22 Putting on a Show, Willing to Do Anything

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Seeing Zhang Shi Lan's expression, Madam Yan nodded with satisfaction. This scholar was unable to endure Yu Huang Rong's presence. He was too timid to even speak a whole sentence in front of him if he wasn't prompted. On the other hand, he was also somebody that didn't dare to disappoint expectations or make trouble for others. If he was forced to work together with the General for the event, then he would do so. And maybe while they were working on the same task, he would overcome his fear of leaving the Yu Huang Rong with a bad impression and thus get closer to him. At the very least, this was the plan.

"You already know General Yu from the last time so I guess there shouldn't be any problems in working together. It would be best if I explain to the two of you together so that you will have more time for the actual event. So, if you'd follow me over to the other room?"

Even though Zhang Shi Lan was nervous, he still nodded. "Certainly." He gave Xiao Jia a nod and followed Madam Yan out of the room. His steps were slow and deliberate and his hands slightly trembled. Working together with Yu Huang Rong, that wasn't what he had expected. Just what exactly would they be required to do? He didn't dare to assume anything but he dreaded what it might be.

Madam Yan knocked on the door to the other room and opened it, stepping in with a bright smile once again.

Yu Huang Rong reciprocated her smile. Normally, he might have given her a colder response but he had already heard when she knocked on the other door and listened in on what she said. It seemed this woman really had a plan on how to set them up together. He wouldn't be ungrateful for that. Furthermore, he definitely wouldn't do anything that would worsen Zhang Shi Lan's impression of him. And since the scholar was behind her, he had to show his best side. "Madam Yan, how nice to see you again. I already heard that you've planned something special for us. Why don't we sit down and talk about everything slowly?"

Madam Yan's smile brightened. This General certainly wasn't of the slow kind. She nodded and then motioned behind her. "Then General Yu certainly also knows that there is another person that will join us today. Scholar Zhang, why don't you take a seat first?"

Zhang Shi Lan took a deep breath and stepped into the room, turning to the person his heart was yearning for. "General Yu." He almost wanted to heave a sigh of relief when he managed to get out his name.

Yu Huang Rong's gaze softened. Considering what had happened the last time, this was already a little bit of progress. He nodded and got up, motioning at the chair next to him. "Scholar Zhang, it is a pleasure to see you again. Why don't you sit down here? Let's hear what Madam Yan has planned for us."

Since the General had already pointed at the chair, there was no way Zhang Shi Lan would dare to sit down anywhere else. He nodded and slowly walked over, taking a seat. He folded his hands in his lap, his whole posture tense.

Yu Huang Rong sat down again, his gaze resting on the scholar. He really wanted to reach over and pat those hands, reassuring him that there was no need to be this tense but he knew that that would have the opposite effect. Thus he turned away and instead looked at Madam Yan. "Now, Madam Yan, would you be able to sate our curiosity? Just what kind of event have you thought of?"

Madam Yan sat down on another chair and gave the two men a smile that seemed even eviler than the one from before. Ah, there would certainly be a good show. She motioned at Xiao Xi who had brought over a chest. Madam Yan opened the lid and took out some wooden slips. "I guess the two gentlemen will know what I have here."

Yu Huang Rong glanced at Zhang Shi Lan who nodded in response before he turned back to the matchmaker. "Aren't those the wooden slips we chose the last time?"

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