Einfacher Congee-Roman

Kapitel 30

He understood immediately. The scholar replied matter-of-factly, "It's right on the street." After a pause, remembering that she had a newly appeared older brother, he suddenly realized, "Marriage is a major event, decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. The eldest brother is like a father, so I should have visited your brother first. It was indeed my oversight."

"Your sworn brother isn't a biological brother, ignore him—wait! Who told you that!"

The scholar looked puzzled: So, which one do you want to say?

"I mean!" She stopped halfway through her shout, feeling that she was being incredibly stupid for getting so angry at his innocent, naive, and self-righteous look, always yelling and glaring at him.

Slumped over, exhausted, Fan Qingbo's once-proud eyebrows now drooped into a V-shape. She leaned on the table, staring at the scholar with eyes full of resentment. "I mean, when exactly did I agree to the marriage? Why do I have no recollection of it at all? Young Master Shu, Master Shu, are you sure you heard it with your own ears?"

“No, not at all.” Without giving her any time to be happy, the scholar continued, “However, I saw it with my own eyes.”

Upon hearing this, something suddenly flashed through Fan Qingbo's mind. He slowly straightened his back, his expression becoming unusually serious. "Don't tell me that those flirtatious glances you gave me on the street had a deeper meaning."

The scholar's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously, "You understand me—"

Before he could finish speaking, Fan Qingbo desperately grabbed his head and slammed it against the table. "Great hero, please spare me! I really don't know you! Really, you're on a much higher level. My brain could travel several light-years and still not reach your homeland!" You alien!

Although the scholar couldn't understand a word she was saying, he understood her actions. He rushed over, frantically pressing her head against his chest. Seeing her pained expression, he awkwardly patted her back, stammering words of comfort: "It's alright, it's alright. My hometown is Lingzhou in Jiangnan. Although it's far from the capital, it won't take many years..."

Seeing the murderous intent flash in the eyes of the person in his arms, he choked for a moment, then weakly added, "However, I have no relatives in my hometown anymore, so it's fine if we don't go back to get married... Wherever Miss Fan is willing to go, I will go..."

"Well, thank you so much." Fan Qingbo gave a smile that was more like a grimace, then suddenly grabbed the scholar's collar and said through gritted teeth, "Explain to me the whole story behind those looks you gave me. I'd rather die knowing the truth!"

The scholar thought for a moment, then explained earnestly, "I've been pondering the word 'marriage' all the way here. I'm not young anymore, and it's time for me to settle down. Miss Fan and I undoubtedly share the same sentiment—"

Uh, there's a murderous aura... No, just ignore it and continue.

"As is customary, I have violated you, and you have violated me, and of course, we have violated each other..." He paused, looked down at the woman in his arms, and gently suggested, "Miss Fan, biting is not a good habit."

Fan Qingbo bit his arm and wouldn't let go, glancing upwards with a sidelong look, "I'm willing! What's it to you?"

"Alright, I won't bother you any longer. Take your time biting, miss." Anyway, he's not poisonous now, so it won't hurt her no matter how much he bites her. Let her do as she pleases. Compared to her lifeless or languid appearance... she's definitely cuter when she's all bared her teeth and claws.

But seeing how hard she's biting, shouldn't he cooperate and cry out in pain?

Hmm, never mind. He's not good at lying, and I don't want her to think he's not acting convincingly or sincerely. I'll just continue with my petition.

"In matters of love and marriage, harmony is the best. Miss Fan is intelligent and understanding, although she sometimes likes to talk nonsense, is sometimes a little undignified, sometimes willful and reckless, and sometimes can't control her temper, she is a rare confidante—"

You've misunderstood.

Fan Qingbo released his arm, interrupting him, "Apart from the fact that you're exceptionally intelligent, everything else is a beautiful misunderstanding. In fact, I like to talk nonsense all day long, I'm completely undignified, naturally willful and reckless, and I can never control my temper. Obviously, the biggest misunderstanding is—I really don't know your heart at all, young master!"

Seeing that he was about to say something, and fearing that the conversation would go too far astray, she quickly waved her hand, "Never mind, let's not talk about this, let's get straight to the point."

He nodded and explained, “After careful consideration, I have decided to take responsibility for our relationship. However, given that we are in public, I can only use my eyes to signal. The first wink was a question, and although Miss Fan hesitated for a moment, she still blinked in agreement. The second wink was an incredulous confirmation, and this time Miss Fan did not hesitate and responded without hesitation…”

"Wait, wait! How did you know what my eyes meant?" She didn't even know herself!

The scholar smiled shyly, then revealed that matter-of-fact expression, "Because he's a close friend."

Fan Qingbo completely lost it, pounding his chest—of course, the scholar's chest—and wailing, "Scholar, what the hell is going on in your head, you idiot?!"

Just then, a knock sounded on the door, followed by the waiter's voice: "Sir, excuse me."

Fan Qingbo stopped howling, looked at the scholar, and suddenly pushed him away. They hurriedly bowed their heads to tidy their appearance, then sat up straight and said in a loud voice, "Come in."

The door creaked open.

Upon seeing the waiter, Fan Qingbo decided to take the initiative, "I'm really sorry for disturbing you with the loud volume just now, although the main reason for this is that the soundproofing in your rooms is too poor."

She assumed the waiter had come to remind her to be quieter after receiving a complaint from a customer downstairs. To her surprise, he awkwardly stepped aside, and behind him entered a familiar face. Her eyes widened instantly. But that wasn't all. Before she could recover from her astonishment, another person entered the room—a woman she didn't recognize. Her mouth gaped open in disbelief as well.

"Captain Zhou said he wants to share a table with you!"

The waiter left as soon as he said that, showing a complete lack of professional ethics.

So, it's impossible for old flames and new lovers to gather together and enjoy themselves...

"My name is Shusheng, courtesy name Qinzhi. Greetings, everyone."

Only the scholar remained unaffected, maintaining proper etiquette and calmly breaking the silence. However, Fan Qingbo was busy eating, and Zhou Zice was busy keeping a close eye on someone, so they had no time to offer their congratulations. In the end, it was the young lady beside Zhou Zice who rose and returned the greeting with a graceful curtsy.

"My daughter, Xu, greets Young Master Shu and Miss Fan."

Having been called out… Fan Qingbo swallowed the food in his mouth, looked up, and said, “Greetings, Miss Xu.”

She thought she probably knew what that thing she should have known but didn't have time to know was. Considering her staying home for the past few days, the gossip headlines these days should be "The little tyrant has found a new love and the wedding is imminent, while the frivolous woman is dumped and disappears."

This Miss Xu is gentle and generous. Although she is dressed in fine clothes, she does not have the arrogance of some young ladies from noble families. Although she is very polite, she does not seem pretentious. It is clear that she is a lady from a family that has been established for generations. She is a perfect match for Zhou Zice, the son of a military family.

While Fan Qingbo was observing Miss Xu, Miss Xu was also observing this famous "extraordinary" woman in the capital.

A clear and bright face indicates an upright and honest person. A lively gaze suggests a free-spirited individual. A slight upturn at the corners of the mouth, with fine lines, indicates a witty and humorous person.

As expected, she's the kind of person the Zhou family's young master would like. It's clear how absurd the rumors are. In her opinion, this Miss Fan is merely slightly different from ordinary people, much like the bold and passionate heroines in those novels by Huanxitian. How could she be as despicable as they say? Frivolous, dissolute, and rude—what terrible slander!

The two women looked at each other, and a feeling of instant connection arose between them.

The two men on the other side, however, felt uneasy watching this.

Zhou Zice pulled Miss Xu to his side, stared straight at Fan Qingbo, and said coldly, "This is the daughter of the current Grand Secretary, my fiancée. We've known each other for a while, shouldn't you offer your congratulations?"

He had spoken harshly to her during their last meeting and had even resented her indifference, yet he still couldn't let go. He couldn't let go, but he also couldn't accept it. Even after telling himself a hundred times not to be moved by her again, he couldn't help but feel furious when he saw her indifferent expression. If she had been cold, he could have comforted himself that she still had feelings for him. But her indifference meant she had truly moved on completely, without any lingering attachment. And that was precisely what he couldn't tolerate.

Miss Xu frowned slightly at Zhou Zice's actions, but said nothing, only nodding to Fan Qingbo.

Fan Qingbo smiled back at her. Although she felt that congratulating her former ambiguous partner on his new relationship was rather pretentious, since this was what he wanted, she had no choice but to go along with it. "Congratulations to you both."