Chapter 2814: The Stand-in Was Seized by the Mountain Bandit's Wife 20

The front hall was brightly lit, the atmosphere extremely subtle.

All four heads were present, seated on either side, each with a different expression.

Chen Xiaoshan frowned, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the entering Jin Chen and the already seated Ruan Sutong.

Yan Qiwawa looked this way and that, finally gazing pleadingly at Liu Mianfeng; Liu Mianfeng was just drinking to himself, while Shi Meng stood there dumbfounded.

Ruan Sutong took the chief guest seat, sitting upright, her brows and eyes faint, exuding a refined, aloof, restrained aristocratic air from a good upbringing.

Hearing footsteps, he lifted his eyes to Gu Fanghe's side, landing on Jin Chen's face.

【Wow, Host, the main character's lover looks like your knockoff.】Ling Gun Gun sighed, eyeing Gu Fanghe up and down.

Jin Chen barely managed to keep from laughing.

Everyone in the hall unconsciously compared the two faces.

They really look alike.

But upon closer inspection, they differ in every way.

Liu Mianfeng slowed his fan-swinging, his eyes growing more intrigued.

To Liu Mianfeng, Ruan Sutong is like a freehand painting of a distant mountain draped in indigo—beautiful, yet lacking a touch of liveliness.

But Jin Chen is different; even without expression now, he naturally carries a vivid, brilliant radiance, like finely carved jade infused with a soul—every glance exudes charm, every gesture a poise others cannot emulate.

Noble and exalted—nothing else compares.

Formerly, the stronghold's people thought highly of Ruan Sutong, feeling he was like a heavenly moon—pure and unsullied. When they first saw Jin Chen, who resembled Ruan Sutong in appearance, they instinctively thought Jin Chen resembled him.

But now the two are in the same room, making this direct visual comparison……

Chen Xiaoshan furrowed his brows tighter; the slight contempt and rejection born of the counterfeit, upon seeing the real person compared, inexplicably wavered a bit.

Yan Qi blinked, whispering to Shi Meng beside him: 'I feel Jin Chen looks a bit better.'

Shi Meng scratched his head, speaking in a muffled tone: 'I also can't say.'

Jin Chen actually felt that Ruan Sutong resembled his original appearance more.

If this world had cosmetic techniques, it would probably be based on his former appearance, finely adjusted.

Ling Gun Gun lightly rubbed against his shoulder: 【Host, the two attendants behind Ruan Sutong are the disguised Chu Yi and Chu Ming—true love, accompanying the protagonist's lover to find someone.】

Ruan Sutong sized up Jin Chen, then slowly rose and nodded to Gu Fanghe: 'Gu Fanghe Dage, it's been three years—how have you been?'

Just like old friends who merely parted, today I came to visit.

But Gu Fanghe's complexion wasn't good.

He stopped in the hall, his heavy gaze landing on Ruan Sutong—no joy of reunion, only displeasure.

'Who let you come up?'

That question was extremely impolite.

The hall fell silent instantly; even Liu Mianfeng stopped fanning.

The smile on Ruan Sutong's face stiffened; he hadn't expected Gu Fanghe to be like this.

Three years ago when he left, Gu Fanghe was also silent and taciturn, but still treated with courtesy; after three years, why is he so cold and hard?

Ruan Sutong: 'Passing by Black Mountain Cliff, I thought of an old friend and came specially to pay respects—but… have I troubled Gu Fanghe Dage?'

The one-eyed figure in the corner, trying to lower his presence, broke out in cold sweat.

He inwardly complained endlessly; looking at the Big Boss's face, it's not a bother—clearly annoyance.

The one-eyed figure hurried forward a step, trying to make amends: 'Big Boss! It's like this!'

'My subordinates today brought the brothers down the mountain to buy some new trinkets for Young Master Jin; on the road we happened to encounter Master Ruan's carriage, with no ulterior intention!'

'Master Ruan said he came specially to find you; I dare not decide on my own.'

Jin Chen stood at Gu Fanghe's side, lifted the corner of his mouth, and scratched Gu Fanghe's palm.

'Since the guest has come, please sit first.'

Gu Fanghe's tense expression finally eased; he turned his hand to hold Jin Chen's hand: 'Sit.'

Ruan Sutong blinked in surprise, then reseated himself.

Not only Ruan Sutong, but even Chu Yi and Chu Ming, disguised as attendants behind him, couldn't help exchanging a glance.

Is Gu Fanghe crazy?

In front of Ruan Sutong, toward a counterfeit with only a faint resemblance, his attitude is so affectionate and indulgent, even prioritizing the counterfeit's wishes.

——

Everyone reseated; Xiao Nu brought up drinks and snacks.

Gu Fanghe personally held the jug, filled Jin Chen's cup, then picked a piece of osmanthus cake and brought it to Jin Chen's lips.

'Try it; you don't like sweet, this one isn't cloying.'

Jin Chen looked at the cake, then at Gu Fanghe, opened his mouth and took it in, his tongue brushing Gu Fanghe's fingertip.

Gu Fanghe's fingertip twitched slightly, his gaze deepening; his fingertip subtly twisted at his side.

Jin Chen chewed carefully, then said: 'Still too sweet.'

'Then have another piece.' Gu Fanghe ate that half-piece, then picked a piece of plum cake and passed it over.

This time Jin Chen ate it, nodded: 'This one's good.'

The two went back and forth, as if no one else existed—one feeding as a matter of course, the other eating naturally and calmly.

Ruan Sutong: '……'

He silently took a sip of wine, then spoke again.

'After parting three years ago, although the capital is prosperous, I often think of those days in Black Mountain Stronghold—the mountain wind and bright moon, indeed a rare peacefree.'

He looked toward Gu Fanghe, with just-right nostalgia: 'I wonder… is the little deer from back then still safe?'

The little deer isn't a real deer, but a child.

Three years ago, when Ruan Sutong came to the stronghold, Chen Xiaoshan's brother's orphan, whom he treated as his own, was suffering from a persistent high fever, and the stronghold's physicians were at a loss.

Ruan Sutong had brought medicine prescribed by a renowned physician from the capital, and she saved the child's life; Chen Xiaoshan felt grateful for her kindness.

Chen Xiaoshan said upon hearing this, "Xiao Lu is doing well; now he can run and jump, and he's learning to read with the village teacher."

Ruan Sutong smiled: "That's good; may I ask if he could come see me?"

Chen Xiaoshan looked toward Gu Fanghe. Gu Fanghe Silence for a moment, then nodded.

Not long after, a seven-year-old boy was led in; the boy was sturdy and vigorous, with round, gleaming eyes.

Ruan Sutong beckoned him over, took out a small embroidered pouch from her sleeve, and handed it to him, saying, "It's been three years since we last met, Xiao Lu has grown tall; this is a nine-linked ring that children in the capital love to play with—I give it to you."

Xiao Lu took it, and in a childish voice thanked: "Thank you, Master Ruan."

Ruan Sutong rubbed his head.

Xiao Lu then turned his gaze to Jin Chen, his eyes lighting up; he ran over tap-tap-tap, looked up, and said, "Brother Jin, you taught me the characters yesterday—I can write them now!"

Jin Chen propped his chin, feeling his brain about to burst, and said, "Really? Then write it for me another day."

"Good!" Xiao Lu nodded vigorously, then took out half a piece of Candy from his pocket and handed it to Jin Chen, saying, "This is for you to eat; it's very sweet."

Seeing Jin Chen accept it, Xiao Lu finally felt content, and was led away.

Ruan Sutong: "......"