Seeing Du Xiang hesitate to speak, Qi Zhenzhen knew he had something to say, and didn't want to say it in front of everyone. She asked the Lin family to go back first, and she would return later.
Lin Ruixue knew about the incident caused by the Du family back then and disliked the Du family members greatly, so she didn't want Qi Zhenzhen to face Du Xiang alone.
"Aunt, don't worry, I'll be back in a moment," Qi Zhenzhen said softly. "After all, Du Xiang giving up his studies has a lot to do with me. Now he just has something to say, I can't not listen, can I?"
Lin Ruixue snorted, "That's because their family has impure intentions, and you didn't force them. If you're so soft-hearted, don't fall into his trap."
Lin Ruixue didn't lower her voice when she spoke, and her words clearly reached Du Xiang's ears.
Du Xiang was not angry, only more embarrassed.
Lin Ruixue did not linger there, pulling the other three Lin family members back.
The old lady and the elder Mrs. Zhang followed Lin Ruixue's footsteps without hesitation. The younger Mrs. Zhang's eyes darted around, full of curiosity, and her steps slowed considerably.
"Eldest daughter-in-law, give her a hand, why are you dawdling?" the old lady said displeasantly. "Second daughter-in-law, I'm telling you, many things are caused by loose lips. You should carefully consider what should be said and what shouldn't be said!"
The younger Mrs. Zhang's expression was awkward, and she quickened her pace to catch up with the old lady, feeling rather regretful and sensing she had missed a good show.
"Miss Qi, I have never forgotten the events that happened before, and I have been thinking of apologizing to you properly," Du Xiang said slowly.
"It's all in the past, you don't need to keep it in your heart," Qi Zhenzhen said. The Du family's affairs were insignificant, and she hadn't taken them to heart at all. "As for the words I said in anger, you don't need to care." Qi Zhenzhen felt a little guilty. At that time, Du Xiang had said he would agree to any request Qi Zhenzhen had to express his apology. In her anger, Qi Zhenzhen told him to give up the imperial examination path, and Du Xiang actually gave it up, changing from a scholar to a businessman.
This was considered ruining his future. She hadn't thought much of it at the time, but now, she felt she had wronged him.
Therefore, if Du Xiang wanted to go back on his word, she wouldn't object.
Du Xiang was very excited, "A true man stands by his word. Since I promised you I wouldn't study for the imperial examinations, I won't."
After persuading him a few more times, Du Xiang still insisted. Qi Zhenzhen was also helpless. Thinking that he was doing well in business now, she decided not to persuade him further and let him be.
"You've apologized, and I've said I won't hold it against you. Let the past be the past. If we meet again in the future, we'll still be friends," Qi Zhenzhen said after thinking for a moment. "I have guests at home, so I'll be going back now."
Du Xiang hadn't said the words he most wanted to say, so how could he let Qi Zhenzhen leave?
In his haste, he reached out to grab Qi Zhenzhen's hand.
He grabbed a hand, but it wasn't Qi Zhenzhen's.
Gu Sinian looked at Du Xiang coldly. Du Xiang was startled and quickly let go, "I'm sorry, I grabbed the wrong person."
Du Xiang didn't recognize Gu Sinian and thought he was just passing by.
"Grabbed the wrong person? You mean you wanted to grab her hand? Looking at your refined appearance, you are so undisciplined!" Gu Sinian mocked, "Truly a disgrace to refinement."
"I'm not, I just have something to say," Du Xiang defended himself.
"Do you need to pull and tug to speak? In broad daylight, are you trying to ruin her reputation?" Gu Sinian pressed on.
Qi Zhenzhen also frowned at this moment. Although there were no people passing by on this road, it didn't mean there wouldn't be. If she were seen pulling and tugging with Du Xiang, it would be hard to explain.
"How could I ruin Zhenzhen's reputation? How could I do anything bad to her if I like her so much?" In his haste, Du Xiang blurted out his true feelings.
Gu Sinian sized up Du Xiang carefully. He was ordinary-looking, thin, and his demeanor was nothing special. Compared to him, there was no comparison.
"Your Excellency truly has courage!" Gu Sinian said meaningfully, "Do you think you are worthy of the young lady?"
Worthy or not? Du Xiang hadn't thought about this. He only thought that if Qi Zhenzhen agreed to him, he would try his best to treat her well.
"Doesn't Your Excellency think you're meddling too much? This is between us, and you don't need to be a judge here. Please leave quickly and don't delay our conversation," Du Xiang cleared his throat and said seriously.
Gu Sinian curved his lips and smiled, "Your business? Do you know that the girl you are confessing to will marry me next March? I accompanied her back this time."
Du Xiang was a little stunned. He had only returned home yesterday and had rested at home for a day before eagerly going to the Qi family to find Qi Zhenzhen to express his feelings and ask for her thoughts. He had no idea that Qi Zhenzhen was already engaged, let alone that she had left Xinghua Village.
In just over half a year, how had things changed so much?
Qi Zhenzhen was also a little stunned. Du Xiang actually said he liked her? Under normal circumstances, she had ruined his future, shouldn't he hate her? Was this a case of love born from hatred?
"Du Xiang, I made my feelings clear when the incident happened. I never liked you, nor did I ever think of marrying into your Du family. I think you should remember clearly, and even if you don't remember, your grandmother and your mother should remember clearly," Qi Zhenzhen took a deep breath and said very coldly, "I don't know why you developed these feelings. To avoid any misunderstanding, I can state it clearly again: I have no feelings for you. If we hadn't met today, I wouldn't have even remembered someone like you."
Her words were clear and unambiguous, leaving no room for interpretation. After speaking, without regard for Du Xiang's reaction, Qi Zhenzhen walked away directly.
"She is mine. I can't control your admiration, but if you pester her, don't blame me for being impolite," Gu Sinian said, then hurried to chase after Qi Zhenzhen.
Du Xiang stared blankly at the two figures walking away side by side. So, he had been infatuated all along.
He had thought that she might have had a little place for him in her heart, after all, when he went to the Qi family back then, Qi Zhenzhen had treated him warmly and politely. Moreover, she had risked her life to save him in the mountains. But it turned out that it was truly as she said, she was just familiar with the mountains, which was why she went to save him.
Du Xiang turned away dejectedly and walked home step by step. He would pack up and leave tomorrow.
"Why did the Young Master come out?" Qi Zhenzhen asked in a low voice.
"If I didn't come out, that kid would have been pestering you endlessly," Gu Sinian's voice was a little resentful.
"What are you thinking? How could I let him pester me? I also didn't expect him to say such things! Although I saved his life back then, I also ruined his future. Logically, he should hate me." Qi Zhenzhen mumbled, "Who would have thought that not only did he not hate me, but he harbored such feelings."