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Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Zhan Hui Enters the Brothel
Zhan Rui shouted to Zhan Hui behind her, "Big brother, come on, hurry up!"
The moment the fireworks burst, they instantly illuminated the night sky.
Chu Yin looked towards the sound of Zhan Rui’s voice and caught sight of Zhan Hui standing under a locust tree.
She was still angry at Zhan Hui, so she bent down to ask Zhan Rui and Zhan Heng, "Where is your sister Lan’er?"
Zhan Rui scratched her head and said, "Sis went out to have fun by herself!"
That was what Zhan Xuerou had told her.
Zhan Heng also nodded.
Chu Yin sighed, "No wonder I couldn’t find her."
Zhan Hui slowly approached, asking softly, "Have you... been well recently?"
Chu Yin did not even glance at Zhan Hui, saying coldly, "Whether I’m well or not is none of Mr. Zhan’s business!"
Zhan Hui felt snubbed, aware that Chu Yin was still mad at him.
He understood; if Chu Yin had been hot and cold towards him, he would probably react the same way!
Seeing the atmosphere between their brother and Sister Chu Yin was off, Zhan Rui and Zhan Heng exchanged a glance.
Mischievous plans quickly formed in their little heads.
Zhan Rui took Chu Yin’s hand and coaxed, "Sis, take us out to play!"
Zhan Heng also grabbed Chu Yin’s other hand, "Sister Chu Yin, you’re the best, the kindest and most adorable sister I’ve ever met. We want to eat Horse Hoof Cake and also candied haws."
Chu Yin was immensely flattered by these two kids’ buttering up and could not maintain her stern face, bursting into laughter instantly.
As she smiled, the dimples on her cheeks deepened, "Alright! Let’s go, your sister will take you to enjoy some treats!"
With that, Chu Yin was about to walk off with the two children.
Quick as a flash, Zhan Heng grasped Zhan Hui’s hand, saying earnestly, "Big brother wants to eat rock candy haws too!"
Zhan Hui squeezed out a word awkwardly, "Hmm."
Chu Yin looked at Zhan Hui speechless.
What was he trying to do, keeping his distance one moment and drawing close the next?
But it wasn’t proper for her to be alone with the young Miss and Young Master of the Zhan Family either.
So, she could reluctantly let Zhan Hui tag along!
"Fine then!" Chu Yin said, bending forward to the two kids’ expectant gazes.
Upon Chu Yin’s agreement, the two little rascals Zhan Rui and Zhan Heng jumped for joy, winking at each other slyly.
Then, they pulled the two along into the throng of people.
Together, the four of them walked, eating candied haws and Horse Hoof Cake.
Zhan Hui watched as Chu Yin mingled with his younger brother and sister, warming his heart as he observed this tender scene.
He even found himself daydreaming, picturing a future with Chu Yin and children gathered around them.
Startled by his own thoughts, his cheeks flushed, he turned away and looked towards the bustling street.
Suddenly, he spotted a figure entering a brothel, and his eyes darkened instantly.
He said to a beaming Chu Yin, "I have something to do. Can you take my little brother and sister back to Wangjiang Building to find my parents?"
Seeing that the day was drawing to a close, Chu Yin originally planned to hand the children back to Zhan Hui, not expecting him to run off.
What could he possibly have to do so late?
Chu Yin was about to refuse when Zhan Hui vanished into the night like a ghost.
Chu Yin then hurried to take Zhan Rui and Zhan Heng back to Wangjiang Building.
At Wangjiang Building, Zhan Beicang and the others had already descended. With Zhan Hui there, they had no concerns about Zhan Rui and Zhan Heng getting lost.
It wasn’t until Zhan Beicang saw Chu Yin bringing the two maids with Zhan Heng and Zhan Rui back that he noticed.
Feeling intimidated by the solemn Zhan Beicang, Chu Yin stammered, "Uncle, it was... Zhan Hui said he had some business and ran into me, so he asked me to bring Zhan Rui and Zhan Heng back!"
Before Zhan Beicang could say anything, Zhan Xuerou looked at Chu Yin tenderly, "Sister Chu Yin, it’s so late for a lady to be on the street, how coincidental to run into my brother..."
Chu Yin was instantly irked by the sight of Zhan Xuerou. Initially timid in Zhan Beicang’s presence, she straightened up immediately after seeing Zhan Xuerou and said, "Well, I didn’t want to run into him either, but since I’ve brought the people back, I’ll be leaving!"
"You mustn’t be rude, Rou’er. Many thanks to Chu Yin!" Zhan Beicang nodded at Chu Yin.
Qin Shuang went to take the children, smiling, "Thank you, Chu Yin girl. When you’re free, come visit our house!"
Her gaze at Chu Yin was warmer than anyone else’s.
Qin Shuang genuinely liked Chu Yin. This girl was pure and adorable, and her thoughts were easily discernible.
It was also comfortable being around her.
She had heard about some matters between Zhan Hui and Chu Yin like how Chu Yin risked her life to find Zhan Hui at the border. Not many women were capable of such an act.
In her heart, if Chu Yin married her son, she would be more than willing.
However, she felt a bit regretful at the moment because Chu Yin was already betrothed, and it wasn’t something the children could simply wish to change.
Blushing under Qin Shuang’s warm and intense gaze, Chu Yin nodded, "Yes, I’ll certainly visit when I have the chance."
Seeing her mother’s enthusiasm towards Chu Yin, Zhan Xuerou sneered inwardly, "Chu Yin and Zhan Lan are in cahoots with each other."
She certainly did not wish for Chu Yin to become her sister-in-law!
...
Meanwhile, Zhan Hui moved swiftly, entering Chunfeng Building.
His handsome appearance attracted the ladies of the brothel whose eyes lit up as they surrounded him.
"Sir, come on in!"
Zhan Hui’s gaze was icy, disdainfully glancing at the scantily clad courtesans.
The courtesans recoiled from the murderous look in Zhan Hui’s eyes.
Seeing the situation turning sour, the brothel owner quickly intervened to smooth things over.
"Oh, sir, are you not fond of our girls here?"
She asked sarcastically.
Zhan Hui replied coldly, "A man named Zhang Cheng just entered here, didn’t he?"
The brothel owner sensed something was amiss. The noble-looking young man before her radiated a deadly intent, seemingly here to pick a fight.
The brothel owner forced a smile, "Oh, I haven’t heard of such a guest!"
With that, she flicked her handkerchief at the courtesans behind her, "Have any of you served a patron named Zhang Cheng?"
The courtesans chimed in unison, "No, not at all!"
The brothel owner turned to Zhan Hui with a forced smile, "You’ve heard it yourself, we don’t have such a guest here!"
Zhan Hui’s expression hardened as he challenged, "I saw him embracing a woman as he entered this place; how dare you say he’s not here?"
The brothel owner felt the tide turning against her and realized the young man wouldn’t leave until he found who he was looking for.
Dropping the pretense, her expression changed, "Our patrons are officers’ sons and wealthy young masters. If you disturb their pleasure, don’t blame me for being rude!"
As the brothel owner finished speaking, over a dozen brawny men with bare arms and aggressive demeanor surrounded Zhan Hui.
