Unexpectedly, she saw through his ruse so quickly. Xiao Youzhi's eyes held a mischievous smile. "Why are you so surprised? You're so confident. Isn't it only natural that I would fall for you?"

"Uh..." Meng Zhao was speechless for a moment, and it took her a while to find her voice: "I am very confident, but you said you like me, which still scared me, because it is impossible!" After saying that, Meng Zhao suddenly leaned closer and lowered her voice mysteriously: "Young Master Xiao, tell me the truth, is there some trouble with Xiao's Trading Company? Or have you taken a fancy to one of my business deals? If so, just say it directly, don't beat around the bush."

"Meng Zhao!" Xiao Youzhi's temples throbbed with anger, and he said with a dark expression, "My Xiao Family Business is perfectly fine! There's not a single problem. As for your businesses, they're not worth me jeopardizing my life's happiness!"

Meng Zhao shrank back in fright and muttered softly, "Then tell me, what exactly do you like about me? Don't scare me, I'm very timid."

Xiao Youzhi's heart was in turmoil. He had imagined countless scenarios for expressing his feelings, such as romantic moments under the moon and amidst poetry and wine. He never expected it to turn out like this. He took a deep breath and squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Can't I just like you as a person?"

Many lanterns on the street had not yet been taken down, and with the moon high in the sky, the street was brightly lit. Meng Zhao could clearly see Xiao Youzhi's expression: his slightly furrowed brows in silence, the nervousness in his eyes, and the suspicious blush on the tips of his ears. All these subtle expressions caught Meng Zhao's eye, and she suddenly realized that this usually shrewd and calculating young master Xiao actually had such an expression of first love.

After a long while, Meng Zhao finally convinced herself to accept this unbelievable fact. She asked quietly, "Um... if I may ask, when did you start liking me?"

Xiao Youzhi felt his face burning. In his more than twenty years of life, he had never encountered such an embarrassing moment. He couldn't help but grind his teeth again, "Don't you think your question is too presumptuous?"

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, Meng Zhao immediately straightened her back and put her hands on her hips. "Look at you! You still have the nerve to ask me why I don't believe you? With the way you talk, who would think you like me!"

Xiao Youzhi remained silent for a long time, his gaze gently falling on Meng Zhao's face. "It was probably a long time ago, from the first time you came to Chunfeng Tower. You were clearly just a young girl, yet you spoke eloquently about business, leaving our manager speechless. And later in Huian County, seeing how hard you racked your brains to sell starch." He chuckled softly, "At that time, I thought, this girl is truly...incredibly adorable."

A gentle night breeze stirred, and his gaze softened further: "Later, as I watched you expand your business little by little and travel far and wide, I realized that there really are people in this world who share my interests."

He gazed deeply into Meng Zhao's eyes, his voice as soft as a sigh: "Tell me yourself, how could I not like someone like you?"

Meng Zhao stood there, stunned. She had thought that even if Xiao Youzhi had feelings for her, it was only a recent thing. After all, thinking about it carefully, his attitude towards her had indeed been much gentler than before. She never expected that it had happened so long ago. She opened her mouth, and after a long while, she managed to squeeze out, "You really hid it well."

Xiao Youzhi had been immersed in the business world since childhood and was well-versed in the way of life of "not showing his emotions." At this moment, he remained calm on the surface, but his fingers, hidden beneath his fingers, unconsciously rubbed the dark patterns on his sleeves, revealing his inner unease.

He leaned forward slightly, deliberately keeping his voice calm: "So... what's your attitude now?"

Under the moonlight, Meng Zhao looked up at him. "Young Master Xiao, your words today have really startled me. Please allow me some time to calm down and think it over."

Xiao Youzhi knew this matter couldn't be rushed, so he said gently, "Of course you should think it over carefully." He then handed the gilded palace lantern forward, saying, "Please keep this lantern for now; consider it a gift for our meeting today."

A night breeze blew by, fluttering his wide robe sleeves. The palace lantern remained perfectly still amidst the fluttering of his clothes, clearly indicating its immense weight. Meng Zhao gazed at the magnificent palace lantern, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes, but ultimately shook his head. "Let's forget it. It's far too precious."

Xiao Youzhi raised an eyebrow slightly, holding the palace lantern between the two of them, the light reflecting off the gemstones dancing on their faces: "Why? Didn't you like it just now?"

Meng Zhao bit her lower lip, thinking to herself, "What else could it be? Of course, it's because I'm beholden to him. This palace lantern is quite valuable. If I accept it, won't I be inferior to him in the future?"

Xiao Youzhi seemed to see through Meng Zhao's thoughts at a glance, and without saying a word, he stuffed the palace lantern into her hand, "This palace lantern was originally made for you. If you don't want it, it's useless for me to take it back. You should accept it."

Meng Zhao's fingertips unconsciously traced the delicate intertwined branches on the lamp handle, but she didn't hand it back, wondering what she should give as a return gift.

Seeing that she accepted it, Xiao Youzhi continued, "I remember you were interested in opening a restaurant? If you ask me, why go through all that trouble? If you're willing, all 106 branches of Chunfeng Restaurant will soon be under your name."

Meng Zhao suddenly looked up, her eyes wide open. What... what was this? A blatant temptation of money? But that temptation was from Chunfeng Tower! Her mind immediately conjured up images of glittering ledgers and piles of silver at various branches. No, no, Meng Zhao, you have to resist!

"Sister."

A soft call came from the shadows, the last syllable slightly raised, carrying a deliberate softness that abruptly cut off Meng Zhao's thoughts.

Meng Zhao looked up and saw Shen Qinghe slowly walking out from the dim light. Today he was wearing a bamboo green long robe with dark patterns embroidered on the hem. As he walked, there seemed to be flowing light, which made his already exquisite face even more handsome.

But those eyes, though clearly smiling, were like water from an icy pool, sending chills down one's spine. Meng Zhao unconsciously frowned, her fingers slightly clenching inside her sleeve.

"What are you doing here?" Her tone was not friendly, and even carried a hint of obvious defensiveness. Shen Qinghe seemed not to notice, and continued to smile as she approached step by step until she stopped beside Meng Zhao. Only then did she turn her head slightly and show an innocent expression.

"Hearing about the lantern festival in the capital, I came to join the fun. I spotted my sister's carriage from afar and thought I could hitch a ride back." Without waiting for Meng Zhao's reply, she looked directly at Xiao Youzhi beside her, her smile not reaching her eyes: "Young Master Xiao, what brings you here?"