The old accountant kept the books while explaining them to Shen Liang, who studied very diligently.
Qiao Lian'er took a look and saw that Shen Liang did indeed have a sachet hanging at his waist, embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns and a crane soaring into the sky.
Normally, this sachet, with its design symbolizing good wishes for a bright future, doesn't seem like a token of love between a man and a woman.
But when Shen Liang took it out to smell it last night, something seemed off.
It couldn't be that they were praying for the future.
They chose a relatively secluded spot, where a bonsai tree provided some cover, and a waiter was serving them. Shen Liang didn't see them.
Qiao Lian'er ordered a pot of tea and two plates of snacks from the waiter and waved to him.
Seeing that she seemed to want to whisper something, the waiter leaned closer and asked, "Little girl, what's wrong?"
Qiao Lian'er whispered, "That young man next to the accountant is quite handsome. Is he ready to be married?"
The younger brother looked at her in surprise: "Little girl, you're only eight years old, and you've already got your eye on that older brother?"
Da Cheng and Dayong's lips twitched slightly, barely suppressing a smile, but when they thought of the Shen family's situation, their expressions turned serious again.
"No, that's not it. I have an older sister who's about the same age as that boy. I'm just looking for a partner for my sister."
The waiter became interested upon hearing this, and handed over his work to another waiter, lowering his voice to tell them, "His name is Shen Liang, from Datian Village nearby. He arrived at Tianxianglou a month ago and is currently studying mathematics at the academy. He has only been studying for three months, and at first he was unfamiliar with many things related to accounts, but now he has adapted a little."
"She's good-looking and a good person, but you'd better not get your hands on her. She's already been targeted by someone else."
"Oh, who has taken a liking to you?" Qiao Lian'er asked, feigning regret.
The waiter stopped talking, hinting at something.
Qiao Lian'er had no choice but to take out a few coins and give them to him.
The waiter quickly slipped the money into his sleeve and said, "It's the Shi family at the east end of Daying Lane. Master Shi was originally an official in the prefecture, but he retired due to poor health and is now living in retirement. Master Shi has a granddaughter who is sixteen years old this year and is named Shi Murou. She has come here to look for Shen Liang a few times."
Qiao Lian'er: "Does Master Shi know about this?"
"I don't know about those things. I've already told you what I needed to tell you. I'm going to get busy now."
The waiter draped the towel over his shoulder and walked away quickly.
Then another waiter came over and put their tea on the table.
Da Yong's face was extremely pale, and he was in no mood to drink tea.
"Since you have someone you love, why don't you make it clear? Why do you want to ruin my sister's precious youth?"
Qiao Lian'er said, "What's there to be upset about? People are selfish. If we can't arrange a marriage with Master Shi's family, then we'll consider Sister Xi'er. That's what the Shen family is thinking."
She guessed that either Master Shi was kept in the dark about this matter, or he knew but was hesitating and had not yet made a decision.
It's now pretty certain that Shen Liang is seeing other women, and it's a rather ambiguous relationship.
The aroma of tea wafted from the table, and the teahouse was filled with laughter and chatter, yet none of the three picked up their teacups.
It felt like a heavy stone was pressing on everyone's hearts.
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