528 Willing To Help

While driving towards the meeting place, Ying couldn't help thinking about the reason behind this sudden appointment. Since her grandmother just met her last night, it was really difficult for her to process why she called her early in the morning again. As much as she knew about her grandmother, she wasn't someone who would like to chit-chat in a tea house. 

There had to be a reason why she called Ying. But it was impossible for Ying to process it now since she had to leave her breakfast in midway. Most importantly, she had yet to tease Dylan.

Thinking about a horror-themed party for Dylan was enough to make Ying's lips curl up in mischief. But as she soon approached her destination, she changed her direction of thinking towards, 'I should give this idea to Xiu. That little sister of mine will definitely love to scare Dylan.'

Just thinking about Xiu's reaction brought a big smile on her face and she calmed down. It was just meeting her grandmother, how bad could it really be?

-Snow Blossom Tea House-

Passing through the Japanese style stone garden, Ying could describe this place exactly like she described her grandmother; old but magnificent.

Indeed, the tea house was old but it still hadn't lost its charm. Walking through the stone garden, it seemed to have transported a person to ancient times. This feeling... Of course, she knew her old grandmother must have an affinity with such a place.

The attendant led her to the private room and as soon as Ying slid the door open, she found her grandmother sitting upright and unperturbed on the cushion. But soon her eyes caught sight of another figure and she blurted out, "Aiyo! Isn't this our family's Jini? What you're doing here, Jini?"

Sitting opposite from grandmother Shania was Zhou Jinhai who was leisurely sipping on his tea gracefully. Hearing Ying's form of address, his movements faltered a little but he didn't let his emotion show too obviously on his face. He simply decided to smile at her.

"Have you fed your manners to dogs?" The domineering voice of her grandmother almost made Ying jump. Not because she was scared but because it was too sudden.

Ying closed the door behind her as she politely replied, "Yes, the dogs were very hungry for my manners."

Zhou Jinhai pursed his lips while grandmother Shania glared at Ying's retort. Not backing down, she added, "Feed some to yourself as well. You're apparently famished as well."

Ying's lips twitched as she said, "Gummy bear, did you just indirectly called me a dog?"

"What do you think?"

Looking at her grandmother's expressions, Ying was at a loss. "Are you sure that I'm your granddaughter? While insulting me at every single chance, how can you claim that you love me the most?"

With that statement, she went out of the private room leaving Ying gaping in disbelief. She looked at Zhou Jinhai and said, "You really know how to ask for a favor, eh?"

"Last time, you said that if I asked for it, you won't be able to help. But I believe you can't refuse your grandmother."

Ying sighed before taking the seat which was originally occupied by her grandmother and faced Zhou Jinhai. "It's weird that when you have the favor of my grandmother, you're still looking for me? Don't you think Shania Chuan is more resourceful than her rebellious and useless granddaughter?"

"The world might not know but I certainly know how resourceful you are."

Ying poured herself a cup of tea and drank it one go as if she was drinking water. As she eased her parched throat, she looked at Zhou Jinhai and asked, "Alright then Jini, what's up? How is it that I'm more useful than my own grandmother. I'm very curious to hear this favor of yours."

As Ying listened to his request, her brows couldn't help knitting up. Her fingers were tapping on the tabletop while her eyes looked at him with a complicated expression. 

"Do you have to go this far?" questioned Ying after she heard him clearly. "She is already dead. Why are you..." She hadn't yet completed her sentence when Zhou Jinhai placed a velvet pouch on the table. Ying eyed it before she took it and spilled out the content. But as soon as she looked at the content, her eyes widened. "This... Is this a coincidence?"

Zhou Jinhai turned the bracelet and showed her the carving saying, "Can this also be just a coincidence?"

Ying's whole world view suddenly shook violently. Looking at that very familiar bracelet, Ying was left speechless for a long while. Zhou Jinhai didn't disturb her since he had expected this reaction. He could tell she needed time to accept this situation. 

"Jini..." she started in a low voice. "Are you sure this belongs to Chen Xiu?"

Zhou Jinhai shook his head, "I'm not sure. But the only way to be sure is to find her mother. I can't find her, that's why I need your help. Because, if this really leads to what I have in mind, then..." He didn't complete his sentence and Ying didn't want him to either. 

"You should have gone to Zizi," said Ying.

"I don't want to poke Uncle Zimen right where it hurts him the most." Ying nodded in reply and stayed quiet. "So? Are you willing to help now?"

Ying lifted her eyes and said, "Now, this is something related to me very closely. There is no way I'm gonna back off."

"That's what I thought," stated Zhou Jinhai before taking another sip of his tea.