Natalia bared her teeth and warned him, "Don't kiss without permission."
She paused and added, "Especially after a meal."
Archie chuckled wickedly, "I'll take care of you at night."
Natalia's face flushed and she pushed him away bashfully, "I don't wanna talk to you."
After saying that, she ran out.
Seeing her running out like that, Archie felt something in his heart and said, "Don't run too fast."
But Natalia didn't want to say anything to him. She just shut the door and fled.
Two days later, Archie finally finished his job and spare a whole week's holiday to accompany Natalia.
Natalia had done some research. The headquarter of the Lafayette family was now in Othua, and the last place K stayed before returning to Ambario was also Othua. So she decided to go there directly.
Fortunately, people in the Dragon Club were very concerned about K's death.
So when she got there, she could get a lot of help.
But Natalia and Archie both chose to keep her identity a secret. Even Mr. Kawn didn't want to talk about it, so they wouldn't say much about it.
But the night before they set off, it was Max's birthday.
They made plans to get together. Natalia and Archie said yes since they had booked a flight the next day.
That morning, Archie took Natalia for a visit to the jade market.
Then Natalia learned that Max, a seemingly cynical man, was also a jade lover.
They arrive at an antique store where they saw a variety of jades. Archie walked to the back of the hall without looking.
The staff seemed to know who he was and did not stop him.
Walking through the back hall, they met a teenage boy. He smiled and asked, "Are you Mr. McCarthy? The master is waiting for you inside."
Archie nodded and pulled Natalia inside.
This was a well-preserved house which was rare in a southern city like Julio, but common in Eqitin.
They walked passed through a moon-shaped gate and entered a courtyard with a square stone pavilion, in which an old man in his sixties was sitting and admiring a green jade.
"It's Archie. Come on."
He beckoned to them. And as they approached, they saw the old man holding a bright green jade in his hand and rubbing it in his palm.
Archie asked, "Mr. Johnson, is this the new one?"
The old man at the table nodded. He looked quite happy.
"I've been dealing with jade for so many years of jade, this is the most perfect piece I've ever seen. Hey, you see, its color and transparent. Have you ever seen a jade like this in your lifetime?"
The other old man sitting opposite him was obviously not too interested.
"Yes, yes, it must be good," he said with a smile, "Well, since Archie is here, you can chat while I go out for a walk."
He got up and walked out.
Mr. Johnson ignored him and asked Archie directly, "Why are you here today?"
Archie said, "Uncle Johnson, I'm here to buy jade."
Mr. Johnson took a look at him and asked, "Which one?"
He knew that Archie didn't like what he had in his store, and if he did, he wanted the good stuff he had in his own stash.
It hurt for Mr. Johnson to think of another good piece Archie was going to take.
Archie's eyes glanced and settled on the uncarved jade on the table.
"This one?"
Mr. Johnson immediately jumped to his feet. He picked up the jade and held it in his arms, shouting, "Don't even think about it!"
Archie wasn't in a hurry and said, "Stephen said he saw you at the hotel with Jennifer. I don't know if it's true. I think I'll have to check it out."
Mr. Johnson's eyes were suddenly wide open.
Hearing this, the other old man, who had not gone far yet, immediately turned round.
"Oh, still in touch with Jennifer? You wanna get beat up by Celina again like the last time, do you?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: My Wife Is So Sweet (Natalia Dawson)