Chapter 1209: Chapter 741: Chance Encounter in the Red-Light District (First Update)

Yan Jinyao looked at Lin Zichan, suddenly finding herself at a loss for words, blocked by his remarks.

"I’ve let down Miss Yan’s kindness," Lin Zichan said apologetically, then wasted no time and coldly turned around to leave.

Though he didn’t say anything too harsh, that moment made it clear his rejection was absolute!

Lin Zichan took a few steps.

He saw An Ning in the distance.

An Ning also noticed Lin Zichan’s gaze, feeling inexplicably awkward.

Almost as if she had been spying on him.

But An Ning was worldly-wise, so she played it cool, pretending to be unfazed since she was already caught.

Lin Zichan went to her side and gave a courteous bow, "Madam."

"Luck with the beauties, huh?" An Ning tossed out casually.

Lin Zichan pressed his lips together, slowly responding, "The feeling is mutual."

An Ning frowned.

It somehow felt like Lin Zichan was being sarcastic.

"I have some matters to attend to; I’ll take my leave, Madam," Lin Zichan said respectfully.

And then left directly.

An Ning had grown accustomed to Lin Zichan’s arrogance.

This was a person who seemed polite but, upon interacting, his inherent pride and unyielding attitude were palpable.

Once Lin Zichan left.

Yan Jinyao came over.

Her eyes were red and teary. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

After all these years, An Ning had never seen Yan Jinyao cry.

Used to the harshness of the world, ordinary matters wouldn’t usually bring tears to her eyes.

But at this moment, unable to hold back, tears streamed down in front of An Ning.

An Ning didn’t know how to comfort her.

Deep down, she hadn’t intended to comfort her.

"Boss, I was rejected." As Yan Jinyao spoke, her defenses crumbled entirely.

An Ning pressed her lips together, "Four-legged frogs are hard to find, but two-legged men are everywhere."

Yan Jinyao, with tearful eyes, looked at An Ning.

"If you fancy an Imperial Guard, I can ask around for you when I return," An Ning continued.

"I feel like I won’t like anyone else," Yan Jinyao said sadly, "After all these years, I only fell for Lin Guard and was rejected so heartlessly. I won’t dare to like anyone after this."

"Then don’t like anyone. A woman can live well on her own," An Ning stated frankly.

"..." Yan Jinyao felt that the boss was unusually cold towards her today.

As if being rejected was just a matter of course.

Yan Jinyao wiped her tears, "Boss, join me for a drink. I need to vent."

"Alright." An Ning agreed readily.

Things around here were mostly sorted anyway.

She was planning on returning to the Imperial Palace in a few days.

Despite still enjoying life outside the palace, some responsibilities couldn’t be shirked.

Especially leaving Fu Xingyi alone in the palace; it tugged at her conscience.

An Ning and Yan Jinyao left the manor directly.

As they left, Lin Zichan was sharpening his sword in the courtyard.

He wanted to personally forge a little sword just for An Youyou.

Perhaps, even after he left, she would think of him often.

Guan Yu and the others came out of the room, having rested for a few days. Feeling better and with nothing to do, they planned to go out for a drink, then noticed Lin Zichan seriously working on the sword in the courtyard.

Guan Yu went straight over, "Lin Guard, join us for a drink."

Lin Zichan instinctively considered refusing.

"You’ll be returning to the palace along with the lady in a few days, and chances like this will be rare, come on, let’s go," Guan Yu persuaded, "Meeting is fate."

Lin Zichan couldn’t resist Guan Yu’s enthusiasm.

He ended up following them out.

But he hadn’t expected Guan Yu to lead him straight into Yihong House, Wenzhou City’s most famous brothel.

"Lin Guard, first time in a place like this?" Guan Yu noted Lin Zichan’s uneasy demeanor, knowing he hadn’t been here before.

At the moment, each of them had a courtesan sitting beside them pouring drinks.

Guan Yu and the others were quite adept at drinking and joking around with the courtesans.

Only Lin Zichan kept a respectful distance from the courtesan.

"I’ve spent so much time in Xun City. While Xun City is indeed bustling and its women are all beautiful, the women in Xun City are too cold and elegant. They can’t compare to the bold allure of Wenzhou’s women. Experience the beauty of Wenzhou women; you’ll find them unforgettable when you return," Guan Yu boasted.

Lin Zichan responded blandly, still maintaining a refusal despite the courtesan’s attempts to get close, he consistently rejected them.

"Guan Yu, isn’t this brothel owned by our lady?!" Liu Lai asked.

"Yep, this entire street we’re on belongs to the lady," Guan Yu said proudly, "The lady spent only three months in Wenzhou and nearly monopolized its trade."