Chapter 40: Humiliation

  Such a problem is really too complicated for her. It takes many words to explain clearly. She understands it in her heart, but can't say it out loud.

  Since she was a child, there have always been girls of the same age around her. Most of them were very enthusiastic and deliberately tried to please her, especially when her brother Gu Xi Ye was present. However, when no one else was around, they would change their attitude towards her, looking at her with a slightly pitiful and disdainful gaze.

  It's like looking at a monster.

  She doesn't like them, so she has no friends.

  Ye Qinglan was different, though. When she looked at her, there were no complicated calculations in her eyes, only kindness and gentleness. Her smile was warm and bright, making people feel at ease from the bottom of their hearts.

  She likes Ye Qinglan.

  Gu Xiuyu thought for a long time, and Gu Xian also didn't rush him, patiently waiting like this. After a while, Gu Xiuyu finally opened his mouth and said: "Big brother, can I be friends with her?"

  Gu Xian's eyes flashed a hint of brightness, but the smile on his face became even more gentle: "Of course it's fine. As long as Yuer likes it."

  Gu Xi Yu let out a sigh of relief, and a small smile floated up at the corner of her lips. Although that thread of a smile was not obvious, for her, it was already an extremely rare joy.

  Gu Xiannian gazed at his only younger sister with a mixture of complex emotions flashing in his eyes. However, this loss of composure was only for an instant, and he quickly regained his usual warmth and calmness.

  All of this, Ye Qinglan naturally did not know.

  At this moment, she is with Ye Qingning and Zheng Junyan, leaving Luomei Courtyard and heading towards Changhe Hall.

  Neither of them knew what the other was thinking, but all along the way they didn't speak a word, each lost in their own thoughts. Occasionally they would catch each other's eye, only to quickly look away again.

  The atmosphere was so awkward that Ye Qinglan naturally knew what to do and deliberately slowed down her pace, falling behind by a large margin.

  If they have something to say to each other, this is a great opportunity. At this time, it's extremely rare for men and women to be alone together like this, such an opportunity doesn't come often.

  Changhetang was getting closer and closer, and the sound of silk and bamboo instruments came over faintly. It was clear that the opera troupe had already begun to sing.

  Zheng Junyan finally made up his mind and stopped in his tracks: "Qingning younger sister, I have something to say to you."

  Ye Qingning's face didn't look too good, but she stopped and stared straight at Zheng Junyan: "Brother, if you have something to say, just say it directly, no need to be so hesitant."

  The maids were all clever and witty, and had already retreated on their own. Zhi Xia specially went to the crossroads and stood there, lest some idle people passing by would eavesdrop on Master's conversation.

  Ye Qinglan naturally knew better, and had already turned her body sideways, pretending to admire the flowers by the road. However, her ears were extremely sharp, and the conversation between the young couple on the other side was transmitted into her ears without a single word being missed.

  "Zhen Junyan took a deep breath and said, 'Cousin sister, we've grown up together since childhood, like siblings. I don't need to hide anything from you, so I'll just say it straight out. Actually, the one I've always liked is... Cousin Xiyu.'"

  "Big brother, have you mistaken the person? These words should be said to Xi Yu, not me. What's the point of saying these things to me?" Ye Qingning replied coldly, her face looking very unpleasant.

  Ye Qingning's mood at this moment was naturally terrible.

  She had secretly admired Gu Xiannian, but she was very clear that the possibility of marrying into the Dingguo Gongfu was extremely small. Next best thing, marrying her childhood friend and cousin Zheng Junyan was also a good choice.

  Never thought that Zheng Junyan actually had someone else in his heart...

  He chose this moment to say these words, and there is obviously more to come.

  As expected, Zheng Junyan said with a embarrassed and apologetic tone: "Don't be angry, I didn't mean anything else. It's just that Father and Mother seem to have intentionally discussed our marriage with Aunt, so I thought...I thought..."

  Ye Qingning took a deep breath, straightened her waist and said expressionlessly: "What do you want?"

  The next words were really hard to say, Zheng Junyan hesitated for half a day and finally gritted his teeth and said: "I want to find an opportunity to tell my parents about my intentions. I hope my cousin won't mind!"

  Ye Qingning struggled to suppress her anger and replied stiffly: "This is your business, you can do whatever you want, it has nothing to do with me."

  Not even engaged yet and already encountered such a thing, it's utterly humiliating.

  Ye Qingning had always been a very proud girl, self-satisfied and arrogant. She never expected to encounter such humiliation today. Her heart was already burning with anger, but she still had to maintain her pride on the surface. She absolutely refused to show any weakness in front of Zheng Junyan.

  Zheng Junyan had always known her temper, seeing her pretty face unusually pale, he felt somewhat apologetic: "Sorry, sorry, it's all my fault. Actually, you're a very good girl, and in the future, you'll definitely meet an even better boy..."

  "That's for sure." Ye Qingning replied without hesitation: "I will definitely marry someone ten or a hundred times better than you in the future."

  Zheng Junyan also didn't know what to say and stood there awkwardly and at a loss.

  Ye Qingning didn't even want to look at him again, and loudly shouted: "Tenth sister, the theater troupe has started performing, let's hurry over and join in the fun."

  Ye Qinglan smiled and responded with a "just right" after finishing admiring the flowers, then walked over with an air of nonchalance. She seemed to have not noticed the strange and chilly atmosphere between Ye Qingning and Zheng Junyan, and asked with a smile: "Is Brother Zheng going together too?"

  "It's unnecessary." Ye Qingning said coldly, "He still has important things to do, how can he be in the mood to watch a play. Let's go!" As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and left.

  Ye Qinglan hurriedly followed up, originally wanting to comfort her a few words, but seeing Ye Qingning's unpleasant face, she decisively chose silence.

  At this moment, Ye Qingning probably couldn't hear anything else. It's better not to mess with this nail again.

  The stage was set up in the garden outside the flower hall, and the women sat together in twos and threes. The sound of singing on the stage was incessant, but actually only a few people were listening seriously below the stage. Most of them were talking to familiar people in a low voice.

  There were many girls who knew Ye Qingning, and they all nodded to her in greeting. Ye Qingning was in a terrible mood, but she had to force out a smile to respond to each of them. The smile was somewhat stiff, but fortunately everyone was used to Ye Qingning's haughty temperament, so no one noticed anything unusual.

  Ye Qinglan's eyes scanned the room and soon landed on Zheng Shi.

  Zheng and his sister-in-law, Mrs. Xu, sat in the front row, with Mrs. Zheng beside them. The three of them were chatting about something, all smiling. Mrs. Xu caught sight of Ye Qingning out of the corner of her eye and immediately smiled and beckoned her over.

  Ye Qing Ning hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth and going over.

  Ye Qinglan followed quickly with a mindset of watching a good show.