The meeting ended on bad terms.
Yu Mobai raised his hand, his fingertips gently brushing against the collar of Liu Jinhuai's luxurious robe. The movement was gentle, yet it carried a scrutinizing meaning. He then withdrew his hand, a faint, self-mocking loneliness flashing in his eyes.
“Although I, Yu Mobai, come from a border town, I know that the word ‘friendship’ is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold. I regard Brother Huaijin as a rare confidant, and I believe that there should be something… different between us.”
He took a step back, creating that dangerous distance, and revealed that familiar, vibrant smile that Liu Jinhuai knew so well.
"I owe you the military power. When Yancheng is stable and trade routes are open, I will repay you handsomely. As for tonight..."
Yu Mobo paused, his gaze sweeping across the deep night outside the window. His tone returned to its usual gentleness, yet carried an unyielding firmness.
"It's late, Brother Huaijin should rest early. Mobai, I'll take my leave."
After saying that, he stopped looking at Liu Huaijin's face, which had suddenly turned ugly, nodded slightly, and turned to leave.
His steps were neither hurried nor slow, his back straight, like the green bamboo in the mountains that remained unmoved by wind and rain.
Only the sweaty palms revealed his tension and fear at that moment.
...
Yu Mobai's temporary residence in the central area.
Hongdou was anxiously serving him. He had always respected and been loyal to his city lord. Seeing Yu Mobai return with a solemn expression, he was naturally distressed.
"Master, now that we have military power and have visited and thanked Young Master Liu, why don't we set off back to Yancheng tomorrow?"
Yu Mobai naturally understood Hongdou's concerns.
Yu Mobai didn't actually care about the bedroom matters. His act of refusing today was just an attempt to cleverly seize control of the definition of their relationship.
At this moment, Liu Jinhuai must have felt angry and resentful, but he was also swayed by the notion of a "close friend" and the promise of future benefits.
His desire for self-conquest will only increase as a result. And this is exactly the effect Yu Mobai wants.
"No rush. In the next few days, have your men gather information on the pharmacists, drug dealers, and clinics in the central area..."
...
Liu Jinhuai sat alone on the empty bed, a lump of anger, resentment, and an unprecedented sense of defeat choking him.
When has Liu Jinhuai ever gone through so much trouble to get the person he wanted?
The steward of the manor, who was good at reading people, immediately understood what was going on and soon quietly brought over several handsome and clever young men.
In the past, Liu Jinhuai might have casually kept someone he found pleasing to the eye to pass the long night.
But tonight, after just one glance, a strange sense of unease welled up inside him.
"Get out!"
His voice was cold and hard, carrying an undeniable anger.
After those people left in a state of fear and trepidation, the room returned to silence.
But this silence made another figure clearer in his mind—it was Yu Mobai in the study, turning around and throwing a knife straight at the bullseye, with a smile on his face that was a mixture of wildness, provocation and triumph.
So vibrant, so dazzling, it possessed the unique, untamed vitality of the border town.
Compared to this smile, the deliberately cultivated docile demeanor from before suddenly seemed pale and powerless, like a fish eye compared to a pearl—utterly tasteless.
He leaned back on the couch, his thoughts drifting uncontrollably back to the past.
Back in Yancheng, Yu Mobai spent his days with this group of young masters from the city center, going sightseeing and joking around. At the time, he thought Yu Mobai was a man of good taste and understanding.
Looking back now, it seems that beneath that "knowing what's good for him" was probably a deeper thought—Yu Mobai was afraid! He was afraid that a scoundrel like Song Chuwu would come out again to harm his people, so he had no choice but to personally intervene and use himself as a shield.
His trip to the central district, going to great lengths to befriend me, was naturally for the sake of the people of Yancheng.
Thinking of this, Liu Jinhuai's frustration suddenly dissipated, and he even felt a sense of smugness in control of the situation.
Since he has something to ask for, and what he wants is right in his hands, why should he be afraid that this bird, which is already in the cage, can really fly away?
As I savored Yu Mobai's face, which always wore a vibrant smile, I could almost hear his seductive words echoing in my ears again.
"Brother Huaijin, is this all you want for me?"
My heart, incongruously, began to pound wildly again. A feeling mixed with a desire to conquer and anticipation replaced all unpleasantness.
He was so excited, eager to completely imbue that vibrant color with his own, eager to see that in those lively eyes, only his image would ultimately be reflected.
---
The next morning, Yu Mobai arrived at the Liu residence as usual.
Today he wore a light purple brocade robe, the color of which was elegant and refined, yet it made his handsome face even more striking, and the lively spirit in his eyes seemed to dispel the gloomy mist in the center of the room.
Even Liu Jinhuai, who was used to seeing beautiful women, couldn't help but be amazed. The lingering anger in his heart vanished the moment he saw this person appear on his own initiative and dressed so radiantly.
He understood immediately. Yu Mobai's behavior last night was nothing more than an attempt to raise his value by leveraging his rare commodity status. He understood, he understood everything.
Seeing Yu Mobai's exceptional demeanor before him, Liu Jinhuai felt that this person was indeed worth his time and effort.
Enjoy a good game of chess, savor the thrill of the hunt, and the unparalleled sweetness of finally succeeding.
— — — —
The courtyard was quiet, and the autumn breeze, carrying a hint of languor, caressed the carefully trimmed flowers and trees.
A tea ceremony has been set up on the stone table. Beside the exquisite official kiln tea set, a wisp of agarwood incense rises from the jade incense burner with animal-shaped handles, lingering in the air with elegant traces.
Liu Jinhuai and Yu Mobai sat facing each other on opposite sides of the chessboard.
Black and white pieces are scattered, and the battle is in full swing.
The beauty of Go lies in finding a worthy opponent.
Yu Mobai's chess style is agile, sometimes launching surprise attacks, and sometimes maintaining a steady and defensive stance.
Liu Jinhuai, on the other hand, had the overall situation under control and proceeded cautiously step by step.
The two exchanged blows, a fierce battle of strangulation and counter-strangulation unfolding in the confined space, with neither able to gain the upper hand for a time.
This intellectually equal contest gave Liu Jinhuai, who was always arrogant, an unprecedented sense of exhilaration and pleasure, as if every move was a tacit collision of souls.
After playing chess for a long time, until the sun was setting, Liu Jin smiled, still feeling unsatisfied.
"Excellent! Mo Bai's talent always surprises Huai Jin."
After sitting for a while, he led Yu Mobai into the study.
The study was cool and quiet, with newly acquired calligraphy, paintings, and antiques displayed on the display cabinet.
Liu Jinhuai unfolded an ancient landscape painting with great interest, pointing out its brushstrokes and artistic conception. He then picked up a small bronze tripod and recounted its history and stories.
To be fair, Yu Mobai's knowledge of these refined things is far inferior to Liu Jinhuai's.
His years in Yancheng taught him how to survive and how to scheme, rather than how to appreciate these "useless things" that require a lot of wealth and cultural heritage.
However, he showed no sign of fear or impatience.
He turned slightly to the side, approaching in a perfectly focused posture, his gaze following Liu Jinhuai's fingertips as they moved across the painting.
Those obsidian-like eyes were exceptionally clear, reflecting Liu Jinhuai's eloquent figure with a pure and undisguised appreciation and thirst for knowledge.
It was as if he were gazing up at a magnificent world he had never encountered before.
Yu Mobo would occasionally ask one or two seemingly "unprofessional" but insightful questions, which precisely satisfied Liu Jinhuai's desire to teach and perform.
This kind of completely genuine—at least in Liu Jinhuai's view, sincere concern—is more pleasing than any blatant flattery.
Looking at his profile softened by the candlelight and listening to his occasional sighs of realization, Liu Jinhuai felt a surge of control and spiritual satisfaction, like drinking a warm, mellow wine, leaving him feeling completely relaxed.
What he was enjoying was no longer just the antiques and paintings themselves, but also the vibrant and lively person in front of him, who was now looking up at him with all his heart.
They were "infused" with their own knowledge and charm.
Yu Mobo returned to his temporary residence that day, and Liu Jinhuai did not stop him.
He enjoyed the thrill of this "cat and mouse" game and looked forward to his date with his beloved the next day.
The next morning, Yu Mobai arrived as promised. He had changed into an apricot-colored brocade robe, the color of which was warm and gentle.
In stark contrast to his bright purple robe yesterday, he appeared approachable and elegant, as if he had concealed all his sharpness, leaving only tranquility.
The two had breakfast together, which consisted of thick white porridge, exquisitely crafted pastries, and more than a dozen elaborate side dishes, all of which showcased the extravagance and wealth of the Liu family.
Yu Mobai remained calm and even carefully observed Liu Jinhuai, serving him food and soup according to his preferences. This subtle thoughtfulness pleased Liu Jinhuai greatly.
After having breakfast, Liu Jinhuai took Yu Mobai to a private cocktail party for aristocratic young people in the central district.
The attendees were all descendants of powerful and wealthy families, and several familiar faces, including Song Chuwu, were prominently featured.
During the banquet, musicians played elegant music such as "Three Variations on Plum Blossom," and many noble young men who were well-versed in music spontaneously played their instruments in harmony, creating a lively yet refined atmosphere.
Yu Mobai sat quietly to Liu Jinhuai's right, seemingly appreciating the top-tier prosperity and bustle of this central district.
However, his mind was as clear as a mirror, and he calmly noted down the identities, relationships, and conversations of everyone present, turning this information into leverage for the future.
As the wine flowed freely and everyone's spirits rose, they arranged for an actor to perform a segment from "The Romance of the Western Chamber" to add to the merriment.
Just then, Song Chuwu, slightly drunk, suddenly started a commotion.
"Lord Yu!"
His tone was flippant, and his gaze swept freely over Yu Mobai.
"What's the fun in just watching a play? Why don't you perform a piece yourself and broaden our horizons?"
His tone equated performing on stage with entertaining actors, and the contemptuous meaning was self-evident.
A moment of silence fell over the room. Everyone knew that Lord Yu was just a puppet ruler from the border town. But the fact that he was sitting next to Liu Jinhuai at this moment made all the difference.
Everyone held their breath and watched to see what would happen.
Faced with this blatant provocation, Liu Jinhuai did not immediately step forward to defend him.
At today's banquet, Yu Mobai's gaze lingered too much on others, which made him somewhat displeased.
Furthermore, he also had a purpose: to make Yu Mobai understand that in this central area, without Liu Jinhuai's protection, he would be unable to move an inch, and relying on him was his only refuge.
Amidst a flurry of subtle glances, Yu Mobai remained calm and composed. A faint smile played on his lips.
She rose calmly and walked briskly toward the stage.
He didn't approach the musician, but went straight to the weapon rack beside him. With a nimble flick of his toe, a longsword rose into the air, which he caught steadily. The whole movement was fluid and graceful.
Immediately, a flash of sword light appeared, creating several beautiful sword flourishes, and the figure moved accordingly.
When he spoke, it was in a clear and upright martial arts tone, with clear pronunciation and agile movements.
The sword moved with the man, and the man danced with the sword. For a moment, the stage was filled with flashes of cold light and fluttering robes.
He possessed an even more genuine heroic spirit and a greater sense of power than the performer from before.
The young noblemen below the stage had never seen such a spectacle before. How could a border town lord possess such skill and charisma!
They were completely mesmerized; those bright eyes and that graceful figure captivated them, making it almost impossible for them to look away.
Liu Jin was initially captivated by Yu Mobai's appearance; he seemed to be radiating light.
However, when he keenly noticed that when Yu Mobai was performing his sword dance, his smiling, bright eyes met Song Chuwu's gaze several times.
When that look in his eyes held no murderous intent, but rather a bright and vibrant energy that bordered on provocation, the admiration on his face froze instantly.
Just then, Yu Mobai leaped lightly, his sword tip protruding like a dragon. Amidst the gasps of the crowd, the cold blade gently, yet undeniably, pressed against Song Chuwu's neck.
"Young Master Song,"
Yu Mobai was slightly out of breath, his face flushed from exercise, and his smile was so bright it was almost blinding.
"Did you still find it exciting?"
Song Chuwu was so frightened that her face turned pale and her body stiffened. She could see her own disheveled state reflected in those eyes that were so close to hers, but apart from fear, she could see her own.
An even stronger, more twisted desire also rose in Song Chuwu's eyes.
"Wonderful! Wonderful!"
He answered, his voice trembling.
"snort!"
A cold, angry snort rang out. Liu Jinhuai abruptly stood up, his face so dark it could drip water, and without even glancing at the others, he left his seat.
This meticulously planned cocktail party ended in an awkward atmosphere as Liu Jinhuai stormed off in anger.
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