Lian Manman never thought about being a vine dependent on others; her vision was to grow into a towering tree herself.
So, was Shen Liu’s initial reaction a form of protection for them?
Lian Manman looked at Shen Liu.
"So, what now?" Lian Manman asked Shen Liu.
"You co now to ask what to do, didn’t you just storm off earlier, making things more complicated?" Shen Liu replied, looking back at Lian Manman and snorting through his nose.
After saying this, Shen Liu turned his head and focused on tending to his grilled fish.
Lian Manman sat there, trying to maintain a smile on her face, while she criticized him in her heart. Talking about her storming off, she really felt like giving Shen Liu the cold shoulder. At that ti, Shen Liu handled it that way without explaining to her, how could she have guessed his intentions? Moreover, after seeing that maid’s ambiguous interactions with Shen Liu and knowing that the maid acted out of jealousy towards her, anyone would have concluded that Shen Liu was trying to cover up for his favorite.
What about slow and deliberate tactics? Who knew how Shen Liu would turn things later, blinded by beauty, prioritizing love over friendship, forgetting loyalty because of infatuation, who knew?
Lian Manman secretly shot a disdainful look at the back of Shen Liu’s head.
Shen Liu had no eyes in the back of his head, so he didn’t see Lian Manman’s expression; otherwise, he would certainly have been angrier. Indeed, while Lian Manman criticized Shen Liu in her heart, Shen Liu was absentmindedly grilling fish, but his mind was elsewhere.
Shen Liu thought about whether he hadn’t done enough already. Who else would make him hide in his study, unable to openly appear when his subordinates arrived, needing to sneak out through a secret passage not to escape but to circle back and help Lian Manman out of a predicant! Did Lian Manman know what Zhang Shisan’s expression and face looked like then?
Why did he agree to it? Lian Manman was clearly terrified at that mont and ca up with foolish ideas, so why did he listen to her?
Also, entering the study in the fake mountain without permission, even if inadvertently or tricked into doing so, shouldn’t be easily forgiven. Yet he said and did nothing to bla Lian Manman, treating it as if it never happened.
He had done so much, but why couldn’t Lian Manman appreciate his painstaking efforts, storming off and sending back her mother’s headwear, claiming she was heading to her uncle’s house, obviously deciding not to associate with him anymore.
It’s simply preposterous!
Yet even more preposterous was him, after being angered and smashing an Inkstone, he actually...
Now Cai Xiu had been dealt with, and he personally went down to invite Lian Manman back several tis. But how did this little girl repay him? Coming to the Nian Garden yet not entering Evergreen Garden, walking out of Lotus Pavilion earlier, seeing him from afar, she didn’t think to co directly and speak, but wanted to take a detour.
In the pavilion, although he couldn’t hear Lian Manman’s words, he saw her expressions and actions clearly, and he absolutely couldn’t be mistaken.
The aroma of the grilled fish grew stronger, and Lian Manman moved a bit on the embroidered stool, gently coughing once.
Shen Liu finally turned his head again.
"The matter has passed, you don’t need to worry, I have arrangents. Going forward, rest assured, such things won’t happen again." Shen Liu cast a glance at Lian Manman. Today, Lian Manman wore an ocher yellow blouse and skirt, which highlighted her rosy complexion and picturesque features.
The green hills, blue waters, red railings, and the woman in a pale yellow garnt before him, this scene was worthy of a painting, a poem, a toast.
"My na, you already know... Even if sothing happens, why fear?" Shen Liu said softly.
Shen Liu’s na, with a single character "Nuo," signifies a promise of a thousand gold. Shen Liu encouraged her not to fear and to face any situation without fear; was he talking about that promise he made to her long ago, or sothing else?
Having known Shen Liu for so long, it was only yesterday she learned his na.
Lian Manman recalled the news Xiao Xi and Xiao Qing heard yesterday, saying Cai Xiu wouldn’t last a few days. She thought Shen Liu must have made thorough arrangents.
Perhaps she should reassess her importance in Shen Liu’s heart and grant him more trust?
"Okay." Lian Manman thought for a mont and nodded to Shen Liu, indicating she would try to do so.
The matter was resolved satisfactorily, and after speaking openly with Shen Liu, Lian Manman felt quite pleased.
"Sixth Master, this grilled fish really slls nice. Is there a secret recipe?" Lian Manman smiled at Shen Liu. Every person in a high position needs to be flattered a bit. Flattery works when everything else fails, and if Shen Liu was pleased enough to tell her the secret recipe for the grilled fish, that would be even better.
"Okay." Shen Liu nodded in return, his mood lightened by seeing the trace of mischievousness in Lian Manman’s smile.
The fish was ready, and Shen Liu called for soone to serve it on a platter, placing two fish separately, with small bowls on the side containing slices of small lis chilled with ice.
Lian Manman couldn’t help but feel her mouth water at the sight.
"Eat." Shen Liu handed chopsticks to Lian Manman, telling her.
But Lian Manman stood up. She had been inside the pavilion for a long ti and hadn’t forgotten her original plan to visit Xiao Qi at Xiao Shan Ju.
"Sixth Master, can I take the fish to eat with my brother?"
"...,..."
***
Here’s the second update, aiming for a third update tonight. Please vote for with pink, subscribe for an original version, and recomnd votes. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please support by voting for recomndation and monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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