Xu Jiang was just about to close the door when she saw Lou Yunchun coming over on horseback. She looked up at the sky and saw that it was getting dark.
"Why are you here so late? Returning the book?"
Lou Yunchun stared at her for a long time, nodded at first, then came to his senses and remembered that he didn't bring any books with him.
He hurriedly made up an excuse, "I forgot to bring my book." But as soon as he said it, he felt that this excuse was too lame, and he was so embarrassed that he wanted to go home.
Xu Jiang smiled and asked, "Would you like to sit down?"
"Okay." Lou Yunchun's face felt slightly hot, then he dismounted, tied the horse under a tree, and went into the bookstore with Xu Jiang.
As soon as I entered, my eyes fell on the painting of "Drying Persimmons".
He himself was also good at painting, and if he looked closely, he would know that the theme of the painting was not the courtyard or the persimmons, but the woman whose back was sketched with just a few strokes.
That is an extremely obscure painting concept and intention.
Xu Jiang followed his gaze, her expression slightly startled. She had just put away Zhu Chun's paintings but had forgotten about this one. However, she was used to it hanging there, so there was no need to put it away.
"This painting..." They both started talking at the same time, and then stopped talking at the same time.
Xu Jiang rubbed his fingers together, feeling awkward and guilty. "It was drawn by a friend."
Lou Yunchun didn't ask any more questions.
She changed the subject, "Would you like some tea?"
"Yeah." Lou Yunchun withdrew his gaze and sat down by the stove with familiarity. The water in the pot was almost dry. Xu Jiang went to replace it with a new one. When she came back, she saw Lou Yunchun fiddling with the lamp.
She stared at him for a while before walking over and sitting down opposite him.
"The gate will be closed soon. Can we go back if it's too late?"
Lou Yunchun put down the copper pick and turned to look at her. "I'm from the Dali Temple. The patrol guards won't stop me."
Actually, Xu Jiang wanted to ask him what he was doing so late at night, or what he wanted to talk to her about. But for some reason, when she saw Lou Yunchun's face and eyes, she couldn't bring herself to ask.
Never mind, never mind. Now that it has come, let it go. Speculating too much will only add to your troubles.
She figured it out and began to pick up the teacups and divide the tea, her expression and movements revealing a sense of leisure. Sensing her change, Lou Yunchun also relaxed and stared at her intently as she made the tea.
The water was boiling, and Xu Jiang hurried to lift it, but a hand got there first and took the teapot away.
The steam rose up, and the fresh aroma of tea filled their faces. Xu Jiang looked at Lou Yunchun who put the teapot back on the stove steadily, and smiled.
Lou Yunchun saw the smile, pursed his lips, picked up the tea and took a sip.
"Oh, it's hot..." Xu Jiang didn't have time to stop it.
Lou Yunchun gritted his teeth and swallowed the scalding hot tea, his brows tightly furrowed.
"You made the tea yourself, aren't you sure it's too hot?" Xu Jiang didn't know what to say. "Did you get burned?"
Lou Yunchun shook his head but said nothing.
He must have been scalded. Xu Jiang quickly got up and went to the kitchen to pour him a bowl of cold water, laughing as she poured the water.
She brought out some water and saw him touching his mouth. Thinking he must be in pain from the burn, she quickly walked over and handed him the water.
"Take a sip and hold it in your mouth. Don't swallow it."
Lou Yunchun did as he was told and took a big sip, his cheeks bulging.
Xu Jiang wanted to laugh, but was afraid of embarrassing him, so she held it back. After he spit out the water, she asked, "How is it?"
Lou Yunchun cleared his throat and said, "No problem."
Xu Jiang couldn't help but burst out laughing - his voice was hoarse.
Lou Yunchun felt embarrassed and stood up to leave, but he couldn't bear to do so and was in a dilemma.
Xu Jiang quickly pressed him down and said, "I won't laugh anymore." But after saying that, she was about to laugh again.
Lou Yunchun simply gave up on herself and let her do what she wanted.
The hot tea could no longer be drunk, so Xu Jiang quickly took the kettle off the stove, opened it to cool it down, and made him some sugar water.
The sugar water was warm and cool, which was more to Lou Yunchun's taste than tea. He drank half of it and felt much better.
"Thank you." His voice sounded better, though a little low.
Xu Jiang smiled and said, "Don't be polite to me."
Lou Yunchun was silent for a moment, "You don't have to be polite to me."
Where did this come from? Xu Jiang was puzzled.
Lou Yunchun continued, "I heard that Jisheng Bookstore was causing trouble for you, why didn't you tell me?"
So that’s why.
"It's not a big problem. I can handle it myself." Besides, the two of them were not very familiar with each other. Xu Jiang felt it was inappropriate to trouble him with this matter rashly.
She thought for a moment and asked, "Is this the reason you came so late?"
Lou Yunchun did not deny it, but said, "You don't have to worry, and you don't have to be afraid of him."
Xu Jiang felt a warm feeling in her heart, and her eyes became brighter. "I'm not afraid."
Lou Yunchun's expression shifted slightly, and he suddenly recalled her theory of rapids. He had always known that she was a brave and intelligent woman.
"Old Yuan is already searching for others who were similarly deceived by the Jisheng Bookstore. The Dali Temple is also secretly investigating the connection between the Ministry of Revenue and the bookstore. As long as we have solid evidence, we can hold them accountable and prevent them from committing any crimes."
With just a few words from him, the court affairs seemed to be no big deal. Xu Jiang felt that although Lou Yunchun seemed difficult to get along with and difficult to provoke, he always gave people an inexplicable sense of peace.
Is this a characteristic of public officials who handle criminal cases?
"If they come to trouble you again, come to the Dali Temple to find me." Lou Yunchun was afraid she would refuse, so he added, "This matter has far-reaching implications, not just involving your bookstore, so if you have any clues, you must provide them to me immediately."
Having said that, Xu Jiang naturally couldn't refuse and had to nod in agreement.
Seeing that she agreed, Lou Yunchun took out a badge from his waist and handed it to her, "Keep it. When the guards of the Dali Temple see it, they will let you pass." After saying this, he lowered his eyes and said, "You can also come to the Lou residence with this badge."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
