Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Meng Shuping skirted the crowd, walking along a small path for a while before settling onto a stone amidst a cluster of flowers. Yet, no sooner had he sat than other voices drifted to his ears.

He instinctively softened his movements, careful not to make a sound that might betray his presence. Simultaneously, an exceptionally arrogant voice cut through the air, clear and distinct: "Oh, you came to the flower festival dressed like that? Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?"

No sooner had the words fallen than others chimed in with mockery. "Exactly! If you really have nothing else to wear, you could’ve just stayed home. Why come out and embarrass yourself? I’m cringing for you!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, look at this shabby sight! Such a waste of a handsome face!"

...

Though unaware of the full story, Meng Shuping could tell from their mocking tone that these people were in the wrong. He couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, *What business is it of theirs what someone else wears? Does it offend their eyes? If they don’t like it, they don’t have to look—no one’s forcing them! Making such a fuss at a flower festival—if they’re so capable, why even come?*

*It’s not that I look down on them, but a bunch of grown men obsessing over what others wear—why are they so nitpicky?*

Wu Qing and the others bristled. "Who’s there? Come out!"

Meng Shuping jumped, standing up in a panic. *Whoa! How did they find me? Is my stealth really that bad? Why do I get discovered every time I hide?*

Wu Qing and his companions, initially worried it might be someone formidable, dismissed Meng Shuping with a disdainful glance upon seeing his unfamiliar face and nervous demeanor. "Hah, which house do you belong to?"

Another person scrutinized Meng Shuping from head to toe. "Kid, if you want to meddle, make sure you’re qualified. Be careful not to drag your family into trouble!"

Meng Shuping was bewildered, responding stiffly, "I’m not meddling. You carry on—I definitely won’t disturb you."

*Who’s meddling? I didn’t say a word! If anything, I’d say they’re the ones with issues—why else would they be so full of themselves?*

Wu Qing and the others choked, then paused in confusion. Aside from the first sentence, they hadn’t seen Meng Shuping speak, had they? But what was with this kid? Telling them to continue?

For some reason, they felt a knot of frustration—continuing felt wrong, but stopping felt awkward too.

Just then, the person they had stopped earlier, noticing Wu Qing and the others had fallen silent, turned to leave. Wu Qing and his group, without much thought, quickly blocked him again. "Stop! Who said you could leave?"

Xun Chengzhou’s face was cold. "What else do you want?"

Wu Qing lifted his chin arrogantly. "Xun Chengzhou, you really should dress better. How about this—if you beg me, I might even give you two taels of silver to help you out."

Meng Shuping’s eyes lit up. *Wow, just by begging, he gets two taels of silver! I really misjudged him—he’s a good person! Rich and clueless! Why don’t such good things ever happen to me?*

Wu Qing and the others stared at Meng Shuping in disbelief. Was this kid crazy? He was humiliating someone—since when was that being a good person?

Xun Chengzhou’s expression grew colder. "Get out of my way!"

Meng Shuping’s eyes widened in surprise. *Is he stupid? Why turn down easy money? Beg once and get two taels—if he begs a few more times, wouldn’t that bankrupt the guy? What’s more important, face or actual benefits?*

*Damn it! I wonder if I could beg too—I want that silver as well!*

Xun Chengzhou was stunned, then quickly processed it. This... actually made some sense.

So he immediately said, "I beg you, I beg you, I beg you..."

Meng Shuping quickly started counting along. *Two taels, four taels, six taels, eight taels...*

Wu Qing and the others stared dumbfounded at Xun Chengzhou. This wasn’t right—wasn’t Xun Chengzhou too proud for that? Didn’t he never lower his head? Why was he acting so unlike himself this time?

Even though things were going as he’d intended, Wu Qing felt no satisfaction—only more frustration.

Embarrassed and furious, he cut Xun Chengzhou off. "Stop, stop, stop! No need to beg anymore!"

Meng Shuping glanced at him disdainfully. *Can’t take the heat? Oh, I get it—he doesn’t actually have that much money! If not, he could ask his family for it!*

Wu Qing glared angrily at Meng Shuping, then turned to Xun Chengzhou with a threat. "I’ll let you off for today!"

But just as he was about to leave with his group, Meng Shuping’s voice chimed in, *Wow, he’s trying to welch on the deal, isn’t he? Tsk, tsk, tsk—totally can’t handle it.*

Wu Qing froze, then quickly hurried away. So what if he was messing with them? If they had the guts, they could come collect from him!

Once they were gone, Xun Chengzhou turned to Meng Shuping. "Thank you for what happened earlier."

Meng Shuping looked puzzled. "Huh? I didn’t do anything!"

Xun Chengzhou paused, then added, "Thank you for being here. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have let it go so easily."

Of course, the main reason was Meng Shuping’s idea, which had given him a fresh perspective.

Meng Shuping thought this person was being overly polite. He forced a dry laugh. "Haha, really?"

When Jiang Cihe arrived, he saw Meng Shuping and Xun Chengzhou chatting and laughing. Suppressing his irritation, he walked over to Meng Shuping as if nothing was amiss. "What are you two talking about?"

*That little miser has never been good at making conversation—why does he seem so chummy with this guy?*

Seeing Jiang Cihe, Xun Chengzhou quickly bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Meng Shuping didn’t look at Jiang Cihe. "Nothing much."

*What? He can chat with others, but I can’t? I haven’t even asked him why he isn’t still talking to those other people.*

Jiang Cihe: "..." When had he been chatting with others? He’d barely shaken off the small talk and come looking for Meng Shuping. Finally finding him, only to see him with someone else—did Jiang Cihe look happy about it?

Xun Chengzhou glanced at Meng Shuping, then at Jiang Cihe, sensing the strange tension between them. Awkwardly, he said, "You two talk. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head over there."

Without waiting for a response, he darted off.

After Xun Chengzhou left, Jiang Cihe slowly walked to stand opposite Meng Shuping. "When did you get to know him?"

Meng Shuping looked at him unhappily. "Do I have to tell you every time I meet someone?"

*Get this straight—we’re just friends. He’s nothing to me! I have no reason to report everything to him!*

Jiang Cihe sighed helplessly. "Can’t you talk to me normally? I don’t think I’ve done anything to upset you."

Meng Shuping lowered his head, playing with his fingers. "How am I not talking properly?"

*Other people might speak gently, so why doesn’t he go talk to them instead?*

Jiang Cihe stared at Meng Shuping for a moment, then suddenly said, "You’re not jealous, are you?"

Meng Shuping stiffened and quickly retorted, "Jealous of what? You’re the one who’s jealous!"

Jiang Cihe nodded. "Yes, I am very jealous."

Meng Shuping looked at Jiang Cihe in shock, meeting his intense gaze. His heart raced, and he quickly averted his eyes. *Damn it! He’s just saying that to shut me up. If I fall for it, I’d be a fool!*

Deliberately playing it cool, he said, "Don't tell me you're going to say you like me? Well, I could say I like you too!"

Jiang Cihe’s lips curved into a smile. "Then let’s be together."

Meng Shuping was once again left speechless. Cool on the surface but freaking out inside, he thought, *Is he joking or serious? If this is a confession, could it be any more casual than this? Wait, wasn't it said he already likes someone? Then why's he professing feelings to me?*

Jiang Cihe: "..."

Did he think I didn't want to be serious about this? If he didn’t confess his feelings soon, who knew what might happen next? He didn’t want to see Meng Shuping get noticed by someone else.

Seeing that Meng Shuping hadn’t spoken for a while, he took a step closer. "So, what do you think? Have you made up your mind?"

Meng Shuping quickly took a step back, stammering, "You...you're serious?"

Jiang Cihe smiled. "Would I joke about something like this?"

Meng Shuping’s ears turned slightly red. "I need to think about it. I’m not even sure how I feel about you yet."

*No, no, this is too sudden. I need to calm down! Maybe he’s just acting on a whim?*

*Besides, I can’t agree too quickly—that would make me seem too easy to get. At the very least, I should string him along for a while. Who told him to keep being so ambiguous before? Making me guess all the time!*

Jiang Cihe raised an eyebrow. "Then I’ll take that as a yes."

It wasn’t just the little moneygrubber who had been guessing—he had been guessing too. He was afraid that the little moneygrubber didn’t like him, afraid that a sudden confession would seem rash, afraid that if he was rejected, he’d never have another chance to get close. So he had been testing the waters all along, but who would have thought that the little moneygrubber wouldn't give even a clue about his feelings in this regard?

Fortunately, he now knew for sure—the little moneygrubber wasn’t completely indifferent to him.

Meng Shuping protested, "When did I agree? I already said I’ve never thought about this before, so I need time to consider."

"Ohhh~" Jiang Cihe said with a teasing smile. "Alright, then take your time to think it over. Let me know once you’ve made up your mind."

Meng Shuping averted his gaze. "Okay."

A moment later, he suddenly remembered something. "Since you say you like me, what are you doing here? Don’t you know what this flower event is for?"

*And look at you, all dressed up, coming here to attract bees and butterflies. Look at me—I’m dressed so plainly!*

Jiang Cihe sighed helplessly. "I came to keep an eye on you, to make sure you don’t attract too much attention. Who was it again who came to a place like this just for a little money? If I didn’t come to keep watch, what if someone snatched you away?"

Hearing this, Meng Shuping felt a twinge of guilt. He opened his mouth to speak but hadn’t yet said anything when a commotion broke out not far away. He quickly said, "What’s happening? We should go see."