Chapter 36: Big Sister Said, “Do Not Give Too Much”

"Please forgive my earlier offense," Lin Zhixiang said, cupping his hands in a gesture of apology.

"It is of no consequence. What you said, Lord Lin, was indeed reasonable and well-founded," Mo Yu replied with a smile, gaining a deeper understanding of the man before him.

Lin Zhixiang offered an embarrassed smile.

"Father, it's time to eat," a milky, youthful voice suddenly drifted in from outside.

Mo Yu couldn't help but look toward the doorway, where he saw an exquisitely handsome little boy walking toward them.

"I’m coming," Lin Zhixiang responded with a smile. He turned back and gestured for Mo Yu to proceed. "Please, after you."

As Mo Yu stood up, Lin Zhixiang naturally reached out to support his arm.

Mo Yu smiled and said, "Lord Lin, there is no need for such formality. In terms of seniority, you are my elder; you may simply address me as Mo Yu."

Lin Zhixiang nodded in agreement, continuing to assist Mo Yu as they walked out.

"Greetings, big brother. My name is Lin Chujiu," the boy said, walking up to Mo Yu and standing still with a well-behaved demeanor.

Mo Yu smiled gently. "Hello there."

He expected the little one to leave after the greeting, but to his surprise, the boy simply stood there, tilting his head back and staring at him intently.

"Xiao Jiu, hurry up and lead the way," Lin Zhixiang urged.

Lin Chujiu looked at his father with a puzzled expression. "But Eldest Sister said that big brother would give me a gift upon our first meeting. He hasn't given it yet."

Mo Yu suddenly realized the reason for the boy's hesitation. The "Eldest Sister" he mentioned must be Lin Chuyi, he surmised—a conclusion that required no further thought.

Lin Zhixiang’s face flushed red. "Go, go, hurry off to eat!"

"But big brother hasn't given me the gift. Was Eldest Sister lying to me?" Lin Chujiu lowered his head, looking aggrieved, his small head bobbing as he seemed on the verge of tears.

Lin Zhixiang looked at Mo Yu, feeling rather awkward. "Don't mind him, Young Master Mo. Please, follow me." Although Mo Yu had told him to use his given name, he dared not truly be so presumptuous.

"It is quite alright," Mo Yu said, watching the little boy who was stealing glances at him. He was in high spirits. "Little one, your Eldest Sister did not lie to you."

With that, Mo Yu unhooked the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Lin Chujiu.

Lin Zhixiang hurriedly tried to block him. "You mustn't."

Mo Yu smiled and insisted on placing the pendant into the boy’s hands.

"Xiao Jiu," Lin Zhixiang said in a deep voice.

The boy’s small frame trembled, knowing this was the prelude to his father’s anger. "Big brother, Eldest Sister said that for the meeting gift, I should only take silver. I shouldn't take anything valuable."

With that, Lin Chujiu held the pendant out to return it to Mo Yu.

Mo Yu was surprised, but he did not reach out to take it back; there was no reason to reclaim a gift once given.

Lin Zhixiang breathed a slight sigh of relief and quickly took the pendant from the boy, placing it back into Mo Yu’s hand. "It is not appropriate for a child to accept such a valuable item. Young Master Mo, please, do not insist."

He could tell that the pendant was truly extraordinary. It was circular, crystal clear, and carved with a pair of lifelike mandarin ducks. If he remembered correctly, this was the exceptionally rare Mandarin Duck Jade, which could be split into two halves. It was said to have a certain legend behind it, though he was unaware of the details.

Lin Chujiu chimed in, "That’s right, big brother. Such a valuable thing, you should keep it safe."

"Very well, I shall," Mo Yu said with a gentle smile, fastening the pendant back onto his belt before producing a coin purse. "Come now, here is the gift for our first meeting."

Lin Zhixiang opened his mouth to speak again, but Lin Chujiu had already piped up: "Eldest Sister said, if you give too much, I shouldn't take it."

Mo Yu was astonished once more. After the interactions he’d had from last night until now, he knew well how much Miss Lin loved money. To think she would actually give her younger brother such instructions?