Chapter 45

Unease and Disarray

Shi Mei walked out with a stifled air, only to bump into Fu Ying directly.

Fu Ying seemed to have anticipated Shi Mei's presence and, without any awkwardness, smiled slightly. "Miss Chen is here too?"

Shi Mei returned the smile. "I was just leaving."

"Wait a moment," Fu Ying said, holding onto her. Shi Mei glanced at her somewhat intimate grip with discomfort, wondering to herself, aren't we barely acquainted? Weren't you quite hostile towards me just a few days ago?

"My brother is hosting a banquet and asked me to invite Brother Bai. Will you attend?" Fu Ying's smile was so charming that Shi Mei barely recognized her, thinking, wasn't Fu Ying supposed to be serious and mature? How did she suddenly become so cute and innocent? Can her temperament change as easily as adjusting fragrances?

"Are you also going?" Fu Ying chuckled softly. "Brother said it'd be best to invite you too. Many reputable factions in the martial world are keen to make your acquaintance, Lady Shi."

Shi Mei chuckled dryly, thinking, I'm no martial artist, why would I get involved in those murky waters? But then, considering that Bai She would also be attending... Fu Ying and Fu Si were not to be trusted, especially Fu Si. What was his motive for organizing this banquet now? Could it be a collective scheme against Bai She?

As Shi Mei hesitated about whether to go, Bai She emerged from the courtyard. Seeing Shi Mei still there, he approached her, took her hand, and suggested, “Why not stay for a meal? I’ll have someone bring our things over shortly. Do you still want that house with the stack of steamers?”

Shi Mei, initially puzzled, soon realized Bai She was referring to the pile of steamers, and couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, looking up at him.

Bai She smiled at her, causing Shi Mei’s heart to skip a beat. Why did his smile seem so tender and affectionate?

Fu Ying, observing this, didn’t share Shi Mei’s easygoing attitude. Turning away with a flash of disdain in her eyes, she composed herself before facing Bai She again, “Brother Bai, my brother is hosting a banquet at Xi Shou Pavilion, inviting heroes from all over. He asked me to deliver this invitation to you.”

Bai She slightly furrowed his brows, examining the invitation, which lacked any specific details, and inquired, “What kind of banquet is this?”

Shi Mei mused to herself, perhaps it’s a trap like the Banquet at Hongmen.

Fu Ying smiled, “The banquet is jointly hosted by the Fu and Duan families, and Duan Yan will also be there. It seems they wish to seek assistance from the heroes of the martial world, but the specifics are only known once you attend. My brother didn’t share much with me.”

Bai She raised an eyebrow and returned the invitation to Fu Ying, “I won’t be attending.”

Shi Mei widened her eyes, amused to herself. She had been worried about Bai She being outwitted or trapped, yet here he was, bluntly declining an invitation delivered to his doorstep.

Fu Ying seemed to have anticipated this but found the rejection of the invitation she had extended quite awkward. She managed a smile, then turned to Shi Mei and, with a single hand, linked arms with her, “Mei Zi, it looks like it's just you and me then?”

Shi Mei was startled by Fu Ying addressing her so familiarly as "Mei Zi," feeling a chill run down her spine. Usually, only her close friends Red Ye and Zhan Yu called her by that name, evoking a warm feeling in her heart. But hearing the same name from Fu Ying felt unsettling.

Shi Mei preferred straightforward interactions and didn't enjoy these kinds of pretenses.

She cherished the affectionate calls of "dear" from her family and the elderly women who genuinely cared for her, but disliked it when others, with ulterior motives or merely putting on an act, called her "sweetheart." Fu Ying's sudden familiarity, shifting from formal to intimate without any real closeness, was unsettling.

Bai She, on the other hand, was somewhat surprised, not understanding why Shi Mei agreed to go. Was she somehow involved in this matter?

Realizing Bai She’s confusion and not wanting him to agree without knowing the full story, Shi Mei quickly smiled and withdrew her arm, saying, “Miss Fu, I’m not involved in the martial world, so I’d rather not get mixed up in this. Besides, I have other commitments tonight and won’t be attending.”

Saying this, she took Bai She’s hand, “Didn’t you mention something about building a house? Let’s go.”

Bai She, playing along, allowed Shi Mei to lead him away.

Fu Ying attempted to speak but the duo walked away without looking back, leaving her visibly irked... Why were both of them so tactless?

At that moment, an official strolled over leisurely and raised his hand to Fu Ying, inviting her with a gesture, “Miss Fu, if you please.”

Reluctantly, Fu Ying left the premises to inform Fu Si that Bai She and the others, not showing due respect, had declined to attend.

After watching Fu Ying depart, Shi Mei, accompanied by Bai She, returned to the Fragrance House. Once inside, Bai She inquired, “Did Fu Ying also invite you?”

“Yes,” Shi Mei nodded, “I’m puzzled about what they’re up to... And don’t you find Fu Si rather strange? That man in white impersonated you, and just as the officials arrived, so did he, accompanied by many from the martial world. Such timing seems too coincidental, doesn’t it?”

Bai She responded absently with a nod.

“Don’t you find it odd?” Shi Mei asked, curious to see Bai She not objecting. “It’s clear he’s setting a trap for you with malicious intent!”

Bai She offered a slight smile, “Let him be.”

“You can’t just ignore them like that. They’ll think you're easy to bully and take advantage of!” Shi Mei grumbled, visibly upset, while Bai She remained silent and smiling.

Back at the fragrance workshop, Bai She suddenly pointed to a dish of black liquid on the table, asking, “Is that the red substance from earlier?”

“Oh no, how did it turn black?!” Shi Mei hastily used tongs and gauze to filter out the fully dissolved residue, extracting some fine particles. She noticed a peculiar black flower and a bizarre insect leg among them.

After carefully burying the poisonous solution in a deep hole, Shi Mei returned and sat beside a large camphorwood chest on a cushion, beginning to browse through the notes inside.

Bai She, with the little cat Xiao Fu Zi nuzzling up to him, sat down beside Shi Mei, watching her flip through the pages.

"It's this one." Shi Mei stopped at a page depicting several black flowers identical to those dissolved from the medicine ball. "This is Henbane, extremely poisonous!" she informed Bai She.

"A poison?" Bai She queried.

"Yes, consuming even a small petal of this flower is lethal. If burned, its fragrance can paralyze a person completely," Shi Mei explained while turning to another book, seeking a particular page. There she found an illustration of an insect.

"Here," Shi Mei said earnestly, "This insect is called the Gouge Gu and is also highly toxic. Contact with it necessitates cutting away the affected flesh to prevent spread and certain death. When burned, this insect emits a sweet scent, but inhaling it causes excruciating pain, as if one's body is on fire. The use of these two substances in perfume indicates a malicious intent."

Bai She silently observed Shi Mei's serious analysis of the perfume.

After finishing her explanation, Shi Mei noticed Bai She gazing at her and asked, "What is it?"

Bai She shook his head, gently straightened her fringe with his finger, and said softly, "I always thought women being serious about their work would be somewhat aggressive. But you..."

Shi Mei paused in surprise.

Bai She chuckled, "It's probably because I grew up with Aunt Huo."

Shi Mei pondered and couldn't help but laugh, recalling Aunt Huo's commanding presence and her decisiveness in handling matters.

After her laughter subsided, Shi Mei looked up to see Bai She still watching her, feeling a warm sensation stir within her.

"Just now... Fu Ying's timing wasn't great," Bai She said, gently tapping Shi Mei's chin. "Shall we continue?"

Shi Mei's mind went blank again, with Bai She's face drawing closer. The atmosphere, feeling, and distance were all just right, and importantly, so was the person. Slowly, Shi Mei closed her eyes.

But then, a sudden interruption, "Sister Mei! Mei..."

Xiang Yi burst into the room, stopping abruptly on seeing them, exclaimed, "Ah!" and then turned to flee, "I didn't see anything..."

Shi Mei found herself doused with a second bucket of cold water for the day.

Bai She raised an eyebrow, somewhat speechless, and after a moment said, "Well, this time it's not my fault..."

Shimei's face was red with embarrassment, knowing Xiaoxiang would undoubtedly spread the word, and soon Hongye and Zanyue would be asking questions. Frustratingly, they hadn’t even kissed yet!

Caught in her thoughts, Shi Mei stood up sulkily, intending to tidy up the table. However, before she could move away, Bai She, sitting behind her, pulled her back with a firm tug.

Startled, Shi Mei turned, but found herself falling backward... directly into Bai She’s arms.

Bai She, still seated by the table with little Fu Zi having scampered away, caught Shi Mei in his lap. Looking up at her, he smiled, "Third time's a charm... this time, we won't stop for anyone."

Shi Mei's eyes widened, her mind blanking at his words. As he leaned in, she instinctively closed her eyes in feigned surrender...

Yet, as she waited, the anticipated kiss from Bai She never came. Wondering if it had already happened without her realizing, she cautiously opened her eyes.

Bai She was watching her, his lips curving into a smirk upon seeing her open her eyes.

Realizing she had been tricked, Shi Mei found herself out of options... She clearly saw Bai She leaning closer, his lips cool against hers. Reflecting later, she figured it must have been because her face was so hot, making his kiss feel refreshingly cool.

As their lips finally met, Shi Mei's heart raced unexpectedly, shifting from apprehension to outright panic. It was an indescribable feeling, as if sitting in that position had caused her a physical reaction – a numbness in her legs and a tingling sensation on her scalp.

After a prolonged kiss, Shi Mei, slightly breathless, gazed at Bai She.

Bai She gazed at Shi Mei, her fair skin and rosy lips accentuated by a faint blush on her cheeks. Already stunningly beautiful, she seemed even more enticing now, evoking a sense of tenderness in him. He smiled at her warmly.

Seeing his smile, Shi Mei felt her heart flutter even more. Part of her was reluctant to let the kiss happen so easily. She had never been kissed before and thought it too easy a victory for him... yet, she couldn't very well kiss him back to even the score.

Lost in her thoughts, she felt Bai She’s hand lightly rest on her waist, startling her into action. She quickly jumped up, stumbling away in a fluster.

Bai She couldn't help but be amused by her cat-like reaction, quickly advising, "What are you afraid of? Be careful where you step..."

Unfortunately, his warning came too late. Shi Mei, retreating, accidentally stepped on little Fu Zi's tail.

"Meow!" Little Fu Zi’s fur bristled in shock, yowling as it darted away to lick its tail on the table — clearly in pain.

Startled by the cat, Shi Mei dodged sideways, knocking over a table in the process. Tea cups and a teapot scattered across the floor, toppling a couple of stools as well.

Shi Mei fell to the ground, but fortunately, Bai She reacted quickly, kicking the thick cushion she had been sitting on towards her.

Shi Mei landed on the cushion, unharmed but utterly dazed.

Looking around, she saw the room in disarray, tables and chairs overturned.

Xiaofuzi, who had been licking its tail atop a table, finally tumbled down, landing in Shimei's arms and resuming its grooming.

Baisha watched Shimei sitting on the cushion with the plump cat in her arms, slightly disheveled, rubbing his backside and with flushed ears, thinking to himself – her reaction is quite amusing.

After a while, the curious onlookers in the courtyard heard Baisha's hearty laughter and saw an annoyed Shimei storming out, heading straight back to her room and locking the door, leaving them bewildered.

Burrowing into the covers, Shimei glared at Xiaofuzi perched beside her pillow and poked it with a finger, "It's all your fault, how embarrassing!"