Chapter 13: I Want to Serve Master Pei Part 1

Behind him, the waves splashed and churned, looking like flying snowflakes and cold, sharp rays under the blazing sun, making his handsome face brim with Malevolent Aura.

Li Qi at the bow was stunned. After dealing with Huo Jingzhao a few times, he’d never heard the man speak in such a tone.

It was as if… as if he didn’t consider the people present as human beings at all.

The Leng family men were also shocked. For some reason, a black, impenetrable aura suddenly arose behind Huo Jingzhao. And his pair of jet-black eyes seemed even more like turbulent vortexes, capable of dragging them down to the seabed in an instant.

“Don’t… Don’t be afraid of this damn brat! He’s just a pauper! He can’t compare to us trained fighters! Attack—!” Leng Huan, snapping out of it, commanded through trembling lips.

With his order, fighters immediately jumped onto the Pei Manor’s boat and launched a surprise attack on Huo Jingzhao.

Huo Jingzhao was prepared. He broke the thick oar barehanded, took a wooden splinter from it, and waved it in front of the first fighter’s eyes. “If I poke this in, you’ll go blind, you know.”

“No… Ah! Don’t! Don’t!” The boat shook violently. The fighter dodged the sharp splinter left and right, doing a whole performance on the boat.

While his attention was focused ahead, Huo Jingzhao raised an eyebrow with a brilliant smile. He suddenly lifted his right foot and powerfully kicked the man into the sea.

“Get lost.”

His kick was fast and fierce. The man couldn’t even scream before being swallowed by the white-crested waves.

“Poking you would just dirty my hands.” Huo Jingzhao tossed the wooden splinter aside lightly and blew a breath on his palm.

“You… you damn pauper!” Seeing his nonchalant attitude, the other men couldn’t stand it. They actually pulled out knives from their chests and lunged at the man.

Seeing this, someone inside Sea View Pavilion couldn’t sit still.

“Whoa, the Leng family’s using knives… Now it’s getting lively!” In past Dragon Boat Festivals, men mostly competed in leg techniques. Such a desperate, bloody fight was extremely rare, naturally stirring the excitement of the thrill-seekers.

“Tsk, trying to compete with the Leng family for the championship, this kid’s bound for disaster!” Some merchants shook their heads, voicing their lack of confidence.

Listening to their comments, Old Master Leng stroked his beard proudly, as if everything was under control.

At that moment, Pei Lianyi, seated in the main seat, picked up the tea caddy and casually pinched a few flower tea threads. As he rolled the tea threads between his fingers, he watched Huo Jingzhao, who was in the midst of danger.

“…”

Listening to the “crunch crunch” sound from the tea leaves in his hand, the tower fell instantly silent, no one daring to speak again. In a place unseen by others, Pei Lianyi’s slender fingers trembled slightly.

“Young Master Huo, watch out—!” Seeing the gleaming knives, Li Qi and the spectators all broke out in a cold sweat and shouted urgently at Huo Jingzhao.

“Ha.” Huo Jingzhao turned around unhurriedly. He first tilted his head, nimbly dodging the fighter’s thrust, then slightly raised his index finger. Using just two fingers, he caught the fighter’s wrist, yet his strength was so great it felt like breaking bone.

“AAAAHHHH—” The fighter let out a scream of agony.

Huo Jingzhao then lowered his head in a smile. His magnetic voice was incredibly gentle. “Just this little strength? Want to go down and feed the fish?”

“I… I… ah!” Looking up at the man’s incomparably handsome face, the pained fighter didn’t know whether to answer or not.

Huo Jingzhao narrowed his dark eyes and curved his lips. “Say yes, and I’ll let you go.”

The fighter felt as if granted amnesty. He nodded profusely, sweating coldly. “Yes, yes… yes…!”

Just as the words left his mouth, Huo Jingzhao let out a muffled laugh and said softly, “You said it yourself. Can’t say I forced you.”

“Down you go.”

“What… what… AAAAAAHHH—!!” Before the fighter could recover from his sinister whisper, he was flipped into the sea by a single finger from Huo Jingzhao.

This wasn’t a fight. It was his one-sided game.

The Leng family men kept tumbling into the sea, making the already restless waters even more turbulent. From the bow, Li Qi and the others urgently warned, “Young Master Huo, if this keeps up, the boat will capsize!”

“Ah…” Huo Jingzhao only then snapped out of the pleasure of toying with people, sensing the gazes cast from the shore. He took a deep breath, suppressing the excited trembling throughout his body. He turned, swept his sleeves, and bowed with cupped fists towards Sea View Pavilion. “I was being discourteous. My apologies.”

After that, he winked at the stunned spectators. “Everyone, who else do you want me to beat? Raise your hands and vote if you want to see it.”

Saying “discourteous” yet still ready to strike heavily—it was no different from trampling on the Leng family’s dignity while dancing.

Inside Sea View Pavilion, Old Master Leng’s expression changed. His aged face fluctuated between pale blue and pale white, quite a spectacle.

Watching him sip several mouthfuls of tea to stop his trembling, Li Man’er blinked her charming, almond-shaped eyes. “That kid is not only good-looking, he’s quite humorous too.”

The corner of her rosy eyes turned, falling on Pei Lianyi in the main seat. She smiled lightly. “Master Pei finding such a man for a son-in-law, your manor must be full of spring passion.”

Pei Lianyi put down the flower tea threads, his heart beating all the way up to his throat.

This was the first time he’d seen this side of Huo Jingzhao. Previously, this man before him had been gentle, humble, and polite. But today, he possessed the roguish vitality of his age, every move captivating.

“Huo Jingzhao is a measured, well-behaved person. That’s what I valued most about him initially.” He took a cloth from a servant and wiped the crushed tea from his hands, speaking lightly.

In other words, he would absolutely never do anything out of line behind Pei Ziying’s back, such as… cheating.

In front of you, Master Pei, who would dare lack measure? Besides, men are all very good at pretending! Li Man’er remained silent, simply flashing her teeth in a grimace.

On the sea, seeing the Leng family’s boat had suffered heavy losses, Li Qi urgently shouted to row faster, and soon Leng Huan was left far behind.

“The Pei Manor’s going to win! Row—! Row—!” At this tense moment, the spectators on the shore grew excited.

Drums pounded intensely, dragon boats sped across. Just as the boat was about to reach the finish line, a sudden incident occurred on the shore!

With a splash, a small figure suddenly plunged into the sea! It was followed by a woman’s piercing shriek. “Ah—! My son! My son fell into the water!”

“Quick—Save him…!”

Seeing the child thrashing in the water, gulping seawater and on the verge of death, the masters in Sea View Pavilion all stood up.

“What’s going on?! Why choose this moment to fall into the sea? So unlucky…!” Someone stomped their foot and cursed.

Dragon boating was a sacred event honoring the gods. If someone died today, it would be an affront to the Sea God. Moreover, the skilled swimmers were all competing. With the race so tight, no one wanted to be eliminated by jumping in to save someone.

The spectators on the shore also looked at each other, not daring to offend the Sea God at this critical juncture.

In the crowd, a man in black nodded to Leng Huan, then turned and vanished.

Receiving the signal, Leng Huan, who had just been scratching his head in worry, calmed down. He recalled last night’s conversation with his great-grandfather.

“Grandfather! That Huo Jingzhao labors at the wharf all year round! He’s covered in muscles! Plus, the Pei Manor’s boat is exquisitely made! How… how am I supposed to win, Grandson?!”

Listening to his grumbles, his great-grandfather only said everything was arranged and told him to just compete.

So this was the play! Seeing the Pei Manor’s boat stop, Leng Huan let out a strange laugh.

On the other side, the fallen child’s eyelids began turning blue. Struggling weakly in the water, he still cried out “Help!” and “Mother!”

Just as the onlookers couldn’t bear to watch and were about to close their eyes, a dark figure swiftly untied the Leg Bindings on his legs. His body shot out like a blade leaving its sheath, leaping into the air and diving into the sea, splashing up towering waves with a crash!

In his hand, the light Leg Bindings became like a whip, precisely wrapping around the child’s waist. With a flick, he sent the child flying safely onto the open ground.

The man’s shoulders were broad and powerful. His coarse shirt, soaked through, clung tightly to his waist, abdomen, and thighs. The intense masculinity made faces flush with peach color.

“Excellent technique! Well done—!!” Thunderous applause erupted from the shore. All the seats in Sea View Pavilion were startled.

Huo Jingzhao knelt on one knee. His eyes were on the child he had saved.

“How is it? Are you alright?” He asked softly, as if caught in some kind of trance.

The child coughed and nodded, then suddenly said, “Big brother, you’re spitting up blood.”

Huo Jingzhao’s pupils shook. He turned his head away and wiped the blood from his mouth, then squinted and smiled at the child. “You can’t tell anyone, okay?”

“Okay.” Until he was taken away by his mother, the child’s gaze remained fixed on the man’s dazzling smile.

While he had been saving the child, the Leng family’s boat had already reached the finish line.

The race suddenly came to a halt. Inside Sea View Pavilion, disputes broke out everywhere.

“Rules are rules! Since the Huo kid fell into the water, the victor should be the Leng family.” Old Master Leng stroked his beard and said.

Li Man’er slammed the table and stood up. “Huo Jingzhao went into the water to save someone! That shouldn’t count!”

“Family Head Leng, I’m warning you. Thousands of eyes in this city are watching! Leng Huan clearly won unfairly. If you aren’t ashamed, my Li family fears the disgrace!”

“You… you little slip of a girl, you go too far!”

Shi Chengji fanned himself and looked at the person in the main seat. “What does Master Pei say?”

Pei Lianyi was supporting his forehead with one hand. His expression was blank. The breaths he exhaled carried the faint scent of flower petals, yet also a hint of urgency.

The moment Huo Jingzhao jumped into the sea, it was as if his heart had been ripped away. He couldn’t recover for a long time. Even now, his chest, abdomen, and arms felt weak.

“Master Pei?” Shi Chengji urged again.

Pei Lianyi lifted his eyes coolly. “Who wins the championship is for Family Head Shi and Family Head Leng to decide. Why ask me?”

The sarcasm in his words made Shi Chengji instantly anxious. “Master Pei, you misunderstand! I didn’t conspire with the Lengs! I know absolutely nothing about the Chamber of Commerce fixing the winner!”

It was a classic case of a guilty party incriminating themselves, yet he still insisted, “Lianyi, you have to believe me…”

Hearing his familiar address, Pei Lianyi’s face darkened.

In his youth, before he went out to sea, he had studied for a time at an academy.

Shi Chengji had also studied accounting under the same teacher then. They were classmates for a period. Using this past connection, after taking over his family business, Shi Chengji continued to approach him under the guise of being a “fellow student.”

Pei Lianyi was no naive blank slate. He had seen all kinds of people since he was young. After giving birth to Pei Ziying and announcing his wife’s passing to the public, he was even more aware of the intentions everyone harbored towards him. But for the sake of the Pei Manor and Ziying, he would snuff out all those thoughts completely.

“Family Head Shi should be more mindful of propriety,” he said coldly.

Shi Chengji’s face stiffened. After a moment of silence, he said, “Family Head Pei, may I have a word in private?”

Pei Lianyi was about to refuse when he heard Shi Chengji whisper, “It’s about your esteemed son.”

Ziying? Pei Lianyi’s expression flickered. He immediately followed Shi Chengji to the side of the observation deck and demanded, “You have news of Ziying?”

Watching the usually aloof man show a worried expression, his cheeks flushing in an instant, Shi Chengji sighed. “You still love your son so much.”

Always looking as if you’d give your life for your son…

Over a decade ago, upon hearing of Pei Lianyi’s wife’s death, not just him, but even people from the imperial court offered shops across the entire city and a fortune of gold to summon Pei Lianyi to the capital.

Though nobles and high officials exhausted all means to pursue him, Pei Lianyi remained unmoved, simply using the phrase “Ziying is still young” to reject everyone.

To this day, Shi Chengji still couldn’t swallow that resentment.

“Speak,” Pei Lianyi frowned impatiently.

Shi Chengji snapped out of it and quickly replied, “My men saw your esteemed son at an inn outside the city. But when I sent someone again, the shopkeeper said he had checked out. I think… he must be nearby.”

“Originally, I planned that once I found Ziying, I’d fix the race so he’d win. How could I possibly conspire with the Leng family…”

Pei Lianyi could no longer listen to a single word. He gripped the railing tightly, his eyes slightly unfocused.

Today, he was wearing a vermilion silk robe prepared by the Chamber of Commerce. Its sleeves, collar, and waist were adorned with gold and silver dots, as bright as nighttime bonfires, lending an exotic charm to his usually composed face.

Gazing at his captivating presence, Shi Chengji couldn’t help but place a hand on his shoulder, consoling him. “Lianyi, don’t be anxious. Heaven helps the worthy. Ziying will surely be fine.”