“My name is Xu Jinkui, and my daughter is also a student at Cangsong Academy.”
Xu Jinkui said with a smile.
“So that’s how it is.”
Chen Ping'an nodded slightly.
“Young Master, I just happened to bring some pastries. Why don’t you try some?”
Xu Jinkui invited with a smile.
As he spoke, the old servant behind him opened a wooden box and presented it to Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an glanced at it and politely declined with a smile.
“No need, I’m not hungry.”
“Young Master, these are plum blossom cakes from Sanfu Tower; they should taste good!”
Xu Jinkui was quite enthusiastic and handed him a plate of plum blossom cakes.
Seeing the other party’s enthusiasm, Chen Ping'an no longer refused.
However, when he picked up the plum blossom cake, he remained cautious. The Internal Energy in his body subtly surged, passing through the meridians in his hand and reaching the plum blossom cake.
The surging and circulating Internal Energy, in addition to being attached to enhance destructive power, also had a relatively basic inspection function.
Of course, this inspection was not as thorough as some true investigative powers, but it was better than nothing.
After a brief investigation, no abnormalities were found.
Speaking of which, Golden Bell Cover, as an external hard Qigong that cultivates both internal and external aspects, also has a certain resistance to toxins.
However, having never met before, Chen Ping'an thought about it and still did not eat this plum blossom cake.
Seeing that Chen Ping'an didn’t eat, Xu Jinkui didn’t mind.
“Looking at your youth, Young Master, are you waiting for your younger siblings?”
“My younger sister is studying at the academy.”
Although Chen Ping'an was ruthless and decisive when asserting his authority, he was relatively easy to get along with for those with whom he had no vested interests.
Xu Jinkui had good affinity, and after some back and forth, the two became somewhat familiar.
Later, Xu Jinkui began to introduce his family’s business.
He said they made pastries and had shops opened in the surrounding alleys, which was considered a small success.
“Then I should call you Xu Yuanwai!”
Chen Ping'an said with a smile.
“Young Master, you jest; it’s just a small business.”
Xu Jinkui waved his hands repeatedly.
After talking about his business, Xu Jinkui casually asked Chen Ping'an what he did.
Chen Ping'an didn’t elaborate, only briefly introducing his situation.
“I make a living in the public service.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Jinkui looked at him with reverence.
“I didn’t expect you to be a Lord from the Zhenfu Division!”
“Not at all; it’s just patrolling and looking at official documents. I’m not worthy of the title ‘Lord’.”
As it was their first meeting, Chen Ping'an had no intention of discussing it further.
This topic quickly passed.
Talking about interesting anecdotes from the alleys and the ways of doing business, the two chatted harmoniously.
Just as the two were conversing, with a creak, the vermilion gate of Cangsong Academy opened.
A bustling sound arose, and male and female students from the academy began to emerge one after another.
“Xiaomei, over here!”
Xu Jinkui recognized his daughter at a glance.
Chen Ping'an looked over and saw a very cute little girl, bouncing as she walked.
Xu Jinkui excused himself to Chen Ping'an and then jogged forward to meet his daughter.
He was quite the doting father.
Seeing the other party’s joyful expression, Chen Ping'an sighed.
“Xiaomei, this is your Uncle Chen, a good friend I just met.”
Xu Jinkui brought his daughter before Chen Ping'an.
“Uncle Chen…”
Xu Xiaomei called out sweetly.
Chen Ping'an’s expression froze for a moment.
How did I... become an uncle?
“Young Master Chen, I’ll be leaving now. See you again then!”
Xu Jinkui waved with a smile.
Chen Ping'an exchanged pleasantries as a farewell.
Xu Jinkui pulled Xu Xiaomei and walked towards the carriage not far away. At the carriage, the old servant who had already gone ahead had lifted the curtain, waiting.
“Brother~”
Chen Er'ya, emerging from the academy gate, spotted Chen Ping'an at a glance and waved to him excitedly.
“Nannan!”
Chen Ping'an withdrew his gaze from the carriage, turned his head, and immediately saw Chen Er'ya.
“Brother, why did you come today?”
Chen Er'ya jogged a few steps, slightly out of breath.
Chen Ping'an looked at Chen Er'ya with affection: “Usually, I get off duty too late, so I don’t have time to pick you up. Today, I happened to have some free time and thought of coming to pick you up.”
The Xiao Yatou smiled contentedly.
Just as the siblings were chatting, on the other side, Xu Jinkui and his daughter also boarded the carriage.
“Young Master Chen, farewell!”
Xu Jinkui looked at the two through the carriage window and bid them farewell.
Chen Ping'an bowed slightly.
The carriage slowly started to move, then clip-clopped away.
Inside the carriage.
“Daddy, who was that person just now?”
Xu Xiaomei asked curiously.
Xu Jinkui smiled kindly: “I met him at the gate when you were dismissed from class. He works in the public service; from his appearance, he seems to be registered.”
More friends mean more paths; this was the principle he had believed in during his many years in business.
From being penniless to owning over a dozen chain stores, Xu Jinkui was a prime example of building from scratch. His insight was naturally keen, and he could sense Chen Ping'an’s remarkable knowledge from their conversation.
Furthermore, being able to support family members studying at Cangsong Academy. Such a person should not be a temporary Yamen Runner but rather a Yamen Runner with a registered identity, having been immersed for many years.
He should also be a relatively senior presence among Yamen Runner, and the duties he held should be lucrative and important positions.
Initially, Xu Jinkui also considered him to be a Chief Constable.
However, observing his youth and his humble demeanor, he didn't seem like a Chief Constable. If he were a Chief Constable of the Zhenfu Division and so young, he would likely disdain associating with merchants.
“Oh.”
Xu Xiaomei nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
Seeing Xu Xiaomei’s expression, Xu Jinkui didn’t delve deeper and smiled as he asked her if she knew the little girl next to Chen Er'ya.
“I don’t know her, but I vaguely remember seeing her at the academy. She should be two grades younger than me and hasn’t been at the academy for long.”
“So that’s how it is.”
Xu Jinkui was all smiles as he inquired about Xu Xiaomei’s studies.
Picking up his daughter from class today had been quite fruitful.
He had met a registered Yamen Runner from the Zhenfu Division. Such a person might not have much interaction with him normally, but at certain times, he might prove to be quite valuable.
However, Xu Jinkui always believed in mutual benefit. If he gained an advantage, he wouldn't shortchange the other party on the benefits due.
Their conversation today had shown them to be quite compatible, and their discussion was harmonious.
...
Outside Cangsong Academy, some students from affluent families immediately boarded carriages as soon as class was dismissed.
Chen Ping'an and Chen Er'ya walked down the street, chatting excitedly.
Chen Ping'an was happy because he was usually busy with work, and it was rare to have such an experience today.
Chen Er'ya was excited because her brother had come to pick her up from class tonight, which was the first time since she started attending the academy.
A carriage passed by the siblings, and the curtain on the carriage window was pulled open.
“Oh, Er'ya, is this your brother!”
A little girl’s face appeared at the carriage window, looking to be about the same age as Chen Er'ya.