Chapter 3

“What are you two doing?” Yuan Zhi burst out from some corner and demanded, glaring furiously at me.

There I stood, cheeks flushed and eyes glistening, tugging at Yuan Lang’s sleeve and murmuring something softly.

Yuan Lang watched me with perfect composure, neither agreeing nor refusing.

I was plainly groveling. I had even offered him money to keep quiet and to apologize for my rudeness that day.

But Yuan Zhi had clearly taken the scene the wrong way.

She slapped my hand aside and planted herself in front of Yuan Lang like a hen defending her chicks. “Xu Ying, have you no shame? Breaking my cousin’s heart wasn’t enough? Now you won’t even leave my brother alone?”

“I’m not,” I couldn’t help protesting in a small voice. I didn’t even like younger men.

“How dare you deny it? What were you doing just now, then? My brother is young and innocent. Don’t drag him into this too.”

I stole a glance at Yuan Lang. Why wasn’t he saying anything?

That glance acquired a different meaning in Yuan Zhi’s eyes as well. She pointed at me furiously. “Still denying it! You’re making eyes at my brother right in front of me!”

Yuan Lang caught my furtive glance, curved his lips, then took hold of Yuan Zhi and started away.

“Why are you pulling me? I haven’t finished!”

Yuan Zhi angrily shoved at him.

“Where is your dignity?” Yuan Lang kept pulling her along. “Sister, stop talking nonsense.”

In the midst of struggling, Yuan Zhi seemed to think of something and went still.

She slapped Yuan Lang across the face, enlightenment dawning. “I understand now. She’s bewitched you. How can you be so shallow? What virtue does she have besides a pretty face? Of all the people you could like, it has to be a woman as shallow as her?”

I tried to explain. “Actually—”

“Shut up.” Yuan Zhi cut me off indignantly, tears streaming straight down her cheeks. “I was so foolish. Truly. There I was, placing bets on whom she’d set her sights on this time, never dreaming the man meeting her would be you, my own dear brother. I’m so disappointed in you!”

“Men are all so shallow!”

She thumped Yuan Lang twice and ran away crying, declaring viciously, “I’m going home to tell Mother. I will never agree to the two of you seeing each other.”

“It really is a misunderstanding…” I scratched my head.

“Never mind. I’ll explain it to her when I get home.”

Yuan Lang and I exchanged an awkward look and went our separate ways.

Who could have guessed that the moment I returned, everyone in the household would gather around me in delight? Mother came forward, her eyes brimming. “Daughter, you’ve finally done it! Nineteen years. Nineteen years! At last, someone has come to ask for your hand!”