The lackey didn't dare say no. He had gone to great lengths to get close to Young Master Zhong. If he left Young Master Zhong with a bad impression and got replaced, all his efforts over the years would have been wasted.
Besides, Young Master Zhong came from an extremely mysterious family. Even though the other party had finally taken notice of him and allowed him to stay by his side, he still hadn't gotten a clear grasp of the family's true depth.
It wasn't that he didn't want to find out. He simply didn't dare.
He didn't dare say too much. As for what he should or shouldn't know, his master would tell him when he was in a good mood. When he was in a bad mood—or even when he wasn't paying attention—one absolutely mustn't be too clever and try to investigate.
At the same time, he understood that Young Master Zhong was different from those useless rich second-generation young masters. He was truly capable, and he rarely let his emotions show on his face.
They had been here for nearly a month. Every week, Young Master Zhong came to Gu Yue Zhai and chatted with that eccentric old woman.
The true owner of Gu Yue Zhai was clearly an extremely difficult old woman to deal with. After all these visits, she had never once shown Young Master Zhong a pleasant expression. Sometimes, even the lackey felt he couldn't take it anymore, yet his employer remained calm and composed.
Thus, the lackey became even more cautious. If someone like his employer made a mistake, he probably wouldn't come out of it well. But if he did things right and pleased him, he would gain even more.
The lackey knew that Young Master Zhong must have some interest in the old woman's granddaughter. After every visit, he would sit in Zhang Qingrui's office for a while and made no attempt to hide his admiration. However, the young lady herself didn't seem to feel the same way.
Later, the lackey privately used some connections to ask about Zhang Qingrui's circumstances. He learned that she was still a student, though she spent more of her usual time managing affairs at Gu Yue Zhai. He hadn't heard that she was involved with anyone, so she should be single.
Then, the lackey found a suitable opportunity to tell Young Master Zhong all this. The other party didn't reprimand him for meddling, merely nodding and saying that he understood. But Young Master Zhong was clearly in a good mood that day, and casually bought a jade token from the antique shop as a gift for him.
The lackey knew that he had bet correctly and done the right thing, so he began paying even more attention to Zhang Qingrui's affairs.
"I don't particularly like you tailing me around. You don't look like much of a person."
While he was pondering whether he should properly discuss what kind of background the young man Miss Zhang had invited over possessed, the lackey suddenly heard words that sent a chill down his back.
This damn old woman!
But the lackey didn't dare talk back. His employer acted incomparably gentle and well-behaved in front of this vicious old woman. She was unpleasant, but that at least proved she was someone they couldn't afford to provoke. Thus, he lowered his eyes to the floor and pretended he hadn't heard anything.
"If Old Madam doesn't like him, then let him wait outside." Young Master Zhong smiled faintly before turning his head and saying indifferently, "Cheng Yun, wait outside for now."
The lackey... Cheng Yun didn't dare show the slightest dissatisfaction. He nodded and silently walked out of the room.
This was the office of Gu Yue Zhai's true owner. Although the plaque outside bore the very modern title of chairman, the room itself was decorated in an ancient style.
There were folding screens everywhere, a wooden entryway, and bluestone slabs. A mortise-and-tenon palace chair rested by the window.
A bead curtain hung over the entryway. Inside stood a small red sandalwood desk, with a brush rack, inkstone, and paperweight on the left, and a stack of ancient books on the right.
In one corner of the room sat an imitation Fuxi-style Jiuxiao Huanpei zither. Its body was spotless, clearly either rarely displayed or frequently maintained.
Watching Cheng Yun leave, Old Madam Zhang gently waved the silk fan in her hand and slowly said, "That boy from the Zhong Family has extraordinary patience. He's much better than that old man of yours who acts as though he eats gunpowder every day."
"Old Madam, Grandfather has devoted himself to calligraphy and painting these past few years. He's become much more even-tempered," Young Master Zhong replied.
Old Madam Zhang said, "This old woman left that troublesome place, the capital, decades ago. Put plainly, I was telling the people there that I, Zhang Lifanglan, had no desire to meddle in their mess and only wanted to enjoy my later years here. But no one comes to the Three Treasures Hall without a reason. The old man of the Zhong Family surely didn't suddenly remember a little affection from years ago and send you, his descendant, here just to pay a visit."
Old Madam Zhang looked at Young Master Zhong. Though her hair was already streaked with white, her complexion was ruddy, and she naturally possessed an imposing pressure that made people feel her authority without anger. "I've seen that you've understood the rules these past few days and haven't acted rashly. This old woman likes that steadiness in young people. I'll give you a chance. Tell me your story."
Young Master Zhong took a deep breath, a trace of delight appearing on his face. His efforts over the past few days had finally not been wasted. After considering his words, he said softly, "Luochen once heard a few secrets from an elder in the family. He said that nothing in this world was truly impossible, and that we ordinary people could never see everything clearly."
He paused, then continued in an even steadier voice, "I heard there is such a place in this world, one capable of granting any wish... This junior doesn't know much, but the elder who told me also said that you, Old Madam, are the person who understands it best."
Old Madam Zhang suddenly sneered. "What an arrogant young brat, and utterly reckless too. Do you know that the place you speak of isn't some sacred mountain or holy land, but a place where people make deals with devils?"
A look of delight appeared on Young Master Zhong's face. "The legend... is true after all. Old Madam, you know that place... You've even been there."
Old Madam Zhang waved her fan and immediately turned cold. "This old woman feels unwell today. Leave. And don't come again!"
Seeing the coldness on Old Madam Zhang's face, Zhong Luochen calmly reached into his suit and took out a brocade pouch from the inner pocket. After opening it, he poured out what was inside. "Old Madam, Luochen knows that he has indeed been too hasty. But time truly doesn't permit me to continue taking things slowly here. News came from home today... I had no choice but to offend you."
What he poured out was a Jade Lock.
Old Madam Zhang's gaze shifted slightly. She gently placed the Jade Lock in her palm and carefully rubbed it. Only after a while did she sigh. "That year, I left that troublesome place, but I couldn't bear to part with my pitiful sworn sister who had accompanied me since childhood, so I gave her this Jade Lock... Are you truly planning to use this favor?"
"Grandmother gave it to me before she passed away." Zhong Luochen said softly, "She said that if the Zhong Family ever encountered trouble, this would be the only thing capable of saving my family. I hadn't wanted to use it just like this. If you hadn't been so deeply guarded against that place, Old Madam, I truly couldn't have brought myself to take it out."
Old Madam Zhang clasped her hands together, gripping the Jade Lock in her palm as she took a deep breath. "Go back for now. I still need to think this matter over carefully."
Zhong Luochen nodded solemnly. "I hope you can give Luochen an answer as soon as possible, Old Madam."
"Tell me first. What exactly is this for?" Old Madam Zhang asked.
Zhong Luochen said, "To be honest, it concerns my grandfather. Old Madam, the explosive-tempered old Zhong you knew has been diagnosed by the doctors as nearly beyond saving."
The room was filled with dazzling treasures. Everything in sight was a valuable piece.
Luo Qiu admitted that he didn't know much about antiques, but he could still sense the antique aura radiating from the objects displayed here.
Yet he didn't see the White Jade Token Ren Ziling had mentioned.
Knowing why Luo Qiu had come, Ren Ziling looked at Zhang Qingrui and asked, "Miss Zhang, is something missing here? I remember that when I came to shoot last time, there seemed to be a few more small items."
Zhang Qingrui smiled faintly. "Editor Ren really is a reporter. Your eyesight and memory are truly excellent. That's right, a few items have indeed been removed from the collection room."
She took an album from a small shelf nearby and opened it. "It should be these items. We sent them to an auction house and planned to auction them."
Ren Ziling had sharp eyes, but Luo Qiu's were even sharper. At first glance, he saw that one side of the White Jade Token was clearly printed in the album.
Because he cared about this White Jade Token, Luo Qiu directly reached out and took the album from Zhang Qingrui's hands.
It was probably an extremely impolite action. But Luo Qiu merely stared at the album and began examining it closely.
Ren Ziling, however, looked terribly embarrassed.
She could only look apologetically at Zhang Qingrui and say, "My Luo Qiu is usually like this too. Whenever he sees something he likes, he just..."
Zhang Qingrui shook her head to indicate that it was fine. "We printed quite a few of these albums. If you like it, you can take it with you."
Luo Qiu nodded, clearly not intending to be polite. Still, he maintained the basic boundaries of social interaction—or perhaps remembered that such boundaries existed—and added, "Thanks."
Since he knew the White Jade Token was no longer here, Luo Qiu no longer had any reason to stay. He walked toward the door while continuing to look through the album, leaving Ren Ziling looking utterly helpless.
She had basically skipped work to come here today, and had even used a favor. This fellow, on the other hand, saw that the item wasn't here and immediately left, decisively without leaving the slightest room for discussion.
Zhang Qingrui felt somewhat awkward too, but she had been well-mannered since childhood and didn't intend to say anything. She simply let it go for the sake of their former classmate relationship.
Ren Ziling finally couldn't stand watching anymore. She directly grabbed Luo Qiu's arm and said with a fake smile, "Since you're already here, take a proper look around."
She enunciated the words "take a look" especially clearly, and the hand gripping Luo Qiu's arm tightened considerably.
Luo Qiu was helpless and could only glance around casually. But then he suddenly frowned and walked toward a corner of the collection room.
"What is this?"
Luo Qiu pointed at the object covered by glass in the corner... a Black Card so familiar that he couldn't have known it any better.
Two dark-gold marks still remained on the Black Card.
There was no doubt that this was the club's token of membership... and it could still be used twice.
Before you continue