Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Jiang Jining woke up naturally and made tea alone in the courtyard.

After a few months here, he had long realized that apart from the housekeeper and the elderly, no one else got up as early as he did.

Of course, there were exceptions. Ji Huan had chosen a room on the first floor facing the courtyard. She was up early, opened the window, and asked him, "A Ning, what would you like to eat?"

Jiang Jining really isn't picky when he's out. "Anything is fine."

Ji Huan had made many bite-sized shrimp wontons. She boiled two bowls in water and froze the rest for the team members. Eating them warmed the stomach.

Jiang Jining tasted a hint of homey flavor.

Sitting opposite Ji Huan, he listened as she called the nanny at home to check on how her child was doing last night. After hanging up, he asked if everyone in the Fu family knew how to cook. She laughed and said she mostly only knew how to make some baby food.

"I make this quite often."

Ji Huan pointed to the wontons in the bowl and told him, "A Ze's secret recipe for the filling. Everyone in the family loves it."

No wonder it suited his taste so well.

Thinking of the apple pie from last night that left a lingering fragrance in his mouth, Jiang Jining lowered his head to sip the savory broth and smiled faintly.

8:15 a.m.

No one else in the villa was awake yet.

Ji Huan explained that their route was different from the others' and headed out alone with Jiang Jining.

After getting in the car, the driver asked, "Ms. Ji, same place as yesterday?"

Ji Huan: "Yes."

Jiang Jining finally thought to ask, "Where are we going?"

"To visit a friend." Ji Huan spoke as if it were casual conversation. "It's a nice place for a walk. Just relax."

When Jiang Jining came out, he saw she had changed into a cheongsam, her curly hair pinned up, her figure graceful and her demeanor gentle. He thought this friend must be quite important.

They arrived at their destination.

After getting out of the car, they still had to walk a stretch.

Jiang Jining accompanied Ji Huan through the main streets and ancient alleys until they reached an old house with blue bricks and a tiled roof, only to be turned away by that "friend."

They knocked twice in a row, but no one answered.

The sky was misty, with no sign of clearing.

Seeing the dark clouds gradually gathering, Jiang Jining said without much thought, "Someone was selling umbrellas at the intersection earlier. I'll go take a look."

Ji Huan thought it wasn't too far. "Go ahead."

"I'll be back soon." Jiang Jining left alone, walking out of the alley from memory and disappearing around the corner.

Ji Huan persistently knocked once more.

This time—

The door creaked open a crack.

"Sister, why are you here again?"

A little girl in a navy blue embroidered blouse peeked out from the double wooden doors. She had two fishtail braids and looked up at Ji Huan, saying, "Don't come again. My dad was angry yesterday."

Ji Huan smiled gently, placed her bag to the side, crouched down, and touched the little girl's braids. "I'm not here to talk business today."

The little girl stared at her. "Then what are you here for?"

"To buy a gift for a friend."

Ji Huan glanced to the side. "I just passed by your family's shop, but it wasn't open yet. So, like before, I came here."

The little girl thought for a moment and told her honestly, "My mom is sick. My dad has to take care of her, so he didn't open the shop. I'll go call them. Sister, come in and sit—"

The little girl hopped and opened the door.

"I'll wait right here."

Ji Huan was afraid of disturbing their peace, so she stood up under the eaves.

A drop of rain fell on her cheek, feeling sticky. Her white leather high heels couldn't get wet, so she pulled her feet back slightly.

"Sister-in-law." A soft, moderate voice.

Ji Huan looked at Jiang Jining walking over with an umbrella and her eyes lit up with admiration. "Which shop is this umbrella from?"

It was stunningly beautiful.

A sky-blue oil-paper umbrella in the rainy alley, held by Jiang Jining as he approached, seemed almost otherworldly.

"Just bought it randomly." Jiang Jining tilted the umbrella slightly toward Ji Huan. "This street seems to have many artisans. The elderly person said it was some kind of craft... I thought it looked nice, so I bought it."

"Intangible cultural heritage craft."

Ji Huan also looked at it for a while and mused, "The dye for this color is really good. The fabric dyed with it would be beautiful too. Later, take me to ask the master how it's mixed."

Jiang Jining nodded. "Okay."

"They're at the door—"

"Who told you to open the door secretly?"

"I'm telling the truth! Sister really brought a friend. They're here to buy something!"

"Alright, it's so early in the morning, you're making me dizzy..."

The voice abruptly stopped.

Ji Huan nodded slightly. "Master Ji."

"Ah, hello, Ms. Ji."

A middle-aged woman wearing a traditional jacket with ink-wash embroidery walked out. Her graying hair was faintly hidden at her temples. Her demeanor was simple yet dignified. Her gaze lingered on Jiang Jining holding the umbrella. After a fleeting glance, she seemed distracted and asked, "This is..."

"My brother."

Ji Huan said to the woman and the man who had come out of the courtyard holding a child, "Are you open now? We'd like to look around."

Master Ji nodded and said, "Yes."

She then gestured to her husband, who looked somewhat displeased, "Go on, open the shop for business. They've been waiting for a while."

The man remained silent, put down his daughter, and walked out.

Without lingering, Ji Huan turned and linked arms with Jiang Jining, filling him in: "Master Ji is the most skilled in Suzhou embroidery locally. Her rolling needle technique is exceptional. I didn't bring a gift for Miss Bian when I picked you up yesterday, so keep me company while I browse."

"Alright."

Jiang Jining had initially only intended to accompany her.

But once he actually entered this two-story traditional antique embroidery shop, he found himself picking up many items to examine closely.

Among them was a fan, double-sided embroidery, with a pond of koi fish leaping vividly onto the fabric through exquisite and delicate needlework, appearing lifelike before his eyes.

If he had come across this in the past, Jiang Jining would have immediately added it to his collection. However, it was too conspicuous now—clearly something feminine—so he didn't linger on it for too long.

There were many Suzhou embroidery silk scarves.

Ji Huan wanted his opinion on each one.

Jiang Jining was simply perfect as a model, standing there holding an umbrella, each scarf making him look even more striking.

Even Ji Huan couldn't help but ask, "A Ning, has Yuze ever gone shopping with you?"

Jiang Jining shook his head.

Ji Huan blinked, "Then have him try it next time." It was just too satisfying.

Jiang Jining nodded obediently.

When checking out, Ji Huan also took the fan. Master Ji, who had appeared at the counter at some point, smiled at her, her gaze slowly drifting over to Jiang Jining.

After paying, Ji Huan said to the male shopkeeper, "Please wrap it nicely. It's a gift. Thank you."

The man had a naturally stern face, but fortunately, his tone wasn't offensive. He replied flatly, "Alright."

"A Ning, let's go."

Ji Huan called out to Jiang Jining, who was still looking around.

As the latter walked over slowly, Master Ji suddenly spoke up, "Did you make the clothes he's wearing?"

Ji Huan replied, "Yes."

"Did you do it yourself?" Master Ji glanced at her slender, delicate fingers, expressing doubt.

"The embroidery and patterns weren't done by me. I handled the main design part, and the execution was left to our embroiderers." Ji Huan casually shared a few details.

The two of them struck up a conversation between themselves.

Jiang Jining listened quietly.

Ji Huan didn't chat for long before taking him away. Once in the car, he saw her smiling as she called her secretary.

"Thank you, A Ning."

After hanging up, Ji Huan shook his hand.

Jiang Jining felt the cool touch of her large pigeon-egg-sized ring and asked, "Why thank me?"

"This is my third time coming here." Ji Huan spoke to him without reservation, "I've always wanted to collaborate with Master Ji, but unfortunately her health isn't great. Even though I mentioned that Yunzhi's custom line isn't mass-produced, her husband has turned us away every time. We could never get anywhere in our previous conversations."

Jiang Jining was somewhat surprised, "Today... did it work out?"

"Not yet." Ji Huan was already quite satisfied, "Before, when I brought finished products to them, they wouldn't even take a second look. This time, thanks to you, Master Ji is actually considering it."

As the youngest and the face of the team this time, Jiang Jining's role was evident to everyone.

Ji Huan had organized several major fashion shows before.

She wasn't lacking in experience or network when it came to finding models, but before meeting Jiang Jining, she had never considered such an idea. Who knew that just one visit would yield so much?

Jiang Jining didn't fully understand but was happy, "I'm glad I could help."

"You're practically my little lucky star."

Ji Huan didn't hold back on praising and expressing her fondness for him.

It was still early, so Ji Huan and Jiang Jining went to the umbrella shop to inquire about dyes. The streets and alleys were interconnected, with many tourists coming and going, stopping and starting along the way.

Jiang Jining offered to explore on his own.

"Alone?" Ji Huan remembered someone's instructions clearly, "How about I accompany you for a walk after we're done here?"

"I'll just look around nearby."

Jiang Jining noticed her slender high heels, showed her his fully charged portable device, and repeatedly assured her that he remembered the way and would return within half an hour to meet up. Only then did Ji Huan agree.

Ji Huan entered the shop to negotiate with the owner.

Jiang Jining wandered around, stopping here and there. The rain had even stopped, and sunlight faintly filtered through the clouds, casting a gentle glow over the road. Slowly, more and more people gathered around him.

The sky cleared after the rain.

Pedestrians, intentionally or not, all headed in one direction.

Jiang Jining closed his umbrella and curiously followed the crowd to the end, where a long staircase awaited. He watched as people naturally began climbing it.

It seemed to be an ancient temple—

The blue background with gold-lettered signboard was exquisitely carved. Aside from the characters, the area around the sign wasn't very bright, making the four characters "Dragon King Ancient Temple" appear even more solemn, like a dusty pearl—a place of incense and worship that had been neglected.

Jiang Jining carefully observed the few people who still came to burn incense. They were dressed simply, likely all locals.

Thinking he had nothing else to do, he entered, paid for incense, read the instructions, and, under the guidance of a monk, went to the incense burner. He closed his eyes, made a wish, and tossed in three sticks of incense.

There weren't many worshippers.

But the incense burner had never gone out.

The ancient temple had a profound and rich history. Jiang Jining felt a natural affinity for it. Once inside, he felt completely at ease doing anything, and before he knew it, he had wandered to the most secluded and largest Dragon King Hall.

Just then, a mother and daughter walked out together.

"Uh..."

The girl in her early twenties halted in her tracks.

She quickly grabbed her mother's arm, gazing at Jiang Jining in a daze, then glanced back at the entrance to the Dragon King Hall and murmured softly, "Mom... I wasn't praying for a husband, was I?"

Her mother chuckled. Noticing Jiang Jining looking at the divination slip in their hands, she said, "Are you here to draw a fortune slip too? There aren’t many people inside—you can go in."

Jiang Jining entered, not fully comprehending.

However, with the guidance of signs and a monk’s explanation, he was instructed to silently recite his wish.

The first thought that popped into Jiang Jining’s mind was returning home. As he focused on this, a single slip fell from the divination cylinder.

After receiving the slip, a young monk noticed his clear gaze and spirited, unworldly innocence. He kindly led him to a familiar fortune slip interpreter, and Jiang Jining waited attentively for the result.

The interpreter told him—

"All will be as you wish. This is a most auspicious sign. Act according to your heart, and the result will follow. I believe you already understand this."