Although Jie Yu was being groomed as the heir and appeared respectable, he actually had a fondness for novelties.
He clearly wanted to try fishing in the lake.
However, Jie Yu couldn't bring himself to leave Zhou Yu alone on the shore.
Zhou Yu's current standing in the Jie family was even higher than that of Jie Yu, the heir.
If the Jie family patriarch found out later, Jie Yu would undoubtedly be reprimanded.
Just as Jie Yu was in a dilemma, Zhu Ling'er smiled and spoke.
"It's fine, you two go ahead and enjoy yourselves. I still have a small boat here, which is enough for me and Dr. Zhou to cruise in.
After all, you are guests of the Zhu family, and I can't let anyone be disappointed!"
Zhu Ling'er's words resolved Jie Yu's predicament.
He didn't even stop to think why it wasn't he himself who would be in a boat with Zhou Yu, but Zhu Ling'er instead.
He boarded the boat immediately!
However, Jie Shishi, being a girl, was more perceptive.
So, she had somewhat figured out Zhu Ling'er's intentions.
She gave Zhu Ling'er a thoughtful look before boarding the boat with Jie Yu.
"Dr. Zhou, shall we go together?"
After the Jie siblings gradually rowed their fishing boat away, Zhu Ling'er said to Zhou Yu with a giggle.
Zhou Yu looked at the small boat that had been brought out.
After a moment's hesitation, he said, "You go have fun by yourself. I'll wait for you on the shore."
During this period, Zhou Yu had been frequenting the Zhu residence.
He had met Zhu Ling'er more and more often.
At the same time, Zhou Yu noticed that Zhu Ling'er seemed to have feelings for him and was constantly pursuing him.
This realization gave Zhou Yu a terrible headache!
If it were anyone else, Zhou Yu wouldn't have been so troubled.
The main reason was that he had a betrothal with Zhu Ling'er!
He had originally planned to propose to annul the engagement when the opportunity arose.
However, with Zhu Ling'er's current enthusiasm, it would be difficult to break off the engagement.
The only fortunate thing was that the Zhu family, it seemed, had not yet recognized Zhou Yu as Zhu Ling'er's betrothed.
They still thought Zhou Yu was just someone with the same name!
When Zhu Ling'er heard that Zhou Yu didn't want to board, she immediately became unhappy, pouting her lips.
"Dr. Zhou, do you have a problem with me?"
"I'll be bored to death if I cruise alone!"
Saying this, Zhu Ling'er didn't hesitate at all. She came up and took Zhou Yu's arm, shaking it and acting spoiled, "Just keep me company, okay!"
To be fair, when Zhu Ling'er acted spoiled,
it was indeed enough to make anyone's heart melt!
Ordinary men would be unable to resist!
Unfortunately, Zhou Yu was not an ordinary person.
He couldn't avoid it and took two steps back, widening the distance between himself and Zhu Ling'er.
Then he said, "It's not appropriate. Men and women should maintain a proper distance."
A man and a woman alone on a small boat cruising on the lake.
Who wouldn't get carried away if they heard about it?
Beautiful women are appealing, but one must not be greedy!
"It seems Dr. Zhou really dislikes me."
"Alas, never mind, I'll go find my father..."
Zhu Ling'er said dejectedly and turned to leave.
This startled Zhou Yu.
The Jie family patriarch was currently negotiating with the Zhu family patriarch.
If Zhu Ling'er went over, wouldn't it disrupt the atmosphere?
He didn't know how far their negotiations had progressed!
Thinking of this, Zhou Yu gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, they still have a while to talk.
We'll go on the boat!"
Saying this, Zhou Yu boarded the small boat first.
Zhu Ling'er's tears turned into a smile, and a hint of triumphant joy flashed in her eyes!
Hmph!
He didn't want to be alone with her?
Then she would go and disrupt the cooperation between the Zhu and Jie families!
As she thought about it, Zhu Ling'er lifted her skirt and followed Zhou Yu onto the small boat.
This boat was originally used for leisurely cruising, so it was not equipped with an engine.
It required manual rowing to move.
Given Zhu Ling'er was wearing a dress, it was naturally inconvenient for her to row.
This arduous task fell upon Zhou Yu.
Zhu Ling'er took out the bento box and placed it on the small table.
Then she propped up her chin and meticulously admired Zhou Yu rowing, feeling a surge of satisfaction!
When the small boat was rowed to the center of the lake,
Zhu Ling'er beckoned to Zhou Yu, "Dr. Zhou, are you tired? I've already brewed some tea. Have some."
Not just tea, but snacks were also prepared.
It would be unbelievable if Zhu Ling'er hadn't prepared in advance.
Zhou Yu, hearing this, also felt a bit thirsty. He immediately sat opposite Zhu Ling'er and raised his hand to pour tea.
"How do you like my man-made lake?" Zhu Ling'er asked with a smile.
Zhou Yu looked around.
The Zhu family had indeed spent a considerable amount of manpower and resources to create this artificial lake.
Around the lake, there were plants and trees planted everywhere.
In the center of the lake, there was also a small island that had been reclaimed.
Although it wasn't large, it was exquisitely designed!
"It's not bad. It would be even better if it were a bit bigger," Zhou Yu commented.
Zhu Ling'er tilted her head, "How big would be suitable?
Zhou Yu had just said it casually and hadn't thought that much about it.
Being asked this way, he was instantly stumped.
Fortunately, Zhu Ling'er did not intend to dwell on this issue.
She stretched out her hand, feeling the lake breeze, and said with a smile, "If Dr. Zhou likes it, you can stay at my place for a few more days!
"After all, the Zhu and Jie families are already cooperating, so it would be more convenient for Dr. Zhou to be here.
"At that time, you can expand this lake as much as you want, how about it?"
Zhou Yu looked at Zhu Ling'er's smiling face and felt quite uneasy!
Her words didn't sound like an invitation for Zhou Yu to be a guest,
but rather like an invitation for Zhou Yu to become the master of the Zhu family...
Zhou Yu coughed awkwardly, forming his hand into a circle and placing it near his mouth to conceal it.
He said to Zhu Ling'er, "No need. Elder Master Jie's health has not fully recovered, and I need to check on him frequently."
Zhu Ling'er hadn't expected Zhou Yu to agree immediately anyway.
So, she just nodded in disappointment.
Just as she was about to invite Zhou Yu to eat together,
suddenly, they heard the sound of Jie Yu and Jie Shishi arguing from not far away.
"I told you, you have to use this bait! You're using fake bait, and you won't catch anything!"
Jie Shishi's voice was loud and carried by the wind.
Jie Yu retorted indignantly, snorting, "Why all the fuss? It's clearly your movement that's too loud and scared away the fish under the boat!"
"Just shut up!"
Jie Shishi's face turned red with anger at Jie Yu's words.
Just as she was about to retort,
her peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of Zhou Yu's small boat not far away.
She was about to wave hello when
she suddenly realized that the fishing boat she was on was accelerating!
"Brother! What's happening!"
The fishing boat was heading straight towards Zhou Yu's small boat.
This was the middle of the lake!
Jie Shishi was so scared that her face turned pale!
Jie Yu wasn't much better.
When he was arguing with Jie Shishi, he had accidentally pushed the fishing boat's engine to the maximum.
This was on the water, and there was no way to brake suddenly!
The inertia was tremendous!
So now, Jie Yu couldn't even control the boat's direction.
He could only watch helplessly as the fishing boat crashed towards them.