Chapter 491: Chapter 491: Cui Yingying and Zhang Sheng

Gu Ruinian approached the Lian Family.

The best outcome would be to accidentally meet the Second Miss of the Lian Family at the door, just like in a play where the Second Miss falls in love with him at first sight.

Gu Ruinian harbored beautiful hopes akin to the story of Cui Yingying and Zhang Sheng.

The young ladies of ancient wealthy families, unlike the girls of Qinghe Bay who were often seen publicly, seldom encountered men outside, so meeting a gentleman could easily make them fall for him.

He had inquired and found out that Lu Zhaozhao was moved by Jingzhe also due to a chance encounter.

Widow Tong, bringing Jingzhe along, assisted Lu Zhaozhao and Lu Zhaoyang, making Lu Zhaozhao secretly admire Jingzhe.

Why couldn’t such good fortune fall upon him?

Gu Ruinian believed that although his looks might not surpass Jingzhe’s, he was still handsome enough; his refined speech added to his gentle and elegant demeanor. He could write love poems and master all romantic techniques. As long as he seized an opportunity, he’d win a girl’s heart even more than Jingzhe, he was confident he could have a world-famous romantic affair with an ancient wealthy beauty.

He heard from Matchmaker Wang that the Second Miss of the Lian Family was extremely attractive, though he wasn’t sure if she was as pretty as Lu Zhaozhao.

Lu Zhaozhao was the best-looking girl he’d ever met in both his lifetimes combined.

The infuriating thing was that the Lian Family’s carriage was tightly covered, so even passing by Wu Ji, he couldn’t get a clear look at the Second Miss.

He held a grudge against the Lian Family.

First, they saw he had hope of passing the scholar exams and proactively wanted to marry into his family, but after he failed, the Lian Family’s matchmaker never came by again.

Such opportunistic Lian Family, when he becomes a good son-in-law of the Lian Family, he vowed to make them regret their past indecisiveness.

Similarly, the Second Miss of the Lian Family seemed fickle, agreeing to meet him, then forgetting him.

Wouldn’t it be great to encounter the Second Miss’s carriage at the door again?

Gu Ruinian waited for half a day, but no one came out.

He was thinking about finding someone to inquire about the whereabouts of the Second Miss.

"Young man, who are you looking for?"

Gatekeeper Zhang of the Lian Family couldn’t help but ask when he saw Gu Ruinian pacing at the entrance for a while.

A thrill of excitement washed over Gu Ruinian’s heart.

He hadn’t thought about how to strike up a conversation at the door, yet the other party spoke first.

Gu Ruinian bowed respectfully to the gatekeeper and said, "Brother, I am Gu Ruinian, nephew of the Jufu Supermarket owner, and I wish to visit your esteemed residence."

He initially wanted to mention Wu Ji, but fearing Wu Ji’s notorious reputation might implicate him, he used the name of Jufu instead.

If possible, he even wished to use the title "nephew of Tong Huaqiong, Sui Feng Village Lady."

The gatekeeper had heard of Jufu, but not of its owner’s nephew.

Besides, he hadn’t heard of any connection between Jufu and the Lian Family, who knew if this lad was using Jufu’s name to do business with the Lian Family.

If Jufu wanted to do business with the Lian Family, either the owner or the Young Master would come forward, not a nephew on some errand.

Moreover, he only said he wanted to visit the residence without specifying whom he intended to visit.

This young lad seemed suspicious, not appearing to be a good person at all.

Lately, the master had been irate because of matters concerning the Second Son, who knew if this young lad was falsely using Jufu’s name to lure the Second Son to the Red-Light District. If so, letting him in would be the gatekeeper’s responsibility.

Gatekeeper Zhang unceremoniously said, "What stray cats and dogs dare to come? Do you think I’m just decoration? Shoo, shoo, shoo."

Gu Ruinian hadn’t expected this treatment and, gritting his teeth, he pulled the silver coin from his pocket, smiling apologetically as he held it up to Gatekeeper Zhang, saying, "Brother, do me a favor."

Gatekeeper Zhang’s eyes widened.

He had said it; this person was not righteous, yet now audaciously tried to bribe him.

Currently, the Second Miss managed the Lian Family, known for her iron-fisted, striking as a rose. If she found out he let someone in indiscriminately, he could forget about keeping his job.

Without a word, Gatekeeper Zhang called for the servant boys in the outer courtyard to drive Gu Ruinian away.

Scared, Gu Ruinian sprinted off.

Breaking into a run down two streets, he ducked into Wu Ji before gasping for air.

"What a tricky rascal."

Gu Ruinian cursed angrily, "Just a mere doorkeeper, yet so arrogant."

Gu Ruinian swore to himself, when he becomes the good son-in-law of the Lian Family, he’d repay today’s humiliation to the gatekeeper doubly.

"Brother Ruinian, what’s wrong?"

Wu Na came forward, concerned when she saw Gu Ruinian looking displeased.

Ever since Wu Musheng and Wu Na competed for Hua Er unsuccessfully, the notorious title of the vicious younger sister spread throughout Pingchuan County. Mrs. Qiao hadn’t let her leave the house in recent days, so she had to spend time in the shop.

Anyway, there weren’t many customers in the shop, so Wu Na had more time to spend with Gu Ruinian.

Wu Ren had subtly hinted at marrying her off to another county, but Wu Na didn’t want that, she desired to marry Gu Ruinian.

Gu Ruinian felt annoyed seeing Wu Na and, in no good mood, said, "Nothing."

Wu Na, with a coquettish tone, said, "Brother Ruinian, you’ve been giving me the cold shoulder these days. Is it because my father treats you poorly, and you’re taking it out on me?"

Gu Ruinian’s heart skipped a beat.

He mustn’t let Wu Na see his dissatisfaction with Wu Ren.

He still wished to salvage his impression with Wu Ren to stay in Pingchuan County using Wu Ren’s shop.

Suppressing disgust, Gu Ruinian forced a smile at Wu Na, speaking gently, "You’ve misunderstood. How could I be dissatisfied with Uncle Wu? I’m grateful to Uncle Wu. I simply feel bad about our shop’s business prospects."

That’s all that mattered.

Wu Na smiled and said to Gu Ruinian, "Brother Ruinian, do you want to study in the capital?"

Gu Ruinian thought, who wouldn’t want that? He dreamed of it.

Now every day, he was confined to reading in the shop, squeezing focus amidst the noisy environment.

Wu Na noticed his thoughts and said, "My father dreams of having a scholar in our family. My brother was sent to private school from a young age but couldn’t cope due to his slow wits. My father mentioned that if I were a son, he’d send me to study in the capital. Sadly, I’m not a son, but if I found a scholarly husband, my dad would treat him like a son and support him."

Facing Wu Na’s intense gaze made Gu Ruinian’s scalp tingle; her intentions were quite clear — she wished him to be her husband.

Gu Ruinian felt humiliated by Wu Na’s advances.

Wu Na was neither a talented writer nor a beauty, merely the daughter of a village chief, yet she dared to yearn for him.

His lowest acceptable choice was the illegitimate Second Miss of the Lian Family.

Suppressing his anger, Gu Ruinian told Wu Na, "Sister Wu, someone as good as you will surely find a scholarly gentleman. I think relying on the Yue Family to study is akin to being a son-in-law, which doesn’t align with a scholar’s pride for me."

Gu Ruinian wanted directly to scorn Wu Na, questioning her worthiness of him.

In the end, he didn’t dare.

Thus, he declined her subtly, feeling he handled it gracefully.

He avoided hurting Wu Na’s pride while clearly stating his stance.

Upon hearing Gu Ruinian’s words, Wu Na completely misunderstood him, interpreting that he had received her feelings, wasn’t rejecting her affections, but wouldn’t accept the Wu Family’s support for his studies.

Wu Na was extremely moved.

Brother Ruinian had such integrity; her own father was blind to hold prejudices against Brother Ruinian.