Chapter 109

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Yan Shuang'er glanced left at Yan Si, then right at Shangguan Xingyu; seeing both of them staying silent, she couldn't help but purse her lips and grumble, "Hmph, since you two refuse to speak, then forget it! But in her heart she thought: once we get back home, I absolutely must secretly ask Second Brother to explain everything clearly!"

Just as the scene fell into a deadlock, Shangguan Xingyu steadied herself slightly, her gaze swiftly turning to Yan Si as she asked thoughtfully, "Right, what exactly did you mean by what you just said? Could it be that this bookstore actually belongs to you?" After a brief hesitation, Yan Si didn't conceal it much and nodded frankly in reply, "That's right, this bookstore indeed belongs to me."

Hearing this, Shangguan Xingyan, who had been standing beside Shangguan Xingyu, suddenly became exceptionally agitated. She widened her eyes and urgently questioned Yan Si, "Then, may I ask if you know of a person named Bailu?"

In fact, regarding Bailu's situation, Yan Si knew it perfectly well in his heart, but after a short period of thought, he ultimately decided to keep his mouth shut, shaking his head as he replied, "Sorry, I don't know who this Bailu you speak of is."

However, that momentary hesitation of his did not escape the eyes of the sharp-minded Shangguan Xingyu. She keenly sensed there must be a hidden story, and doubt immediately arose in her heart.

Generally speaking, a normal person, when asked whether they know something, will often give a definite answer without any hesitation. Either they know and tell the truth, or they don't know and state it outright.

Yet the person before them displayed some hesitation; this abnormal behavior couldn't help but make one suspect there was a hidden story. Although her heart was full of doubts, the person involved did not immediately press the question, because she secretly speculated: his hesitation must be because that person named Bailu forbade him from revealing related information. Thinking of this, she decided to temporarily suppress her curiosity and wait for a suitable opportunity to quietly inquire about the matter.

At this moment, Shangguan Xingyan, upon hearing this, saw the expectant light in her eyes instantly dim to nothing. She had thought she could immediately learn from the other party just who Bailu was, but unexpectedly even this Yan Si knew nothing of it.

However, Shangguan Xingyan was only disappointed for a moment; in fact, even before this, Shangguan Xingyan had been quite interested in Yan Si himself, always wanting to make his acquaintance. Today, a heaven-sent opportunity let them meet, so naturally she was unwilling to easily miss such a rare chance.

She wore a smile as she said to Yan Si, "Yan Xiong, I wonder if you have time today? My younger sister and I have no other intention; we just feel that since fate has brought us together here, we truly wish to befriend you and become good friends."

Yan Si replied with a smile, "Today there isn't anything particularly special; I merely came to check whether the bookstore is doing well. Judging by the situation, the Shopkeeper should be able to handle all matters properly." Immediately after, Shangguan Xingyan spoke enthusiastically, "I wonder if there are any delightful places nearby? How about we go together for an outing?"

After a moment's thought, Yan Si responded, "If that's the case, we might as well head to West City; there's a famous Painting Boat there. Ordinarily many literati gather there, either composing poetry or painting; it should be quite interesting."

Shangguan Xingyu was renowned as a talented woman in Dongying Guo, and she loved composing poetry and painting even more. Hearing this, she agreed happily without hesitation. Shangguan Xingyan, on the other hand, had little interest in such activities, but seeing his younger sister so delighted and wanting to go, he didn't say anything in opposition. Before long, everyone boarded their respective carriages; the carriage Yan Si rode in set off first, slowly moving ahead to lead the way; the Shangguan siblings' carriage followed closely behind.

Along the way, Shangguan Xingyan, having still obtained not a shred of information about Bailu, felt vexed and couldn't help but complain to Shangguan Xingyu beside him, "Sister, tell me, how can this Bailu be so mysterious? Even Yan Xiong doesn't know who he is!"

Shangguan Xingyu turned her head to look at her elder brother, her face revealing an expression as if looking at a fool. She said, "How could he not know? It's just that there are too many people in the bookstore, so it was inconvenient to speak."

Shangguan Xingyan's originally dim eyes suddenly flashed with a glimmer of light; he leaned forward curiously and asked, "Sister, how did you know all this? Could it be… he really knows Bailu?"

Shangguan Xingyu replied unhurriedly, "Brother, think about it: other bookstores also sell books written by Bailu, but the variety of books in those stores is far from as complete as this one! Take the new book you bought today, 'After Being Abandoned, the Entire Jingcheng Was in an Uproar' — do other bookstores have this book for sale?"

Shangguan Xingyan thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Indeed I haven't seen it; today is the first release day of this new book!"

Shangguan Xingyu immediately followed up, "Since that's the case, why would he choose to hold the new book launch ceremony right here? Could there be another reason? In my view, either he signed some special contract with the bookstore, or he is on very close terms with the owner here, mutual good friends. Whichever possibility, that Young Master Yan must surely know Bailu and his affairs."

Listening to his younger sister's orderly analysis, Shangguan Xingyan couldn't help but fall into deep thought. After a moment, he slowly nodded, expressing agreement that his sister's words were extremely correct.

Yan Xiong should know this matter perfectly well, he thought. Shangguan Xingyu continued, "Later when we go to that Painting Boat for an outing, it'll be a perfect opportunity to befriend him. Once we find a suitable moment, we'll try to wheedle some useful information out of him. If we don't succeed this time, we'll wait for a proper occasion to invite him for a meal and get him to drink a fair amount of fine wine; that way we'll surely be able to pry out the news we need." After speaking, she looked into the distance with a confident and determined gaze.

Shangguan Xingyan gazed at his extraordinarily clever younger sister with a face full of admiration, unable to help but exclaim, "Sister, if you weren't here to devise strategies, I truly wouldn't know what to do!" However, Shangguan Xingyu stared at him with a serious face and replied earnestly, "Brother, if you really can't manage, then just work hard to grow a brain!" Hearing this, Shangguan Xingyan was instantly rendered speechless, only able to silently lower his head and ponder.

Simultaneously, in the other carriage, Yan Shuang'er ultimately couldn't suppress her intense curiosity and impatiently asked, "Second Brother, when exactly did you and Sister Xingyu meet? Hurry up and tell me; there are no other outsiders here anyway."

Qianqian beside her was equally dying of curiosity, shaking Yan Si's arm coquettishly: "Second Brother, stop keeping us in suspense, tell us quickly; Qianqian also really wants to know the story!"