Chapter 121: She Aches for Me

Chapter 121: She Aches for Me

Yan Xin asked Zhang Nanshu to inquire about Jing Yuanzhao's fight.

Zhang Nanshu agreed without hesitation.

It was unclear how the Third Miss Zhang went about her inquiries, but it was highly likely that she had gone straight to Jing Yuanzhao himself.

As a result, at dusk that day, Jing Yuanzhao arrived at Songxiang Courtyard.

"...I heard you were worried, so I came over to let you see for yourself." His smile was wide, his dimples deep as he looked at her, "See? Nothing to worry about."

His mouth was bruised and slightly swollen.

That punch from Sheng Yuanshan had been delivered with force; his teeth must have been aching.

Yan Xin wanted to say that she wasn't worried.

But she couldn't bring herself to say it. In all fairness, there were times when he treated her well, and she couldn't find it in her heart to gloat over his misfortune.

"Let me take a look," she stepped forward.

In her moist eyes, emotions flickered, more effective than the best painkillers.

Jing Yuanzhao's heart softened, and he moved closer to her, lowering his head slightly.

His breath carried a faint scent of tobacco, crisp and intense.

He was like a warm stove, constantly asserting his presence.

Yan Xin resisted the emotional stirrings within her and gently pressed on his injured area.

"...It's not too serious," Yan Xin said, "I have some very effective ointment for bruises here. Take it and apply it, it should reduce the swelling in two days."

"For such a minor thing, applying medicine is just being overly fussy," Jing Yuanzhao laughed.

Yan Xin: "I thought you wanted to get better quickly and return to camp."

—Eagerly sending him away.

Jing Yuanzhao pulled her into an embrace and sat her down on the sofa, "I'm leaving tomorrow, and I probably won't be back for ten days or half a month."

Yan Xin didn't struggle, her fingers caressing the bruise on the corner of his lips, "Aren't you afraid others will see?"

Jing Yuanzhao: "If others see, I'll just say I hit my head on the bed frame."

Yan Xin: "..."

"Zhu Zhu'er, Zhou Junwang's cabaret has been open for half a month, and they've made a singer famous, someone called 'Yun Rong'. Those outrageously expensive red roses, she receives hundreds of them in one night," Jing Yuanzhao said.

Yan Xin didn't know much about singers or movie stars, only occasionally glancing at the newspapers to catch a glimpse of them.

The name "Yun Rong" hadn't become a household name in Yicheng. Perhaps she was a fleeting star, soon fading from the limelight.

"Do you want to go see her?" Jing Yuanzhao suggested, "I can reserve a private room last minute, just the two of us, we can follow the trend."

Yan Xin: "You're really a bumpkin, a cabaret isn't a theater, the private rooms aren't the most expensive seats. The most expensive ones are the seats in the first row closest to the stage, where you can see the singer and dancers up close.

After they finish singing and dancing, they need to come down and serve wine to the guests in the first row. The private rooms upstairs are reserved for wealthy but powerless suckers."

Jing Yuanzhao couldn't help but chuckle, laughing softly.

He tightened his embrace around her, "Miss, you know so much. Will you take me out to see the world? Would you?"

Yan Xin blushed.

"Don't mock me," she said with a slight pout.

"No, I mean it," he chuckled softly, "Will you accompany me?"

"You go by yourself."

"We'll go together." Jing Yuanzhao rubbed against her, "Otherwise, I'll think about spending the night in your room tonight."

Yan Xin was startled.

She cursed herself, why did she pity someone like him?

He deserved that beating.

"You don't even like me serving you, and you're even less willing to serve me. Every time we try something new, before I can do anything, you're already a thousand times unwilling," he continued.

As if complaining.

He had no right to complain, for he was not her husband.

Yan Xin wished she could pinch his mouth shut.

Her hair stood on end.

How could he be so brazen, saying those embarrassing words so casually?

"...I'll go with you!" she declared, "We've agreed, we'll go see the singer, and after it's over, we'll each go home. You can't break your word."

"Alright," Jing Yuanzhao smiled.

She returned to her room to change.

The autumn night wind was chilly, so Yan Xin changed into a newly made padded cheongsam and took out a purple sable vest.

She had applied a touch of rouge and powder, making her face even more strikingly beautiful.

She then took out a lady's hat, one she had bought during a recent visit to the department store.

In the future, these types of hats with their veiled brims would become quite popular.

Jing Yuanzhao gazed at her intently.

"Zhu Zhu'er is truly beautiful," he exclaimed in admiration.

Her hair was styled into a low chignon, secured by an exquisite cloisonné hairpin; her lotus-leaf-colored ten-pattern brocade qipao featured subtle patterns, giving it a slightly understated elegance; but the sable bolero jacket she wore over it exuded opulence.

On a young woman, such a sable jacket conveyed both wealth and youthful vitality.

"Thank you for your compliment," Yan Xin said.

The two of them proceeded to the newly opened dance hall.

The dance hall was located on the most bustling street in Yicheng, its sign reading "Immortal Delight Dance Hall," adorned with electric lights that sparkled brilliantly.

At the entrance stood Indian waiters, and the large stained-glass door led inside to a brightly lit space where music and laughter occasionally wafted out, embellishing the entire street with its splendor.

Yan Xin and Jing Yuanzhao got out of the car, and the manager of the dance hall greeted them at the entrance, inviting them in.

Jing Yuanzhao's chief adjutant had already reserved the best seats in the first row for the two of them.

Yan Xin put on her lady's hat, her brows and eyes hidden behind the veil, revealing only her jawline and luscious red lips.

Someone was sizing them up.

As Yan Xin walked in, she subconsciously removed her bolero jacket, intending to hand it to a waiter, but Jing Yuanzhao gently pressed her hand.

"It's a bit cold, don't freeze. You can keep the jacket on," he said.

Yan Xin observed that the two guests sitting in the corner of the first row also hadn't taken off their outerwear.

She realized that there didn't seem to be such a rule; no waiter was specifically waiting to take her coat, almost causing an awkward situation.

She thanked him and went to her seat with Jing Yuanzhao.

"...This Miss Yun Rong has a nickname," the neighboring guests conversed, not keeping their voices low.

"'Yun Rong' isn't her real name? Could it be her real name, how does she have a nickname?" another guest asked.

"Yun Rong is her stage name. The nickname was given by the guests, they call her Succubus."

Yan Xin was somewhat curious and listened attentively.

"How did she get that name? It doesn't sound very auspicious," one of the guests seemed rather particular.

"You'll see for yourself later. Her figure and appearance are incredibly alluring, that's why she's given such a moniker."

Listening to this, Yan Xin became somewhat anticipatory as well.

If this Miss Yun Rong was so remarkable, why didn't she continue singing?

Was she taken in by some influential person and retired from the stage?

Yan Xin took out her pocket watch for a glance.

It was still early before midnight, Yun Rong wouldn't come out so soon.

Jing Yuanzhao ordered drinks for the two of them.

As the waiter brought the drinks, a man followed behind, strolling leisurely.

He wore a long robe, exuding a refined demeanor.

Yan Xin noticed him and saw that he had spotted her, nodding in greeting.

Zhou Junwang approached and sat next to Jing Yuanzhao. "I've been inviting you every day, but you're always busy. Why did you come today?"

"I'm here to show my sister a good time," Jing Yuanzhao replied. "Why hasn't that singer come out yet?"

"The star always performs last. If she came out early, how would I make money?" Zhou Junwang laughed and added, "If you want to see her now, there's a way."

"What way?"