novelraw Chapter 655 - 569: I Have a Husband
Chapter 655 - 569: I Have a Husband
Bai Qiru was taken aback. If Wang Ping hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have known about this person's feelings for her. She never expected the reason for his first appearance to be his concern for her well-being, which warmed her heart a bit.
At this moment, she even vaguely suspected whether Gao He and his team had tried to get her out because of Li Hongjiu.
Yet, she instinctively blurted out, "Mr. Li, I have a husband."
This was what she planned to say when she heard the attendants report.
"I know." Li Hongjiu waved his hand with his back to her, not turning around as he left.
As for confession, he changed his mind after entering. The main reason was he felt Shi Chun couldn't be trusted and didn't want to be led by the nose. If he confessed, wouldn't he be leaving a handle? Anyway, he came over and expressed the sentiment; that should be enough.
His effortless and carefree departure somewhat made Bai Qiru lost in thought. Some things can't withstand comparison; compared to her husband Huang Yingying, who is a lousy old man, Li Hongjiu looks much better, especially since he is hailed as the world's top new talent.
Bai Qiru was quite curious about one thing: when did they meet before?
In short, when did he start liking her?
Could it be before she met Huang Yingying?
But she couldn't ask.
Without sending him off, she sat down, lightly puffing on a cigarette and slowly flipping through the account book as if nothing had happened, but her heart wasn't at peace. Some people are destined to stir waves in one's heart at first sight.
She also knew some regrets are destined to last a lifetime, which, as an adult, she could accept.
Leaving the grain store, crossing the street, and getting on the carriage, Li Hongjiu spread his hands to Shi Chun, who was eagerly watching, "All right, as you wished, let's go."
Shi Chun chuckled and shouted, "Let's go, to the bookstore."
Thus, the carriage trotted forward, once again threading through the streets and alleys, with the sun already westward.
When the carriage stopped again, as when going to the grain store, it didn't stop at the door, but far away at a diagonal opposite.
Eventually, Xiao Sheng drove away, leaving Shi Chun and Li Hongjiu on the roadside.
Shi and Li headed straight to the bookstore.
Upon entering, Li Hongjiu immediately smelled the familiar wine aroma and saw the red-clothed woman lying sideways asleep behind the counter. He roughly guessed something, turned to look at Shi Chun, and seeing Shi Chun nod slightly, knew his guess was right.
While examining the bookstore's old environment, he followed Shi Chun directly up the stairs.
On the second floor, Dong Liangyu, sitting behind the desk, nodded in greeting. Shi Chun leaned close to her and whispered, "It's me."
Dong Liangyu was startled, reacted, and then looked at Li Hongjiu.
"My friend," Shi Chun briefly explained and then asked, "Mr. Fu left?"
Dong Liangyu glanced towards the bookshelf and replied softly, "Still here, hasn't come downstairs."
Shi Chun exclaimed, thinking it had been several days and he still hadn't left.
Immediately turning to Li Hongjiu, he said, "The bookstore is still open for business, and the family is busy. We'll discuss things after closing. I'll show you around this bookstore first. The collection of books here is absolutely rare; I've been mentally enriched just by being here."
"Oh, I must see that." Li Hongjiu followed him with interest.
Neither gave money; they had already greeted each other, so no need to pay.
Dong Liangyu, who lightly coughed, began to space out, turning a page of the book and looking towards the bookshelf.
Seeing the richness of the bookstore's collection, Li Hongjiu indeed marveled at it, lingering with fondness.
As the sun set, clearing began in the bookstore while the back kitchen was also busy.
The red-clothed woman, lazily sitting up behind the counter, showed no concern for the busy Dongliang Ying and Dong Liangze siblings.
Not only was she intent on not helping, but she also fished out a Mother-child Talisman from behind the counter and secretly sent a disappearing message to Shi Chun: Missed you again, where are you?
At first, sending these messages felt awkward, but she gradually got used to it.
She had already reasoned it out after all; the more similar messages were sent, the more thoroughly the person would be erased.
These days, she could send Shi Chun such remarks three times a day.
No other reason than Shi Chun constantly replying, saying he was going to meet Situ Gu and Li Hongjiu, thus needing to confirm whether Shi Chun had left Juku State. As long as he could reply, it meant he hadn't gone out, and if he had, she could roughly grasp the timing.
With enhanced oversight and strict checks at Xun Gate, she discreetly strengthened control. If someone went out, but Xun Gate showed no response, it was worth pondering.
While flipping through books upstairs, Shi Chun looked at the message and smirked, replying swiftly: I miss you even more. Still running around for what you've asked me to do.
Each time was such a reply about his ongoing efforts, which the red-clothed woman had grown tired of, casually responding: Ghost knows if you're really speaking nicely, but actually off having a good time.
Looking at Li Hongjiu engrossed in a book across the bookshelf, Shi Chun replied confidently, laughing: I not only speak nicely but also act nicely, today's trip is to bring Li Hongjiu for you.
Behind the counter, the red-clothed woman's eyes flashed intensely. Whether concerning Situ Gu or Li Hongjiu, she had their real-time situations under control. At this moment, after being reprimanded by his teacher, Li Hongjiu was on the order to retreat, clearly not having left Juku State. Under such circumstances, could he simply call and have Li Hongjiu emerge?
She immediately sent a message, asking: Are you personally bringing him?
To showcase his diligence, Shi Chun sent her flattering words: What you've tasked me with, even if I suffer leg cramps from exhaustion, I must personally attend to feel assured.
The red-clothed woman was bemused, scrutinizing how he managed to leave under such circumstances, contemplating whether someone top-tier might break the void to assist.
She confirmed once more: Are you certain you can bring Li Hongjiu today?
Shi Chun initially intended to firmly promise, then with her focus on timing, he instinctively became cautious out of habit, thinking to leave more room, replied flexibly: If not today, then tomorrow.
Seeing this reply, the red-clothed woman immediately ruled out the possibility of a master breaking the void. Given the wide span of today and tomorrow, no signs appeared at Xun Gate on her side, not allowing the other to prepare thoroughly. She promptly replied: Knew your words were unreliable; if you can bring Li Hongjiu by midnight tonight, I'll agree to be your woman.
This was essentially a trial to compress the timeframe of his actions. The more urgently the other moved, the more likely he was to show weakness.
Looking at the message on the Mother-child Talisman, Shi Chun froze, lifted his head to glance at Li Hongjiu reading, self-doubtfully muttered, "Is it settled?"
Originally wanted to wait until the bookstore was tidied and when Dong Wenshu's family gathered for dinner, then introduce Li Hongjiu.