Chapter 42 The Battle: Peeling Off Her Skin

Why is Kim Si-ok here too?!

Ji Saiyu noticed Jin Suiqing's panic, patted her hand to calm her down, and took the initiative to stand up and greet the two of them: "Your Highness, Young Master Jin."

Huangfu Li laughed heartily: "Look, you can recognize us at a glance. We're completely different from those charlatans."

Jin Shiyu looked at Ji Saiyu, his gaze lingering on the girl behind her for a moment before quickly shifting away. He smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Yes, that's why some are lying at the bottom of the pit, while our distinguished guests are seated at the head table."

Ji Saiyu remained neither humble nor arrogant, and bowed according to the etiquette of Ziwei City, saying, "I have long heard that the Crown Prince and Young Master Jin are the most romantic people in the capital, unmatched by anyone. Seeing them today, I can confirm that the rumors are mostly false."

Huangfu Li took his seat: "What, is it an exaggeration?"

Ji Saiyu: "It's too low-key."

Huangfu Li burst into laughter and raised his wine glass: "Today's actions have offended Lady Zhufeng. There are just too many imposters these days, so I had to use this method to test her. I apologize."

After saying that, he drank three cups in a row, and Jin Shiyu, who was standing next to him, also drank three cups.

Ji Saiyu could no longer refuse the Crown Prince's request. She picked up the wine cup in front of her and took a sip. From that moment on, Huangfu Li's probing expression finally disappeared.

Ji Saiyu breathed a sigh of relief, but Jin Suiqing's anxiety never truly subsided.

Without a word, Kim Shi-ok, with a smile on his face, was staring at her.

Jin Suiqing didn't dare to move an inch. Damn it, could it be that Jin Shiyu recognized her?

Huangfu Li suddenly said, "Speaking of which, I was able to meet Zhu Feng today thanks to Brother Shi Yu."

Ji Saiyu retorted, "I'm curious, how did you manage to benefit from Young Master Jin's influence?"

What followed made Jin Suiqing's legs go weak like tofu, and she leaned completely against Ji Saiyu.

Huangfu Li: "Brother Shiyu is the actual person in charge of Zhanxing Tower. The five hundred taels of gold came from his hands. Without Brother Shiyu's kind invitation, how could I have borrowed the east wind to meet Lady Zhufeng? Hahaha."

It was as if a bolt of lightning struck Jin Suiqing's head, leaving her charred and cracked.

What? What did Huangfu Li say?

Who is the real owner of Zhanxing Tower? Who came up with the idea of ​​hanging the wind? Who paid for this meal?

Huangfu Li said it was Jin Shiyu?

Her brother, from the beautiful capital city, with his eccentric temper, ostensibly frequents brothels every day, but in reality, he's just clocking in and out to work every day—is he the CEO of the Star Gazing Brothel?!

The owner of Zhanxinglou, whom she had no idea about, was actually right beside her, checking her work every day after get off work.

It wasn't mentioned in the book.

Jin Suiqing's mind was in turmoil, and her eyes darted around, only to meet Jin Shiyu's ambiguous smile, which was even more terrifying than his coldness at home.

That gaze successfully triggered a bloodline suppression that didn't even exist. Jin Suiqing's body swayed, and Ji Saiyu silently caught him.

Damn it, she finally understood why Gong Xiaoyang was afraid of Jin Shiyu.

Ji Saiyu remained calm and composed: "Young Master Jin is indeed a promising young man. He is able to manage such a large restaurant so well at such a young age."

Jin Shiyu waved his hand with a smile: "It's nothing. It's Ms. Zhufeng who is the real expert. She has a wonderful drawing skill and went to great lengths to meet you."

Jin Suiqing's chest flesh trembled again.

Spend money to set up a formation, and kill people to gain momentum.

Jin Shiyu did indeed consume a considerable amount.

Jin Shiyu raised his eyes and teased gently, "Ms. Zhufeng, it seems that the two young ladies you brought are unable to stand? Shall I send someone to bring two stools?"

Before Ji Saiyu could refuse, Jin Shiyu clapped his hands, and soon someone carried a stool into the room. It was very thoughtful; the round stool even had a soft cushion on it. The servant skipped over the person who wanted to sit on the stool and, as Jin Shiyu instructed, placed it next to him.

Kim Shi-ok smiled: "Sit?"

After a long silence, Gong Xiaoyang reacted quickly, grabbing the spot next to Ji Saiyu first, leaving the spot with Jin Shiyu for Jin Suiqing.

Under the veil, Jin Suiqing was grinding her teeth to powder; she would definitely tear Gong Xiaoyang apart when she got back.

Jin Shiyu moved the stool back to make room for her and said gently, "Please sit down, Miss."

The scene felt strangely familiar.

The same thing happened when Kim Shi-ok forced me into his room.

Jin Suiqing closed her eyes and sat down beside him in despair. She still had to play the role of a demure palace maid. She lowered her voice and said coldly, "Thank you, Boss Jin."

Jin Shiyu smiled again, but instead of pouring her wine, he turned his wrist and poured her tea from the teapot, pushing it to her side: "Your voice sounds hoarse, would you like some water?"

Jin Suiqing suppressed her trembling, nodded, and gently shook the veil.

Huangfu Li, sitting opposite her, chuckled mischievously, "Miss, have you heard the rumors in the capital that the young master of the Jin family is indifferent to both men and women? He's so eager to please you, so you should be careful."

Huangfu Li’s lewd remarks made Jin Suiqing uncomfortable, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Jin Shiyu was really as filthy as the rumors said.

Kim Shi-ok did not respond, nor did he look at her again.

With no answers to her questions, there was no point in dwelling on it any longer. Jin Suiqing quietly lowered her hand and tapped Gong Xiaoyang's hand, signaling him to continue the transaction.

Ji Saiyu took out the bamboo tube again and placed it on the table: "As agreed, I will deliver this drawing to His Highness the Crown Prince."

Huangfu Li was not in a hurry: "The reason I invited you here today is naturally not for this blueprint."

“Of course, such a grand entourage wouldn’t make sense just for a single blueprint,” Ji Saiyu said. “Why don’t you speak plainly, Your Highness?”

Huangfu Li: "Madam, rest assured, if it's about making friends, then it's about making friends. I have no other requests."

Jin Suiqing kept rolling her eyes. Make friends? Make friends with your big-headed idiot. If Huangfu Li is telling the truth, she will believe him.

Jin Shiyu, who was standing next to her, took the serving chopsticks from the servant and picked up a crab meat dumpling for Jin Suiqing. Suddenly, she leaned close to her ear and said, "Miss, have you tried the dishes at Zhanxinglou?"

The sudden movement startled Jin Suiqing, who was inwardly complaining. She instinctively dodged backward, but Jin Shiyu stepped forward and stopped her from falling off the stool. He placed his large palm over her lower back and helped her stand up straight.

Having said that, Jin Suiqing quickly sat up straight, and Jin Shiyu immediately withdrew his hand, teasingly saying, "Miss is really easily frightened, just like someone I know well."

Jin Suiqing sniffed. The bitter fragrance on Jin Shiyu's body was masked by the scent of cosmetics, and Jin Suiqing could not smell it. Jin Suiqing felt only a sense of unfamiliarity.

This seems to be the Kim Si-ok as described in the original book.

He is dashing, witty, and well-mannered, a natural womanizer like his scumbag father, always able to seduce men and women.

Who was the brother who took care of her since childhood, carrying her across mountains and out of the cave despite his injuries?

Which one is Kim Si-ok?

Jin Suiqing suppressed the fear brought on by unfamiliarity: "Who looks like Young Master Jin?"

Jin Shiyu said in a low, hoarse voice, "Sister."

The word "sister" struck her soul like a blow. Jin Suiqing suppressed her trembling and then heard Jin Shiyu say, "My sister told me that she was going out to the night market tonight and didn't want me to come with her."

She did report it.

Jin Suiqing calmly said, "It is truly my honor to be like the young princess."

Jin Shiyu immediately stopped smiling. He stepped back and stopped looking at the veiled girl beside him. Instead, he stared at the crab meat dumplings lying in her bone china dish, his fingers gripping the chopsticks so tightly they turned white.

Upon entering, the girl's overwhelming sense of familiarity puzzled Kim Shi-ok, almost causing him to blurt out a name.

younger sister?

They are of similar height and build.

He raised Jin Suiqing, and he would personally measure the clothes sent by the tailor, inside and out, to ensure that the clothes delivered to Jin Suiqing were absolutely comfortable.

Of course, he wouldn't touch the overly private clothing; Kim Si-ok would only look at it.

Examine her carefully, inch by inch, to determine how much she has grown and how much looser it should be next time.

Therefore, he couldn't be mistaken.

You should be able to recognize it at a glance.

But now, after several attempts, the veiled lady remained unmoved, and he couldn't help but question himself: perhaps there really are people in the world who are completely similar in appearance?

Huangfu Li noticed that Jin Shiyu was distracted. He looked at the girl beside him and felt that she was familiar. He then glanced at the quiet girl next to him and said with a smile, "The two girls are sisters. Although we can't see their faces, they look so alike."

Jin Shiyu took a sip of wine, tilted his head and looked at the person next to him: "Does it look like me? I don't think it looks like me at all."

"How about we make a bet?" Huangfu Li said. "If we're not compatriots, I'll book the entire Zhanxing Tower tonight; if we are, how about Boss Jin pays me for a month's worth of drinks?"

Jin Shiyu frowned: "Why does it sound like I'm the one who's losing out?"

Huangfu Li laughed and asked, "Shall we bet?"

Jin Shiyu looked at Jin Suiqing, nodded and raised her eyes, and said with an almost questioning expression, "Why don't you tell me, Miss, should I gamble or not?"

Jin Suiqing roared inwardly, "What the hell are you asking me?"

Do whatever you want, just don't involve her!

Ji Saiyu was already displeased. She flicked her sleeves and stood up: "I think the Crown Prince still doesn't trust me after all. He's deliberately trying to embarrass the two young ladies. So what if we're compatriots? So what if we're not? Does it spoil your enjoyment?"

At this point, Jin Suiqing, who had been in a daze, instantly cleared up. The two of them weren't making fun of her and Gong Xiaoyang at all; it was clearly Huangfu Liduo's hypochondria acting up again, trying to force them to take off their veils and show their faces!

As expected, Huangfu Li slapped his thigh and said apologetically, "Forgive me, forgive me. Brother Shiyu and I lost our composure. We were just really curious about what the three of you looked like under your veils. You see, Brother Shiyu and I have no intention of hiding ourselves. We came here naked. If we are to make friends, we can't just not meet each other at all."

Ji Saiyu beckoned Jin Suiqing and Gong Xiaoyang over and said sternly, "This is the rule of Zhufeng. The most important thing in making friends is respect. If you can't even respect this, then you can forget about making friends."

Huangfu Li feigned weakness: "Madam is right, respect is certainly important..."

Jin Shiyu raised her eyes, staring intently at Jin Suiqing, and said, "But a lady should know that respect is mutual, right?"

A hint of displeasure flashed in Huangfu Li's eyes. He kicked Jin Shiyu under the table and muttered, "That's enough! What are you trying to do!"

Jin Shiyu stood up, seemingly looking at Ji Saiyu at eye level, but actually staring intently at Jin Suiqing, and said coldly, "If I were to say, perhaps from the beginning, Ms. Zhufeng never intended to make friends?"

The atmosphere suddenly cooled.

Ji Saiyu knew that it was time to leave as planned. She pulled the two of them to turn around, but felt Jin Suiqing tapping the back of her hand.

Jin Suiqing said, "We can't leave. If we leave now, Jin Shiyu will not only be suspicious, but he will also keep pressing us."

At least in this respect, she understood Kim Si-ok; if her brother had any doubts, he would definitely dig deep and find them out.

At that time, there will probably be no place for them in the capital.

Upon receiving the message, Ji Saiyu scoffed, "I have no intention of making friends?"

The three returned to the table, simultaneously lifting their veils to reveal their faces.

Ji Saiyu painted three delicate yet bland faces, the kind of faces you'd forget after just one glance, the three faces that are hardest to spot in a crowd.

Ji Saiyu frowned: "Well, Your Highness, Young Master Jin, is it clear that we are sincere?"

Huangfu Li was taken aback for a moment, then quickly laughed and said, "It seems like a joke. I didn't expect Ms. Zhufeng to take it seriously. These two ladies are indeed from the same family. So, Mr. Jin, you must pay for this month's drinks! Not only that, you also need to apologize to Ms. Zhufeng. I propose that from now on, the three of you will not be charged a single penny when you come to Zhanxing Tower!"

Jin Shiyu stared intently at Jin Suiqing, until Jin Suiqing suspected that he was about to see through her facade, recognize her, and arrest her. But then he chuckled, lowered his head to pour wine, drank three cups in one gulp, and with a flick of his wrist, showed the empty cups to the three of them: "It was my stupidity and foolishness that offended Lady Zhufeng. I apologize to you."

Ji Saiyu: "The apology is waived. Let's call it a day. We should be going now."

Huangfu Li urged, "Aren't you going to talk some more?"

Ji Saiyu lowered her veil and said, "There are priorities in making friends. We have already made our decision today. I will leave the blueprints behind, and I hope that His Highness the Crown Prince will deliver the gold as promised."

As long as there is a transaction, there is still a chance. Huangfu Li felt a little relieved: "Madam, won't you leave a way to contact me?"

Ji Saiyu said, "Your Highness, please wait quietly."

Huangfu Li smiled and waved to see the guests off. The moment he watched the three leave the private room, he suddenly picked up the wine pot and smashed it at Jin Shiyu's face: "Jin Shiyu, what's wrong with you now?!"

Jin Shiyu did not dodge, and the jade wine pot smashed into his right cheek, leaving a red and swollen mark. The lid of the pot flipped up, and the wine flew out, splashing wine stains all over his chest.

Huangfu Li paced back and forth in anger, still not satisfied. Pointing at his nose, he cursed, "If you want to do it, then do it for me. If you don't want to do it, then strangle Jin Suiqing and get the hell out of here!"

Jin Shiyu's mind was clear, so clear that his mind was filled with that familiar yet unfamiliar figure.

It is gold fragments and green.

That was clearly gold fragments and green.

He shouldn't have hesitated; he should have gone up and peeled off her skin to see who she really was!

Jin Shiyu took a deep breath and calmly said, "I'm sorry, Your Highness."

Seeing his expression, Huangfu Li laughed in anger: "Jin Shiyu, I think you've been bewitched by your sister."

Jin Shiyu was slightly stunned and looked at Huangfu Li in disbelief.

"You really think I can't tell?"

Kim Shi-ok turned his head away and didn't say anything.

Huangfu Li walked up to him with a cold smile, tapped his shoulder hard with her index finger while wearing the jade thumb ring, and said fiercely, "So what if she's your sister? Does that matter? Jin Shiyu, think about your mother who died tragically. How can you face her?"

When her mother was mentioned, Jin Shiyu closed her eyes.

Seeing his pained expression, Huangfu Li laughed again, pointing to the door and saying, "I think your heart is no longer here. Go, go after her, skin her alive. If that girl is really my sister, do whatever you want with her. Just don't let her appear in front of me again."

Author's Note: The brother and sister are now in the top lane, and the probing has officially begun.

That concludes the 7000-word post. See you next week, everyone!