Chapter 237: Chapter 237: Because I Like You
Qu Fulan didn’t catch the underlying meaning.
In fact, taking the words literally, Heir Pei’s question didn’t really have any ambiguity.
It seemed like a competitive noble young man wanting to understand others’ thoughts, or more accurately, wanting to gain their approval.
Of course, Qu Fulan knew that Heir Pei wasn’t that kind of person; he wasn’t so immature as to need others’ encouragement to succeed.
Yet he asked her this question now.
In such a close manner, with a somewhat gentle tone.
Even someone like Qu Fulan, who was wholly devoted to her career, could sense a slight different vibe.
She had never felt this way before, her heart trembling slightly as if a young deer were running wild inside.
In modern times, even facing her childhood sweetheart, she never felt this way; back then, it was more about habit, being used to relying on him.
But now, she felt a bit at a loss and uneasy about this entirely unfamiliar sensation, her cheeks and ears somewhat hot.
Luckily, night had fallen and the lanterns hanging high above the door weren’t enough to illuminate her face.
Qu Fulan didn’t know how to answer. Truth be told, she hoped Heir Pei would win, so Xiao Shiqing would stop clinging to her.
If this was before the "gift of the house incident", she would have said it without hesitation, but now... she didn’t dare to speak lightly for fear of causing a misunderstanding.
Pei Ji’an seemed indifferent to the answer, stood up straight, smiled at her, and said in a relaxed, natural tone, "Take a walk with me. I’ve been busy with official duties and haven’t had the leisure to enjoy the bustling night market of the Capital City in a long time."
"But, wouldn’t that be inappropriate?" Qu Fulan didn’t resist the idea. If it were just with an ordinary man, it wouldn’t matter since no one knew her anyway. But this was Pei Ji’an, such a renowned figure. Walking with a woman today, and by tomorrow the whole city might know.
However, Pei Ji’an was already prepared. He gave a slight nod toward the guards, and someone came up with a set of men’s clothing.
With the maids’ help, it didn’t take long for Qu Fulan to change. In just about the time of an incense stick burning, she came out of the room, donned in an appropriate men’s outfit, with her hair tied up high in a ponytail, wearing a jade crown, and a jade piece at her waist, looking quite spry and handsome.
She was just a bit short, with a slender, youthful look. Walking beside Pei Ji’an, she seemed like an underdeveloped little brother.
The two soon walked out of the alley, onto the bustling street.
The street was full of red lanterns, peddlers calling out on both sides, a scene full of prosperity.
Qu Fulan seemed to be experiencing a leisurely stroll through the Capital City night market for the first time, feeling quite different inside.
Indeed, people need to occasionally slow down and appreciate everything around them to truly feel the beauty of the world.
Unconsciously, a smile appeared on Qu Fulan’s face. She liked everything she saw, wanting to touch everything.
She looked here and there, her heart blooming with joy.
Pei Ji’an followed unhurriedly with his hands behind his back, looking pleased.
There was someone selling candied haws by the roadside, and Qu Fulan glanced at them a few times.
"Do you want one?" Pei Ji’an asked.
But Qu Fulan shook her head.
In the Capital City, there were so many famous snacks from north to south, like He Hua pastries, lotus root osmanthus cakes, spring rolls, marinated goose feet, marinated duck tongues, sugar-steamed crisp milk, steamed chestnut cakes, lotus flour osmanthus candy, chicken oil rolls, crab-stuffed dumplings, pine oil goose rolls, wishful cake ducks, meat porridge with almonds, tea cream pine nut pancakes, spicy tripe, goose liver, crab roe soup buns, grilled cakes, and more, all dazzling to the eyes.
With so many delicious snacks, how could she just think about candied haws?
The reason she looked twice was only to see the difference between ancient candied haws and modern ones.
She remembered a movie where some man’s mother bought him a stick of candied haws. He only ate two pieces before she died, and he kept that stick until he grew up. When he opened it, the remaining haws were all dried up, but still looked so delicious.
That scene left a deep impression on her, making her think of candied haws as the best-tasting thing. Later, when she grew up and went to a big city, she finally tasted candied haws, and it felt a bit disillusioning.
Just fruit wrapped in a layer of sugar, nothing more.
So sometimes, when people think of something, it’s just about the sentiment, maybe about the bygone youth, or perhaps the protagonist’s yearning for his mother in the movie, making that stick of candied haws significant.
Moreover, she didn’t like overly sweet things now. She preferred spicy food, needing spice to enjoy.
So she stopped at a stall and ordered marinated goose feet, marinated duck tongues, spicy tripe, and chicken oil rolls, all heavy flavors.
The Heir Pei only ordered some light foods. He wasn’t picky; he’d eat good food if there was any, or make do without. But it depended on the company. If it were An Ruchang and the others here, he wouldn’t join them.
Qu Fulan was different. She was picky, especially since she also liked cooking, which made her often fall into a professional habit when eating others’ food.
"This flavor isn’t right, not authentic enough. It needs another spice to be perfect."
"This chili isn’t done well; it’s better plain."
"This isn’t flavorful enough; it wasn’t marinated long enough."
Most people would be fine with it, but she was picky, so there was no helping it.
"Am I affecting your eating? It’s a professional habit, sorry." Qu Fulan realized when she noticed Heir Pei hadn’t moved his chopsticks much.
"It’s no problem. I find what you say quite interesting."
This was interesting?
Qu Fulan wanted to roll her eyes but was reminded of a joke when she saw a noodle shop nearby.
"Once there was someone with a stutter who went to eat noodles. He thought they lacked flavor and asked the owner to add more salt. The owner brought out the salt shaker. The man said, ’Add,’ the owner added, then heard him say ’Add’ again. Thinking the man had a heavy taste, he added more salt. When the man said ’Add’ again, the owner was puzzled. Just when he was about to ask, he heard the man say, ’... Add a bit less.’"
"Pfft!" Pei Ji’an couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Then Pei Ji’an told Qu Fulan a joke too, making her laugh heartily. The two of them walked all the way, chatting and laughing, making the evening especially light and joyful.
Finally, they slowly walked back to Gaoyi Lane, where Qu Fulan thought they’d simply say goodbye and end the day perfectly.
Instead, Pei Ji’an brought up the topic of the house again, and not just that.
He said, "I intended to give you that house even before you left Pei Mansion. I know you’re different from others. You wouldn’t be content to stay in the back residence; you would leave sooner or later. Your ideals and pursuits couldn’t be hidden, so I let you go when you said you wanted to leave. If it were someone else, I wouldn’t have agreed so easily. Do you know why?"
This sudden situation caught Qu Fulan without any experience, leaving her heart in chaos and her unable to speak a word.
"Because I like you."
Among so many women, only she easily captured his heart.