Who else could you love besides me

Chapter 31

Minglu's words were meant to save her, but they backfired, drawing all the attention to her. If she said she didn't like it, the goodwill she had painstakingly built up would be halved. After all, they had only known each other for a short time. Although they had a special fondness for her, these young men were always happy with everything they did and couldn't tolerate the slightest disobedience. Moreover, in their eyes, no matter how special she was, she was still of humble origin—neither noble nor the son of a high-ranking official. At this moment, she couldn't afford to offend these young men, so she could only awkwardly say, "It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I'm afraid of holding everyone back."

Xi En said, "That's not a problem. If I don't learn well, I just won't participate."

Xi Ri could only nod, reluctantly agreeing to learn Cuju. Anyway, there was still a long time before winter, so there was no rush. Besides, she didn't even know if she could live to see winter. She subconsciously looked at Ming Lu; the matter of breaking off the engagement really couldn't be delayed any longer.

Xi En and the others went home to change and freshen up, and they agreed to meet at Ming Lu's residence that evening.

Fu Jin left last, seemingly the most excited, constantly clamoring that Madam Lan, one of Ming Lu's concubines, should perform a dance for them that night. Ming Lu frowned deeply. Fu Jin brought up Tian Xiri, saying she hadn't seen one and that Ming Lu had to arrange it. Xiri couldn't help but smile wryly; it was he who wanted to see it, how did it get dragged into this? Ming Lu looked at her, his gaze deep, and said, "If Brother Yu can play a piece himself tonight, I believe Lan'er will come out and dance."

Lan'er must be Madam Lan. Before Xi Ri could answer, Fu Jin was already dancing with joy. He wondered what kind of beauty this Madam Lan dancer was that Fu Jin longed for so much.

She smiled faintly and nodded. Fu Jin put his arm around her shoulder and kept saying okay. Seeing her nod, Ming Lu also agreed to Fu Jin's request, and Fu Jin left happily, leaving only her and him.

She declined Minglu's invitation, citing other matters, and Minglu did not insist, returning to his residence with his servants.

She wandered around the streets alone, and for a moment, she didn't know where to go.

Looking around at the people coming and going, laughing, joking, and cursing, it's all so real and colorful.

A gentle breeze blew in late summer, and sunlight shone through the thin clouds, bringing warmth to all around, but she had not yet felt it...

Madam Ru, Madam Lan... sharing a man with so many women... is it a blessing or a curse? Ah, I remember when she was little, she asked her mother why she had so many mothers but only one father. Her mother was stunned for a long time before answering her calmly, "It's because I can't serve my father by myself, so I have so many mothers to serve him together."

At that time, she nodded, but she was still confused about the meaning behind it. Now that it was her turn, she realized how her mother felt when she heard this question back then. If her children asked her the same question in the future, how should she answer it?

Tonight, at the banquet… she's going to that place, that place that will lock her away for the rest of her life… a place where she'll never be free again.

Perhaps out of fear, her heart suddenly became restless and uneasy.

Breaking off the engagement... what can she do to win back her future freedom? Even if she does break off the engagement, she doesn't know if she'll ever have freedom again...

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The main text has a strange feeling

Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, she drifted off into a daze, failing to notice a carriage speeding towards her. By the time she heard the sound of it, it was too late to react. Suddenly, someone pulled her aside, and the carriage sped past her. Only after hearing the rumbling of wheels receding into the distance did she realize she had narrowly escaped being hit.

Looking again, the carriage that nearly hit someone didn't stop at all, and its speed didn't decrease at all, quickly disappearing around the corner ahead.

Xi Ri was about to thank the person who saved her, but when she looked up, she saw that it was none other than Young Master Long Ming. The words of gratitude that were about to come out of her mouth were naturally swallowed back.

He frowned and stared in the direction the carriage had disappeared, his expression unusually serious. He seemed to be lost in thought when he suddenly sensed her gaze. He lowered his head slightly and smiled at her. For a moment, Xi Ri felt as if she had been blinded by the sunlight, and she vaguely heard someone whispering, "Whose young master is this? He's really handsome!"

Xi Ri subconsciously turned around, and it would have been better if he hadn't looked. But when he did, he found that many women were standing around him.

There were old women, young women, and unmarried women of marriageable age, all staring at them. Whether they looked directly at him or stole glances, it was the first time he had ever been surrounded by so many women commenting on him, and he couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Although she thought her cross-dressing was indeed somewhat eye-catching, she hadn't expected it to cause such a sensation... She was just feeling a little smug when she suddenly realized something was off. Sure enough, when she looked up and took a closer look, she realized that the one causing the commotion wasn't herself, but Long Ming, who attracted a lot of attention wherever he went! A chill ran through her, and she couldn't help but feel a little resentful.

He noticed it too, but seemed too lazy to even look, and said to her with obvious impatience, "Let's go, there are too many people here, it's annoying."

How can this person talk like that!

Xi Ri cautiously glanced around, and sure enough, her heart shattered into pieces.

Just then, a little girl of about five or six years old suddenly spoke up sweetly in the crowd, "Mommy, this big brother is so handsome, even more handsome than the little mustachioed brother next door." Her childish words were nothing in themselves, but at this moment, they were quite amusing. Her mother blushed and looked at Long Ming awkwardly.

"Little mustache?" Xi Ri chuckled inwardly. Long Ming's charm was truly extraordinary, not even sparing five- or six-year-old children. The moment he appeared, he outshone the little girl's childhood sweetheart, Little Mustache. Indeed, beauty is a curse!

Long Ming seemed not to hear, her face cold and unapproachable as she walked out of the crowd, her expression one of utter disdain.

Unfortunately, he had no choice but to leave. It wouldn't do for him to be left there alone, being watched like a monkey.

As the two were walking, they suddenly heard someone say, "I think the young man in blue is more handsome, dashing and refined. You can tell at a glance that he is a kind and considerate person."

Hmm? The young man in blue, could he be talking about her? She was both amused and exasperated, but when she glanced at Long Ming beside her, who was slightly stunned by the words, she suddenly felt a little smug.

Walking down the street with Long Ming, Xi Ri had a feeling she had never experienced before.

Although Xi Ri usually attracts attention when she walks down the street, she's used to it and it's nothing special to her.

When I walked down the street with Fu Jin and Ming Lu, I felt that they were very ostentatious, as if they were a group of important people who were not to be trifled with. Everyone had to give way to them, but given their status, it was understandable.

Walking down the street with Long Ming felt strange. It was as if she were glowing, constantly receiving admiring glances. When she walked with Long Ming, passersby would always look at them a few more times. Some people even deliberately walked in front of them and turned around to look at them. People walking in the opposite direction were so focused on them that they almost bumped into each other or tripped over things. This feeling was really strange. She wanted to laugh, but couldn't. She felt proud but also a little silly. In the end, she couldn't help but feel a little proud and stood tall with her head held high.

No wonder... Long Ming has always been so arrogant; he's been flattered into being one.

Finally, she walked out of the bustling street and relaxed her nervous heart. Being watched by so many people made her feel a little uncomfortable, and she almost stumbled.

I glanced at Long Ming and saw that he was walking calmly as always, seemingly unconcerned about the stares of others, as if the two of them were the only ones walking on the street from the moment they arrived.

Xi Ri secretly admired him. His skill was clearly not something that could be acquired overnight. To remain so calm and composed amidst so many complex gazes of envy, curiosity, jealousy, and infatuation, this person was indeed very strong.

She suddenly remembered something: when she first met him, his page in the Suzhou pavilion said that it cost a whopping twenty taels of silver to even speak to him! And some people had paid twenty taels but still hadn't been able to speak to him. Now it seemed no wonder... He was a businessman, and given his popularity, this method was wise. Firstly, he could make money, and secondly, he could avoid annoying disturbances.

Thinking about it, Xi Ri couldn't help but think to himself: She's talked to him so many times, it must add up to quite a sum, heh...

"What are you 'hey' about? What are you thinking about?" Long Ming asked her, looking at her strangely.

She actually made a sound...

She immediately asked seriously, "How did you suddenly appear?"

Long Ming snorted, quite dismissive of the question, "I just saved you, and you didn't even say thank you."

These words hit a nerve, and Xi Ri felt embarrassed, but she was unwilling to thank him so easily, so she could only snort coldly.