patrols and look over documents. I’m not worthy of being called a Lord Official."
Since this was their first meeting, Chen Ping’an had no intention of saying too much.
They quickly moved on from the topic.
They spoke of interesting things happening in the alleys and the ways of doing business, and their conversation was quite harmonious.
Just as they were talking, with a CREAK, the vermilion gates of Cangsong Academy opened.
The sound of bustling chatter arose as male and female students began to file out.
"Xiaomei, over here!"
Xu Jin-kui recognized his daughter at a glance.
Chen Ping’an followed his gaze and saw a rather adorable little girl, skipping as she walked.
Xu Jin-kui excused himself to Chen Ping’an and trotted forward to meet his daughter.
’What a doting father.’
Chen Ping’an sighed in admiration, seeing the man’s joyous expression.
"Xiaomei, this is Uncle Chen, a new friend I just made."
Xu Jin-kui brought his daughter over to Chen Ping’an.
"Uncle Chen..."
Xu Xiaomei called out sweetly.
Chen Ping’an’s expression faltered.
’How did I... become an uncle?’
"Young Master Chen, I’ll be taking my leave now. We’ll meet again!"
Xu Jin-kui said with a smiling wave.
Chen Ping’an offered a pleasantry in farewell.
Xu Jin-kui took Xu Xiaomei by the hand and walked toward a nearby carriage, where the old servant had already hurried ahead to lift the curtain and wait.
"Brother~"
Chen Erya, coming out of the academy gate, spotted Chen Ping’an at once and waved at him excitedly.
"Nannan!"
Chen Ping’an pulled his gaze away from the carriage and turned to see Chen Erya.
"Brother, what are you doing here today?"
Chen Erya trotted over, slightly out of breath.
Chen Ping’an looked at Chen Erya with affection. "I usually get off work too late and don’t have time to pick you up. I happened to be free today, so I thought I’d come get you."
"Thank you, Brother~"
The little girl’s smile was full of contentment.
While the siblings were talking, Xu Jin-kui and his daughter boarded their carriage.
"Young Master Chen, farewell!"
Xu Jin-kui called out his farewell, watching them through the carriage window.
Chen Ping’an gave a slight bow.
The carriage started to move slowly, then trotted away with a CLIP-CLOP, CLIP-CLOP.
「Inside the carriage.」
"Daddy, who was that man just now?"
Xu Xiaomei asked curiously.
Xu Jin-kui’s face was full of paternal warmth. "I met him at the gate while waiting for you. He works for the Government, and from the looks of it, he’s an official on the rolls."
The more friends you have, the more paths are open to you. This was a principle he had lived by during his many years in business.
From having nothing to his name to owning over ten chain stores, Xu Jin-kui was the very model of a self-made man. His judgment was naturally sharp, and he could tell from their conversation that Chen Ping’an was a man of considerable experience.
Plus, he was able to support a family member studying at Cangsong Academy. A person like that couldn’t be a mere temporary constable; he had to be a registered constable, likely with many years of refinement.
He was probably a fairly senior figure among the constables, and his post was likely a lucrative one.
Initially, Xu Jin-kui had even considered if he might be a Constable.
But given his youth and humble manner of speaking, he didn’t seem like the type to be a Constable.
If he were a Constable in the Garrison Commandant’s Office at such a young age, he probably would have disdained interacting with a merchant.
"Oh."
Xu Xiaomei nodded, only half-understanding.
Seeing her expression, Xu Jin-kui didn’t delve deeper into the topic and instead smiled and asked if she knew a little girl named Chen Erya.
"I don’t know her, but I think I’ve vaguely seen her around the academy. She’s probably two years younger than me and hasn’t been at the academy for long."
"I see."
Xu Jin-kui beamed and asked about Xu Xiaomei’s studies.
’Picking up my daughter from the academy today has been quite fruitful.’
’I met a registered constable from the Garrison Commandant’s Office. I might not have much interaction with such a person on a daily basis, but at certain times, an acquaintance like that could prove to be of great value.’
’However, I, Xu Jin-kui, have always believed in mutual benefit. If I gain an advantage, I will certainly ensure the other party receives their fair share of the rewards.’
’Based on our conversation today, the two of us seemed to get along well, and our talk was pleasant.’
...
Outside Cangsong Academy, students from wealthy families boarded their carriages as soon as school was dismissed.
Chen Ping’an and Chen Erya walked down the street, talking excitedly.
Chen Ping’an was happy because he was usually busy with work and rarely had an experience like this.
Chen Erya was excited because this was the very first time since she started at the academy that her brother had come to pick her up.
A carriage passed by the siblings, and the curtain on its window was lifted.
"Hey, Erya, is that your brother?"
A young girl’s face appeared in the carriage window. She looked to be about the same age as Chen Erya.
