"Do you have eyes that can see a thousand miles and ears that can hear the wind?" Zu An was startled. How could she know about his flirting with that maid on the way here, even from so far away?
Qiu Honglei smiled, offering no explanation, but simply pointed to the two teapots beside her: "Would you like tea or wine, young master?"
“Of course, it’s drinking,” Zuan said without hesitation.
"I guessed so. Someone who could write such a stirring piece as 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' must be a bold and generous person who loves wine." Qiu Honglei picked up the wine pot and poured wine into his cup.
Worried that her sleeves were too long and would get on the food on the table, she gently rolled them up, revealing a section of her arm that was even more delicate than white jade.
Zuan couldn't help but sigh that some people are born with divine favor, and every part of their body seems to be a work of art.
"It's not for that reason, it's simply because drinking makes it legitimate to have sex with someone."
Qiu Honglei's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered: "If it were before, I would have definitely thought of you as a lecherous man, and might have even kicked you out."
"Why is it different now?" Zuan asked curiously.
“Because someone who can compose such a piece must be a person of great talent and integrity. Those unrestrained words and deeds must just be a deliberate disguise,” Qiu Honglei said with a smile, raising her wine cup. “Thank you for the piece, sir. I would like to offer you a toast.”
Feeling the subtle fragrance in the air, Zuan couldn't help but sigh, "Who says a talented person can't be a lecher?"
The image of Ji Dengtu's lewd smile flashed through his mind, and he felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly banished the image from his mind: "Besides, that piece of music is not my work; it is merely a paraphrase of someone else's work."
Thinking that he might never be able to return to his past life, Zu An felt a pang of loss and picked up his wine cup to drink it all in one gulp.
Qiu Honglei put down her wine cup, leaving a faint lip print on the rim: "Young master is too modest. Although I am not very bright, I am familiar with all kinds of ancient music. This is the first time I have heard this 'Swordsman Song'. Who else could it be but you, young master?"
Zuan hesitated for a moment, but ultimately gave up trying to explain. He couldn't very well say that he was a time traveler, could he?
Something's wrong with this world. No one believes me when I tell the truth, but everyone believes me when I lie.
This is unbelievable!
"May I ask you a question, young master?" Qiu Honglei gazed at him quietly with her eyes as clear as autumn water.
"Don't be so formal with 'Young Master,' just call me A-Zu from now on," Zu An replied. "What would you like to ask, young lady?"
Qiu Honglei then said, "Actually, before today, I had heard a lot of rumors about you, young master, and they weren't all good."
“Useless, don’t bother saving face for me,” Zuan laughed indifferently. “Anyway, I’m used to it.”
Qiu Honglei blushed slightly and looked at him with some curiosity: "But I only realized today that you are actually a very outstanding man. So why do you always pretend to be a playboy... like that?"
She couldn't find the words to describe his behavior. The word "despicable" would have been fitting, but it was too vulgar, and she was too embarrassed to say it to his face.
“I’m not pretending. This is just how I am normally,” Zuan said casually.
Qiu Honglei didn't believe it and said with a resentful look, "It seems that the young master still doesn't consider them as one of his own."
Zuan thought to himself, "Are we husband and wife or lovers? We haven't even slept together, how dare you call us family?"
"Is it because you're worried that your sharpness might arouse the Chu family's concern?" Qiu Honglei asked tentatively when he remained silent.
Zu An was taken aback: "What are the Chu family worried about?"
Qiu Honglei smiled slightly and said, "Lord Mingyue now has two daughters and a son. The son is too young and is studying in the capital. The second daughter is also a well-known..."
"He is known to be playful and mischievous, and he is of no help whatsoever in family matters."
Zuan chuckled inwardly. You probably meant to say "the universally acknowledged good-for-nothing," and you almost blurted it out because you're used to saying it that way.
You know what, Xiao Zhao and I are actually quite a good match. A good-for-nothing with a useless person, haha~
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Qiu Honglei's face as she continued, "Now, nearly half of the Chu family's affairs are managed by Miss Chu. Miss Chu is beautiful and extremely capable, and was originally the most suitable candidate to be the heir of the Chu family, but unfortunately she is a woman."
"This puts her husband in an awkward position. If he is too capable, the couple could easily take over the Chu family and usurp its power."
"That's why Miss Chu specifically chose... to choose someone like you, who has no background and seems to be useless, as her husband. I originally thought I had guessed Miss Chu's thoughts, but after seeing you today, I suddenly have doubts."
"Did you deliberately deceive Miss Chu, or did Miss Chu know your situation from the beginning and that's why she chose you as her son-in-law?"
Zuan lightly tossed his wine glass, casually leaning against the warehouse wall, and said with a half-smile, "These aren't questions a courtesan should be concerned with. Who exactly are you?"
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