Chapter 291: 135: Lapis Lazuli (First Update)

Translator: 549690339

“Cousin, I can only help you up to this point, and the rest is up to your own efforts.” Zhao Qin patted Ran Tengxiao’s shoulder, speaking earnestly.

“Little girl, you’re overthinking it.” Ran Tengxiao tapped his fingers on his knee, the jade ring on his thumb emitting a gentle glow in the night.

“Really?” Zhao Qin hooked her lips. “Let’s say I’m overthinking it, then.”

Her eyes flickered, Zhao Qin bit her lip and asked tentatively, “Cousin, have you seen Xi Yu lately?”

This guy comes and goes like a shadow, vanishing like he evaporated into thin air, leaving no trace even if you dig three feet into the ground.

Ran Tengxiao chuckled, glancing at Zhao Qin.

Outside the car window, the swiftly passing neon lights clearly reflected the worry and struggle on the young girl’s delicate face.

“Why mention him?”

“He lost a bet to you, didn’t he? And is supposed to be serving by your side? This unfaithful guy, the next time I see him, I’ll teach him a lesson!” Zhao Qin said fiercely.

“Would you actually do it?”

Ran Tengxiao’s light and airy words made Zhao Qin’s cheeks turn red. Her domineering tone was mixed with a hint of coyness she didn’t even notice herself, “Cousin, what are you talking about.”

Ran Tengxiao had never seen the usually arrogant and domineering Zhao Qin show such a girlish side, and he couldn’t help feeling a chill.

“That kid isn’t right for you. Give up on that notion as soon as possible.” Zhao Qin was stunned, her face turning pale as she muttered, “Why?”

“So, you’re admitting to it?”

Zhao Qin silently pursed her lips.

” Kan Tengxiao asked calmly. The dim car interior suddenly seemed suffocating.

Zhao Qin bit her lower lip, “I don’t care; I just like him in my own way.”

Ran Tengxiao sneered, “It seems your aunt has truly spoiled you. I have said all

I need to say; weigh it out for yourself.”

Thinking of something, Zhao Qin said, “Cousin, I think Zhu Mingjing might know Xi Yu.”

Ran Tengxiao narrowed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously caressing the jade ring on his thumb, “What makes you say that?”

Zhao Qin pondered, “I smelled Xi Yu’s scent on Zhu Mingjing. It’s very similar, but I’m not quite sure. It doesn’t smell like perfume; Zhu Mingjing probably doesn’t use it. Instead, it smells more like body fragrance. That kind of scent…”

Zhao Qin closed her eyes, “It’s like a plum blossom mixed with the coldness of ice and snow, accompanied by a faint hint of sandalwood…”

She remembered this scent vividly, having searched through all the perfume brands past and present, both for sale and in collections, but never finding this particular scent.

Ran Tengxiao wasn’t surprised by this; Zhao Qin had an exceptionally sensitive sense of smell since she was young, able to detect scents that ordinary people couldn’t.

“Sandalwood?”

Zhao Qin nodded, “Actually, I’m not quite certain. It isn’t the inferior sandalwood. I tried many types of sandalwood before confirming that it should be Jialan Sandalwood. This sandalwood is very rare and grows on cliffs. Because it emits a peculiar scent and is often accompanied by poisonous plants, it is also highly toxic. Many people have been poisoned to death while harvesting it. Only a tiny amount of sandalwood can be extracted from a Jialan tree. It is so rare that it is not available on the market. Jialan wood is considered a precious spiritual wood in Buddhism.”

Zhu Mingjing grew up in Buddhism, so it all made sense now.

This was also a point of contention for Zhao Qin regarding Zhu Mingjing. After searching through many records and sources, she found this information. Although she had never smelled Jialan wood, the ancient records described it very clearly: Jialan wood has a unique fragrance that lingers long after being touched.

In other words, ordinary people whose skin comes into contact with this scent will find that it takes a long time to dissipate.

Even more amazing is that if a person is exposed to this scent for a long time, they will see things that ordinary people cannot see, hence why it is called a spiritual wood.

The scent on Zhu Mingjing was very faint, undetectable by anyone without a highly sensitive sense of smell. It indicated that she had used this fragrance before.

Zhao Qin had also smelled the same fragrance on Xi Yu, albeit even fainter than on Zhu Mingjing.

Is it possible that such a rare and precious Jialan Sandalwood would appear on two people at the same time?

Similarly, with Ming Chen and Ming Ti, who often interacted with Ming Jing, she also smelled the scent on them, but it was much fainter than on Zhu Mingjing.

Ran Tengxiao hooked his lips, “This Miss Zhu has more and more mysteries surrounding her.”

Thinking of a possibility, Zhao Qin suddenly felt the hairs on her body stand on

end..