Clearly, she didn't mean anything by addressing him that way. It would seem petty for the master to mind, but he couldn't let her keep calling him that. So Liu Bai had to remind her on her behalf: "Don't be rude. This is my third young master."
"Isn't the Third Young Master Yi Qinghan?" Qiu Lingling asked in confusion, looking at the young master. "You're not called Yi Qinghan?"
Hearing her repeatedly refer to Yi Qinghan, Liu Bai nearly fainted. Pointing at her, his finger trembled, he stammered, "You...you..."
The young master interrupted him with a smile: "That's right, I am Yi Qinghan."
Qiu Lingling, however, remembered the issue of etiquette and hesitated, "Is it wrong to call you that? You're older than me and a friend of our Thousand Hands Sect, you should call me Big Brother?"
Liu Bai breathed a sigh of relief. "You understand. Calling you 'Big Brother' is an honor!"
"Calling me Yi Qinghan is fine too," the young master said without changing his expression, his peach blossom eyes sparkling with a friendly and cordial air. "Then shall I call you Lingling?"
Qiu Lingling smiled: "Okay, I also like to call you Yi Qinghan."
Liu Bai coughed up blood. You two have no respect for your elders...
.
After Liu Bai went out to order tea, only the two of them remained in the room. The young master gestured for her to sit down, but Qiu Lingling became uncomfortable instead. She stood still, her eyes lowered, her lips pursed, and her hands hidden behind her back, looking very embarrassed.
The young master suppressed a laugh as he sized her up, remaining silent.
The tomboy's attire seemed to have never changed. A few blushes appeared on her fair face. The little black cat was not in a hurry in the man's arms, so why was she shy now?
Qiu Lingling coughed lightly and mumbled, "Thank you for saving me that day..."
The young master suddenly realized, yes, he had not only failed to gain anything from the "hero saves the beauty" incident, but had also lost more than a million taels of silver. Logically speaking, the chances of such an accident happening to him were very low, but now it had happened twice in a row, so it was hard not to be impressed. However, he still maintained his composure: "The Yi family and the Thousand Hands Sect have always been on good terms. Why bother with such a trivial matter?"
Qiu Lingling hummed in agreement and handed him her right hand, which was hidden behind her back. In her hand was a piece of crystal-clear green jade: "This is for you."
The young master was even more surprised.
Qiu Lingling blinked and explained, "I don't know if this one is as good as your original one. Everyone says it's a rare treasure."
The young master frowned: "You stole this so you could use it to pay me back?"
Qiu Lingling nodded: "Actually, I've wanted to give it to you for a while, but I was sick a few days ago. I remember giving it to you that day, so why are you giving it back to me?"
So that's why the little girl risked stealing the jade. She really remembered the compensation. But since the dignified third young master of the Yi family was willing to let you go, why would he want your things again? The young master remained silent, watching her with great interest.
Qiu Lingling ignored everything else, stepped forward, took his hand, placed the jade in his palm, closed it, and patted it: "I broke your things, thank you for not blaming me."
Being held by a soft, delicate hand should have been a pleasant experience, but upon hearing these words, the young master was both amused and exasperated. "Thank me? If you were any smarter, you would know that I let you go last time only because you weren't good enough to be a hypocrite. Did you really think that just anyone could steal from me? Your actions and expressions now could easily turn any man into a hypocrite."
Seeing that he didn't respond, Qiu Lingling quickly asked, "Isn't that enough? I'll think of something else later..."
"That's enough," the young master interrupted her with a smile, subtly withdrawing his hand and changing the subject, "Are you feeling better?"
"I'm all better now." Qiu Lingling sat down to the side.
"Nowadays, I'm afraid only your Thousand Hands Sect can cure 'Half Moon Dew,' Master Jin is indeed brilliant." This was partly a compliment.
"What 'half-moon dew'?" That's strange.
With so many unexpected events, the young master was no longer surprised: "How was your illness cured?"
Qiu Lingling said in a serious tone: "Taking medicine, and drinking alcohol."
The young master nodded: "So you can drink alcohol too."
"Of course, I'm quite good at drinking," Qiu Lingling said proudly, glancing out the window and lowering her voice. "Actually, Master doesn't allow us to drink normally, but I drink secretly. How about I treat you?"
Just then, Liu Bai came in, and she immediately ran over and handed him a silver ingot: "Could you please go and order me a jar of wine?"
"I'm a trusted confidant of the young master, after all. Who wouldn't give me some respect? And you, a mere little brat, dare to act so arrogantly, treating me like a servant, like my errand boy?" Liu Bai said irritably, "Miss, this is a teahouse..."
“If I remember correctly,” the young master interrupted him, turning his head slightly and smiling, “this place also serves as a bar?”
Liu Bai remained silent, no longer daring to insist on his factual approach: "It seems... they do sell it." He silently accepted the silver, turned around, and thought, "The young master's news came so quickly. How come I never heard that this teahouse sells wine..."
"No, no, not this teahouse," Qiu Lingling hurriedly grabbed him and instructed, "You have to buy the Fenjiu sold at Yipintang, that's the most authentic one, remember, don't buy the wrong one!"
"An expert?" The young master suppressed a laugh: "Go quickly and come back quickly."
Liu Bai reluctantly agreed, glared at Qiu Lingling, snorted, and walked away quickly.
Heroes become gamblers
As dusk fell and the city lights began to twinkle, the night market opened. The young master sat leisurely by the window, admiring the night view below, occasionally glancing back at the drunken cat across the street.
Before half a jar of wine had been drunk, the legendary "good drinker" had already passed out. At this moment, she was lying on the table in a rather unseemly position, her arm behind her head, half of her pink face reflecting the light, as beautiful as a sleeping peach blossom.
Is this really a sixteen-year-old girl? The young master felt it was necessary to investigate. Her body was indeed about right, but in some ways she was completely ignorant and drank with a man without any precautions. It was clear that she rarely went out. Fortunately, she was Jin Huanlai's junior sister, otherwise she would probably have been devoured by someone in the sect long ago.
A waiter walked in, looking troubled: "It's getting dark, are you two perhaps..." Liu Bai swallowed the rest of his sentence as he tossed the silver into his hand, and instead said with a forced smile: "Please sit down, it's alright if you stay a little longer. Would you like me to bring you another pot of good tea?"
Liu Bai waved him away, then came over and said, "Young master, it's getting dark."
The young master casually remarked, "'Half-Moon Dew' is extremely insidious, even Master Wei was helpless against it. I didn't expect Jin Huanlai to actually have this ability. Aren't you surprised?"
Liu Bai laughed: "Actually, I've heard people say that the leader of the Thousand Hands Sect can cure 'Half Moon Dew'."
The smile still lingered on his lips as the young master turned his head to look at him.
Realizing he had let something slip, Liu Bai began wiping his sweat: "I... only heard it secondhand, and never took it seriously, so I didn't dare to say anything more that day..."
Just when he thought he was about to be in trouble, there was a sudden noise next to him.
"How did I get here?" Qiu Lingling rubbed her eyes, looking at the two of them with a puzzled expression.
Liu Bai was relieved; good girl, she woke up just in time.
Seeing the wine on the table, Qiu Lingling was stunned for a while before finally remembering: "Aren't we drinking?"
The young master nodded: "You're drunk."
"Drunk?" Qiu Lingling glanced out the window, then suddenly jumped up, exclaiming, "Oh dear! It's so late! I snuck out, I have to go back!" She took a couple of steps and then stopped, asking in confusion, "Aren't you leaving yet?"
Liu Bai cursed under his breath, "The girl is awake, we should go now."
"So you've been waiting for me all this time," Qiu Lingling said, smiling sweetly at the young master. "You're so kind."
Liu Baimo, I don't deny that you do have a friendly appearance.
The young master accepted the praise without batting an eye: "Thank you for treating me to drinks. I'll treat you another day, how about it?"
"Please invite me..." he hesitated.
"Two jars of Liulin wine were sent from Fengxiang the day before yesterday. I heard they taste good."
"Ha, really?" Qiu Lingling exclaimed happily, "I've heard my mother say that Liulin wine is good since I was little, but I've never tasted it before."
"Don't forget to host a banquet for you in my garden in three days."
"Okay, I'm going now."
After she disappeared outside the door, the young master got up, leisurely went out, and went downstairs.
"Young master, it takes more than ten days to travel to and from Fengxiang, and this Willow Grove wine..."
"The Dukang Hotel in Lin'an City sells them. Go to the pigeon station and ask them to deliver them by fast horse."
Liu Bai bowed down. "Three days is still exhausting. Young master, who did you learn this from?"
.
At night, Jin returned from a meeting and saw the light in the room from afar. He was about to get angry, but then he remembered that he had given the order himself, so he immediately shut his mouth and swallowed back the curse. Right, the little girl is back now. Since she went to the Valley of Retreat, Jin Garden has been without light for two years. Now that it has suddenly been lit again, he feels a little uncomfortable. He stood under the shade of the tree, staring blankly at the soft light streaming out of the window.
"Gold back!" A clear voice came from behind, followed by cheerful laughter. A dark figure pounced on him, embracing him tightly. The feeling was as warm as the distant lights.
"Running off again?" Jin pushed her away with difficulty.
"I'm bored all by myself without you," Qiu Lingling said, not minding. She lifted his cloak and took his hand. "I know there are bad people in the martial arts world, but I won't talk to them." Yi Qinghan is a good person.
Jin snorted and let her pull him into the warm and bright room.
Hot water is ready.
After the two finished washing up, Jin sat on the bed for a moment, then realized something was wrong. He suddenly jumped up and pushed the little girl who was climbing onto the bed off: "Hey, hey, your room is over there!"
"Don't I live with you?" Qiu Lingling asked, puzzled.
"No." Only at this moment would Jin Huanlai truly remember her actual age and would never again believe that the person in front of him was really a little girl.
Weren't we living together just a few days ago?
"That's because you're sick." I've been taking care of you day and night, and I'm too tired to think about anything else.
"But I like sleeping with you."
Sleep with you? I fucking don't want to go back to those nightmarish days at all. Jin Hailai almost yelled, "No way, go back to your room, get out, get out!"
She pouted, "I'm scared to sleep alone."
Jin pointed firmly to the door: "You're not afraid of the dark anymore, get out." This leader will never sacrifice himself out of pity again. Sleeping with a sixteen-year-old girl every day is worse than becoming a monk. Do you really think I'm surnamed Liu?
Qiu Lingling refused to leave.
Are you leaving or not?
"No."
Without saying a word, Jin picked her up, walked to the door, dropped her off, and closed the door.
"Gold, you bastard!" came the sound of banging on the door.
"Am I an idiot?" Jin was so angry he almost twisted his nose. He snorted coldly twice, went back to bed, and said, "My patience has its limits. I don't want to play the gentleman anymore, so stay away from me!"
I enjoy having something with me, but that doesn't mean I like that thing. Destroying it would do me no good either.
.
For two consecutive days, Jin Huanlai's room was empty, and he didn't return at night. The mute servant didn't know anything when asked, and there was no one in the council hall either. Qiu Lingling was discouraged and had no choice but to go down the mountain to the city to play.
Qiufeng Hall is the largest casino in the city. It is said that the person who runs the casino has a powerful backer and has some connection with the imperial court. Therefore, the government has tacitly approved of it. Fortunately, although its business is not exactly honorable, it is very disciplined in the industry and is considered fair compared to other chaotic underground casinos. So the order has always been good. Although it is daytime, there are still gamblers coming and going. There are all kinds of people among them, so the business seems to be doing quite well.
Suddenly a scream rang out, and a young man was thrown out of there, landing face down on the street.
Two burly men at the entrance sneered, "Jiang Xiaohu, you dare to gamble here even though you have no money?"
The young man lay on the ground for a while before awkwardly propping himself up, finally revealing his appearance. He had a straight nose and delicate eyebrows, and was quite handsome. Although his clothes were worn, they were not dirty.
With a pained expression, he pleaded patiently, "Brothers, please do me a favor and let me win back my losses..."