章節 129: Tour of Mengyinhu (5)

Yunxue's gaze shifted from her plate to Yasushi, her brow slightly arched as she spoke. "That's certainly something to bring up with her, Yasushi," she remarked, her tone laced with a touch of irony.

The hours since their earlier discussion had stretched out, filled with the exchange of words between Yasushi and Jingliu. Their conversation had been thorough, a detailed examination of the earlier confrontation. Yunxue had listened to their account and, while she found Yasushi's approach a bit severe, she acknowledged that his message, though blunt, was not without merit — apart from the indirect "Kill yourself" sentiment that had slipped through.

Dinner now unfolded in a spacious dining hall, where a few key figures from the staff gathered. The rest of the household had dispersed throughout the residence and neighboring homes, leaving the immediate company in relative tranquility.

Heinz, with a deliberate motion, dabbed his mouth with a napkin and addressed Yasushi with measured calmness. "While I would have preferred a less heated exchange, it's clear she's long overdue for some reckoning given her history of mistreatment. However, if you find yourself in a similar position in the future, I'd advise a more composed approach, Yasushi."

Yasushi inclined his head, a trace of embarrassment flickering across his face. "Yeah, I get it. I'll be more restrained next time. But if she responds differently, what should I do? I usually rely on my fists, but I'm trying to steer clear of that," he inquired, glancing around at the assembled group.

A maid, her face thoughtful, spoke up after a moment. "As far as I know, Yan Jia has never resorted to physical retaliation. However, she's been known for her pride. Even during her time here, her sense of honor was quite pronounced. Given the recent events, it's hard to predict her next move. My advice would be to remain vigilant." Several others around the table nodded in agreement, affirming the maid's counsel.

"I understand. Thank you for the heads-up," Yasushi responded, his gaze turning to the group with renewed curiosity. "That said, what led to her dismissal? Jingliu mentioned that they seldom terminate staff, and only under very exceptional circumstances." He awaited their response, the question hanging in the air.

Heinz, Jingliu, and Yinhaie exchanged a brief, somber glance before nodding in silent agreement. Yinhaie drew in a deep breath, her expression hardening as she began to speak. "The reasons behind her dismissal are quite severe. To put it plainly, they include theft, assault, and blackmail. The façade of her 'righteousness' and 'honor' was nothing more than a charade, crafted to enrich herself at others' expense."

As Yinhaie's words settled into the room, a palpable silence enveloped the gathering. The staff members, previously absorbed in their own thoughts, now fixed their gazes on her with stunned expressions. The truth behind Yan Jia's termination was a revelation to most, eclipsing the scattered rumors and speculation that had circulated among them.

Yasushi, his curiosity piqued by the gravity of the revelations, leaned forward. "Can you provide more details, or is that off the table?" he asked, his tone earnest.

Yinhaie nodded slightly, acknowledging the question. "Barry, the new hire who joined alongside Yan Jia, was the primary victim of her actions. She targeted him with all those offenses, although there were a few other individuals affected, but their experiences were less severe compared to his."

"He was the first to catch her in the act of stealing valuable items from us. Following that, she assaulted him to ensure his silence and blackmailed him if he even considered speaking out," Heinz explained, his voice carrying a heavy tone. "This continued for months. Her assaults weren't confined to the initial incidents; she made him her plaything in various ways. It wasn't until Barry found the resolve to come forward that we could begin a thorough investigation."

Heinz paused for a moment, his expression reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "Although Yan Jia wasn't incarcerated, she faced a substantial financial penalty. All the money she had wrongfully taken from us was used to settle the fine, including restitution for Barry."

Heinz rose from his seat, gathering his plate with a measured gesture. "After that, she was dismissed from her position. As you're aware, Lady Jingliu has already briefed you on the aftermath," he said, moving towards the sideboard.

Yasushi had a question about the grandparents' reaction or their status during this time, but he held back, deeming it inappropriate to raise such inquiries at the moment. He decided to wait for a more suitable time to seek answers.

+-+

Later that evening, in their dimly lit bedroom, Yasushi settled into a chair with a book in hand, his focus divided between the pages and his phone. He exchanged texts with Furuya, who was bubbling with enthusiasm about his upcoming trip to China. Furuya had sent a flurry of photos showcasing his planned outfits and potential strategies to make a memorable impression on Catherine's parents, which elicited a few amused chuckles from Yasushi.

"Yasushi," Jingliu's voice cut through the soft murmur of the room, drawing his gaze upward. "I noticed that look you had earlier. You seemed like you wanted to ask more questions. Am I correct?"

Yasushi set his book and phone aside, turning his full attention to her. "About your grandparents," he began, his tone earnest. "Were they alive during that period, and if so, why didn't they take any action? If they weren't, then you can disregard my question."

Jingliu's expression grew thoughtful. "They were still alive for the first few months of Yan Jia's employment. However, they passed away shortly after. By then, they were somewhat senile and unlikely to have been aware of Yan Jia's actions. I don't believe they knew what was happening."

Yasushi nodded gravely, a deeper understanding settling over him. From their conversations about Jingliu's grandparents, he had formed a picture of their nature and doubted they would have taken any decisive action. If they had discovered Yan Jia's misdeeds, it was likely they would have opted for a more discreet resolution — perhaps dismissing her and offering a bribe to ensure her silence. He chose not to voice these thoughts aloud, mindful of the respect due to the deceased.

"To be honest," Jingliu interjected, her tone carrying a hint of surprise, "I don't think they would have done much. They might have resorted to paying her off and then firing her, or concocting a story about her seeking opportunities elsewhere to avoid dealing with the fallout. I don't agree with that approach, though."

Her smile broadened as she moved closer, straddling him and wrapping her arms around his neck. She leaned her head against his chest, her voice soft but curious. "It seems like you share the same perspective as I do?"

Yasushi hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "In a way. I didn't want to say it outright, as it might come across as disrespectful to the deceased. But given what you've told me about them before, I leaned toward that explanation as the most likely scenario." He glanced at her, attempting to convey his reasoning with sensitivity.

"It's alright," Jingliu said softly, her eyes meeting his with a mix of sadness and acceptance. "Even though I still carry the weight of their actions, and I can't forget or forgive what they did to me, I won't hold it against you for expressing what you think they would have done. I understand."

She leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, a gesture both comforting and affirming. Her hand moved slowly down his chest, coming to rest just above his waist. With a slight blush coloring her cheeks, she offered a tentative smile. "The night is still young... How about we have a bit of fun?"

Yasushi blinked, momentarily taken aback, before a chuckle escaped him. He returned her kiss, his eyes crinkling with amusement and warmth. "Alright, let's go with that. It has been a while, after all," he said, his tone light and affectionate. They turned toward their bed, ready to embrace the night together.

+-+

"So, what's the plan for today?" Yasushi asked, glancing around as he, Jingliu, Yunxue, and Heinz stood before the sprawling Yang residence, its grandeur evident even from the doorstep.

Jingliu, her hand intertwined with Yasushi's, looked at him with a smile. "We'll head to the Huanglong Waterfall later in the day, hoping that our visit will be uninterrupted. Before that, I have a few other places in mind. We'll start with Yuelu Academy, a renowned center of learning with a rich history. Next, we'll visit Meishan Temple, a site deeply embedded in cultural and historical significance. Lastly, we'll explore Huaxi Folk Art Village, where traditional crafts are celebrated and brought to life."

Yunxue nodded in agreement. "If you've never been to the Huanglong Waterfall before, I'd recommend saving it for last. It has undergone some renovations to enhance its appearance at night, which makes for a stunning view. The other locations, however, remain much the same as they always have."

Heinz added, "There have been some minor renovations at Meishan Temple and Yuelu Academy over the past year. The changes aren't major, but they might surprise you. There was a bit of division in town when the renovations were first announced, but as the positive impacts became apparent, the community has largely come to view it as a beneficial development."

"I'm looking forward to it," Yasushi said, a grin on his face as he took Jingliu's hand, leading her away with her laughter trailing behind. Yunxue and Heinz followed closely, their steps falling into rhythm with the couple's.

From a distance, a group of teenagers watched the departing group with visible disdain. Among them stood Yan Jia, her face marred by a scowl. Her eyes followed Yasushi and the others with a dark intensity.

"What's the plan, sis?" a girl in the group asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.

Yan Jia's expression hardened as she responded. "Have them make sure to cause trouble for them tonight. Leave Yasushi — the one Jingliu calls her boyfriend — to me and the others. I want him to pay for the humiliation he's caused me." Her words dripped with venom, each syllable heavy with her anger.

The day had barely begun, yet Yan Jia already had a scheme brewing for Yasushi and his companions.