After giving all these instructions, she went out again, only to meet Nanny Jin, who was just returning from outside, at the door.
"Miss, won't you have lunch at home before going out?"
Cheng Xiran shook her head slightly. "Young Master Xue said he would invite me to lunch, so I won't eat at home. By the way, what did Grandmother want to say this morning? I was in such a hurry that I didn't catch it clearly."
Seeing Nanny Jin take a step closer, with a beaming smile on her face, she said, "What the old lady wanted to say was about you and Young Master Xue. She's quite satisfied with him. She said his playfulness was just because he wasn't married yet, so his heart was unsettled. Once he gets married and settles down, he'll surely live a steady life."
So that's how it was. It seemed that she had to get along with Xue Lianyu properly today to put on a show.
"Okay, go back and tell Grandmother that I'll give her an explanation when I get home tonight."
Nanny Jin didn't notice her absent - mindedness. She just nodded cheerfully. Then she carefully tidied up the few stray hairs by Cheng Xiran's temples and patiently persuaded her, "The old lady mentioned this matter last night. She said she's most worried about your marriage, Miss."
On the way back to the newspaper office, Cheng Xiran kept thinking about what Grandmother had said to her that night. But somehow, the haughty and unruly face of Helian Duo popped up in her mind. She hated thinking about him for no reason.
When she got back to the newspaper office, the sight of the slovenly Xue Lianyu made her inexplicably angry. Ignoring him, she walked around him and sat down on one side. Xue Lianyu didn't notice anything amiss. He picked up her newly - written manuscript and started reading. After a while, he let out a sigh. Then he asked, "So, are you going to focus on this new story these days? I haven't seen you write about your 'wooden block' anymore."
"I'll write a special column for him later on some pretext."
Cheng Xiran replied expressionlessly. Seeing that she showed no emotion when mentioning Helian Duo, Xue Lianyu thought he had a chance. He quickly chimed in, "You don't like the 'wooden block', do you? You also think he's so conceited and arrogant, right?"
Seeing her nod, he got even more excited. "Since that's the case, you should consider me?"
Cheng Xiran shook her head without hesitation, which deflated Xue Lianyu. "Xiran, am I really so unworthy in your eyes?"
Cheng Xiran thought he was just joking, so she ignored him. Even if one day he wasn't joking, she still wouldn't pay him any heed.
Looking at the white clouds gradually gathering in the sky and the vast expanse of the horizon, she thought it was about time. The midnight banquet should be about to start, right? Leaning against the window, she looked around. The long street was bustling. Since the Lantern Festival was approaching, every household had hung up colorful lanterns, making a beautiful sight.
Somehow, she managed to "summon" Helian Duo.
"I've seen you looking out for a while. Are you waiting for someone?"
Cheng Xiran slowly withdrew her gaze. Without looking at him, she murmured, "Who says looking around means waiting for someone?"
"These are Su - style pastries from the banquet. They're rare here. Try them."
Helian Duo handed her a delicate brocade box. Cheng Xiran took it without being polite and said casually, "Did the prince prepare these specially for me?"
She was just joking with him, but Helian Duo took it seriously. His face changed. "Li Yin said she wanted to eat them, so I brought some extra. These are the leftovers. I don't like them, so I'll give them to you."
"I knew it. How could you be so considerate?" Cheng Xiran opened the brocade box, took out a piece and tasted it.
It was sweet and soft in the mouth, just the taste she liked.