Chapter 18 Cold

Chapter 18: A Chill

The ivy leaves weren't sharp enough to break the skin. The fleeting sting made Chu Jin frown slightly, but he didn't pay it much mind.

The rain-soaked yard was heavy with moisture, and the cold wind made it even colder.

Out of nowhere, a hand grabbed his wrist, and a slow warmth seeped through Chu Jin's thin shirt.

Chu Jin halted in his tracks.

Behind him, Jin Zexu’s gaze fell on Chu Jin’s neck. The collar of his shirt wasn’t snug against his skin, and Jin Zexu noticed where the leaf had brushed against it.

It hadn’t broken the skin, but there was a faint redness.

Chu Jin looked down at Jin Zexu’s hand. "What are you doing?"

Jin Zexu’s voice was lazy as he proposed, "Don’t go. I like listening in—keep me company for a bit?"

Chu Jin paused. "...It’s too cold."

It wasn't an excuse; the yard was indeed cold at night.

He was only wearing a thin white shirt and a vest that offered little protection from the cold, his fingertips red.

Weather like this made it easy to catch a cold.

He thought it wouldn’t be so easy to get away, but to his surprise, Jin Zexu actually let go.

The pressure on his wrist vanished abruptly. Chu Jin was momentarily stunned, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Then let’s go back," the person in front of him said softly but decisively.

Chu Jin’s heart stirred. When he looked up again, Jin Zexu had already turned away, standing by the flowerbed with one hand in his pocket. His suit wasn’t perfectly tailored, the hem fluttering in the wind. The flowerbed was filled with the strong, stimulating fragrance of rosemary, and several blue ice cypress trees crowded together, almost obscuring most of Jin Zexu’s figure.

The two under the distant oak tree seemed to be arguing. Jin Zexu lit a cigarette.

As smoke rose, Chu Jin stepped on the fallen leaves on the ground, the crunching sound echoing.

Jin Zexu flicked ash from his cigarette. He knew Chu Jin had left.

Alone, he watched Nian Yi and Han Yang, his eyes dark and pensive.

A strong wind blew, and behind him, leaves rustled as they fell, covering Chu Jin’s footsteps.

"Five minutes," a calm voice sounded beside him. Chu Jin said, "Put out the cigarette."

Jin Zexu smiled. "Okay."

Chu Jin knew why he had turned back. Countless times, he had hidden in corners, moving through the wealthy and sprawling Chu family, trying to be a cold observer.

Rarely did anyone truly turn their gaze to him, yet everyone wanted to wring out the last bit of his value.

Now, things were different.

Five minutes—he could spare them.

"Chu Jin, how many times have you been in love?" Jin Zexu resumed his usual relaxed, lazy tone. "That day at the hospital, the girl on the report who was pregnant—who is she to you?"

"…………" Chu Jin said, "Four minutes left."

"Cheapskate," Jin Zexu muttered. "Nian Shi must have told you about my 'glorious deeds.'"

"I heard some. They are indeed glorious."

Jin Zexu laughed. "Seems she didn’t tell you the whole story. Otherwise, you’d probably think of me as a willful, unruly, cynical, spoiled heir."

Chu Jin glanced at him. "Aren’t you?"

"Tsk." Jin Zexu tsked, his tone flippant. "I’m a good person."

"Three minutes left, 'good person.'"

Jin Zexu went quiet.

The shadows of the two by the flowerbed stretched out long under the streetlamp overhead, overlapping.

The wind seemed to soften. The faint fragrance of rosemary drifted in the air, its clean, bitter scent enveloping the cypress trees, calm and steady. Chu Jin let out a soft sigh, his gaze fixed ahead.

Under the oak tree not far away, Nian Yi and Han Yang seemed to be finishing their conversation. Under their calm gazes, Nian Yi raised her hand and slapped Han Yang's face. Without looking back, she lifted her skirt and walked toward them.

Two minutes left.

Two minutes wouldn’t be enough for Nian Yi to reach them.

Nian Yi held her skirt, walking quickly and purposefully, decisively leaving the man behind her. Her demeanor could almost be called defiant.

Beside him, Jin Zexu raised a hand in greeting—whether to Nian Yi or the man left under the tree, Han Yang, it wasn't clear.

"Time’s up," Chu Jin said, remembering why he was here today. "You said you’d buy me a meal. When?"

Jin Zexu glanced at Nian Yi. "Later? I still have some things to take care of here."

"Then I’m going back to work."

"Work?" Jin Zexu chuckled. "Alright, see you in the hall later."

Chu Jin turned and left amid Nian Yi’s hurried footsteps. Nian Yi stopped breathlessly in front of Jin Zexu. Without a word, she threw a punch, landing it squarely on Jin Zexu’s shoulder.

"Why’d he leave?" Nian Yi complained. "I didn’t even get a clear look at his face!"

Jin Zexu: "Chen Hangzhi told me that Young Lady Nian has a sharp eye—always able to pinpoint the worst scumbag in a crowd and then date him. You say you didn’t get a clear look? Who’d believe that?"

"Can we not bring that up?" The topic annoyed her. Nian Yi pressed her lips together. "You said it yourself—it’s my talent for spotting scumbags. Unless you’re hoping the one who just left is a scumbag?"

Jin Zexu glanced under the oak tree. Han Yang was still standing there, not leaving.

"Sis, seems like the Han family guy is still hopelessly devoted, his sincerity undeniable."

Nian Yi snorted at his teasing. "If he took out his heart, even a dog wouldn’t eat it. How dare he use my money to cheat on me? Did he think I came back to him? Nonsense. I just wanted to slap him across the face myself—knock out a couple of his teeth, ideally."

Jin Zexu flinched. "Slapping him—didn’t it hurt your hand?"

Nian Yi had practiced taekwondo as a kid to fight Chen Hangzhi and the others. Now, as a doctor holding a scalpel, her hands were pretty strong.

"Now that you mention it, it does hurt a bit." Nian Yi rubbed her palm and looked in the direction Chu Jin had left. "Hey, you actually dared to bring someone to the old estate."

Jin Zexu raised an eyebrow, offhand. "What person?"

"Tsk." Nian Yi widened her eyes. "What do you mean, 'what person'? Wasn’t the one who just left your boyfriend?"

Nian Yi knew about Jin Zexu's preferences. At first, she didn't believe it and couldn't understand it, but after reading a few novels, she suddenly had an epiphany.

He said dismissively, "When did I ever say he was my boyfriend?"

Nian Yi subconsciously frowned, her expression exasperated, "Then why were you two standing together just now..."

"Standing together means we're dating? I'm his creditor, is that not allowed?"

Since when do decent creditors bring their debtors to banquets?

"Then why did he leave?"

Jin Zexu: "He said he had to get to work."

Nian Yi: "...Fine."

She shouldn't have expected to hear anything reliable from Jin Zexu.

Jin Zexu picked up the black umbrella Chu Jin had left behind and glanced toward Nian Yi's back. "Sis, instead of worrying about me, you should think about how to explain yourself to the person behind you."

Nian Yi was puzzled. *Behind her? Who?*

"Leaving." After saying that, Jin Zexu slipped away, looking pleased with himself, leaving Nian Yi alone to slowly turn around.

A man in a tailored suit stood not far away, watching her expressionlessly.

Nian Yi finally understood why Jin Zexu had suddenly called her "sis-in-law" earlier.

Dammit, Jin Zexu! She’d settle this with him sooner or later.

So, under Nian Yi’s somewhat guilty gaze, Jin Chenggui came over.

"You... when did you get here?" Nian Yi asked, lifting her head.

"When you were hitting someone," he said.

Nian Yi: "..." Well, her carefully maintained image of an elegant lady was ruined in an instant.

Jin Chenggui glanced at the necklace around Nian Yi’s neck, an unreadable glint in his eyes.

"Let’s go."

"Where to?"

Jin Chenggui had already started walking away but stopped at her question to glance back at her. "It’s about time. Let’s head to the hall."

Nian Yi finally snapped back to attention. "Oh."

...

Inside the hall, the guests who had arrived that evening had been waiting for a while, yet the two main figures of the banquet were still nowhere to be seen. Everyone present was a veteran in the business world; even if their thoughts were running wild, no one dared to gossip openly at a Jin family event.

The marriage alliance between the Nian and Jin families—anyone with eyes could see which side stood to gain more. When interests are unequal, collapse is a common outcome.

Normally, prestigious families like the Jins and Nians would not disregard their public image, so even if something unexpected happened, it wouldn’t be put on display for everyone to see.

Of course, that was conventional thinking. But everyone present knew the Jin family also had a second young master who played by his own rules.

A few years ago, at a banquet hosted by his brother, Jin Zexu had smashed a wine bottle over the head of a CEO’s son—an incident still remembered vividly. And recently, it was said this second young master had returned to the country.

Chu Jin stood waiting in a corner like the other servers.

The young boys around him were chatting about gossip, but Chu Jin tuned it out, his gaze fixed on a painting on a cabinet on the right side of the hall.

All evening, Nian Shi had been busy rushing around. She hadn’t found Jin Zexu or Nian Yi and returned to the hall looking defeated, though she did spot Chu Jin.

Nian Shi picked up a glass of champagne and walked over, though she was nervous.

She had no idea what Jin Zexu was planning. If the engagement party really fell apart, she was afraid her family and her sister would become the laughingstock of these people’s dinner table gossip.

"Mr. Chu," Nian Shi handed the champagne to Chu Jin and stood beside him.

Her parents were still mingling, but Jin Shenting and Bai Huihe had yet to appear.

Even if something were to happen now, it was too late for her to stop it.

"Mr. Chu, how much do you owe Jin Zexu? I’ll help you pay it back," Nian Shi said with a wry smile.

Chu Jin took the champagne, somewhat surprised. He hadn’t expected Nian Shi to mention this.

"No need. It’s just the money for a couple meals."

Hearing Chu Jin say it was only for two meals, Nian Shi thought to herself—since when had Jin Zexu become so stingy that he’d make someone repay him for two meals?

Chu Jin had a rough idea of what Nian Shi was worried about.

Nian Shi, raised under the care of her parents and older sister, was genuine and sweet-natured. Chu Jin hesitated for a moment. Dr. Chu, who usually stayed out of things, rarely gave reassurance: "He won’t ruin the engagement. Don’t worry."

Nian Shi was surprised. "Why?"

"Because the engagement isn’t just the Jin family’s affair. Zexu isn’t that irresponsible."

Nian Shi: "Who? Who said that?"

Nian Shi turned to look for the speaker but didn’t see anyone—instead, she got a flick on the head.

"It’s me, your cousin," Ji Heyang said. "How was it to spend the whole night stressed out, running around worried?"

Nian Shi rubbed her head, wincing, as she lowered it, admitting honestly, "Not good... Fine, I admit I was too impulsive back then."

Seeing that she meant it, Ji Heyang sighed. "Have you seen Nian Yi yet?"

"My sister? No," Nian Shi said. She’d gone to her sister’s guest room but didn’t find anyone.

"She wants to see you. Go find her after the engagement party." Ji Heyang turned her head toward the door. "Alright, go on. They’re here."

Ji Heyang’s words were also overheard by Chu Jin nearby. He noticed the crowd began to stir.

Walking at the front were likely Jin Zexu’s parents. Jin Zexu was at the very back, and in front of him were a man and a woman—the woman was Nian Yi, and the man was probably Jin Zexu’s brother.

Jin Zexu’s gaze swept over the crowd and landed precisely on Chu Jin’s location.

Just as their eyes were about to meet, Chu Jin quietly averted his eyes.

Unlike those powerful figures shaped by wealth, Jin Shenting, walking at the forefront, had a smile that could be described as warm. The lines on his face were clear, yet he remained gentle, unassuming, and steady and imposing.

And beside him, Mrs. Jin, always wearing a faint smile, was equally elegant and understated, walking calmly and gracefully.

While everyone else's attention was focused on Jin Shenting, Ji Heyang was looking at Chu Jin.

"Dr. Chu, want a drink?"

As he spoke, he slid a glass over. The two glasses collided with a dull thud, causing the champagne in Chu Jin's hand to slosh around.

Chu Jin snapped out of it. "I have a cold, I can't drink."

Ji Heyang seemed surprised. "My mistake."

Chu Jin didn't respond. Ji Heyang followed his gaze and looked at the oil painting. "Are you interested in that painting?"

"Yes," Chu Jin replied frankly. "Who painted it?"

"Zexu's uncle, Bai Jinfeng."

"Is he here today?"

"He's dead."

Chu Jin felt a jolt and fell silent.

The painting showed a single red rose.

Yet the simplicity was weirdly twisted—the rose's thorns were painted where the petals should be, the already decayed petals stuck to the stem, while the vibrant petals were spread across the bottom of the canvas.

The overall image was lavish and extravagant, yet it gave off a rotten feeling—heavy, oppressive, and made it hard to breathe.

Chu Jin frowned. After staring at the painting for a while, he suddenly felt sick to his stomach.

His chin trembled a little as he took a deep breath, trying to fight back nausea rising in his throat.

"Are you alright?" Ji Heyang noticed something was wrong with Chu Jin.

Chu Jin tried to play it cool. "I'm fine."

Ji Heyang wasn't buying it. "Dr. Chu, you look pretty pale. Are you feeling unwell?"

He couldn't hold it back anymore.

"Sorry." Chu Jin's expression suddenly changed. He threw out an apology and, under Ji Heyang's confused look, covered his mouth with one hand and hurried outside.

"Ugh—"

Leaning against a tree trunk, Chu Jin gagged dryly. Having eaten nothing all evening, there was nothing to vomit, and in the end, he could only bring up some stomach acid.

The taste in his mouth was awful.

Chu Jin hadn't expected his morning sickness to be so severe that even looking at a painting could make him vomit.

After leaning against the tree for a while to recover, Chu Jin patted his pockets, searching for a tissue, but they were empty—there was nothing inside.

Dr. Chu's germophobia kicked in; he didn't want to wipe his mouth with his sleeve and was hesitating when a pink handkerchief appeared in front of him.

"Here, wipe your mouth." Jin Zexu's voice came from behind him.

To be precise, Jin Zexu had followed him the moment he saw Chu Jin rush out.

Chu Jin stared at the pink handkerchief for three seconds before reaching out to take it. "Thank you."

Seeing Chu Jin accept the handkerchief, Jin Zexu scowled. "Vomiting again?"

This was the second time.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you're pregnant."

Chu Jin stopped wiping, his voice weak but his tone sharp. "Screw you."

Jin Zexu laughed softly and handed over a bottle of water he had just opened. "Alright, alright, pregnant my ass. Here, rinse your mouth."

After rinsing, the bad taste in his mouth finally faded considerably.

Chu Jin kept his head down, avoiding looking at Jin Zexu, so he didn't realize how infuriating the man leaning casually against the tree trunk with his arms crossed looked.

Perhaps it was from being outside in the cold for too long, but Chu Jin felt both hot and cold, his head slightly dizzy. Just his luck—

...It seemed he had caught a cold.