The more you try not to meet someone, the more likely you are to run into them. Li Youran felt that she hadn't checked the almanac before going out today, which was incredibly unlucky.

Li Youran didn't want to run into Zhao Lanshan, not because she was afraid of Zhao Lanshan, but because she didn't want to get involved in the matter between Zhao Lanshan and Liu Zhiyuan.

Liu Zhiyuan was really good to her, and Li Youran genuinely treated Liu Zhiyuan as her good friend, but Zhao Lanshan seemed to have misunderstood the relationship between her and Liu Zhiyuan.

Moreover, Liu Zhiyuan seems unwilling to get engaged to Zhao Lanshan, and her appearance has only made things more complicated.

"Miss, you shouldn't come to Wutong Pavilion anymore. It seems like all sorts of people come here."

Li Youran could still speak, so Zhao Lanshan's maidservant spoke first.

"Stop talking nonsense." Although she said these words of reproach, Zhao Lanshan had no intention of blaming her at all.

Li Youran could tell that Zhao Lanshan was just putting on an act, and that the maid's sarcastic remarks were probably with Zhao Lanshan's permission.

"My servants are like madmen, please don't take it to heart, Miss Li," Zhao Lanshan said softly.

Zhao Lanshan originally thought that as long as it came down to the interests of the family, Liu Zhiyuan would give up on announcing the engagement. But she never expected that Liu Zhiyuan would disregard his family and his parents' words for this woman from the streets, and even go on a hunger strike at home to protest the marriage.

Zhao Lanshan felt that Li Youran was an enemy not to be underestimated, and originally thought that Liu Zhiyuan was just playing around. But now it seems that Liu Zhiyuan's feelings for her are not as simple as she thought.

“Miss Zhao, you’re too kind. You have to consider the owner before you beat a dog.” Li Youran looked at Zhao Lanshan and continued, “But this girl is quite interesting. They say that like master, like servant, and that’s really true.”

"How dare you be so rude!"

How was I being rude?

The maidservant was so angry that her face turned red, but she didn't know how to retort to Li Youran.

"I have come today to purchase a set of jewelry as part of my dowry when I get married. May I ask what Miss Li is planning to buy?"

The items in Wutong Pavilion are expensive, and Zhao Lanshan doesn't think Li Youran can afford them.

"Oh, so you're preparing your dowry! I'm just browsing, and I'll buy whatever I like."

As soon as Li Youran finished speaking, the waiter brought out the newly arrived dishes and introduced them to the two of them.

"This headdress is made using the most advanced red gold craftsmanship in Jiangnan. The pearls on it are selected from the South China Sea. They are all large, round, and lustrous. All the gemstones on it are tributes from the Western Regions, and the gemstones are of very high quality."

Li Youran was very fond of this headdress, not only because of its novel design, but also because of the high-quality materials used.

"How much does this headdress cost?"

Although she wanted to spend a lot of money to buy the grand prize, Li Youran still had to consider the actual situation and the price had to be within her affordability range.

"The price of this headdress is one hundred and eighty-eight taels of silver."

"make a deal."

As soon as the waiter finished speaking, Li Youran continued.

Zhao Lanshan's expression changed slightly; she felt that Li Youran's actions were tantamount to slapping her in the face.

"I'll add twenty taels of silver," Zhao Lanshan said with a smile. "I wonder if Miss Li would be willing to give me the discount?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Zhao, I really like this headdress too." Li Youran refused without even thinking.

Zhao Lanshan hadn't expected Li Youran to reject her so directly. Her expression darkened after the rejection, but she didn't say anything.

"I wonder if the manager is here today?" Zhao Lanshan asked the waiter. "I am Miss Zhao from the Zhao family."

When Zhao Lanshan introduced herself, the waiter, fearing he might offend a distinguished person, hurriedly went to inform the manager.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Zhao, you are a frequent customer of our store and have priority in purchasing."

Before long, the waiter rushed over and bowed to Zhao Lanshan.

Li Youran curled her lips, thinking to herself that this world was really too dark.

"Go tell your manager that I am the third young master of the Liu family, and Miss Li is determined to have this headdress today."

The waiter didn't know how to handle the situation, so he simply listened to Liu Zhiyuan and obediently went to find the manager. After all, such a battle of titans was not something a mere employee like him could participate in.

"Please forgive us for not welcoming you properly, Mr. Liu and Miss Zhao."

The shopkeeper came over with the waiter, bowed, and addressed Zhao Lanshan and Liu Zhiyuan.

"Both of you are regular customers of the store. Since you both like this set of jewelry, why don't we go by the order of arrival?"

The shopkeeper didn't dare offend either of them. After all, both families were capable assistants to the prefect, and even the county magistrate treated them with great respect.

However, I heard that the Zhao and Liu families are about to become in-laws, but judging from the situation, it seems that there is some misunderstanding between Miss Zhao and Young Master Liu. Just who is this Miss Li...?

The shopkeeper ate a huge melon...

Despite some hiccups along the way, Li Youran still managed to buy the jewelry.

Liu Zhiyuan insisted on buying the headdress for Li Youran, but Li Youran resolutely refused.

As Li Youran stepped out of the store, she was about to turn back to thank Liu Zhiyuan when she saw him suddenly fall. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and caught him.

Liu Zhiyuan was alone, without Liu Er by his side. Li Youran didn't know where he lived, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask him to go back with her.

"Little sister, isn't what you're doing a bit inappropriate...?"

Li Haoran was somewhat troubled; bringing a stranger home was really unreasonable.

"Brother, Young Master Liu is my benefactor, and my parents won't say anything about it."

Li Youran knew that what she was doing was inappropriate, but she had no choice. Liu Zhiyuan was her friend and benefactor. He had fainted, and she couldn't just leave him on the street. She had to take him home first.

"Young Master Liu, you're awake."

When Liu Zhiyuan opened his eyes, he found himself in an unfamiliar place. He turned his head and saw Li Dazhu and Li Niangzi looking at him with kind expressions.

"Uncle Li, Aunt Li."

"Don't move, don't move, lie down quickly, the doctor said you're weak."

Seeing this, Li Dazhu hurriedly helped Liu Zhiyuan up.

"What am I doing..."

Liu Zhiyuan thought back carefully and realized that he had fainted as soon as he left the store. It seemed that Li Youran had taken him home.

"Young Master Liu, you're awake?"

Hearing the noise, Li Youran came in.

"The doctor said you fainted because you hadn't eaten for a long time, but what happened?"

Upon hearing Li Youran's words, Liu Zhiyuan's cheeks flushed slightly. Could it be that he was telling her that he had gone on a hunger strike because of her?

"In order to experience the feeling of starving one's body."

Liu Zhiyuan gave an awkward laugh.

"Something terrible has happened!"

Before Liu Zhiyuan could finish speaking, Li Tairan's shout rang out from outside the door.