Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Shen Qinglan was not only a Little Tyrant but also a little drama queen.

As soon as he caught that familiar scent of incense, he guessed Han Zhang must be nearby, so he immediately lowered his eyes and put on a pitiful act.

Having read so many storybooks, and with a few younger half-brothers and half-sisters at home who specialized in the seductive and vampish style, giving him daily demonstrations on how to manipulate men, he had now gained a little experience.

Though his acting skills were still immature, Shen Qinglan was born beautiful, and that face looked good no matter what expression he made. At this moment, his tearful look, like a pear blossom in the rain, was truly pitiable enough to melt anyone's heart.

...At least, Han Zhang, who had just arrived and was standing behind a tree not far away, could see through his act at a glance, yet his heart still softened a little.

This little drama queen was getting better and better at performing.

A hint of amusement appeared in Han Zhang's eyes. He did not come out for the time being, letting the young lad continue his show.

Meanwhile, Shen Qinglan's face was full of pitiful innocence, but his mouth was merciless:

"What do you mean, you agree to marry me? What do you mean you understand my feelings? Since when did I have any feelings for you?"

"Third Master He, today our families merely had a casual meeting. You and I have barely exchanged two words, yet you act as if I'm determined to marry you, forcing you to wed me—are you having some daydream?"

Third Master He was scolded until his face turned red, and he retorted angrily, "If you had no intention toward me, why were you looking at me with such affectionate eyes just now?"

He thought Shen Qinglan was angry because he (Third Master) didn't like him (Shen) back.

The contempt in Shen Qinglan's eyes was almost palpable; even the most dull-witted person could see it!

Shen Qinglan instantly laughed in anger and immediately rattled off a retort like a string of firecrackers:

"When did I ever look at you with tender affection? I think you're suffering from some delusion—if there's something wrong with your head, go see a doctor!"

"And as for 'my reputation is clear to myself'... who do you think you are to look down on me?"

"So what if I've been jilted three times? What are you, Third Master He? You have no official rank, no talent for earning money, and your looks are only so-so. There are plenty of handsome young men in the capital better than you. Besides, you're the third legitimate son and won't inherit the family business. When the family divides property, you'll be a nobody. And you dare look down on me for being jilted?"

"And you expect your spouse to stay home, play the dutiful child, and live like a widow, while you go out and enjoy yourself? If you're dreaming so pretty, why not just fly away?"

"Ha, I get it—you've got no shame!"

After finishing his tirade, Shen Qinglan felt he had performed superbly, especially that last line.

He hadn't wasted his time reading books lately; he could even show off with fancy words. Later, he must get Brother Han to praise him properly for being so impressive!

Shen Qinglan felt great after venting, completely forgetting that he was supposed to act pitiful and weak...

Third Master He, however, was trembling with rage and, losing his composure, blurted out:

"Smooth talk and oily words, a disgrace to good manners! No wonder you've been repeatedly jilted. So crude and vulgar, like a country brawler. Marrying you would bring ruin to any family!"

"Fine, fine, fine! You look down on me for having no official rank, and I look down on you for being unfit for polite society. A young lad like you, with such a notorious and shrewish reputation, still has the face to live? Even if you had a dowry of millions, I, He, would never discuss marriage with you!"

Shen Qinglan seized on the key point and laughed with sudden realization: "I see why you're so shameless and full of delusions—you're coveting my generous dowry! If that's the case, why bother marrying a husband or wife? Just find a wealthy family to marry into as a live-in son-in-law."

"You... shut up! I was just using a metaphor!"

Third Master He, hit where it hurt, turned red and nearly jumped in fury.

Shen Qinglan put his hands on his hips and nodded: "Then I'm just using a metaphor too—you're a live-in son-in-law, live-in son-in-law, live-in son-in-law, a total live-in son-in-law!"

In this era, calling someone a live-in son-in-law was one of the dirtiest insults.

It got Third Master He so dizzy with rage that he could only hurl the worst insult for young ladies and lads at the time:

"You can't argue with fools! No wonder no one wants to marry you—you're a worn-out shoe that no one wants!"

Then, furious and humiliated, he shook his sleeves and stalked off.

But just as he said that, Han Zhang, standing behind the tree, his gaze turned cold.

Then, the next moment.

The weeds beneath Third Master He's feet seemed to come alive, suddenly tangling around his ankles, causing him to "accidentally" fall, and very "accidentally" land face-first on a small stone in the grass.

A decently handsome face was now scratched with several deep, bloody marks, and he even knocked out two front teeth.

"Young master, young master..."

His page boy rushed over in panic.

Shen Qinglan quickly stepped back and said loudly to clear himself: "Everyone saw it—you fell on your own!"

He couldn't let this shameless fellow blame him!

At that moment, Han Zhang also chose to walk out, holding a scroll in his hand, and approached with a look of concern, asking, "Are you badly hurt, my friend?"

His posture and expression suggested he had been quietly watching from under the tree for a while.

The perfect eyewitness.

Third Master He, who had been planning to seize the opportunity to further ruin Shen Qinglan's reputation to vent his anger, was left speechless.

"Mind your own business... Get away!"

Unable to carry out his plan, Third Master He could only push Han Zhang away, covering his bleeding mouth, and leave disgracefully supported by his page boy.

Shen Qinglan doubled over laughing, taunting his back smugly: "Serves you right for being so shameless and daring to curse me—now heaven's punished you..."

When he was a child, a fortune-teller had said he was blessed with great fortune, and any petty bully who tried to harm him would get their comeuppance!

"Young master, we'll keep watch."

Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi, who were with him, were very perceptive and quickly ran off to stand guard.

Shen Qinglan nodded with satisfaction, deciding to reward these two sharp-eyed page boys later. He looked around again to make sure there was no one else.

Then the young lad beamed and rushed over, throwing himself into Han Zhang's arms to be spoiled:

"Brother Han, you're finally here. I missed you so much!"

His voice was sweet and clingy, making Han Zhang's heart feel like it had been dipped in honey.

Han Zhang gently wrapped his arms around him and chuckled softly: "You really missed me? Then why were you meeting someone else?"

Shen Qinglan wasn't the least bit guilty. He nuzzled into Han Zhang's chest and preened: "I didn't want to meet anyone else. My heart only has Brother Han. But what can I do? I'm so good-looking, so good at winning people over, and so good at running shops to make money. Every madam in the capital wants me as a husband for her son. I can't help it."

Then he turned the tables and demanded credit: "That's why I was so fierce earlier, cursing Third Master He soundly, deliberately driving him away. I'm not usually like that... Brother Han, I made a huge sacrifice for you."

He batted his eyes at him, with a look that said, "Aren't I something?"

Han Zhang couldn't help but laugh: "Are you really sacrificing for me? But I saw you were thoroughly enjoying yourself just now."

"Brother Han..."

Recalling the scene of him standing with his hands on his hips hurling insults, Shen Qinglan instantly flushed with embarrassment.

He had meant to act pitiful, to make Brother Han feel sorry for him, but he got so carried away with the cursing that he forgot all about it.

But it didn't matter; he could still pretend now—there was still time!

Shen Qinglan took a breath, let tears fall, clutched his chest in a three-step performance, then collapsed softly against Han Zhang, beginning to sob theatrically:

"Brother Han, you didn't hear it... the way that Third Master He insulted me just now. He called me a discarded shoe, said no one wanted me, and even called me vulgar and coarse... boo hoo..."

"I never wanted that engagement to be broken, nor was it my fault. How could he use that to stab me in the heart? To humiliate me? I may not be well-versed in literature, and I speak bluntly, but how does that make me vulgar?"

"And he flattered himself thinking I'd marry no one but him... It infuriated me! My heart belongs only to Brother Han, how could I bear such an insult..."

"Boo hoo, Brother Han, my... my heart aches so much..."

Finally, he added a perfectly feeble, tactical swoon.

Not far away, Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi both pressed their foreheads, exchanging a look of utter disbelief.

Qiao Xi lowered his voice: "Can the young master's acting get any more fake than this?"

Qiao Dong covered his mouth, chuckling: "But some people just fall for it, you know."

For a man, how good the acting is doesn't really matter; what matters is whether he likes it or not.

If he doesn't like it, even a celestial beauty would be ignored;

If he does like it, no matter how fake the performance, he will savor it willingly.

That was exactly how Han Zhang felt now. He didn't find Shen Qinglan's behavior the least bit dramatic; instead, his heart was filled with the satisfaction and delight of being wooed by the one he loved.

He chuckled softly, lifted the "fainted" one horizontally in his arms, and walked over to sit down on a nearby flat boulder.

Then he gently placed the scroll he'd been holding into the other's hand, his voice warm and coaxing:

"Don't get angry over someone like that. Third Master He ruined his face, lost his front teeth—he'll never succeed in the imperial exams, nor will he get a good marriage. His life will amount to nothing from now on... Let's not talk about him."

"Here, see what I've brought for you?"

He knew Brother Han would bring him something!

As soon as he heard there was a gift, Shen Qinglan, who was feigning unconsciousness, immediately opened his eyes, instantly transforming from a delicate young man back into a spirited youth:

"What is this? A book? Brother Han, I don’t want to read—I've been stuck at home studying every day and my head feels like it's going to explode... Huh? This is... a picture book?"

The young lad grumbled as he flipped through the pages, his voice gradually rising with surprise: "The drawings look just like Scholar Zhang and Le Geer from the storybook!"

Han Zhang nodded with a smile: "Exactly, Scholar Zhang and Le Geer. I've been busy with my studies lately, so I didn't have time to write you a new story. I remembered how much you love *Tale of Two Souls*, so I took the time to illustrate it as a picture book..."

"Look closely—whose features do Scholar Zhang and Le Geer resemble?"

Shen Qinglan immediately examined them carefully. The expressions and features of the little figures in the picture book were unmistakably just like him and Han Zhang!

The young lad’s ears grew hot, his heart as sweet as if dipped in honey, and his eyes and brows showed joy he couldn't hide. He chirped, praising himself: "It’s me and Brother Han—so beautiful and perfectly matched."

Han Zhang leaned in and asked him, "Do you like it?"

"Like it? I love it! Brother Han, are you a worm in my belly? How do you always know what I want?"

Shen Qinglan gleefully hugged the picture book, rested his head on Han Zhang’s shoulder, and laughed with pure delight.

Han Zhang pulled the young man into his embrace, resting his chin on the top of Shen Qinglan's head: "Because we're fated, our hearts are connected—it's only natural for a husband to understand his wife."

Well, a man-made destiny was still destiny.