"Young Master Han, why are you looking at me like that? Is it because I'm too beautiful?" Because Han San hadn't spoken, the atmosphere in the carriage was a bit strange, so Shi Tou had no choice but to make conversation.
"Yes." It was just a casual remark, but to everyone's surprise, Han San nodded very seriously: "I have never added a girl as beautiful, generous, noble and elegant as Miss Shi."
Stone froze abruptly. Was this some kind of exaggeration? Stone admitted her appearance was not bad, but where did you get the idea that she was noble and elegant? This...this is blatant insult!
"Young Master Han, you're joking. I can't compare to your beautiful sister." Shi Tou wasn't referring to her friend Han Shiyi, but to Han Shier, the twelfth daughter of the Han family, who was born out of wedlock.
Shi Tou originally thought she had made herself very clear, but to her surprise, Han San raised an eyebrow and asked, "My sister? Is my sister pretty? I don't think so at all?"
"Of course, even before I came to the capital, I had already heard that the twelfth young lady of the Han family was a beauty that could topple kingdoms."
"Twelve? Hehe, you mean Han Shier?" Han San suddenly laughed, but unlike his fake smile earlier, this time he was genuinely laughing heartily, as if he had heard a super funny joke: "Haha, that's hilarious! You actually called Han Shier a beauty?"
Shi Tou was clearly stunned. At first, she thought Han San was deliberately making fun of her, but slowly, she realized something was wrong. Han San's expression was completely genuine, as if her comment about Han Shi'er being a beauty was a complete joke.
Frowning, she carefully recalled Han Shi'er's appearance. Although a while had passed, a beauty like Han Shi'er wasn't so easily forgotten. Moreover, when she left the capital, Han Shi'er was already around ten years old. Logically speaking, her appearance should have fully matured by then. It was impossible for her to have completely changed in just two years, right?
“Young Master Han, I don’t know what I said wrong. Although I have never seen the twelfth young lady of the Han family in person, she is indeed famous for her beauty.” At least that was the case two years ago. Shi Tou silently added in his heart.
"Hahaha, that's hilarious! Hahaha, it's been so long since I've laughed so heartily!" Han San laughed all the way to the Purple Jade Restaurant.
To be honest, the food at Ziyu Restaurant was just as delicious as it had been two years ago. To conceal her past as someone who had lived in the capital, Shi Tou deliberately said she didn't know what to order. Because Han San was still laughing, the hotel waiter brought them a table full of their signature dishes.
The food was delicious, but there was an idiot sitting across from me!
Shi Tou stared blankly at Han San, who had barely touched his chopsticks, and began to wonder to herself, "Why didn't Han Shiyi mention before that her brother is actually an idiot? This is such a disgrace to the Dongfang family!"
“Miss Shi, welcome to the capital. It’s just that things have been a bit chaotic here these past few days. Cough cough…” Seeing that Shi had finished her meal, Han San finally stopped smiling: “…Your joke was hilarious. I haven’t laughed like that in a long time. By the way, do you have a place to stay? If not, you can stay at my house for a while.”
Shi Tou couldn't help but twitch her lips. Although she was carefree and easygoing, she hadn't gone so far as to go home with a man she didn't know well, had she?
Han San understood Shi's meaning and quickly added, "Miss Shi is also a descendant of the Dongfang family, so naturally I will treat her well. In addition, according to the rules of our Han family, unmarried young masters and young ladies live separately. If you are willing to come back with me, I will arrange for my sister to take care of you. Hahaha, of course, my own sister, not that great beauty, hahaha~~!"
Chapter 253: All Efforts Wasted
Ahem, the chapter title that was marked with an asterisk yesterday was "风*流"... I honestly didn't know that was a prohibited word OTZ~~!
-----
To be honest, Shi Tou had lived in the capital for several years, but she only had a few close friends. Besides Huo Xiaoxiao, Han Shiyi was one of her closest friends. However, two years had passed in the blink of an eye, and because of her cultivation of time magic, she had aged several years. Now, if she saw Han Shiyi again, would Han Shiyi still recognize her?
Although she was a little uncertain, Shi Tou still didn't want to take the risk. She had plenty of money anyway, and there was no need for her to stay at someone else's house. Besides, if Han Shiyi found out, she didn't know how to explain herself.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Young Master Han, but I have some matters to attend to in the capital, so I won't disturb you any longer." Having made up his mind, Shi Tou politely declined Han San's offer.
Han San finally stopped laughing, staring intently at Shi Tou as if trying to see right through her: "Miss Shi, I think everyone knows why you're here, right?"
Shi Tou was terrified. She had only met Han San a few times and had never even spoken to him before. How could he possibly recognize her?
Perhaps the expression on Shi Tou's face was too obvious, Han San nodded slightly, feeling that he had guessed correctly: "I heard that the Qin family, as the head of the six major families in the East, sought help from the Eastern Former Residence. You must be from there?"
The Qin family? The former residence of the Eastern family? Need help?
Shi Tou was stunned. After a while, she realized that Han San might have some misunderstanding about her.
Seeing that Shi Tou remained silent for a long time, Han San's smile grew even wider: "Miss Shi, you know that the true owners of the Eastern Residence have always been the Yi family. But now, the Yi family has fallen, and although the Qin family is the head of the six major families in the East, that title is merely self-proclaimed. Do you really want to obey the Qin family?"
Stone's mind raced. She felt she might have stumbled upon something unbelievable: "What you're saying is meaningless to me. I'm not the one who can truly make the decisions."
Now that she had the opportunity to learn the inside story of the Dongfang family, Shi Tou felt she should take the risk. And Han San actually believed her ambiguous words. After hesitating for a moment, Han San took something out of his spatial storage.
Stone looked closely and saw it was a piece of cloth. Unfolded, it was about the size of an A4 sheet of paper: "What is this?"
"This is the sincerity of the Han family." Han San didn't hand the cloth to Shi Tou, but simply waved it in front of him. "I know you're not the one who can truly make decisions, so I hope to meet the one who can through you!"
Shi Tou was dumbfounded. She herself was a complete imposter, so where was she supposed to find someone who could actually make decisions? But thankfully, while Shi Tou lacked real talent, she was quite adept at making things up. Recalling the novels and TV dramas she had watched in her past life, she quickly found a topic to discuss.
“I understand how you feel right now, Young Master Han, but you have to understand that some people are not people you can just see whenever you want. Hehe, to be honest, even I have to make an appointment in advance to see them.”
Han San frowned and remained silent, presumably pondering the truth of Shi's words. After a while, he put the cloth back in his hand and slowly said, "I understand what Miss Shi means. I won't force you. However, I hope that if possible, Miss Shi can put in a good word for us."
After saying that, Han San stood up and politely bowed to Shi Tou: "If Miss Shi does not wish to stay at my humble abode, that is also fine. Where do you wish to stay? I can take you there."
Shi Tou was completely bewildered by Han San's actions. What exactly was this person trying to do? Or rather, what were the six major families of the East up to?
"Thank you, Young Master Han. I'd like to find a comfortable hotel to stay in for the time being." Shi Tou understood the principle of not slapping a smiling face. Besides, although Han San had a reputation for womanizing, he didn't have a bad one. Furthermore, Han Shiyi was his younger sister, and Shi Tou didn't want to antagonize him.
"If you allow me, I can find you a hotel, and I guarantee it will be very comfortable."
Han San found the largest hotel in the capital for Shi Tou—the Imperial Capital Villa. Just from the name, you know it's more than just a hotel. Someone who has never been to the capital might not know the origins of the Imperial Capital Villa, but Shi Tou does.
Thanks to Huo Xiaoxiao, that girl has a great sense of enjoyment. She has taken Shitou to try all the good food, drinks and fun things around the capital, including this Imperial Capital Villa.
The Imperial Capital Villa is not a private inn, but belongs to the royal family. In the beginning, the Imperial Capital Villa was only used to receive foreign guests, and only guests of high status had the right to stay there. However, with the complete destruction of the Orc Kingdom and the annexation of the surrounding human neighboring countries by the Fallen Empire, it is now almost impossible to find a country that can compare with the Fallen Empire.
After the Imperial Villa had been vacant for ten years, the royal family put it up for sale.
Shi Tou lay on the large bed in the VIP room, carefully recalling that if she remembered correctly, the family that bought this villa in the capital was the Han family, one of the six great families in the East!
The Imperial Capital Villa was located in the suburbs, which by today's standards isn't a particularly desirable location. Moreover, it had been vacant for ten years at the time, so it wasn't really worth much. The Han family bought it because, around that time, a direct descendant of the Shui family married into the Han family, and the Imperial Capital Villa was essentially a dowry.
The Shui family far surpassed the Han family in both wealth and status, so the entire dowry was later given to the woman who married out of the family.
With a slight smile, Shi Tou found things getting interesting. If she remembered correctly, the woman who had married out of the country was Han Shiyi's biological mother.
The next morning, Shi Tou got up and went to the Imperial Capital Villa's restaurant for breakfast. Speaking of which, the Imperial Capital Villa's cuisine was top-notch, if nothing else. Of course, all of this was thanks to Han Shiyi's mother. Since acquiring the place, she had not only spent a lot of effort renovating it, but also specially hired famous chefs from all over the country, practically turning it into the number one gourmet city in the Luo Ming Empire.
However, while enjoying her meal, Shi Tou unexpectedly saw someone. Well, seeing this person here could be considered both unexpected and quite normal. Of course, that is, provided that Han San, who exudes a peach blossom aura, wasn't beside her.
"Young Master Han, what brings you here?" Now that I've seen you, I can't not greet you, especially since this is his territory.
"Hehe, Miss Shi, I'm here with my sister. She's been feeling down lately, so I'm here to help her cheer up." Han San smiled very gently, pointing to Han Shiyi beside him as he spoke.
Shi Tou raised an eyebrow in surprise. She had learned from Yi Siyue that Han Shiyi had married the young master of the Terunsu family. However, what Shi Tou saw now was Han Shiyi dressed as a young girl, which surprised her greatly.
"Shiyi, this is Miss Shi I just told you about. Miss Shi, this is my sister, Han Shiyi." Han San said, then suddenly revealed a smile he couldn't help: "Of course, Shiyi is not a beauty, I'm sorry to disappoint you."
Han Shiyi was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then glared at her brother with a dark face: "Yes, yes, I'm the ugliest! I'm an ugly monster!"
Han San smiled and nodded: "Miss Shi, although my sister is a little ugly, she has the advantage of knowing her own limitations."
puff!
Shi Tou watched with no surprise as Han Shiyi began to exude murderous intent. She didn't want to see a bloody scene during lunch, so she decisively asked, "Miss Han Shiyi, right? I heard that Miss Han Shiyi is a very powerful Qi Master, is that right?"
"Hmm?" Han San raised an eyebrow, saying uncertainly, "This, I think, is it?"
Han Shiyi angrily raised her foot and stomped hard on Han San's instep: "Now you know, right?"
His expression, which had been tense, turned from normal to pale, then to bluish, and finally turned purple after Han Shiyi's small feet rubbed against the back of his foot.
Shi Tou was delighted. Although it had been two years since they last met, Han Shiyi's personality hadn't changed at all: "Miss Han, if you don't mind, please sit down and have some food with us."
Han Shiyi and Shi Tou first met because of the scumbag Lin An, but later they inexplicably became friends after a falling out, and their relationship actually got quite good. Now, however, Shi Tou still knows Han Shiyi, but Han Shiyi doesn't remember her at all. Or rather, she doesn't recognize her at all.
Stone should have been happy about this situation, but looking at that once-familiar face with a slightly wary expression, Stone suddenly lost interest.
Han Shiyi finally sat down with Han San, and the meal went fairly smoothly. Although Han Shiyi was a little wary of Shi Tou, her wariness gradually disappeared as the two talked.
As expected, Han Shiyi became friends with Shi Tou when the meal ended. And by "unsurprising," I mean exactly what Han San had predicted. If his other sister, Han Shi'er, was every man's dream girl, then Han Shiyi was the kind of best friend every girl wanted.
Seeing his younger sister chatting happily with Shi Tou, Han San smiled with satisfaction. He knew it; his little sister was the most capable!
However, Han San overlooked one thing. Why could Han Shiyi be friends with any girl? First, she had a very calm and composed demeanor that made people feel comfortable. Second, she was loyal! Don't assume that girls don't care about compatibility when making friends. In fact, sometimes, girls care even more!
Imagine if Han Shiyi really became friends with Shi Tou, would she still listen to Han San and try to extract the information he wanted? Is that even possible?
Therefore, Han San was destined to end up with nothing.
Of course, the stone knew nothing, so it was all for nothing!
☆, Chapter 254 Meeting Lin An Again
Making friends with Han Shiyi is actually quite challenging. Although the eleventh young lady of the Han family looks very ladylike, if you actually see her as such, you're a complete idiot!
Of course, Shi Tou knew this girl well, so he was always on edge, afraid that she might suddenly have a fit. Fortunately, Han Shiyi was accompanied by Han San at this moment. Although Han San was a womanizer, a playboy, and had many flaws, he also had a virtue that most people didn't have.
That is, he was born with a mocking face, and that hatred was firmly drawn to him.
Based on his brief observation, Shi Tou realized that although he hadn't seen Han Shiyi for two years, her personality hadn't changed at all; in fact, she'd become even more willful and mischievous. *Ahem*, of course, this only applied to Han San. Therefore, as long as Han San was around, there was no need to worry about Han Shiyi acting crazy; even if she did, Han San would be the one who suffered.
“Poetic, I have a question for you.” Observing the unique way the two siblings got along, Shi Tou suddenly had a question.
"Um?"
"Did your brother offend you?" Stone wanted to ask, "Is he your own brother?" But seeing Han San's bruised and battered face, Stone decided it was best not to rub salt into his wounds. Besides, Han San and Han Shiyi looked very alike; she wasn't about to be foolish.
Han Shiyi turned around and glanced at Han San: "Huh? What are you still doing here?"
Han San's originally purplish-blue face instantly turned pitch black, so thick it looked as if ink could drip from it.
Han Shiyi was even more puzzled when she saw that he didn't react: "Didn't you say that you would just drop me off here? I'm fine now, you can go."
Shi Tou almost burst out laughing. She could guess what Han San was up to, of course. But Shi Tou felt she might disappoint Han San, and based on her understanding, Han Shiyi wasn't the type to cooperate in extracting information.
"Ahem, little sister, I'm your older brother, aren't I?" Han San asked, his face dark and his teeth bared, looking depressed.
"Huh?" Han Shiyi was taken aback and asked in surprise, "How would I know? Why don't you go home and ask your mother now?"
Seeing Han San's almost vomiting blood expression, Shi Tou's inner voice was already pounding the ground in frustration. Wahaha, little Han Shiyi, you're still as awesome as ever!
“Sister. I…” Han San glanced at the expressionless Shi Tou (who was trying to suppress a laugh), and tried to put on a smile: “Look, there are still guests here.”
"It's alright, you can go now. I'll take care of Miss Shi. Oh, and don't rush to call me 'sister.' Go home and ask your mother. If you're really not my brother, then get lost!" Han Shiyi waved at Han San, signaling him to get as far away as possible.
Han San was in a real dilemma. He sat in his seat for a while longer, but finally couldn't stand Han Shiyi's sarcastic remarks, so he got up and left helplessly.
As soon as Han San left, Han Shiyi immediately moved to Shi Tou's side and changed her expression: "Shi Tou, let me tell you something. If you think my brother is handsome, that's definitely your imagination!"
puff!
Shi Tou, who was drinking tea, suddenly spat out the tea in her mouth, luckily Han Shiyi had just sat down next to her. She only sprayed it onto the chair opposite her.