Chapter 4 Hearing She Would Remarry, She Perked Up

Chapter 4 Hearing She Would Remarry, She Perked Up

The distant clatter of trams could be heard.

Lin Yufan didn’t expect Zhao Zhiao to look up at her. She knew it was abrupt to suddenly drop her smile, but it was a reflex, not intentional.

After all, Zhao Zhiao was here today for a matchmaking meeting with Huan Jieer. She didn’t want to stir up trouble, so she stepped back inside.

Soon, she heard the voices of Zhao Lijie and his brothers. Lin Yufan peeked out slightly and saw the First Master and the Third Master going out to greet them, humble and respectful, though they were the elder brothers.

Another car pulled up behind them, probably with other important guests.

Lin Yufan closed the curtains and settled back into the rocking chair to rest.

After a while, she heard footsteps outside, and Xi Gu hurried in, followed by the elderly servant Feng Ma from the old lady’s side.

It turned out that Sun Jingxi had helped her get the small gold bars back. Feng Ma personally delivered them and took the IOU from Lin Yufan’s hand.

After Feng Ma left, Xi Gu whispered, "The old lady has her own savings."

Lin Yufan knew the old lady had private savings. She put away the three gold bars and complimented with a smile, "Xi Gu, you’re incredible."

"I’m shameless; I just wouldn’t budge. They heard the guests were arriving downstairs and were afraid I’d make a scene. Also, Zhao Lijie promised to make time to get the items from the safe this afternoon."

Make time this afternoon?

What if Zhao Lijie found excuses to stall after the guests left?

As long as he dragged it past tomorrow’s wedding, he could back out later.

Sun Jingxi understood Lin Yufan’s concern. She glanced at the clock and said, "I have to rush home. Unfortunately, your uncle is hosting a lunch today too. I’ll come back as soon as I can after lunch. I’ll join you at the bank this afternoon."

Lin Yufan worried that if they couldn’t leverage the presence of the important guests at lunch, Xi Gu’s arrival in the afternoon would be in vain. After thinking, she said, "Xi Gu, you have guests at home; there’s no need to rush over this afternoon. Since you’ve already talked to them, I’ll go find Zhao Lijie myself."

"Can you manage it alone?"

"Yes, I can. But before you go, Xi Gu, could you do me one more favor?"

Sun Jingxi was still a bit uneasy. "What is it? Tell me quickly."

"Do you know Zhao Lixiang?"

"Zhao Zhiao’s younger brother? I know him. When Yun Jie was still around, he often came here to play chess with you. Isn’t he studying at university in Beijing?"

"He came today too."

Sun Jingxi instantly understood. "Oh, I see."

*

Zhao Lixiang sat bored next to his elder brother, watching the people at the dining table engage in superficial toasts and exchanges. He just focused on eating a plate full of bony braised shad with scallions.

During the meal, his elder brother called him to go into the inner room to toast the old lady.

On the surface, Zhao Lixiang seemed like a clueless young master, but he wasn’t stupid.

After coming out of the inner room, he whispered in Zhao Zhiao’s ear, "They’re matchmaking for you? Shouldn’t they call Mom over?"

Zhao Zhiao glared at him, "Eat your fish!"

Zhao Lixiang insisted, "Big brother, what kind of sister-in-law are you planning to marry to keep your three concubines in Hong Kong in check... The one in there seems too meek; I doubt she’ll manage."

With so many people around, Zhao Zhiao managed a smile and held back his temper, speaking in a low voice that only the two brothers could hear, "If you don't shut up, I'll throw you to Siberia."

"I'm eating fish," Zhao Lixiang chuckled, picking up his chopsticks to continue eating.

He didn’t dare to really upset his elder brother.

The men were seated at the table in the main hall, with Zhao Lijie and Zhao Mingjie accompanying them. They subtly observed Zhao Zhiao's expression and could roughly tell that he wasn't interested in their niece.

After lunch, the eldest lady accompanied Zhao Zhiao's teacher's wife, Mrs. Dong, out of the inner room.

Mrs. Dong inquired with a smile, "What are your plans next?"

Mr. Dong, knowing his wife hadn't given up on matchmaking, said, "We’ll follow the host’s lead."

The eldest lady happily took over, "It’s a nice day today, not too sunny or rainy. We can take a stroll to the central garden at the intersection. After getting tired, we can have tea and play mahjong there."

Zhao Lijie knew that high-ranking officials like Commander Ji wouldn't find it convenient to stroll in the public garden. He wanted to engage more with them and build a closer relationship, so he suggested, "Let’s play mahjong at home first. The ladies can rest in the afternoon, and we'll all go out for tea later."

So they opted to play mahjong first.

Commander Ji was quite the mahjong enthusiast, and Zhao Zhiao was unusually willing to join.

Mr. Dong had heard they played for big money and, afraid of losing and being scolded by his wife, hesitated to join. He excused himself, "I’ve had a bit to drink. I’ll take a nap."

With one player missing for mahjong, Zhao Lijie quickly called his younger brother, "Mingjie, you join."

Zhao Mingjie, who usually enjoyed a game of cards, wasn’t in the mood today, "I need to go to the garden entrance to book a table later. Let Lixiang join!"

Zhao Lixiang shook his head, declining to join in, "I don't know how to play."

In the end, Zhao Mingjie was dragged into the game.

*

Downstairs, the noise persisted as Gui Xiang finally arrived with lunch.

"These snobs laid out three tables of dishes and didn't leave anything for you, miss. I had to go and pester them several times before Sun the Cook casually whipped up some scrambled eggs with scallions and a bit of sweet ginger. That's all there was."

During wartime, eggs were a luxury, but Gui Xiang was mainly upset by the attitude of those below.

"They’re just picking on you, miss, for being alone, for being a widow. If it weren’t for the guests today, I’d have raised hell in the kitchen."

Lin Yufan’s attention was fixed downstairs, "Are they playing mahjong?"

"Yes, and they’re betting big. The eldest and third masters are playing with them. It seems they've lost quite a bit of money. The third master wants to leave, but no one is taking his place."

Lin Yufan knew Gui Xiang hadn't eaten yet. She only ate half of the scrambled eggs and left the rest for her.

After eating, Lin Yufan applied light makeup and changed into a simple cheongsam with no decorative hairpins, looking very low-key.

She reclined on the chaise lounge, resting with her eyes closed.

After waiting for about an hour, the clock struck twice, and the sound of mahjong downstairs stopped. She opened her eyes, got up, and stood in front of the mirror to tidy her appearance.

Gui Xiang hurried in, "Miss, they're preparing to go to the garden entrance."

*

At the mahjong table, Zhao Zhiao's family won against the other three. He had been preoccupied with other thoughts all day, and the small winnings didn't stir any excitement in him.

But Zhao Lijie and Zhao Mingjie were heartbroken, having lost hundreds of dollars in just one noon.

They didn't dare to show it, still wearing smiles on their faces.

If Zhao Zhiao hadn’t ended up as their niece’s husband, he would have really missed out today.

Commander Ji had official duties in the afternoon and left right at two.

The Zhao brothers quietly sighed in relief.

Mr. and Mrs. Dong took Zhao Zhiao to the garden entrance, and the Zhao brothers and the women joined them.

They still hoped to give Zhao Zhiao and Huan Jieer some time alone.

Second Aunt and Third Madam walked Huan Jieer downstairs. Huan Jieer, shy and head down, didn’t dare look at Zhao Zhiao, her hunched posture making her seem timid and awkward.

First Madam was so frustrated she wanted to stomp her foot but held back, only whispering, “Stand up straight.”

The attendants cleared the mahjong table while Zhao Zhiao whispered to the commander and then excused himself, “I have other plans, so I’ll pass.”

Everyone was stunned. Clearly, Zhao Zhiao wasn’t interested in Huan Jieer and didn’t want to waste time pretending.

Zhao Mingjie, sharper than his brother, quickly changed the subject, “Let’s go with Mr. and Mrs. Dong and Li Xiang.”

Zhao Lixiang was a college student, and with his big brother’s backing, he was bound to go far.

Plus, he was a better match for Huan Jieer age-wise.

Zhao Zhiao watched his younger brother, curious how he’d deal with such a pointless social obligation.

Zhao Lixiang, lounging in his chair, stood up and said, “Isn’t Brother Lijie heading to Huide Bank? I’ll tag along.”

Zhao Lijie was caught off guard, stammering, “I’m on leave for a family celebration, so I’m not working.”

Zhao Lixiang grinned, “Not for work. Just now, Xi Gu—I mean Mrs. He—had to leave. She asked me to go with Fourth Madam and Brother Lijie to the bank to get something from the safe.”

Zhao Lijie was speechless.

This couldn’t have been Lin Yufan’s idea.

It had to be Sun Jingxi!

Zhao Lijie never expected Sun Jingxi to pull this stunt, forcing him to open the safe.

What a sneaky move!

With so many people watching, especially Commander Ji and Zhao Zhiao, Zhao Lijie couldn’t refuse without raising questions and embarrassing the family.

He forced a smile, “I was planning to go to the garden entrance first, then the bank.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got stuff to do later too.” Zhao Lixiang spotted Gui Xiang peeking from the stairs and called out, “Gui Xiang, tell Fourth Madam to come down. We’re heading to the bank.”

“Got it!” Gui Xiang replied briskly.

Mrs. Dong, seeing her plan fall apart, lost interest. “Oh, the garden entrance can wait. You’ve got a celebration tomorrow and plenty to do. Let’s go another time.”

First Madam glanced at the disappointed Second Aunt and Huan Jieer, who looked like she wanted to disappear, feeling a bit annoyed. She forced a smile, “Another day works. We’ll figure it out.”

Third Madam, spotting a chance to get her things back, jumped in, “Since we’re skipping the garden entrance, I’ll go to the bank with Fourth Madam.”

Everyone waited in the courtyard for the car. Mrs. Dong glanced at the west wing’s second floor and asked with a smile, “I heard from Mrs. He that Fourth Madam’s decided to remarry?”

Third Madam explained in a hushed tone, "Originally, she was unwilling. She wanted to adopt our Dong Geer, but after consulting a fortune teller, we found that Dong Geer's birth chart was incompatible with hers."

Zhao Zhiao, who was standing nearby talking to Commander Ji, overheard and couldn't help but turn to look at Zhao Lixiang. Sure enough, upon hearing the news that Lin Yufan was about to remarry, Zhao Lixiang’s spirits lifted noticeably!

Just as he was about to tell his brother not to cause any trouble today, he noticed that the usually composed Commander Ji had a change in his expression!

Zhao Zhiao looked up and saw a woman wearing a deep blue and white checkered cheongsam (a traditional Chinese dress), topped with a knitted cardigan, her shoulder-length hair looking elegant and proper.

But her curvaceous and graceful figure, her fair and translucent skin, and her delicate and beautiful face were truly alluring.

Lin Yufan's eyes swept across the people in the courtyard, making no eye contact with anyone, radiating an air of detachment.

It was the beautiful woman who had just greeted his brother from the second floor!

Zhao Zhiao coughed lightly, and upon being reminded, Commander Ji, snapping out of his trance, pretended to casually avert his gaze.

The others in the courtyard caught Commander Ji's lapse and exchanged glances without speaking.

Just then, Commander Ji's adjutant came in to report that the car was already waiting at the door.

Commander Ji asked Zhao Lixiang, "Li Xiang, are you going to Huide Bank (a prominent local bank)? Hop in my car. I’m heading that way anyway."

Zhao Lixiang was no fool; it was clear that Commander Ji's intentions were not what they seemed. The commander’s invitation wasn’t for him but for Lin Yufan, who was also going to Huide Bank.