Ouyang Xinuo was scared away, but Su Muxian managed to drink her tea. After finishing, she smiled sweetly at Ye Tiancheng, "I have to be honest. I can't do anything with a guilty conscience. If I hide anything, I'll have trouble sleeping at night."
In fact, Ye Tiancheng quite liked this about her. It was precisely because Su Muxian was so open and forthright that Ye Tiancheng had helped her time and again, and was willing to stand by her side now.
"That means you haven't met the right person. I will slowly repay what I owe you, so don't overthink it. Since we are not together, it means we have fate but no connection. Your better destiny is waiting for you ahead."
Ye Tiancheng also wanted to stay with Su Muxian for a while. Although Su Muxian didn't show anything, she must have been a little affected inside. She had encountered such a man who tried to disrupt her life, but he lacked the courage. Instead, he had exposed the scars in her heart.
Ye Tiancheng stayed to comfort her for a while before leaving. In the blink of an eye, it was noon. The Su family's cook had prepared cured meat, steamed fresh shrimp, and stir-fried a few seasonal vegetables.
Ye Tiancheng ran over to eat with Su Muxian, naturally wanting to reassure everyone. Ouyang Xinuo, that scoundrel, had caused such a scene, and everyone had some grievances.
This matter was caused by Ye Tiancheng, and it was necessary for him to appease everyone. He couldn't let the situation escalate; the main thing was to suppress it and prioritize peace.
"Su Muxian, eat more. Look how thin your face has become, it's sunken in. You can't get any thinner. This won't do. You look so haggard."
Ye Tiancheng kept serving Su Muxian food. It was actually his apology. He had stirred things up so much for the girl, and all sorts of rumors would spread. Regardless, it was cruel to Su Muxian.
"Brother Ye, you should eat more. Look at your dark circles. You must pay attention to nutrition."
"Thank you. Your family's cook makes delicious food. I can't get enough of it. I will definitely eat more."
Seeing that he and Su Muxian were getting along harmoniously, and that Ouyang Xinuo's incident had not caused any suspicion, Ye Tiancheng was naturally happy. This was a great thing, indicating that the scumbag couldn't shake their relationship. Small misunderstandings were insignificant, and all misfortune would soon pass.
However, before this meal was finished, a servant from the house came to report again. Ouyang Xinuo, that reckless fellow, had already left and taken all the betrothal gifts, but for some reason, he had returned.
If it weren't for the presence of everyone, and if Su Muxian wasn't known for her gentle nature, she might have smashed the bowl directly. This detestable Ouyang Xinuo seemed born to be her adversary; he wouldn't be satisfied until he saw her dead.
"Don't worry about it, I'll handle it. I shouldn't have been soft-hearted and gotten involved with him. If I had known it would cause so much trouble, no matter how much pressure I endured, I would have just killed him with one blow. I wouldn't have minded dying in prison."
Su Muxian was not someone who spoke harshly. This was the harshest thing she could say, which even startled Ye Tiancheng. He kept comforting Su Muxian from the side.
"Su Muxian, don't be angry. It's not worth getting angry over such a scumbag. If you give the word, I'll go out and split that Ouyang Xinuo in half and send him to hell."
Ye Tiancheng had already stood up and shielded Su Muxian behind him. Unexpectedly, that hot-headed Ouyang Xinuo barged in. "I heard Su Muxian is eating here. I want to tell you face-to-face. I've thought about it, and I still can't let you go. No matter what you've been through, I won't pursue it anymore. Let's live together from now on. I want to marry you as my wife."
Such a declaration was deeply shocking, but Su Muxian maintained her composure. She was not an innocent young girl. After experiencing life and death, she had become indifferent to many things, including the most sincere love between people. Su Muxian no longer yearned for it.
Everyone else had expressions of fear, but Su Muxian was very calm. She put down her chopsticks and glanced at Ouyang Xinuo.
"If you had thought it through, you could have made a decision then. Since you've thought about it for so long, it means you're still hesitant. A late sincerity is cheaper than grass, and I won't believe you anymore."
"Su Muxian, I've paid a lot for you. I thought about it carefully before giving you this answer, as it's more responsible. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll delay you."
Everyone present was astonished by this devoted suitor. Many couldn't believe that a rogue who only knew how to act shamelessly could also speak such heartfelt words. It seemed that human nature was indeed complex, and people had many sides; one shouldn't judge everyone with a single stroke.
"But I don't fancy you. Even if you've thought it through now, it's only because I'm a novelty to you. In time, you'll be captivated by other charming women, and my life will become a tragedy of waiting for you."
Su Muxian's insight was unexpected. She was just a young girl in her early twenties, yet she possessed such wisdom. Ye Tiancheng felt it was truly remarkable.
"Su Muxian, don't rush to reject me. You have to give me a chance to prove my feelings for you. This is not a whim; I've thought it through carefully. I truly love you."
Ouyang Xinuo appeared pitiful now, and everyone present felt he had it tough. However, Su Muxian felt such a person was not worth entrusting her life to. She had been deceived by a man once before, which made her particularly suspicious.
"I advise you not to pester me. I have my own life goals. If you pester me, I won't feel any gratitude towards you. Instead, I'll worry that you'll be an obstacle in my path."
Su Muxian's coldness was beyond everyone's expectations. Logically, a young girl should easily be swayed by a man's sweet talk. But for some reason, Su Muxian's heart was like stone. No matter what others said, she was clear in her mind and wouldn't be easily deceived.
"Don't be afraid. Just watch me perform. I'll show you that you'll be happy with me."
The sincerity in the man's eyes, at least for now, seemed genuine. Even if his words could deceive, the light in his eyes wouldn't.
"I won't give you this chance."
Su Muxian's refusal was resolute. She would directly reject anything disadvantageous to her rather than letting it begin. She had suffered from being soft-hearted before and would not repeat the same mistake.
"Then can I stay by your side? I promise I won't do anything inappropriate. If I make a mistake, everyone can testify, and I will leave immediately without causing you any more trouble."
Whether it was true or not, Ouyang Xinuo's attitude was indeed quite moving. Many people present were somewhat touched. Such a devoted man had certainly earned some points.
"You don't need to be by my side, Ouyang Xinuo. If we spend too much time together, and one day I am too cruel to you, I fear you will be very pained."
Su Muxian was very clear, but Ouyang Xinuo couldn't let go. Even if it was just a dream, he didn't want to wake up.
"You don't need to worry about whether I'm in pain. As long as you let me stay by your side, nothing else matters."
Ouyang Xinuo probably thought he was strong enough and wouldn't collapse even if he was hurt.
Seeing that this conversation had reached a stalemate, with neither of them willing to yield, especially Su Muxian, who wanted Ouyang Xinuo to disappear immediately and stop disturbing her life.
In this situation, Ye Tiancheng had to step in to mediate, otherwise, everyone was too serious, and it would be impossible to resolve.
"Alright, stop arguing. Everyone calm down."
Hearing Ye Tiancheng speak, Su Muxian seemed to remember something and suddenly proposed a condition to Ouyang Xinuo, "How about this? You release Miss Liu Lanying, and then I'll let you stay in my villa for a week. What do you say?"
"You're willing to let me stay with you?"
"I'm thinking of getting to know you better. But Liu Lanying is my good friend. If you capture her now, how can I be with you? Am I supposed to betray my best sister?"
Ye Tiancheng was completely shocked by Su Muxian's sudden words. Su Muxian was definitely saying this to help him. Ye Tiancheng hadn't discussed the plan in detail with Su Muxian, but this girl was too smart. Now, she was going with the flow. Since Ouyang Xinuo was infatuated, she wanted to take this opportunity to rescue the person.
"But you're not doing this for Ye Tiancheng, are you? After all, that Miss Liu is Ye Tiancheng's friend. As far as I remember, you two don't know each other."
Seeing that Ouyang Xinuo wasn't stupid and had already questioned Su Muxian, if they failed now, there would be no chance of success later.
At this moment, Su Muxian had to steady her mind and execute the plan perfectly.
So, Su Muxian deliberately pretended to be angry, "You ran away scared last time, and now you're making so many conditions. It shows that your feelings for me are not genuine. You want to trick me, don't you? Are you ashamed to trick a woman? You're a man, and you're still considering a woman's request. Then hurry up and leave. Don't annoy me. We have fate but no connection."
Su Muxian's use of "fate but no connection" was brilliant. It instantly filled Ouyang Xinuo with hope. He had felt despair before, as Ouyang Xinuo felt that Su Muxian and Ye Tiancheng were deliberately plotting something.
In reality, Su Muxian didn't like him, and they were only trying to rescue Liu Lanying. However, Su Muxian's attitude now was not as firm as before.
After a slight slap and a sweet date, Ouyang Xinuo seemed to regain his confidence, his heart filled with hope. He didn't want to give up on the woman he loved so deeply.
"Okay, I can release Liu Lanying, and I promise not to hold Liu Lanying hostage anymore. But you have to keep your promise and let me stay by your side for a week. I want to be with you day and night. Don't worry, I won't do anything improper, because I truly love you, love you to the bone. I won't let you hate me."