Chapter 4: A Master of Living Off a Woman

In the private room of the bookstore, since Cuicui hadn’t returned yet, Su Mingyue recalled some gossip she’d heard a few days ago.

A shop assistant had told her that Shen Xiuyan wasn’t a man of good character.

He acted one way to her face, but a different way behind her back.

The assistant even claimed to have seen Shen Xiuyan enter the Fengyue Pavilion.

Su Mingyue didn’t believe the assistant and wanted to ask Shen Xiuyan directly, but he had been missing for days.

Now she was starting to worry. Could it be that Shen Xiuyan really had been bewitched by some vixen?

It wasn’t until today that she finally ran into Shen Lang on the street.

Thinking of this, she asked him directly, “I heard from an assistant that you went to Fengyue Pavilion a few days ago?”

Shen Xiuyan’s eyes widened at her words, and he just wanted to howl at the sky—curse that original host!

Greedy was one thing, but why did he also have to be a lecher…

Wait—did he actually do anything dirty…?

Shen Xiuyan’s mind spun rapidly. At last, he scraped up a few fragmented memories from some dark corner, then patted his chest in relief.

Thank goodness—thank goodness—the original host had the desire but not the guts.

After all, he hadn’t yet tricked Su Mingyue into being his. If this had been found out, he’d be doomed.

That time, he’d just gone out of curiosity at a friend’s invitation. At most, he listened to some music and had a few drinks—he hadn’t done anything out of line.

If he had, and left Su Mingyue with a bad impression, how could he possibly keep pursuing her?

Exactly! Ever since he met Su Mingyue, he’d realized the truth: those twenty-five lonely years as a single man were all to prepare him for this moment!

So he immediately pulled himself together and explained earnestly, “Yes, that happened, but hear me out. A classmate invited me out for drinks, and I didn’t know it was that kind of place beforehand. Once I got there, it felt rude to refuse. I swear, I just had a few drinks and did nothing else. I promise I’ll never go again!”

His voice was anxious, and his eyes were dark and clear, not at all like someone lying.

Su Mingyue coughed lightly. “Ahem. I’m not that overbearing. Socializing with classmates is normal. But still, don’t go to Fengyue Pavilion again.”

Seeing her softened stance, Shen Xiuyan finally relaxed. He knew he was off the hook.

Then he thought for a moment and, while hooking her finger with his, launched into a pitiful accusation. “How could you suspect me over something like this? I clearly like you so much, yet you doubt me. Do you even like me at all?”

Su Mingyue: “?”

Why did it feel like she was the one being scolded?

Shen Xiuyan didn’t give her time to react and pressed further, “You thinking this way—have you been through something like that too?”

Su Mingyue: “…”

No! She was a girl—how could she possibly have experienced something like that…

If she had stepped into Mingyue Pavilion, the madam there would have thrown her out on sight, thinking she was there to cause trouble.

“You’re not saying anything. So it’s true, isn’t it? I understand, I understand. The Su family’s a major business. It’s inevitable to visit such places while discussing deals…”

Su Mingyue: “…”

No, you don’t understand anything…

Though the Southern Moon Dynasty didn’t oppose women doing business publicly, she was still an unmarried lady. Her father would have to be insane to take her to brothels for negotiations.

Just as Shen Xiuyan was about to speak again, Su Mingyue cut him off, “Fine, fine, I was wrong, okay? I shouldn’t have doubted you. I promise I’ll trust you more from now on.”

“And another thing—how could a girl like me even get into Mingyue Pavilion? Stop talking nonsense!”

“There’s still the Xiaoguan Pavilion though…” Shen Xiuyan’s warm breath brushed against Su Mingyue’s hand, and it felt like her fingertips were being scorched. She yanked her hand back quickly.

Though the Southern Moon Dynasty was open-minded, it wasn’t so open that women would seek out male courtesans. Su Mingyue opened her mouth, ready to argue.

But when she saw the mischievous look in Shen Xiuyan’s eyes, she knew he was teasing her.

“You’re so annoying…”

Why did it feel like Shen Lang was different from before? He used to be quiet and reserved, carrying a hint of scholarly pride. When he spoke with her, it was always brief and proper—he’d never make such intimate gestures.

But today’s Shen Lang (Scholar Shen) was different. His eyes were overflowing with affection, as if they could swallow her whole. His conversation was witty and lighthearted, and she was completely enchanted.

She liked today’s Shen Lang!

She liked him far more than the old Shen Lang!!!

She wished he could stay like this forever…

“Miss, the doctor is here.” Cuicui lifted the curtain and called.

“Quick, let him in.”

A moment later, after the doctor examined Shen Xiuyan and confirmed he was fine, Su Mingyue finally relaxed.

“Are you sure there’s no need for medicine?”

“No need,” the doctor said slowly, stroking his beard. “All medicines have some toxicity. Too much is not good.”

“All right, then what about some supplements?” Miss Su was unwilling to give up. She thought Shen Lang was too thin—he needed to be nourished.

“That can be arranged.” The elderly doctor nodded and wrote her a recipe for strengthening the body.

Su Mingyue beamed as she clutched the prescription. “Cuicui, go get the supplements. And give the doctor one tael of silver. See him out.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Hearing this, the doctor looked at the young lady in a new light. What a generous hand—just for taking a pulse and writing a prescription, he was being rewarded with a whole tael of silver?

He usually charged no more than ten copper coins for a house call.

His gaze drifted unconsciously toward Shen Xiuyan. This scholar really had a talent for living off a woman.

If he could win this young lady’s favor, he’d never need to work hard for the rest of his life.

Sensing the heat of that gaze, Shen Xiuyan met the old doctor’s eyes—and somehow, he immediately understood the meaning behind them.

Not just him—Miss Su picked up on it too. Her expression immediately darkened.

No man liked having their dignity questioned, especially not Shen Lang, who was a scholar.

She feared he might storm off in anger.

But things didn’t go as she expected. Under the doctor’s stare, Shen Xiuyan even straightened his back slightly—almost proudly.

Su Mingyue: “…”

Well then. She’d worried for nothing.

As expected of the man she had chosen—such a generous heart!