The brother and sister talked endlessly. Shi Buyu stayed behind for dinner, and they chatted for quite a while before finally heading back.

Cheng Junyu was about to meet Yan Shian and escorted her all the way to the Yan family’s gate.

Before dismounting, they saw a few people coming out of the house. The one walking in front was tall and handsome, with a smiling face and quick strides.

“Why are you back so late? I was just about to go look for you.”

Shi Buyu’s eyes widened slightly. With their relationship, how could he possibly control whether she came back late? Almost realizing they were outside and guessing he was just putting on an act, she dismounted and went along with the show, continuing the act: “Brother, it’s been a long time since we last met. Before we knew it, we were talking until now.”

“Brother Junyu,” Yan Shian bowed slightly. He hadn’t expected the renowned scholar Cheng Junyu to be addressed as “Brother” by Miss Shi. He had never heard his real name before and assumed he was just the second son of the Cheng family, with nothing particularly notable about his past. Now it seemed there was some connection with Miss Shi, so perhaps Cheng Junyu was more than just the Cheng family’s second son.

“Young Master Shian is just as handsome as the rumors say.” Cheng Junyu glanced at the junior disciple. Seeing she had no romantic thoughts, he relaxed. No matter how handsome someone was, it was useless in front of Shi Buyu. Whether she got close to someone required time and opportunity; there was no chance she was infatuated. She probably didn’t have that kind of feeling at all.

The two had an age gap and moved in completely different circles, never having interacted before, though they knew of each other. Today was their first real contact. But since Shi Buyu had no intention of making enemies, the atmosphere was fairly friendly.

“It’s still early. Brother Junyu, come inside for a while?”

“No, I have an appointment.” Cheng Junyu looked at the junior disciple: “If you have business, come find your brother. If not, come anyway.”

“Alright, alright,” Shi Buyu replied repeatedly, her tone full of closeness. “White Beard has replied to my letter; I need to tell him.”

“You’ve said that so many times already.” Cheng Junyu tenderly poked her forehead. “Go home and rest well. Don’t think so much.”

But Shi Buyu couldn’t help it. She glanced at the creditor beside her and waved goodbye to Brother Junyu. Only after he disappeared from sight did she turn and enter the house.

Yan Shian had endured for a long time, then finally asked, “Your cousin and Brother Junyu are…?”

“He’s my seventh brother.” Shi Buyu shook her leg and tried to tiptoe a few steps before stopping — it hurt.

Wan Xia quickly came forward to support her. “What’s wrong?”

“A cramp.”

Wan Xia squatted down and helped her lean on her for support, pressing and massaging her calf with moderate strength to ease the pain.

Yan Shian stretched out an arm to help her. “Is the pain severe? Have you had this before?”

“It’s been a long time.”

So it had happened before. Yan Shian saw her enduring expression, her tight grip on his arm, and didn’t press her for more.

After a moment, Shi Buyu said, “Aunt, it’s about done.”

She tried walking a couple of steps. When sure it no longer hurt, she stepped down firmly and looked up to see she was still holding Yan Shian’s arm. She let go and thanked him.

“No problem.” Yan Shian put his hands behind his back and walked inside alongside her.

Shi Buyu glanced at him. “I need a large sum of money.”

Yan Shian was taken aback, quickly pulling out his purse, opening it, and handing over all the banknotes inside.

Shi Buyu didn’t accept them, telling him about the plan she had discussed with seventh brother. “I want to set up a place where people indulge in extravagance and debauchery, and I need to hire truly capable people. This money is far from enough.”

Yan Shian immediately understood what Miss Shi was planning. He had a gambling house and a brothel and was well-informed, but those businesses were low-class. The kind of refined environment she wanted required a high threshold; people who could enter were from wealthy families. Those were the people Shi Buyu wanted to use.

“I have the venue, money is not a problem. I’ll give it to you tomorrow.”

Shi Buyu smiled. “You pay the money, Brother Junyu finds the people, and I just have to move my mouth. Wonderful.”

Yan Shian was a bit surprised. “Brother Junyu finds the people?”

“He’s always hanging out with poets and talented scholars at the Qinlou and Chuguan. Who knows better who is skilled or not?” Shi Buyu looked at him. “What about you?”

“I go rarely,” Yan Shian denied. “Only occasionally to attend friends’ banquets. Sometimes girls come crying to me. After helping one, more come asking. I try to go to such places as little as possible.”

Shi Buyu laughed. “No wonder Qiqi wants to make you her target. Catching you is like catching hope.”

The night in the capital wasn’t completely quiet yet, but under the moonlight as soft as water, the two figures stuck closely together, gradually merging into one, indistinguishable.

Yan Shian stared and unconsciously drew closer and closer to Shi Buyu. Suddenly realizing they were almost fused as one shadow, he pulled back and forced himself to stop looking down. “It’s better if no one knows about your relationship with Brother Junyu. If we ever face danger, there’s no need to drag him down. If there’s anything, just tell me directly. I can handle it.”

Shi Buyu nodded indifferently and suddenly remembered something. “During the day I promised Xuening to have you act as a guarantor, but it’s been delayed until now. Tomorrow you’ll go to the academy again. Aunt, please check if Xuening is resting. If not, invite her to the main room so we can sign the contract.”

Yan Shian naturally knew what had happened at home and said little.

Qiqi came quickly. Seeing Yan Shian, her eyes lit up, but when she noticed he didn’t look at her, the little flame in her heart immediately extinguished. Yan Shian was different from those men who wanted to buy her virginity. He redeemed her because he was kind-hearted, not because he desired her body.

And she no longer needed to serve others with her looks.

With her mind corrected, Qiqi immediately straightened her attitude, knelt before Yan Shian, and kowtowed. “Qiqi knows she has caused the young master a lot of trouble and doesn’t know how to repay.”

“I didn’t redeem you for repayment, but I did overlook how dangerous it is for a weak girl to carry money around.” Yan Shian gestured for her to stand. “Your cousin said you agreed to follow her.”

“Yes, Cousin promised me, something I had long wished for.”

“Your cousin is more trustworthy than me.”

Wan Xia came forward and handed her the freshly inked contract.

The contract was much more detailed than Qiqi had expected. Not only did it record the previous promises in writing, but it also stipulated a two-year term. Even if the cousin didn’t leave by then, she would be sent to a safe place.

All the worries in her heart were guaranteed by this contract.

It was almost too good to be true.

Looking at the guarantor’s name on it, Qiqi silently steeled herself, then followed Wan Xia to imprint her fingerprint.

Shi Buyu asked her, “Aren’t you afraid of leaving the wolf’s den just to enter the tiger’s lair?”

“I trust Master Yan.”

Shi Buyu glanced at someone who even she herself didn’t trust so much but held back her laughter out of respect. When the person left, she asked, “How does it feel to be trusted like this?”

Feel? Yan Shian walked to the door and stared at the place outside bathed in moonlight without speaking. He couldn’t say what the feeling was exactly, but it wasn’t bad.