280 Their Relationship Keeps Getting Better

Inside the living room, Lu Jiao smiled at Xie Yunjin, “Don’t worry. If anything else comes up, I will tell you.”

She believed in this future first assistant’s capabilities. Talking over things with him could only benefit her.

Xie Yunjin sighed in relief and asked, “For your partnership with Zhao Lingfeng, how much ownership are you getting?”

“A third.”

Xie Yunjin thought about it and lightly commented, “That’s too little.”

Lu Jiao sighed, “There’s no other way. If I don’t cooperate with Zhao Lingfeng, I wouldn’t be able to protect what’s mine. I think a third is a pretty good deal for me.”

Xie Yunjin knew that Zhao Lingfeng came from the capital city and probably had a decently high status.

“With his status, is he able to protect the products you produce? If he is truly that influential, he wouldn’t have moved to towns like Qili.”

“He’s the third young master from the official residence of marquees of Yongning. He has someone who backs him up. The reason why I only got a third of the stake was that I wanted him to give up a part of his ownership to those in higher power.”

Lu Jiao’s explanation made Xie Yunjin think of the man he encountered last time.

That man was obviously not an ordinary man. He likely was a man of power in the capital city. Could that be the pillar Zhao Lingfeng was relying on?

Xie Yunjin said to Lu Jiao, “If you have anything else on your mind, you can discuss it with me. I would never suggest anything to hurt you.”

He then dusted his clothes and got up to leave. Behind him, Lu Jiao’s lips curled up.

This was good. Even if they couldn’t be husband and wife, they could be friends. A first assistant friend was pretty sweet.

From now on, she would have a pillar of her own. Once Xie Yunjin gets his job as an official, she’ll be able to do everything with more convenience.

The more Lu Jiao thought about it, the happier she got. She even had a nice dream that made her smile until morning.

The next day, bright and early, Lu Gui asked uncle Lin to give him a ride to apricot flower village.

By the time Lu Jiao got up, Lu Gui had left. Only then did Lu Jiao remember that her family was going to have lunch at the Eight Treasure Restaurant. How were they going to get there without a horse carriage?

LU Jiao looked towards Xie Yunjin, who gently responded, “I’ll ask Lin Dong to hire us a horse carriage.”

“Okay.”

After breakfast, Lu Jiao took the four little ones to watch the artisans make slides. The slides were pretty much done except for the detailing. Of course, the slides needed to be smoothed out and that was going to be the most time-consuming part.

Lu Jiao checked out what was already done and made some suggestions.

The four little ones poked the slides here and there. They loved it.

Lu Jiao then took Feng Zhi to look around the front courtyard west wing. Other than the room Lu Gui was living in, she planned on turning all the other rooms into study areas.

The language area needed some shelves. That way, the four little ones could read in silence and also read to others.

For the math area, other than shelves, she also needed to write out the Arabic numerals herself and gather some math books so the children could study.

The crafts corner needed lots of coloring materials, paper, and books.

Lu Jiao planned it while Feng Zhi wrote down what was needed.

That was right. Feng Zhi knew how to read and write. Though she didn’t know everything, it was enough to make lists.

The two of them toured every room and by the end, there were five pieces of paper worth of stuff to buy and make.

Once that was done, it was late and Xie Yunjin returned with Lin Dong.

“It’s time to go to the restaurant.”

Lu Jiao nodded. She changed the four little ones while Xie Yunjin changed into a set of silk robes.

Since he had an aloof era, the silk robe made him appear very imposing.

When Lu Jiao and four little ones saw him, they complimented him profusely.

Ever since Lu Jiao made certain of Xie Yunjin’s intention to separate, she started to treat him like a friend. The words that came out of her mouth were rather sweet.

Though Xie Yunjin knew her words were innocent, he was very happy.

“Thank you.”

Lu Jiao checked Xie Yunjin out for a few more seconds and exclaimed, “Honestly, I think you were born into a noble family, not a rural family.”

Xie Yunjin grinned. His normally emotionless eyes turned colorful.

“You’re overthinking it. I am an ordinary man from the countryside.”

He then glanced at Lu Jiao, “For today, I went ahead and invited dean Lu and professor Wang to be your witnesses. Are you going to be mad at me for that?”

Lu Jiao knew he meant well and had no intention of being mad. She shook her head, “Why would I blame you? I have to thank you.”

Xie Yunjin invited them to help her gain face. It wasn’t easy to get both the dean and professor for something like this. Though businessmen had money, those who study were more into being honorable and respectful. Therefore, the fact that the dean and the professor were willing to be her witnesses was an honor.

“Then, let’s go.”

The four little ones were also very happy. They took their parents’ hands and sat in the hired horse carriage to go to the Qinghe District’s most famous restaurant, the Eight Treasure.

The moment the carriage arrived, dean Lu and professor Wang also arrived. The two horses stood side by side.

Qi Lei was waiting for them at the door. Lu Jiao introduced the dean and professor to him. Qi Lei smiled brightly and invited them in.

The group happily headed to the private room inside the restaurant.

It was the first time the four little ones ate at a place like this. They were not at all afraid however and were eagerly chatting with dean Lu.

“Have you four been reading?”

Dean Lu was intrigued and the four little ones shook their heads.

“Not recently. There is constructions in our courtyard. Mommy said we are still little and should learn things other than the four books and the five classics.”

“My mommy wants to teach us a lot of things, like math, agriculture, art…”

“Also crafts, music, role play…”

Before the Third Born could finish, the Fourth Born interrupted, “Uncle dean, do you know what role-playing is? It’s when my mommy writes a story and has each one of us play a different character. My mommy tells the best stories! Like a mouse repaying his debt, a horse crossing a river, a three-legged frog… and so much more!”

The dean glanced towards Lu Jiao in awe, “Lady Lu, you know so much.”

Lu Jiao chuckled, “I make those up so they would go to sleep.”

How could she tell this dean that where she came from existed a limitless number of stories like these?

The group went into the private room happily.