Hearing this, Su Yushan felt quite gratified. "So, you're quite satisfied with him?"
He Yuning became more and more confused as she listened, feeling that something was not right. "What do you mean by 'satisfied' or 'not satisfied'? I don't understand what you mean, Princess."
After going around in circles, Su Yushan finally got back to the point, "Your father said he wants Jiafeng to take responsibility for you and marry you. Are you willing to marry him?"
So that's what it was about! He Yun Ning frowned unhappily and emphasized again, "I don't need him to take responsibility!"
After chatting for a while, and as He Yunning gradually relaxed and became less wary, Su Yushan finally asked the question that had been bothering her.
"You seem to have a good impression of him, but then this happened. Why don't you want to be with him?"
After a long silence, He Yuning whispered, "He has someone else in his heart and doesn't like me. I don't want to use such a trivial matter to threaten him into marrying me."
Hearing this, Su Yushan could already tell what Miss He was thinking. "And you? Do you hate him?"
If asked whether she liked him, He Yuning would definitely deny it out of consideration for a young lady's pride, which is why Su Yushan asked in a different way.
As expected, He Yuning was caught off guard and answered very seriously, "I didn't dislike him before, but ever since he misunderstood me because of Xin'er, I've started to dislike him a bit."
Mentioning the past, He Yuning pursed her red lips slightly, seemingly still bothered. Su Yushan asked with a smile, "Is it because you really hate it, or are you just angry and jealous?"
He Yuning is a straightforward person, and she says what she thinks. "Princess, don't overthink it. I'm not jealous of him. I just hate it when people accuse me without knowing the facts."
"I understand how you feel. If I were in your shoes, I would definitely be angry too. But if I liked that person, besides being angry, I would also be sad and upset. I wonder if Miss He feels the same way?"
He Yuning was carefree and had never thought about this matter in detail. Su Gege's words made her start to ponder whether she was angry or sad at that time.
Unable to discern the truth, she replied vaguely, "That happened last year, I don't quite remember."
He Yuning's eyes flickered noticeably; she definitely had the answer, but was just too embarrassed to say it. After confirming it, Su Yushan understood and said gently:
"I came here today to say something to you, young lady. Jiafeng's efforts to protect Xin'er are perhaps out of sympathy, self-reproach, or a bit of affection."
Regardless, that incident is in the past. Xin'er has left the capital, and Jiafeng should have his own life. If you dislike Jiafeng and don't want to marry him, I will never let your father force you to marry him. But if you don't dislike him, then I hope you can become family. After all, a young woman's reputation is paramount. He hugged you in public, and so many people saw it; it certainly had a significant impact on you.”
If He Yuning didn't like Su Jiafeng, Su Yushan would never have brought up such a cliché as reputation. It was precisely because she could see that He Yuning had some feelings for Jiafeng that she deliberately used reputation as a pretext to give He Yuning a way out.
However, He Yuning is also a person with a temper, and she is unwilling to compromise. "But he said he doesn't want to marry me. I'm not worried about getting married, and it's not like I have to be with him."
Su Yushan covered her mouth and chuckled, "You think he doesn't want to marry you, and he thinks you don't want to marry me. That's how this misunderstanding came about. I think you two should meet and clear things up."
While He Yuning was still hesitating, Su Yushan spoke up, "Tonight at Hai Shi (9-11 PM), Jiafeng will be waiting for you under the third willow tree east of the bridge."
"Oh---Princess, I haven't decided yet!"
“You have a whole day to think it over. If you don’t go, Jiafeng will keep waiting.” After saying this, Su Yushan left without giving her a chance to discuss it.
Following that, Su Yushan went to the kitchen to find Su Jiafeng.
At that moment, Su Jiafeng was helping someone move potatoes. Upon seeing his elder sister, he immediately put down the bag, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and greeted her breathlessly, "Sister? What brings you here?"
"Can't I come to visit you if there's nothing wrong?"
Upon seeing her sister again, Su Jiafeng felt ashamed and lowered her head apologetically, saying, "I thought you were angry with me about that matter and wouldn't come to see me again!"
Mentioning the past, Su Yushan sighed and said, "I was indeed very angry. If it weren't for Miss He's matter, I wouldn't have bothered to come."
"How did you know about this?" After a moment's thought, Su Jiafeng understood. "Did Yu Chan tell you? That girl really has a sharp tongue."
"If she doesn't tell me, are you planning to keep it from me forever? I haven't even settled accounts with you yet, and you're already treating me like a stranger."
"Sister, you've misunderstood. I'm not being formal, I just don't know how to tell you this, since it's a rather awkward situation."
He stammered and couldn't speak clearly, so Su Yushan simply cut to the chase, "Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth, do you like Miss He?"
The mere mention of this matter gave Su Jiafeng a headache. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "She's the daughter of a wealthy restaurant owner. How could I, a poor boy, possibly have any improper thoughts about her?"
"Don't bring up the idea of her marrying above her station. I just want to know if you have feelings for her?"
Su Yushan pressed on relentlessly, and Su Jiafeng remained silent for a long while before finally saying, "I dare not like it."
The single word "I dare not" betrayed his thoughts. Su Yushan understood his concerns, so she said seriously:
"A real man, if he likes someone, will strive to improve himself, stand taller, stand shoulder to shoulder with her, and give her happiness, instead of wallowing in self-pity, thinking he is not good enough for her, and silently giving up."
Seeing Su Jiafeng standing there in a daze, seemingly deep in thought, Su Yushan pressed her advantage, "Tonight at Hai Shi (9-11 PM), under the third willow tree on the east side of the bridge, Miss He will be waiting for you there. You can decide what to do yourself."
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