Chapter 500

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Qianqian smiled faintly, not taking those words too seriously.

After all, in this kind of situation, people often say things on impulse, and as time passes, those promises may gradually be forgotten.

So, Qianqian merely smiled politely, then continued strolling through the market, admiring the dazzling array of goods.

Ouyang Chengren followed silently behind Qianqian like a loyal guardian, without the slightest impatience.

He watched quietly as Qianqian selected things, occasionally offering some suggestions, but most of the time he simply enjoyed the time spent together with Qianqian.

When Qianqian had finished wandering the entire market, she felt somewhat exhausted.

She let out a soft sigh and said to Ouyang Chengren, "I'm a bit tired, want to go back and rest." Ouyang Chengren hurriedly expressed concern, volunteering to escort her back.

Qianqian replied somewhat embarrassedly, "I don't have a residence here, just staying at an inn not far ahead. I can go back myself, no need to trouble you."

However, Ouyang Chengren insisted on sending her back, saying, "Let me send you back, that way I can be at ease."

Ouyang Chengren seemed to have completely forgotten Qianqian's superb whip skills; this time Qianqian didn't refuse again, and obediently let Ouyang Chengren send her back to the inn.

In the following days, whenever Ouyang Chengren had free time, he would come to the inn to find Qianqian.

Sometimes he would invite Qianqian to taste local delicacies together; sometimes he would invite Qianqian to tour nearby lakes together, admiring the lake and mountain scenery.

During these days, the relationship between the two was gradually warming up.

After every outing Ouyang Chengren would send Qianqian back to the inn, but since the last time Ouyang Chengren sent Qianqian back, three or four days had passed without seeing him.

Qianqian couldn't help worrying whether something had happened? But just the next day, Ouyang Chengren entered the inn once again as usual. He was already thoroughly familiar with the routes here.

Ouyang Chengren walked with practiced ease to Qianqian's room entrance, then knocked lightly on the door.

Qianqian inside heard the knocking, walked quickly to the door, and opened it. When she saw Ouyang Chengren standing at the doorway, her eyes couldn't help but brighten.

Today Ouyang Chengren wore a black long robe, making his whole person look cold and mysterious.

However, when he spoke, that cold exterior was instantly broken, replaced by his gentle voice and amiable smile.

Qianqian smiled and opened the door, gesturing for Ouyang Chengren to enter the room. Ouyang Chengren stepped into the room, casually closing the door behind him. The two walked together to the table, then sat facing each other.

Ouyang Chengren spoke first: "Have you eaten breakfast?" Qianqian smiled and replied, "I've already eaten, the inn provides breakfast." The two chatted as they settled at the table.

Ouyang Chengren suddenly said, "I came today because I have a surprise I want to give you."

Qianqian's curiosity was instantly ignited, and she asked eagerly, "What surprise?"

The corner of Ouyang Chengren's mouth curved up slightly, and he said with feigned profundity, "Wait a bit and I'll take you to see, then you'll know."

Qianqian was full of doubt, and pressed, "Go where to see?"

Ouyang Chengren played coy, smiling, "You'll know when we get there."

Qianqian continued pressing, "Go right now?"

Ouyang Chengren nodded affirmatively and replied, "Right, it's not far, the two of us can just fly over directly with lightness skill."

Hearing this, a surge of emotion and joy welled up in Qianqian's heart.

The two employed lightness skill, Qianqian following closely behind Ouyang Chengren; very soon Ouyang Chengren stopped, and Qianqian stopped as well.

Qianqian looked somewhat puzzled at the mansion before her, not knowing what Ouyang Chengren meant.

Ouyang Chengren looked at Qianqian's puzzled expression and smiled as he explained, "I know you've been staying at an inn in Xishang Kingdom; although an inn can provide lodging, after all it doesn't feel like home. So I specially purchased this mansion for you, hoping you can feel the warmth of home here. And, your surname is Bai, so this mansion is called Bai Fu."

Listening to Ouyang Chengren's words, Qianqian was momentarily stunned.

She had originally thought Ouyang Chengren's so-called surprise was just a small gift or taking her somewhere to play, but never expected he would be so thoughtful as to prepare a manor belonging entirely to her.

Only to hear Ouyang Chengren continue, "Inside I've also hired several servants — gate guards, manservants, maidservants, a cook, etc. — everything is complete. Although it may not be as good as your home, from now on this will be your landing place when you come to Xishang Kingdom."

Hearing this, Qianqian's mouth gaped open in surprise, wide enough to practically fit an egg.

She stared with wide eyes, looking at Ouyang Chengren in disbelief, thinking secretly, "This mansion isn't actually that big, and we've known each other for barely half a month at most, and he's already giving me a mansion? Is this big brother's brain not working too well? Does he often get taken for a sucker?"

Qianqian was mentally ranting and grumbling, but Ouyang Chengren mistakenly thought she disliked the mansion, and hurriedly explained, "If you're unsatisfied with the interior arrangements, you can have the servants hire people to modify them; all expenses come from the accounting office.

I left a sum of silver at the accounting office, it should be enough for your expenditures. And rest assured, this mansion belongs to you; I absolutely won't stay overnight here, at least not before marriage. So you can be completely at ease."

Only then did Qianqian snap back to her senses as if waking from a dream; her face full of shock, she hurriedly waved her hands and said, "How can this do? This is far too precious, I absolutely cannot accept it!"

Ouyang Chengren seemed to have long anticipated she would react this way; the corner of his mouth curled up, revealing a faint smile, and he unhurriedly explained, "Look, even if you don't live in this mansion, I still have to pay the servants their monthly salary according to custom.

And you staying at an inn also costs money; this way, I have to pay the servants' monthly salary here, and you have to pay room fees at the inn — isn't that just wasting money for nothing?"

Hearing him put it that way, Qianqian couldn't help but hesitate a little. She secretly pondered, Ouyang Chengren's words seemed not without reason, but this mansion was ultimately too precious, she really felt too embarrassed to accept it.

Just as Qianqian was wavering indecisively, Ouyang Chengren suddenly reached out, tightly grasped her hand, and then unceremoniously pulled her into the mansion.

Seeing this, the gate guard immediately ran off flying, to report the news to the steward.

Not long after, Qianqian and Ouyang Chengren arrived at the front hall, and the steward happened to walk out from inside.

Seeing the two, he hurriedly bowed in salute and said respectfully, "General, Miss, this old servant pays his respects."