Chapter 71: The Silkworm Road [5]

Early the next morning, Zhang YuShui received a call from Lin Family. The few of them packed up, they got a reserved car to pick them up.

Xiao Ling was very happy to know that he was going to Lin's house, because he could see Young Master Lin again. They were so crowded but the Lin family had sent one car. Without any other choice, Zhang Qiu and Li Shu took Xiao Jiang to ride another car to follow the others. The car at the front was occupied by Zhang Yushui, Pixian Hui w.a.n.g, Pei Qing and Ling Dang with Xiao Ling in the spirit bead.

They were silence all the way until they reached the mountain villa area. Zhang Qiu just got out of the car and felt the gloomy and cold air coming onto his face, which made him felt it was errier than when he came yesterday. But if it was ordinary people, they would certainly feel that the greenery in the mountains were pleasantly cooler than the city was a normal thing.

Zhang Qiu's const.i.tution was Yin and that was why he was sensitive to it. Although he couldn't see anyt evil spirits with his naked eyes, he could feel the difference between cold and evil spirits.

Erge and the others had already waiting in front of the gate. Standing guarded at the gate to invite them was probably someone of a butler status. It was a middle-aged dressed in formal clothes, combed hair with not one strand out of place, well-mannered in behavior and speech such like: Misters and Madams please wait here; slighting precious guests; and so on. Zhang Qiu had the feeling of watching TV drama, that kind of big family drama of the Republic of China.

The Lin Household really paid particular attention to established standard.

Zhang Qiu discovered that the architectural here was Chinese-style. In a row of white-roofed European-style villas, it seemed a bit out of place, but also very special. It was like stepping into this door and entering another s.p.a.ce and time.

Especially when Zhang Qiu saw Old Madam Lin and Young Master Lin's mother, he really had the kind of trance feeling after taking the wrong way.

Young Master Lin's mother had curled her hair and she wearing a plain colored retro cheongsam with a shawl draped over her shoulders, with light makeup she looked gentle and virtuous while supporting Old Madam Lin out. Old Madam Lin's hair was gray and neatly combed. Her walking was unstable, but when she looked at people, her eyes appeared somewhat keen, which one could a.s.sume that she was once a great/fierce person in her youth.

The butler at the side said two simple events that occurred in Lin Family recently and Old Madam Lin waved her hand as she said, “For business matters, there were men outside that can handle it. I only care about my little grandson. He's not in good health recently. He's been sick several times before, but they are all minor problems. His marriage with Young Lady from Su Family is nearing, it can't be delayed. “

When Zhang Qiu heard that Young Master Lin was going to get married, he unconsciously looked at Ling Dang. The spirit bead was on Ling Dang.

“Is Young Master Lin here? I want to see him.” Zhang YuShui said with a smile.

“Young Master is still resting.” The butler said.

Mrs. Lin said quickly, “I'll call Jiahe out.”

“Don't, he's not in good health.” Old Madam Lin looked at Zhang YuShui. “We have to trouble young Mr. Zhang to move instead.”

Zhang Qiu felt that the old lady really loved her grandson. Zhang Yushui had no objection as he nodded and said in all smiles, “That's fine. I happened to want to look around at the house's Fengshui. Sometimes, if the Fengshui was not well placed, it could easily affect one's business and misfortunes continued to happen——” Upon discovering that Old Madam Lin didn't care at all, Zhang Yushui added with a smile: “If one's house (family) is not prosperous, the heirs will naturally not prosper.”

Old Madam Lin was a little anxious when she heard it. “Please take a look at it, young Mr. Zhang. I heard that your Zhang Household is the best.”

“Of course, I'll do my best.”

Young Master Lin's room was on the south of the second floor. It was located in a good light. It was also big. It had a living room with a small study outside and a bedroom with a bathroom inside. They were crowded. Old Madam Lin was not very satisfied with it and she said, “Jiahe is resting. The others please wait outside; just young Mr. Zhang to go see him is fine.”

Although Old Madam Lin's remark was somewhat downgrading, her words were right. Therefore Zhang Qiu, Li Shu, Pei Qing and Pixian Hui w.a.n.g were waiting outside while Little Ling Dang followed Zhang YuShui in.

Zhang Qiu couldn't see the situation inside, so listened in to Erge said, “The evil entered into the body and the Yintang[1] has turned black. It's really dangerous.”

[1 Yintang = ophryon; the top of the nose bridge connecting the eyebrows in TCM. In Chinese medicine, Yintang is the location of the lung disease. Black means it is a dangerous symptom.]

“What can we do? The marriage between Jiahe and Young Lady Su is at the end of the month.” Mrs. Lin said.

“Why panic? Jiahe will be all right and Young Lady Su will marry in.” Old Madam Lin's voice was very firm.

“The two of you had better wait outside. If you trust me, then listen to me. If not, then please find someone else.”

Not awhile after Zhang YuShui finished talking, Old Madam Lin and Mrs. Lin came out. They looked at each other in consternatin in the small living room and no one spoke. It was quiet inside, but with Zhang Qiu's ears, he could still hear the voices. Lin Jiahe's voice was very low. With insufficient breath, he was calling 'Lin Qing' intermittently.

That was Xiao Ling's name.

Not long after Erge came out. They walked around the Lin's courtyard house, and Erge put up a formation array. Zhang Qiu didn't know if it was in his mind, but he really felt less cold and eerie.

After they had done this, Lin Jiahe came out in a cotton linen Chinese-style garment. He was thin, pale and had no blood on his lips.

“Aiyo, Jiahe, why did you come out? Be careful with the wind blow——”

“Grandma, I'm much better. I want to thank Mr. Zhang.”

Old Madam Lin looked at her grandson carefully; he was more energetic than before. She thought Zhang Yushui was really capable, so she nodded and said nothing more. “Then you talk, but don't waste too much of your energy.” Turning around, she told the butler to properly thank Zhang YuShui before sending them off.

After Old Madam Lin and Mrs. Lin left, Lin Jiahe saw the butler standing beside him and he casually instructed the butler to withdrawn.

“Mr. Zhang, I just seemed to see Lin Qing. It is Lin Qing, isn't it?” Lin Jiahe's recent calmness disappeared and with an eager face, he said. “I dreamed about Lin Qing the other day. Since he went to the army, I have lost contact with him. I don't know if he's doing well now.”

Zhang YuShui looked at Lin Jiahe and suddenly smiled. “Young Master Lin must have known that Lin Qing likes you.”

Zhang Qiu saw Lin Jiahe's eyes fl.u.s.tered, and hurriedly began to say, “Don't talk nonsense, Lin Qing and I are brothers, brothers who grew up together.”

“Oh?” Zhang YuShui said lightly, “In that case, Young Master Lin should get well soon and make good preparations for your marriage.”

Lin Jiahe was shocked for a moment, and with pain on his face, he whispered, “How can two men be? I'm the family heir, I have to marry a wife and have children. He went to the army, and later came out to live a peaceful life. Is being only as brothers, not good?”

Zhang Qiu could see that Lin Jiahe had unsual feelings towards Xiao Ling, but it was not deep enough to give up everything. As a bstander, he could not say that Lin Jiahe was selfish but that Xiao Ling loved him too deeply.

“The key is that you just treat him as a brother?” Zhang YuShui asked coldly.

Lin Jiahe's face was dreadfully pale. The whole man was in great pain, and his lips repeatedly chanting 'why force him'.

Zhang Qiu now really felt that Lin Jiahe was cowardly. Beside his ears, Xiao Ling even asked them not to say anything more and immediately, they didn't want to stay here any longer. Zhang Yushui was paid after he finished his business and didn't let the Lin Family send them off.

Back at the hotel, Zhang Qiu was still angry with Xiao Ling for s.h.i.+elding Lin Jiahe, who displayed to have been offended. Li Shu was calm beside him. How could this person be so calm when Zhang Qiu himself was feeling frustrated?

“Are you not angry?”

Li Shu looked at Zhang Qiu, who was breathing in puff. His eyes seemed to hold him (ZQ) in place.

“You're not Xiao Ling.” Li Shu said lightly.

Zhang Qiu thought that it made sense. He was angry for Xiao Ling, but he was not Xiao Ling. Xiao Ling and Lin Jiahe grew up together. He didn't know how they get along with each other. Xiao Ling was willing to protect Lin Jiahe, perhaps because Lin Jiahe took good care of Xiao Ling in other ways.

Zhang Qiu was still very angry at such constructive act.

“Neither am I, Lin Jiahe.”

The huffing in rage Zhang Qiu was stupefied. What did Li Shu say just now?

You are not Xiao Ling. Neither am I, Lin Jiahe.

So their feelings…

Hey hey hey. Zhang Qiu's smiling face undulated, “Li Shu, do you think of anything?”

“No.” Li Shu said lightly.

Zhang Qiu's face shown suspicion, but looking at Li Shu's expression, it seemed not like a lie. In the end, it could only be attributed to his handsomeness and good-nature, and for Li Shu to be attracted to him was normal!

Upon seeing Zhang Qiu —who was just about to blow up— was happy with the words, Li Shu had a smile on his face. Although he did not recall his previous memory, he was more and more fond of getting along with Zhang Qiu, and liked to see his silly smile but also wanted to——

Li Shu was afraid to frighten the person in front of him, and he restrained the billows of crimson l.u.s.tful desire in his eyes. Yet he didn't know; Zhang Qiu was a man who had experienced gale and billow with him before, how could he unable to endure and be scared?

After tidying up, they went out for meal. Xiao Jiang was skipping ahead, followed by Zhang Qiu and Li Shu. After a while, they saw Xiao Jiang skipping back to them.

“What's wrong?”

Xiao Jiang pointed to the stairway. It was dark, the lamp was broken. The hotel was really a bit overcast.

Zhang Qiu looked at him and said softly, “Are there ghosts?”

Xiao Jiang thought about it and nodded. Zhang Qiu became more panicky and grabbed Li Shu's hand. “What to do? Want to call Erge?”

“Xiao Ling.” Li Shu said lightly, looking at their intertwined hands. Zhang Qiu did not see Li Shu's line of sight, he said calmly and cheekily, “It's too dark. I'm a little scared.”

“Is Daddy afraid of Big Brother Xiao Ling?” Xiao Jiang muttered incomprehensibly, “Daddy is so cowardy! Let me protect Daddy.”

Zhang Qiu:…

I just want to eat your Big Daddy's tofu quietly for a while. Why is it so difficult?!

Although Xiao Jiang demolished Zhang Qiu's stage, Zhang Qiu succeeded in eating Li Shu's tofu shamelessly. Holding hands, they walked down the corridor. Before they came near, they heard a low sob echoing in the stairway. If Xiao Jiang hadn't said it was Xiao Ling, the sound would be hair-raising.

Apparently, Lin Jiahe hurt Xiao Ling by saying those words. Xiao Ling pretended to be unperturbed and maintaining brotherly feeling on their way back. Upon arriving at the hotel, he found a discreet place and went to surrept.i.tiously cry. Aware that Pei Qing must have been sweet with little Ling Dang while Xiao Ling hidden away in the spirit bead, therefore he became more sad (jealous of others).

Zhang Qiu was thinking about how to euphemistically persuade Xiao Ling while saving his (XL) pride, only to hear his son crisply said, “Big Brother Xiao Ling, why do you hide and cry?”

Zhang Qiu:…

Good son, whose EQ did you take after?!!

The cries at the stairway stopped. Zhang Qiu could feel the sudden silence in the air. He touched Xiao Jiang's head in a hurry, fearing that his son would tear down Xiao Ling's stage and sprinkle salt on Xiao Ling. Xiao Jiang would do it completely and with great righteousness.

In the adult world, the son was still too pure.

“Xiao Ling, we're going to have dinner. Are you going?”

Li Shu looked over him with a faint smile. After Zhang Qiu finished his sentences, he felt that his EQ had also been lowered by Xiao Jiang. Xiao Ling was a ghost eating joss sticks and candles, almost the same as to eat nothing.

“I'm not hungry, I won't go.” Xiao Ling said with a low voice.

Fortunately, Xiao Ling gave face to Zhang Qiu, who leaned against the stairway. Without advancing, he said, “Don't be sad.” Zhang Qiu also wanted to say something about the advantages of Lin Jiahe, but he did not know and was still very angry about Lin Jiahe's cowardice. However, this was tantamount to adding fuel to the fire. After thinking for half a day, he finally said: “In fact, it is good now. You have settled your wish and Erge had helped the Lin Family to get rid of the bad luck. It's good for you to be reborn sooner. Polish your eyes in the next live and find someone who likes you…”

“Young Master is very kind to me.”

Xiao Ling's figure appeared in front of Zhang Qiu. Undoubtly, he was a strong man of more that 1.8 meter tall with pectoralis and abdominal muscles, but at this moment, he looked like an aggrieved little white rabbit as he said with redden eyes, “I was brought back from the orphanage by young master, but the Lin family didn't want to adopt me. When I was young, I didn't have enough food, so I was thin and small. I suffered all the time from people bullying me. Whatever young master had to eat, he gave to me. Later, when attending school, young master was smart enough to help with me lectures. There was once time I accidentally broke the old master's favorite inkstone and it was young master who carried the blame for me…”

Every little thing that Xiao Ling murmured was like a few treasures, and Zhang Qiu listened quietly.

“…Young Master is really good to me. He's going to get married, I'm happy.”

Zhang Qiu looked at Xiao Ling's lonely face. He couldn't find any trace of happiness even half a point. He really didn't know what to say. Finally, Xiao Ling showed a smile. Zhang Qiu was sad and wanted to s.n.a.t.c.h Lin Jiahe back for Xiao Ling.

After listening to Xiao Ling's heart troubles, Zhang Qiu's meal was tasteless; he was very upset.

Since they like each other, why can't they be together?

Li Shu touched Zhang Qiu's head and Zhang Qiu looked up at Li Shu. “I'm not Xiao Jiang, still coaxing me like that.”

“Who says that only children need to be coaxed?” Li Shu retorted.

Zhang Qiu thought it was reasonable and so he had nothing to refute. After a while, he wanted to eat Li Shu's tofu. First, he grabbed Li Shu's waist. Uh, why did Li Shu grow so tall? It was not like a liitle bird leaning in his arms at all. Anyway, he's in good shape. You look at his waist; all his muscles are very hard…

“We're outside, are you sure you want it like this?” Li Shu looked down at the person in his arms with tolerance in his eyes.

“Whwhat does it look like?” Zhang Qiu's face was as dull as waking up from a dream. He clearly held Li Shu in his arms, why was it changed to him clinging in Li Shu's arms? Moreover, his hand even stroking Li Shu's hard pectoral muscles and his face looked hungry and thirsty.

This was definitely not him!

“Daddy, does Big Daddy's stomach feel good to touch?” On the opposite sofa, Xiao Jiang inclined his head curiously and then pointed to the dimple on his own face and said, “Daddy, you have saliva here.”

I feel like selling Xiao Jiang for one wool yarn, whoever wants, takes him!!!

Zhang Qiu thickened his face and adorned unperturbness. “How could there be drool?” When he reached for it, there really was saliva. He felt numb on his scalp. He turned his head and Li Shu was looking at him with a smile.

“Well, today's lunch was delicious, hahaha.” Zhang Qiu laughed awkwardly. Xiao Jiang and Li Shu looked at him calmly. Then he couldn't laugh any more. “Check out!”

“Wait a minute.” Li Shu opened his mouth, smiled and took out a card from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Qiu. “Take this.”

Bank card?!

f.c.u.k, was this Li Shu's cue to provide for him?!

He was making progress too quickly. Zhang Qiu was bashful. “This is not very good, right?”

“I don't usually use it very much. It's easy to lose it when I put it on my body. You take the cost of the meal to be paid and deduct it yourself. The pa.s.sword is six '1'.” Upon seeing Zhang Qiu was stupified, Li Shu could not help pinching his face. Holding Xiao Jiang in his arms, he calmly said, “You can settle the bill now.”

Zhang Qiu held the bank card in his hand. Was this teasing him for fun?! Agreed to provide for him, and then papapa?!

In fact, providing for him was not important, papapa was atually the focus. But when Zhang Qiu saw the balance of the card on the ATM, he wished he could put the card next to his skin. He was afraid to be robbed when he walked on the street. Such G.o.dly, he had better hugged the golden master's thigh!

They had just returned to the hotel and Zhang Qiu saw Erge and ErSao coming back from the outside. He said with a laugh, “What did you two do?”

“Don't laugh so loudly. We went to do our business.” Zhang YuShui poked a finger at Zhang Qiu's head. “I heard someone was drooling on Li Shu at the restaurant today.”

“Who has such a big mouth?!” Zhang Qiu blew up.

At the side, Pixian Hui w.a.n.g laughed. “You can see it for yourself in the groupchat.”

Zhang Qiu immediately pulled out his mobile phone and Qixi sent a picture in Wechat group. It was him clinging on Li Shu with both hands while his mouth drooled like a love-struck fool. His teeth itched with anger; he wanted to kill Qi Xi.

Qixi: Hehehehe, Xiao Qiuqiu, have you forgot your dearest is me?!

Li Shu made a silent expression.

Zhang Qiu saw that expression trembling a little. Qixi was the drama queen.

“Anyway, Qixi is here?” Zhang Qiu had a headache and made killing gestures @Qixi.

Soon Qixi responded in the group.

Qixi: Xiao Qiuqiu, you are so enthusiastic! Room No. 906. Come, there's a beautiful man waiting for you.

Zhang Qiu: Drama queen, if I don't beat you to death today, I won't be surname Zhang.

The trio took the elevator by the way. Only then did Zhang Qiu known that Erge and Ersao had gone to the Lin's Industrial Cinema to do proper business and drive away evil spirits.

“Just now Gao ZhiHao called and invited us to the party at 8 o'clock in the evening. He asked me if Li Shu would go.” Zhang YuShui laughed. “It's a good chance to deal with foreign Tame Head Master[2].”

[Tame Head Master = native witch popular in Southeast Asia, which use witchcraft to tame/subdue victim among other things]

Zhang Qiu thought of Yue QinCang's story about the disappearance of the Jade Bi and Gao ZhiHao's eager invitation to Li Shu, could it be——

“The Jade Bi is in Gao ZhiHao's hand?”

“Gao ZhiHao invited people [witch] to deal with Lin Household because of the industry compet.i.tion using evil backstage manipulation. Meanwhile, dealing with Yue Household, it started two months ago, which seemed it was obviously targeted.” Zhang YuShui said as he agreed with Zhang Qiu's guess.

Pixian Hui w.a.n.g smiled slightly. “You'll know tonight. Xiao Qiu, remember to make your Li Shu priced higher.”

Zhang Qi had a second of silence when he thought of the amount in the card that Li Shu gave him and still had to be (paid) higher ah…

Ding.

When the elevator arrived, Zhang Qiu stormed straight into 906, and soon came Qixi's d.a.m.n yelling voice from inside.

“It's quite lively?”

A faint voice came from the door. Zhang Qiu stayed his hands immediately and looked back and sure enough, it was Li Shu. He said quickly, “I really have nothing to do with him.”

“Wow, Xiao Qiuqiu, you have a heart of iron! You had just gave me a little punch of love——”

Li Shu closed the door. Qixi, who had just been playing b.a.s.t.a.r.dly, saw Li Shu looked sullen and immediately noticed that it was not good. He quickly said in laughter, “It's a joke, a joke.”

“I'm going to guard the door, you fight properly. It's okay to beat him to death.” Zhang Qiu gave a cold sneered and having said that, he left Qixi with an unfeeling back figure. He really ran to the door to guard it.

He was frightened to death. Li Shu's face was terrible just now. He must stay away from the drama queen in the future!!!

Zhang Qiu hugged the soft Xiao Jiang and kissed his son's face. “Come on, Daddy will take you to eat delicious food.” After Li Shu knocked Qixi out, it should not be a problem for him to come back again, right?

“Why did Big Daddy beat up pretty uncle, Daddy?” Xiao Jiang sat in Daddy's arms and asked, tilting his head.

“Because Qixi is a drama queen and your Big Daddy– wait a minute.” Zhang Qiu suddenly realized and gave a big kiss to his son before happily said, “Li Shu is angry, could it be jealousy?”

With this in mind, Qixi was not without contribution, but in the light of Li Shu's calm face just now, Zhang Qiu still decided to bring his son to eat a delicious meal before return back.

The father and son went to the street to have snacks. Chengdu had a lot of delicious food. Zhang Qiu saw his son pinched his nose because of the stinky tofu. He smiled and stuffed it into Xiao Jiang's mouth. Xiao Jiang's fleshy face was wrinkled, but he didn't want to lose face by spitting it out. He said vaguely, “stinky Daddy.”

“You chew it. It's really delicious and not stinky.” Zhang Qiu smiled at Xiao Jiang's crumpled face.

Xiao Jiang choked, chewed two times, and then the dislike little expression changed as his eyes instantly sparkled.

“Tasty Daddy!” Xiao Jiang swayed his little head, ate it and asked for it again. Suddenly, he looked somewhere and pointed while saying, “Uncle Qi!”

Zhang Qiu followed his line of sight and saw only a black car leaving. He wondered, “Shouldn't be, how can Qixi coming out so soon?”

“Not pretty uncle, but cold-faced Uncle Qi.” Xiao Jiang stressed.

Qi ZhiRong?

Zhang Qiu took his eyes back and coaxed his son, “Let's go back!”

Xiao Jiang pointed to the stinky tofu, and in the end Zhang Qiu packed another box. In his bosom, his son happily ate with two tiger teeth out. Upon seeing this, Zhang Qiu was a bit worried. It never occurred to him that Xiao Jiang was even a stealth foodie. His EQ was not very good, too. It seemed that only his business ability was strong; keeping a straight face seemed to be quite capable of pitting people.

How would he chase after a girl then?

Zhang Qiu was distracted.

As soon as they entered the hotel, they met Li Shu. With all smiles, Zhang Qiu grabbed the stinky tofu box in his son's arms. “Bought it for you, it smells good.”

Xiao Jiang, who was reluctant to finish all his meal: …

“The son is watching you.” Li Shu said lightly.

Zhang Qiu felt that he couldn't live any longer. He stuffed the tofu box back and cried out with an innocent expression. “I swear, I have nothing to do with Qixi the queen drama, my heart only have—”

Li Shu looked at Zhang Qiu calmly and leisurely.

“Xiao Shushu is quiet bad, deliberately making people said such.” Zhang Qiu said with a grin.

From behind came Qixi's voice, “Zhang Qiu, I got a bad stomach with you being like this.”

Zhang Qiu turned his head and was startled by Qixi's appearance. Wearing the super huge sungla.s.ses could not cover the bruise at the corner of his lips. He looked at Li Shu and said, “Did you really beat him?!”

“Your regret it?” Li Shu's tone was melodious.

At this moment, it would be stupid to say he regret it. Zhang Qiu shook his head and said, “No, I only think he's silly. Why wear gla.s.ses instead of face mask when his mouth is split?!”

“Look at what LaoZi's beautiful face looks like after being beaten by your man!” Zhang Qiu hadn't said not bad, but once mentioned, Qixi exploded and took off his sungla.s.ses. Zhang Qiu dared not laugh. It was just like a panda.

Xiao Jiang licked his mouth after eating and looked up. “Wow, pretty uncle has turned into a panda!”

Son, you really don't have friends if you tell the truth like that.

“LaoZi has still need to record a program in the evening, so how can LaoZi record it?!”

Xiao Jiang asked with his head tilted: “Uncle Panda, won't you go to a c.o.c.ktail party with us? Cold-faced Uncle Qi is coming too——”

Zhang Qiu only hated that his hands were not fast enough to cover his son's mouth. He looked at Qixi. Qixi's expression was cold. He put on his sungla.s.ses and his expression could not be seen clearly. He said, “Oh, he's coming too.”

> Chapter 72