161. Wang Erniang of Extraordinary Talent

Lu Jin had Nie Wuci and Yuan Fang carry several gifts as they walked toward Lu Wei's small courtyard.

Calling him Big Brother day in and day out, yet remaining completely unfamiliar with his family's situation, Lu Jin felt somewhat ashamed. That was why Lu Jin had arranged with Lu Wei to pay a formal visit today.

However, thinking of Big Brother Lu Wei's condition, Lu Jin felt deeply worried.

What on earth was that old woman Wang Ernian up to? Every single day, she made Big Brother look like an opium addict.

"Big Brother!" Just as Lu Jin reached the entrance of Lu Wei's small courtyard, he saw Big Brother already coming out to greet them.

Although the leading figures all had their own courtyards by now, water bandits could hardly maintain any grand displays of luxury. Thus, the small courtyards remained entirely rustic, with even the outer walls consisting merely of wood bound together into a simple fence.

"Brother, you've finally come. Ernian has been talking about you all day," Lu Wei said with a smile.

Lu Jin mentally spat a mouthful of old blood. Big Brother, you really shouldn't say things like that casually. Your brother has nothing to do with that woman in your house.

"Big Brother is joking. I just brought a few things for you, which is why I'm a bit late," Lu Jin said with a smile as he took the gifts from Yuan Fang and handed them to Lu Wei.

"Oh, Brother, you coming is enough, why keep bringing things to your older brother?" Lu Wei said politely.

"It's my first time visiting Big Brother at his home, how could I possibly come empty-handed?" Although the Lancang River Water Band itself was quite impoverished, that did not include Lu Jin. He could get his hands on whatever he wanted; the only question was what could even be used in a place like this.

"Good, good, hurry inside. Ernian, my brother is here," Lu Wei called out toward the interior as he spoke.

"You are Jiang Nan? The Navy Governor?"

Just as Lu Jin was wondering what Wang Ernian looked like now, a young girl of about twelve or thirteen suddenly rushed out from the side room and stood right in front of him, staring hard at him.

Lu Jin was startled. Could this be Lu Wei's daughter? He had thought she would be much older. Turns out she was just this small.

"Cao'er, this is the Jiang Nan Uncle that Daddy told you about. Hurry and greet your uncle. The older you get, the less manners you have," Lu Wei introduced from the side.

Before Lu Jin could recover his wits, the little girl suddenly grabbed his hand and thrust it toward her mouth, looking as though she was about to bite down.

But Nie Wuci would never let her succeed. Before the little girl could sink her teeth in, her mouth was blocked by the cold blade of a sword. Nie Wuci did not care who the person was.

"Wuci!" Lu Jin was taken aback. Though puzzled in his heart, he hastily stopped her.

"Cao'er, have you lost your mind?" Lu Wei naturally was shocked as well. Were these people you could afford to provoke?

"I hate you!" Not only had the young girl failed to bite him, but tears began to well up in her eyes, filled with intense hatred.

Lu Jin was completely dumbfounded. What on earth did she mean by hating him? They had never even met before!

"Cao'er, Uncle..."

"You are not my uncle, I hate you!" Having said that, the little girl turned and darted back into the room in a flash.

"Big Brother, this..." Lu Jin was speechless. Who had he offended or provoked?

"Ah, Brother, children don't know any better. Rest assured, I'll properly discipline her later." Lu Wei also wore an awkward expression.

What more could Lu Jin say? The crucial issue wasn't whether she understood manners or not, but why she felt this way.

"Governor, this humble woman has truly been longing for your arrival. Dear, hurry and invite the Governor and the heroes inside."

Amidst Lu Jin's bewilderment, Wang Ernian came swaying out from the main room with a smile. Though her attire was plain, it failed to conceal her alluring feminine charm.

What on earth was this old woman saying? Furthermore, couldn't you dress a bit more properly? You look like you just finished doing something and didn't even have time to put your clothes back on properly.

"Brother, hurry on in," Lu Wei gestured politely.

Lu Jin led Yuan Fang and Nie Wuci inside, following the couple into the room. Since they were water bandits now, they didn't hold themselves to such rigid formalities.

Once they were seated inside, Wang Ernian served tea to the group.

"Governor, Dear, you two chat first. I'm going to go check if the meal is ready," Wang Ernian smiled and said.

"Then I'll have to trouble Wang Ernian," Lu Jin said politely.

"The Governor is being far too formal. You are my husband's brother, just call me Ernian..." Wang Ernian smiled as brightly as if it were New Year's Day.

"Alright, alright, then I'll trouble Ernian," Lu Jin said, bracing himself. Why did this form of address feel so strange?

Once Wang Ernian stepped outside, Lu Jin's thoughts returned to Cao'er. If he hadn't wanted to meet his big brother's daughter, Lu Jin might not have been willing to come at all. It was better to stay as far away from that old woman Wang Ernian as possible.

"Big Brother, does Cao'er have something against me?"

"Brother is joking. What could a little girl like her possibly have against you?" Lu Wei said awkwardly.

"Big Brother!"

"Well, ever since Ernian moved into the house, Cao'er hasn't been very happy about it," Lu Wei sighed.

Lu Jin was speechless. You couldn't expect your father to remain a bachelor for the rest of his life, could you? Still, it was somewhat understandable—she was just a child.

Yet, could she hate him this much just because of that? Lu Jin still felt it was a bit excessive. Could it be that the old woman wasn't treating the child well?

"Big Brother, have you been paying less attention to Cao'er lately?" Lu Jin asked.

"Haven't I been busy..."

Lu Jin was speechless. Were those dark circles under his eyes caused by being busy? Was his swaying gait also caused by being busy?

"What about Ernian? How does she treat Cao'er?" Lu Jin asked again. Otherwise, this simply couldn't be explained.

"She treats her quite well. It's just Cao'er's temperament—she suddenly had this person thrust into her life and simply couldn't accept it," Lu Wei explained.

Was that really it? Could he truly have done a bad thing with good intentions?

"Big Brother, has Cao'er ever learned to read?" Lu Jin asked.

"Ever since she was small, she's been making a living on the water with me. Where would she go to study? Besides, what use is it for a little girl to read books?"

"Big Brother has met A'nu. In fact, I still bring many children along to study in Jianglin. Among them are several girls about Cao'er's age. If Big Brother trusts me, how about letting her come with me to study in the future?"

While Lu Jin genuinely felt he might have inadvertently caused trouble and wronged the little girl, he also had other motives.

Since Lu Wei was now his sworn brother, it was necessary for him to do his part, at least ensuring that his descendant had a better life.

Moreover, one must always guard against others. Casually planting a chess piece now might prove useful later on. Actually, it would have been even better if it were a son.

"Ah, this..." Lu Wei hesitated.

"Big Brother, you should know your brother's capabilities. I believe that whether it's a boy or a girl, they should read more books. Reading helps a person understand principles," Lu Jin persuaded.

"Besides, now that you and Ernian are together, the child will inevitably overthink things. Rather than having a restless household, it would be better for her to live in Jianglin from now on. Even when she marries in the future, she'll be able to find a good family, right?" Lu Jin tempted him.

Letting Lu Cao follow him versus staying with Lu Wei was the difference between heaven and earth. As long as Lu Wei truly cared for this child in his heart, he would absolutely not refuse. Who wouldn't want their child to have a better life?

"It's just that your older brother is worried about bringing trouble to you. And that girl's temper..." Lu Wei said with lingering hesitation.

"Between sworn brothers, what trouble is there to speak of? Your daughter is my daughter. Could I really harbor resentment toward a child?" Lu Jin said, regardless of whether Lu Wei's concerns were genuine or feigned.

"Since Brother puts it that way, I will entrust Cao'er to you."

"Big Brother is too polite, but I must state this clearly beforehand. Big Brother knows what identities we hold now; meeting each other in the future probably won't be easy for you both as father and daughter. But I will try my best to arrange opportunities."

"I know, I know. This girl has suffered a lot following me all these years. Let her bask in my brother's light and enjoy some blessings too," Lu Wei laughed.

After a short while, Wang Ernian bustled out, serving a few simple dishes. There weren't many good things to be had here anyway, especially during this season.

"Governor, eat more vegetables!" Wang Ernian said as she sat right down in the gap between Lu Wei and Lu Jin.

Lu Jin was startled and hurriedly scooted to the side. Does this woman have some kind of condition? Your husband is still sitting right beside you!

Lu Jin hastily looked toward Lu Wei, only to find that his good big brother acted as if nothing was amiss at all.

This was truly like encountering a ghost. What on earth was Lu Wei thinking?

During the meal, that woman Wang Ernian acted completely as though this place were a pleasure house. Sitting there like a head courtesan, she managed all sides effortlessly, her smiles continuous. She certainly livened up the atmosphere.

Yet Lu Jin felt entirely uncomfortable in his own skin; this woman was simply too enthusiastic.

She even intentionally or unintentionally took advantage of him. A man going out into the world truly had it hard.

Lu Jin managed to get through dinner in a state of agitation at Lu Wei's place, after which he prepared to leave with Nie Wuci and Yuan Fang.

The moment he stepped out of the main room, however, he saw Cao'er standing at the entrance of the side room, glaring at him with a look full of hatred.

Just how much did this girl hate him? Besides, shouldn't you theoretically hate Wang Ernian even more?

Lu Jin had originally intended to take Cao'er back with him when he returned to Jianglin, but seeing Cao'er's expression now made him change his mind.

"Big Brother, I'll take Cao'er with me right now. That way you and Ernian can live your lives in peace," Lu Jin joked.

Lu Wei looked awkward; he certainly wished he could, but his body simply couldn't keep up.

Wang Ernian, on the other hand, wore a face full of bashfulness, her eyes brimming with watery ripples that seemed ready to spill over at any moment.

"Alright, take her with you. I was just afraid this girl wouldn't be willing," Lu Wei said.

"No worries, I'll go try," Lu Jin said as he walked toward the entrance of the side room.

"Cao'er, do you really hate me that much?"

"..." Lu Cao looked ready to grind her teeth to dust, the tears in her eye sockets brimming with stubbornness, refusing to fall.

"Yet I'm going back now. With the distance so far, what use is it for you to keep hating me?" Lu Jin smiled.

"..." Lu Cao glared at Lu Jin in silence.

"Why don't you come back with me, and hate me right to my face? That way I'll actually know it, and I'll be the one suffering. What do you say?"

"..."

"Hmph, I knew you were just a coward. I'm leaving. You can stay here and hate away to your heart's content, and see if it hurts me at all." Lu Jin smiled and turned to walk toward the courtyard gate.

"Fine, if I go then I go!" Lu Cao huffed angrily, stomping past Lu Jin and heading right out of the courtyard gate.

Lu Jin chuckled. Could he really not handle a mere yellow-haired girl? Still, this girl possessed quite a fierce temperament.

"Big Brother, Ernian, you don't need to see us out. We'll head back first," Lu Jin said as he followed them out of the courtyard gate.

"Governor, Governor, wait for this humble woman. Dear, I need to speak with the Governor for a moment," Wang Ernian called out as she saw Lu Jin walking away.

Lu Jin was stunned. What else could there be? In his line of sight, Wang Ernian came running over with her entire body swaying. Meanwhile, Lu Wei stood far away at the courtyard entrance and didn't follow.

"Governor!" Wang Ernian wore a conflicted expression.

"Ernian, is there something else?" Lu Jin asked. Given his relationship with Lu Wei, he had to maintain Lu Wei's dignity and couldn't outright refuse to give Wang Ernian face.

Wang Ernian glanced at Nie Wuci standing nearby, hesitating to speak. That woman was fierce and stuck to him step for step; if she didn't speak up now, she wouldn't have another chance.

"Governor, could we step aside for a few words?" Wang Ernian lowered her head and said.

Before Lu Jin could reply, Nie Wuci looked displeased and walked ahead to join Yuan Fang and Lu Cao.

"Ernian, just say what you need to say now!" Lu Jin said helplessly.

"Governor, why don't you stay the night as well? This humble woman can handle it!"

Oh, damn it! Lu Jin's jaw dropped in shock. You can handle it, but I certainly can't!

Wang Ernian, what kind of financial talent are you? Do you work at the same securities brokerage firm?

(Let's see how many brothers get the reference, leave a paw print.)