"Married?" she blurted out.
Had she missed something?
How had it escalated to marriage?
Wasn't this a bit too fast, big brother?
Seeing that her confusion was genuine, Cheng Wen Yu was also taken aback. "Little Sister Jian Xi doesn't know about our wedding at the end of the month?"
Shen Jian Xi was full of questions. "I don't know. No one told me."
Cheng Wen Yu hadn't expected this. He had thought she already knew.
He had assumed they were both interacting with the intention of nurturing their relationship as fiancés. He hadn't realized that to her, he was a stranger. With that in mind, his actions yesterday and today must have seemed rather abrupt.
Thinking this, he quickly stood up and apologized. "Little Sister Jian Xi, I'm sorry. I was out of line these past two days."
Watching him stand uncomfortably in the low boat cabin, apologizing so seriously with guilt and anxiety in his eyes, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Brother Wen Yu, there's no need to apologize. Whether we have an engagement or not, I already like you very much."
This wasn't entirely untrue. She truly liked his gentleness and humility.
Cheng Wen Yu's handsome face flushed, and his hand trembled as he poured tea. "Thank, thank you for Little Sister Jian Xi's liking. I like Little Sister Jian Xi very much too."
Shen Jian Xi found his current demeanor inexplicably endearing, almost "cute." Seeing such a gentle and proper person become flustered was a charming contrast, truly irresistible.
"My family all call me Xiao Guai. Brother Wen Yu, you can call me Xiao Guai too." The name 'Jian Xi' always felt a bit awkward to her.
"This, this is not proper," he stammered. He felt calling her that was too intimate, as they weren't married yet. If others overheard, it wouldn't harm him, but it could ruin a young lady's reputation. After all, the news of their impending marriage was only known to the Cheng and Shen families.
Fearing she might be unhappy if he refused, Cheng Wen Yu looked at her seriously. "After we're married, Little Sister Jian Xi, you can have me call you whatever you wish. But for now, it's not appropriate, and it's not good for you."
"Alright." Although Shen Jian Xi felt a little helpless, her impression of him improved even more. In this era, she couldn't avoid marriage. While she personally didn't mind, it would lead to others gossiping about the Shen family. The Shen family had been good to her, and she couldn't be ungrateful.
In this light, Cheng Wen Yu was indeed a good prospect.
"Little Sister Jian Xi, would you like to go out for a look?"
The weather was lovely today, and many people were out enjoying the lake, mostly chatting and admiring the scenery.
"Okay..."
Just as Shen Jian Xi was about to agree, 77's voice suddenly sounded. "Xi Xi, Qiu Tao and Lin Xing Lan are on the boat coming towards us."
She paused, then changed her mind. "Perhaps not. There are quite a few people outside. I feel a bit... shy when I see strangers."
77: ...No one would believe that excuse.
But Cheng Wen Yu did. He smiled reassuringly. "If Little Sister Jian Xi doesn't want to go out, we won't. It's fine. We can still enjoy the scenery from here."
Remembering he had left something outside, Cheng Wen Yu stood up. "I'll go get something. I'll be back shortly."
"Hey, don't..." Before Shen Jian Xi could stop him, he had already lifted the curtain and gone out.
As the curtain was lifted, she saw the two approaching figures and instinctively turned her face away.
It was thanks to Qiu Tao saying, "No matter who you're waiting for, it's better to go out and look than to stay here," that Lin Xing Lan was finally willing to come out for a stroll.
Lin Xing Lan had fallen asleep yesterday due to hunger and had woken up hungry this morning. However, looking at the breakfast served by the inn, he had no appetite.
Qiu Tao's words had struck him. No matter where she was staying, she was from Si Fang City. And that day, she had been with a maid. At worst, he could search every place in the city that had maids.
He sat by the boat's edge, staring blankly at the lake, not hearing a word Qiu Tao was saying.
"Cheng Wen Yu?" It wasn't until Qiu Tao's hesitant voice sounded by his ear that he snapped back to attention.
At the same time, Cheng Wen Yu, who had retrieved his item and was about to re-enter the cabin, stopped his hand from lifting the curtain upon hearing Qiu Tao's voice.
"Senior Brother," Lin Xing Lan said, standing up and bowing respectfully as soon as he saw him.
Qiu Tao scoffed at his sudden shift from feigned deafness and silence.
Inside the cabin, Shen Jian Xi's body stiffened.
"Second Brother, Junior Brother."
Cheng Wen Yu hadn't expected to encounter the two of them here. He had descended the mountain earlier than Qiu Tao, but he had been delayed by some matters on the road, so he had only returned these past couple of days. Therefore, he was unaware that Qiu Tao had come down the mountain to find Lin Xing Lan.
"Why is Second Brother here?"
Qiu Tao lazily glanced at Lin Xing Lan, who had visibly come back to his senses upon seeing Cheng Wen Yu. "This brat went missing as soon as he got down the mountain. Things have been unstable lately, so Master sent me to find him."
Cheng Wen Yu nodded. He had indeed heard about recent events. The demonic tribes were becoming restless, constantly causing minor disturbances, and many disciples of the Ming Xin Sect had been dispatched.
On his way back, he had been delayed by encountering a small village that had been ravaged by the demonic tribes.
"Who did you come with?" Qiu Tao had seen a flash of a green hem as the curtain was lowered, clearly a woman's. This made him curious. After all, at the Ming Xin Sect, Cheng Wen Yu always kept his distance from female disciples. Although his demeanor was gentle, there was a clear aloofness. This was the first time he had seen him alone with a woman.
"My future wife," Cheng Wen Yu said, a smile visibly deepening on his lips as he mentioned her.
It was fine for these two to know. After all, when he eventually brought her to the mountain, they would meet her anyway.
Fiancée!?
This surprised both of them.
"Why haven't you ever mentioned her?"
"She was young then," Cheng Wen Yu replied, not elaborating further.
"Then, why are you down the mountain this time?" Qiu Tao frowned. Could it be what he was thinking?
"Yes, I came down to get married."
Looking at the gentle smile on Cheng Wen Yu's face, Qiu Tao felt a strange pang in his heart. Before he could ponder it further, he heard Cheng Wen Yu speak again, "It's at the end of this month. If Second Brother and Junior Brother are not in a hurry to leave, you can stay and attend."
"Alright," Lin Xing Lan answered so quickly that Qiu Tao couldn't voice the further questions he had intended to ask.
Giving his dazed companion a glare, Qiu Tao didn't say anything more. Staying a few more days wasn't a bad idea. After attending the wedding, he could take her with him.
Inside the cabin, Shen Jian Xi felt like crying when Cheng Wen Yu began inviting the two men to the wedding. Qiu Tao was currently staying at her place. When the wedding procession arrived, everything would be exposed.
As she was filled with anxiety, she heard Qiu Tao speak again, "What's her name?"
Shen Jian Xi: Damn it, why does he have so many questions?!
This question made Cheng Wen Yu frown, but he still answered, "Shen Jian Xi."
Qiu Tao breathed a sigh of relief. The name was different, but she also had the surname Shen. She was probably from a collateral branch.
"Then congratulations to Senior Brother." His smile was more sincere now.
Shen Jian Xi felt relieved, immensely grateful that she had used a fake name in front of these two.
However, Lin Xing Lan's attention was once again drawn by the surname.
She also has the surname Shen. I wonder if she knows Senior Brother's fiancée?
"Senior Brother, may I meet your fiancée?"