Chapter 3 – Part 2: Didn’t you say you’d jump into the lake if you had to marry me? I’ve already proposed, so jump now

The shopkeeper recognized Liu Yuru as a frequent customer—she might’ve been frugal but she was kind and gentle, a welcome contrast to the haughty young ladies from wealthy families. She chatted with her amicably as she displayed her newest wares.

Liu Yuru’s eyes fell upon the latest rouge, and she longed to own it. After learning the price, however, she hesitated. Just as she was weighing her options, a voice like honey rang out from the shop’s entrance, “Yuru-meimei!”^[1]Little Sister Yuru

The familiar voice made Liu Yuru stiffen. Instinctively, she glanced up and saw three young masters stride into the shop.

Leading the group was Gu Jiusi, resplendent in a scarlet robe embroidered with golden clouds. A golden crown with dangling beads adorned his head, and he twirled a folding fan in his hand. His smile bloomed, sweet as a peach blossom. Behind him followed Yang Wenchang in sky-blue and Chen Xun in bamboo-green, each fanning themselves as they entered.

This was a place meant for women, but the three men showed no hint of self-consciousness. The other female patrons were so frightened, they quickly hid their faces behind their round fans. Liu Yuru, although a touch slower to react, quickly regained her composure and turned toward the rouge shop’s backroom.

“Yuru-meimei!” Chen Xun reacted instantly, stepping forward to block her path.

Liu Yuru changed direction, only to find her escape route obstructed by Yang Wenchang. Trapped, she and her maidservant were surrounded.

Gu Jiusi leaned indolently against a nearby cabinet. “Yuru-meimei,” he drawled, “shopping for rouge?”

Gu Jiusi was undeniably handsome. His languid pose would have seemed listless and spineless if others did it, but he carried it off with charm, emanating an air of effortless elegance.

Yin Hong was so scared that she trembled, but Liu Yuru maintained a veneer of composure. She addressed the shopkeeper directly, “Shopkeeper, surely it’s inappropriate for male patrons to be here?”

The shopkeeper, grasping the situation, forced a smile at Gu Jiusi. “Young Master Gu, this is a cosmetic shop. You see, your presence is rather… unsettling for my customers.”

“Oh, it’s fine,” Gu Jiusi interrupted the shopkeeper, giving her a “be sensible” look. “I’ll purchase all the rouge in your shop today—no other customers will be inconvenienced.”

He turned to Liu Yuru, his voice softening. “Yuru-meimei, choose whichever rouge you like. Big Brother will buy them all for you.”

“Young Master Gu, please mind your words!” Yin Hong exclaimed, her voice trembling with indignation. “Our miss is a proper young lady from a respectable family. You… You…”

“What about me?” Gu Jiusi challenged, a playful smile on his lips. “Little maid, enlighten me. What have I done?”

“Young Master Gu,” Liu Yuru’s expression became a delicate mix of fear and pity. “I’m unsure why you seek me out today. We come from different worlds and barely know each other. If my brothers or family have offended you, I sincerely beg your forgiveness.”

Liu Yuru had figured it out. Gu Jiusi was here today to cause trouble, and she couldn’t avoid it. Her priority was safeguarding her reputation at all costs, ensuring no one thought she was privately involved with him. She swiftly distanced herself and implied others had wronged him, and she was merely caught in the crossfire.

Her performance set Gu Jiusi’s teeth on edge. Before he could reply, Liu Yuru continued, “Young Master Gu, you’re a magnanimous person. Please be lenient and spare me. I will apologize to you on behalf of my family. I implore you not to make things difficult for me anymore, alright?”

Liu Yuru’s eyes welled up on cue, and to others, she looked every bit like a virtuous woman being bullied.

A pang of guilt pricked at Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun and they suddenly panicked. Had they really bullied her to the point of tears? Have they gone too far?

However, Gu Jiusi was well aware of Liu Yuru’s little schemes. He clicked his tongue in mock admiration. “You’re quite the actress.”

“Young Master Gu…” Upon hearing this, tears began to fall from Liu Yuru’s eyes.

Yang Wenchang spoke up anxiously, “Jiusi, let’s just forget it…”

Seeing the others turning against him, Gu Jiusi felt a surge of anger. This woman… This woman!

He couldn’t take it anymore. Taking a deep breath, he resolved to use a mutually destructive tactic. A tender smile bloomed on his face as he gently said, “Yuru-meimei, why are you crying? I’m not giving you a hard time. The truth is, I like you.”

Liu Yuru’s mind went blank. She looked up in a daze at the man across from her, his face painted with false affection. The urge to slap him was strong, but she maintained her pretense of shy confusion and shock. “Young Master Gu, please don’t tease me!”

“Yuru-meimei,” Gu Jiusi took a step forward, prompting Liu Yuru to take a step back.

Seeing her affected pose, Gu Jiusi suppressed the urge to throw her into the lake outside. “But I’m not teasing,” he said softly. “I fell in love with you at first sight, and those feelings only deepened upon seeing you again. In this life, I will marry no one but you!”

Liu Yuru: “…”

She felt utterly defeated. In terms of shamelessness, she really couldn’t beat Gu Jiusi.

Seeing Liu Yuru’s almost unable to keep up the act, Gu Jiusi couldn’t help but flash a triumphant smile.

Liu Yuru, seeing his appearance, realized how petty Gu Jiusi was. After a silent pause, she knew that if she didn’t change tactics, Gu Jiusi would continue pestering her.

With a sigh, she lowered her voice and said, “Young Master Gu, I apologize for what happened previously. It was a desperate act. A woman’s reputation is of utmost importance, and I was wrong. Today, you’ve caused me trouble, so let’s consider it even. Please be magnanimous, will you?”

Gu Jiusi’s smile lacked any warmth. “Didn’t you say you’d jump into the lake if you had to marry me? Well, I’ve proposed. Time waits for no one, Yuru-meimei.” He lifted his chin. “The moat is right behind you. Go jump.”

Liu Yuru said nothing. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her whole body trembling with barely contained rage. “Young Master Gu,” she said through gritted teeth, “do you insist on forcing me into the moat before you’ll let this go?”

Gu Jiusi considered this. Seeing Liu Yuru tremble with anger, and her earlier sincere apology, had already dissipated much of his own anger. Now, the desire to tease her had waned. After a moment, he grinned, stroked his chin, and said, “Not necessarily. But you have to say one thing: Ye Shi’an is a big bastard, not as refined, handsome, talented, smart, or upright as Gu Jiusi.”

He deliberately echoed the very words his father used to praise Ye Shi’an.

Liu Yuru was momentarily speechless. She opened her mouth and tried to recall the words from earlier while saying in a low voice, “Young Master Gu said that Young Master Ye is a big bastard, not as… as refined, handsome…”

“Talented,” Gu Jiusi reminded her.

“Right.” Liu Yuru nodded, continuing with a stammer, “Handsome and talented, smart and…

“Upright.”

“Yes, upright.” Liu Yuru nodded vigorously. “You are a true gentleman, noble in conduct, and would never bully a young lady like me.”

Gu Jiusi clicked his tongue. “Quite the smooth talker, aren’t you? Alright,” he tossed the rouge box in his hand and turned to leave. “Let’s go.”

Liu Yuru felt an immense wave of relief and hurriedly turned to leave. However, just as she took a few steps while holding up her skirt, Gu Jiusi called out, “Wait.”

Turning to the young ladies who were covering their faces with fans still gathered in the inner hall, he announced, “Everyone, pick a box of rouge. It’s on my account.”

The young ladies exchanged glances upon hearing this. After an initial hesitation, a few bold ladies stepped forward, and soon everyone was happily selecting their rouge. 

Gu Jiusi watched silently, instructing his servant to settle the bill before calling for Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun. As he walked up to Liu Yuru, he gave her a once-over and raised an eyebrow. “What are you standing there for? Go choose your rouge.”

Liu Yuru was stunned for a moment. Gu Jiusi raised his eyebrows. “Looking down on me?”

“I wouldn’t dare, it’s just…” Before she could finish, Gu Jiusi tossed a box of rouge at her. “Take it and pick a few more. In the future, when you marry Ye Shi’an,” he lowered his voice, a mischievous glint in his beautiful eyes, “make sure to give him a hard time for me, hmm?”

With a hearty laugh, he turned and left with his companions.

Still clutching the rouge, Liu Yuru stared blankly after him, the image of his raised eyebrow seared in her mind. This was the very box she’d hesitated to buy earlier.

As Gu Jiusi left the shop, Yang Wenchang inquired, “Why give them rouge?”

“Something struck me,” Gu Jiusi replied, fanning himself.

Chen Xun remained puzzled “What exactly?”

Gu Jiusi sighed, a tinge of pity in his voice. “When her tone shifted, and she apologized, I realized this girl wasn’t entirely detestable.”

He tilted his fan to shield the sun, gazing up at the wind chimes swaying beneath the eaves of the Spring Flower Building. A frown creased his brow. “Suddenly, this relentless teasing feels a little… ungentlemanly. After all,” Gu Jiusi’s lips pursed, “she’s had a difficult life too.”

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Author’s Note:

Gu Jiusi: “Let me tell you, even if every other woman in the world disappeared, I still wouldn’t marry her!”

Later—

Well, this is awkward.