Was That Part of the Act Too?
22: Chapter 22: Wait…
Was That Part of the Act Too?
“Brother Bai…” Shen Qinglan’s voice softened at once, carrying just enough emotion to sound as though she were trying not to cry.
“Thank you for saving me yesterday.
If it hadn’t been for you, I…” She lowered her eyes and tightened her fingers around his hand, leaving the rest unfinished.
Bai Yanzhou looked at her.
He had to admit, she was rather good at this.
More importantly, he understood immediately what she was trying to do.
If Shen Mo’an wanted to hide nearby and watch them, they might as well give him something to see.
Bai Yanzhou reached out and stroked Shen Qinglan’s hair before drawing her gently into his arms.
She stiffened for a moment.
He ignored it.
“Silly girl.
Don’t cry.” His voice was so gentle that Shen Qinglan almost looked up to make sure it was really him speaking.
He patted her lightly on the back.
“Whatever happens in the future, you can leave it to me.” Shen Qinglan buried her face against his chest.
From a distance, she probably looked deeply moved.
In reality, she was trying very hard not to roll her eyes.
He was good at this.
Far too good.
She had barely given him a hint, and he had already taken over the entire performance.
Still, she had started it.
She couldn’t complain now.
Shen Qinglan lifted her head.
Her eyes were already slightly red, making her look far more pitiful than she actually felt.
“But I’m afraid I’ll only bring you trouble.” Bai Yanzhou nearly smiled.
He managed to keep a straight face and took her hand instead.
“Don’t be afraid.” His tone was calm and sincere enough that, for a moment, Shen Qinglan almost forgot they were acting.
“You’re my fiancée.
One day, you’ll be the wife I marry and bring home properly.” Shen Qinglan blinked.
A little dramatic, but she could work with it.
Then Bai Yanzhou continued, “And you’ll be the mother of my children.” Shen Qinglan stared at him.
What?
That wasn’t part of the plan.
She shot him a warning look, but Bai Yanzhou appeared not to notice.
“Anyone who dares hurt you will answer to me.” The amusement had disappeared from his face, and the sudden seriousness in his voice almost made the words sound real.
Shen Qinglan continued staring at him.
Was he still acting for Shen Mo’an, or had he decided to frighten her as well?
She wanted to laugh, but she couldn’t.
Her brother was still watching.
She had started this ridiculous performance herself, so she had no choice but to see it through.
Shen Qinglan forced herself to keep the tears in her eyes and looked at Bai Yanzhou as though she had been deeply moved by everything he said.
Meanwhile, Shen Mo’an was barely holding himself back.
Wife?
Mother of his children?
They had only just found out about the engagement that morning!
His jaw tightened as he glared at Bai Yanzhou.
Bai Yanzhou knew perfectly well that Shen Mo’an was watching.
That was probably why he kept going.
“In this life, you’re the only one I’ll choose.” Shen Qinglan lowered her head.
She could handle this.
“If you cry, I’ll wipe away your tears.
If you’re happy, I’ll be happy with you.” Her lips twitched.
No.
She was not going to laugh.
“And if you try to run…” Bai Yanzhou tightened his arm around her slightly.
Shen Qinglan looked up.
He leaned closer.
“I’ll bring you back myself.
So don’t even think about escaping from me.” That did it.
Shen Qinglan buried her face against his chest before he could see her expression.
Her shoulders began to shake.
Bai Yanzhou looked down.
“Hold it in.” That only made it worse.
A muffled laugh escaped against his robes.
“Behave,” he murmured.
“If you keep laughing, your brother really will come over here and kill me.” “Then talk normally!” Shen Qinglan finally looked up at him.
Her face was red from holding back her laughter, and the tears she had forced out earlier were still clinging to the corners of her eyes.
“Stop saying things like that.
You’re making me laugh.” She buried her face against his chest again.
Bai Yanzhou sighed.
“I was talking normally.” Shen Qinglan immediately looked up.
He even had the nerve to look innocent.
“You’re the one laughing.” She stared at him.
That was normal?
Bai Yanzhou shook his head as though she were the unreasonable one.
The girl really was easy to amuse.
His gaze settled on her face again.
She was still trying to stop laughing, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright.
The smile she couldn’t quite suppress made her look completely different from the calm, guarded girl he had first met in the alley.
Bai Yanzhou found himself watching her a little longer than he intended.
Then a disgusted voice ruined the moment.
“Oh, heavens.
I can’t take this anymore.” Bai Yanzhou’s expression immediately cooled.
Shen Qinglan turned and saw Guan Zhongjin standing nearby with his arms crossed.
He looked thoroughly uncomfortable.
“Bai Yanzhou, what happened to you?” Guan Zhongjin gave an exaggerated shudder.
“You’re giving me goosebumps.” Bai Yanzhou looked at him coldly.
“Did I ask you to watch?” Guan Zhongjin fell silent.
“Then get lost.” Shen Qinglan stepped out of Bai Yanzhou’s arms and straightened her sleeves.
She didn’t think much of the hug itself.
She hadn’t grown up with the same strict ideas about propriety as the people of this era, and to her, a hug was simply a hug.
Then she looked at Guan Zhongjin and smiled.
“Hello.
I’m Shen Qinglan.” Guan Zhongjin paused.
Only then did he seem to remember that he hadn’t actually introduced himself properly.
He immediately dropped his arms and straightened his robes.
His expression changed so quickly that the dramatic man from a moment ago seemed to disappear.
“Miss Shen.” He gave her a polite nod.
“I’m Guan Zhongjin, this fellow’s cousin.” Bai Yanzhou gave him a flat look at the words this fellow.
Guan Zhongjin pretended not to notice.
Now that he was looking at Shen Qinglan properly, another thought occurred to him.
He glanced at his cousin.
Then at Shen Qinglan.
How had Bai Yanzhou ended up with such a beautiful fiancée?
More importantly, why didn’t he have one?
Shen Qinglan had no idea what was going through his mind.
“Cousin Zhongjin,” she greeted him.
Guan Zhongjin paused.
He rather liked the sound of that.
“Thank you for helping Brother Bai earlier,” Shen Qinglan continued.
“My brother has always been very protective of me, so—” “All right, I know.” Guan Zhongjin waved a hand.
“I know your brother’s temper well enough.
You don’t need to explain.” He thought about it and added, “It wouldn’t help anyway.” Shen Qinglan’s smile stiffened.
“…Oh.” She had only been trying to be polite.
Now she had no idea how to continue the conversation.
Fortunately, Bai Yanzhou had already lost patience with his cousin.
“Are you finished?” Guan Zhongjin looked at him.
“What?” “If you’re finished, leave.
Stop interrupting me while I’m spending time with my fiancée.” Guan Zhongjin glared at him.
Bai Yanzhou didn’t care.
“Fine.
I’m leaving.” Guan Zhongjin turned away with an irritated sweep of his sleeve.
“I won’t disturb the two of you anymore.” He had only walked a few steps when he suddenly remembered something.
He stopped and looked toward the corner where Shen Mo’an was still hiding.
Guan Zhongjin’s eyes narrowed.
Then he changed direction and walked straight toward him.
Shen Mo’an barely had time to react before Guan Zhongjin grabbed him by the arm.
“Come on.
You’re coming with me.” Shen Mo’an’s face darkened.
“What are you doing?” “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about my roof.” The mention of the roof immediately brought Guan Zhongjin’s irritation back.
“If it isn’t repaired before I return to Lin’an, I’m charging you for everything.
And I’ll add interest.” Shen Mo’an opened his mouth.
Guan Zhongjin didn’t give him the chance.
He simply dragged him away.
Shen Mo’an looked back over his shoulder, first at Bai Yanzhou and then at Shen Qinglan.
His expression made it obvious that he didn’t want to leave the two of them alone.
Bai Yanzhou calmly met his gaze.
Shen Qinglan looked away.
She hadn’t seen anything.
Guan Zhongjin continued pulling Shen Mo’an toward the other end of the courtyard until their voices and footsteps gradually faded.
At last, the pavilion became quiet again.
The afternoon breeze passed through the trees, stirring the leaves overhead.
This time, no one was hiding nearby to watch them.