“A young master from Yuejing City—naturally, I can’t compare.”
Qin Mu stared in the direction where Shen Zhixi had disappeared, his eyes flashing with venomous hatred.
“My Qin family has fallen from grace, and now we only run a small shop. When Shen Zhixi sees someone better, she naturally looks down on me. After not seeing each other for a month, as soon as she shows up, she won’t even talk to me and rushes off to meet another man. I want to see for myself what kind of goods this so-called Young Master Fang really is.”
“Let’s go, follow her.”
…
Shen Zhixi’s carriage moved slowly through the city, heading toward the Huxinju Restaurant.
Yuanyang sat beside her, hesitating for a long time before finally speaking up. “Miss, why did you arrange to meet Young Master Fang? After so long, you finally show up, but not only do you ignore Qin Mu, you also tell him right to his face that you’re going to meet another man. He’ll be furious, won’t he? What if he makes a scene and accuses you of being fickle? It won’t be good for your reputation.”
“Exactly,” Shen Zhixi nodded repeatedly, speaking earnestly. “I want him to make a scene.”
“Even though I’ve seen his true nature, in the eyes of the people of Yanzhou, I’m still the one who grew up with him and is soon to be married. If I suddenly turn on him, it will inevitably invite gossip, and too much rumor could affect our Shen family’s business. So, I deliberately want to make Qin Mu anxious. The more anxious he is, the more likely he is to make mistakes.”
“If that’s what you mean, Miss, then I understand. That scumbag—we absolutely cannot let him off.”
Shen Zhixi smiled at her and didn’t respond further.
Turning to lift the carriage curtain, her eyes held a sharp edge as she watched the bustling street scenery.
Soon, the carriage arrived at its destination.
As the wealthiest person in Yanzhou, Shen Zhixi was recognized by almost everyone. The waiter outside Huxinju respectfully ushered her inside. Not long after, Qin Mu arrived as well.
Huxinju Restaurant had a unique feature: inside, there was a large, winding lake, with dining tables set right in the middle of the water. Pavilions provided shade, and light gauze curtains surrounded the area, creating a very artistic atmosphere.
Young Master Fang, Fang Shuo, had arrived first and had been waiting for some time.
“When did Young Master Fang arrive? Have you been waiting long?” Shen Zhixi sat down opposite Fang Shuo, her gaze carrying a hint of inexplicable amusement.
This Fang Shuo was from Yuejing and had come to Yanzhou a month ago to purchase cosmetics and incense, placing a large order.
But Shen Zhixi wasn’t smiling about this big business deal; she was smiling at Fang Shuo herself.
Fang Shuo claimed to be a young master, but in reality, Shen Zhixi had seen through her disguise as a woman during their first meeting a month ago.
“Boss Shen, there’s no need to worry. I arrived early. I’ve reviewed the batch of goods I ordered—they’re all of excellent quality. They can be loaded onto the ship tomorrow. This collaboration has been very pleasant, and next time, I’ll come to Boss Shen again…”
Halfway through her sentence, Fang Shuo suddenly paused.
Shen Zhixi followed her gaze and spotted a furtive figure.
She smiled inwardly. Qin Mu truly couldn’t hold back—he had followed her here.
“That person looks somewhat familiar, doesn’t he? Yes, I saw him when I went to your shop to inspect the sample goods. The shopkeeper said he grew up with you, Boss Shen, and that you’re about to get engaged, right?”
Hearing this, Shen Zhixi’s expression changed, feigning distress.
“What’s wrong, Boss Shen? Did I say something wrong?”
Shen Zhixi sighed as she poured a cup of tea, glancing at Qin Mu hiding behind the stone pillar. “I never had any engagement with him. Honestly, I don’t know how these baseless rumors started. There is some connection between me and Young Master Qin, but it’s only due to the friendship between our elders. It’s not like what outsiders say. Besides, he has a cousin—I’ve seen how inseparable they are. I don’t understand why everyone keeps linking me with him…”
She swallowed the rest of her words, letting out a bitter laugh.
“So that’s how it is,” Fang Shuo said, somewhat understanding yet still puzzled. “But if he doesn’t like you, why would he secretly follow you here? I thought he might have misunderstood you and another man… and was jealous.”
“Be careful with your words, Young Master Fang. If his cousin hears this, I’ll be seen as the one ruining their relationship.”
Hearing this, Fang Shuo quickly covered his mouth.
A long silence followed.
Fang Shuo thought for a long while, his expression darkening. “Could it be that the rumors about you and Qin Mu getting married were spread by Qin Mu himself? He clearly has someone he loves, yet he’s still fixated on you. Could he have ulterior motives?”
Shen Zhixi didn’t answer, her face turning grim.
“Your silence means I’ve hit the mark, doesn’t it? You’re keeping quiet out of respect for your elders, to save face for him?”
Shen Zhixi responded with a look, confirming Fang Shuo’s words as the truth.
“What a scoundrel!” Fang Shuo couldn’t help but curse. He glanced toward Qin Mu with disdain. “I’ve heard about his family’s decline. Instead of trying to rebuild his fortune, he’s eyeing someone else’s wealth. Miss Shen, it’s not easy for a woman to run a business, and it’s even harder to protect her assets. You mustn’t be swayed by him.”
Shen Zhixi smiled at him, gentle yet firm. “Of course not.”
As she spoke, she noticed Fang Shuo’s eyes shifting as if he had an idea.
He slightly rose, lifted the round wooden stool he was sitting on, and moved it closer to Shen Zhixi, sitting very near her. Then, with an ambiguous expression, he picked up some food and placed it in her bowl, occasionally pretending to be intimate by resting his hand on her arm.
Shen Zhixi understood his intention and was willing to play along.
The two chatted and laughed, appearing like a couple deeply in love.
This scene was, of course, deliberately performed for Qin Mu to see. As expected, he was so angry he rolled his eyes, almost unable to resist rushing over to demand an explanation.
After the meal, they returned to the mansion as night fell.
Qin Mu once again followed them to the Shen residence, but he was a step too late and could only watch helplessly as the main gate closed. This time, however, he didn’t stubbornly insist on entering.
“At Lakeview Pavilion, I deliberately revealed my location so they would notice me. I wanted her to understand how much I care. I made it so obvious—don’t tell me she didn’t notice. I think she knew all along but pretended not to see me.”
Qin Mu lifted the carriage curtain, staring at the tightly shut gate of the Shen residence.
“Shen Zhixi, you think you can just discard me now that you’ve found someone better? I’ll tell you, it’s not happening! Just wait and see—I won’t let you two be happy.”
…
Inside the Shen residence.
Shen Zhixi lay sideways on the chaise longue in her room, resting her head on her hand and feigning sleep. After spending the afternoon going over accounts, her eyes were sore and her head ached.
“Miss,” Yuanyang pushed the door open and said to her, “Qin Mu’s carriage has already left. Should we set off back to the mountains now?”
Shen Zhixi slowly opened her eyes, gazing at the flickering candle flame on the opposite table as she replied, “Yes, it’s time to go back. The little blind man is still waiting for me. He can’t prepare food since he can’t see, and a bowl of porridge at noon won’t keep him full. He must be hungry by now.”
“Miss, you’re not feeling sorry for him, are you?”
“Feeling sorry for a man?” Shen Zhixi sat up, her smile tinged with sarcasm. “Only fools feel sorry for men. I just find it amusing to think of him alone in the dark, savoring the taste of waiting.”
“Have the kitchen pack some food. We’ll bring it back for him.”
…
Under the moonlight, the bamboo hut in the mountains looked somewhat desolate.
Not a single light shone from the few small rooms, the darkness unsettling.
Tang Zhou stood by the window. Though he couldn’t see, the slightly cooling night breeze reminded him that darkness had fallen. Dressed in elegant white, he stood out starkly against the surrounding blackness, accentuating the loneliness of having no one to light up the night for him.
It was impossible to tell how long he had been standing alone by the window.