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Глава 36

One is an upright schoolteacher, and the other is a sleazy pornographic book seller. How can they be a good match?

But the scholar didn't think so. His eyes flickered slightly, and he tilted his head in confusion, saying, "I am a teacher, and you are a bookseller. Aren't we a perfect match, a match made in heaven?"

...Didn't this person buy Huanxitian's books? How can he say something so naive?

Fan Qingbo rolled his eyes and then pounded his chest, trying to relieve the anger in his chest.

But the scholar's expression suddenly changed, and he exclaimed in shock, "Miss Fan, your hand!"

Her hand froze, and she stiffly looked down, noticing that she was still clutching the undergarment she had forgotten to put down from the beginning—the one she was washing. Of course, she knew that what had made the scholar change color was not this, but rather—the part of her arm that had been exposed when she rolled up her sleeves while washing the clothes. In the moonlight, it was transparent and eerily unsettling.

Her heart, which had been restless and anxious just moments before because she couldn't refuse the marriage proposal, instantly calmed down, gradually becoming peaceful, as if the dust had settled. It was as gentle and soothing as moonlight; though a little cool and slightly chilly, it was nothing to worry about. A voice even seemed to be casually saying in her mind, "Ah, all that effort was for nothing. Why didn't I think of this way to scare him away?"

Fan Qingbo casually pulled down his sleeve and said in the most nonchalant tone, "Ah, I scared you, I'm so sorry."

Author's Note: Finished... Computer lab sessions were just for writing -_-

twenty four

24. Countless gentle breezes remind me of him...

Summer has arrived, and the capital city is unbearably hot, with everyone wearing summer clothes.

Since his ascension to the throne, the current Emperor of Datong has implemented a reform under the banner of developing a frugal empire. Drawing inspiration from the clothing of small border states, he invented mid-length and long-sleeved dresses. As the amount of fabric used in summer garments decreased, the rate of heatstroke among women in the imperial court also significantly reduced.

As one can imagine, this move naturally provoked a fierce attack from a group of moralists.

Unfortunately, they were born at the wrong time, encountering an emperor who cared little for his reputation before or after his death. Furthermore, even the most virtuous among them had women in their families who didn't want to suffer the consequences, such as their wives and elderly mothers. Thus, amidst a chorus of lamentations and mourning for the past virtuous rulers, the women of the dynasty took their first step towards liberation.

In this environment where everyone is legally dressed in light clothing, there are two people who still wrap themselves up completely.

One was Xie Dongfeng, the Minister of Revenue, who was always hunched over and wore his sleeves tucked in—something the people of the capital had long since grown accustomed to. The other, however, was someone who puzzled everyone—Fan Qingbo, the manager of Huanxi Tiannv, who was known as a "frivolous woman."

"Manager Fan."

A shy, bashful voice sounded above him. Fan Qingbo listlessly looked up and saw another sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy. He cursed inwardly, but still put on his usual smile. "What would this young master like?"

The boy seemed to be staring at her in a daze, and it took him a while to come back to his senses. He blushed and shyly handed her a note.

Fan Qingbo glanced at the note, mechanically pulled out a few books from behind the counter, and handed them over. The boy accidentally touched her hand while paying, instantly blushing furiously, his eyes filled with unspoken words… finally, he covered his face, overcome with embarrassment, and ran away.

Fan Qingbo blankly withdrew his gaze, skillfully flipped over the note, and sure enough, saw a line of words written on it.

"At three-quarters past midnight tonight, a leisurely painted boat will be on the moat. See you there!"

I didn't even bother to roll my eyes, and just casually put it on a stack of slips of paper next to me.

News of Zhou Zice's marriage to Miss Xu spread, along with the news of the "fight" at the Shili Xiang Restaurant that day. Everyone knew that she and Zhou Zice had completely broken up, and the young men in the city assumed she was single again. Thus, the long-absent "Seeking reunion/training" notes reappeared.

These past few days, since reopening Huanxitian, it's been discovered that most of the customers have been drawn away by Hongxiuzhao across the street. The only frequent patrons are probably the owner of the clothing store across the street, who comes to eavesdrop on all sorts of gossip. However, she didn't get any information out of Fan Qingbo, but Fan Qingbo did hear some interesting rumors from her.

For example, after her relationship with Zhou Zice broke up, she hooked up with a man who had witchcraft.

For example, after being nourished by witchcraft, her skills in bed became even more exquisite.

The first day of opening was spent swatting flies, dozing off, and listening to gossip. On the second day, a few regular customers did appear, but as soon as they stepped in, they were attracted by the half-undressed female shopkeeper across the street.

The female manager of Hongxiuzhao is no stranger to everyone; she's the beautiful girl Fan Qingbo met on the street a few days ago.

On the third day, which is today, Huanxitian seems to have become lively again, with young people coming and going.

The reason I say "seems" is because these young men had clearly heard rumors and were coming to her seeking a sexual relationship; their true intentions were not what they seemed. These boys, who had previously been very wary of Zhou Zice, now completely disregarded her supposedly sorcerous fiancé. In just one morning, a stack of invitations to spend the night had accumulated.

Shouldn't she feel honored to have been voted the woman most wanted to spend her coming-of-age ceremony with by the city's young men for the past four years?

Speaking of that "fiancé with witchcraft"... The day he saw her inhuman and ghostly appearance, his incredulous and horrified expression was so shocking that she didn't hear what he said afterward. She only remembered his staggering and fleeing figure.

Since then, there has been no trace of them.

If it weren't for the students coming to ask about the teacher's whereabouts from time to time, she would almost have thought that everything before was a complete fabrication, and that the house opposite hers was still empty, with no one ever moving in.

I couldn't help feeling disappointed.

Although she always says she doesn't like, doesn't care about, and won't get married, she's still a woman at heart, and deep down she always harbors a beautiful hope. Perhaps there is someone who doesn't care about appearances, ignores rumors, and doesn't care about the reasons, but just stays by her side.

In that case, only a relapse of illness fits this condition. Unfortunately, he will grow up one day, get married, and their time together will only last a few more years. He seems incredibly attached to her now, but who knows when he might fall in love? The saying "once you have a wife, you forget your mother" is always true.

Even if he still clings to her, she'll still kick them both out. Mother-in-law/daughter-in-law conflicts are the worst.

Fan Qingbo leaned on the counter, unconsciously imagining his lonely and desolate old age years later. A wave of sorrow washed over him, and he let out a deep sigh. Alas…

More footsteps sounded. Annoyed, she didn't even look up and said, "This shopkeeper sells books, not flesh, and is not responsible for free instruction in bedroom arts. Boys under the age of sixteen and above are not allowed. Virgins over the age of sixteen are also not allowed. Thank you."

"So this is how you shoo customers away."

It was eerie and cold... Fan Qingbo felt a chill run down her spine. Just as she looked up, a figure lunged at her from the inner room. Before she could react, her neck was grabbed. "We've been losing money for so many days! How can you be a manager? Do you know how much it hurts me to keep the accounts these past few days? I need money, money, money, money!"

"Ugh, cough cough! Sir, please calm down..." A sharp-eyed man spotted the person behind Xie Dongfeng and his eyes lit up. "Mr. Feng, save me!"

Feng Yan strolled in, fanning himself with a feather fan. “Sir, if you strangle her and then make me the manager, the wages will have to go up.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Dongfeng immediately let go, then pinched her cheek affectionately and said with a smile, "Good Xiao Fan, get ready, it's time for the meeting." He then turned around and ordered, "Close the door, close the door. Just looking at that woman across the street, all that talk of being cuckolded, makes me annoyed. Oh, where's the painter Jin?"

Fan Qingbo pulled his face away from his grasp, poked his head out, and asked, "Even that lecherous worm is here?"