Chapter 7. Peach Blossoms Rippling on the Waves (Revised) Run Yuan, I heard that today a gentleman…

Shen Yuan walked a few steps, glancing at the shadow cast on the ground. No matter how he looked, it didn’t seem to be Su Jin, but he was concerned about appearances and refused to turn his head to look properly.

He only gradually slowed his pace, waiting for her to catch up.

His palm holding the umbrella was already damp with sweat, yet the shadow on the ground remained neither far nor near.

Just as the Shen residence came into view, Shen Yuan suddenly stopped in his tracks. The person behind, caught unaware, almost bumped into Shen Yuan’s back, but suppressed a cry of surprise.

His eyes held a teasing light, particularly wanting to see her blushing face. He immediately curved his lips, but as soon as he turned around, the smile on his face instantly vanished, his ink-black phoenix eyes gazing heavily behind.

In the short alley, let alone a person, there wasn’t even a scrap of paper to be seen.

Shen Yuan frowned at the quail-like servant, “Where is she?”

“Young Master, Miss Su said that since Song Zhi is after all a man, it would be dangerous for him to be alone. She…” Huai An’s voice grew smaller and smaller, secretly gauging Shen Yuan’s expression, he whispered, “Fortunately, Song Zhi’s home isn’t far from the Shen residence, it won’t take Miss Su long to go there and back.”

Recalling Song Zhi’s clingy behavior earlier, Huai An’s heart trembled with fear. Especially since this Miss Su seemed to be a bookworm with a rigid mind, she was clearly no match for that person.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that Su Jin’s departure might lead to her being tricked by Song Zhi. He couldn’t help but look towards Shen Yuan, “If Young Master is worried, why don’t I go after them and take a look?”

“Why bother about her!” Shen Yuan flicked his sleeve, his expression growing colder, “She’s a woman, does she still need our protection?”

The sun was directly overhead, the sky cloudless for miles. Near noon, there were fewer people on the streets.

Song Zhi’s mood, however, was particularly high, his hand holding the umbrella trembling uncontrollably. He secretly glanced to the side again and again.

Several times when he was caught by Su Jin’s gaze, he didn’t avoid it, but instead smiled even more happily.

“Young Master Song.” Su Jin, who had never experienced such a situation, lightly coughed a few times, pretending to be calm, and slowly explained, “My previous gesture of gifting the umbrella was not out of any improper intentions towards you.”

After all, it was for the sake of his reputation, Su Jin dared not be ambiguous, so she spoke straightforwardly.

A gentle breeze blew, rippling the begonia flowers and smoothing the bamboo leaves.

Song Zhi was stunned for a moment, his lips suddenly drooping, “I know.”

His voice was disappointed, but in an instant, his peach blossom eyes were shining again, “Then why didn’t the lady go directly to the Shen residence?”

“Well…”

Su Jin’s eyes flashed with embarrassment, but she earnestly continued, “After all, Young Master Song came alone to find me to return the umbrella. Moreover, men in this world are often physically weak. As a woman, I should naturally accompany you to ensure your safety.”

The scholarly air about her was heavy, and when she spoke seriously, her two eyebrows slightly furrowed, her back straight as a brush. One look and it was clear she had been educated for many years, very strict.

Song Zhi felt a bit of an itch in his heart, remembering how she had curled up obediently and softly in someone’s arms when drunk, speaking naive nonsense. He wanted to reach out and wipe away the beads of sweat on the tip of her nose, but feared she would dodge even further away. As he smiled and pursed his lips, he remembered Shen Yuan and asked again, “Does Miss Su have someone she likes?”

“Eh?” Su Jin frowned.

She and Song Zhi had only just met, they were neither old friends nor close acquaintances, this question was truly presumptuous.

However, Song Zhi was after all a man, and Su Jin didn’t want to offend him. Especially since he had also seen Shen Yuan, if this caused a misunderstanding and added a few rumors to the Shen family, that would be absolutely unacceptable.

Remembering Shen Yuan’s smile she had seen earlier at the gate, Su Jin slowly sighed. He had smiled so gently at Gu Zhi, he must have set his heart on the Fifth Princess, very happily.

How could she dare to let him be burdened by rumors and create misunderstandings with his loved one?

It seemed as if her chest was filled with wind, blowing coldly at one’s heart.

Su Jin shook her head, saying insincerely, “This Su is focused solely on her studies and has no one she likes.”

“Really?” Song Zhi, who had just been nervously holding his breath, immediately beamed with joy. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a newly made sachet, just about to hand it to Su Jin.

“Zhi’er!”