Hunt her

In response to the same question, Shen Yi asked in return, "And you, do you like someone who is so thoughtful?"

Yan Xu wasn't used to talking about relationships with others, so she looked away: "Of course, surely there aren't any stupid or clueless scatterbrains out there?"

Moreover, a meticulous person is more than just meticulous.

Behind this are qualities such as empathy, sensitivity, strong compassion, kindness, and warmth.

So of course she would like him, especially a thoughtful and gentle guy.

But Shen Yi is an exception; he can't do that.

Hearing what Yan Xu said, Shen Yi bit her lip to suppress her smile, and said calmly, "You have good taste in men."

He fits the bill perfectly.

Yan Xu gave an awkward laugh: "It's alright, anyway, not like you."

"..."

Now I don't need to press down on the corners of my mouth anymore, they've sagged.

The delivery guy parked his electric scooter at the door, picked up the food, and went inside: "Boss, where do you leave your food?"

Yan Xu pointed to the side of the glass door: "A shelf by the door."

Shen Yi walked over quickly. "Give it to me, it's what I ordered."

Delivery driver: "Okay, enjoy your meal."

I almost forgot, she has anorexia and can't eat, but Shen Yi doesn't, so he has to eat.

Although he was more of a hindrance than a help at Zhenyun Pavilion, he still put in the effort by spending the morning with her, so she should at least treat him to this meal.

It was her fault for not providing adequate hospitality.

Shen Yi set out the tableware, opened the takeout lid, and turned to her with a look, gesturing, "Come and eat, there's too much for me to finish."

We ordered a double portion of sauerkraut and meat tofu pudding, and also added a side of gizzard, a side of beef, a side of crispy pork, a side of meatballs and vegetables.

This portion is more than enough for three people.

Yan Xu didn't really want to go.

I don’t know if it’s because she forced herself to eat a few meals these past few days, but now she experiences physiological mood swings whenever she hears about food, and the situation is even worse than before.

She made an excuse to leave Zhenyunxuan: "I have a package that was delivered to the wrong address and I have to go there. You can eat slowly first, I'll be back in a bit."

What a coincidence that she had to pick up the package now! Shen Yi was too lazy to expose her, and went along with her words: "It's okay, I'll wait for you, go ahead."

After saying that, he put the takeout lid back on, implying that he wouldn't eat it until she came back.

"..."

Now that things have come to this point, what can she do?

He'd already taken more than half a step, but then he abruptly turned back; there was no escape...

Yan Xu twitched the corner of his mouth. "I'll go back and get it tonight. It's not in a rush."

"Then come over here." His tone was stern, like a homeroom teacher catching a student skipping class. "Let's eat."

He doesn't care whether he's anorexic or not.

Let's take care of her health first; she'll eventually regain her appetite if she eats a few more meals.

Yan Xu walked with reluctant steps, the hair ornament on his head swaying back and forth.

I didn't even notice, but he ordered such a huge portion, comparable to the hot pot Xiaotong ordered before, and the taste was almost the same as Xiaotong's.

It's all clear broth, without any spicy condiments like minced garlic, chopped green onions, or cilantro; the only addition is appetizing pickled cabbage.

In summary, both dishes were quite bland.

"Are you sure you can finish all of this?" Yan Xu sat down. "How much is it? I'll transfer it to you."

Shen Yi: "No—"

He hadn't finished speaking when

Yan Xu glanced at the takeout order and interrupted him: "Eighty-nine, I'll transfer it to you."

Shen Yi, seething with resentment and forced to accept defeat, said, "Fine, A it is."

Half a minute later, he received a transfer of eighty-nine, not half the amount.

His eyes held a hint of doubt, as if asking: Isn't it supposed to be AA?

Yan Xu understood what he meant: "You've worked hard keeping me company at Zhenyun Pavilion today, so it's my turn to treat you."

Every account that can be calculated must be calculated clearly, down to the last penny.

Shen Yi coldly replied, "You shouldn't be a guesthouse owner."

Yan Xu paused, then raised an eyebrow: "Then what should we do?"

Shen Yi exchanged a resentful glance with him: "Accountant."

Yan Xu was speechless: "..."

The highest level of insulting is feeling insulted but not hearing a single dirty word.

Yan Xu ate very slowly during the meal, chewing each bite many times, to the point that Shen Yi suspected she had nothing in her mouth and was just chewing dry food.

"Whoosh—" Yan Xu's phone vibrated.

She opened the message and saw that it was a group chat where they had sent her photos of themselves checking in.

Xiao Tong: [Image x5] [Sister Yan Xu, there are so many gatherings and performances here. I just saw a Gu Master, and she brought so many pets—centipedes, toads, spiders—it was really scary.]

Yan Xu could feel her happiness even through the phone screen, and joked, "I heard that Gu Masters can cast love spells. Why don't you learn it? You might need it someday."

Xiaotong: [Really? Then I'll have to arrange it for you and your brother-in-law, so you can be together forever.]

"..."

That's not what she meant.

Yan Xu lifted her eyes, her gaze falling on the man who was eating. He noticed her gaze, and their eyes met. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Yan Xu: "Have you ever heard of love potions?"

Shen Yi: "No, what's it for?"

He doesn't know much about metaphysics or traditional superstitions, but there seems to be something called a talisman, which is quite mystical.

Yan Xu remained noncommittal: "It's nothing, Xiao Tong just wants to learn."

Yan Xu replied to Xiao Tong in the group chat: 【Don't try this, I'm afraid a spider will bite you.】

Yan Zheng also posted a video of the gathering: [Boss, it's such a shame you didn't come, it's so lively.]

Yan Xu clicked on the video, and in the fleeting frame of the video, she saw a familiar face.

"Clatter." The chopsticks slammed onto the table.

Her face suddenly turned cold, her mood noticeably dropped, and one could even say she was in a very bad mood.

"What's wrong?" Shen Yi quickly put down his chopsticks, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you feeling unwell again?"

Yan Xu remained silent, not uttering a word, and played the five-second video on a loop.

The video shows all sorts of people having fun, but near the end of the video, a girl who looks somewhat like her is sitting on the second floor by the window, looking down at everyone.

I don't know if it was just my imagination, but for a moment the girl and the phone camera made eye contact.

Even through the phone screen, Yan Xu seemed to be standing right in front of her, with that familiar gaze, that familiar haughty look, that familiar arrogance.

This girl is her half-sister, Yan Yan, who is five years younger than her.

Yan Xu's mother and father divorced when she was seven years old.

"Yan Xu?" Shen Yi called softly, "Are you alright?"

Yan Xu snapped out of her daze, her voice low: "It's okay, I'm done eating, you can eat slowly."

After saying that, she got up and walked towards the backyard.

This woman is both hypocritical and stubborn.

Shen Yi couldn't calm down whenever her affairs came up. He messaged Xiao Tong: "Xiao Tong, could you share a copy of the video from your group chat with me? I'd like to see it too."

Xiaotong: [Okay.]

Soon, Shen Yi received the video that Yan Xu had been staring at.

It was very ordinary, even messy, until he saw a girl who looked exactly like Yan Xu but not quite in spirit appear in the last second.

She and Yan Xu both seemed cold-hearted, and their facial features were similar, except that Yan Xu's eyes were softer, while hers were full of arrogance.

He took a screenshot and sent it to Xiao Yuanyang: 【Investigate her.】

[Brother Long, I have to say something to you. Instead of getting to know your own wife, you're investigating other girls. How can you be so shameless!] Xiao Yuanyang launched into a tirade of criticism.

Shen Yi had no time for idle chatter and called him directly, saying coldly, "When will Uncle Xiao have time? I want to have a good talk with him about how you blamed me for the money you lost before—"

"Fine, fine! I'll investigate!" Xiao Yuanyang had finally experienced what it felt like to have someone hold something against him. "Give me a day."

Shen Yi let out a long sigh: "Let me see Uncle Xiao's phone number."

"..." Xiao Yuanyang gritted his teeth, "Six hours."

Shen Yi: "Hey, Uncle Xiao..."

"Two hours!" Xiao Yuanyang couldn't take it anymore. "That's enough! That's the limit. It takes time for the message to get down the chain of command."

Two hours later, before it got dark, there was still time to find out what was going on. Shen Yi lazily replied, "Mm."

The phone call was abruptly ended.

backyard.

Yan Xu also stood by the window on the second floor, her slender body with her arms crossed, letting the wind outside hit her one after another.

In Yunzhao County, it is cool and even a little chilly as long as you stand in the shade.

But she can't feel any temperature now.

All I could hear was my heart pounding, pounding anxiously.

It is afraid.

Yan Xu gazed into the distance in the direction of the bonfire party, his eyes heavy as a stagnant pool.

I still vividly remember that rainy night when I escaped from the Yan residence.

In the smallest and most remote guest room on the third floor of the Yan residence, there was a constant stream of scolding.

"Yan Xu, why don't you just die!" Yan Yan grabbed her hair and dragged her off the bed, leaning down to hurl vicious insults. "What's the point of living in this state? If it weren't for you, my sister, would I have been called an illegitimate daughter for so many years? You should just die like your grandfather and be done with it!"

Upon hearing the words "grandfather," Yan Xu's brain reacted violently. He abruptly pushed her away, breaking free from his restraints, and grabbed the bedside lamp, pointing it at Yan Yan.

"You have no right to talk about my grandfather. Were they wrong? Your mother was a mistress who ruined my parents' marriage and took over the house that was originally mine. And you, you try to take everything that's mine. You're just like your mother. If you want to settle scores, why don't you go after Yan Shan, who can't control his lust!"

Bai Youyou was wrong for seducing Yan Shan despite knowing he was married, but Yan Shan, who had a wife and daughter, was even more wrong for having an extramarital affair.

Why is everyone coming after her instead of blaming the person who should be blamed?

Her mother was like that, Bai Youyou was like that, and Yan Yan was like that too.

Does she not deserve to live?

I had to force her.

The two had been at odds for a long time. Yan Xu hadn't eaten or drunk anything for several meals, and he could barely hold the lamp in his hand anymore.

What should I do... I'm running out of energy.

Yan Yan was so angry she wanted to tear her hair out. She snatched the lamp from Yan Xu's hand and hit her on the waist with her backhand.

"Ah!" Yan Xu cried out in pain and fell to his side on the bed.

The blow landed squarely on her waist, but because it was on her waist, no one could see it unless she took off her clothes. Yan Shan couldn't notice it either, especially since Yan Xu was the type of person who always kept things to herself.

In contrast, Yan Yan remains Yan Shan's obedient and sensible youngest daughter, always humble and polite.

And she, Yan Xu...

She's just a crazy person who often loses control of her emotions at home, lacking any of the gentleness and manners a girl should have, and always wearing a cold, unsmiling face.

Who wouldn't find Yan Xu repulsive after seeing him?

Yan Yan's strategy of manipulating people's hearts has never failed her.

Yan Yan casually tossed the lamp aside, its shade cracking and breaking. She sneered, "Ridiculous. You think I'm as stupid as you, that I can get what I want just by pretending? Why wouldn't I?"

She wouldn't be as foolish as Yan Xu, resorting to a head-on confrontation.

"Because I find it dirty." Yan Xu's eyes were filled with contempt for the other person. He said in a deep voice, "No matter how gorgeous the jewelry, it can't hide your filthy and rotten inside."

When her grandfather was alive, he taught her countless times: "In the big melting pot of society, it is difficult to be a qualified adult, but you must be true to yourself. What is fake will always be fake, and it can never become real."

She always kept in mind the four words "to have a clear conscience".

But not everyone has a maternal grandfather.

That same night, taking advantage of the heavy rain, Yan Xu climbed out of the Yan residence with all his valuables.

......

Bringing my thoughts back.

Yan Xu gazed out the window at the ancient city.

Is Yunzhao County about to be unable to tolerate her?

"Yan Yan, did you come here to celebrate the holiday?" she asked weakly, gazing into the distance. "Or did you come specifically to find me?"

Regardless of the reason, the thought of the two of them being in the same city made her uneasy.

Even if trouble arises, Yan Yan has her stepmother Bai Xiaoxiao backing her up, and her father Yan Shan who unconditionally loves and dotes on her.

And she, the only one who cared about her, had no one left after her grandfather passed away.

No one will help her.

"Yan Xu, I've finally found you."

Shen Yi's voice suddenly entered her mind, shattering her chaotic thoughts.