The next day, the weather was on their side.
Qinzhou City, which was usually drizzly and gloomy in winter, unexpectedly enjoyed a rare sunny day.
Ruan Jiu was dressed in a water - blue silk dress and wore a white cloak.
At first glance, her outfit matched perfectly with Xie Jingchu's moon - white satin robe.
"Ruan Ruan, you and Fourth Master go on the boat first. I'll go shopping with Xie Yanchuan."
"I'll go with you," Ruan Jiu said immediately.
"Xie Yanchuan is enough to accompany me," Su Wan said with an awkward smile.
"Why should I go with you?" Xie Yanchuan looked puzzled.
But just as he was about to step onto the boat, Su Wan grabbed the collar of his robe.
"Protect me," Su Wan gritted her teeth.
"Aren't you tough enough to need my protection? Hey... hey..."
Ignoring Xie Yanchuan's resistance, Su Wan pulled him back and winked at Xie Jingchu.
She thought to herself, Fourth Master, I've done what you asked. The rest is up to you.
Ruan Jiu originally thought that boating on the lake in winter would be extremely cold. However, there were stoves already prepared on the boat.
As soon as she got on board, she felt warmer than at home.
As soon as she sat down, she felt the boat start to move.
Looking out of the boat, she exclaimed, "They haven't boarded yet!"
Xie Jingchu walked over slowly and handed her a hot water bottle.
"Take it. It's cold on the lake."
She took the hot water bottle. Seeing that Xie Jingchu had no intention of stopping the boat, she knew he did it on purpose.
Then she turned her head and looked at the scenery outside the window.
Huanran Lake lived up to its reputation. The lake was sparkling, and the water was as green as jade, fresh and elegant.
The green mountains and ancient trees on both sides of the lake looked extremely peaceful.
"It's so beautiful," she sighed.
"Do you know why it's called Huanran Lake?"
"Why?" She turned to look at Xie Jingchu.
"A startling delight at first sight, a fluttering heart even after a long - time acquaintance."
Xie Jingchu's tone was gentle, and his eyes were fixed on her.
When their eyes met for just a moment, her heart skipped a beat.
She quickly turned her head to the other side, her face blushing, and stared blankly into the distance.
Xie Jingchu walked over and sat down beside her. He couldn't help asking, "What are you thinking about?"
Her breath caught in her throat. "N... nothing..."
That sentence reminded her of the first time she saw Xie Jingchu. He was like a celestial being descending to the mortal world, astonishingly handsome.
But how could she dare to say what was on her mind?
So she quickly changed the subject. "Fourth Master, did you ask Wanwan to come to Qinzhou?"
"Yes," Xie Jingchu didn't bother to hide it.
"Did you also tell her that I'm going to discuss the marriage with Xie Yanchuan after the New Year?" she continued.
"Yes."
"Why?" she asked in a low voice.
But as soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted it.
Xie Jingchu's kindness to her these days seemed different from before.
There seemed to be a subtle change between them.
"Because I don't want you to marry Xie Yanchuan."
Xie Jingchu leaned towards her, reached out and stroked her head, his eyes full of doting.
Her breath hitched. What did Fourth Master mean by that?
Did he worry that after she married into the eldest branch, she would stand against him?
Or was it because...
She didn't dare to think further.
After all, there were many things she could never hope for.
Then she gathered her thoughts and said with a smile, "Fourth Master, don't worry. A Jiu will never betray you."
No matter what Xie Jingchu meant, she would always be on his side.
Just like her decision to call off the marriage with Xie Yanchuan was because she didn't want to be a weapon for Xie Jing to deal with Xie Jingchu.
Hearing what Ruan Jiu said, Xie Jingchu couldn't help but tug at the corner of his mouth helplessly.
Did this little girl think that he stopped her from marrying Xie Yanchuan because he was afraid of her betrayal?
"A Jiu, I just hope you can marry the one you love."
The one you love?
She lowered her eyes and bit her lips.
The word "love" was out of her reach.
Then she raised her head, her eyes firm. "Fourth Master, for A Jiu, it doesn't matter who I marry."
"Doesn't matter?" Xie Jingchu's tone involuntarily rose a few notes.
She nodded. "Whether it's grandfather or Fourth Master, you are all A Jiu's benefactors. Whoever you want A Jiu to marry, A Jiu will."
Hearing this, a chill appeared in Xie Jingchu's eyes. He tightly grabbed her wrist.
Xie Jingchu sneered. "Benefactor?"
He didn't expect that her concern for him was only because he was her benefactor.
It was simply ridiculous!
Ruan Jiu's wrist hurt from being grabbed, and her eyebrows knitted tightly.
She didn't know why Xie Jingchu was suddenly angry.
Wasn't what she said right?
"Say it again. Who am I to you?"
"Relative?"
Afraid that Xie Jingchu would be angry, she quickly changed her answer.
Xie Jingchu closed his eyes, breathing heavily, trying hard to suppress his anger.
After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes and let go of Ruan Jiu's hand.
He knew that Ruan Jiu had always liked to hide her emotions since she was a child, so he couldn't rush this.
It seemed that he had to let her recognize her own heart.
Then Xie Jingchu stood up and walked out.
Ruan Jiu was left alone in the boat, looking utterly confused.
Until the boat docked, Xie Jingchu stood at the bow of the boat and refused to go inside.
As soon as Xie Yanchuan saw the boat dock, he rushed over.
Pointing at Su Wan, he complained to Ruan Jiu, "A Jiu, she's crazy."
"She dragged me to go shopping, but we walked three streets and didn't buy anything."
"After I saw the boat leave, I said I'd find another boat to look for you. But she said she got seasick."
"Then I said I'd go look for you alone and asked her to wait here. She refused and said she was scared to be alone."
"I asked her to go back to the mansion first, but she still refused. She dragged me to stand in the cold wind for a long time."
Ruan Jiu watched Xie Yanchuan complaining non - stop. He looked just like a wronged daughter - in - law.
She couldn't help laughing.
"You're still laughing at me. My hands are frozen stiff. Touch them if you don't believe me."
Before Ruan Jiu could react, Xie Yanchuan tightly held her hand.
Xie Jingchu saw their hands clasped together, and a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes.
Ruan Jiu met Xie Jingchu's eyes and quickly withdrew her hand in shock.
Just as she was about to explain, she saw Xie Jingchu snort and leave with a flick of his sleeve.
Ruan Jiu came to her senses. She pouted. Why should I explain to him?
Seeing this, Su Wan immediately stood between Ruan Jiu and Xie Yanchuan, put her arm around Ruan Jiu's, and pushed Xie Yanchuan aside.
She rolled her eyes at Xie Yanchuan. "Keep your hands to yourself. Men and women should avoid physical contact."
Then she walked away with Ruan Jiu on her arm.
Xie Yanchuan was left standing there, looking at Su Wan angrily.
This woman! Why didn't she say anything about men and women avoiding physical contact when she dragged him all over the street just now!
Su Wan leaned over to Ruan Jiu's ear and whispered, "Did you two quarrel?"
As soon as they got off the boat, Su Wan noticed that Xie Jingchu's face looked strange.
Ruan Jiu frowned. Did they quarrel just now? Probably not.
So she shook her head.
"Then what's wrong with Fourth Master?"
Ruan Jiu tilted her head, spread her hands, and pursed her lips.
Who knows?