Sold immediately after wearing it? I took my family and fled the famine.

Xu Yun led Chen Sumei into a nearby fabric shop. The shopkeeper, seeing a customer, greeted them with a smile and brought out several bolts of newly arrived fabric, laying them out on the counter. Xu Yun told Chen Sumei to take her time choosing, standing beside her and offering advice when she was unsure about colors.

After browsing the fabric shop, Xu Yun accompanied her to buy some rouge. Chen Sumei picked through the items at the stall, but her mind was clearly not as lively as it had been when they arrived.

She looked down at her cosmetics, her fingers casually idly brushing them together. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she said softly, "When you were in the academy, did you have many classmates? Like that young master Su we met today, he looked like a scholar. Are you very familiar with him?"

Xu Yun was paying for her when he heard this, and without thinking much of it, he casually replied, "I do know Brother Su; we were classmates at the academy. He was a diligent student and very intelligent; the teacher often praised him. I studied there for two years, but then my legs became weak, so I went home to study with my teacher, and we saw each other less often. But we still exchange a few words when we meet. Why are you asking about this?"

"It's nothing, just asking casually." Chen Sumei picked up a box of rouge, opened it, smelled it, and then put it down. "Is he still in school?"

"He's currently studying at the academy in the prefectural city, and I heard he's preparing for the imperial examination to become a scholar. The people I met today were all his classmates from the academy." Xu Yun said, turning his head to look at her, as if trying to read something from her face.

Chen Sumei didn't look up, but just fiddled with the rouge on the stall with her fingertips.

Xu Yun paused for a moment, then finally asked, "Why are you so concerned about Su Yan's matter?"

Chen Sumei's hand paused, and the box of rouge almost slipped from her fingers.

She quickly composed herself and smiled, "Don't take it personally. I wasn't asking for myself, I was asking for Xiaoxiao. I just kept thinking about it and something felt off. Last year at the Lantern Festival, Xiaoxiao was almost knocked over, and a young gentleman saved her. Do you remember that?"

"That young master said I was mistaken, and that's possible given the time that's passed. But I thought about it carefully just now, and I'm not mistaken; it was indeed that young master who saved Xiaoxiao. You know that girl; she's usually quiet and always stays at home. But ever since that incident, she's been talking about that person to me constantly. As her older sister, if I don't ask around for her, who else can I ask for?"

She spoke so softly and naturally that she almost believed it herself.

Xu Yun looked at her for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "So that's what happened. You should have said so earlier, I thought you had something going on with Brother Su."

He paused, then said seriously, "Xiaoxiao is a good girl, but she's too quiet. If she really has feelings for Brother Su, as her brother-in-law, I should keep an eye out for her. Su Yan is a respectable scholar, and his character is good too. However, his family lives in the prefectural city, and if Xiaoxiao really has feelings for him, it's probably too far away. This matter needs to be considered carefully; we can't rush it."

Upon hearing the words "distinguished family background," Chen Sumei felt a slight pang in her heart. She forced a casual smile and said, "I was just asking casually, but you took it so seriously."

Xu Yun said, "It's rare for you to ask me to do something, so I'll naturally take it seriously." As he spoke, he seemed to remember something, "Oh, right, Su Yan is going to hold a literary gathering in a few days at the Lanting Villa in the western suburbs of the county. Everyone coming will be a scholar. I used to be his classmate, and he sent me an invitation as well. Although I don't have any official rank, my family has hired a tutor over the years, and I've never stopped studying. Su Yan probably remembered our old friendship, which is why he sent me a copy as well."

Chen Sumei's heart skipped a beat when she heard the words "literary gathering." Suppressing her joy, she asked casually, "Are you going?"

"Go." Xu Yun nodded. "If I go, I can also ask about Su Yan's recent situation. If he's doing well, we can find an excuse to let Xiao Xiao meet him in the future. That wouldn't be a bad idea."

He spoke seriously, as if he truly cared about it. Chen Sumei's heart was in turmoil, filled with both joy and bittersweetness.

What made her happy was that Xu Yun was willing to inquire about Su Yan's whereabouts for her, and even believed her lie because of it; what made her bitter was that Xu Yun treated her so sincerely, but she could only use Xiao Xiao to cover it up.

But that bittersweet feeling only lingered for a moment before being suppressed by something even stronger; she desperately wanted to see Su Yan again. She wouldn't let go of any chance, no matter how small.

"It's getting late, I'll take you home." Xu Yun put the things he had bought together and tightened his cloak for her. Chen Sumei followed beside him, slowly walking towards the street corner.

She kept her head down and looked meek, but her mind was already on the literary gathering. She had to go, no matter what.