Madam Yan's Matchmaking Pavilion for Men

27 Disappointment, A Hopeless Fool

Zhang Shi Lan looked at the person that he had loved for ten years in a daze. Was this really happening? He could hardly believe it. Ten years of unrequited love were suddenly supposed to turn into a beautiful story where they would find out that they had both longed for each other in the same way?

Ah, but even if that was the case, there were still other things to consider. Qian Mu Qing had said it: There was still their reputation involved, their families. Even if their feelings were mutual, there was no way to live them in reality.

He gave a sad smile and shook his head. "I don't understand what General Yu is talking about." His heart squeezed painfully but he had to say this sentence. It was better if he pretended not to understand as if he confessed his own feelings only for them to realize that this would lead nowhere.

Yu Huang Rong's eyes widened. He wanted to slap his own mouth. Just what had he said just now?! Did he really just confess his feelings like that?! Ah well, at the very least, he hadn't said I love you. He had to make something up on the spot or their relationship might really take a turn for the worse. He cleared his throat and picked up his teacup, taking a sip. "I'm sorry. What I said just now ... It probably sounded very strange."

Zhang Shi Lan lowered his gaze, his fingers tightening around the fabric of his robe. Strange ... Yes, it sounded like something straight out of a dream. Wasn't that strange?

"Actually, what I meant was that when we met four days ago, I had the feeling that we were getting along rather well. So when the invitation for today arrived I couldn't help but think of you again and I thought that I could count myself lucky.

"You also know that I haven't been to the capital very much in the last ten years. I'm not familiar with anyone and well, some people are easier to get along with than others. The Emperor's cousin has such a lofty status so even though my own status is good, I'd rather not want to get mixed up with him. That Young Master Feng is rather disagreeable so I was also happy that it wasn't him."

Zhang Shi Lan looked up, a faint trace of hurt flashing through his eyes. Ah, so it had been like this. Of course. He had thought too much. How could it be that General Yu would feel for him in the way he did? Certainly, there would be no romantic feelings involved from the General's side.

Qian Mu Qing had thought wrong and because of those words, he himself had also assumed the wrong thing. It really was true. If there was no hope, then it was bearable. But as soon as he saw a faint silver lining at the horizon, he couldn't help but be disappointed when he found out that this wasn't actually the day getting closer but instead just an illusion brought by the endless cold.

Yu Huang Rong wasn't looking at him for fear of embarrassing himself even more and happily continued on. "That Qian Mu Qing seemed like he had something against me. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have been happy if we had been paired up together. As for that guy from the Academy, I guess he's better but from what I gathered, he was only into music. I guess we wouldn't have too much we could talk about. And the others didn't say much so I don't know anything about them. With you, it was different. So I couldn't help but think that it really was such a lucky coincidence." He gave a soft laugh and looked up.

By now, Zhang Shi Lan had already schooled his expression. He gave a small smile and nodded. "Thank you for your praise, General Yu. I was also very happy that you were the one Madam Yan invited me together with. It's not that I'm in a situation like the General where I don't really know the others as Min Ru Shui and I both went to the Academy. So we already knew each other. As for Qian Mu Qing, since we arrived shortly after each other, I had the opportunity to talk a while with him and I had a good impression of him. Although I also wouldn't have dared to even think of being paired with His Highness or Young Master Feng. My father's status isn't that high so ..." He stopped and also picked up his teacup.