Chapter 209

Ever since that day, Gu Hanyuan had kept his distance from Huang Rong, his words respectful, no longer inviting her to play the "Proud Wanderer" duet, and their eyes no longer met; even when they were accidentally left alone, he would not say a word.

Huang Rong had initially breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that Gu Hanyuan was keeping his promise.

But as time went on, she grew unaccustomed to it, her mood inevitably fluctuating with anxiety.

Even when Huang Rong, after much hesitation, took the initiative to approach him to explain the situation with the Northern Beggar Sect, she only received an answer that he would help.

Beyond that, there was no further communication.

Guo Fu did not notice the abnormality between the two; she was more concerned that Gu Hanyuan was no longer close to her.

At first, she simply assumed Gu Hanyuan was in a bad mood, which was why his expression was usually serious and cold.

However, she soon sensed a difference: Gu Hanyuan no longer cared for her gently, nor did he tenderly stroke her hair when she acted spoiled.

Every time she wanted to hug Gu Hanyuan's arm to act spoiled, he would use various excuses to avoid her.

"Mother, does Brother Gu hate me?"

That night, when Gu Hanyuan was keeping watch alone outside and Huang Rong and Guo Fu were resting inside the carriage,

Guo Fu asked Huang Rong with a mournful face.

"Fu'er, how could your Brother Gu hate you? He must have something troubling on his mind."

Huang Rong comforted Guo Fu helplessly.

"But..."

Guo Fu was clearly not satisfied with this answer.

"Alright, enough 'buts.' We will reach Wuxi tomorrow, so hurry up and sleep."

Huang Rong summoned her authority, telling Guo Fu to go to sleep obediently.

After Guo Fu fell asleep, Huang Rong sighed and stepped out of the carriage, seeing Gu Hanyuan sitting by the campfire, poking at the flames from time to time.

After hesitating for a moment, Huang Rong sat down beside Gu Hanyuan.

Gu Hanyuan said without even raising his head:

"Is Lady Guo not going to rest yet? It won't be easy once we reach Wuxi tomorrow."

"Fu'er, she... can you treat Fu'er like you did before?"

Huang Rong requested, feeling somewhat awkward.

Gu Hanyuan let out a scoff.

"And then what? Marry Guo Fu right under your nose, Lady Guo? I don't believe you would want that to happen. Since that is the case, isn't it a very good thing to start keeping our distance now?"

"But Fu'er is very sad right now."

Huang Rong's beautiful face was full of conflict; she loved Guo Fu very much.

Unfortunately, Gu Hanyuan did not pay any heed to her thoughts.

"Long-term pain is worse than short-term pain, just like it is for you and me."

Hearing these words from Gu Hanyuan, Huang Rong felt some regret and some loss; she had not expected things between them to develop to this point.

"I understand. Sorry, I've disturbed you."

Upon hearing Huang Rong's disappointed voice, Gu Hanyuan sighed helplessly and said:

"Forget it, I'll agree to Lady Guo one more time. After the Northern Beggar Sect matter is settled, I will leave. It will be better if Guo Fu just forgets me."

"You are leaving?"

Huang Rong was quite startled; perhaps because they had spent so much time together recently, which had caused her so much emotional turmoil, she had subconsciously not considered the possibility of Gu Hanyuan leaving.

Gu Hanyuan chuckled, his tone light, as if he had let go of something.

"Otherwise? Continuing to stay is not a good idea for either you or me."

"I... I'm sorry."

Huang Rong could naturally hear Gu Hanyuan's mood, and for a moment she did not know what to say, so she could only apologize stiffly.

Gu Hanyuan shook his head, indicating he did not care about her apology.

"I respect your choice, Lady Guo; making things difficult for you was never my intention."

Hearing this, Huang Rong could not help but use the intimate address once again.

"Hanyuan..."

"Lady Guo, go to sleep, it is getting late."

Unfortunately, his words were cut off halfway by Gu Hanyuan, who continued poking at the flames in the campfire, as if the conversation just now had never happened.

Huang Rong looked at Gu Hanyuan with a darkened expression and returned to the carriage in silence.

Gu Hanyuan looked at the notifications on the system, the corners of his mouth curling into a familiar smile.

Huang Rong eavesdropping gave 3400 Villain Points, the "Proud Wanderer" duet gave 3800 Villain Points, and the manipulation gave 2900 Villain Points.

At the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Assembly, Liu Jing, including the repayment of favors, gave a total of 3900 Villain Points.

The various women were moved, each giving a fair amount of favorability that brought in Villain Points.

Sheng 2400 Villain Points, Yue Lingshan 2600 Villain Points, Sister Yilin 2100 Villain Points, Guo Fu 3100 Villain Points.

Saving Qu Feiyan and giving benefits totaled 5300 Villain Points.

Giving Ren Yingying a boost in knowledge, 2100 Villain Points.

Accelerating Yue Buqun and Lin Pingzhi's learning of the "Evil-Warding Sword Art" gave 2300 Villain Points.

Farming reputation from the Songshan Sect gave 2600 Villain Points.

Killing Fei Bin gave 1200 Villain Points. ===== CHAPTER 211 =====