Wang Bo frantically lowered the small boat from the ship, and both of them jumped on, but it was too late. The black figure appeared on the small boat in an instant along with them. The boat could at most carry two people; one more would likely cause it to sink, and if it sank, Bing Zhi feared she would die before achieving her revenge.
No! Not allowed! She couldn’t give up like this. She couldn’t die here. Bing Zhi forced herself to calm down.
She was now so close to him that her years of assassination training must be of some use. At least she could force him to retreat!
An unusual silence descended, so profound that even he, who could hear sounds from dozens of miles away, could not detect a single noise – though this did not include the sound of Bing Zhi’s chopsticks.
Xiao Jin strode towards the woman occupying his usual seat. Perhaps because Bing Zhi was also a martial artist, she could tell from his footsteps that he was no ordinary person. His steps were steady, which made her instinctively wary of the approaching man.
“Sir, your wine is ready. That, that, we’ve prepared a private room for you…” The waiter could only think of this way to make amends.
Xiao Jin’s sharp gaze immediately swept over the waiter. “You should understand my habits. Now, what will you do?” He looked towards Bing Zhi, who was still lowering her head eating noodles. Though he said nothing explicitly, his meaning was crystal clear.
“This…” The waiter was truly caught between a rock and a hard place. Customers were gods, and Xiao Jin was a god among gods!
At this moment, Bing Zhi stood up. She was not specifically helping the waiter out of his predicament, but simply because it was time for her to leave. “Waiter, please settle the bill.”
As she stood and raised her head, she happened to meet Xiao Jin’s now-calm gaze.
A tall, slender young man in his early twenties, dressed in a flowing white robe, gave the impression of someone from a distinguished background, as evidenced by the ornaments at his waist. His eyes looked lazy, but upon closer inspection, they carried an almost imperceptible killing intent that inspired fear.
This was definitely not an ordinary person. Bing Zhi made this simple judgment in her heart. But she did not need to know who he was.
She had come only for revenge.
When Xiao Jin saw Bing Zhi’s appearance, he did not seem particularly surprised. Instead, a hard-to-decipher light flashed in his eyes.
“Oh! Okay. Five coins.” The waiter quickly said. Bing Zhi was already lowering her head to find her wallet to pay. As she reached for her bag, the jade pendant appeared in her view again. “It will be useful,” was the only words Wang Bo had time to say when giving her the jade.
Chapter 3: Deciphering the Jade (2)
“Wait,” Xiao Jin said. Seeing the jade pendant confirmed his thoughts. “This lady’s bill is on my account. Also, find her a clean and elegant room.” As he spoke, he seemed to deliberately lift his robe, revealing something that was previously hidden.
Bing Zhi was about to refuse outright – her identity was special, and she did not want too much interaction with strangers. But after seeing the jade pendant that Xiao Jin seemed unintentionally showing her, she decided to wait and see. Perhaps things were about to change.
“Coming right up! Our best room.”
The waiter could only comply.
“No, two rooms. I’ll be staying here tonight as well.” Xiao Jin surprised everyone again. He had never stayed at any inn before, except this one. But he had always avoided staying at inns.
The Yue Lai Inn had now broken its precedent twice. The waiter couldn’t imagine it and could only follow instructions. “Uh, okay. This way, please.” He led Bing Zhi and Xiao Jin upstairs.
“Miss, is this room satisfactory?” The waiter was extra cautious, entirely because of Xiao Jin.
Bing Zhi did not answer, simply walking into the room and dismissing the waiter by closing the door. She needed to rest quietly. Although she had rested at the fishing house for a few days, the long journey had exhausted her.
Xiao Jin walked directly into the adjacent room, leaving the waiter to worry about the meal.
A quiet night. Only a cool breeze remained.
Xiao Jin pushed open Bing Zhi’s room door and walked in, as if he felt no impropriety.
“I’ve been waiting,” Bing Zhi was not asleep, just standing by the window, gazing at the moonlight.
She knew he would come.
Xiao Jin showed no embarrassment at being discovered, instead laughing heartily. “How did the lady know I would visit?” This intrigued him. Although he had given hints, he believed most ordinary people would not understand his meaning.
“Jade matches jade, isn’t that right?” Her words were profound, with layers of meaning.
“Excellent!” Xiao Jin praised her, genuinely impressed by this woman.
“Does the lady recognize this jade?” He removed the jade from his waist.
Bing Zhi turned to face Xiao Jin, studying the man before her. A wild and uninhibited personality, yet with a nobility’s unique pride and dominance. Clearly not an ordinary person – just from his act of boldly entering a woman’s room, one could tell he was destined for great things.
Xiao Jin casually tossed the jade. Bing Zhi snapped out of her thoughts and caught the jade flying towards her. “Thank you for the gift,” she said.
Chapter 3: Jade Retrieval (3)
The moment Bing Zhi caught the jade pendant, Xiao Jin immediately sat down in the chair next to the tea table.
It was very familiar, completely matching the half jade pendant Wang Bo had given to Bing Zhi. While its shape and carving could be imitated exactly, the texture and color of jade were absolutely unique.
Who was he exactly? Why would Wang Bo entrust her to such a person? Bing Zhi pondered in her heart.
“You have something to say,” Bing Zhi pointed out the purpose of Xiao Jin’s visit.
A look of praise flashed in Xiao Jin’s eyes, and he said, “Was the jade given to you by someone who calls himself Wang Bo? I am his adopted son.”
Even Bing Zhi, who had been with him for many years, did not know Wang Bo’s real name. People on the island called him that. It seemed this person was telling the truth.
“How can I trust you?” Bing Zhi continued to probe.
“You already believe me!” he said confidently.
Bing Zhi laughed, “Now I’ll tell you. Wang Bo is dead. I could have saved him, but I didn’t.” Although Bing Zhi believed him, she was still testing, as the blood feud on her body did not allow for misjudgment.
Stunned, Xiao Jin had not expected Bing Zhi to be so frank in front of someone who had lost a loved one.
“I see. If you need my help, just throw this to the ground.” After placing something on the tea table, he walked towards the door.
Bing Zhi did not speak. Only when Xiao Jin reached the door did she throw the jade back to him and say, “You are heartless.”
Bing Zhi had wanted to see if he would ask for it back. Now, seeing he had no such intention, keeping the jade seemed pointless.
However, Xiao Jin’s calmness was within Bing Zhi’s expectations. If she could obtain his help, revenge would not be difficult in the future.
Xiao Jin gave a cold laugh, “So are you.” Then he closed the door.
Bing Zhi returned to stand by the window. Outside, the bamboo shadows swayed faintly, making a rustling sound. And so, a night passed.
Bing Zhi was lowering her head to eat when she suddenly looked up, narrowed her eyes to size up the young waiter. After a while, she slowly spoke again: “Are there any secluded houses nearby?”
The waiter broke out in a cold sweat under her gaze. But after hearing Bing Zhi’s question, his professional instincts kicked in. “Miss, are you looking to rent or buy a house? I know of a very quiet place!”
“Buy,” Bing Zhi said, then stood up. “Take me to see it now.” She needed a place to stay, and living in an inn was neither safe nor convenient.
