Chapter 20: Holy Land

  In the study, Gan Jing sat at the desk with a frown, his hand gently tapping out a rhythm on the table, a habit he had whenever he was thinking. Meanwhile, Qi Xi was enthusiastically teasing the small turtle in the ceramic basin on the windowsill. Who would have thought that someone like Gan Jing would be interested in keeping pets in his study? The afternoon sun was scorching, and even sitting by the window for just a moment made her feel like her back was burning.

  Because of what the young master of the Gan family said earlier, Qi Mei felt a bit casual in front of Gan Jing. At this moment, she tidied up her clothes and moved a chair to sit opposite him: "A few days ago, I also heard Mr. mention that being able to smoothly inherit the Gan family's industry is largely due to the goods brought back from Yunzhong City. Qi Mei wanted to ask Mr. about Yunzhong City."

  Gan Jingyuan wanted to ask about the transaction between Qi Xian and Zhu Ye today, although he knew that the boxes were filled with money paid by the other party. However, he unexpectedly discovered that the person who delivered the goods was not a servant from the Zhu household. This was Qi Xian's first time doing business, and Gan Jingyuan was worried that she would be taken advantage of. Now, hearing her ask about Yunzhong City, he couldn't help but furrow his brow again. How did this little girl suddenly come up with this idea? "This little girl may be young, but her thoughts are not small. The matter of Yunzhong City is something that even old veterans who have been in the business for decades dare not think about. Where did you hear the rumors and get this idea from? If you want to ask me about Yunzhong City, I'm afraid you've found the wrong person. I'll tell you the truth, I've never been there."

  As soon as Qi Xi heard him say that, she muttered to herself, "How petty! Now that he's successful, he's blocking others from making a fortune. In the face of interests, all relationships are fake. Since he won't speak the truth willingly, it's impossible to hear a true word even if you put a knife to his throat." Qi Xi pouted and was about to leave. This was her habit - she never forced anyone into anything. She just felt a little disappointed, perhaps in Gan Jing's eyes, she wasn't as valuable as those material gains.

  "I didn't deceive you, actually you want to know about Yun Zhong Cheng, why don't you go ask Liu Lao Da?"

  Early summer, the lotus flowers by the Tian Sha River had already bloomed quietly, while the lotus flowers in the West Garden of Gan Fu were still budding. The garden was filled with purple irises, a unique flower that never withered in all four seasons. In winter, plum blossoms only bloomed when snowflakes fluttered, but purple irises remained unfaded throughout the year. Perhaps it was because of this that Gan Jing was so fond of these flowers, using them to encourage himself that the Gan family's business would be like the purple iris, forever unbroken.

  Liu Yicheng lay on the bed like a woman in confinement, and he couldn't stay idle for long. His injuries had almost healed, so when the maids were dozing off, he snuck out of the room and went to the garden to do some exercises while planning his trip to Kyoto with Qi Mei. The servants who occasionally passed by looked at him curiously as he stretched his legs, twisted his waist, and made various strange movements in the garden. Of course, they didn't know that these were the radio calisthenics Qi Mei had taught him, which indeed lifted one's spirits after a full set of exercises.

  "Dad, how did you come out? The sun outside is scorching, be careful not to get heatstroke." This pair of father and daughter always exchange a few sarcastic remarks whenever they meet. Just as Lao Ye was finally able to breathe some fresh air, Qi Xi pushed him back into the house: "I just don't understand, am I your dad or are you my dad? And another thing, your dad isn't that weakling young master from the Gan family, why so fragile?" The second half of Dad's sentence was spoken in a lowered voice, and he was naturally referring to the young master of the Gan family. It seems that Old Ye doesn't think much of him either.

  "Dad, it's been a long time since you told me a story. I'm in the mood today and suddenly want to hear one. But Dad, I don't want to hear about the heroes of the Black Water Stockade battle again, I can recite them by heart. Tell me about Cloud City instead, I heard that Mr. Gan became successful because of the goods he smuggled from Cloud City." Qiying looked at her father with wide eyes like a curious baby.

  Every time Old Dad told a story, Qiuxu would always fall asleep after listening for a while. It can be seen that Old Dad's stories have a strong hypnotic effect. Over time, it seems that Qiuxu and Old Dad had reached some kind of tacit understanding, and even Old Dad himself hadn't mentioned telling stories to Qiuxu in a long time. Today, although I don't know what idea the young lady had, she probably thought that being cooped up in her room for too long was boring, so she deliberately found an excuse to tell stories to accompany herself. Ning'er, our daughter has finally grown up and become sensible. There's something shining in Old Dad's eyes, he lightly wiped away his tears, and like a storyteller, he took a sip of tea before beginning: "A long, long time ago..." This is Old Dad's usual opening phrase when telling stories, no wonder it gets sleepier the more you listen.

  Although the old man used the names Zhang San and Li Si in the story, it is clear that one of them was himself and the other was Gan Jing. It was from this story that Qi Xian learned a secret. The old man said that Gan Jing was willing to stay and become a western chamber because he had made a bet with him over a game of Go, which Gan Jing happened to lose. Originally, it should have been a matter of course, but the old man promised him that if he stayed in Heishui Village, he would tell him the secret of Yunzhong City. The version told by the old man and Gan Jing was completely different, but somehow it felt like saying that Gan Jing and the old man played Go was a bit mysterious - how could the old man, such a rough person, play Go? Don't be ridiculous. Of course, what Qi Xian cared about was not these things. The old man said that Gan Jing was able to regain everything in the Gan family not because of the legendary treasures from Yunzhong City, but the details were not continued by the old man, who simply changed the subject to what Qi Xian was interested in.

  The City in the Clouds, the name that appears most frequently in various legends, is also a city actually marked on the map of Eastern Jin. In the geographical records of Eastern Jin, the city was only marked to be west of Bihuo State and County, but it is unknown whether anyone has ever been to the City in the Clouds. It is said that outside the city, there are two celestial maidens guarding the place, rejecting all greedy people from approaching the city. As for who lives inside the City in the Clouds, some say they are superior immortals, while others claim they are ascetic practitioners. In short, it is a kind of transcendent existence. Of course, these are just topics for idle chatter after meals, and no one can confirm whether such a city really exists in the world.

  After listening to Lao Die's description, Qi Xi had her own judgment in her heart. Perhaps others would doubt the existence of that city because no one had ever been there before, but from a geographical perspective, Qi Xi had her own judgment. However, it was clear that this dynasty did not match the historical records, so her geographical judgment also needed to be reserved. It was precisely for this reason that Qi Xi had an inexplicable emotion towards that mysterious city that only existed in legend. She wanted to go there, to fulfill a wish that she couldn't achieve in her past life, and she didn't want to have any regrets. She still remembered the sentence she wrote on the first page of her book in her freshman year: "I must be able to get to that place, and take Ai Ling with me."

  "Dad, if I said I wanted to go find a fairy outside of Cloud City to have a chat with her, what would you think?"

  " Qi Qi, what's wrong? Is there anywhere uncomfortable on your body?"

  There's a wonderful feeling that I'll be able to see the Moon Lady again soon, and next time I see her, I must ask for several more of those insects so my pockets will be full.

  There is already a golden house in the book, and scanning it will bring even greater surprises.

  Open WeChat immediately, scan the QR code or search for the public account "Starting Point"

  Add attention and take it down easily!