Tong Ziyao lowered his head and did not look at Nian Jiaojiao:
"I have nothing to discuss with Miss Nian. Hasn't Miss Nian already made up her mind?"
Nian Jiaojiao pressed her temples with a slight headache and said,
"Young Master Tong, I have always considered us friends, so I don't wish for you to be unhappy. Therefore, you..."
"Alright, I understand."
Nian Jiaojiao was about to continue persuading when she unexpectedly found that the other party seemed to have quickly adjusted his state.
Tong Ziyao looked directly at Nian Jiaojiao and asked,
"Where shall we talk?"
"...Oh, in the study..."
Nian Jiaojiao was so disoriented by Tong Ziyao's rapid change in attitude that her mind couldn't keep up. She turned stiffly and led the way in front of him.
The study.
Nian Jiaojiao lit the candle, and in the dim light, Tong Ziyao's expression was hidden in the interplay of light and shadow.
Tong Ziyao, sitting opposite her, spoke:
"What do you want to say?"
Nian Jiaojiao pondered for a moment and said,
"You've heard what my husband and I said. First, I want to apologize to you. I'm sorry..."
Nian Jiaojiao stood up and bowed sincerely to Tong Ziyao.
Tong Ziyao was a little stunned.
She was truly different from any woman he knew...
After bowing, Nian Jiaojiao returned to her seat and said,
"I have always treated Young Master Tong as a friend. This time, my unintentional actions have indeed damaged your reputation. However, there is no romantic feeling between us. Young Master Tong traveled all the way from Fengcheng to Qingzhou precisely to escape a loveless marriage, didn't he? From this perspective, I cannot marry you."
Tong Ziyao's fingers twitched, and with a complex expression, he asked Nian Jiaojiao,
"If there were romantic feelings between us, would you marry me then?"
Nian Jiaojiao was taken aback by his hypothetical question, but she still honestly replied,
"If that were the case, I still wouldn't marry you."
Tong Ziyao's fingers paused:
"It's because your husbands don't agree."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded heavily:
"Yes."
Tong Ziyao closed his eyes, seeming to sigh, then he opened them, his eyes clearing of the previous gloom.
"Alright, I understand. Let's leave it at that."
Nian Jiaojiao was bewildered by Tong Ziyao's response.
She realized that her conversations with him today always failed to keep up with his erratic thinking.
"No, what do you understand? What do you mean by 'leave it at that'?"
Nian Jiaojiao, embodying the spirit of asking what she didn't understand, spoke directly.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing her question, Tong Ziyao smiled gently,
"I mean, let's pretend none of this ever happened."
Nian Jiaojiao quickly said,
"What do you want? Besides marrying you, I will do anything I can."
Tong Ziyao shook his head,
"No need. You saved me in the first place. If it weren't for you, I would be dead by now. What reputation can I talk about? Moreover, I believe you won't spread the word about what happened."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded eagerly,
"Of course not!"
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao's earnest expression, Tong Ziyao chuckled,
"Heh~ Then fine, let this matter be settled then..."
Saying that, Tong Ziyao saw that Nian Jiaojiao still looked guilty, so he added,
"If you really feel bad about it, then finish writing 'Strange Tales of a Man of Virtue' for me to read as soon as possible. Consider it an apology. I'm waiting to read it every day."
Nian Jiaojiao's eyes lit up at this, as if she had found a way to compensate Tong Ziyao.
That's right!
Tong Ziyao liked reading novels!
Then she would write faster!
Satisfy him mentally!
Thus, Nian Jiaojiao said,
"Alright! Tomorrow, tomorrow I will give you all the remaining manuscript."
Indeed, upon hearing this, Tong Ziyao appeared somewhat excited,
"A promise?"
"A promise!"
After Tong Ziyao left, Nian Jiaojiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. The weight on her heart had lifted, and as her mood settled, she quickly took out paper and brush and began to rush her writing.
However, Nian Jiaojiao was unaware that after Tong Ziyao left, he encountered Nan Qing, who was standing at the doorway.
He nodded politely upon seeing the other person, but as he passed Nan Qing, Nan Qing softly said,
"Let's talk."
And so, the two of them went into the courtyard.
Although the moon was not full, its light cast a silver glow over the objects in the courtyard.
Nan Qing: "Do you like her?"
Tong Ziyao replied without hesitation: "Yes."
Nan Qing's expression turned cold: "You're only saying that to lower everyone's guard."
Tong Ziyao: "Yes and no."
At this moment, he was not afraid of Nan Qing knowing and stated frankly,
"Your vigilance doesn't matter, as long as she isn't wary of me."
Nan Qing: "Aren't you afraid I'll tell her what you said?"
Tong Ziyao remained calm, stepping aside to let the other person pass, implying they could say whatever they wanted.
Having interacted for a while, he naturally understood the situation between Nan Qing and Nian Jiaojiao. Although they had a "harmonious" relationship, it was only superficial, not one of deep trust.
If Nan Qing were to say something now, Nian Jiaojiao might not believe it.
What Tong Ziyao could think of, Nan Qing could also comprehend.
At this moment, Nan Qing's expression became completely gloomy:
"I never thought the outwardly noble Young Master Tong had such a side to him."
Tong Ziyao paid no mind to Nan Qing's sarcastic remarks.
He didn't care about many external things, but once something captured his attention, he would not let go.
From birth until now, it was the first time he had felt such intense emotions for someone.
Nian Jiaojiao... and her books.
...
Nan Qing returned to his room with a dark expression, only to see Xing Yun frantically hiding something.
However, he was not in the mood to pay attention to that at the moment.
At this, Xing Yun stammered,
"Second, second brother, didn't you go to the wife's room today?"
Ah, he had forgotten because that person had angered him.
Good, very good.
It was rare for anyone to make him lose his composure.
With that thought, Nan Qing walked directly towards Nian Jiaojiao's room.
However, he didn't deeply consider what his actions at this moment truly signified.
Tong Ziyao's excellence and calculating nature had instilled in him an unprecedented sense of crisis.
Seeing his second brother leave, Xing Yun let out a long sigh of relief.
He was almost scared to death!
On his rosy cheeks, a dazed expression appeared.
He took out the paper he had hidden under the table, carefully smoothed it out, flipped through a few preceding pages, and as if finding his rhythm, he began to draw.
And as his drawings came to life on the paper, his breathing grew rapid.
Ever since he accidentally stumbled upon a "picture book" at the Qinglian Bookstore, it was as if a door had been opened in Xing Yun's heart.
He often lay awake at night, thinking, imagining himself within those scenes.
And after thinking too much, he found that "picture book" to be bland, so he began his own creations.
And every time he saw his wife, his inspiration would flow endlessly...