Chapter 142: Preparations
Lord Bai Jiu found a temporary residence in Sichuan, close to the trading post.
He had drunk a little too much during the day, took a short nap in the afternoon, and didn’t wake up until near evening.
Xie Jing was curled up beside him. He seemed more tired than usual these past two days, sleeping even more deeply than Lord Bai Jiu, and had yet to wake.
Lord Bai Jiu’s fingers brushed over his cheek, tracing down to his nose, then adjusted the strands of hair that had fallen loose—they had grown much longer since leaving Shanghai. Even though he had been by his side these past few days, he still couldn’t get enough; his gaze lingered on Xie Jing, softening with affection.
Xie Jing, always sensitive to heat, used to sleep with just a thin blanket in the northern winter once the floor heater was on. Now in Sichuan, it was no different—his hands and feet were exposed.
The autumn air was slightly cool, and Lord Bai Jiu had added a jacket, but his little Xie Jing still slept with his sleeves rolled up halfway, arms exposed, fingers unconsciously clutching Lord Bai Jiu’s collar tightly.
Lord Bai Jiu watched for a moment. He had only intended to lean in closer, but couldn’t resist planting a kiss—forehead to nose, then on the lips, one after another, unable to stop.
Xie Jing tried to burrow into his embrace, still wanting to sleep.
Lord Bai Jiu chuckled lightly, pinching and rubbing his earlobe, soothing him.
After a while, Xie Jing burrowed even deeper, his exposed skin flushed as if he had drunk wine.
…
A few days ago, Xie Jing had been ill. Though he had eaten once, it had been just a small taste.
Lord Bai Jiu hadn’t expected that today, Xie Jing would be so proactive. For a moment, he didn’t know whether to be surprised or impressed.
Previously, Lord Bai Jiu had always taken the lead. It had felt like an exploration, while his Jing’er had always been shy, never initiating, only pleading when pushed too far.
After today, Lord Bai Jiu realized an important truth:
Everything said in bed must be interpreted in reverse.
Xie Jing clung to him, sweating, chest heaving violently. Though sticky and flushed, he didn’t move a finger to get up and wash; every ounce of strength had been drained.
Lord Bai Jiu’s hands moved over his back, gently caressing, finally resting on his waist.
He lifted slightly.
Xie Jing let out a muffled hum and pushed him away, fingertips trembling: “No.”
Lord Bai Jiu, savoring the feeling, kissed him: “Just one last time.”
Xie Jing’s eyes reddened, shaking his head, trying to hide, but this time he abandoned all restraint: “No, I… I want…”
“Jing’er, whatever you want, I’ll give you.”
Xie Jing bit his finger, crying in a chaotic mess.
He had been self-reliant since he was three, never troubling his family.
But today, his entire sense of shame was shattered.
No matter how tired he usually was, he would tidy himself properly. But today, he only wrapped himself in a clean thin blanket, not daring to even peek out. When Lord Bai Jiu called him, he didn’t respond.
Lord Bai Jiu tidied the bed, fetched water to clean him, and softly coaxed him for a long time.
Xie Jing only revealed his eyes, eyelashes clumped with tears, like a wronged little dog, sniffling and murmuring: “I said earlier, I wanted to come out, but you didn’t listen.”
Lord Bai Jiu held him entirely in his arms, pressing multiple kisses, softly coaxing: “It’s not that I didn’t listen, it’s just that I really couldn’t stop then. Next time I won’t do this, I promise.”
Xie Jing snuggled further into the blanket.
Lord Bai Jiu said, “In a couple of days, I need to go to Meishan. There’s something at home, might have to trouble Cao Yunzhao.”
Xie Jing poked his head out slightly, slurring a question: “What kind of thing?”
Lord Bai Jiu cleared his throat: “Business matters. Nothing serious, I can handle it.”
Xie Jing asked, “Do you want me to go with you?”
Lord Bai Jiu chuckled, teasing: “You’re not angry now, are you?”
Xie Jing: “Still a little.”
After a moment, he whispered earnestly: “Just a little.”
Lord Bai Jiu’s heart melted at that, and he changed his words before he could refuse, kissing Xie Jing on the tip of his nose: “Then come with me. I’ll apologize properly on the way, alright?”
The Sichuan salt shipments would take several more days to load, and just the stretch from Zhuandou Township didn’t require Xie Jing to stay. Xu Jun had arranged everything smoothly, freeing up time for Xie Jing. By the time they returned from Meishan, everything here would be prepared.
Lord Bai Jiu stayed a few days in Sichuan, then departed for Meishan with Cao Yunzhao.
On the day of departure, Xu Jun came to see them off. Xie Jing searched the crowd but didn’t see his uncle or He Dongting.
Xu Jun said, “Your uncle caught a cold a couple of days ago, still recovering, so he won’t come. He asked me to give you these.” He handed several silver notes to Xie Jing. “On the road, don’t let yourself suffer.”
Xie Jing took them, thanked him, then asked, “What about my father?” Xu Jun shook his head: “He had a small quarrel with your uncle these past two days, wants to stay quietly at the old residence for a couple days to think.”
The old residence was where Xie Jing and his sibling had lived initially. Surrounded by bamboo, slightly aged but tidy, just as it had been when Xie Yuan was still alive.
It wasn’t surprising that He Dongting might go there.
The Yunmeng Mountain bandit suppression had concluded. Luo Nianqiu led a team to the entrance of Yunmeng Gorge to escort them from Sichuan to Meishan.
Meishan wasn’t far from Sichuan; a forced march could cover it in a day.
This trip was uneventful, no bandits encountered.
After delivering Cao Yunzhao’s group, Luo Nianqiu didn’t enter the city but camped outside for a day, then departed the next day.
Cao Yunzhao carried his commission to assume office. Bureaucracy was always tedious; he stayed behind to resolve the previous administration’s mess. Other matters could wait, but he first found a residence for Lord Bai Jiu—since he’d received the school funds, he treated the moneyed man with utmost courtesy. The courtyard was large, halfway up the hill, peaceful and scenic, ideal for Lord Bai Jiu to stay and develop projects together.
Xie Jing accompanied him to inspect it and found the environment satisfactory. The cost was lower than he expected—buying the house and the back hill cost only a thousand taels, roughly the price of a small courtyard in Beiping.
Cao Yunzhao’s secretary, who had accompanied him from Beiping, smiled: “Lord Bai Jiu, how do you find it? This is the best property in Meishan. Spacious, with room to expand. If you find any issues, just tell me—no need for formalities.”
Lord Bai Jiu nodded: “Much obliged.”
Xie Jing circled the courtyard and was quite satisfied. He ended up standing in the main hall, staring ahead, ears gradually reddening.
Bai Mingyu approached, following Xie Jing’s gaze, puzzled: “Little Xie, what are you looking at? It’s empty here, nothing to see.”
Snapping back, Xie Jing said seriously: “Nothing, just thinking about what chairs to place here.”
Bai Mingyu: “You’re not stupid, are you? This is the main hall, where guests are received. Like in the north, rows on either side, two grand chairs at the front…” He gestured, explaining to Xie Jing.
Xie Jing suddenly smiled. Bai Mingyu turned, suspicious.
Xie Jing suppressed the smile, cleared his throat: “You’re right.”
Bai Mingyu had been pranked by him many times before; hearing “Second young master is right” caused him mild trauma. After staring at Xie Jing for a while, he furrowed his brow: “You… you already know?”
Xie Jing feigned ignorance: “Know what?”
Seeing his expression sincere, Bai Mingyu realized his assumption was wrong and quickly changed the topic: “Ah, nothing. Just matters with Aunt. When you left Shanghai, didn’t I tell you to behave and give gifts? I followed your advice and wrote many letters.”
Xie Jing glanced at him.
Bai Mingyu’s heart thumped, and he blurted: “I also had people send her things occasionally…”
Xie Jing corrected: “Listening to me? You did it because you wanted to.”
Bai Mingyu blushed, embarrassed: “Anyway… anyway, if this works out, I’ll give you the first credit!”
Xie Jing: “Not necessary.”
Satisfied with the hall, Xie Jing wanted to turn to find Lord Bai Jiu. Bai Mingyu hesitated but called out: “Hey, Little Xie!”
Xie Jing turned: “Yes?”
Bai Mingyu stammered: “I’m afraid you’ll worry, so I’ll tell you in advance. Lord Bai Jiu brought you to Meishan partly to spend a few more days with you, and partly to avoid your father, He Dongting.”
Xie Jing frowned: “Why?”
Bai Mingyu: “Remember Huaxing Textile in Shanghai’s eastern suburbs?”
Xie Jing nodded. It was actually two textile factories, adjoining each other, on a prime piece of land near the docks. In the next two years, land and house prices would soar—a great location.
Bai Mingyu glanced at the courtyard, whispering: “Originally, Boss He wanted to sell it for 400,000 silver dollars. Lord Bai Jiu refused, suggesting rent—50,000 per year.”
“I know that.”
“You don’t know! Lord Bai Jiu spent three months manipulating Huaxing stock, bought it at the bottom. Combined with Huaxing’s years of losses and bankruptcy, he acquired it for 300,000.” Bai Mingyu leaned closer, whispering in Xie Jing’s ear: “That 300,000 was just for appearances. I handled it—actually, only 40,000 was paid to other shareholders… You remember whose factory this was?”
Xie Jing raised an eyebrow. If he remembered correctly, it was He Dongting’s.
“Now it’s called Hengfeng Yarn Factory.” Bai Mingyu patted Xie Jing’s shoulder, sighing: “I told you as a friend—be prepared.”
Bai Mingyu looked at Xie Jing sympathetically. He had seen many family disputes—whether mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, or son-in-law and father-in-law—the person caught in the middle had the hardest time. Little Xie was in a terrible position. Lord Bai Jiu had monopolized both small and large factories in Shanghai, even taking away Xie Jing’s father’s business. How was Little Xie supposed to choose?
Bai Mingyu worried for him.
Xie Jing paused, asking: “Is that all?”
Bai Mingyu, stunned: “Isn’t that enough?”
Xie Jing thought for a moment, then smiled: “No, I was mistaken.”
Bai Mingyu asked: “How do you plan to handle the textile factory?”
Xie Jing: “It’s fine. One family needs to adjust to each other; there’s plenty of time ahead.”
Bai Mingyu never expected Xie Jing to let it go so easily. On the way from Shanghai to Sichuan, he had worried constantly, fearing Lord Bai Jiu and Boss He would clash. How could Little Xie have such a big heart?
Author’s note / side scene:
Bai Mingyu’s worry—
He Dongting: Not about this, sigh.
Xie Siquan: Not about this damn matter!!
Lord Bai Jiu: Wrong.
Little Xie (glances at Lord Bai Jiu): I don’t know, let’s talk in a few days, not too concerned.
…
Bai Mingyu: What?
