Chapter 7: He/She Loves Me So Much

Zhao Dabao’s face changed drastically when he heard her. He had never imagined that the person they were gossiping about was right inside the private room.

The Su Family was not someone he could afford to offend. His family’s business still relied heavily on their support.

His mind raced through countless thoughts, and in the end, he forced an awkward smile. “I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare. Under the clear skies and sun, how could I strike someone? Miss Su, please be magnanimous. We were being crude with our words earlier and meant no offense. Please accept this gift as an apology.”

He picked up the jewelry they had prepared.

Su Mingyue glanced at it coldly and scoffed. “Hmph. What kind of trash is this? You think something this cheap is worthy of me? You must be dreaming.”

Zhao Dabao mumbled weakly, “It’s not cheap… it cost ten taels of silver…”

Su Mingyue snorted. “Only ten taels?”

Cuicui, ever tactful, sneered from the side. “Ten taels wouldn’t even get my lady’s attention. Why don’t you go out and ask around—when has my lady ever worn jewelry worth less than fifty taels? With your stingy, miserly self, dreaming about my lady? What a joke. I’ll be sure to report today’s events to the master.”

At these words, Zhao Dabao’s face turned ashen. He knew he’d really messed up this time—his family’s business might truly suffer as a result.

Shen Xiuyan, standing nearby, also felt a pang in his heart…

His beloved had never worn anything under fifty taels. The “huge splurge” he just made on that hairpin—was it even worth giving now?

Wuwuwu… his future wife seemed like she’d be really expensive to support.

But no matter how expensive, he would still support her. He would work hard!

Shen Xiuyan clenched his fists!

Meanwhile, Zhao Dabao was still trembling with fear. Su Mingyue no longer even looked at him and instead walked straight to Shen Xiuyan.

She hadn’t expected to run into Shen Lang at the gold shop today, much less that he would speak up against those disgusting men on her behalf.

Her heart bubbled with sweetness—at this moment, she wished she could just take his hand and pour out all her feelings.

But no, this was a public place, and others didn’t know that they were acquainted.

So Su Mingyue wore a gentle smile and spoke softly, “Thank you, young master, for speaking up for me.”

“No need to thank me. It was the right thing to do.” Shen Xiuyan returned her smile.

Anyone watching would praise them as a perfect couple.

Except for Zhao Dabao. He was on the verge of tears seeing Su Mingyue’s completely different attitude. Why treat this scholar with such gentleness while being so harsh to him? It wasn’t fair!

They were both men—how could Miss Su be so blatantly biased?

This scholar only looked slightly better than him.

Okay… maybe more than slightly…

So it’s all about looks now? Really?

Behind Zhao Dabao, his lackeys—whose family backgrounds were even worse than his—were shaking with fear. After all, just a word from Miss Su could ruin them.

The one who had been shoved aside earlier for his “bad omen” comment suddenly lit up when he recognized Shen Xiuyan.

He spoke timidly from the crowd, “Young Master Shen, long time no see.”

Shen Xiuyan froze. Where did this drinking buddy come from…

Did he show up here just to get him in trouble?

Not wanting to carry the burden of the original body’s misdeeds, he could only play dumb. “Do we know each other?”

“Of course we do. Look closely—it’s me, Little Lin. We drank together, went to the Pleasure House together—Little Lin!”

Shen Xiuyan: “……”

This guy really knew how to say the wrong thing at the worst time. Shen Xiuyan’s glare practically screamed murder.

Little Lin tilted his head. Did he say something wrong?

Why did Young Master Shen look like he wanted to kill him?

Under Shen Xiuyan’s cold, blank stare, Little Lin shivered and hugged himself tightly.

Su Mingyue found the whole scene boring. These people were just wasting her time chatting with Shen Lang, so she waved her hand grandly. “All of you, get lost right now, or else you’re going to regret it.”

Hearing that, everyone sighed in relief. “Yes, yes, we’re leaving right away.”

“We’re going, we’re going. Miss Su, please calm down.”

“We’ll get out of your sight right now.”

“Wait.” Su Mingyue called out again. “Take your stuff with you. Don’t leave it here to dirty my eyes.”

“Yes, yes.” Zhao Dabao scrambled back like a dog with its tail between its legs.

He grabbed the jewelry and ran as fast as he could, as if wolves were chasing him.

Shen Xiuyan watched the expensive jewelry being taken away, feeling both relieved and disappointed.

Relieved that he hadn’t rashly given the hairpin, but disappointed he couldn’t give his beloved a gift right away.

But the penniless Shen Xiuyan wasn’t disheartened at all. In fact, his fighting spirit was ignited.

So what if his future wife is hard to support? Does that mean he won’t pursue her?

No way!

A girl this much to his taste—if he missed this chance, he’d never get another one. What happened today would only motivate him to work even harder to make money!!!

No, making money was secondary!

He didn’t have the same obsession as the original host and had already given up on the imperial exam. But now he realized that wouldn’t do.

If he had the status of a Xiucai, Zhao Dabao would never have dared to disrespect him.

In this ancient world, power really was everything. Not for others, but for the safety of his future family, he had to pass the exam.

As for whether he’d fail—that wasn’t even worth worrying about.

He had fought through the national college entrance exam and came out as the top scorer in the country. A little Xiucai exam? If he wanted it, there was nothing he couldn’t do!

Let’s go, Shen Xiuyan! There’ll be bread, and there’ll be a wife too!!!

Su Mingyue saw Shen Xiuyan standing there dazed and waved her hand in front of his face. “Shen Lang? What’s wrong? Did they scare you? Don’t worry! I’ll tell my father when I get home to give you justice!”

Shen Xiuyan couldn’t help but chuckle at how puffed-up she looked.

His beloved was just too adorable.

He couldn’t help himself and reached out to pinch her cheek.

Once he realized what he had done, he panicked. They weren’t even in a relationship yet, and he had just casually touched a girl’s face—wasn’t that totally inappropriate?

Why couldn’t he hold himself back…

Shen Xiuyan closed his eyes, bracing himself for Su Mingyue’s fury.

But her reaction left him stunned.

She didn’t get angry about his touch. Instead, she blushed furiously, looked around everywhere but at him, acting as if nothing had happened.

But inside, Su Mingyue was screaming: Aaaaaaahhhh!!! Shen Lang just pinched my face, I love him so much~~~~~~~~

At that moment, both of them had the same thought: He/She really loves me!

A hazy, flirtatious atmosphere filled the air.

After finally calming the blush on her cheeks, Su Mingyue casually changed the subject. “That guy earlier said he knew you, and that you went to Mingyue Pavilion together. You really don’t know him?”

As soon as she said it, Su Mingyue realized she’d said something wrong…

What was with that questioning tone? Hadn’t she already promised Shen Lang she’d trust him?

Su Mingyue, how could you ruin the mood like this, you big dummy!

Shen Xiuyan was speechless: “……”

Really, had to bring that up at this moment…

The vibe had been perfect, and now she had to ruin it…

Why did he have to keep taking the blame for things the original host had done? Little Shen did not want to carry the blame, so he declared firmly, “Whether I knew him or not before doesn’t matter—starting today, I definitely! do! not! know! him!”

Shen Xiuyan’s survival instincts were in full swing, and Su Mingyue, feeling guilty about her earlier misstep, burst out laughing.