Chapter 152: Is This Really How You Repay a Favor?!

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Su Zihua smiled wryly. With so many people around, a chaotic mix, how could a painting valued at thousands be recovered... Even with kind-hearted people, the chance was slim.

"...Maybe it can be found. We have to try," Sui Yi said, getting ready to leave.

"Hey, no need, Sui Yi... it’s just an ordinary painting," Su Ziyi replied, worried there might still be people watching from the other side.

Sui Yi glanced at him and said quietly, "It was a gift from a friend, not ordinary. I’ll go check."

If it had been someone else, they might have sensed a hint of deep affection in Sui Yi’s words, but Su Ziyi understood. Sui Yi was not easy to get close to; her heart was too clear, too cold, too complex to accommodate pretenses, and too simple to care about trivialities—just right was the limit.

The one who could break through all barriers to reach her inner depths might not have appeared yet, or if they had, they had yet to achieve that.

But even a slight recognition from her meant genuine sincerity in return.

Sincerity and courtesy together, a perfect blend of form and feeling, understated and serene, calm and composed.

Girls like her were truly rare...

Su Ziyi suddenly felt that giving up on a painting he once loved, and spending three years’ pocket money to buy two others—one for his grandfather, one for Sui Yi—was all worthwhile.

Even if this painting might be lost forever,

Even if...

“Are you talking about this painting?”

A voice called down from above. Sui Yi turned to see a young man standing amidst the crowd, graceful and upright like a green pine.

His small blazer was draped over his arm and waist, dressed in a pristine white shirt and peacock-blue tie. His handsome face in his twenties held a faint, unreadable expression.

No clear emotion to discern.

—In his hand was a slender bag strap, held just so, neither too lightly nor heavily.

Sui Yi looked at him briefly, then walked over.

“Mr. Yi.”

A simple greeting, nothing more—just as economical with words as ever—directed at him.

Yi Chilian glanced at Sui Yi and handed over the bag. “See if this is yours.”

From a scientific perspective, any male encountering another male triggers a territorial instinct, especially if the other is comparable or superior, heightening a sense of crisis.

Even Su Ziyi felt a twinge of unease.

This Yi Chilian was like a deep, still lotus pond—beautiful flowers on the surface concealing roots tangled beyond measure.

He was dangerous.

Su Ziyi stepped forward, took the bag, glanced inside at the painting, then smiled at Yi Chilian. “Thank you, sir... But Sui Yi, do you know this gentleman?”

“Hm...” Sui Yi said little, thanked Yi Chilian, “Thank you for today, Mr. Yi...”

“Thanks are just words anyone can say. I have no interest in such cheap gratitude, yet you seem to enjoy it,” Yi Chilian said sharply, as usual.

Sui Yi paused, then smiled, “So what is it that you want, Mr. Yi?”

Want? Yi Chilian looked at Sui Yi, also in a white shirt... His narrow eyes flicked across hers, seeing his own reflection.

“This is the fourth time.”

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“Eh?”

Yi Chilian leisurely looked at Sui Yi, coolly saying, “Compared to three times saving your life, the last one was a free dessert... but you haven’t even invited me to a meal once.”

Sui Yi understood and apologized slightly, “Then may I invite you to dinner now, Mr. Yi?”

“Naturally,” Yi Chilian nodded indifferently, placing his blazer on his right arm...

Then Sui Yi turned to Su Ziyi. “Anyway, Ziyi, you haven’t eaten lunch, and I haven’t eaten much either. Shall we go together?”

“Sure,” Su Ziyi smiled.

Yi Chilian: “...”

————————

Thus began a strange gratitude dinner; Mr. Yi didn’t say a word the entire time.

Sui Yi was not one to make small talk to please others; she was used to freedom and indifferent to others, so...

Mr. Yi really just kept silent.

Su Ziyi, however, ate with a smile all over his face...

After the meal, as Sui Yi reached to pay, the waiter said someone had already settled the bill.

Expressionless Yi Chilian stood and glanced at Sui Yi. “You owe me so many times; you think one meal will suffice? Do I look like a glutton to you?”

“Uh, there should still be some dishes left, I don’t consider you a glutton,” Su Ziyi burst out laughing.

Is he a foodie?

“...” Yi Chilian quietly regarded Sui Yi’s serious yet innocent expression, fought back the urge to curse, and took a deep breath. “Anyway, I don’t let ladies pay for me... so this time doesn’t count!”

Not only was he unenthusiastic about treating them but he brought a third party, and to top it off, said nothing!!

Two “anyways” clearly revealed the usually elegant and reserved Mr. Yi’s irritation.

He turned to leave...

“I have something to give you, Mr. Yi.”

“No need!” Mr. Yi walked ahead...

After a few steps, he turned, glared at them, “What gift?”

————————

For Yi Chilian, what he wanted was never about need but preference.

Without a doubt, the dagger Sui Yi pulled from her backpack was something he liked at a glance.

After handling and examining it for a while, his expression grew more serious.

With a sharp clang, he sheathed the fang-tooth dagger and looked at Sui Yi. “Do you know its value? Not even tens of millions can buy its sheath.”

“No, but I suppose it’s not worth more than my life...” Sui Yi zipped her backpack and smiled faintly. “If Mr. Yi likes it, it’s a good self-defense weapon. Just don’t let your own blood drip on it... or it will attract evil spirits.”

Yi Chilian held the dagger, approached Sui Yi. “Are you so sure I want it?”

“I can’t think of a better gift for you. Surely you’d agree,” Sui Yi slung her backpack on, grabbed the painting bag Su Ziyi gave her, and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, Yi Chilian’s voice came from behind, “Sui Yi, this dagger doesn’t suit me. I prefer antiques, so keep it for your own protection. As for what you owe me, we’ll talk another day.”

He didn’t even want the dagger...

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Sui Yi felt at a loss for Yi Chilian, sensing his temperament was strange and difficult to read.

Su Ziyi was puzzled too, wondering when Nanxun had such a man... Wait, Yi? His surname is Yi?

Could it be...

“What about the ancient ink? Mr. Yi, you might like some?”

Sui Yi’s question stopped Su Ziyi’s suspicion and halted Yi Chilian’s steps.

——————

Half an hour later, the three returned to the Wengu Museum.

Now, Sui Yi laid out two pieces of ink taken from two bags kept by Li Jing, Yan Yan, and Yan Yang on the table. Yi Chilian stood watching.

Nearby, Elder Tang and others exchanged glances, wanting to whisper but dared not.

Elder De and Elder Han chatted happily. Elder Han even pulled Su Ziyi aside to ask questions; Su Ziyi answered honestly, though unaware of the deeper reasons.

“So this means Sui Yi really has some connection with Mr. Yi...” Elder Han said, noticing his grandson’s expression darken. After a moment of silence, he shook his head.

This silly boy is getting a crush? But he’s young, and Sui Yi is quite captivating. His infatuation is likely just youthful fancy, nothing serious. No need to worry; it might even be beneficial.

At this moment, Sui Yi sat sipping tea quietly, not disturbing Yi Chilian.

After a while, Yi Chilian set the two ink pieces down and asked Sui Yi, “Which one do you intend to give me?”

His expression was a mysterious half-smile, hard to read.

“If you already recognize what the left one is, then the left. If not, then the right,” Sui Yi’s words piqued interest.

Nearby people turned to look.

Including Elder Tang and others, plus many wealthy merchants unwilling to leave Yi Chilian’s side, including Boss Gao. When Yi Chilian entered earlier, Elder De and others’ reactions revealed who he was.

“Dad, who is that person?” Bai Lingshuang asked without blinking, having just seen Yi Chilian arrive with Sui Yi and Su Ziyi.

Su Ziyi was already a remarkably talented young man, but compared to Yi Chilian, he was clearly outmatched.

Not to mention Li Jing, Yan Yan, Yan Yang, and Ah A—men once considered stylish or handsome who were instantly overshadowed.

Now, their expressions were strange.

“He’s really handsome...” Mrs. Bai and others sighed as well.

That kind of poised elegance—any woman would be drawn to Yi Chilian, even many married women.

“He...,” Bai Xiong’s face grew complicated. Of course, he knew who this was.

He’d once seen this man during some town planning construction, never expecting Yi Chilian to have ties with Sui Yi.

If that was true, Sui Yi’s plans for the provincial city wouldn’t be so simple as just a word; no need to seek him out, nor act so unassuming.

Strange, truly strange...

Sui Yi was unaware of Bai Xiong’s complicated thoughts. She held her cup, letting the steam warm her eyes, listening as Yi Chilian asked casually, “Do you really give gifts like this? Testing me?”

“No, I just can’t tell the difference,” Sui Yi shook her head. She truly knew little about this, only that the left ink had a strange aroma, and she knew the right’s value. She guessed one would satisfy the antique-loving Yi Chilian.

“If you can’t tell the difference, you still buy... where did you get them?” Yi Chilian asked.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please support it on Qidian by voting or giving monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.reading.)