Chapter 162: Oh, My Poor Third Brother

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Lin Sangqian and Zhao Lan'er understood at once. They had to struggle for quite a while before they finally managed not to laugh aloud.

Qi Erliu had certainly never expected to meet her match in the Lin household.

She might even have been outdone by Xiao Yawen in the art of feigning innocence.

“I—I’m not angry!” Qi Erliu hurriedly protested. “I just think you people…”

Before she could finish, Xiao Yawen looked even more aggrieved. “I know you’re angry. If you want us to apologize, we’ll do whatever you say. Just please, don’t let this affect the business between the Yu and Lin families. We’d feel terribly guilty if it did.”

Qi Erliu was so furious she nearly lost her wits.

What was this wretched girl talking about?

Why would she not give her even a chance to speak?

“Jingxiao, I truly am not angry!” Qi Erliu anxiously explained to Yu Jingxiao.

“All right, all right. I understand. Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding.” Yu Jingxiao soothed her, then said to Lin Sangqian, “We’ll be going now.”

“All right.” Lin Sangqian nodded, doing her best to suppress her laughter.

The two had barely taken a few steps when Xiao Yawen called after Qi Erliu’s retreating figure in a pitiful voice, “Madam Yu, please don’t take your anger out on Young Master Yu. If you still have fire in your heart, take it out on us instead. Young Master Yu treats you so well—you ought to cherish him.”

Qi Erliu stumbled and nearly fell.

Damn it! The Lin family was truly full of hidden talents!

The moment the two of them left, earth-shaking laughter erupted throughout the Lin household.

“I never thought your talent would actually come in handy one day,” Zhao Lan'er said with a laugh.

“Of course it would.” Xiao Yawen gave her hair a shameless toss. “She wants to challenge me? She’s still far too inexperienced. If she dares put on that act in front of us again, I’ll show her exactly who she’s dealing with.”

“Poor Young Master Yu. How could he possibly have fallen for a woman like that?” Zhao Lan'er said regretfully.

“He’s a hopelessly dense man. Of course he can’t see through her,” Lin Sangqian said. “It’s Kang Ya I feel sorry for…”

She could accept that Yu Jingxiao did not like Kang Ya. She could even accept his being with someone else.

But he had gone and married a woman like that.

Kang Ya’s days ahead would probably be very difficult.

“What are you talking about?” Lin Beitao came over, looking curious. “Is there something wrong with Madam Yu?”

Xiao Yawen could not help rolling her eyes. “Do you think there’s nothing wrong with her?”

“I’m not close to her,” Lin Beitao said. “I’ve never even spoken to her.”

“Fortunately, you haven’t,” Xiao Yawen replied.

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Otherwise, with Lin Beitao being such a fool, would he not have been completely deceived by that woman?

“What?” A trace of amusement appeared on Lin Beitao’s face. “You don’t want me to speak with her?”

Xiao Yawen found his smile extremely strange. She glared at him and said, “What does it have to do with me?”

Then she kicked him once, turned around, and walked away.

Lin Sangqian sighed, patted Lin Beitao on the shoulder, and said, “My poor third brother.”

Xiao Yawen had not the slightest idea of his feelings.

It was all because the two of them had spent the past several years bickering nonstop. Now, Xiao Yawen found him irritating the moment she laid eyes on him.

…

After Lin Wenyan and Zhao Lan'er’s betrothal banquet ended, Lin Yanbei returned to the academy.

Although he should have gone to study at a proper academy long ago, he had remained at Haixing Academy because Master Ge was there.

After all, Master Ge could teach him far more than an ordinary academy ever could.

He had recently been reading a book filled with many passages he could not fully comprehend. Whenever he asked Master Ge about them, the old teacher always gave him an extremely detailed explanation.

The weather was pleasant that day. Lin Yanbei had grown tired from reading, and when he saw the sun shining outside, he decided to take a walk.

He had always paid close attention to balancing work with rest, knowing it made him more efficient in his studies.

After informing Master Ge, he left the academy.

Master Ge even reminded him to bring back some egg tarts from McDonald’s.

As Lin Yanbei walked out of the academy, he wondered whether he should stop by the bookshop to see if any new and worthwhile books had arrived. He had not gone more than a few steps when a figure suddenly rushed in front of him.

Startled, he instinctively took a step back and asked, “Who are you?”

Standing before him was a beautiful young woman with striking features. Judging by her clothes and adornments, she clearly came from a well-to-do family.

But he did not know her.

“Lin Yanbei, why are you unwilling to marry me?” the young woman demanded, a hint of grievance seeming to linger in her eyes.

“Me? Marry you?” Lin Yanbei froze for a moment before realizing that this must be the daughter of Master Wang of Pingci County.

But why had this young lady come here alone and blocked his path?

It was entirely improper.

Lin Yanbei frowned slightly and said nothing.

“Say something! Why aren’t you saying anything?” Wang Qiongshi pressed. “What exactly is wrong with me?”

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Lin Yanbei recalled that his mother had once told him Matchmaker Liu described the Wang family’s daughter as dignified and gracious, gentle and virtuous.

Well…

“Do you look down on me because you’ve already become a licentiate and think I’m not worthy of you?” Wang Qiongshi bit her lip. “I read quite often too! I’m sure we’d have plenty to talk about!”

Since she had put it that way, it would be rather rude of him to remain silent.

Lin Yanbei gave her a courteous bow before saying, “You must be Miss Wang. The truth is, at present I only wish to devote myself to my studies and have no desire to think about marriage. Besides, you and I are complete strangers. Marriage is far too important a matter to be decided so hastily.”

“But now you know me!” A smile spread across Wang Qiongshi’s face. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Wang Qiongshi, and I’m sixteen years old.”

Lin Yanbei instinctively replied, “My name is Lin Yanbei…”

“I know! After I saw you on the street last time, I had someone inquire about you!”

Lin Yanbei felt a headache coming on. “You are a young lady from a respectable family. How could you…”

“What does being a woman have to do with anything? And what does being a young lady from a respectable family have to do with anything? Does that mean I’m not allowed to like someone?” Wang Qiongshi said. “There is nothing improper between us. Just because I’m a woman, does that mean I cannot even speak with you?”

“That isn’t what I meant…”

“Then there’s no problem, is there?” Wang Qiongshi smiled. “Why don’t we start by becoming friends?”

“I’m afraid I must decline,” Lin Yanbei said politely.

He had no intention of starting a family at all, nor did he harbor any feelings for Wang Qiongshi. Why should he waste her time?

“Why? Do you dislike me?”

“I…”

“Tell me! Do you dislike me?”

Looking into her bright eyes, Lin Yanbei ultimately surrendered and answered honestly, “No, I don’t dislike you.”

Although the young woman before him was undeniably strange, he truly could not bring himself to dislike her.

“Hehe, that’s wonderful!”

At that moment, two maids came running over, panting for breath. When they saw Wang Qiongshi, they finally let out sighs of relief.

“Miss! How did you manage to run all the way here by yourself while we weren’t paying attention?”

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