Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 930: Chapter 174: Conjoined Lotus

Song Ying was somewhat surprised to encounter Luo Qiu outside.

Originally, after hearing from Song Haoran that Gan Hong was safe and sound, she should have been able to sleep peacefully — but after returning to her room, she found herself tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Actually, it was indeed a little early for sleep at this time… nine o’clock in the evening.

She intended to just take a casual walk in the courtyard, enjoy the cool breeze or something, only to find Luo Qiu also in the courtyard.

He probably arrived earlier than she did — and besides, Luo Qiu currently resides in the core area of the Han Residence, actually utilizing this very courtyard.

Song Ying originally wanted to turn around and leave, but curiosity about what this guy was doing out here made her pause — surprisingly, Luo Qiu was watering the flowers and plants.

This courtyard had many bonsai that Song Tianyou crafted over the years for self-cultivation and tempering his temperament.

“You seem quite bored.” Song Ying approached Luo Qiu and remarked casually.

“Didn’t feel like reading tonight, and there’s no TV program that interests me,” Luo Qiu replied while watering, “Noticed these bonsai haven’t been tended to for a while, so just messing around a bit.”

Song Ying shook her head, “These bonsai are creations of my grandfather’s efforts; don’t just mess with them and ruin his hard work!”

Luo Qiu chuckled, “Just watering and clearing away some dead leaves and weeds, won’t ruin anything. Want to join in?”

With that, Luo Qiu picked up a pair of clippers from the bonsai stand and handed them towards Song Ying.

“Why should I cut with you?” Song Ying frowned, folding her arms and puffing out her chest.

Luo Qiu simply widened his smile without retracting the clippers.

Song Ying’s gaze slowly turned hesitant…

…

Why should I accompany him in doing this?

Ultimately, Song Ying took the clippers and reluctantly began trimming some of the withered leaves from the bonsai.

In fact, Song Ying knew she was actually someone who found it hard to reject others’ requests. But at some point, she started ignoring others’ requests, blocking out all voices seeking her help.

Persistently responding to others’ requests was quite mentally exhausting… such as the existence of Zhonghua Street. She knew her grandfather Song Tianyou harbored nostalgia and special feelings towards the Chinese expatriates but that didn’t mean Song Ying could accept the actions of the Zhonghua Street Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Gate of Life’.

Many times, the ‘Gate of Life’ instead bred a group of parasites who did nothing, waiting for others to fix problems — and then there was the unchanged rent over the years.

Those people probably long forgot that the land they resided on and conducted their business was every inch belonging to the Song Family — they long regarded these parcels as their own.

They even resisted new measures enacted… Being soft-hearted wouldn’t work, only trapping oneself in dilemmas, so Song Ying maintained a facade towards Zhonghua Street, working covertly behind the scenes.

Just like cutting away dead leaves from these bonsai, those parasites sapping the vitality from the Song Family’s tree should be pruned off to ensure healthy growth.

Cut! Cut! Cut!

Looking across the bonsai stand at Luo Qiu who was weeding, Song Ying’s clippers made fast and rhythmic clicking sounds.

Seemingly aware of Song Ying’s gaze, Luo Qiu looked up, only to see Song Ying snort lightly and walk elsewhere upon their eyes meeting.

Luo Qiu glanced at the spot she had trimmed, surprisingly neat, not haphazard — she must have studied this before. However… after the trimming, leaving the leaves scattered made it seem a bit imperfect.

Luo Qiu shook his head and got a broom and dustpan to sweep away the fallen leaves.

Song Ying no longer continued trimming the bonsai but sat on a stone drum stool in the courtyard, suddenly saying, “Actually, you seem really suited for being a housekeeper.”

“Why?” Luo Qiu asked curiously.

Song Ying squinted and smiled, “Because you look just like the submissive type, has no one ever told you that you seem particularly effeminate?”

“Actually, some have.”

Surprisingly, Luo Qiu directly admitted it, making Song Ying feel caught off guard, as Luo Qiu continued, “Since childhood, my body has been quite frail. Probably because my mother caught a cold when pregnant with me. After birth, doctors said I was a sickly child, my development was slower than peers, so I appeared frail.”

Song Ying paused… This wasn’t the conversation direction she expected?

“It was probably during elementary school?” Luo Qiu recalled, a nostalgic look appearing on his face, waving his hand, “I was only about this tall then, faring far worse than my peers, and still appeared frail. My mother often commented that I resembled a girl.”

Luo Qiu suddenly laughed, an expression that somehow looked blissful to Song Ying, stirring her heart… imagining what this guy looked like in his parents’ embrace as a child.

What would he look like?

Perhaps, entirely different from now.

“Later, I started drinking herbal medicine and undergoing acupuncture, then my father consciously began training me. Gradually, my constitution improved, and after several years, I turned healthier.”

“And then?” Song Ying instinctively asked.

Luo Qiu said, “Later, I grew unfamiliar with exercise, barely exercised until before college, probably still looked a bit frail.”

Song Ying tilted her head, then suddenly stood up, approached Luo Qiu, touching her chin while pinching Luo Qiu’s arm, studied him, “Hmm… You do have the bone structure, just haven’t gained much muscle. Although frankly, that eight-pack abs type like my uncle doesn’t suit you, you should continue with the effeminate path.”

Luo Qiu chuckled.

Song Ying didn’t expect such demeanor suddenly scrutinized Luo Qiu seriously, “Can I ask you a question… Why do you seem like you never get angry? Isn’t there anything that excites you a bit? Though not speaking of rage, at least ordinary people feel a ripple of emotion when encountering something they like… Don’t you?”

“Things I like…” Luo Qiu pondered for a moment, “Yes, there are.”

“What are they?” Song Ying seemed like she discovered a new world, immediately perked her ears.

“For example, your Soul, I quite like it.”

Song Ying’s mouth hung open — Luo Qiu’s abrupt answer left her a bit unprepared, “My Soul?”

Luo Qiu softly said, “It’s like a rare gem in the ocean. Constantly protected by a hard shell. You can’t pry the shell open, fearing that using force might frighten it. Perhaps it might change color because of that, but before it opens itself, you have no way to know its true color. Maybe it’s as magnificent as you anticipated, or maybe it’s just the dull white of an ordinary pearl. But one thing is certain, and that’s your anticipation and its inherent potential for growth. These are truly beautiful elements.”

Song Ying blinked and sorted through the meaning of these words, frowning, “What nonsense! Your anticipation for me, and my own growth?”

Luo Qiu gently replied, “You’re very beautiful, perhaps you could become even more beautiful.”

Song Ying instinctively widened her eyes — it wasn’t the first time hearing such words from Luo Qiu. She scratched her head instinctively, saying, “This… Can I take this as meaning you want to do something to me?”

“Don’t want to do anything.” Luo Qiu shook his head, “For me now, just watching quietly is satisfying enough. Liking doesn’t necessarily mean romantic affection… it could be appreciation. Like how flower lovers adore the beauty of blooming flowers.”

Song Ying rubbed her forehead, unsure of Luo Qiu’s attitude, leaving her feeling somewhat perplexed and uneasy… Honestly, who would so casually say such things?

“In short, you mustn’t entertain any bizarre thoughts about me, and I have none concerning you, OK?”

“Want to continue?” Luo Qiu extended the clippers again.

“I would never trust my grandfather’s bonsai in the hands of an amateur like you!” Song Ying snorted, snatching the scissors directly from Luo Qiu’s hand.

She turned her back to Luo Qiu, trimming the leaves of the bonsai, and suddenly asked, “What… do you think of Gan Hong?”

“Like a lotus flower.”

“A lotus flower?”

“A conjoined lotus, linked with you.”

What does that mean?

Song Ying’s hand froze for a moment… A conjoined lotus?

This guy wouldn’t be planning to take both together, would he… But, grandpa has already sent Gan Hong away, considering her personality…

And I myself also…

If this guy had a little bit of intention… wouldn’t I be…

“I warn you, don’t even think about it!” Song Ying suddenly turned around, pointing the scissors straight at Luo Qiu, “If you have any ideas, I’ll snap!!”

Snip snip, the sound of the scissors.

But Luo Qiu said, “How about now, feeling a bit better?”

“Better my ass! Seeing you just irritates me!” Song Ying gritted her teeth in anger… Always feeling like she’s being played with, she couldn’t resist the urge to give this guy a good beating!

Luo Qiu suddenly said, “Gan Hong got injured, she should take some time to recover. I don’t think it’s suitable for her to serve as my bodyguard anymore. I plan to talk to Old Master Song, about temporarily withdrawing Gan Hong, it shouldn’t be an issue. Also…”

He suddenly stepped in front of Song Ying.

Song Ying suddenly backed away a little in fear – she rarely let unfamiliar men get so close to her, especially in such a strange atmosphere.

But if she stepped back another step, she would inevitably hit the bonsai stand, so she had to stop.

Luo Qiu extended his hand – it made it very clear to Song Ying what his intention was, encouraging her to extend her hand too.

“What do you want to do!” Song Ying glared, regaining some of her composure.

But Luo Qiu just smiled gently, not saying a word.

Song Ying felt another headache… Once again, those eyes, that gaze and demeanor that’s hard to refuse – as if he knew she would certainly do as he wished, so calm and composed.

“What exactly do you want!” Song Ying hesitated for a moment, but finally put her hand atop Luo Qiu’s.

Luo Qiu turned Song Ying’s palm over, and then placed a silver bracelet on her palm.

“This is…”

On her wrist, there was also such an almost identical silver bracelet.

“I think, it’s most appropriate for you to return it to Gan Hong.” Luo Qiu said softly, “Since it’s a kind of testament, don’t casually take it off next time. Because if there’s one more time, I might not be willing to hand it over.”

…

— Because if there’s one more time, I might not be willing to hand it over.

Song Ying sat by herself on the round stone stool in the courtyard, her arm resting on the marble table, propping her chin, watching the moonlight. The silver bracelet lay in front of her.

Luo Qiu had already left.

It always feels like life is a tangled mess…

…

…

“Mr. Bai, this way please.”

“Much obliged.”

“No need to be formal.”

The servant was leading Bai Shuitang to the prepared guest room for him to rest – given the familial connection with the Song Family, staying at the Han Residence, Bai Shuitang was also accommodated in the central area of the residence.

For an outsider, being hosted here overnight can actually be seen as a sort of gain.

Bai Shuitang calmly followed behind the servant, observing the scenery inside the Han Residence… No matter how many times one sees it, such uniqueness truly makes one want to hold it in hand.

Only, some of Bai Shuitang’s thoughts quickly receded like the tide – because ahead on the corridor, a young man was walking slowly toward them.

Bai Shuitang had a constant feeling that the other’s gaze was on him, giving him an unnatural feeling.

“Good evening, Young Master Qiu!” The servant noticed the young man approaching and promptly greeted him with respect.

The young man merely smiled, serving as a greeting, then nodded slightly toward Bai Shuitang, passing by shoulder to shoulder.

Only when Bai Shuitang felt that the young man had completely passed several meters from him, did he subconsciously let out a breath, and the inexplicable oppressive feeling finally disappeared.

Bai Shuitang subconsciously looked back, but he could no longer see the trace of the young man, who had already vanished at the corridor’s corner.

What a terrifying feeling… An oppressive sensation, like seeing Song Tianyou from a dozen years ago.

But Song Tianyou gave him a feeling of decisiveness and authoritarianism, unquestionable… Meanwhile, this young fellow made him feel utterly insignificant!

“Who is this young man?” Bai Shuitang couldn’t help but ask the servant.

Given the close ties between Bai Shuitang and the Song Family, the servant didn’t hesitate to answer, “Mr. Bai, he is Young Master Qiu, now acknowledged as the Song Family’s young master. Old Master is delighted that the young master has returned!”

Bai Shuitang was slightly startled, suddenly recalling that he indeed had an encounter with this young man before – at that time, he was genuinely following Song Haoran.

But…

The Song Family’s young master… Young master!

Doesn’t this mean the Song Family’s heir has increased by one more?

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS: Originally planned to write in the evening, but as the year-end approaches, these bizarre dinner parties suddenly pop up more often. This time, I was once again indulged into chaos by some strange guys, not sure how I returned home with disheveled clothes… In any case, finished this chapter, going offline now.