Taming The Hidden Bigshot By Kissing Him
Chapter 509: I Promise You We’ll Get Engaged

Chapter 509: Chapter 509: I Promise You We’ll Get Engaged

Lu Yingxue asked softly, "Ayi, why aren’t we leaving?"

Zhong Yi took a deep breath, suppressing the aversion in her heart, "It’s nothing, let’s go."

Unrejected, Lu Yingxue drew even closer.

The faint, cold, and sweet scent of Silk Tree Flower exuded from her body tightened Zhong Yi’s lips even more.

Following the old butler through the spacious living room and along a floral gallery, they arrived at the dining room.

The old butler pushed open the doors to the dining room, where the long table was already beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and arrangements, displaying great taste.

Seated at the head of the table was an old man with hair and whiskers white as frost. Despite being well into his nineties, his spirit appeared to be quite well. His face was etched with the wrinkles of time, yet his deeply set eyes shone with extraordinary brightness and vitality.

This was the Old Master of the Zhong Family, Zhong Hongfei’s grandfather, Zhong Yi’s great-grandfather.

The entire Imperial Capital respectfully addressed him as the Old Master of the Zhong Family, a pride of an era.

"Sit."

His every word and action carried a presence that quelled any thoughts of rebellion from the heart.

"Thank you, Old Master."

Lu Yingxue sat down cautiously, her face appropriately ingratiating.

Zhong Yi appeared much more relaxed.

The old butler rang the dining bell, "Serve the dishes."

Soon after, savory dishes were brought to the table by the servants one after the other. Only after the Old Master began to eat did Zhong Yi and Lu Yingxue follow suit.

The dining room was exceptionally quiet — the Zhong Family adhered to the tradition of ’no talking during meals and no talking during bedtime.’ There wasn’t even the sound of cutlery clinking against the edge of bowls.

Fifteen minutes later.

The meal finally concluded.

The Old Master put down his chopsticks, and the old butler handed him a cloth napkin to dab at the corners of his mouth. Tea water, freshly brewed, was placed before everyone to cleanse the palate.

The Old Master of the Zhong Family put the napkin aside and said, "Today marks the first round of the Golden Needle Conference. I’ve heard that Yingxue’s performance won unanimous praise from everyone. Very well done."

"Thank you for your praise. I still have a lot of room for improvement." Lu Yingxue glanced at Zhong Yi, hesitating before speaking, "Old Master, I have an impertinent request."

The Old Master’s voice carried a bit of muffled depth, "Speak, we’re all family sooner or later."

Lu Yingxue clenched her fists and spoke softly, "My father has been tasked with being a judge at the Golden Needle Conference at a critical time, yet I am a competitor. Whether it’s to avoid suspicion or to favor me, it’s unfair to the other participants. I’ve heard that you, Old Master, and Mr. Huang, the successor of the Gold Needle Technique, are old friends, so I would like to ask you to invite Mr. Huang... if that would be possible..."

Lu Yingxue couldn’t quite gauge the Old Master’s temperament, even though she had met him many times.

"You want me to persuade Huang Bingyi?"

"Yes. This would also benefit my father, to save him from a quandary. If we could invite Mr. Huang to the Golden Needle Conference, many people would be pleased."

Lu Yingxue thought more and more that this was a good idea!

After all, the ultimate goal of the Lu Family was to win the top position at the Golden Needle Conference and have her serve as the Vice President, not some temporary judge role.

The Old Master of the Zhong Family cast a deep glance at Zhong Yi, seeing him leisurely sipping tea, and said, "You are a filial child. You have come seeking my help to spare your father trouble, and I shall fulfill your filial piety."

Lu Yingxue tentatively asked, "Are you agreeing to it?"

"Mhm. I will give Huang Bingyi a call. He should not refuse, out of respect for me. It’s just acting as a judge, not to mention it is not against his vow since it does not involve treating patients or saving lives."

"Thank you, Old Master!"

Joy filled Lu Yingxue’s face, as she felt increasingly sure that Zhong Yi had given her an excellent suggestion.

Where would they know he did that to nip troubles in the bud and prevent Lu Bannong from tampering at a critical moment.

"First, have the housekeeper take you on a tour, Ayi and I have some things to discuss," Old Master Zhong spoke slowly, his tone amiable but leaving no room for refusal.

Lu Yingxue, quite tactful, quickly stood up and said, "I’ve long heard that the Zhong Family’s greenhouse has bred many new varieties of flowers, I’d like to see them."

The old housekeeper smiled and said, "Miss Lu, this way, please."

"Thank you."

Lu Yingxue followed the old housekeeper out, the heavy doors of the dining room slowly closed.

Utter silence.

Old Master sipped tea with his clear eyes fixed on Zhong Yi, "Was it her idea to change the judges, or yours?"

Zhong Yi smiled innocently, "The Lu father and daughter care about their reputation, aren’t you aware of it by now? Since the Gold Needle Technique competition’s top prize is within easy reach for the Lu Family, why not earn a little more fame? Besides, if Lu Yingxue covets the Gold Needle Technique and since Master Huang has never taken any disciples, if she could become his apprentice... Lu Yingxue would walk sideways in the Chinese Medicine Community."

Although Lu Yingxue is the heir to the Thirteen Ghost Needles, in the Chinese Medicine Community, it’s not customary to acknowledge only one master in a lifetime.

If she could learn from many masters, Lu Yingxue’s future would be bright.

The old master leaned back in his chair and pondered, "Sounds like it was her idea, and it benefits her a lot. But others may not know your origins, I, however, am well aware... Zhong Yi, are you helping the Lu Family or that girl from Haicheng?"

His piercing gaze seemed to probe into one’s soul.

Zhong Yi did not avoid the gaze, but met it squarely, "Anyone with clear eyes can see I’m helping the Lu Family."

Old Master Zhong chuckled deeply, "Is that so? I’ll make this call for you, but to ensure it’s foolproof, you must agree to a request of mine."

Zhong Yi’s eyes grew colder, "What request?"

Old Master spoke unhurriedly, "No matter whether Lu Yingxue wins the competition or not, you two must get engaged and have children soon."

Zhong Yi looked at him and for the first time asked seriously, "Why choose Lu Yingxue? Have you picked her to be my fiancée?"

"The Zhong Family needs a Family Head’s wife. She always puts interests first when considering issues, she has a good family background and reputation, and is strategic. As long as enough benefits are provided, she will be easy to control."

Zhong Yi murmured with downcast eyes, "I agree to your engagement proposal, since all you need is a tool for continuing the lineage."

He despised those who were only concerned with profits; emotions are always more reliable than interests.

"You little rascal, I’ve overlooked your antics before, but if you endanger the Zhong Family’s interests..." Old Master Zhong’s eyes seemed to fill with a penetrating chill, "I might have brought you back, but I can also groom others."

Zhong Yi pulled a wry smile, "Will you live long enough?"

Having said that, he quickly walked away, and a porcelain plate smashed behind him, shattering into pieces on the ground.

...

The setting sun westward.

The night embraced, with the moon exceptionally clear and pristine, casting a silvery frost upon the ground.

Garden Villa of the Huo Family in the Imperial Capital.

Qiao Xi slouched lazily on the bedroom sofa, her face flushed. After being coaxed into drinking a lot of medicinal liquor by Young Master Sun that evening, she washed up and, wearing a thin nightgown, leaned here to sober up.

The sound of water could be heard faintly from the bathroom.

It was Huo Xingzhou taking a shower.

Before long, the sound of water stopped and the bathroom door was pulled open. The man came out casually draped in a bathrobe, and Qiao Xi turned her head and immediately froze.

The alcohol affected her, slowing her reactions compared to usual, but making her much bolder.

She reached out with her fair, delicate fingers to touch.

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