Chapter 5: True Colors

The next day, Si Qingyu went to the medical clinic at around 7 AM. The streets were already filled with pedestrians, and most of the shops were open. They greeted Si Qingyu when they saw her, and she returned the greetings one by one.

Just as she started processing herbs at the medical clinic, an unexpected visitor arrived. It was none other than Li Tianyang from yesterday, along with his servant.

He was holding a paper bag in his left hand and smiling brightly at her. “Ah Qing, I bought you some pastries,” he said, extending the paper bag towards her.

Si Qingyu’s eyebrows twitched upon hearing him call her “Ah Qing.” Looking at his beaming face, she only felt a headache coming on.

“That’s unnecessary,” Si Qingyu coldly refused, continuing to work on the task at hand.

“They’re really delicious! Try them and see for yourself!” He said, directly picking up a pastry and bringing it to Si Qingyu’s mouth, completely unfazed by her cold attitude.

“…” Si Qingyu looked at the pastry in front of her, her brow tightly furrowed. Unable to hold back, she slapped it away with one hand. She raised her eyes and looked at Li Tianyang with indifference. “Young Master Li, there’s really no need to waste your time on me. I will never give you the answer you seek.”

Li Tianyang’s hand remained in the position it was slapped into, his head lowered, his expression unreadable. His shoulders trembled slightly. When he raised his head, his fox-like eyes were brimming with tears, his delicate face looking as if he had suffered a great injustice, like a pear blossom in the rain. “Do you really dislike me that much? I just wanted to let you try the pastries…” His appearance made it seem as if Si Qingyu had committed a great evil.

What Si Qingyu couldn’t stand the most was people crying in front of her. The men in this world were like they were made of water, with tears coming at the drop of a hat. She looked at Li Tianyang with a complicated expression and finally sighed. “I don’t dislike you. I just don’t want my life to be disturbed by others.”

“I won’t disturb your life. If you’re busy now and don’t want to talk to me, it’s okay. I’ll come find you when you’re not busy!” Li Tianyang said to Si Qingyu with urgency, his fox-like eyes still teary. He then brought the pastry to Si Qingyu’s face again, as if he wouldn’t give up until she ate it.

Si Qingyu was helpless. She took the pastry with her hand and took a bite. A faint sweet fragrance of osmanthus spread out. Mm, the taste was indeed good, melting in the mouth, sweet but not greasy.

Seeing her eat it, Li Tianyang’s lips curved upwards into a sweet smile. His eyes were still slightly red, but his pupils sparkled like stars, looking innocent and tender, yet his fox-like eyes also held a hint of charm, making one want to hold him in their arms and dote on him.

“Then, Ah Qing, you go ahead and work. I’ll come find you a bit later.” Having said that, as if afraid she would refuse, he stuffed the pastries into her arms, gave her a sweet smile, and left with his servant.

Si Qingyu looked at the pastries in her arms, feeling a bit speechless. She shook her head and sighed. “He really is just a child.”

…

After Li Tianyang and his servant turned the corner and completely left Si Qingyu’s sight, they stopped. The curve of his mouth that had been turned upwards flattened. He turned his head and looked at his servant expressionlessly, his eyes filled with viciousness. He raised his hand and viciously slapped the servant across the face.

The servant was knocked to the ground by the slap, half of his face swelling up visibly. He didn’t dare make a sound, timidly looking at Li Tianyang.

Li Tianyang looked down at him, his entire being emitting a murderous aura. This was Li Tianyang’s true face, completely different from the innocent, sweetly smiling youth from before. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression gloomy as he looked at the person on the ground. “Who allowed you to look at her? Could it be that you want to serve the same wife as me?”

“No, no! Young Master, this servant didn’t look at Physician Si! This servant just… just…” The servant’s eyes were moist, his face full of timidity. For a moment, he couldn’t come up with an excuse.

Li Tianyang had no intention of letting him off. His expression became even more vicious and gloomy. “Just what? Just wanted to get Ah Qing’s attention so that in the future you could serve the same wife as me?” As he said the last few words, his eyes seemed to want to flay the servant alive.

Seeing Li Tianyang like this, the servant’s last bit of ulterior motive was extinguished. He shook his head in terror. “This servant wouldn’t dare! How could this servant, with such a lowly status, dare to have such thoughts! Physician Si would never even glance at someone as lowly as this servant. Only Young Master and Physician Si are a match made in heaven!”

The last sentence obviously pleased Li Tianyang. His expression improved somewhat. He lowered his eyes and glanced at the servant. “Humph, at least you have some self-awareness.” Having said that, he paid no further attention to the person on the ground and turned to leave.

The servant quickly got up and carefully followed beside Li Tianyang.

Suddenly, Li Tianyang’s footsteps paused, causing the servant’s entire body to tremble in fright.

Li Tianyang turned his head to the side and looked at him with displeasure. “What’s with that expression? It’s not like I’m going to eat you. Pay attention when you’re in front of Ah Qing. Don’t make it seem like I’m mistreating you in some way.”

“Yes, this servant understands.” The servant lowered his head and replied timidly.

Hearing the servant’s response, Li Tianyang was finally somewhat satisfied. He no longer made things difficult for him and left without looking back, thinking as he walked: What food should I bring Ah Qing next time?