Ying Sinan's face twisted into a bizarre expression that was neither quite a smile nor not. His lips worked for a long moment, as though he had swallowed ten thousand curses aimed at Chu Jiaxu.
Chu Jiaxu seemed not to notice and turned back in puzzlement. "Sir, do you know our guide, Ying?"
Wen Ruxin carefully swept his gaze over the group. Their clothes were simple, but the fabric was excellent. Mentally labeling them "rich people," he finally showed his first sincere smile of the day.
He nodded and said with a smile, "This youngster can be unruly. He hasn't caused you any trouble, has he?"
He smiled, and Chu Jiaxu smiled too.
One smile was wily and calculating; the other was loaded with meaning.
Neither looked like the smile of a good man.
Chu Jiaxu glanced back at Ying Sinan and was just about to speak-
A sweet little voice beat him to it. "Uncle Ying was crying just now, mmph, mmph, mmph-"
Ying Sinan, who had been dragging his feet toward Wen Ruxin, sensed disaster before the little one even spoke. He instantly lunged forward and, ignoring her father's icy stare, clapped a hand over her mouth!
Then he turned his back and negotiated in a tiny voice. "My little overlord, ask for anything you want. Just please don't say anything unnecessary in a moment!"
Jiang Yingcheng stared steadily at Ying Sinan with her dark eyes for a long while, then raised her arm and held out her pinky in front of him.
Relieved of a great burden, Ying Sinan let out a long breath and hastily hooked his finger around hers. "It's a promise!"
His eyes held nothing but relief. He had no idea what sort of pirate ship he was about to board.
Then Ying Sinan