Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 496: It is not a chance encounter

After staying at Xiuyuan for two days, Lian Fang Zhou and the others went to visit the Su family together.

Master Su and Madam Su were even more enthusiastic than last time but they didn’t see even a hint of Su Xin’er’s shadow.
Maybe she still didn’t want to face her?

But by looking at her parent’s attitudes, it was clear that her current situation should be good.

After dinner, Lian Fang Zhou and the others went with Su Jing He and Fang Qing in their carriage to watch the grand Lantern Festival.

The specially arranged lantern street market seemed endless at first glance, with a dazzling array of lanterns in various colors.

The crowd was like a sea, making it impossible to see the end of people, and the noise revealed the prosperity and wealth.

When you stood in the middle of it, you could see that each area had its own wonderful features, truly unique and amazing!

Not to mention Third Aunt, Lian Fang Qing and the others were also very excited.
Even Lian Fang Zhou, who was used to seeing eccentricities in modern times and had thought that there was nothing that could still surprise her in this world, couldn’t help but be caught by the scene.
Everything was exciting, making her feel dizzy.

She couldn’t help but silently admire: the ancients also had their own unique wisdom, which was far from comparable to modern people!

After walking halfway down the street, Lian Fang Qing had already bought several beautiful and unique lanterns.
They were a little inconvenient for the servants to carry by hand, so they stored them in a familiar shop to be picked up later.

Seeing the little girl so excited to buy them, Lian Fang Zhou couldn’t bear to refuse her and bought them according to her mood.
It was only once a year, why not let her be happy?

“Let’s go right at the fork in the road.
From there, we will go straight to the end of the Qingyang River.
Some officials and merchants will set off fireworks from their boats, let’s go take a look!” Su Jing He smiled.

No one would refuse and they followed him, laughing and chatting, towards the river.

The embankment here was very spacious and flat.
There was a wide meadow by the river and a large pier.
There were many trees, such as weeping willows, peaches, and apricots planted along the riverside.
The area was not dark, there were hundreds of lanterns hanging from the branches and adding a bit of charm to the scene.

Countless lights from both sides of the river were reflected off the water and as the waves swayed gently, the lights spun and sparkled.
There was also the sound of rushing water beating against the shore, big and small, far and near, high and low.
There were also many residential houses, making the atmosphere different.

In the middle of the river was a huge boat, steady and unmoving.
Presumably this was the place the fireworks would be set off.

Many people who enjoyed the lanterns would come here and wait for the fireworks to be set off.
The two sides of the river were even more lively than the lantern market.

In such hustle and bustle, it was easy to forget what was going on around you.

It wasn’t until an unfamiliar voice spoke to her that Lian Fang Zhou realized that she was in an unfamiliar area and was startled to realize she was no longer with the others.

“They’re not far ahead, Fang Zhou.” The man chuckled, soft as jade, “Did you forget me?”

His slender figure, refined temperament, and the blue trimmed, sapphire and gold embroidered cloak, made him seem noble and clean.
His eyes were full of warmth and the smile at the corner of his lips was like a spring breeze blowing through the willow shoots.

How could Lian Fang Zhou not remember him? Her heart thumped awkwardly, feeling embarrassed and flustered for no reason.

“Young Master Cui!” Lian Fang Zhou smiled vaguely.
“So you were here too, why didn’t I see you at the Su Manor?”

Cui Shao Xi smiled.
Of course he wouldn’t tell her that he had rushed all the way to Dafang Villge, only to learn that she had left to see the lights, and quickly hurried back.
Afterwards, he had gone directly home and hadn’t stopped at the Su Manor.

 

“I was wandering on my own and happened to spot you from a distance.” Cui Shao Xi smiled lightly, handing her the spinning lantern in his hands.
“I just saw this and thought it was pretty, so I bought it to give to you.”

Startled, Lian Fang Zhou hesitated.

Her cautious attitude deeply hurt Cui Shao Xi.
Wasn’t he acting polite enough? Why was she still so guarded against him?

He had thought that if he didn’t chase her so tightly, maybe she wouldn’t reject him so quickly and slowly, after a long time, little by little she would get used to it and accept him.

But obviously, he had imagined too beautifully.

Whether he was chasing her or acting normal, she was just as cautious,

“Do you hate me?” Cui Shao Xi whispered in a low voice, his hands frozen.
“Do you never want to see me again?”

“No, no…” Lian Fang Zhou shook her head and moved her lips, but some words could no longer be said.

Seeing that she didn’t take the lantern, Cui Shao Xi sighed in his heart and withdrew his hands, helplessly.
Forcing a smile, he said: “Ah Ze and the others are right in front, let’s go over together.”

He finally caught her away from the others and originally wanted to suggest they watch the lights and fireworks together, but now it seemed that it would be impossible.
She would not be willing and he did not want to force her.

“Okay.” Lian Fang Zhou smiled and nodded, secretly relieved.

Since she didn’t plan on having anything to do with Cui Shao Xi and had accept Ah Jian’s feelings, Lian Fang Zhou didn’t want to give Cui Shao Xi any false hope.

She didn’t want to hurt him though, so it would be best to push him away slowly until he forgot why he liked her and only thought she was boring.

Cui Shao Xi could see her relieved expression and his heart was a bit bitter.
Did she really see him as some sort of flood-like beast?

When the others saw the two of them appear out of the crowd, not only Lian Fang Zhou’s family, even Fang Qing and Su Jing He were surprised to see Cui Shao Xi!

 

Lian Ze and the children didn’t understand Cui Shao Xi’s thoughts and hadn’t noticed anything strange.
They greeted him properly but Ah Jian gave Cui Shao Xi a deep look.

Cui Shao Xi, who was talking to Lian Fang Zhou with a smile, noticed it immediately.
He raised his eyes and glared at Ah Jian.
Damn! He was getting more and more irritated with this guy!

Ah Jian smiled faintly and looked away without a trace, as if he disdained to acknowledge him.

In Cui Shao Xi’s mind, this gesture of disdain was the attitude of a winner over a loser and his expression darkened even more.

Despite the crowd and the noise, the silent conversation between the two of them fell clearly into the eyes of Lian Fang Zhou, Fang Qing, and Su Jing He.

The three of them were totally helpless.
They hadn’t expected that Cui Shao Xi would show up here.

And it was clear who he was here for.