Chapter 85 — Precious Pearl
Before leaving, Lord Bai Jiu went to visit his aunt.
Madam Bai, the lady of the Bai family, was herself a legendary figure—single-handedly holding up the family business and expanding it from Nanfang district all the way to the capital and Shanghai.
She had only this one nephew, whom she adored deeply. She insisted he and his companion stay for lunch and chatted with them for a while.
During the meal, only aunt and nephew sat together at the main table. The younger ones were sent to eat and drink outside so the elders could talk comfortably.
Madam Bai had faint wrinkles at her temples and the corners of her eyes, but her expression was still gentle and kind. Her smile was warm and her tone soft. While serving Bai Jiu dishes, she said affectionately:
“You caused such a stir outside before, and since coming to Nanfang you haven’t rested for even a year—always busy with business. Don’t overwork yourself, you must take care of your health. Do you have anyone attending to you? If not, I know a few families with good girls—perhaps not as well-off as ours, but well-bred and kind. I can send you their photos later.”
Lord Bai Jiu shook his head. “No need.”
Madam Bai’s eyes lit up in surprise. “Ah—so there’s already someone? Whose daughter?”
Bai Jiu replied calmly, “He’s still young and a bit shy. When he’s older, I’ll bring him to greet you.”
At that point, there was no need for further persuasion.
Madam Bai hadn’t meant to force anyone on her nephew anyway. She just wanted him to have someone thoughtful by his side—to talk to and care for him. Now that she’d heard he already had someone, she was delighted. Though she hadn’t seen the person, she immediately ordered a small box to be fetched from the storeroom as a meeting gift.
Bai Jiu glanced at the golden, carved jewelry box and declined politely. “He doesn’t like such ornaments, Aunt. Better you keep it.”
Madam Bai smiled. “I know young people today don’t care for gold or jade. This isn’t jewelry—it’s a luminous pearl I happened to acquire years ago. I had it made into a pendant. It’s nothing valuable, just rare. Let the child have it to play with.”
She opened the box. Inside lay a smooth pearl, about the size of a longan, strung on a fine gold chain. In daylight it gleamed faintly, a soft glimmer flowing within.
Madam Bai explained, “I’ve seen luminous pearls before, but this one is different. If you leave it in the sun for a while, it will glow for three days and nights—bright enough to light a whole room.”
Lord Bai Jiu accepted the box and thanked her.
On the way back from Nanfang, they took the automobile.
Xie Jing rode with Lord Bai Jiu. Knowing Xie Jing got motion sick, the master let him rest his head on his lap the whole way.
Xie Jing didn’t expose the truth—he wasn’t actually carsick. But the chance to be close to Lord Bai Jiu was something he would never refuse.
With his head resting on the man’s knee, Xie Jing toyed with the smooth white pearl hanging from a slender gold chain around his neck.
Lord Bai Jiu’s hand brushed through his hair, fingers trailing down to his ear. He pinched the lobe gently and murmured, “Still uncomfortable? There are a few hours left—sleep for a bit?”
Xie Jing shook his head, placed the glowing pearl on his chest, then hesitated slightly. “Master, this thing is too precious.”
Lord Bai Jiu replied, “Since it was given to you, keep it.”
After a moment’s thought, Xie Jing didn’t take it off. He turned over and wrapped his arms around the man’s waist.
The master’s hand rested on the back of his head, comforting him with a faint smile.
They returned safely to the provincial capital.
Xie Jing first asked for leave to visit Grandma Kou.
Lord Bai Jiu offered to send a car, but Xie Jing declined. “It’s only a few blocks. I’ll walk.”
The master thought briefly, then nodded. “All right.”
After getting out, Xie Jing walked back alone to the little restaurant.
Recently, a Bai family caravan had returned, and since there wasn’t much happening in Nanfang, Xie Jing had let Li Yuan travel back with them. Bai Mingyu wasn’t causing trouble at gambling houses anymore, and Xie Jing himself was under Lord Bai Jiu’s watchful eye—so Li Yuan was no longer needed to “win money.” Having followed Grandma Kou for years, Li Yuan was happy to return home.
It had been nearly two years since Xie Jing last visited.
The restaurant looked much the same as before—same old wine banner fluttering in the wind.
He entered through the side gate into the backyard. The layout hadn’t changed much, except for a new large wine jar placed by the wall.
From the kitchen came the steady sound of chopping vegetables and cheerful chatter.
When he peeked in, he saw Grandma Kou in her apron, cooking at the stove, flanked by two tall, sturdy women—one chopping vegetables, the other tending the fire.
Xie Jing knocked gently on the doorframe. The chopping drowned the sound out, but the woman cutting vegetables noticed him first. She froze, then smiled brightly. “Grandma, look who’s back!”
Grandma Kou turned and, seeing Xie Jing, was so overjoyed she dropped her spatula. She hurried over, almost hugging him but stopped herself, afraid her apron was too dirty. Xie Jing bent down slightly to embrace her first and greeted softly, “Grandma.”
She answered with a trembling “Ah,” tears springing to her eyes before words did. She wiped them with her sleeve, touching his face lovingly. “Just seeing you makes me so happy I don’t know what to do. Look at you—grown taller! Let Grandma take a good look at you.”
Xie Jing stood quietly as she examined him from head to toe.
She held his hand and kept talking, smiling through tears. Only when the women asked about the food did she turn and say, “Take that fish out to stew. The rest can wait. Jing’er’s home today—tell Li Yuan to close the front and let’s have a proper talk.”
Xie Jing said, “Is there much work left, Grandma? I can help.”
The two women chuckled.
Grandma Kou smiled too. “No need. I’ve got help now—one boy in front, two cooks here. Enough hands. Go change and rest a bit.”
Xie Jing returned to his small room—it was spotless and unchanged, even his bedding freshly sun-dried and soft.
When he opened his wardrobe, he realized most clothes no longer fit—he’d grown taller.
Then came a knock.
“Come in,” he said.
The wooden door creaked, and Li Yuan’s voice came from outside the curtain. “Xie Jing, Grandma asked me to bring you new clothes. The ones in your cabinet are from last year.”
Xie Jing lifted the curtain, wearing only thin pants. “Perfect timing, I was just about to change.”
Li Yuan handed him a few simple-colored garments but froze when his gaze landed on Xie Jing’s bare back.
Xie Jing took the clothes and went inside to change.
Li Yuan stood there, hearing the rustle of fabric, but didn’t leave.
When Xie Jing came out, Li Yuan hesitated, then said softly, “Xie Jing… your back—there are ‘marks.’”
Xie Jing paused, touched his back lightly, then answered calmly, “I know. They’re not injuries.”
Li Yuan watched his expression closely, then asked cautiously, “It was… Lord Bai Jiu?”
“How did you know?” Xie Jing asked.
Li Yuan sighed. “I guessed. Who else could it be? Tell me honestly, Xie Jing—was it by your choice?”
Xie Jing nodded. “Yes. But I haven’t figured out how to tell Grandma yet. Please don’t mention it.”
Li Yuan agreed. Then, after a pause, he admitted, “It’s pretty visible. Bite marks on your shoulder, a bruise at your waist…”
He left the rest unsaid—the faint red traces covering every part of Xie Jing hidden by clothing. Lord Bai Jiu had indeed been possessive.
Later, the restaurant closed early.
Grandma Kou prepared a feast.
Xie Jing didn’t dare drink much, but she poured him a cup of homemade wine and smiled. “Made from last year’s grapes—been saving it for you. Have a sip. You’re home; there’s nothing to fear.”
The wine was fragrant and sweet.
She asked about his time in Nanfang, and Xie Jing and Li Yuan exchanged glances, skipping over the gambling den stories, sharing only the lighter tales.
Then Xie Jing took out a small box—a set of seven gilded enamel combs and mirrors. “I brought this for you, Grandma. Everyone in Nanfang uses them.”
She admired the craftsmanship and smiled. “I’m too old for such fine things. I’ll keep it for you—give it to your wife one day.”
Li Yuan choked on his drink, coughing red-faced.
Xie Jing rubbed his chin, his ears flushing. “He wouldn’t use them, Grandma. You keep them.”
Xie Jing stayed home for a few days, finally relaxed.
The eastern courtyard sent things over several times—first food boxes of pastries and soup, then ink, brushes, fine fabric for new clothes. A few days later, a man arrived leading a white horse—Lord Bai Jiu had sent Bai Shisi (Xie Jing’s horse) to him.
“Manager Xie,” the man said respectfully, “Master was afraid you’d be bored at home, so he told me to bring Bai Shisi for you.”
The horse recognized him and nuzzled Xie Jing’s palm affectionately.
Xie Jing stroked its mane, smiling. “Where’s Master now?”
“In the east courtyard.”
He mounted at once. “Grandma, I’m going out!”
“Will you be back tonight?” she called.
“Not sure!” he answered, and the horse neighed, eager to run.
He rode straight to the Bai estate.
At the stables, the horse balked at returning, lightly tugging Xie Jing’s sleeve.
He fed it sugar and told the stable hands, “Give it good feed, more beans.”
They laughed. “Of course, Manager Xie—we always do.”
When Xie Jing entered the eastern courtyard, the familiar guards greeted him with relief. “You’re finally back! Master was asking for you all morning.”
Xie Jing recognized one from Nanfang and asked, “He was looking for me?”
The man sighed. “Who else? He wouldn’t let anyone summon you. You’re at home relaxing, but we’ve all been walking on thin ice. Trouble’s been brewing—embezzlement, petitions… Master was furious, dismissed seven or eight people in one go. Please, try to calm him today.”
Inside, Xie Jing heard a cough and quickened his pace.
Lord Bai Jiu looked up, surprised but pleased, and gestured for him to come closer. “Have you been well these few days? How’s Grandma?”
Xie Jing sat beside him. “All well. Why didn’t you call me back?”
The man chuckled, pinching his cheek. “I don’t summon you, and you scold me? You hadn’t seen your family for so long—I wanted you to rest.”
“But I didn’t know you were unwell. If I had, I’d have returned sooner.”
“It’s nothing. Just caught a chill from the wind. I’ll be fine in a few days.” He asked, “And you—what have you been doing these days?”
Xie Jing leaned his face into his hand, brushing against his palm. “I was at home… thinking of you.”
From anyone else, such words would sound flirtatious. From Xie Jing, they were simple truth.
Lord Bai Jiu smiled faintly, leaned in, and kissed him.
That mouth was indeed sweet—no wonder such tender words came from it.
Before long, he ordered tea and snacks to be brought.
They shared porridge and pastries together, and when the plates were carried out again, they were spotless.
Outside, the servants finally breathed in relief.
