Lin Xinglan's request, while surprising Cheng Wenyu, did not make him uncomfortable. He knew his junior brother's personality; he rarely spoke, let alone made requests, so there must be something truly on his mind.
Shen Jianxi's heart leaped into her throat again with his words.
If it were anything else, Cheng Wenyu might have agreed to his junior brother's request, but this matter concerned her...
Recalling her earlier statement about feeling uncomfortable meeting outsiders, he shook his head and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, junior brother, but I cannot agree."
Lin Xinglan lowered his head in disappointment. He couldn't defy his senior brother's wishes and forcefully lift the curtain; his personality and respect for his senior brother prevented him from doing so.
Qiu Tao, standing beside him, put an arm around his shoulder and said playfully, "Junior brother, you truly are naive. We shouldn't disturb senior brother any longer and should leave soon."
Lin Xinglan remained silent, his head bowed in thought. After a while, he slowly nodded, "I apologize, senior brother. Xinglan has overstepped."
He and Qiu Tao had always doted on this junior brother, so they didn't say much more, offering words of comfort, "It's nothing. If junior brother is curious, there will be many opportunities to meet her in the future. After we are married, I will bring her to Mingxin Sect."
"Since there's nothing else, we shall take our leave."
Qiu Tao waved goodbye. Since the person inside wasn't who he thought it was, there was no need to linger and chat.
"Until we meet again."
He then patted the still dazed Lin Xinglan, "Let's go, dummy."
Only after the two boats had completely passed each other did Cheng Wenyu lift the curtain and enter the boat.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Jianxi sister."
Only then did Shen Jianxi completely relax. She hadn't dared to make a sound just now, afraid of being recognized.
Putting down the teacup she had been gripping tightly, she realized she had broken out in a light sweat on her back, testament to her earlier anxiety.
"It's alright. Are those two your friends, Wenyu brother?"
Cheng Wenyu sat in his seat, pouring tea for Shen Jianxi as he replied, "They are my two junior brothers. If you wish, I can introduce you later."
Shen Jianxi gave a dry laugh and said nothing. Meeting them wasn't necessary...
She picked up her teacup, using the act of drinking tea to mask her unease. She secretly glanced at Cheng Wenyu, who was still making tea, completely oblivious. His demeanor was always dignified and composed, and his conversation was neither overly boastful nor overly humble. She wondered what such a refined man would do if he knew she also knew his two junior brothers.
Being with Cheng Wenyu always made one feel comfortable. You never felt offended, nor was there ever an awkward silence. His gentleness was always shown in the subtle details, never forced.
Time always passed quickly when they were together.
Even though he was reluctant, he could only escort her back.
"Jianxi sister!"
As Shen Jianxi was about to enter her mansion, she turned around. Meeting her gaze, Cheng Wenyu didn't quite know how to proceed.
"What is it?"
He clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes clear and sincere, "May I invite you to enjoy the flowers tomorrow?"
Shen Jianxi's heart fluttered. Well, who could refuse a handsome, gentle, and sincere man? It wasn't that she was smitten, but she did have a soft spot for this type.
So, she smiled radiantly, "If it's Wenyu brother, of course I can."
After saying that, she shyly turned her head and ran back into her mansion, her retreating figure carrying a hint of fluster.
77: "Beep! Favorability +8, Cheng Wenyu's current favorability is 26."
Cheng Wenyu, behind her, curved his lips upwards, exuding an aura of joy that caused Qingzhu to steal a few glances.
Is the young master that easy to please? he mused.
77: "Random quest issued! Please have more than thirty seconds of physical contact with Lin Xinglan within 24 hours."
Shen Jianxi paused. She had realized that this task system had no other use except for dousing cold water.
She was the best tool, wasn't she? After dealing with Qiu Tao in the morning, going on a boat trip with Cheng Wenyu in the afternoon, and now having to kiss Lin Xinglan in the evening.
From now on, please call her Shen, the Master of Time Management, Nicholas Jianxi!
Thinking of the marriage, Shen Jianxi turned towards her mother, but to her surprise, her father was also there.
"That child Wenyu... is dead... what a tragic life..."
"Don't dwell on it too much... alas..."
Broken sobs and sounds of comfort emanated from within the room. Shen Jianxi's hand, poised to knock, froze. The next second, she suddenly pushed the door open.
"Mother, what are you talking about? What do you mean 'dead'? Who is dead?"
Her sudden entrance caused Shen Father's comforting hand to freeze mid-air. Shen Mother hastily wiped away her tears, a red-eyed smile on her face as she said, "You're back. How was your morning?"
Shen Jianxi walked into the room, looking sternly at the two of them, determined to get answers. "Father, Mother, I have the right to know the truth!"
Seeing her firm stance, Shen Father and Shen Mother exchanged a glance and sighed, "Very well, you will know this sooner or later."
"Are you curious as to why your parents are so eager to marry you off?"
Shen Jianxi nodded. Indeed, given how doting her parents were, they wouldn't have rushed her marriage so quickly at the end of the month. She had been pondering this since she first heard about it.
Mentioning this, Shen Mother's tears began to flow uncontrollably again. She held Shen Jianxi's hand and sobbed, "Your Aunt Ning, she... she's not going to last much longer."
This news struck Shen Jianxi like a thunderbolt. So that was it. Then everything made sense.
Shen Mother continued, "She treated you like her own daughter since you were little. Her final wish is to see you married to Wenyu."
At this point, Shen Mother's voice held a hint of pleading, "Nannan, don't blame your mother. It's selfish of me."
"But, this is your Aunt Ning's last wish. Whether you and Wenyu stay together or divorce in the future, can you... let your Aunt Ning go... in peace?"
From the memories she had inherited, Shen Jianxi had genuinely felt that love and care. She had inherited the original host's memories, and these feelings inevitably affected her to some extent.
She couldn't remain indifferent.
After a long pause, Shen Jianxi found her voice, "Does Cheng Wenyu... does he know?"
Shen Father shook his head. "Not yet. Your Aunt Ning's wish is for Wenyu to be kept in the dark for as long as possible. Don't mention it to your Wenyu brother, just pretend you don't know anything."
This marriage suddenly felt heavy. Shen Jianxi's heart was filled with complex emotions. "I understand. I won't say anything. I have no objections to the marriage."
After she said this, Shen Mother stood up and embraced her, weeping, "My good Nannan, your mother has wronged you."
Although Shen Father's reaction was less overt, his expression was also grave.
Even though she knew Cheng Wenyu was a man worth entrusting her life to, it still tormented the hearts of these loving parents with guilt.