CHAPTER 95: CHAPTER 95: LIKE OLD FRIENDS AT FIRST MEETING (THIRD UPDATE)

"Miss Bei’s embroidery skills are truly magical. I went to Shanghai a few days ago and saw the piece ’Phoenix Dance Dragon Plate.’ From afar, you’d swear it was painted. It’s so lifelike—the dragon has dragon majesty, the phoenix has phoenix grace, yet the outlines are perfectly matched on both sides. It’s hard to believe this came from one person’s hands!" Zhou Jiren remarked with a smile.

"Mr. Zhou went to Shanghai to see that embroidery?" Beisitian looked up and gazed at Zhou Jiren.

Zhou Jiren paused, then laughed, "It happened to be on the way, so I stopped by for a look. Just hearing about it doesn’t compare to the shock of seeing it!"

Beisitian nodded. The novelty of the embroidery hadn’t worn off yet. As soon as it appeared in the news and newspapers, many people reportedly went to admire it.

Later, Zhang Baoli approached her several times, saying reporters wanted to interview her, which she refused. Such things are nothing to flaunt, and she didn’t want to wander around with a face known by everyone.

So, there was nothing surprising about Zhou Jiren passing by to take a look.

Zhou Jiren took a sip of water and asked, "Miss Bei, did you learn your exquisite skills from family, or were you specially mentored?"

"When I was young, my family specifically hired someone to teach me and they were very strict, so I mastered it," Beisitian replied with a smile.

"Miss Bei is indeed multi-talented!" Zhou Jiren said with a laugh, then sipped tea from the table, his eyelids slightly lowered, concealing the sharpness in his eyes.

Beisitian inquired about the human geography of Shanghai and Beijing from Zhou Jiren. Zhou Jiren spoke comprehensively, everything he said made her eyes widen with wonder, eager to visit these cities immediately, to see modern ships, towering buildings, cars speeding through the city, and airplanes flying in the sky.

Traveling broadens knowledge and horizons, which is why Beisitian likes to explore far and wide, appreciating the human geography and understanding the customs and habits of various places.

This wish, once she settles matters with the Luo Family, ensuring no worries of food and clothing, she plans to fulfill.

Zhou Jiren’s words were more vivid than what was in the newspapers, coupled with his own views on certain people and things. They chatted amicably, feeling like old acquaintances, even though they had met several times, such a conversation was a first!

Happy times pass quickly. Beisitian was impressed by Zhou Jiren’s knowledge and insight. If not for previous doubts and Zhou Jiren’s mysterious demeanor, she believed they might well become friends.

And Zhou Jiren, through the conversation, discovered that Beisitian’s insight was beyond what a village girl would have, with her revealed experience surprisingly on par with his!

Zhou Jiren was secretly amazed, falling into deep thought.

"By the way, Miss Bei mentioned last time that your brother was injured. How is his recovery now?" Zhou Jiren asked with a smile.

Beisitian smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Zhou, for your concern. He’s recovering well, thanks to Mr. Zhou’s anti-inflammatory medicine."

"That’s good, but speaking of which, how come there’s such an age gap between you and your brother?" Zhou Jiren asked, looking curious.

"Our family values inheritance," Beisitian replied cleverly.

Her words were spoken subtly. To those unaware, it carried a strong implication of preference for sons over daughters, which was common and unsurprising in rural areas during that era.

But those familiar with Luo Er’s family would understand the true meaning behind her words.

So her words were completely truthful, but to outsiders, especially those deliberately probing, the answers seemed to be given, yet actually revealed nothing.

Zhou Jiren was just like that, internally smiling bitterly. This young lady’s eyes were clear as a spring, pure and spotless, yet sometimes her words left no gaps, not only making it impossible to find flaws but sometimes leading to many guesses, even misleading.

If this young lady wanted to speak, she was candid. But if she didn’t want to, no matter how you asked, it was impossible to get a word from her!

Beisitian checked the time, thinking probably Liu Chunyu would arrive soon, and then bid farewell to Zhou Jiren, heading to their agreed meeting place.

Watching Beisitian’s departing figure, Zhou Jiren showed a puzzled expression, his gaze deep and contemplative. But with a blink, all the confusion vanished, reverting to Ma Jian Country’s North China representative, cold yet keen.

Beisitian arrived at the tailor shop at the crossroads, where Liu Chunyu was standing, head bowed, waiting.

"Chunyu," Beisitian called out.

Liu Chunyu heard the voice, and quickly looked up, showing a smile on her slightly worried face. She was genuinely scared being here alone.

Liu Chunyu had hardly ever left the yard from an early age, even attending fairs accompanied by family. Her family pampered her as the only girl, even naming her alongside the sons.

"How long have you been waiting?" Beisitian asked.

"Just arrived, finally managed to shake off my brother," Liu Chunyu replied cheerfully.

Generally, young girls liked to browse accessory shops. They were currently in the West District, where small shops were clustered. As they strolled and shopped, Liu Chunyu was thrilled.

Beisitian hadn’t strolled around like this for quite some time, even buying two sticks of sugar-coated haws, eating them as they walked.

Liu Chunyu felt slightly embarrassed. She had no money, and the village didn’t have a concept of pocket money, so receiving a free sugar-coated haw made her somewhat uneasy.

"It’s just a sugar-coated haw, you can treat me when you start earning money," Beisitian said.

Little did she know that it was these words ’when you start earning money’ that led to Liu Chunyu not marrying early like most rural girls but choosing a life beyond just child-rearing.

"Chunyu!"

As the two were enjoying their time, a shout burst forth. Liu Chunyu shivered, turning around to see her brother Liu Chunshu.

Liu Chunshu felt inexplicably angry when he saw Beisitian, this clingy widow whom no one in the village liked yet clung to his sister, taking advantage of her innocence easily deceived, no wonder people said she was a jinx!

Liu Chunshu grabbed the trembling Liu Chunyu and glared at Beisitian, "My sister rarely interacts with others and doesn’t know people’s dark hearts. Don’t look for her again, stop leading her astray!"

Finishing, not waiting for Beisitian’s response, he dragged the unwilling Liu Chunyu away.

Beisitian watched as Liu Chunshu lectured Liu Chunyu while dragging her off, her expression slightly cold. Liu Chunshu wasn’t very capable, yet his words were really nasty!

She ignored his malicious words, equating them to a dog’s barking. After some time, her heart calmed down, realizing her anger was pointless.

When Beisitian returned home, she saw Mrs. Qin and Luo Anguo brimming with anger, causing her to be slightly stunned. She had never seen the couple this furious before. Had something happened?