...
After opening up, the conversation became much more comfortable. Both were gentle and charming at heart. Their cups soon emptied. Before parting,
"Your elder brother..." he hesitated.
"Hmm? What about him?" Cheng Buxi was curious.
Second Young Master Yang squinted, recalling the moment he had met Lu Tingzhou's gaze. He felt that his eyes were dark and murderous, as if he wanted to devour him—
But he shook his head, thinking he was overthinking.
"Nothing. Your brother is still the same cold-faced grim reaper, hard to get along with."
Cheng Buxi couldn't help but laugh.
-
The two walked out side by side from the café, both beaming, clearly having had an engaging conversation. Second Young Master Yang gallantly walked ahead to open the door and lead the way.
When they returned to Yiguan, facing the two anxious, hopeful mothers, Second Young Master Yang straightforwardly said, "I apologize. Miss Cheng is excellent in all aspects, but she's too young for me. Perhaps we'll meet again if fate allows."
Someone had to be the villain. He might as well take the blame; his reputation was already beyond repair.
Madam Yang, Yang Ming, was furious. She immediately apologized on his behalf, asking Bai Shuqin not to take it to heart. He had been abroad for years and had become blunt.
Madam Bai had secretly hoped they would hit it off. The Yang family was one of the top families in North City, not as tangled as the Shen family. But since things had come to this, she had nothing more to say. She patted Cheng Buxi's hand and smiled to show understanding.
-
Lu Tingzhou stood steadfast on the second floor, overhearing the entire conversation clearly.
Cheng Buxi stood quietly, head bowed, beside her adoptive mother. If one didn't pay attention, she almost blended into the white wall.
Mother and son Yang took their finished clothes and left first. Only the two siblings remained, ready for the suit fitting. Madam Bai said she wasn't feeling well and went home ahead, but not before saying quite a bit.
"Giving Koukou gold and a jade pendant upon first meeting? Anyone would think the match was already settled."
"Good thing no one else was around. How embarrassing."
Madam Bai had been holding it in for a long time and finally vented, her tone full of dissatisfaction.
"That was Mrs. Yang showing favor to the second daughter," Uncle Liang tried to smooth things over.
"Did she really?"
"..."
Lu Tingzhou remained silent, replaying the scene of the two laughing and chatting. They clearly got along well. He hadn't expected this outcome.
Where had it gone wrong?
After seeing Madam Bai off, Young Master Ji also came out to show his face before leaving. He asked Cheng Buxi if she remembered him. Cheng Buxi studied him for a moment and concluded that he had once been her brother's defeated opponent on the court, which made Young Master Ji burst into laughter.
He was easygoing and free-spirited, able to chat with anyone he met. Cheng Buxi felt more and more that she was clumsy with words. Fortunately, he could take a joke, while she was the only one blushing.
...
Unlike other private tailor shops, this one had no fitting models or personal client managers. Apart from the doorman, there was only a pattern maker and a Caucasian designer highly praised by wealthy ladies. They were all professional, not talkative, but every word was precise and to the point.
Cheng Buxi, having grown up frequenting tailor shops, was a connoisseur of suits and a little tailor herself. She knew the ins and outs of pattern making and was still impressed by the master's standard, fluent Mandarin and excellent craftsmanship.
Soon, the fitting room was left with only the siblings. Even the pattern maker had gone to the next hall.
Compared to his earlier covert surveillance and low spirits, the gloom between her brother's brows had dissipated significantly, and his posture relaxed. He merely sat there idly, without making a sound or being too conspicuous, yet the aura he exuded was impossible to ignore.
Cheng Buxi was absent-minded, her mind full of waiting for Ning Ci's reply. She had stood him up twice. Had he gotten angry?
So annoying!
Just as she was getting irritated, a sudden question came: "Did you sleep well last night?"
Her hand, which had been stroking the expensive LP fabric on the display rack, slowly stopped. She knew he was calling her out deliberately.
"Okay, I guess. And you, Brother?" She didn't have the energy to deal with him, so she casually asked back.
"Not well."
She hadn't expected him to speak his mind. Cheng Buxi paused, her mouth slightly opening as she looked at him, a misty haze in her eyes.
--------------------
Author's note: Second Young Master Yang, Yang Nanxu.
A cynical, sharp-tongued, scheming, lovesick, unwilling to lose, stubborn, damp and pathetic guy. He's still the second male lead in 'Stop Shore.' Eh.
hhhh suddenly I find it a bit funny. He and his little sister are purely like this, as you've seen. They're just nodding acquaintances. This novel isn't his turf, so.
Second Young Master Yang: ?
Thanks for the appearance fee, please.
You're already wearing a Richard Mille worth ten million, and you still care about this little money? (Putting on the helmet and running away)