Chapter 8: The Black Jade Pendant

Smack!

Just as it looked like he was about to subdue Ye Fei, Ye Fei suddenly lifted his hand and effortlessly caught hold of a long, slender leg.

"Ah!"

Zhou Danzhuang instantly felt her strength wane and nearly tumbled right into Ye Fei's arms.

"This leg—not bad at all," Ye Fei chuckled mischievously.

Utter humiliation!

It was truly an utter humiliation!

It was one thing to be caught by a petty thief, but to be taken advantage of as well!

"I'll kill you!"

Zhou Danzhuang, like a lioness about to erupt, was ready to lash out when Lin Qiqing hurried down the stairs. "What's going on? What happened?"

"Second Sister, so you are home after all!" Zhou Danzhuang was momentarily stunned. "There was a burglar, and I was just about to deal with him!"

"A burglar?" Lin Qiqing was also surprised, as if something dawned on her. "No, it's a misunderstanding! He's not a burglar—he's our junior disciple, Ye Fei!"

"Junior disciple?" Zhou Danzhuang's body trembled. "You—you are our junior brother?"

"That's right! You must be my Ninth Senior Sister," Ye Fei nodded.

"Oh! So you really are our junior brother!" Realization dawned on Zhou Danzhuang, and her pretty face flushed red. "I'm so sorry, I misunderstood you. I thought there was a burglar in the house!"

"It’s all right, Ninth Sister. After all, it’s our first meeting."

"What happened between the two of you?" Lin Qiqing looked at them, puzzled.

"Ah! Nothing!" Zhou Danzhuang quickly pulled back her long leg.

Thinking of what had just happened, her face turned even redder.

She and Lin Qiqing had always lived alone in the villa, so at home, she tended to be relaxed. Today, after getting off work, she wanted to use the bathroom and take a shower, so she took her clothes off. Who could have expected Ye Fei to suddenly walk in and see everything!

To think, Zhou Danzhuang had never had a boyfriend her whole life, and now a man had seen her completely exposed! And of all people, it was her little junior brother!

Her feelings were a tangled mess.

"Second Sister, good thing you showed up in time, or else I would have ended up fighting with Ninth Sister," Ye Fei said, trying to diffuse the awkwardness.

"I see," Lin Qiqing didn't think much of it. "Danzhuang, Ye Fei will be living with us from now on."

"What? Living together?" Zhou Danzhuang snapped back to herself.

Lin Qiqing shrugged, a touch of resignation in her gesture. She would have preferred Ye Fei to find his own place, but this guy was thick-skinned.

So, there was no other choice for the time being.

"Oh, well, since Junior Brother has come to Hangzhou to find us, of course we should look after him! The house is big anyway, and there are empty rooms," Zhou Danzhuang agreed, not dwelling on it. After all, it was all a misunderstanding, and Ye Fei was her junior brother.

"Ye Fei, Master has told us for a while that we’d have a junior brother!" Zhou Danzhuang gave him a once-over. "Although your clothes are a bit rustic, you’re actually quite handsome! If you ever get into trouble, come to me—I'm with the Detective Bureau!"

"Heh, thank you, Ninth Sister!" Ye Fei grinned, thinking how much more easygoing this Ninth Sister was compared to the stern Second Sister. "Actually, Ninth Sister, I do have something I’d like your help with."

Zhou Danzhuang was surprised. "What is it?"

"Help me look into the origins of this." Ye Fei took out a black jade pendant.

"Oh? What’s this?" Zhou Danzhuang played with it curiously for a moment.

"It's something very important," Ye Fei said, his tone turning solemn.

This jade pendant was the only thing left on him when Master found him. It was the sole clue to his past.

Since Ninth Sister worked at the Detective Bureau, she was naturally the best person to ask for help.

"Got it! Don’t worry, I’ll have it figured out for you tomorrow!" Zhou Danzhuang promised. "I’m heading upstairs. I’ll treat you to a meal another day!"

"All right!"

Watching Zhou Danzhuang go upstairs with Lin Qiqing, Ye Fei turned and went to his own room.

He tidied up a bit, then showered and went to bed.

But upstairs, someone was having trouble falling asleep!

After her bath, Zhou Danzhuang slipped into a black camisole nightdress. "Damn you, Lin Qiqing, you let Junior Brother move in and didn't even tell me! Made such a fool of me!"

"I was busy and forgot," Lin Qiqing replied, also in a long nightgown. "It was just a misunderstanding—what’s so embarrassing about it?"

"I..." Zhou Danzhuang was at a loss for words.

If Lin Qiqing ever found out that Ye Fei had seen her naked, that would be even more mortifying.

"What do you think of Ye Fei?" Lin Qiqing suddenly asked.

"What do I think? He’s already moved in..." Zhou Danzhuang was a bit exasperated.

"But I don’t really like him," Lin Qiqing frowned, her willow brows drawing together. "He’s too freewheeling, doesn’t follow the rules, and besides, he’s a man!"

"What does that matter? He’s our junior brother—having another brother is nice!" Zhou Danzhuang replied with a half-smile. "Not everyone is like you, cold and keeping men at arm’s length!"

"Zhou Danzhuang, don’t question my preferences!"

...

The next day.

Morning.

Lin Qiqing, barefoot and yawning, came downstairs.

Today was Ye Fei’s first day on the job.

She was about to call Ye Fei to go to the Wan Gu Group together, but saw that his door was still tightly shut—obviously, he was still sleeping in.

Her beautiful eyes narrowed, and her impression of Ye Fei slipped another notch.

But—

Just as she was about to go wake him, she heard a noise coming from the kitchen!

Curious, she walked over.

She found Ye Fei, dressed in a tank top, bustling about preparing breakfast while humming a tune.

The aroma of seared steak drifted from the pan.

"Hmm?" Lin Qiqing raised an eyebrow. When did he get up?

"Second Sister, you’re awake?"

Sensing her behind him, Ye Fei grinned, quickly stepped forward to guide Lin Qiqing to the dining table.

"Come, try my steak."

A steaming steak was set before her.

"You know how to cook steak?" Lin Qiqing looked at the color and was quite surprised.

"Of course! Who can’t make something this simple?" Ye Fei smiled broadly. "Otherwise, following Master, I’d go hungry nine times a day!"

Lin Qiqing thought about it and found it unsurprising. She simply raised her delicate hand, sliced off a piece, and tasted it.

The flavor was excellent.

It was as good as any upscale western restaurant.

Lin Qiqing looked up, just about to praise Ye Fei, when she saw him casually take off his tank top!

"You—"

"What are you doing!"

Startled by her rebuke, Ye Fei quickly turned around. "I... I’m just taking off my shirt! What’s wrong, Second Sister?"

"Who told you that you could undress in front of me!?"

Lin Qiqing frowned and turned her head away—only to freeze in surprise!