Chapter 10: Does That Make You Happy?

For the first time, Shen Qinghe felt a flicker of displeasure toward this young Daoist.

She had paid him a hefty sum to bring him into the Shen household, yet he spoke without the slightest tact. It was genuinely infuriating.

And besides, in the storybooks she read, scholars and wealthy young ladies loved each other truly. The lady was willing to follow the scholar into a plain life of coarse cloth and simple fare, of firewood, rice, oil, and salt. She had never once read of a man who was perfectly happy to have a woman demand money and property from him.

This Daoist was definitely sick in the head.

Shen Qinghe shot him a stealthy glare. Even angry, the lovely, delicate girl looked utterly pitiable and charming.

Yet that utterly unromantic Daoist didn't spare her a single glance.

Shen Qinghe bit her lip and puffed out her cheeks.

Shen Lizhu suddenly caught a glare from her too, and was left completely baffled.

Shen Qinghe grew even angrier. This stinking Lizhu couldn't even be bothered to step in and smooth things over for her!

A cheerful voice came from not far off. "A Xi, you're here!"

A handsome, elegant young master approached with a beautiful, graceful lady at his side. He looked at He Xi, joy shining in his eyes.

Anyone could tell at a glance—he was glowing with good fortune.

He Xi smiled in greeting. "Big Cousin."

Shen Rong took the hand of the lady beside him. "Shiyu, this is my cousin A Xi, the one I've often mentioned to you. She loves books just as much as you do—I'm sure the two of you will get along famously."

Fang Shiyu's brows curved gently, her smile serene. "Miss He, I've heard so much about you. Uncle Shen and Shen Rong are always praising your love of reading. I'm truly delighted to meet you today."

He Xi felt a twinge of guilt. The books she read were hardly proper literature.

Her clear eyes fell on Shen Rong's hand holding Fang Shiyu's. She knew theirs was no match arranged by go-betweens, no blind marriage—they truly loved each other. She was happy for them.

He Xi returned the courtesy with easy grace. "Sister Fang is too kind. Cousin's letters often mention how gentle and mild your temperament is, that you're a rare find among women. I've been wanting to meet you for a long time."

Fang Shiyu glanced at the warm, jade-like gentleman beside her. "Did you really say all that about me?"

Shen Rong looked rather embarrassed. "It was the plain truth. I didn't exaggerate a bit."

Fang Shiyu hid a laugh behind her hand.

Shen Rong's face grew even hotter.

His heart had only just awakened to love. Every letter he wrote to relatives and friends was filled with praise for his beloved, as though she were peerless under heaven and unmatched on earth. He hadn't been particularly self-aware when writing them. Now that someone had suddenly spoken it aloud, he only belatedly flushed red.

Shen Qinghe frowned at the scene, lips pressed slightly together.

Afraid He Xi might keep talking, Shen Rong quickly changed the subject. "And this Daoist Master is...?"

Shen Lizhu coughed twice. "A Qing ran into water ghosts on the road. This Daoist Master saved her."

Shen Rong asked with concern, "Was A Qing hurt?"

Shen Qinghe's expression improved considerably. She smiled bright and radiant. "I'm fine. Thanks to the Daoist Master appearing in time. Brother, I'd like to keep him here a few days, host him properly, and repay the debt of saving my life."

Shen Rong nodded. "That's only right."

He bowed once more to Pei Yan. "Thank you, Daoist Master, for coming to my sister's aid. Such a great kindness cannot be repaid with words. Please stay at the Shen residence with peace of mind today—food, lodging, and all necessities will be arranged thoroughly. I hope the Daoist Master won't refuse."

Shen Qinghe hurried half a step forward, gazing at Pei Yan with cautious, hopeful eyes. "Daoist Master, please stay. Let us at least show you the hospitality of hosts."

Pei Yan said nothing. He looked at He Xi.

He Xi didn't make a sound.

Pei Yan's lips pressed together slightly. He glanced at her again.

He Xi forced a smile onto her face. "Yes, Daoist Master, why don't you stay?"

The corners of Pei Yan's eyes curved. "Very well. Since you're all so eager to have me, I'll linger here a few more days."

He Xi silently turned her face away and wiped the sweat from her cheek.

As the eldest son of the Shen family, Shen Rong arranged everything meticulously. He specifically had the finest guest room prepared for Pei Yan and instructed everyone that the Daoist Master was an honored guest—no one was to neglect him.

After sunset, Pei Yan entered the guest room.

He scanned the furnishings, silently noting the pieces he liked. When he bought a new house and moved in with A Xi, he'd have the same things placed there.

Pei Yan glanced at the night beyond the window, then deliberately spread the bedding neat and square. He sat upright on the edge of the bed, back straight, expression carefully indifferent, fingertips resting casually on his knees—the very picture of leisurely composure.

His gaze drifted to the door from time to time. Outwardly unruffled, the anticipation in his eyes was about to spill over. He held his handsome pose with deliberate care, just waiting for He Xi to push the door open.

Pei Yan waited a long while. At last, footsteps sounded outside.

His eyes lit up—but the voice that came through the door was grating.

"Daoist Master, are you asleep? Daoist Master Pei, Daoist Master..."

Shen Qinghe's voice went on and on, as though if the person inside didn't answer, she'd keep shouting outside forever.

Pei Yan didn't want to deal with her. He'd have liked to toss her far away. But considering she was He Xi's nominal cousin, he couldn't use such crude methods.

And if she kept making a racket out there, He Xi definitely wouldn't come to meet him in secret.

Shen Qinghe didn't want to draw attention either. She tapped lightly on the door, talking all the while. "Daoist Master, I have something to discuss with you—it's about what I told you during the day. Daoist Master Pei..."

The door opened, and a chill swept out with the night wind.

Pei Yan leaned half his body against the doorframe, dark brows tightly knit, irritation churning unchecked in the depths of his eyes. His pitch-black pupils bore down heavily on Shen Qinghe outside.

His tone was cold, hard, and perfunctory. "What?"

Shen Qinghe tried to step inside. "Let's talk in the room."

"Talk here. I'll give you three sentences."

Shen Qinghe puffed out her cheeks, her voice sweet and soft. "Daoist Master, could you please not be so fierce with me? I..."

"You have two sentences left."

Shen Qinghe's voice caught. Angry and aggrieved, she had no choice but to speak. "You saw Fang Shiyu today too. You must have noticed something off about her, right? She's a demon. One night I saw her about to fall into the water—but then she grew a tail covered in scales and flew up."

"She must have some unspeakable scheme, getting close to my brother. But no one believes me when I tell them. Daoist Master, I'll pay you—please help me exorcise the demon!"

Pei Yan glanced at the tree shadows not far off, his tone even more impatient. "Done?"

Shen Qinghe said, "Done."

"Then you can go."

Shen Qinghe froze. "But the demon-exorcising I mentioned..."

"I'll think about it. I'm tired. I need to rest."

On the road from Haoyue City back to Wufang City, though she traveled with Pei Yan, Shen Qinghe had thoroughly experienced just how cold and unapproachable he could be.

She wanted to say more, but feared truly provoking him. Helpless, she stamped her foot and turned away in a huff.

The evening wind stirred the fragmented tree shadows. The deep night concealed the small figure behind the trees.

He Xi crouched behind a thick trunk, having just overheard the conversation at the door. She turned over Shen Qinghe's words in her mind, wondering whether they were true or false.

She was completely unaware of the footsteps quietly drawing close behind her—light breath, silent steps.

The next instant, a pair of strong arms slipped suddenly around her waist and lifted her firmly into a bridal carry.

The sudden weightlessness made He Xi's heart lurch. She instinctively clutched at the other's lapel, nearly crying out—but above her head came a clear, brazen laugh instead.

She looked up. A familiar face.

Pei Yan lowered his eyes, holding her steady as he straightened. The cold impatience he'd shown others had melted away entirely. His brows curved, the corners of his eyes carrying a young man's sharp, teasing charm.

The evening wind tousled the stray hairs on his forehead. His arms held her at just the right tightness, his breath clean and warm.

He deliberately swayed his arms a little, leaning close to her ear with a soft laugh. His voice was low and gentle, brimming with joy he couldn't hide.

"How long have you been hiding here peeking, little thief?"