"..." A wry smile bloomed as the wind began to stir.
Song Xu, seeing the smile suddenly appear on Feng Qishi's face, narcissistically assumed he had agreed. "I've forgotten the name of that woman. If possible, I'll take you to find her now, and then..."
"There is no 'then'," Feng Qishi interrupted. He never liked Song Xu's habit of loving whoever he saw, but since it was Song Xu's preference, he could only turn a blind eye, not wanting to strain their relationship too much.
Who knew that his silence would lead Song Xu to believe he was easy to talk to? This was how Song Xu felt his own ideas didn't need to be hidden anymore.
Hearing Feng Qishi's words, Song Xu immediately changed his tune. "Why are you so stingy? It's just a woman. Giving her to me won't cost you a piece of flesh," he growled.
Feng Qishi let out a soft snort. "You still know how to speak softly and have some shame."
"You..."
"A woman is also a person, not an object. Moreover, that woman works in my residence. As the master, I have the right to protect her safety."
"Look at what you're saying. Follow me, and I will spoil her even more. Besides, it's called 'turning over a new leaf,' do you understand?" Song Xu always considered himself a man of integrity, and after saying these words, he couldn't help but be moved by himself.
Conversely, Feng Qishi completely disregarded Song Xu. "I don't understand."
"You don't understand, then you don't understand. I..."
"However," Feng Qishi interrupted him.
Song Xu immediately showed a disdainful expression. "What do you want to say now?"
"However, I know that you are a man with a fleeting interest. If I give that woman to you, I would only be harming her."
Song Xu didn't like Feng Qishi's words and clicked his tongue. "I like her."
"If these words were spoken by a man without your peculiar habits, I might believe it was love at first sight. You," Feng Qishi snorted, "I don't believe it."
"We are friends."
"We are friends, but precisely because we are friends, I understand your character. Similarly, I want to protect them," Feng Qishi said, deliberately making his intentions clear.
Finally, Song Xu became angry. "Whatever you want, I'll give it. Shen Moyun, how can you treat me like this? It's too much," he said, widening his eyes.
"If I remember correctly, there are quite a few beautiful women in your residence," Feng Qishi revealed.
Hearing Feng Qishi say this, Song Xu became embarrassed. "No, they aren't as beautiful as this woman."
Feng Qishi snorted coldly.
Upon hearing this, Song Xu immediately frowned. "I'm telling the truth. Can you not give me such an attitude? It's really..." He felt shy under Feng Qishi's gaze. "Hurtful."
"If you know it's hurtful, then don't push my boundaries. I have other matters to attend to shortly, so you should leave now."
"Please," Song Xu made a final plea.
"Begging me is useless. The maids in my residence have all signed contracts..."
"I can buy her freedom," Song Xu interrupted excitedly.
Feng Qishi showed disdain. "Do you think I'm a madam? The contract I'm talking about is for work."
"Since it's work, it doesn't involve her personal life," Song Xu said, picking at his words.
Feng Qishi's face hardened.
Seeing this, Song Xu smiled sheepishly at Feng Qishi and said, "Don't be so stubborn. She's just a maid. If you don't want to give her to me, I'll give you money to buy her, alright?"
"No."
"Can you stop being so rigid? You're helping her, not harming her. Following me means she'll live a life of luxury. With you," Song Xu said, looking around, "she's suffering. I truly can't bear to see her suffer anymore." After speaking, his eyes became earnest.
Feng Qishi continued to look at Song Xu calmly and said coldly, "You are truly skilled at praising yourself and demeaning others."
"What I said is the truth. If she comes to me, she'll be a madam. With you, she's a servant. You... just stop being difficult. It's tiring to deal with this so early in the morning." Song Xu made a final effort.
"It is tiring. Seeing you and hearing your words makes it even more so."
"You..." Song Xu stopped mid-sentence, then a sudden idea struck him, and he smiled. "Since that's the case, don't blame me for being impolite."
"You want to be impolite to me?" Feng Qishi scanned Song Xu from head to toe. "If you dare to speak carelessly outside, I will cut out your tongue. I believe you know I have that right." He knew... Song Xu would surely bring up Gu Yan.
"You..."
"Stop with the 'you.' I need to go. I'm busy," Feng Qishi said and walked away first.
Song Xu knew Feng Qishi was avoiding him, so without a second thought, he followed closely behind.
On the other side.
Mu Anxiao stood beneath the rockery, looking up at the sky, thinking about Feng Qishi's attitude towards her not long ago. Her heart sank. She raised a hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes and muttered, "That guy is so annoying." As she said this, she sniffled and turned around. The moment she turned, her face instantly became cold.
"You put on a cold face as soon as you see me," Ouyang Ye said as he walked over.
Mu Anxiao looked dismissive and was about to speak when Ouyang Ye fixed his gaze on her eyes, interrupting her. "You've been crying."
"..." Mu Anxiao couldn't be bothered to speak and intended to walk around him and leave.
Seeing this, Ouyang Ye immediately reached out and blocked Mu Anxiao. "What, want to leave?"
"..." Without a word, Mu Anxiao lowered her head and looked at Ouyang Ye's hand blocking her path. Without thinking, she turned away.
Ouyang Ye saw this and quickly said, "Mu Anxiao, stop." As he spoke, he strode forward and embraced Mu Anxiao directly from behind.
Mu Anxiao's body stiffened. She lifted her foot and stomped hard on Ouyang Ye's foot while struggling fiercely.
Ouyang Ye let Mu Anxiao thrash about and held her tighter. "If you keep struggling, I won't let go."
Mu Anxiao clearly heard Ouyang Ye's words and stopped struggling. "Let me go," she said, glancing sideways.
Ouyang Ye: "If you promise to talk to me properly, I'll let you go."
Similarly, Mu Anxiao knew Ouyang Ye was a scoundrel and would persist if she didn't agree. Helpless, she could only choose to compromise. "Fine, let me go," she said, her tone extremely cold.
However, Ouyang Ye didn't care about Mu Anxiao's attitude at all. "Be obedient, it won't hurt you," he said and got up.
Immediately, Mu Anxiao took a step forward, turned around, faced Ouyang Ye, and said coldly, "You've achieved your goal, so why are you still looking for me?"
"I want to."
"You..."
"I think this is what they call an unwanted admirer," Ouyang Ye suddenly said.
Mu Anxiao didn't understand Ouyang Ye's words and immediately frowned. "..."
"You don't understand," Ouyang Ye deduced from Mu Anxiao's expression.