Madam Yan's Matchmaking Pavilion for Men

13 Unexplainable Attraction, A Man Deeply Admired

When Zhang Shi Lan turned away, Qian Mu Qing couldn't help but feel anxious. This kind of gentle scholar ... He wouldn't have scared him with his words, would he? He also got up and took the few steps that separated them with the thought of calming him. In the end, he stopped though. Zhang Shi Lan was probably confused enough as it was. He shouldn't get too close and instead, give him time to come to terms with the situation first.

Zhang Shi Lan tried to do just that but it was hard to fight down the emotions welling up in his heart. General Yu ... The person he had secretly loved for so many years might be in love with him? That really would be a dream come true. But unfortunately, it was impossible. He couldn't believe that General Yu really thought of him like that and even if he did there was no way for them to be together, was there?

In the end, he took a few deep breaths and turned around, giving Qian Mu Qing a smile. "Thank you for taking the time to tell me about your assumption. I'll pay more attention to it in the future." Even though he didn't believe that what Qian Mu Qing had said was true, he certainly wouldn't tell him so outright. This person had tried to look out for him. Saying something like that would be like a slap to his face. He wasn't a person like that.

Qian Mu Qing could see that Zhang Shi Lan didn't believe him in the least. Well, if he hadn't seen the way General Yu looked at the scholar, he certainly wouldn't have believed so either if anybody told him. That was the man that had led thousands of soldiers in the war against the state of Xiang! Who would think that he preferred men over women? The whole capital would laugh at him if he dared to make such an assumption in public.

Unfortunately, he had seen that gaze and he was sure about what he thought. If Zhang Shi Lan didn't take it seriously, things might turn out badly. "Scholar Zhang, I know that this sounds strange. If I wasn't very sure, I wouldn't have brought it up. Please be careful in the future when you have to do with General Yu. If anything happened and somebody found out about it, then your reputation would certainly be ruined. General Yu might be able to get away with it but as for you ..." He shook his head. Just a rumor might be damaging to him not to speak of if something really were to transpire.

Zhang Shi Lan nodded but kept quiet. If something were to happen ... How could that be? Just the thought of it ... Unknowingly, his cheeks flushed bright red.

Qian Mu Qing's brows rose. This ... Scholar Zhang didn't look like he was afraid at all. No, rather than that, he looked as if ... Qian Mu Qing sucked in a surprised breath and opened his mouth only to close it again.

What was it with this day? He really didn't want to know this much about other people's thoughts and hidden feelings! His gaze flitted about but finally, he couldn't hold back. Even though he normally wouldn't care, this situation was too peculiar! He wouldn't dare to ask that General Yu but Zhang Shi Lan was different. He regarded him as a friend and since they had already started to talk about it, why shouldn't he use the opportunity? "That ... Scholar Zhang, I'm sorry if I'm being intrusive but ... could it be that you ... toward General Yu ...?" Even though he wanted to ask, he couldn't get the words out. This really was too unexpected!

Zhang Shi Lan looked at him, obviously startled. The flush across his cheeks deepened further though, completely giving away his inner thoughts. This was obviously the face of a person that was caught in the act.

Qian Mu Qing turned away and raised his brows, rubbing his face and taking a deep breath to calm down. "I ... I really can't understand this! Why would you ...?"

Zhang Shi Lan wanted to find an excuse. He wanted to say something to explain the situation, to pretend that no, he definitely wasn't in love with General Yu. But Qian Mu Qing's gaze said that he already knew. He had seen completely through him. Well, it figured. As a merchant, he naturally needed to be able to see through people's thoughts. Otherwise, how would he be able to successfully conduct his business?