Lin Zhi's expression turned grim.
"Is there no room for negotiation?" he asked.
“There’s no room for negotiation,” Zhu Jiayu replied with a smile. “If Young Master Lin is undecided, I can wait three days. After three days, you can send over the Lin family patriarch's token, and our deal will be considered complete. If you are unwilling, that’s fine too. For me, it’s just losing a partner, don’t you think?”
She finished speaking with a light smile, then got up and left with Lüzheng, showing no respect to Lin Zhi whatsoever.
After hearing the door being pushed open and then closed, Lin Fangyue hurriedly ran out from behind the screen: "Third Brother, what kind of riddles were you two talking about? I couldn't understand a word of it!"
Lin Zhi looked at her and shook his head. "Think about it again. If you can't figure it out, you don't need to eat tonight."
Lin Fangyue puffed out her cheeks and pouted as she recalled the two men's words and actions. She finally noticed the detail of the tea-pouring: her fourth brother had made two conditions, and tea had been poured into the cup twice. Later, Miss Zhu made a new condition, and tea was poured into the cup again.
"Could it be... that this tea is more than just tea?" She looked at her third brother, hoping to glean some clue from his expression.
Lin Zhi, however, was determined not to give her any hints.
After a long stalemate, he finally gave in. He nodded in response.
Lin Fangyue then started thinking again.
She was hiding behind the screen behind Zhu Jiayu, so she could have secretly seen their movements.
But after thinking for a long time, she still couldn't come up with an answer, so she could only give up and ask, "Then is this tea a condition?"
"To be precise, it's sincerity, the benefits she wants, and also her greed." Lin Zhi sighed and said through gritted teeth, "What a greedy woman."
However, his tone also implied appreciation and admiration.
How could one not admire such greed? Such audacity is beyond the reach of ordinary people. Only Zhu Jiayu, with both courage and skill, dared to make such an outrageous demand.
Seeing that his sister couldn't figure it out, he didn't bother to waste time with her. "It's not really quenching thirst; what it can solve is the Lin family's predicament."
We can't really not let her eat dinner! My silly little sister is still growing; if she goes hungry, her mother will start crying and wailing again.
"Third Brother, we..." Lin Fangyue looked at him anxiously, remembering what Zhu Jiayu had said before he left.
She wanted to ask her third brother whether he would agree to the conditions proposed by Zhu Jiayu.
Lin Zhi thought for a moment and said, "This is a very important matter, I need to think about it carefully."
...
After leaving Songchao Tower, Zhu Jiayu quickly boarded a carriage and left.
The sky had completely darkened, with only the paper lanterns under the eaves of the shops lining the long street emitting a dim light, illuminating the chilly night air of late September.
At this time, the streets were deserted, making the autumn scenery even more desolate.
Not far away, inside a lavishly decorated carriage, a beautiful woman lowered the brocade curtain and spoke softly, "Is that Zhu Jiayu?"
Her voice was soft and delicate, with a slightly deep tone. As she spoke, she exuded an air of pampered elegance and languid charm.
The maidservant standing outside the carriage quickly curtsied and agreed.
"Go and find out who she met tonight, but don't alert her."
"I understand," the maid replied softly, and slowly walked towards the teahouse.
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