After Song Mu sat quietly for a while, he saw Zhou Shaojin walking in accompanied by a maid.
He stood up with a smile.
His movements were composed, his bearing refined and scholarly.
Chun Wan couldn’t help but look at him a few more times.
Song Mu keenly sensed Chun Wan’s difference in attitude.
Could it be that Miss Zhou’s departure was related to their matchmaking? Otherwise, why would the personal maid who hadn’t even glanced at him from the corner of her eye earlier now be looking at him like this!
He just didn’t know what Miss Zhou’s intentions were.
His heart rose high with anxiety. Suddenly he didn’t quite dare look at Zhou Shaojin, and instead settled for looking toward Chun Wan.
Chun Wan respectfully curtsied to him along with Zhou Shaojin, showing a kind smile.
Song Mu secretly breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling that things seemed to be developing favorably for him. His heart settled as he smiled and looked toward Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin’s complexion was still somewhat pale, but her expression had already recovered its gracious composure.
Thinking of how there had been no one serving in the courtyard earlier, she instructed Chun Wan: “Brew a fresh pot of tea for the young master.”
Chun Wan smiled and agreed with an “Yes,” then turned and went to the tea room.
The corners of Song Mu’s mouth couldn’t help but turn up.
Zhou Shaojin watched and quietly sighed in her heart. After thinking for a moment, she walked over to the fish tank.
Song Mu gave up his seat for her.
“No need.” Zhou Shaojin smiled. “I just have a few words I’d like to say to Young Master Song.”
It wasn’t very convenient across the pathway like this.
Song Mu obviously thought the same, his expression showing slight embarrassment as he said: “Please speak, Second Miss.”
Zhou Shaojin pondered for a moment, then said carefully: “Does the young master know what the elders intend?”
Song Mu’s face immediately turned red as if blood could drip from it. He nodded.
“I didn’t know before I came.” Zhou Shaojin said slowly. “If I had known, I definitely wouldn’t have come…”
Song Mu was stunned. The flush on his face slowly faded.
Zhou Shaojin felt very apologetic, but had to say: “I know that children’s marriages should properly follow the parents’ commands and matchmaker’s words. But there’s someone in my heart… only when I’m with him do I not feel afraid… You’re a good person… modest and proper, reserved and steady. I can’t deceive you even more… Our matter cannot succeed. Only then will you be able to find someone who truly treats you well and respects you from the bottom of their heart…”
Song Mu felt as if he’d been struck by lightning.
There’s someone in my heart… only when I’m with him do I not feel afraid…
These two sentences echoed repeatedly in his mind. He stood there dumbly for quite a while before coming to his senses.
“So that’s how it is!” he murmured, his heart a jumble of mixed feelings, at a complete loss for what to say or do.
Zhou Shaojin felt terrible watching him.
Anyone who came with such sincerity to view a match only to be rejected so directly by the young lady would feel utterly humiliated!
But she couldn’t let things continue developing this way.
Unless she wanted to marry Song Mu. Otherwise, if she remained vague at this point, once the two families formally discussed the marriage and she changed her mind later, the harm wouldn’t just be to Song Mu, but also to both the Zhou and Song families and to Cheng Chi who was wholeheartedly making plans for her.
But why didn’t he tell her?
Did he hope so much for her to marry away?
Thinking of this, Zhou Shaojin felt her heart break.
She shouldn’t like Cheng Chi.
But couldn’t he, considering that she was still young, let her stay at home for two more years?
This was like plunging a knife into her chest.
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes reddened slightly.
She said quietly: “Young Master Song, I know this matter is my fault. You can treat me however you wish. I’ll go apologize to the Old Master. I’ll also go apologize to Madam. I hope you won’t be so angry—I didn’t intentionally mean to embarrass you. If I don’t make things clear with you now, would you rather I deceive you for a lifetime…”
You’re so certain I would find you suitable!
Song Mu was furious and sneered, about to mock Zhou Shaojin with a few cutting remarks. But when he looked up, he saw her tear-stained face—pale, delicate, yet filled with desperate pain.
He was suddenly struck silent.
In all his years, Song Mu had never seen such an expression on anyone’s face.
As if she would die hopelessly in the next breath.
He couldn’t help but stammer: “If you don’t find me suitable, then you don’t—you, you don’t need to be like this…”
Zhou Shaojin forcibly held back her tears.
Kind people are always easily hurt, and always easily forgive others!
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” Zhou Shaojin kept saying. “This matter is all my fault…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” No woman had ever apologized to him like this before. He felt somewhat embarrassed: “As long as we’ve made things clear…”