Chapter 200: Just Let You Go Wild

The old bachelor was surrounded by four people right now, and could only feign calm.

"What do you mean sneaking a look at my house? I just happened to pass by!"

He said, then unconsciously glanced at He Jinglan.

Just as he lowered his head, Gu Xixi saw his eyes darting about, looking rather flustered.

Gu Xixi immediately recalled Master Liu's earlier warning, and alarm bells rang in her mind.

She didn't show her anxiety on her face, but simply continued, "What's going on now? From the Qin family's orchard onward, you've been following us."

The old bachelor's eyes flickered, he lifted his head and said, "The village roads aren't yours, Gu Xixi, so why can you walk them but I can't? Moreover..."

He bared his teeth at Gu Xixi, laughing, "Someone like you, who insists on having her way in everything, a fierce woman who strives to excel—who would even want to look at you?"

He Jinglan couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Qian Aunt and Lao Qian, as elders, felt embarrassed to laugh, awkwardly glanced away, and cleared their throats.

He Jinglan laughed, "Gu Xixi, don't misunderstand—I happened to notice that someone like him can actually sum things up pretty well. But in my view, these are hardly worth mentioning as your strengths."

Gu Xixi was also amused.

That's correct—she does insist on having her way in everything, striving to be the best; so what?

Seeing that his words had no effect, the old bachelor felt somewhat annoyed and defeated.

Gu Xixi turned to him again, "Since you said you weren't looking at me, then you must have been looking at her."

She gestured toward the person beside her, but her eyes kept watching the old bachelor's expression for any change.

"Do you know who she is?"

The old bachelor's pupils shrank; he instinctively turned his gaze away, avoiding eye contact with Gu Xixi.

"Her? Isn't she the honored guest you brought back from outside?"

Gu Xixi said, "How do you know she's an honored guest?"

She emphasized the word "honored" when she said it.

The old bachelor seemed startled, his eyes darting left then right, back and forth.

He then said, "When you brought this young lady into the village, you arrived in such a large carriage with two fine horses—many villagers saw it."

"Afterward, the carriage didn't stop at your courtyard, so it definitely wasn't yours."

"It's obvious, then, that you're leading this young lady from a wealthy, noble family."

"Oh?" Gu Xixi gave a half-smile, "I didn't realize you were so thoughtful and good at deduction."

Lao Qian furtively glanced at Gu Xixi.

By this point, even he sensed that something was off.

If the old bachelor had this kind of savvy all these years, how could his life have been so miserable? He often couldn't afford a meal and would mooch off others, hanging around shamelessly.

A few years ago, some similarly idle locals had recruited the old bachelor to join them in petty theft.

But the old bachelor, being clumsy, was kicked out early on.

At the time, this actually saved Lao Qian, the village chief, a lot of trouble.

However, since Gu Xixi was still questioning him, Lao Qian held back for now and didn't rush to speak.

All that was heard was Gu Xixi suddenly shifting the topic.

"Every few words you mention 'honored'; it's clear you're very concerned about my honored guest."

"I believe you don't care to look at me, so you admit that loitering at my gate and just now following us were to surveil my honored guest?"

The old bachelor's eyes widened, and he quickly denied, "I didn't!"

However, the four people before him all frowned and glared at him, obviously not believing his excuse.

The old bachelor's breathing grew ragged; after a moment's hesitation, he suddenly lifted his head and gave He Jinglan a lecherous look.

"I've just never seen such a fair, pretty girl before—I wanted to look a little longer. What's wrong with that?"

Chasing after a pretty girl to look at her—this excuse makes perfect sense.

Qian Aunt spat in anger, "Pah, what a disgraceful embarrassment!"

She reached out and pulled He Jinglan to her side, "Don't be afraid, child."

"With us here, if this bastard dares to do anything to you, we'll break his legs!"

The old bachelor thought his lie had passed, feeling pleased with himself.

He deliberately put on a lewd smile and continued arrogantly, "Our country village girls, no matter how pretty, can they compare to the rich young ladies from the capital?"

"Wait." Gu Xixi interrupted him, "How do you know she's from the capital?"

Gu Xixi just wanted the old bachelor to talk more.

As the saying goes, the more you talk, the more mistakes you make.

The old bachelor was never a meticulous, clever person; in his excitement he was bound to reveal even more.

All we saw was him stare blankly, his face instantly changing dramatically, as he hurriedly tried to cover up, "I—I just guessed; the capital is wealthy, a big place, so I figured someone like her must be..."

"You're talking nonsense!!" Gu Xixi had already made a definite judgment and had no patience left to listen to the old bachelor's nonsense.

"You say you're guessing, but in the Da Ye dynasty there are many prosperous lands."

"You don't mention Jiangnan, Central Province, or the East Sea, yet you immediately point to the capital."

"It must be that someone told you, leaving a deep impression."

Lao Qian nodded in agreement, saying, "With his limited experience, he hardly ever even goes to Qing Tian County."

"If it weren't for others telling him, how could he know what the capital is?"

Lao Qian glared fiercely at the old bachelor and shouted sternly, "Who exactly is behind you! Speak!!"

After all, it's the village chief's authority—the old bachelor's face turned ashen, cold sweat pouring down.

His lips trembled, and after a while he managed to utter a few words, "I daren't; they, they'll kill me."

Gu Xixi glanced inquiringly at He Jinglan.

He Jinglan nodded.

Gu Xixi, face cold, said to the old bachelor, "There's one thing you got right—my friend really comes from the capital; if I told you her background, you'd be scared to death!"

"You're afraid of offending those people, but you still need to get it straight—offending my friend will only get you killed worse."

The old bachelor couldn't help but be frightened; moreover, in his mind the capital was no different from a heavenly palace.

Hearing Gu Xixi's exaggeration, he was so scared he flung himself to the ground, kowtowing nonstop to He Jinglan.

"It's my fault—greedy and blind; I beg the noble one to spare my life!"

"It's all them—they threatened me to help; I was momentarily bewitched, please spare my life!"

He Jinglan looked down on the old bachelor with disdain, "Sparing you is easy; I could even protect your life, leaving those people unable to touch you."

"However, that depends on your performance."

The old bachelor lifted his head, face full of snot and tears, "I'll say—whatever I know, I'll tell you all!"

Afternoon, Ju Xian Tea House, second floor.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan sat facing each other by the window.

On the table: a pot of fragrant slices, two plates of pastries, two plates of dried fruit.

A young woman came up from the stairwell corner, smiling and waving at the two.

Gu Xixi immediately rose to greet her, "Elder Sister Meng, over here."

She first introduced He Jinglan and Meng Dangni zi to each other.

After exchanging greetings, both sides sat down.

Meng Dangni zi laughed and said, "Instead of coming to my place for tea, you insisted on meeting outside; besides chatting over tea and making new friends, there must be… something else, right?"