Chapter 27 – You’re Not Actually Falling for Jiang Shiyuan, Are You?

Su Liluo halted mid-step, turning back to stare at Shen Luchu in shock.

She didn’t mishear that, right?

Shen Luchu was asking her… about Jiang Shiyuan?

Shen Luchu was actually asking her about Jiang Shiyuan. Did he not know they were sworn enemies?

Was Shen Luchu completely disregarding her, Su Liluo, or was he just too full of himself?

Su Liluo gave Shen Luchu another once-over. Dark circles, slumped posture—a face full of gloom.

“What, Jiang Shiyuan didn’t come looking for you?” she shot back.

Shen Luchu was lost in his own thoughts and didn’t catch her mocking tone. Even if he had, he wouldn’t have thought Su Liluo was being sarcastic—he would’ve just assumed she was jealous over Jiang Shiyuan.

Shen Luchu opened his mouth, but male pride and his noble status made him swallow his words.

He didn’t want to admit how much he cared about Jiang Shiyuan. If she found out, she’d only become more arrogant and willful.

Shen Luchu kept quiet—but his friend Zhou Jingshen was far more outspoken.

“Nope, she hasn’t come by in days. Luchu’s been stewing over it for days now.”

Zhou Jingshen jumped in quickly.

There were some things Shen Luchu couldn’t say, but as his close friend, Zhou Jingshen could say them for him:

“Miss Su, if you run into Jiang Shiyuan, tell her to smarten up and apologize quickly. Luchu’s patience and indulgence have limits. If she keeps throwing tantrums like this, don’t blame Luchu for cutting her off and leaving her no way back,” Zhou Jingshen declared, self-righteously and confidently.

Su Liluo rolled her eyes. “If you’ve got so much to say, why don’t you go to the Jiang household and tell her yourself? What’s the matter? Afraid she’ll slap you for running your stinky mouth? Idiot.”

Su Liluo had always presented herself as gentle and poised in front of Shen Luchu and Zhou Jingshen. When had she ever been this blunt and aggressive?

Zhou Jingshen was dumbfounded. He clutched his mouth, hunched his shoulders, and stood to the side, not daring to breathe too loudly.

But Shen Luchu, as if possessed, kept pressing, “Just answer me—have you seen her or not?”

Su Liluo looked at him and suddenly felt an urge to laugh.

This trip out today was worth it.

Anyone with working eyes could see—Shen Luchu wasn’t just paying attention to Jiang Shiyuan anymore. He was completely smitten.

Really, after ten years of care and concern, anyone else would’ve cherished Jiang Shiyuan like a treasure. Only blind fool Shen Luchu didn’t know what he had, eating from his own bowl while still eyeing the pot.

And now? That blind fool finally got hit in the heart—but Jiang Shiyuan didn’t want him anymore.

Hahaha! Isn’t this better than any drama on stage?

Su Liluo held back a laugh, looked toward the stall where she’d just seen Jiang Shiyuan, and shook her head.

“Nope. I haven’t seen Jiang Shiyuan in days either.”

“Do you think she’s really about to get married?”

“Since you’ve known her for so long, Young Lord Shen, I assume you’ll be preparing a lavish wedding gift, won’t you?”

She smiled at his pale, stiff face and walked away.

Once she was a few meters ahead, Zhi Chun couldn’t help asking, “Miss, why didn’t you tell Young Lord Shen that Miss Jiang is right here at the temple fair?”

Su Liluo sneered, “Why should I? I’m not his servant. Just because he asks doesn’t mean I have to answer. If he wants to find someone, why not just go to the Jiang household? What’s the point of this fake act? Putting on that sour face and nasty attitude—who does he think he’s impressing?”

She was getting irritated just talking about him. At that moment, another maid pushed through the crowd and reported, “Young Miss, I found out—Master Pei Ziye is at the Wansong Bookstore right now.”

“Really?”

Su Liluo ’s eyes lit up. She turned and headed straight for her carriage.

“Let’s go. To Wansong Bookstore!”

Back on the other side, Su Liluo was long gone, but Shen Luchu still stood there, his gloomy face suddenly breaking into delight.

“Jingshen, did you hear that? Su Liluo hasn’t seen Jiang Shiyuan in a while either.”

Zhou Jingshen hadn’t recovered from Su Liluo ’s verbal assault and couldn’t keep up with Shen Luchu’s train of thought. He didn’t understand why Su Liluo not seeing Jiang Shiyuan was worth getting excited over.

“Su Liluo and Jiang Shiyuan are always competing. If Jiang Shiyuan were out and about, Su Liluo would’ve gone after her for sure. But Su Liluo says she hasn’t seen her—that means Jiang Shiyuan hasn’t shown her face in days!”

Shen Luchu explained eagerly.

Zhou Jingshen stared at him blankly. “And…?”

“Don’t you get it? Jiang Shiyuan didn’t avoid me. She hasn’t left the house at all. She must be sick. That’s it—she’s sick, and she didn’t want to pass it to me, so she didn’t come.”

Zhou Jingshen: …

He looked at Shen Luchu like he was looking at a complete idiot. Was this really the brain Shen Luchu was going to use for the Spring Examinations?

What kind of ridiculous logic was that?

No—why was Shen Luchu working so hard to find excuses for Jiang Shiyuan in the first place?

Zhou Jingshen suddenly had a flash of insight. He stared at Shen Luchu and thought back to all his recent odd behavior.

This wasn’t just Shen Luchu making excuses for Jiang Shiyuan.

This was Shen Luchu refusing to accept her absence—and desperately trying to convince himself otherwise.

Holy crap.

Zhou Jingshen was so startled by the thought that he blurted out, “Luchu, don’t tell me you actually fell for Jiang Shiyuan?”

Shen Luchu froze. After a moment, he gave a scoff and replied dismissively, “Of course not.”

“I just pity her.”

As he spoke, his expression returned to normal.

“Where’s that restaurant you were talking about?”

Zhou Jingshen gave him another look but knew better than to push further.

They soon arrived at the newly opened restaurant—Tianxiang Pavilion.

The décor was refined, with a distinct Sichuan flavor—quite unique.

Zhou Jingshen had made a reservation the day before. When he gave his name, a young servant stepped forward to lead the way.

“Your private room is on the second floor. Please, follow me.”

Zhou Jingshen nodded and started up the stairs. Just as they reached a turn, a slender figure caught his eye.

Jiang Shiyuan?

Startled, he looked up again—but the figure had already disappeared around the corner to the third floor.

“What is it?”

Shen Luchu noticed Zhou Jingshen had stopped and asked.

Zhou Jingshen glanced at Shen Luchu’s face—which still showed hints of sorrow despite his best efforts—and shook his head.

“No, it’s nothing.”

Shen Luchu didn’t press further. He followed the servant down the corridor and into their reserved room.

The servant was very attentive, pouring tea and introducing the house specialties.

Zhou Jingshen didn’t hear a word. His mind kept replaying that fleeting figure.

Too familiar.

She looked just like Jiang Shiyuan.

He’d clearly seen the embroidered pouch on her waist—light green, with a branch of dogwood berries.

He’d only ever seen Jiang Shiyuan with one like that.

“Luchu, you go ahead and order. I’ll be right back.”

No.

He had to know—was that person really Jiang Shiyuan?

Driven by curiosity, Zhou Jingshen stood up and slipped out of the private room, heading straight for the stairs to the third floor…