Chapter 51: The Personal Bodyguard

“Miss,” the old man said as he approached her, his eyes shining with excitement, “I’ve finally found you.”

Lin Sangqian blinked, uncertain.

Was he speaking to her?

But…

“Do we know each other?” she asked, puzzled.

“Oh, that’s right, I forgot to introduce myself,” the old man said. “I am a servant of the Yu family.”

“The Yu family?” Lu Chengren was surprised. “Is that the same Yu family that runs the tea emporium?”

“Yes,” the old man nodded.

Lu Chengren glanced at Lin Sangqian, thinking to himself that this young lady was certainly no ordinary person if she even knew people from the Yu family.

The Yu family were in the tea business, but they were nothing like ordinary tea merchants.

The largest tea house in town belonged to them, and not only that, they owned a tea mountain outside the town. Their tea was sold not only at their own establishment but shipped to many places; their business was vast.

If the Yu family had not been so reluctant to leave their hometown, they would never have remained in such a small town.

“Little sister, you know someone from the Yu family?” Lin Beitao asked in surprise.

Lin Sangqian shook her head. “I don’t.”

“Well, it’s like this,” the old man explained, “the man who was with you earlier—is he your father? Our young master greatly admires his skills.”

So it was her father they were after.

“When did you see us?” Lin Sangqian asked curiously.

“When you were selling meat pies at your stall,” the old man replied with a smile. “A scoundrel tried to steal your pies, and your father taught him a lesson.”

So the Yu family’s people had witnessed the incident with Guo Da.

“Our young master is just outside. I’ll invite him in to speak with you,” the old man continued. “He would very much like to hire your father as his personal bodyguard.”

Lin Sangqian considered it; perhaps this was an opportunity.

Lin Hongda wanted to open a martial arts school in town. If he could spend some time at the side of a wealthy young man like this, he might make valuable connections.

In any case, it could only be beneficial.

After a while, the old man returned, bringing in a young gentleman.

He was rather handsome, and his manners bespoke the easy confidence of someone born to wealth.

“Uncle Yuan, where is the young lady?” Yu Jingxiao asked.

“Master, over there.”

Lu Chengren had already arranged for them to have a table by the window. Lin Sangqian and her two brothers were seated there, drinking tea.

Yu Jingxiao immediately walked over.

Lin Sangqian saw him approach and rose to greet him politely. “Young Master Yu.”

Yu Jingxiao nodded, smiling. “May I ask your name, miss?”

“My surname is Lin,” she replied. “These are my brothers, Lin Yanbei and Lin Beitao.”

“Miss Lin, gentlemen.” Yu Jingxiao took a seat opposite them, getting straight to the point. “I greatly admire your father’s skills. I would like to hire him as my personal bodyguard, with a monthly salary of fifteen taels of silver.”

Fifteen taels a month?

Lin Sangqian couldn’t help but swallow.

Young Master Yu was certainly generous!

Lin Beitao spoke up, “Personal bodyguard—does that mean my father would have to be by your side at all times?”

“No,” Yu Jingxiao replied with a smile. “Our household has plenty of guards. I only need your father to accompany me when I leave the estate, to ensure my safety.”

Uncle Yuan added from the side, “Our young master often visits the tea mountain, and sometimes travels to other places for business, so he needs someone to protect him.”

“I won’t hide it from you,” Yu Jingxiao said, “Earlier, when we were traveling out of town, we ran into a group of bandits. Several of my previous guards were injured to varying degrees. That’s why there is some risk in this position.”

Lin Sangqian frowned.

So, the fifteen taels of silver did not come easily.

Of course, she didn’t want her father to be in any danger.

“But it isn’t as if we run into bandits every time,” Uncle Yuan said with a smile. “That was the only incident in recent years.”

Lin Sangqian thought that made sense.

Surely, Young Master Yu couldn’t be so unlucky as to encounter danger every time he went out.

“I understand,” she said. “But this is something my father must decide for himself. I will relay your offer to him in full, Young Master Yu.”

“Thank you, Miss Lin,” Yu Jingxiao said with a smile. “Rest assured, if your father agrees, I will treat him with utmost respect. If he makes up his mind, he may come directly to the Yu estate.”

“Very well.”

After their conversation, Yu Jingxiao prepared to leave, but Uncle Yuan quickly reminded him, “Master, weren’t you going to buy some of Fortune Pavilion’s potato crisps to try?”

“Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot.”

At this, Yang Shi, who was nearby, couldn’t help interjecting, “Young Master Yu might not know—those crisps were introduced to us by Miss Lin herself.”

Yu Jingxiao paused, giving Lin Sangqian another look.

He had noticed while speaking to her that, although she seemed young and rather frail, her manner was composed and appropriate, with not a trace of childishness.

Thanks to Lin Sangqian, Yang Shi had received several bonuses from Lu Chengren, and was now her greatest admirer. “Miss Lin may be young, but her culinary skills are exceptional. No one who has tasted her food has failed to praise it!”

Yu Jingxiao nodded and smiled. “I have a friend who can’t seem to take interest in any kind of food. It’s a pity he’s not in town at the moment—when he comes, perhaps Miss Lin will be his savior.”

With that, he went off to buy the potato crisps. Lin Sangqian simply smiled and thought nothing more of it.

After leaving Fortune Pavilion, Lin Sangqian and her brothers hurried home.

None of them noticed that, just as they stepped out of the restaurant, they were seen by Lin Shuimei, who happened to be passing by.

Cradling her newly bought clothes, she stared in astonishment at the three siblings.

Lin Sangqian and her brothers had just come out of the restaurant?

They could afford to dine there now?

It must have been that wealthy man who gave them money!

Hmph! Who knows what Lin Sangqian had done for that man?

Lin Shuimei bit her lip with jealousy. She herself had never even set foot in a restaurant!

Drawn by some impulse, she walked to the entrance of Fortune Pavilion. Yang Shi had just seen off a few customers, and when he saw her, he asked politely, “Would you like to eat?”

Startled, Lin Shuimei shook her head quickly.

She had spent all her money on clothes; how could she afford a meal?

Seeing this, Yang Shi paid her no more mind.

With some trepidation, Lin Shuimei craned her neck to glance inside the restaurant.

Surely, everyone dining here must be quite well-off.

That’s right—the owner of the restaurant must make a fortune.

Lin Shuimei stood there, deep in thought.

It was a long while before she finally turned and left.

…

When the three siblings returned home, Liao Shuxia had already prepared their meal and was waiting for them to come and eat.