Blossom in Adversity

C194. Night Meeting.

Chapter 194 Night Meeting

Hua Zhi gently patted Shao Yao on the back, "I understand, I will never despise him, never."

Shao Yao, reassured by her sincerity, immediately smiled and reached for the remaining half plate of pastries, nibbling on them mischievously as she said, "Hua Hua, let me tell you, I still remember how Yan-ge used to be. He used to smile sweetly, with two dimples showing when he did. His hair was always filled with short strands, needing to be groomed with something at formal events to keep it from getting tousled, not like the stiff way it is now."

Hua Zhi couldn't imagine that version of Gu Yanxi, feeling like it would somehow be sacrilegious.

But with such a background, born into wealth and luxury, he was destined to be carefree. He indeed had it once, but lost it in such a tragic manner, a pain only he could understand.

While her thoughts wandered, she joked, "If he knew you were revealing his secrets to others, he would surely scold you."

"You're not someone else." Shao Yao said matter-of-factly. Their goal was for Hua Hua to become his wife!

With official business still pending in the palace, Shao Yao had a sumptuous meal and then left, carrying various packages - some for herself, some for her master, and some for Yan-ge.

*

In the study room, Gu Yanxi had been staring at the memorial in front of him for a long time. Lai Fu thought there was something wrong with this memorial, not daring to speak up.

If he dared to look closely, he would realize that the current Prince Gu, the leader of the Seven Stars Bureau, Gu Yanxi, had a distracted look in his eyes.

The endlessly delayed return of Shao Yao made him restless. He had made a reckless decision, sending someone unreliable. He didn't know what she had said; he hoped she hadn't made things worse.

Thinking like this, Gu Yanxi wished he could turn back time two hours and stop himself from making such a foolish decision.

Pushing the memorial aside, Gu Yanxi picked up Zheng Zhi's file again. The more he read, the more a sense of crisis grew within him. A man of excellent character, well-read, and able to synchronize his thoughts with Ah Zhi, was in the Hua family, meeting Ah Zhi every day, drinking tea, playing chess, and chatting, living the life he had always wanted. Just the thought of it made him feel restless.

And he couldn't stop it.

This person was left by Ah Zhi, admired by Ah Zhi, and he had promised to defer to her in everything; he couldn't go back on his word in this matter.

He had also promised to let Ah Zhi do whatever she wanted, not using the guise of caring to alienate others, even though he desperately wanted to keep Zheng Zhi far away at this moment.

"Yan-ge." The person he had been anxiously waiting for finally rushed in like a gust of wind. Gu Yanxi gestured for Lai Fu to leave, his gaze fixed on the things in her hands.

Shao Yao chuckled and placed the package on the desk, "Yan-ge, Hua Hua said she will never despise you."

Gu Yanxi raised his gaze, "What did she say exactly?"

"I just said some random things. Hua Hua is so clever, she would definitely figure it out by herself." Shao Yao played dumb, not wanting to tell Gu Yanxi that she had shared his childhood image with Hua Hua.

Gu Yanxi didn't fully trust her, but Shao Yao didn't give him a chance. As soon as she finished speaking, she left, "I'm going to find the master."

Gu Yanxi couldn't be bothered with her, and as he opened the package, he found a familiar food box. But strangely, there was no aroma today.

Did Fu Dong come up with new dishes again?

With that thought, Gu Yanxi opened the first layer of the box - empty?

Second layer, still empty!

Third layer, empty!

Gu Yanxi's mind went blank. What was the meaning of sending an empty food box to him?

Did Shao Yao say something to make Ah Zhi completely despise him, not even wanting to give him food to eat?

But that didn't make sense. If that were the case, Ah Zhi would simply ignore him, not send him an empty food box.

What did it mean then?

It couldn't be an invitation to dinner at the Hua family using an empty food box, could it?

Gu Yanxi's mind swirled, and as he looked outside and saw that it was already dark, he thought he might have been overthinking. However, once the possibility crossed his mind, he couldn't stop himself from considering it.

Was the empty box a subtle way of saying there was food available but he had to go to the Hua family to eat it?

The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like the case. Gu Yanxi couldn't focus on anything else. He stood up and walked out decisively, but then stopped at the doorstep. He turned back and went to the rest area behind the study, where he spent most of his time recently. His clothes were prepared here, and he changed into a white outfit, as Ah Zhi often wore white attire.

Feeling uneasy, Gu Yanxi arrived at the Hua family. The side door was closed and locked at this hour. He leaped over the wall and locked eyes with Wang Rong, feeling a bit unsettled by the look in his eyes.

Indeed, Gu Yanxi's feeling was right, as Wang Rong informed him that Miss Hua had instructed him to go directly to the study when Mr. Lu arrived.

The courtyard was quiet, and the door to the study was slightly ajar. Gu Yanxi's heart raced as he gently pushed the door open.

Inside, the room was bright with candlelight. Hua Zhi was seated, reading a book. The table where they usually had tea was set with bowls and chopsticks, with dishes covered with plates upside down.

Hearing the movement, Hua Zhi put down her book and looked at the tall and nervous figure of the man in front of her, maintaining her usual calm demeanor, "I thought Mr. Lu would arrive a bit later. Perfect timing, the food is still warm. Let's eat first."

Gu Yanxi sat across from her, watching as she cleared the overturned bowls and served two bowls of rice... two bowls?

Meeting his gaze, Hua Zhi picked up her chopsticks, "Has Mr. Lu eaten in the palace?"

“Not yet.” Gu Yanxi had lost track of time since it got dark; he couldn't remember the last time he had eaten. Quietly, he thought to himself, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat. There was a plate of meat in front of him, prepared according to his taste - sweet and sour. The other dishes were vegetarian, indicating that the meat was specially made for him. With that thought, Gu Yanxi had a hearty appetite.

The two of them didn't exchange many words during this meal, eating in silence.

Gu Yanxi finished four bowls of rice, pairing them with the meat, before putting down his chopsticks after the last bite.

Spring and Autumn appeared silently to clear the things away, then served tea before tiptoeing out.

Gu Yanxi couldn't help but want to see Ah Zhi use the tea set to make tea, so relaxed and at ease, as if life was truly that leisurely.

But he didn't dare to bring it up.

He felt like someone waiting for a verdict, waiting for a result that would either elevate him to heaven or cast him into hell.

Ah Zhi's toughness was always reserved for her enemies. She wouldn't want to make things difficult for someone she held dear.

Holding the hot tea in her hand, she said, "I was wrong to suggest that we put a halt to our relationship at that stage. It might seem like taking advantage and playing coy. Feelings are not a funnel - plug the opening with sand, and it will not flow down. Emotions either ferment or fade, they will never remain stagnant. I wonder, Mr. Lu, are yours fermenting or fading?"

———
TN:
Hua Zhi’s pointed question about his feelings leaves him balancing on the edge of anticipation, perfectly capturing the push-and-pull of their intricate relationship.