Chapter 036
Chapter 36: What Benefits Do I Get from This?
In a private room at the restaurant.
Ye He Qi seemed to recall something; he set down his tea cup and raised his gaze toward Shi Zi Chu. Shi Zi Chu lifted her eyelids, eyes questioning his sudden look.
“In a month’s time, Jade Void Sect will hold a banquet to celebrate Venerable Xing Lan’s advancement to Tribulation Crossing.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded lightly, her expression clearly asking, [So?]
“About the congratulatory gift,” Ye He Qi said, curving those captivating peach-blossom eyes of his into a playful smile, “I’m thinking of taking a shortcut.”
Chu Zhi Rou couldn’t be counted on anymore.
His only hope was now pinned on this gift, praying that Venerable Xing Lan wouldn’t take out his frustrations on Ye Clan in the future.
Shi Zi Chu, remarkably easygoing because of the Sea Pearl, spoke up readily, “Master loves tea.”
After a moment of thought, Shi Zi Chu added, “Ice-element spirit stones are rare; they’re also a thoughtful gift.”
Ye He Qi nodded gently, then asked with casual curiosity, “What about you, Daoist Shi? What will you give?”
“You’ve reminded me,” Shi Zi Chu replied. “I’ll have to think about it.”
Ye He Qi raised an eyebrow.
[Could Shi Zi Chu have actually forgotten she needed a gift at all?]
Before long, steaming plates of exquisite dishes filled the table.
Three rounds of wine passed, and the pair chatted comfortably while dining, the atmosphere quite pleasant.
“There’s an honored guest inside, Clan Chief Chu, you can’t go in—”
Bang!
Following a painful scream, the door slammed open, and the waiter flew inside.
Shi Zi Chu swiftly waved her hand, wrapping the waiter safely within a large sphere of water, cushioning his fall.
Recovering quickly, the waiter bowed repeatedly in gratitude toward Shi Zi Chu, then quietly moved to stand in a corner.
Ye He Qi lowered his chopsticks, his warm smile slightly fading as he glanced toward the door.
“Shi Zi Chu! Haven’t I warned you? If you dare hurt Rou again… Clan Chief Ye? What are you doing here?”
The furious voice quickly softened upon seeing Ye He Qi. The man in martial attire immediately greeted Ye He Qi with respect.
Ye He Qi leaned leisurely back in his chair, lips curved in a faint smile, “Clan Chief Chu is quite imposing.”
The man who’d barged in looked no older than thirty, handsome and strong, with high cultivation and noble status.
Shi Zi Chu, resting her left hand on her cheek, watched from the side, holding a pair of delicate porcelain-white chopsticks in her right.
Chu Zhi Sheng—Clan Chief of the Chu Clan, one of the Seven Clans—and also one of Chu Zhi Rou’s admirers.
It appeared Pei Qing You and Xu Zhou Ye hadn’t succeeded; Chu Zhi Rou had no choice but to call upon Chu Zhi Sheng.
“Clan Chief Ye,” Chu Zhi Sheng bowed politely, “In my urgency, I disturbed your meal. I’ll personally visit tomorrow to apologize.”
Though roughly the same age as Ye He Qi, Chu Zhi Sheng fell far short in capability and tact. Now, realizing he’d disturbed the beloved brother of his sweetheart, he regretted his reckless entrance.
Shi Zi Chu suddenly laughed softly.
Ye He Qi narrowed his eyes.
[A bad feeling…]
In the next second, Shi Zi Chu tossed Ye He Qi a charming glance, her voice sweet and gentle, “Clan Chief Ye, didn’t you say you’d accompany me shopping tomorrow?”
[When did I say that?]
But this clearly wasn’t the moment to contradict her. Ye He Qi maintained his graceful smile and politely declined Chu Zhi Sheng, “Clan Chief Chu, as you can see, I already have a prior engagement.”
Chu Zhi Sheng turned to Shi Zi Chu, undisguised disdain flashing in his eyes at her seductive mannerisms.
[Since when did Ye He Qi become so shallow?]
Someone as rotten-hearted as Shi Zi Chu, aside from her pretty face, could never compare to his gentle and kind Rou Rou!
“Clan Chief Chu,” Shi Zi Chu leisurely asked, composed as ever, “did Jade Void Sect’s invitation card arrive at Chu Clan yet?”
“What’s it to you?” Facing Shi Zi Chu, Chu Zhi Sheng abandoned all courtesy, speaking harshly with open contempt. “You’re just a low-born orphan. If not for luck in becoming Venerable Xing Lan’s disciple, you’d never even set foot in Supreme Virtue City!”
Seeing that Shi Zi Chu’s smile remained perfectly unchanged, Ye He Qi silently admired her excellent composure.
Meanwhile, he inwardly pitied Chu Zhi Sheng for a moment.
“The invitation cards haven’t been sent yet; they’re still discussing the matter,” Ye He Qi explained gently, his voice mild as a spring breeze. Meeting Shi Zi Chu’s gaze, he continued, “Sect Master Meng wants a grand affair, but Venerable Xing Lan thinks it unnecessary. The two have differing views.”
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes flickered thoughtfully.
Remembering Sect Master Meng had discreetly aided her multiple times, perhaps she should lightly repay that kindness this time.
“So, that’s how it is.”
Shi Zi Chu cast Chu Zhi Sheng a meaningful glance, her tone exceptionally calm and gentle, “You’ve scolded me already, Clan Chief Chu. Aren’t you leaving now?”
Chu Zhi Sheng’s status meant she couldn’t openly challenge him.
But she had a powerful backing.
[People must learn to use all resources available.]
With Ye He Qi present, Chu Zhi Sheng didn’t dare cause further trouble. He spat out threateningly, “Just you wait!”
Watching Chu Zhi Sheng storm off, Shi Zi Chu shifted her gaze to the waiter nearby.
The waiter hurriedly bowed several times before stepping out and closing the door.
Ye He Qi once again picked up his chopsticks, leisurely selecting some greens into his bowl. In a soft and gentle voice, he remarked, “I recall the Jiang Clan has a batch of spirit pills they’re preparing to partner with Chu Clan.”
Truthfully, he wanted those pills very badly.
If Shi Zi Chu truly had the skill to persuade Jiang Wan Sheng away from Chu Clan, Ye He Qi was eighty percent confident he could take that partnership for himself.
Meeting Shi Zi Chu’s faintly amused gaze, Ye He Qi smiled openly, without shame.
[The world bustles for profit; everyone seeks advantage.]
“Clan Chief Ye has his eye on Jiang Clan’s batch of spirit pills?” Shi Zi Chu set down her chopsticks and took a sip of the fragrant wine, smiling faintly, “But what benefit do I get from this?”
If not for the momentary coldness she’d shown when interrupted, she’d suspect this was all arranged by Ye He Qi in advance.
Ye He Qi raised his cup, brows beautifully softened with warmth, “Since you’re taking revenge, why not strike a bit harder?”
Shi Zi Chu raised her cup in return and drank again of the sweet wine.
“This isn’t just a bit harder. You’re asking me to completely offend Chu Clan,” she replied, setting down her cup and propping her chin on her hand as she gazed at Ye He Qi.
Her glistening, peach-blossom eyes gleamed softly, revealing an innate charm that could steal souls without effort.
Ye He Qi, smiling gracefully, remained poised and elegant. His eyes revealed only ambition and profit, no distractions.
“Whether you offend Chu Clan depends entirely on your own skill,” he replied gently, though his words carried an indifferent edge beneath the warmth.
If Shi Zi Chu proved strong enough, Chu Clan would fear her and might even try to mend fences.
Based on his limited understanding, Ye He Qi believed Shi Zi Chu could continue climbing upward step by step.
“Clan Chief Ye isn’t sincere.” Shi Zi Chu counted on her fingers, “I’d be fully offending Chu Clan, yet you’d reap immense profit. No matter how I look at it, I’m the sacrifice.”
Ye He Qi smiled calmly, “If Daoist Shi can persuade Young Master Jiang to cooperate with my Ye Clan instead, I’ll split the profits of this batch of pills—one to nine.”
“Two to eight,” Shi Zi Chu held up two fingers.
Ye He Qi raised his cup, “Then I’ll await Daoist Shi’s good news.”
Shi Zi Chu lifted her cup with a confident smile, “Just prepare the celebration banquet.”
And so, a deal was sealed.
After the meal, Shi Zi Chu refused Ye He Qi’s carriage, choosing instead to leisurely stroll home.
The cool night breeze sobered her slightly tipsy mind. She picked up Xue Gu, hugging the little creature closely as she headed back toward the manor.
Nestled in her arms, Xue Gu lazily swung its tail, thoroughly at ease.