Chapter 62: A Job Well Done
The shock from Big Sister Su Rong naming his aunt settled heavily over the dining table. Lu Feng quickly suppressed his visible surprise, smoothing his expression back into a calm mask.
"How do you know my aunt?" Lu Feng asked, his voice steady and controlled, though a dozen possibilities flashed through his mind.
Su Rong let out a soft, melodic chuckle, shaking her head gently. "That is a story for another day, Young Master Lu."
She glanced past him, her sharp, discerning eyes taking in the stunned expressions around the mahogany table. Neither Han Lin nor Ye Chenxue had expected a premier figure in Crimson Vale to casually drop the name of Lu Feng’s relative.
Meanwhile, Lin Laifu and Ma Guiren sat in utter, bewildered silence, their brows furrowed as they tried to figure out what kind of background this ’humble traveler’ actually possessed.
"It would be better if we met another time to discuss it in full," Su Rong continued, smoothing down her red silk robes with refined elegance. "Besides, I wouldn’t want to steal you away from the beauties by your side for too long—especially considering someone still has his eyes on them."
The subtle jab hung in the air with sharp clarity. Everyone present knew she was referring directly to Ma Guiren’s earlier perverted antics. Ma Guiren shrank back, cursing under his breath, but even Lin Laifu let out a dry, awkward cough, shifting uncomfortably in his seat like a thief who had just been caught red-handed.
Lu Feng maintained his composure, offering a brief, measured answer. "My aunt is faring well."
That was all he gave her. He would decide whether Su Rong was worthy of learning anything more after their next private conversation.
Hearing his words, Su Rong’s smile softened into something far more genuine, and she nodded in clear satisfaction. "Good. That is fine news indeed."
The subtle warmth in her voice did not escape Lu Feng. The way she spoke about Lu Ruoxi told him that Su Rong was, at the very least, on good terms with his aunt. That realization earned her a degree of quiet respect in his mind.
Standing up from the table, Lu Feng brought his hands together before him and cupped them, offering a polite, respectful bow to bid her farewell. "I will be sure to return to the pavilion for that discussion, Senior Su."
Su Rong smiled warmly, offering a gentle wave of her hand before turning back toward the silk curtains and disappearing smoothly into the inner halls of the pavilion.
With her departure, the breakfast resumed in a fragile, tense peace, though fortunately, it did not last much longer.
Ma Guiren was the very first to stand up, unable to stomach the awkward atmosphere any longer. He adjusted his heavy gold rings and glared down at Lin Laifu. "I am looking forward to our next meeting to finish our trade discussion, Little Lin."
Lin Laifu wiped his sweaty brow, nodding quickly. "We will meet in three days’ time at the southern exchange, Brother Ma."
Ma Guiren then slowly turned his piggy eyes toward Lu Feng, his lips curling into a dark, underlying sneer. "And as for you... I hope you and your companions enjoy your stay in Crimson Vale."
The threat hidden within the sentence was as clear as day. Yet, instead of showing caution, Lu Feng looked back at him with an unbothered, almost amused expression.
"I am looking forward to our next meeting as well, Master Ma," Lu Feng replied calmly, his mismatched eyes fixing on the fat merchant. "And I hope it will be private, too."
Ma Guiren blinked, thoroughly confused by the young man’s strange confidence and cryptic tone. He scoffed loudly, shaking his head with utter disdain. "If it wasn’t for Little Lin, we wouldn’t have met in the first place!"
It was a partially true statement, but what Ma Guiren failed to grasp was that Lu Feng was the actual person who had answered his coded letter, not Lin Laifu. While staying at Lin Laifu’s estate had set the stage, Lu Feng’s reply under the alias ’The Wolf’ was the true catalyst that had brought Ma Guiren to this exact table.
Lu Feng had no intention of correcting the fool. Let the man keep thinking whatever garbage he wanted.
"We will have that meeting sooner or later," Lu Feng added smoothly.
Ma Guiren’s brow furrowed into a deep scowl at the subtle challenge. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, but remembering Su Rong’s explicit warning—and the lingering sting on his ear—he swallowed his rising anger. Turning abruptly, he signaled his heavily armored guards and marched off the terrace before his fury could reach a boiling point.
Shortly after, Lin Laifu called over the head waiter and settled the hefty bill for the morning feast. He had urgent business deals to oversee across the lower market districts before the sun reached its peak.
"I shall return to the estate by late afternoon, Young Master Lu," Lin Laifu said, bowing politely. "We will set out for the house viewings the moment my agents arrive in the evening."
"We will be waiting," Lu Feng agreed.
With the breakfast officially concluded, Lu Feng, Han Lin, and Ye Chenxue made their way down the grand spiral staircase of the pavilion and stepped out into the bustling, sunlit streets of Crimson Vale. The morning market was in full swing, flooded with cultivators, merchants, and street vendors shouting their wares.
As they walked down the stone path toward the carriage stand to hail transport back to the estate, Lu Feng noticed Ye Chenxue slowing her steps. Her glacial eyes were fixed on a small street vendor’s display stand nearby, lingering silently on a delicate, blue jade bracelet that shimmered softly under the morning sunlight.
Lu Feng paused, looking from the shimmering piece of jade to Ye Chenxue’s cold, refined wrist. A quiet smile touched his lips. He could already picture it on her—it suited her icy demeanor perfectly.
Without a word, Lu Feng approached the merchant’s stall. He reached into his robes, produced two bright gold coins, and dropped them onto the wooden counter, paying the asking price without bargaining a single copper down.
Taking the blue jade bracelet, he turned around and held it out toward Ye Chenxue.
Ye Chenxue blinked, her pale face showing a rare moment of genuine surprise as she looked at the ornament in his hand.
"A reward for a job well done," Lu Feng said with a light chuckle, placing the cool jade bracelet directly into her palm. "For slapping Ma Guiren."
A faint, almost imperceptible warmth touched Ye Chenxue’s eyes as her fingers closed around the jade. She inclined her head softly toward him. "Thank you, Young Master."
Lu Feng then turned his head toward Han Lin, offering her a knowing look. "Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you. You get a reward as well."
Han Lin raised her hands slightly, shaking her head with a light laugh. "There’s really no need, Young Master. Getting to slap that arrogant pig across the face was more than rewarding enough for me."
Lu Feng shrugged casually as he flagged down an oncoming horse-drawn carriage. "Say what you want, I’m getting you a gift regardless."
Han Lin shook her head fondly at his stubbornness as the three of them stepped up into the comfortable interior of the carriage.
The moment Lu Feng settled onto the padded leather seat and the carriage wheels began to turn against the cobblestone street, a familiar, crisp chime resonated directly inside his mind.
Ding!
[Investment: 2 Gold Coins.]
[10,000x Multiplier Applied!]
[Return: 20,000 Gold Coins.]