Chapter 50

Everyone had already left, but Pei Jian continued staring at the street’s opposite side. His face was ashen, and his eyes burned with fury.

This tavern was a place he and Nianxi used to frequent. She had a particular fondness for the signature dish—grilled rabbit.

The first time Pei Jian brought her there, he didn’t dare to tell her what kind of meat it was. He assumed that most girls would feel pity and reluctance about eating such fluffy, adorable animals.

Despite her generally mild taste, Nianxi had a special love for this grilled rabbit. Every time she enjoyed it enthusiastically, it would inevitably cause her to develop mouth sores. For days afterward, she would find it difficult to chew or swallow.

Pei Jian finally told her it was rabbit meat, hoping she would restrain herself. To his surprise, Nianxi paused in silence, then pointed to a new sore in her mouth and said, “Rabbits are so cute. Even after they’re dead, they can still bite.”

“When the sores in my mouth heal, I’ll get my revenge next time.”

Heaven knows how adorable she was when spouting such nonsense with a straight face.

Pei Jian couldn’t help but laugh quietly to himself. Cradling her face in his hands, he leaned down and kissed her lips several times, promising her, “The whole family, all together, will be grilled.”

At that moment, Nianxi showed a hint of embarrassment, refusing to let him continue kissing her. “It hurts,” she said softly.

Still holding her face, he applied a bit more pressure, her enticingly rosy lips parting slightly. His gaze deepened as he leaned in to intensify the kiss, murmuring gently, “A kiss will make it stop hurting.”

Many times after that, whenever she ate grilled rabbit, he would use this method to ease her pain.

Now, however, Nianxi had brought Gu Ci to this very place.

Pei Jian stared expressionlessly across the street, his insides twisting in knots as he fought the urge to storm in and drag Nianxi out.

He dared not let his thoughts spiral further.

He feared he might lose his mind.

With a self-deprecating smile, Pei Jian thought to himself that even if he humbled himself to the point of shattering all his pride, Nianxi would likely never look back.

“Cousin, was that man across the street just now Gu Ci?”

Pei Jian hadn’t noticed when Xu Wanxin had gotten off the carriage and was now standing behind him, softly asking, “Why didn’t he acknowledge us? Who is the woman beside him? They seem to be quite close…”

“No,” Pei Jian suddenly interrupted in a harsh voice.

The sudden reaction startled Xu Wanxin.

He didn’t want to vent his frustrations on others, nor could he endure staying there any longer. Without looking back, he walked away.

Xu Wanxin, puzzled, called after him repeatedly, “Cousin, Cousin…”

When he was completely out of sight, Xu Wanxin dropped her pitiful facade, her expression becoming calm and emotionless. She stared thoughtfully at the eatery across the street for a while before taking her maid’s hand and stepping into the carriage.

Inside the carriage, the maid knelt on the floor, holding up a bronze mirror with both hands. Xu Wanxin carefully wiped away the tear stains from her cheeks while looking into the mirror. Gazing at her delicate and frail-looking face, she sighed softly, “Cousin seems to be quite interested in that woman.”

The maid lowered her head even further, not daring to respond.

Xu Wanxin was, of course, aware of Nianxi.

During the Shangsi Festival at the Qu Shui pavilion, as soon as Nianxi arrived, she drew the attention of many young men who openly or discreetly admired her. Even Gu Ci, who had always been aloof, followed her around attentively. So, this was the kind of radiant beauty her cousin favored.

Xu Wanxin lowered her gaze to look at her simple and plain dress and ordered the carriage to turn around, “To the Treasure Pavilion.”

She needed to pick out a proper gift for their meeting.

A couple of days ago, while visiting a close friend, Xu Wanxin noticed Wen Nianxi had sent out invitations along with exquisitely crafted pouches that were said to contain handmade fragrant balls.

The social circles in the capital were relatively small, and most attendees at gatherings were regular acquaintances. Although Xu Wanxin and Wen Nianxi were not close, they were at least acquaintances who exchanged greetings. Yet, for some reason—perhaps an oversight by Wen Nianxi—many around her received invitations, but Xu Wanxin was left out.

Lowering her head, Xu Wanxin gave a gentle smile, her beautiful and gracious face revealing an amused expression. But what did it matter?

With Wen Nianxi’s aromatic beverage shop opening, Xu Wanxin would undoubtedly find a way to attend. She had to meet and acquaint herself with the woman her cousin seemed interested in.

…

“They’re known for their grilled meat specialties,” Gu Ci said, pouring Nianxi a cup of tea and smiling as he asked, “Grilled meat is heavy and spicy—when did your tastes change? How do you even know about this place?”

Ordinarily, Nianxi’s preferences leaned toward light and plain dishes. Whenever Gu Ci dined with her, he avoided taking her to places like this.

But today, it was Nianxi who suggested this restaurant.

“From your tone, it sounds like dining with me usually feels like a burden,” Nianxi replied with a hint of teasing.

Gu Ci quickly waved his hands. “Not at all, it’s my pleasure.”

In truth, this was a sudden whim of Nianxi.

In the sweltering summer, sweets felt overly cloying, especially since Gu Ci wasn’t fond of sugary foods. Given her low spirits, she thought it better to indulge in something spicy and stimulating, working up a sweat and releasing her pent-up frustrations. She hadn’t expected to encounter Pei Jian here.

Nianxi let out a gentle sigh, casting aside her past memories. She turned to Gu Ci and said, “Bunnies are so cute; let’s not eat them. Let’s pick something else.”

Gu Ci naturally assumed this to be a reflection of a girl’s innate kindness, setting aside the earlier unpleasantness of seeing Pei Jian. He teased her deliberately, “Well, calves and lambs were also adorable when they were young. How can you bear to eat them?”

Men often have a childish side, delighting in quibbles, and Gu Ci was no exception. Seeing Nianxi at a loss for words, he grinned widely, his teeth gleaming.

Nianxi extended her arm. She was dressed in a wide-sleeved, jade-green dress that day. A small section of her fair wrist was exposed as she raised her arm. “I am the least adorable. Why don’t you eat me instead?”

Gu Ci couldn’t help but find the sight of her snowy-white skin dazzling, evoking a ticklish warmth in his heart. Mindful that they were in public, he reached out and gently adjusted her sleeve. “Who says so? You’re the most adorable.”

Nianxi replied, “After looking around, I think you’re the least adorable.”

Gu Ci chuckled, nodding in agreement, his eyes filled with affection. “Yes, yes, you’re always right. You’re so childish.”

Nianxi: … Who’s the childish one here?

With her almond-shaped eyes wide open, she prepared to argue back, but Gu Ci, unable to contain his laughter, quickly amended, “No, no, I’m the childish one.”

Such a lack of pride on his part left Nianxi completely off track. She couldn’t even muster anger; they ended up staring at each other before bursting into laughter together.

Nianxi ultimately did not order the grilled rabbit.

Gu Ci, being a man and a meat lover, coupled with his cheerful mood, ended up eating almost the entire table of food.

Nianxi ate very little.

Gu Ci was right—the flavors at this restaurant were indeed heavy. Eating here now, however, no longer carries the same taste as it did in the past. After trying only a few bites, she set down her chopsticks and sipped tea instead.

On their way back to the residence, Gu Ci bought her a box of sweet snail cookies. “Next time, we should stick to lighter dishes. You barely ate today.”

Nianxi dismissed his concern. “You don’t understand; I aim for a slender and graceful figure. Eating less makes me look better in dresses.”

In his heart, Gu Ci thought, ‘Then I’ll have to coax her into eating more in the future—it’s fine as long as she’s captivating enough to enchant me alone.’

When they reached Yiqiao Street, Nianxi got out of the carriage. The two cheerfully made plans to visit Guangde Tower the next day to enjoy Nianxi’s favorite sashimi.

However, after Nianxi saw her parents and returned to her courtyard from the main residence, Aunt Wang was already waiting for her. Her expression was troubled as she whispered, “That young gentleman… he’s here again.”