Chapter 163 — So It Was Her
Years of Heartflutter · Page 3 of 4
At that thought, Zha Ce said, "Dad, I met two friends today, assassins as well. They wanted to discuss a partnership with me, and I turned them down because I don't handle family affairs. Now that I think of it—why don't you see whether you could work with them?"
"Oh?" Old Zha Ce was startled. "You know people in the assassin world too? How did they learn your identity?"
"That's what puzzles me as well. My identity has always been kept strictly secret. I have no idea how they found out." Zha Ce shook his head.
"Then we must be all the more careful—they could be people with ill intentions," old Zha Ce said. "What are their names?"
"I have their card here somewhere—wait, let me find it for you." With that, Zha Ce fished the card Yang Ce and Wang Yanqiu had just given him out of his pocket and handed it to his father.
"The Black Butterfly Assassins." Old Zha Ce blinked. "That's quite a name for a hit squad—calling themselves Black Butterfly. Just one character off from the Butterfly Assassins, the second-ranked group in the world. Yang Ce, Wang Yanqiu... Wang Yanqiu—is this Wang Yanqiu a woman?"
"She is. Why?" Zha Ce started. "Dad, do you know her?"
"Wang. That name is so familiar. Could it be her?" Old Zha Ce sank into thought.
"Dad, what on earth are you talking about? 'Her'?" Zha Ce was baffled.
"How old is this girl?" old Zha Ce asked.
"About ten, I'd say. Like us—she's from the East," Zha Ce said.
"Then it must be her." Old Zha Ce nodded. "To think it would be her. Heh. No wonder she could work out your identity—not surprising at all. And calling themselves Black Butterfly. Interesting. Very interesting."
"Dad, what are you muttering to yourself about?" Zha Ce was thoroughly confused.
"Nothing. Business of the assassin world—you wouldn't understand." Old Zha Ce smiled. "But if it really is that person, then I can rest easy leaving my group in her care."
"I really don't follow a word you're saying." Zha Ce shook his head. "But never mind. Since you think they're all right, I'll meet them when I get the chance."
"Mm, you do that." Old Zha Ce nodded, then said, "Well, we've finished discussing your dreams. Now how about we talk about when you're going to find me a daughter-in-law and give me a grandson? It's bad enough that you're never around to keep me company, but give me a grandson at least, let me enjoy some family happiness."
"Dad, I—" Zha Ce was instantly abashed.
"That girl I introduced you to before is quite nice too—clean family background, a good match for you. Now that I support your career as well, how about we find a chance to go meet her together?" old Zha Ce asked.
"Dad, I've seen her. I don't like Westerners. I still think Eastern women are prettier," Zha Ce said.
"So you like Eastern women." Old Zha Ce nodded and stopped pressing. "Fine. Since you like Eastern women, then find one quickly and bring her back to give me a grandson, and I'll stop meddling in your career."
"Dad, there is someone I like, but she doesn't seem to like me back." Zha Ce hesitated, then finally confessed what was on his mind.
"What's that supposed to mean, she doesn't like you back?" Hearing that his son had someone in his heart, old Zha Ce was immediately interested. "Which girl is it? Your father will help you strategize."
"It's Steward Zhou's daughter. I saw her in Songjiang." Zha Ce flushed red.
"Steward Zhou? You mean our family's Steward Zhou—his daughter?" Old Zha Ce suddenly understood. "Oh, now I remember. Old Zhou has a daughter—she'd be about twenty by now, I suppose. To think of it. How time flies. In my memory she's still a little girl of four or five."
"Dad, what do you think?" Seeing that his father had raised no objection, Zha Ce felt there was hope after all.
"That's easy enough. I'll go talk to Old Zhou, play matchmaker, and the two of you can meet. You're both young—you should have plenty to talk about." Old Zha Ce was eager for a grandson and agreed at once.