Xie Yanlai knew how crazy this girl could be—previously beating people, stealing money, disguising herself and putting on an act, and later provoking the Third Prince and organizing that Chu Garden literary gathering.
But this girl wasn’t a reckless fool either—she was cunning and knew how to assess situations.
If earlier at Yaqu Pavilion she had seen him, Xie Yanlai could be certain she would jump out to grab him and loudly call his name.
Because she believed she could continue to blackmail him, then have him deliver a letter to her father.
But now, he wasn’t that Xie family young master sitting in a restaurant surrounded by people, bright and glamorous. Although still a Xie family young master, he was being publicly cursed in the streets under众目睽睽, his reputation in tatters, unfit to be human.
At this moment, even a lunatic or fool wouldn’t want to get involved with him.
This damned girl’s brain must be broken!
Even if she still wanted to use him, wouldn’t it be better to watch the excitement from upstairs and wait for another opportunity?
Xie Yanlai glared fiercely at the girl before him. The girl also looked at him.
“So you’re from the Xie family,” she said with a half-smile. “No wonder you kept it hidden.”
At a time like this? She was still talking about this?
“Chu—” Xie Yanlai lowered his voice, grinding his teeth. “You ran out here just to tell me this?”
He looked at her, his phoenix eyes mocking.
“Did all that competing break your brain?”
This brat—still as sharp-tongued as before! Chu Zhao raised her eyebrows.
……
……
The clamor on the street stopped. Countless gazes froze on the young man and girl, not knowing what was happening.
“Who is this person?” “Is she this young master’s sister?” “His wife?”
Many people whispered inquiries.
This girl wasn’t unknown now, and soon people recognized her.
“It’s Miss Chu.” “Miss Chu from the Chu Garden literary gathering.” “Who’s that?” “She’s quite formidable.”
Many people immediately introduced her to those who didn’t know.
“Her father is Chu Ling. You know Chu Ling, right?”
“No. Does that mean she’s also a privileged descendant?”
“Not exactly. Miss Chu is formidable, but it doesn’t have much to do with her father.” “She did some impressive things herself. But her father is also very impressive—it’s a long story to tell—”
“Make it short then.”
The new recruit grabbed Zhang Gu, swaying left and right listening to the various accounts, his eyes shining. Amazing—even a random girl who appeared in this capital had so many stories.
At first, he also thought she was this young man’s lover.
“So it’s Miss Chu.” “But why did Miss Chu run out?” “She probably can’t bear to see such bloody scenes, right?” “Girls—the more talented and learned they are, the less they can stand these things.”
The new recruit heard this and strongly agreed, nodding repeatedly. But looking at Zhang Gu beside him, his expression was even stranger, seeming both relieved and more tense, his hands clenched together, even with faint moisture in his eyes—
Zhang Gu didn’t know how to describe his feelings anymore—ups and downs, mixed emotions.
He hadn’t expected Miss Chu to be here too.
The lovers had finally met.
But meeting in such a scene—how sad the girl must be.
The citizens on the street discussed among themselves. The girls upstairs in the restaurant were also shocked.
“She didn’t go down to see more clearly from the street?” Qi Leyun gripped the railing, leaning forward and looking hard, confirming she wasn’t seeing things.
She had been watching the whole time and saw Chu Zhao rush down, rush through the crowd, rush in front of that young man, then spread her arms to shield him, and then that young man turned around and protected Chu Zhao in front of him.
The girls instantly fell silent.
Qi Leyun turned to look at Chu Tang, asking everyone’s question: “Does she know this Xie Yanlai?”
Chu Tang covered her face with her hand and said: “What? I didn’t see anything. I don’t know anything either. She hasn’t been in the capital long. She and I aren’t actually that close.”
What? The girls were in an uproar.
What was going on?
If she didn’t know him, what was Chu Zhao doing?
The young gentlemen by the window were also stunned. Liang Qiang held his teacup motionless, looking at the girl on the street in disbelief—he still couldn’t quite see her. That young man was too tall and blocked the view.
At first, he didn’t recognize it was Chu Zhao. Seeing a girl suddenly rush out and raise her hands to shield that young man, he mocked her as some lovesick young girl going crazy—
Everything happened too fast. Before he could see the girl clearly, she was protected in front of that young man.
Until the discussions arose and Chu Zhao’s name spread.
“This is impossible!” he said through gritted teeth, staring fixedly at the two people on the street.
How could Chu Zhao protect that beast, that scum, that murderous arsonist Xie family son!