By the time Uncle Gu and the others finished their work, it was almost New Year’s Eve.
During these days, lantern festivals were held in the city, and the streets were bustling with excitement at night.
Since the original host’s mother passed away when she was six, she had never returned to the Gu family for the New Year. Even when she visited the two elders, it had only happened twice.
Usually, contact was mostly maintained when Uncle Gu found time to visit her, though not frequently.
As for lantern festivals and the like, she truly had never experienced them, as such events were not held at the Luo residence.
Seizing the opportunity, Uncle Gu suggested that the whole family go out for a good time together.
“Xuanjing, you’re familiar with the city, and as the elder brother, remember to take good care of Li later.”
They wouldn’t interfere, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t create opportunities.
Taking advantage of the moment, Uncle Gu reminded him.
Hearing this, Gu Xuanjing, who had been quiet all along, paused for a moment and instinctively glanced at Luo Li.
“Mm,” he replied softly.
“Sweetheart, if you need anything later, just ask your cousin, okay? The streets are crowded, so don’t wander too far.”
“Mm,” Luo Li nodded obediently and somewhat shyly in front of the elders.
After they went out, the elders accompanied them for a while, admiring the lanterns, before heading to a nearby teahouse to listen to opera.
Only the two young ones were left to stroll outside, with the excuse that Luo Li hadn’t had the chance to enjoy herself properly before and that Gu Xuanjing should show her around.
However, the streets were indeed mostly filled with young people.
Noticing that Gu Xuanjing kept a distance of three steps away from her, Luo Li raised an eyebrow slightly.
She suddenly stopped walking and didn’t move forward.
Gu Xuanjing had been paying attention to her and was puzzled when she suddenly stopped. He turned to look back.
“What’s wrong? Are you tired?” he asked, glancing around. Worried she might be tired, he was about to suggest they rest at a nearby pavilion.
“Cousin Xuanjing, do I look like a ferocious beast?”
Then, he heard her say this.
Her tone sounded as if she had been deeply wronged, and she looked at him with a slightly hurt expression.
Seeing her like this, Gu Xuanjing’s heart suddenly trembled. He pursed his lips and shook his head.
“Not at all.”
“Then why do you always keep such a distance from me? Am I that scary?”
As she spoke, Luo Li took a few steps forward and stopped right in front of him, looking up at him and waiting for his answer.
As she drew closer, the sweet fragrance of the young girl enveloped him. Looking down, he saw her delicate face, her beautiful peach-blossom eyes fixed on him, her chin slightly raised to an angle where he could easily lean in for a kiss.
At this thought, Gu Xuanjing turned his head away uncomfortably, but he dared not move his feet, afraid she might misunderstand him again.
“No.”
Huh? So few words?
“What do you mean ‘no’? Look at others, and then look at how you were just now.” Luo Li frowned, now acting like a child throwing a tantrum.
Turning to look, he saw many men and women around them, including siblings out together. Their distances were indeed not as far apart as theirs had been, walking one in front of the other as if they were strangers.
Seeing her like this and glancing at the others, Gu Xuanjing didn’t know what to say.
“You don’t think I’m a ferocious beast, but you keep such a distance from me. Do you dislike me?”
When he remained silent, the young girl suddenly spoke, looking even more wronged than before, as if she had been deeply hurt.Her eyes reddened, the glistening tears welling up instantly.
“Not at all, I don’t dislike you.” Gu Xuanjing panicked at the sight and hurriedly explained.
He was just used to it—this was how he usually walked with others. Even with Uncle Gu and the others, he kept his distance, sometimes even farther away.
Because he deeply disliked the feeling of being close to people.
But now there seemed to be an exception. With her, he felt no discomfort at all, only worry.
Hearing his feeble explanation, the little girl’s eyes reddened, and her golden teardrops pattered down, clearly unconvinced.
“Don’t cry… I really don’t…” Gu Xuanjing was at a loss, frantically searching for a handkerchief but unsure how to proceed.
Luo Li, however, didn’t mind and casually took the handkerchief from his hand, wiping away her tears.
“Then you can’t do this again next time.” Her voice was still choked, coming out in fits and starts.
It seemed as though she had been comforted by him, or perhaps she had consoled herself with her own maturity.
“Mm.” Watching her still-reddened eyes, Gu Xuanjing nodded seriously.
The effect was immediately apparent afterward—he obediently stood by her side the entire time.
Seeing her secretly tuck away his handkerchief, his ears flushed with embarrassment.
“There are candied hawthorns.” Noticing her fondness for them, Gu Xuanjing bought one over.
“You have some too.” Luo Li took it and naturally raised her hand, offering him the first bite.
Gu Xuanjing was visibly stunned, but his body betrayed him as he obediently opened his mouth.
Well, he was afraid that if he refused, she might misunderstand again.
After he took a bite, Luo Li naturally ate the remaining piece.
His pupils dilated slightly… his ears grew redder and redder…
[Ding, Favorability Value +2… Ding, Favorability Value +2… Ding, Favorability Value +1…]
Watching the two of them, Little Cabbage wore a knowing, affectionate smile.
Because every move she made was steadily increasing his favorability.
Soon, it reached 60% and continued to climb bit by bit.
“Brother Xuanjing.”
Unfortunately, this harmonious and beautiful atmosphere was shattered by a voice.
Luo Li: …Brother Xuanjing? Well, she hadn’t even called him that yet.
“It really is you!”
The newcomer rushed forward a few steps, trying to stand before Gu Xuanjing, her face filled with joy.
But before Luo Li could react, Gu Xuanjing had already taken a few steps back with her, maintaining distance from the newcomer.
“Miss Li.” His voice was icy and distant.
It was precisely this action of his that drew Li Zhaohua’s attention to Luo Li beside him.
Seeing his gesture, Li Zhaohua’s previously shy and girlish expression suddenly turned venomous.
“Who is she?”
The tone of angry questioning made it clear that she had long regarded Gu Xuanjing as her possession, not to be touched by others.
The place where the Gu family was currently located was the largest and wealthiest town in Jiangnan.
Li Zhaohua’s father was the town’s governor, making her the governor’s daughter.
One was the governor, the other the head of the wealthiest merchant family—the two households inevitably interacted, maintaining a degree of mutual respect.
But this did not mean the Gu family had to lower themselves or flatter the other side.
Gu Xuanjing was clearly displeased with Li Zhaohua’s tone and disliked the way she stared at Luo Li.
He stepped forward slightly, shielding Luo Li behind him.
“This is none of your concern.” His tone was cold and rigid, entirely different from the gentleness he had shown when speaking to Luo Li moments before.
Hearing this, Luo Li looked up at him.Li Zhaohua detected the displeasure in his tone and suddenly snapped back to her senses, realizing her own impropriety. She quickly forced a smile.
“I was just a bit curious, that’s all. I’ve never seen this sister in the city before.”
But even as she spoke, the hostility and exclusion in her tone were impossible to conceal.
She was the city lord’s daughter, and the Gu family was a first-class wealthy merchant clan. Their families could be considered well-matched in social status.
Moreover, she and Gu Xuanjing had grown up together like childhood sweethearts.
Her father had always intended to arrange a marriage alliance with the Gu family, so she had long considered herself Gu Xuanjing’s fiancée.
Now, suddenly discovering another woman by Gu Xuanjing’s side, how could she tolerate it?
But… could merely growing up in the same city truly be called childhood sweethearts?
What’s more, the Gu family had always advocated for children to make their own choices and had never interfered with Gu Xuanjing’s romantic affairs, let alone any talk of a marriage alliance.
They had never entertained the idea of forming a marriage alliance with the city lord’s family.
This was something they truly knew nothing about.
“Brother, who is she?”
Before Gu Xuanjing could answer, Luo Li asked curiously, her gentle and soft voice a stark contrast to Li Zhaohua’s earlier tone.
What sister? Who gave you the right? Coming up and claiming kinship just like that?
Hearing Luo Li’s address, Gu Xuanjing visibly paused for a moment. He lowered his gaze, saw the annoyance in her eyes, and after a brief silence, shook his head lightly.
“She is the daughter of City Lord Li. We’re not close.”
It sounded somewhat like an explanation?
Acquainted, but not close.
“Oh? Miss Li, my brother and I have matters to attend to. If you have no business, please don’t block our way.”
“As for who I am, I don’t think we have any obligation to tell you.”
Luo Li spoke with a smile, her eyes curved, appearing delicate, soft, and well-behaved.
But in Gu Xuanjing’s eyes, it was like seeing the Little Fox wagging its tail.
Li Zhaohua, however, saw it as provocation.
Seeing how protectively Gu Xuanjing had shielded Luo Li had already been unbearable for her. Now, witnessing Luo Li’s behavior, how could she tolerate it any longer?
Anger surged within her. To her, Gu Xuanjing had long been her possession—how could she allow anyone else to touch him?
But she was also clever. Noticing Gu Xuanjing’s special treatment of Luo Li, she knew now was not the time to make a scene.
So, upon hearing Luo Li’s words, she also smiled and stepped aside to make way.
“That was indeed impolite of me. I just felt a genuine sense of connection with this sister, so I wanted to ask.”
“Now, delaying you both is truly inappropriate. Let’s talk again next time we have the chance to meet.”
“Sure.” Luo Li responded with a forced smile, the corners of her lips barely lifting.
Gu Xuanjing said nothing, leading her away from the spot.
Leaving Li Zhaohua standing stiffly alone.
The earlier words “not close” had left her utterly humiliated. Seeing the figure standing beside him, so perfectly matched with him, only fueled her jealousy further.