Chapter 56
In early November, the weather suddenly turned cold.
Once the weather in the northwest starts to get cold, it will be covered with ice and snow, and the wind will be biting.
Ye Jia watched the gloomy sky grow, worried that it would snow in the next few days. She left home early in the morning and hurriedly called Ajiu over. She asked Ajiu to accompany her to Libei Town. She had made several attempts to meet with the head of the Cheng family, but nothing had happened. Then, yesterday, someone suddenly delivered a message to the shop, saying they had agreed to meet with her.
She had to go out, so the shop's affairs had to be handed over to Ye Wumei and Yu. Old Man Sun had to drive Ye Jia there, and it was impossible to walk back and forth. His legs would be broken if he walked, so he had to run like an animal.
"What a coincidence! The carriage was made and delivered yesterday, and we can use it today." Old Man Sun is an expert at driving an oxcart, but this is his first time driving a mule cart. Even in his cotton-padded jacket and bamboo hat, he can't help but grin. This man, no matter his age, has always been fond of things like carriages. Even though the mule is not his, Old Man Sun couldn't help but reach out and touch it several times. "Boss, come up and sit down quickly. Let's set off as soon as possible."
Ajiu had already gotten on the car and was sitting inside.
Seeing Ye Jia coming up, he got out of the carriage and sat on the rafters with Old Man Sun. Ye Jia wanted to say it was okay to come in, but then he thought that this was ancient times and he should abide by the rules. So he didn't say anything and just leaned against the carriage, closed his eyes and dozed off.
Mules travel much faster than oxen. By the time an ox cart had covered a mile, the mule cart had already covered three or four. It was a little unstable, and Ye Jia felt a bit jolted upside down. Fortunately, she wasn't prone to motion sickness, so she didn't feel dizzy when she got off.
It was just past 9:00 PM when the group arrived at the Cheng family's gate. Someone just happened to come out. A mule cart pulled up, and a half-grown child ran out from the gate. The child hurried over to ask, and when he heard that the person was looking for the Cheng family's boss, he inquired about who the person was. Ye Jia quickly lifted the car window and told them about his meeting with the Cheng family's steward.
The boy's expression changed when he saw Ye Jia's face. He looked like he recognized Ye Jia. After all, the relationship between Ye Jia and the Cheng family's young master was no secret in the Cheng family. But since it was so public, he couldn't bring himself to talk about it. He nodded and said he would go in and ask.
Ye Jia was not in a hurry, so she nodded and let him go: "We'll wait outside the house."
Ah Jiu jumped down from the rafters and stared at the imposing plaque in front of the Cheng family's gate for a long time. While the people inside were questioning him, he asked Ye Jia: "Sister, I heard that the Cheng family also started out as a merchant?"
Ye Jia was mentally preparing a plan when he heard the question and glanced at the Cheng family's gate: "Yes, I started out as a bodyguard."
As she spoke, she saw that Ajiu looked thoughtful, and something in her mind moved. She now had some ideas about the things she had been thinking about before, and she didn't mean to deliberately guide her. She just told Ajiu about the rise of the Cheng family: "The brothers of the Cheng family are all good at fighting. In addition, the head of the previous generation of the Cheng family was a heroic and righteous person, and he made friends with many capable brothers. These people got together and set up an escort agency. They are kind and hardworking. They escorted convoys for a few times and they did well. Gradually, their reputation grew..."
"Is that so..." Ajiu turned his head and glanced at the huge gold-plated characters of Cheng Family, "We have to take it one step at a time."
Ye Jia listened to his sigh and smiled, "Isn't it? Any business is done step by step. No one can become rich overnight. Take it step by step and build your reputation. Then business will naturally come to you."
As the two were talking, the child rushed out again. He stopped three steps away from the mule cart and bowed. "Miss Ye, Manager Zhang said he has an appointment with you. He's already waiting in the reception room. Please come in quickly."
Ye Jia was taken aback when someone suddenly called her "Miss Ye." She wore her hair in a woman's bun, yet she was being called "Miss." But it was only for a moment. Without dwelling on the child's address, Ye Jia hurriedly got out of the carriage and took Ah Jiu with her into the Cheng residence. Old Man Sun didn't need to go in; he stayed outside watching the mule cart. The child followed the two closely, looking at Ah Jiu with a strange look as they walked.
The two of them walked through the front yard and patio, around to a corner gate, and through a corridor to a reception room. It's worth mentioning that although the Cheng family is located in this northwest area, their houses and pavilions are very exquisitely built. It can be seen that they are indeed a wealthy family.
The manager named Zhang turned around when he heard the noise and saw Ye Jia raising his hand and making a gesture of invitation.
The Cheng family had many managers. After all, with such a vast family and business, no one person could manage everything. The Cheng family head was more cautious about important matters, delegating some of the smaller ones to trusted individuals. Manager Zhang, whom Ye Jia wanted to meet, was in charge of the trade routes to the Western Regions. He selected all the goods, large and small, destined for the Western Regions, and he had a say in whether they would be accepted by the Cheng family.
The Cheng family's business escorted goods to the Western Regions in two ways. One was a buyout: they inspected the goods and, if they found them suitable, paid the full amount. The Cheng family's subsequent sale price in the Western Regions was irrelevant to the merchant. The other was a commission-based deal: while the Cheng family provided escort and sales assistance, the merchant set the price. They simply took the agreed-upon commission.
The group sat down, and Manager Zhang directly explained the options for either escorting or receiving the goods. The choice would depend on the choice and negotiation between the two parties. However, the prerequisite was that the goods provided by the merchant were of high quality and would not tarnish the good reputation of the Cheng family business.
"Of course." Ye Jia knew that business people were not stupid. No one was so foolish as to be fooled by a few words. The Cheng family had reached this point, so they were all shrewd people. "If the product is not good enough, it would be embarrassing to come to us. But Manager Zhang, whether this product is good or bad has to be ranked."
The best things can be sold at the highest prices, and affordable things can also be sold at affordable prices, right?
Ye Jia was here to discuss selling her scented soap. Of course, she wouldn't claim her products were the best, but she was confident in their quality. She could make so much money in Dongxiang Town, maintaining long-standing partnerships with Linglong Rouge Shop and Lihua Lane, so her products must be good. However, the quality couldn't compare to the fine goods used by the wealthy in the Central Plains; she didn't have the confidence to justify it.
"The fragrant soap I have in my hand isn't the expensive variety from the Central Plains. It uses fewer spices and is more simple and durable."
Ye Jia briefly described the types and uses of the fragrant soap and pulled out a small sample from his pocket. "I brought some samples over. Manager Zhang can try them yourself. They're effective for removing fishy odors and beautifying the skin. If we want to sell them, we can go for a low price and high volume."
The fragrant soaps that Zhang Guanshi collected from the wealthy merchants in the Central Plains were all fine products smoked with a dozen or so spices. A single piece of these fragrant soaps would fetch three or four taels in a Central Plains shop, but in the Western Regions, it would fetch two or three times that much. Because the merchants he dealt with were all prominent figures from the Western Regions, and these items were rarely brought in, they were naturally in high demand. However, if he asked the merchants to take more, they would be too expensive to sell in the Western Regions. If he could truly lower the price, he could create a good gimmick to lower the price and sell it to those of slightly lower status, which would be a good sales channel.
"Does the Cheng family have any businesses or shops in the Western Regions?"
Ye Jia knew that these large trading companies usually had branches and shops in various places. The Cheng family had been going to the Western Regions to sell goods for quite some time, so they should be familiar with the local area. "If we can cooperate, it will save you the trouble of going all the way to the Central Plains to escort the goods."
Since Manager Zhang was able to meet Ye Jia, he naturally knew some things a long time ago.
Dongxiang Town is now famous for its three best-selling scented soaps, and the Cheng family noticed them two months ago.
It wasn't just Ye Jia's family; they were also keeping an eye on a scented soap maker in Luntai. Scented soap was indeed a hot commodity. Whenever they got some, it would be snatched up by the local nobles within two days of arriving. The Cheng family had considered importing more of the finer goods, but they were too precious, and since they were unskilled in making them, they could only let the scented soap merchants in the Central Plains take advantage of them.
The merchants in the Central Plains are very ruthless. They know that things like soap are easy to sell if given away, so they are confident in asking prices.
The Cheng family suffered from being technologically controlled by others, and could only listen to their advice. However, in recent years, Shanxi merchants have maliciously suppressed and inflated prices. As merchants, they already earned only a hard-earned income, and this move reduced their earnings even further. Despite their prestige in the northwest, the Cheng family was actually suppressed by their peers in the Central Plains. Unable to stand up straight, they naturally had to find another way.
They'd discussed it with Luntai last year, and the two sides had collaborated. However, the scented soap produced by that particular workshop was significantly inferior to that produced in the Central Plains, and the Cheng family was hesitant. Then, just as Ye Jia came knocking on the door, the Cheng family's steward deliberated before deciding to meet.
"Aside from the different spices, the effects of this fragrant soap are actually the same." Ye Jia looked at his expression and guessed that he was wavering. "Manager Zhang, you can try using Piyazi, or even fish. After kneading it, it can wash away any fishy and pungent smell."
Manager Zhang was not vague and immediately asked someone to bring a fish over.
The fish, of unknown origin, had a strong fishy smell. As soon as Manager Zhang placed it on the table, the odor permeated the air. He reached out and kneaded the fish for a long time, then sniffed it. The smell didn't seem fishy enough. He then ordered a bowl of a paste of some unknown substance, sour and stinking to the point of being nauseating. He calmly placed his hand in it, then washed it with the fragrant soap Ye Jia had brought.
After raising my hand, I put it under my nose and smelled nothing. Not only was there no bad smell, but there was also a faint sweet scent of osmanthus.
"It's indeed the scent of osmanthus. This time we brought osmanthus-scented soap. Since we often use osmanthus at home, the samples we brought here are naturally osmanthus-scented." Ye Jia nodded with a smile and continued, "Actually, there are three scents in total. Customers can choose the scent based on their personal preferences. If merchants in the Western Regions have other preferences, I can also customize the scent according to their preferences."
After trying it himself, Manager Zhang immediately had a plan in mind. But even though he was ready to work with Ye Jia, he remained impassive. He wasn't in a rush to agree on a price, simply ordering the tea to be served.
As he said this, his expression relaxed. Even though he didn't explicitly say he wanted to cooperate with Ye Jia, his attitude clearly became much closer. He looked up at the time and saw that it was time for lunch. Manager Zhang politely helped Ye Jia and Ajiu sit down, then mentioned that his family had a chef who was very good at cooking mutton, and invited Ye Jia to stay for lunch to taste the chef's skills.
"It's not too late now, it's time for lunch. Don't worry, Boss Ye, your groom will be taken care of outside."
Ye Jia's eyelids moved slightly, knowing that today's matter was settled, and he was no longer anxious.
The Cheng family's chef was indeed quite skilled at cooking mutton, stewing it until it was tender and flavorful. Ye Jia didn't eat much, but Ah Jiu drank quite a bit with Zhang, the steward. Fortunately, Ye Jia had brought Ah Jiu with him, otherwise, Ye Jia wouldn't have been able to drink with Zhang, the steward.
Seeing Ah Jiu drink so much without changing his expression and looking clear-headed, Manager Zhang praised him profusely, "This guy is quite good. Speaking of scented soap, we've found a few here. I've even tried their samples. Quality-wise, they're all pretty much the same. Yours is just a bit more sophisticated, barely a bit better than theirs. We gentlemen don't really care about the aroma, but women do like the lingering fragrance..."
"Of course. A lingering fragrance on your hands is always better than having no smell at all." Ye Jia immediately guessed that another family must have been negotiating with the Cheng family.
"After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month next year, a group of people from our side will go to the Western Regions. If you can produce goods worth three thousand yuan, just send them to us at the end of December." After drinking the wine, Manager Zhang expressed his intention to cooperate with Ye Jia.
The spices are different, and the price is definitely much higher than those in the Central Plains. Manager Zhang observed Ye Jia's calm demeanor and felt a pity for her. He had heard that this girl had been favored by the Second Master, but unfortunately, they were not destined to be together and ended up in another family.
"How do you plan to cooperate, Mr. Ye?" Manager Zhang naturally thought of a buyout. As long as they bought out Ye Jia, they could decide the price when they sold the goods to the Western Regions. But business is about the long term. If they wanted to cooperate, they had to be sincere and negotiate.
Ye Jia naturally chose the commission. Buying out was for quick money, and she was after quick money, not a long-term and stable cooperation.
Shopkeeper Zhang knew immediately that she wanted a commission. However, the percentage would need to be discussed in detail. Although Ye Jia provided the goods, they had to be transported to the Western Regions before they could be sold. Furthermore, without a shop and a customer base, the goods wouldn't sell. In other words, how much Ye Jia could sell for this batch of goods, and how much profit she could make, depended on the Cheng family's reputation and goodwill in the Western Regions.
With this confidence, the commission naturally couldn't be low. Shopkeeper Zhang thought for a moment and gave Ye Jia a 50-50 commission.
Ye Jia couldn't accept this price. She was supplying all the goods, so the costs were naturally covered by Ye Jia herself. If the commission was 50-50, the Zhou family would still make significantly less than the Cheng family after deducting the costs. Even if she was a small workshop, she couldn't afford to do business this way.
"Manager Zhang, your price is a bit too low." Ye Jia had already prepared for the difficulties in the negotiation, so he didn't panic. "The recipe for this fragrant soap belongs to my Zhou family, and the cost is also from my Zhou family. If your Cheng family can make a much higher profit than my family just by making this delivery and then lending the shop to me to sell it, then I might as well give you this business."
Manager Zhang knew his price was low, but transporting goods to the Western Regions was a life-threatening journey. The Cheng family's escorts' food, lodging, and compensation for any accidents they encountered were all expenses incurred by the Cheng family.
The shop has been operating in the Western Regions for so many years, relying on the sweat of our ancestors to create such a reputation today. How can it be so easy to borrow money?
This was naturally a game of chance; winning more or less depended on skill. Ah Jiu sat by and watched her aunt, her words measured and precise, her ability to catch people's conversations as if she had an extra pair of ears. Ye Jia had no choice; it involved money. Furthermore, if a deal was to be secured, it would be at least a year's worth of work. If she let her guard down even for a moment, the losses would be enormous.
Ye Jia and Shopkeeper Zhang pushed and pulled for a long time, and finally signed a three-year contract with a 40% profit.
Manager Zhang actually had this bottom line in mind, and didn't find the deal that difficult to accept. Ye Jia, on the other hand, felt a bit uncomfortable. Her bottom line was 30%. But she had just given up 10% profit on two demands: she would have to send one or two people to accompany the business trip. Furthermore, if the products didn't sell well and there were losses, the Cheng and Zhou families would bear the losses according to their percentage.
It wasn't that she didn't trust the Cheng family, but rather that she had never been to the Western Regions. She didn't know the situation there. She couldn't even estimate the extent of the Cheng family's influence there, or the price they would charge for shipping these items. Naturally, she had someone she trusted accompanying them throughout the trip to prevent the Cheng family from misleading her.
Manager Zhang did not feel offended by Ye Jia's proposal. Clear plans are always easier to accept and save trouble later.
"Okay, if it's convenient, we can draft this contract today. But I have to say this first: if you want to sign this cooperation with me, you have to stock up on the necessary goods. I know you don't have much staff and a workshop. If you accept this order but can't supply the goods, then in the end you will be sorry. Not only will the contract be cancelled, but you will also have to compensate me for the loss of this shortage of goods."
Manager Zhang was efficient and straightforward in his work. “My Cheng family supports a large number of people, and they all need money to make a living.”
"Of course." Ye Jia was also a straightforward person and agreed readily.
After the contract was drafted and signed by both parties, Manager Zhang told Ye Jia the date of their next cargo escort trip to the Western Regions. Due to their convenient location, the Cheng family made two or three trips to the five Western Regions each year. The specific amount of business they could do depended on the number of escorts they were carrying at the time.
The next escort mission will be in the first month of next year.
Ye Jia nodded and agreed with Manager Zhang to deliver the goods at the end of December. Then he took Ajiu and the contract back to the Zhou family.
The mule cart moved quickly, and it was still dark when they set out for the Zhou family's house that afternoon. But as they reached the door, snow suddenly began to fall. It was truly cold, and the wind and snow were so strong that even Ye Jia felt her hands and feet freezing while sitting in the carriage. She clutched the three-year contract in her hand, trying not to laugh. Once she got inside, she took off her hat and burst out laughing: "Mom, another big deal!"
The big and small details were hard to understand at first, but after listening to Ye Jia talk more, Yu Shi finally understood what she meant. Seeing her beaming face, she couldn't help but feel happy too: "That's really... Let's drink a pot together as a family today?"
Ye Simei had already finished her confinement after giving birth. During the day, she brought her child to the front yard to grind beans with Yu and look after the child at the same time.
Ye Wumei had only recently locked up the shop, and now she was in the kitchen, frying thin crackers. When it came to making breakfast, Ye Wumei was far more persistent than Ye Jia. Ye Jia, now that he saw big bucks, didn't even consider the small sums from the breakfast stall.
"Call Fifth Sister over too! Today is another day for us to celebrate!"
Ye Jia loved these rewards. Every time she accomplished something or landed a good deal, she would reward her family. Don't underestimate this meal; it always kept the family spirits high and happy for days.
Yu couldn't help but smile happily. She asked Ye Jia to get some hot water to wash up first, while she took out an umbrella from behind the door and went out to call for help.
Winter is truly cold. It wasn't until arriving here that Ye Jia finally understood why men and women in the Northwest, regardless of gender, were so fond of drinking. It was simply freezing, and there was no other way to warm themselves. One gulp of strong liquor would send a burning sensation from the stomach to the heart. While it might be difficult to drink, it was truly beneficial once you got used to it. Thanks to Yu's guidance, Ye Jia and his fourth sister also picked up the habit of drinking.
On a snowy day, it was natural to eat mutton hotpot. The last time Ye Jia made the hotpot, Ye Wumei had already learned it by watching from the side. This time, Ye Jia didn't even have to do it. The sisters worked hard to make the hotpot, and Ye Wumei's cooking was even better than Ye Jia's.
"I don't know how your hands are built. How come the same dish always tastes better when you cook it?" Ye Jia was also puzzled. Logically, her cooking was also delicious. If she didn't have talent, how could she have so much patience to tinker with food?
"That sister, you've never tasted Fourth Sister's cooking," Ye Wumei narrowed her eyes and smiled, "Fourth Sister's hands are truly skillful!"
Ye Jia had never tasted Fourth Sister Ye's cooking. But if the food business expanded, she would definitely need help. If Fourth Sister Ye's cooking skills were truly amazing, she wouldn't mind asking her and Fifth Sister to help out. After all, Ye Jia had already decided to ask Ajiu to help with the business. She had secretly decided that Ajiu would be the one to escort the Cheng family's goods to the Western Regions during the first month of next year. As for whether it would work out, that would be a matter of negotiation.
"That's great! If our shop does well in the future, Fourth Sister can come and help you if she's free."
Ye Wumei smiled and said, "I'll follow your instructions."
Eating from a hot pot is much easier, as the soup is already simmered. Stir-frying the base is also simple. Ye Wumei stir-fries it and then pours the soup into it. Then, she takes out the small stove from last time and starts cooking. Once the meat is sliced and the vegetables are washed, it's ready to eat. Ajiu and Old Man Sun are by their side. The house isn't big, and those who sit down aren't considered outsiders these days; men and women eat at the same table. Ye Simei, who has to nurse her child, can't eat spicy food, so she makes a clear soup pot. A stronger mutton soup is enough for hot pot.
The whole family had a hot meal. After the meal, they opened the window and looked out. The snow was so heavy that they couldn't see the way forward.
The group was delighted, eating from the pot and drinking a lot of wine. The snowy weather was a perfect backdrop, and by the end, the drunken people were dancing and singing hymns. Of course, only Yu could sing; the others, unable to do so, groggily joined in.
After downing three ounces of strong liquor, Yu sang four or five poems in a row. Her recitation was so emphatic that even those who didn't understand the music found it elegant.
Ye Jia clapped her hands happily, and Yu was so happy that she grabbed the cup and took a sip.
There was really no one to take care of the family. They drank until they were all drunk and unconscious. Yu Shi couldn't even walk steadily. It was only the fifth sister who used up her strength to help her back to the house. She fell asleep by the bed.
Fourth Sister Ye was carried back home by Ajiu. Everyone was drinking, so she joined in. She had never drunk alcohol at the Ye family before, and this was her first time drinking since arriving at the Zhou family. Naturally, she couldn't handle the alcohol, and couldn't even take care of the drunk children. Fifth Sister Ye, being young, didn't drink much, but after taking care of Yu, she also had to clean up for Rui Jie'er. In the end, apart from Old Man Sun, Ajiu, and a few children who didn't dare drink and were sober, only Ye Jia was left sitting.
Ye Jia sat so upright, but she wasn't quite sober. She'd drunk quite a bit, her mind a blur. But she was a pretty good drinker, so even when she was drunk, it didn't show. Aside from a slightly wandering gaze and a flushed cheek, she was completely quiet.
Old man Sun glanced at Ye Jia several times, but didn't dare to do anything because of the difference between men and women.
Ah Jiu hugged his wife and looked back at Ye Jia, thinking that it should be okay to leave her like this. It seemed like her brother-in-law should be back soon. Her aunt didn't look like she was going to act up, so she should be fine. With this thought, Ye Jia stood up on her own. She walked as steadily as if she wasn't drunk and walked back to the house.
Ajiu and Old Man Sun looked at each other and returned to the back room with peace of mind.
Ye Jia entered the room but didn't get into bed. Her stomach felt warm, but her legs and feet felt stiff. She lowered her head and slowly blew into her palms, rubbing them. She felt a little cold again. She turned her head to look at the bed, and the scenery in front of her was shaking. It made her dizzy and nauseous. Her mind was full of regrets. She should have put a kang in the room. If there was a kang, she would definitely not be cold.
Thinking about finding someone to help her with the kang tomorrow, she strolled to the window. The window was wide open, and the heavy snow reflected white specks in the sunlight. She was worried about freezing to death, and as she leaned against the window, she saw a shadowy figure walking into the yard.
The man held an umbrella in one hand and a lantern in the other, his figure as slender as a pine or bamboo in the snow.
His steps were extremely steady, his clothes fluttering as he moved, like flowing clouds and water. He seemed to notice someone watching him from the window, and his steps paused. The moment he looked up, the person had already walked to the window.
Ye Jia's reaction was a little slow, his face half tilted up with drunken eyes.
The face in front of her became two, making her feel particularly uncomfortable. She squinted her eyes and hiccuped. After a long while, she asked with a thick tongue, "Who... are you? Why are you in my house?"
Zhou Jingchen received word today that kidnappers were roaming around Sidao Village and personally pursued them for thirty miles. He eventually cornered them in a village, killing two and capturing eleven. After a long, tiring journey, he finally returned home in the night. Seeing Ye Jia's expression, he immediately softened. Ye Jia's cheeks flushed, and he mumbled nonsense. He caught a strong whiff of alcohol, and his lips curled up.
Last time, when Jianiang was drunk, she was busy hitting him with a stick. This time, she has become soft and delicate. I wonder how much wine she has drunk?
"Who am I? Who do you think I am?" Zhou Jingchen placed the lantern on the windowsill, leaned forward slightly, tilted his head, and smiled at her. His handsome face was illuminated by the candlelight, a warm yellow, and his eyes seemed to be filled with a deep pool. "Why don't you come closer and see who I am?"
Ye Jia had no idea who he was. Stars started to explode in her head and she wouldn't recognize whoever came.
She sniffed and suddenly reached out a hand to grab Zhou Jingchen's collar.
Zhou Jingchen didn't even try to dodge, letting her grab him by the collar and pull him closer. The pungent, overpowering smell of alcohol hit his face, and his eyelashes trembled. He felt their noses were only a fist's distance apart. Ye Jia's misty eyes scrutinized him carefully. After a long moment, she reached out with her other hand and tugged at his eyelashes.
"Is this fake?" Ye Jia pulled at it for a long time but couldn't tear it off. "It's so long... Give it to me."
To be honest, pulling eyelashes is a bit painful. Zhou Jingchen helplessly grabbed her hand, his Adam's apple rolling up and down twice, and said softly: "It's true, you can't press it on your eyes even if you pull it off."
"oh……"
Ye Jia felt so sorry. How could he know that she wanted to pull it off and stick it on her eyes?
After a pause, she twisted her fingers twice to free herself from his palm. Then she scratched his lips again, rubbing them for a long time. Not only did she not rub off the redness, but it became even redder. "What color is this?"
Zhou Jingchen: “?”
"Your mouth, the one on your mouth." Ye Jia rubbed it for a long time, making his lips swollen. "What color is it?"
It took Zhou Jingchen a while to understand what she meant. He felt a bit awkward and said, "...why don't you just look at it yourself?"
Ye Jia shook her head, feeling the lips opening and closing as if there were a hook hooking her. She tugged at the collar, but a thought suddenly occurred to her. What does this taste like?
Thinking of this, she pulled the man close to her and pressed her lips against his.
The moment Zhou Jingchen felt the soft touch, his mind went blank.
He paused, wondering whether to take advantage of the situation or be more gentlemanly and avoid annoying Jia Niang when she woke up. While he was hesitating, his captors were unforgiving. A breath of alcohol lingered between his mouth and nose, and a soft tongue tentatively pried open his lips and teeth, shoving itself into his mouth.
Zhou Jingchen's tailbone numbed, and a strange yet addictive tingling sensation surged up from the back of his head. Without even thinking, he opened his lips and teeth, letting the tongue in.
Ye Jia felt as if a wall had separated them, a real obstacle. The hand that was clutching Zhou Jingchen's collar slipped around his neck, pushing his head over the wall. She hooked her tongue and began to suck. The smacking sounds of their kiss were drowned out by the heavy snow outside the window. Zhou Jingchen's hand loosened, and the umbrella fell to the ground with a clatter.
The lantern on the windowsill danced wildly in the wind, nearly going out several times. Zhou Jingchen's eyelashes trembled rapidly, as if his mind was suddenly disturbed. He lowered his eyes to Ye Jia's face, and his breathing became uncontrollably rapid.
After a long time, Ye Jia finally let him go as if she had had enough.
He almost couldn't restrain himself from climbing in through the window and carrying the drunk man directly to the bed.
Ye Jia pecked the corner of his mouth gently and sniffed, feeling the cold air stinging her dry nose. She couldn't help but cover her nose with one hand and complimented him in a particularly frivolous way, "You're so handsome. You have beautiful eyes, a beautiful nose, a beautiful mouth... You look beautiful from head to toe. It's just my style."
Zhou Jingchen's breathing was heavy, two lifetimes of self-control restraining his potentially ungentlemanly behavior. His voice suddenly became softer, as if whispering in someone's ear. He smiled seductively, "Oh, really?"
Ye Jia raised her heavy eyelids and looked at him, then suddenly took a step back: "Don't be flirty, it will bring bad luck if you go too far."
Zhou Jingchen: “…”
Ye Jia walked over to the bed and sat down, untying her hair. She saw the man still standing outside the window, the lantern blown out at some point. A layer of snow had fallen on his shoulders, and his expression was cold and enchanting.
"But I just like flirty ones." Ye Jia suddenly grinned at him.
Zhou Jingchen couldn't help it, he covered his face, and the corners of his mouth were cracked all the way to his ears.
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