Chapter 203: Love's Embrace

Qing'er.

Hey, young master, I'm here.

After parting with Du Gou, Chen Yan went straight home, found Qing'er, and said, "Go send invitations to the few wealthy merchants I previously selected, asking them to come to Xianlingfu for a light meal three days from now. Understood?"

Qing'er: "Going now?"

Yes, go do it right away.

All right, young master." Qing'er scratched her head, feeling doubtful, but she still agreed.

Previously, Xiao Shunzi handled such matters, but today it unexpectedly fell on her.

After Qing'er left, Chen Yan was about to go rest when that familiar sarcastic voice, as always, came right away: "Yo, isn't this our County Magistrate?"

Coming back this early is really unexpected.

Could it be that you dumped everything on Du Gou and Xiao Shunzi, then came back here to slack off?

Chen Yan's eyelid twitched; turning his head, he saw Gao Yang slowly emerge from the corner, wearing a half-smile, eyes hinting at mockery.

In some ways, Gao Yang really wasn't wrong.

He told Du Gou he wanted to go find some wealthy merchants to chat and talk about ideals, but he never said it would be today.

The reason he came back was, of course, to slack off a bit.

He hadn't expected Gao Yang to see through him in a single sentence.

Chen Yan began to suspect that Gao Yang was gradually figuring out his thoughts and personality, which wasn't good news.

"How so? Am I right?" Gao Yang gave a cold chuckle, "Du Gou following you is really bad luck."

If I'm not mistaken, he's probably been duped by you into a fool, full of hope and enthusiasm, scurrying off to do tasks.

Result... Gao Yang glanced at Chen Yan and sneered, "Your boss actually went home to get a big sleep."

Don't you feel ashamed inside?

You're right!" Chen Yan nodded vigorously, "As County Magistrate, I really shouldn't be doing this, so, I'll go?"

Gao Yang choked, his tone gaining a hint of irritation: "Get lost!"

Hmph." Chen Yan said nothing, walked past Gao Yang toward his room, with no intention of leaving.

Gao Yang pursed his lips, his mood inexplicably improving, and muttered softly, "I thought you were finally going to show some shame, but it turns out you just want to sleep."

Chen Yan faintly heard a bit, but he paid no attention, his steps not pausing at all.

But while on the way, he was suddenly drawn by a child's tender voice from a room, and he stopped.

He poked his head through the window and saw Xiao Sizi and Qing Yue studying characters under a teacher's guidance.

For the most part, Qing Yue was the one reading, while Xiao Sizi seemed very interested, watching with big, shiny eyes, occasionally furrowing her brow as if trying to remember some knowledge.

Chen Yan smiled and didn't disturb them.

Sizi is still too young; Chen Yan hadn't planned to let her study so early, hoping she could have a happy childhood.

But whenever Qing Yue studied with the teacher Chen Yan had hired, she liked to sit nearby and listen.

Over time, Xiao Sizi's pronunciation became more standard, and she recognized some characters.

Chen Yan was quite supportive of this.

"Want to go in and have a look?" Gao Yang suddenly appeared beside him at some point.

Chen Yan said speechlessly, "How do you walk like a ghost, making no sound at all?"

"If you want to see, then look; I'm leaving."

After saying that, he returned to his room as usual, checked the potato, and then a big character lay on the bed.

Not long after, Gao Yang indeed followed him in.

Chen Yan chuckled, "Zhao Tang, do you know?"

"When I was young, I raised a cat; it was a gift from my mother, and I liked it very much."

"When I was young, I was very mischievous, running around the streets, playing wildly; I often took that cat out to play, letting it run around the streets with me."

"Of course, I didn't always bring it; when I didn't, it would wait at home with a pleading look, its throat making threatening sounds, not letting anyone near."

"When I came home, it would always run to me first, then scratch me with its little paws to show its displeasure."

"I never expected that, as I grew up, I would end up raising another one."

At first Gao Yang listened quietly, but the more he listened, the more he felt something was off, sensing that Chen Yan was implying something.

Until he finally said he had raised another cat after growing up; Gao Yang, who had never seen any cat, suddenly realized Chen Yan was implying himself.

Comparing himself to a...... cat?

Gao Yang had a moment of panic, then feigned calm, saying without changing expression, "Oh, that cat? Why haven't I seen it?"

"Hahaha." Chen Yan suddenly burst out laughing, "You admitted it!"

"You now look just like a child whose little secret has been exposed, using childish words to try to hide the truth you yourself buried."

"Well, Xiao Sizi is like that—she often sneaks to the back kitchen to steal sweets, and after I catch her, she solemnly claims she didn't eat any."

"But she doesn't realize that there's still food residue on the corner of her mouth."

Gao Yang grew angry, his face cold, and said, "No matter what you say, in your words, I won't explain too much, because this is your own speculation; no matter how I explain, you'll always believe what you think you've discovered."

"Then what's the use of me saying more?"

"You think I'm that cat, fine; I won't explain."

"Huh?" This time Chen Yan really froze; after reacting, he let out an even more hearty laugh.

"Hahahaha, Zhao Tang, don't you know that a lie needs countless lies to cover it up? From the moment you lie, the more you say, the more your words deviate from your nature, the more it proves you're lying."

"And I can be even more certain of my guess."

"Here's a tip: when you lie next time, remember to tell the truth, because the ultimate lie is telling the truth."

"Hahahaha! Admit it, you just miss me!"

"I didn't!" Gao Yang's voice suddenly rose, shame‑angry, "I could kill you, you bastard—how could I possibly think of you?"

"Ah, right, right, you're right." Chen Yan lay on the bed, eyes closed, not lifting his head.

"You......" Gao Yang felt as if a punch landed on cotton; stepping closer, she saw Chen Yan's face full of a triumphant smile.

She immediately realized her reaction was a bit over the top.

Gao Yang's expression instantly grew complex, a vague, indefinable sorrow, also a satisfaction at being able to spend more time with Chen Yan, and a frustration at having her little thoughts exposed.

Then, Chen Yan's lazy voice rang out, "If you miss me, just say it. Anyway I'm not often at Xianlya; if you're bored at home, you can occasionally tag along with me."

"If you could at least listen a little when I speak, I'm not unable to give you a loving hug; why must you mock me every time I get home?"

Gao Yang: (￣ω￣;)