Yan Shouyi had performed many hero-saves-the-beauty deeds, but at this moment, as he observed Liu Ying, he felt like he had been tricked.
He stared into Liu Ying’s eyes and asked, “Were you doing that on purpose?”
Liu Ying deliberately blinked her eyes and asked in a very confused tone, “What is Mister talking about?”
“Nothing.”
Yan Shouyi shook his head.
He suspected that Liu Ying had known all along that their group would be coming to Yuelu Academy today, which was why she had deliberately provoked the butterfly man earlier, to lure him into intervening.
Otherwise, Liu Ying could have simply ignored the butterfly man. Under everyone’s gaze, the butterfly man could only vent his anger and would not have been able to do anything to Liu Ying.
But what good would Liu Ying’s actions do for herself? It seemed to have only made her owe Yan Shouyi a favor for nothing.
Yan Shouyi couldn’t figure it out, so he didn’t press further.
Liu Ying was a storyteller by profession. No matter what she said, her tone was always natural and convincing. For a moment, Yan Shouyi even felt he was overthinking.
“Brother Yan!”
Long Feicheng and the others caught up. Long Feicheng, holding his phone, said, “I recorded that scene just now!”
Yan Shouyi’s expression changed: “What are you filming this for? Delete it quickly.”
“Brother Yan, how dare you say that? You snatched the heroic act of saving the beauty for yourself instead of letting us do it. I’m going to send this video to your wife later, so she can enjoy Brother Yan’s heroic deeds.” Long Feicheng said with a mischievous grin.
“You damn…”
Yan Shouyi was furious and quickly said, “My treat tonight, barbecue.”
“And a hot pot meal too.”
“No problem!” Yan Shouyi gritted his teeth.
In reality, Yan Shouyi had no money on him. Treating them to a barbecue and a hot pot was already his limit.
As for the train tickets and hotels, they were all arranged remotely by Lin Zitong, without costing Yan Shouyi a single cent.
Long Feicheng kept his word and deleted the video on the spot.
Before Yan Shouyi could relax, Weng Qianxiang took out his phone: “Um…”
“You filmed it too??” Yan Shouyi was shocked.
Weng Qianxiang had only been with Long Feicheng for a few days, how could he have learned to be so bad so quickly?
Weng Qianxiang said sheepishly, “Little Long said that the reason he can live to this day by your side is mainly due to three points: being cowardly, not being loyal, and betraying his brothers.”
Yan Shouyi had a headache: “What benefits do you want now?”
“Another barbecue meal.”
“Fine…”
To see these two with such little ambition, going through all this trouble just to eat barbecue and hot pot.
Fortunately, there was still Xu Qian, the newcomer. Compared to Long Feicheng and the others, Xu Qian was as clean and pure as a blank piece of paper.
Liu Ying was amused by their camaraderie. She covered her mouth and smiled, “So Mister is already married.”
“You and I are just strangers who met by chance, it was perfectly open and honest. It’s just that if those two had released that video, they would have surely embellished it.” Yan Shouyi said irritably.
“Regardless, thank you for intervening to save me.”
Liu Ying glanced around. Most of the guests had already left, so she suggested:
“I owe you a favor this time. How about you honor me with your presence in the private room upstairs to rest, so I can express my thanks properly?”
Yan Shouyi and his group were here to find storytellers in the first place, and even if Liu Ying’s performance was over, they wouldn’t leave. So, he nodded and agreed.
Liu Ying called a waiter and led Yan Shouyi and the others upstairs while she went to the dressing room to change.
Liu Ying wore a special performance outfit while telling stories, which was different from her usual attire.
Yan Shouyi and his group followed the waiter to the second floor and entered a private room.
From the window of the private room, one could get a panoramic view of the magnificent West Lake, which was somewhat similar to the Xihu Yaju in Rongcheng.
Xihu Yaju was located in the center of the West Lake in Rongcheng, with a better location. However, the West Lake in Rongcheng was not as magnificent as the West Lake in Qiantang, and it was ultimately a bit inferior.
Qiantang, this city, both in terms of scenery and culture, was worth savoring and studying. Yan Shouyi had visited Qiantang several times, and each time he gained a new understanding, so he was full of anticipation for Qiantang.
After everyone sat down, Long Feicheng was still infatuated with Liu Ying. Yan Shouyi said helplessly:
“Have you forgotten Xuanxuan?”
Long Feicheng laughed, “Xuanxuan likes the night watchman. I won’t steal her away. I’ll give Xuanxuan to the night watchman, and you can have Miss Liu for me.”
“You’re truly a toad lusting after a swan.” Yan Shouyi retorted.
Xu Qian asked doubtfully, “What does that mean?”
“Ugly on the outside, but wild on the inside.”
“Hahaha!”
Liu Ying let out a silvery laugh, walked in from outside the private room, and said as she walked, “I’ve never heard this saying before, Mister, but it’s quite interesting.”
Liu Ying had changed into more modern attire, a long skirt paired with a vest, looking elegant and dignified. Most importantly, she had put on a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, making her look even more intellectual.
“You heard that?” Yan Shouyi cleared his throat and shot a glare at Long Feicheng.
“So Miss Liu likes these kinds of sayings?” Long Feicheng became interested.
Liu Ying replied, “As a storyteller, I’m naturally interested in these things.”
“Then I’ll tell you a few more sayings for you to hear!” Long Feicheng cleared his throat and said, “Old lady drilling into a quilt – amuse Grandpa!”
Liu Ying couldn’t help but laugh again, giggling.
Weng Qianxiang chimed in, “Now that you mention it, I remember too. I have this kind of saying too! Empress entering the cold palace – nothing ventured, nothing gained!”
“You two are really something.” Yan Shouyi said with a wry smile, stopping the two eccentrics.
Fortunately, Han San had been captured by the Ghost King of the Yao family, otherwise, if Yan Shouyi had stopped Long Feicheng and Weng Qianxiang at this moment, Han San would have definitely chimed in with a few flattering remarks.
Liu Ying laughed, “I think it’s quite interesting.”
“It’s a bit inappropriate for children, though.” Yan Shouyi shook his head.
“May I ask Mister’s name?”
“A descendant of Lu Ban, Yan Shouyi.”
Hearing this answer, Liu Ying couldn’t help but be taken aback.
Yan Shouyi said seriously, “Miss Liu, let’s be frank. I’m not sure if you knew we were coming here today, but I’m certain that from the moment we entered the academy, you knew our identities. As for whether the events that followed were staged by you, I won’t ponder it for now. What I want to ask is – where is Mr. Yin?”
After reaching the private room, the more Yan Shouyi thought about it, the more he felt something was off about Liu Ying. Thinking alone was useless; it was better to just say it directly.
As expected, after his words were revealed, Liu Ying’s expression changed slightly.
Her gaze towards Yan Shouyi and the others held less of its previous politeness and more of a relaxed air.