Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“You’ve misunderstood, Seventh Sister…” Jing Yun calmly explained.
“I wouldn’t have misunderstood if you didn’t say that—after all, you’ve been with our family for years and Fourth Sister was the one who took you in anyway. I even would have thought that it’s normal if you two were more intimate, but now that you’ve said that… I’m a little confused now. What did I actually misunderstand?”
Sheng Minghui shrugged even as she interrogated the both of them and entered Jing Yun’s room. Then, catching sight of the gifts on Jing Yun’s desk and able to tell immediately who the presents were from, she smiled.
“Jing Yun, you really care about Fourth Sister, don’t you?”
“I owe her.”
“No improper thoughts? Wonderful. An orphan like you should know that Fourth Sister is way out of your league.”
“Enough.” Sheng Minglan rebuked her seventh sister sternly. “And you should know whose assistant he is.”
“I know. One should know the dog’s master before hitting the beast after all.” Seventh Sister giggled and left the room. “Well, I won’t be bothering the both of you.”
Sheng Minglan was fuming, but Jing Yun caught her hand. “Don’t provoke her on my account.”
“But you matter to me as much as Sheng Xiao.”
“And that is enough.” Jing Yun answered, freeing her. “Please return to your room and rest, Fourth Sister. You shouldn’t be here anyway—you’re about to be engaged.”
Helpless, Sheng Minglan could only nod. “You should rest too. Tell me if there’s anything wrong.”
“I understand.”
Sheng Minglan turned and left Jing Yun’s room, who quickly closed his door behind her—he was afraid that he would let his feelings overflow, and just as he was keenly aware that he couldn’t stay with the Sheng family after Seventh Sister’s jibe.
It was clear from Sheng Minghui’s behavior just now that she wouldn’t just let it slip, because it was in her nature to make mountains out of molehills.
Therefore, Jing Yun quickly called Sheng Xiao in order not to put Sheng Minglan on the spot. “Young Master…”
Sheng Xiao listened to his story in full before answering. “Look for my grandpa and tell him you’re moving out so that my dear sister can’t tell her tales. And if you’re the one who sought out the old man first, it would look like Seventh Sister was the one who forced you out, and he wouldn’t spare her.”
“I’ll pass that mansion my mother gave me before to you. Cut it off the stocks later and consider that I’ve sold it to you.”
“Understood, Young Master.”
Mu Qiqi was beside Sheng Xiao when he received the call. She could hear his sentiment in the way he helped Jing Yun so thoroughly, she thought, and decided why Jing Yun was so willing to stay by his side.
The man really cared, paying attention to every detail.
Meanwhile, Jing Yun himself immediately went to work after hanging up, visiting Old Master Sheng’s study in the night.
“Ah, Jing Yun. But it’s so late—what’s the matter?”
“Chairman, I think I can’t stay here any longer. Please allow me to move out.” Jing Yun said forthrightly.
“But, why?” Even though the old man had persistently reminded Jing Yun about his place, it was not as if he did not acknowledge him.
“Seventh Sister saw Fourth Sister when she visited me in my room just now.”
The old man immediately understood what Jing Yun meant from that single line alone. “Seventh Sister is at it again? It’s natural that you would be closer to Fourth Sister since she’s the one who took you in. How could that Seventh Sister stir nonsense when we’re all under one roof?”
“But Fourth Sister is about to be engaged. I don’t want to sully her honor or cause trouble. That is why I hope for your approval, Chairman.”
“You know you are like a grandson to this old man, Jing Yun. Well, if you want to move out, I’ll help you find a place…”
“That’s not necessary, Chairman. Young Master has already made the arrangements.” Jing Yun replied with a distinct formal tone—something which Sheng Xiao had instructed beforehand, in order to present a look of disillusionment in front of the old man.
So that it really hurts.
“Very well. Do so if it sets your mind at ease.”
With the old man’s approval, Jing Yun moved his things out of the Sheng family’s residence overnight.
No one was informed.
Not even Sheng Minglan.
On the next day, Sheng Minghui was indeed spreading rumors of how Sheng Minglan and Jing Yun were really close, even meeting late into the night.
And when Grandpa Sheng heard about it at breakfast, he promptly slammed his hand on the table.
“On your feet, Seventh Sister.”
“Grandpa…?” Sheng Minghui was confused when she sensed the old man’s rage, and felt compelled to stand up.
“What lies are you spreading about Fourth Sister and Jing Yun?”
“Grandpa, Fourth Sister is a young lady of the Sheng Family and Jing Yun is just an orphan. Aren’t you afraid that others would say things if they meet so late at night like that?”
“You are still going on about that!?” Grandpa Sheng was so furious he promptly walloped her with his cane. “Aren’t you satisfied yet? You’ve forced Jing Yun to leave the house last night! Yes, Fourth Sister took him in, but he had worked hard for our family for so many years without so much as a word of complaint. You can’t even begin to imagine the accomplishments he had in Huang Yao, let alone accomplish even a third of it. And you’re still throwing your weight around?”
“Grandpa…”
“He quickly left last night exactly because he was afraid of your mouth spouting things that would hurt your sister’s honor. But even though I thought that would shut you up, you even take it to the next level! I guess you don’t need your breakfast. Go back to your room—I don’t want to see you.”
The old man was really furious to the point that he could demand such a thing.
Even so, Sheng Minglan felt very differently.
She got to her feet as well, and before Sheng Minghui could leave, she landed a slap on her across the face, stunning the entire Sheng family.
Especially the old man.
“What have I done to wrong you as your sister? That you would spread rumors of me like this?”
“I…” Knowing that she was in the wrong, Sheng Minghui couldn’t say a thing.
“It’s alright for you to chase Jing Yun, actually. I just won’t show you any mercy from now on.”
With that, Sheng Minglan left the table.
Everyone could feel her rage—and she did have a reason to be angry.
Being made an example of, Seventh Sister could only return to her room and break some stuff. “Why?! Why does everyone have it in for me?”
Why? Don’t you get it?
Meanwhile, when Sheng Minglan reached Jing Yun’s and found nothing aside from his change of clothes—not even his gifts were there.
He had left the Sheng family without a word.
To be honest, she had slapped Sheng Minghui in his stead instead of venting her frustration.
But he was gone… Without a word in farewell.
Sheng Minglan felt utterly dejected.
Where would he go from now on?
Would she ever see him again?