Chapter 130: Da Yizi

Quite bold.

Chen Yixue heard Xu Yuexin's statement and fell silent for a moment.

Chen Yixue had no thoughts about Xu Yuexin's courtyard, but she knew Xu Yuexin was speaking sincerely.

"My point is, when it comes to respecting me, you have to keep your word."

She softened her tone a bit, set down her suitcase, stared at Xu Yuexin and asked, "Can you do it?"

"I... don't think I've ever made such a promise to you?"

Xu Yuexin scratched his head and said.

"Then promise it now."

"No, that's not something I can promise."

"Fine, then I'm leaving."

Da Yizi, upon saying that, lifted her suitcase and walked away, circling around Xu Yuexin.

"No way."

Xu Yuexin forcefully grabbed Da Yizi's wrist and declared decisively, "I haven't allowed you to leave."

"What, am I your slave?"

"Leaving still requires your approval?"

Da Yizi sneered, tried to wrench her wrist free twice but failed.

"Primarily, your notion of respect is too vague and lacks a clear definition."

"If I agree, you'll keep brandishing a feather as a banner, constantly claiming I don't respect you—what am I supposed to do then?"

Xu Yuexin responded with a blend of firmness and gentleness, neither permitting Da Yizi to leave nor leaving no room for negotiation.

"It's not that complicated; as long as we both know where we stand, that's enough."

Da Yizi looked at Xu Yuexin calmly and said, "Anyway, you have never truly respected me before."

Xu Yuexin had originally intended to wear Da Yizi down slowly, but upon seeing this, changed his mind.

It seemed Da Yizi just wanted a straightforward promise.

"Fine, I promise to respect you from now on."

"However, the Final Interpretation Right remains in my hands."

Xu Yuexin said with a solemn expression.

Final Interpretation Right? What kind of thing is that?

Chen Yixue had never heard that term before and was momentarily puzzled.

Literally, it sounds like the adjudication right belongs to Xu Yuexin? "No, if you put it that way, I'll keep taking a loss later."

After thinking it over, Chen Yixue refused, saying.

"Why do you think so?"

"Because the Final Interpretation Right is in your hands, meaning you decide whether I am being disrespected or not."

"That can't work."

Da Yizi isn't easy to fool.

Seeing Da Yizi's earnest demeanor, Xu Yuexin was momentarily at a loss.

"Since you're so particular, I'll omit those words and we won't discuss the Final Interpretation Right. How about that?"

"That works, now quickly release my hand."

"Go back."

Xu Yuexin released Da Yizi's wrist, and it felt unsettling no matter how he thought about it.

If I don't leave a final clause, how will I control Da Yizi in the future?

No, there must be some provision.

"Xue Xue, wait a moment."

Xu Yuexin called Da Yizi back into the room, saying, "I have something to tell you."

Chen Yixue halted, turned to look at Xu Yuexin and asked, "What, you changed your mind so quickly?"

"I'm not backing out; I just think our earlier agreement was too vague and could cause disputes later."

"What are you trying to convey?"

"My point is, when we later have differing opinions about the agreement, as long as either party raises it, the agreement can be temporarily nullified."

"Doing so can reduce unnecessary disputes; what do you think?"

"Temporarily nullified? Then wouldn't you just do whatever you want?"

"No, no, you misunderstand. After it's temporarily nullified, we'll part for a while to cool off. What do you think?"

Has he truly repented?

Chen Yixue felt a bit perplexed.

According to this, whenever she wishes, she can avoid staying with Xu Yuexin.

Is there really such a benefit? Chen Yixue racked her brain, trying to find a loophole in Xu Yuexin's words.

However, she ultimately couldn't find one.

"Let's just assume Xu Yuexin is sincerely repentant!" Chen Yixue thought.

"Fine, you said that."

Chen Yixue said with a sigh of relief, feeling she finally had a weapon against Xu Yuexin.

"Hmm, our Gentlemen's Agreement."

Xu Yuexin said with a sincere expression.

After a while, Chen Qiaoqiao finished helping at school, returned home, and said she was hungry.

Xu Yuexin took her and Da Yizi out for lunch; after returning, he voluntarily suggested taking photos of them.

"Mm, we need to photograph every courtyard."

Chen Qiaoqiao immediately responded, "Let's start with the Front Courtyard."

In Guogongfu, there's a scenic view every ten steps; Chen Qiaoqiao had long thought this was an excellent spot for photos.

Only a few days ago the sun was too harsh, so she couldn't fulfill her wish.

Now that early autumn has arrived, the weather still holds some warmth while the sunlight is no longer so scorching—truly the best season for photography.

After speaking, she looped her arm with her sister's and walked toward the bedroom, ready to change clothes together.

Xu Yuexin also entered the bedroom, took out the camera, and, after closing the door, went to the Main Courtyard to adjust settings.

After he left, Chen Qiaoqiao and her sister began changing; shortly thereafter the two sisters emerged wearing their new outfits.

Today Chen Qiaoqiao wore a set of ancient‑style garments, her feathered robe and rainbow‑colored dress fluttering gracefully.

After putting on the ear pendants Xu Yuexin bought, she looked even more like an ethereal fairy.

Chen Yixue, on the other hand, wore her younger sister's light‑blue cheongsam, fully showcasing her tall, firm bust and her fair, slender legs.

With high heels on her feet, each step she took exuded a dignified, untouchable elegance that left a lasting impression.

After everything that happened with Xu Yuexin that morning, Chen Yixue actually didn't feel like taking photos.

The main reason was that her younger sister was in high spirits; she didn't want to dampen it, so after entering the room she was persuaded to change into that outfit and shoes.

Xu Yuexin led his daughter‑in‑law and Da Yizi to the small bridge with flowing water in the Front Courtyard, intending to first take solo portraits of them.

Along the way, his gaze remained proper, no longer lingering on Da Yizi.

Perhaps he truly has reformed?

Chen Yixue noticed this and thought to herself.

That doesn't add up; he used to act the same way in front of Chen Qiaoqiao, so one can't draw such a simple conclusion.

After a short while, the three arrived at the Front Courtyard, and Xu Yuexin first photographed Chen Qiaoqiao.

The small bridge with flowing water, an ancient‑style beauty.

This scene indeed matched well and was very beautiful.

Xu Yuexin directed his daughter‑in‑law to strike one pose after another, repeatedly pressing the shutter.

"Click, click…"

"Xue Xue, it's your turn."

After finishing a set of photos, Xu Yuexin said to Da Yizi,

He now habitually calls Da Yizi by her nickname even in front of his daughter‑in‑law, and she has clearly gotten used to it.

Only Chen Yixue felt it was awkward, but with her younger sister present she said nothing.

"Hold the railing with one hand, turn your face slightly to the left. Yes, give a smile, but don't make it too wide…"

After Chen Yixue stepped onto the bridge, Xu Yuexin kept directing and adjusting the pose.

At that moment, he finally could look at Da Yizi unabashedly, his gaze free to linger on any part of her body.

More clicks followed, and Da Yizi's solo portrait was declared finished; next came a joint photo of the two sisters in the Front Courtyard, as well as pictures in the Middle Courtyard, Main Courtyard, and Back Courtyard.

After the shoot, Chen Qiaoqiao went to develop the photos, while Xu Yuexin and Da Yizi returned to the Guogong Mansion Main Hall master bedroom.

At that moment, Da Yizi's mood improved a bit.

"Last time at Keyuan we took quite a few photos."

"Where did you put them?"

"Didn't I give them to you?"

"I know. You also photographed Qiao Qiao; I want to see hers."

"I didn't see them when moving; maybe they got lost."

Xu Yuexin pretended to be nonchalant and said,

Among those photos were the thigh‑showing cheongsam shots of Da Yizi that he had always treasured. If she caught wind of that, it would be disastrous, right? Chen Yixue found his answer a bit odd.

How could something taken with such effort be so easily lost? That night before sleep, Chen Yixue and her younger sister talked in the secondary bedroom, and she voiced the day's doubt.

"Where did the few photos you posted at Keyuan go?"

"I asked Yuexin during the day; he said he hadn't seen them."

"They're right in the desk drawer of our room."

"Maybe he was busy and forgot."

Chen Qiaoqiao didn't think much and replied directly,

Chen Yixue nodded, feeling something was off.

She had personally seen Xu Yuexin take Manuscript Paper and a fountain pen from the desk drawer.

In theory, Xu Yuexin should be able to see the photos every day.

So why did he say they were lost when asked?

Chen Yixue decided to investigate.

The next morning, in the Main Courtyard.

Xu Yuexin, as usual, lay on a rattan chair, enjoying the early‑autumn sunshine and breeze.

At that moment, Chen Yixue walked into the courtyard and patted the rattan chair.

Xu Yuexin, quick as ever, sprang up from the rattan chair.

Since Da Yizi tipped his chair yesterday, Xu Yuexin has almost turned it into a reflex.

After all, he doesn't want to end up collapsing on the ground in a limp, "ether"‑shaped posture.

Fortunately, this time Da Yizi is not using force to subdue, but merely inquiring about the situation.

"I asked you yesterday where the photo was; why didn't you tell the truth?"

Da Yizi asked lightly, her tone revealing no particular urgency.

However, Xu Yuexin realized that something was wrong.

It was obvious that Da Yizi had become suspicious.

"I was lost in thought at the time and misspoke,"

Xu Yuexin said calmly, "You want to see Qiao Qiao's photo, right? I'll get it for you."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin walked forward into the house, entered the bedroom, opened a drawer, intending to pull out the thigh‑exposing photo for Da Yizi and give her other photos to look at.

At that moment Da Yizi came in from outside and stopped beside Xu Yuexin.

Fine, this round can't be escaped.

Seeing that he couldn't hide it, Xu Yuexin simply handed all the photos to Da Yizi: "Here, take them."

Da Yizi took the photos and examined them one by one carefully.

Originally, she wanted to see her younger sister's appearance.

But now Xu Yuexin's abnormal behavior has aroused her suspicion; she must figure out what's behind the photos.

Soon, Da Yizi flipped to the one where she wore a qipao with the slit revealing her thigh.

Da Yizi immediately set aside the other photos, keeping only that one in her hand.

Great, the brother‑in‑law actually dares to keep her seductive photo privately.

No wonder when she first got the photos she found one missing; the trick was here.

"Why didn't you give this one to me?"

Holding the photo, Da Yizi's eyes bore an unfriendly aura as she said.

"I thought you might not be able to accept it, and destroying it would be a waste, so I kept it in my hand."

"The facts prove I guessed right; luckily I didn't give it to you."

Does the brother‑in‑law really cherish the photo?

Probably from that moment he developed a covetous desire toward her!

Chen Yixue gave Xu Yuexin a cold glance, a hint of a sneer at the corner of her mouth: "You still got proud?"

Sssla, sssla...

After speaking, Chen Yixue tore the photo into tiny fragments and warned Xu Yuexin: "Don't pull these little tricks again."

"If I catch you doing something similar next time, it won't be that easy."

"Oh oh."

Xu Yuexin absentmindedly dealt with Da Yizi, feeling a bit regretful watching the torn photos.

Of course, it's not that regrettable.

For such precious photos, Xu Yuexin obviously couldn't just print a single copy.

In fact, he had already printed several copies of Da Yizi's photo, stored in a place even Chen Qiaoqiao didn't know.

The one Da Yizi tore off wasn't even the original; it was just one of several duplicates.

"Where's the negative?"

After tearing the photo into countless unrecognizable shreds, Chen Yixue asked Xu Yuexin.

"What did you say? I didn't hear you."

"Ask again, where's the negative?"

"The wind is too strong, I can't hear clearly."

Xu Yuexin fully embodied the spirit of cunning, making Da Yizi glare furiously.

Stuck in the bedroom, where does the wind even come from?

Pretending to be something, huh?

Seething, Chen Yixue thought and decided to go herself to the storage room where Chen Qiaoqiao prints photos to look for the negative.

"Where are you going?"

When Da Yizi turned to leave the bedroom, Xu Yuexin asked.

"Going to find the negative."

"You're heading to the storage room, right? Let me remind you, there are many Film Rolls inside; don't expose them to light and ruin them all."

Xu Yuexin shouted from behind her.

Da Yizi's steps halted: she has no experience storing Film Rolls and truly fears causing a mess by a slip.

"You go find it."

Da Yizi turned and said, "I must get the negative today."

Da Yizi was still cautious, knowing she must prevent herself from re‑printing.

Unfortunately... she didn't realize she had already printed several copies.

Xu Yuexin thought triumphantly, stepped forward to soothe Da Yizi.

"The three of us have taken photos so many times; we have no idea how many negatives we stored."

"If you ask me to look for it now, I probably won't be able to find it at all."

"No need to waste that effort again."

There were two layers to Xu Yuexin's words.

The first layer: searching now is troublesome and a waste of time; the second: he would also find it hard to locate Chen Yixue's one among the mountain of negatives for re‑printing.

Of course, this was just to placate Chen Yixue; in reality, Xu Yuexin had already set aside the negative of Da Yizi's thigh‑exposing photo, hidden in a place only he knows.

Just see whether she falls for it.

"You don't want to waste time, right?"

Chen Yixue looked at Xu Yuexin, not very happily, and said.

"Mainly because I have to write a book. How about this: when I next clean the negatives, I'll find that one and give it to you, okay?"

"……"

Chen Yixue fell into thought, and after a moment nodded, "Fine, don't forget it."

"It's a promise."

Xu Yuexin swore solemnly.

Finally, it's dealt with.

After Da Yizi left the bedroom, Xu Yuexin felt relieved and thought.

Fortunately, I had taken precautions earlier, reserving several copies of Da Yizi's thigh‑baring photos.

Otherwise, even having the negative would be a hassle.

After all, developing takes time; if Da Yizi caught me re‑developing it, that would be a disaster.

Waiting until she returns to Tuanjie Lake to develop also carries risk, because the daughter‑in‑law often comes in and out of the storage room, and it would be hard to explain if she discovered it.

Xu Yuexin thought.

Moreover, in the recent photo incident, he could see that the impact on Da Yizi from that night before the move had clearly lessened a lot.

She might remain on guard because of it, but at least she won't get emotional as before.

After Da Yizi left, Xu Yuexin returned to his desk and continued writing the Heavy Case Six Group's Eight Women Case.

On that point, Xu Yuexin hadn't lied to Da Yizi.

"The 'Eight Women' case is the most brilliant case in the entire Heavy Case Six Group, and it is the top priority for his series writing."

Xu Yuexin intends to finish writing and submit it before school starts, ensuring it can make the magazine's October issue.

(End of Chapter)