Chapter 97 Little Sister

Chapter 97: Little Sister

Cheng Ge spent half the night babbling for Cui Ji, leaving both men and the dog utterly exhausted.

In the end, Cui Ji had to treat them to a midnight snack to put an end to this emotional torture.

The next day

After brewing the ginseng, goji berry, and black chicken soup, Cheng Ge drank half a bowl and found it tasted excellent.

But still thinking of his good brother, he had the rest of the soup sent to Cui Ji, who was on duty at the training grounds.

After eating, he wanted to invite the steward for a game of chess, but was politely declined due to the steward being busy.

Having no other options, Cheng Ge dug through Cui Ji’s armory and pulled out the treasured red-tasseled spear.

Then, holding the spear with great swagger, he challenged every single guard in the prince’s mansion.

At this, Dahuang became especially excited, barking fiercely at the guards.

His expressions and movements were almost identical to Cheng Ge’s—like master, like dog.

Lü Rou was carrying a bowl of green plum soup she had just fetched from the kitchen, carefully stepping around the guards lying on the ground.

She took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Cheng Ge’s forehead. “Young master must be exhausted. Have something to drink before you continue.”

Everyone on the ground: “Sister, you really don’t see us as people at all.”

Hearing this, Cheng Ge immediately beckoned to Dahuang. The dog ran over excitedly, wagging its tail.

Without a second thought, it grabbed the red-tasseled spear from Cheng Ge’s hand and trotted away, turning back to flash a goofy grin.

Cheng Ge whistled at it, then turned to find a place to sit—only to spot Zhou Yinyun standing not far away.

Zhou Yinyun had just stepped into the mansion when he saw Cheng Ge standing in the courtyard, holding the spear with one hand.

The wind that swept through the walls gently lifted the moon-white headband, creating a pleasing scene.

But then his gaze shifted, and he saw a circle of bruised and swollen guards lying at Cheng Ge’s feet, occasionally letting out painful groans.

Zhou Yinyun turned and ran in terror, but Cheng Ge called out to him, forcing him to stop.

“Oh, if it isn’t my good brother! What brings you here?” Cheng Ge flashed his trademark smile and greeted him.

Hearing his voice, Zhou Yinyun touched his nose and walked into the courtyard.

“I was bored at the mansion, so I came to hang out with you.”

“Perfect! I’m bored too. Want to spar a bit?”

Zhou Yinyun waved his hands frantically. “No, no! I accidentally injured my hand yesterday, and the doctor said I shouldn’t move it too much.”

“Alright, then have some plum soup.” Cheng Ge didn’t push it and started drinking a bowl of it himself.

Zhou Yinyun stirred the plum soup in his bowl, stealing glances at Cheng Ge.

Ever since he was tricked by Ulanara Shancai yesterday, Zhou Yinyun had waited all night at the Cuiyun Tower.

But he waited until dawn with no one showing up. It was impossible not to be angry.

He, the heir of Prince Jing, was played by some little girl! If others found out, he would be a laughingstock.

Seething with anger, Zhou Yinyun returned to his mansion, growing angrier and more miserable with each thought.

He felt like an innocent virgin boy who had been seduced and abandoned, his sincere feelings betrayed.

He refused to accept it. He sent many people to investigate, but no useful leads came back.

If it weren’t for Ulanara Shancai’s veil still in his possession, he would have thought it was all a dream.

After this incident, Zhou Yinyun felt he wasn’t himself. The woman’s image kept haunting his mind.

He couldn’t eat or sleep, as if he had lovesickness.

Remembering her tearful, shy, and bashful appearance last night, his heart surged with pity.

He started making excuses for her: a defenseless woman in a place like Cuiyun Tower must have been forced into it.

Maybe she was forced? Where was she now? Was anyone bullying her?

If she ran into another scumbag like Zhang Qinghang—a beast in human clothing, worse than a pig or dog—what would she do?

The more Zhou Yinyun thought, the more restless he grew, until he had crumpled the veil in his hands.

Finally...

He seemed to be clinging to that last shred of illusion, wanting to grasp something.

He suddenly remembered her face, so similar to Cheng Ge’s. As if driven by some invisible force, he hurriedly came to find Cheng Ge.

He wanted to grasp at something—anything.

But when he saw Cheng Ge holding that spear, looking so arrogant and invincible, his illusion completely shattered.

There was no way the Cheng Ge in front of him was the Ulanara Shancai he pined for.

After drinking three whole bowls of plum soup, Cheng Ge reluctantly set down his bowl.

Seeing Zhou Yinyun lost in thought, looking like a soul had left his body, Cheng Ge waved a hand in front of his face and joked, “What’s up? Got a crush?”

Zhou Yinyun came to with an awkward smile. “N-no... I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

Cheng Ge gave him a suspicious look but didn’t press further.

Suddenly, Dahuang came running over with something in its mouth, nuzzling Cheng Ge’s hand.

Cheng Ge looked down instinctively.

Holy cow! It was the veil he had spent a fortune on.

Zhou Yinyun’s face changed instantly, and he snatched the veil back. “That’s mine!”

Dahuang acted indignant, baring its teeth and barking twice at Zhou Yinyun, then turned to Cheng Ge and lifted its head.

It took a few steps toward Zhou Yinyun, as if to snatch it back, but got swatted on the head several times.

Agitated, Dahuang spun in circles, then looked at Cheng Ge for help.

Cheng Ge turned his face away, pretending not to see a thing, and patted Dahuang’s back. Forget about it... forget about it...

Zhou Yinyun smoothed out the veil and carefully put it away, his heart full of bitterness.

Seeing how much Zhou Yinyun treasured the veil, Cheng Ge couldn't help but say, "How about I buy you a few new ones?"

Anyway, this thing isn't expensive. The shopkeeper originally said three wen, but he managed to haggle it down to two wen.

Plus, he had come into a windfall last night, so he wasn't being as stingy now.

Thinking about how he had taken advantage of Zhou Yinyun, he actually felt a bit guilty and wanted to make it up to him a little.

"No need." Zhou Yinyun refused without a second thought. He looked up at Cheng Ge and couldn't take his eyes off him.

Cheng Ge felt a bit uneasy under his gaze. He raised his sleeve to cover his mouth and coughed a few times, then quickly poured himself a cup of tea.

"Bro, do you have any sisters?"

Cheng Ge's hand suddenly trembled, almost spilling the tea from his cup. He stammered as he spoke.

"Well... I only have a younger brother, no sisters..."

Zhou Yinyun's face dropped, and he muttered somewhat dejectedly.

"Tch, where exactly did that person go? Maybe I should ask the imperial uncle to issue a wanted poster."

Cheng Ge: "!!!" No way!

Cheng Ge was so startled that he grabbed Zhou Yinyun's hand and started rambling again, "Actually... I do have a younger sister."

"Really?" Zhou Yinyun's eyes lit up instantly. "Where is she? I want to see her!"