CHAPTER 623: EPISODE 331 NOT DIRECTED AT YOU_2

Is there another way? Someone has traveled all this way just to see you, explicitly stating so. We can’t just let them sleep on the streets, can we?

Song Jingxi exchanged a few courtesy words, then she also stood up to leave Daoxiang Garden and returned to the Meng Family’s new home east of the village.

...

That night, Hua Xiaomai settled Song Jingxi and the others in the east wing rooms. After coaxing little Walnut to sleep, she sat by the couch with Meng Yuhuai, whispering in low tones.

"What do you think her real intentions are?"

She frowned, her hand absentmindedly tugging at the mosquito netting, speaking with a touch of irritation, "I know the content of the letter Scholar Wen wrote. It was polite but with a distancing undertone. Even a fool could sense it! It was nothing but lip service when he casually mentioned ’inviting her over.’ Who would have thought that she would actually have the nerve to show up? Has she completely forgotten all the things that happened in the Provincial City, tossing them aside as if they never happened? You didn’t see how affectionate she was today. I had to exert all my self-control to not lose it. I literally had goosebumps falling off my body!"

You could say she’s petty or that she’s unsophisticated in the ways of the world, but she simply felt that from head to toe, something about Song Jingxi was off.

When you offer unasked-for favors, it’s either a trap or a thief.

Meng Yuhuai knew she was just venting, so he couldn’t help but smile and cajole her, trying to get her to relax. After much persuasion, he managed to calm her down, and the two of them finally settled in for the night without further words.

However, early the next morning as soon as they got up, Song Jingxi was nowhere to be found. Her carriage and luggage were still there, but she herself was missing.

Meng’s mother was holding little Walnut in the front courtyard admiring the flowers when Hua Xiaomai, after asking her, learned that Song Jingxi had gotten up very early, saying that the air in the village was fresh and the scenery of the fields beautiful. She wanted to stroll around and had left the house without even eating breakfast, taking a maid with her.

Crazy!

Hua Xiaomai cursed in her mind, furrowing her brow in thought. Finally, feeling uneasy, she stomped off to Daoxiang Garden.

At this hour, the skies were still dim, and the shop had just opened. Scholar Wen was tidying up behind the counter, Chun Xi and La Mei were leading the staff in cleaning up, and as for Wang Zhanrui, Master Tan, and Zhou Yunyun, they were likely in the kitchen preparing the various ingredients needed for the day.

When Chun Xi saw Hua Xiaomai, she immediately pounced on her and grabbed her arm.

"Xiaomai, why do I feel that the lady boss from the Provincial City, surnamed Song, didn’t come here for you?"

Chun Xi didn’t know the past issues between Hua Xiaomai and Song Jingxi, yet being a renowned figure in the gossip circles of Fire Knife Village, she was always observant. She could tell at a glance that Hua Xiaomai was not welcoming of Song Jingxi’s visit, clearly indicating that there was something improper between them before.

Hua Xiaomai knew Chun Xi’s abilities well. Hearing her words, she furrowed her eyebrows, "What do you mean by that?"

Chun Xi pulled her outside, gestured toward the back of the yard, and whispered excitedly, "Look, she came right after we opened this morning. As soon as she saw Master Wang, she was all smiles, chatting and greeting him warmly. It seemed to me that Master Wang didn’t really want to entertain her, but despite the apparent cold shoulder, she just kept on smiling and said that the fish slices with tea aroma she had yesterday were very delicious. She wanted to ask Master Wang for the recipe for tea-flavored dishes and followed him into the kitchen. Right now, they should be talking in the backyard!"

Really?

Hua Xiaomai felt a chill in her heart.

Could it be that from the beginning, Song Jingxi’s true aim was actually Master Wang?

...Damn it, I want to curse so badly. This feeling of being used as a cover is just too awful!

But how did Song Jingxi know that Master Wang is now working as a head chef at Daoxiang Garden? What exactly is the relationship between the two?

She clenched her teeth secretly, struggling to suppress the surge of anger that threatened to erupt, as she stepped back.

"I must go now, please keep an eye on that Ms. Song for me," she ordered sternly. "Whatever she and Master Wang discussed, no matter how trivial, I need to know every single detail. Thank you for your trouble."

Chun Xi was more than happy to agree, nodding vigorously with a cheerful smile, "Heh, to tell you the truth, working in the restaurant is just something for me to do when I’m bored, a way to earn a little extra cash. Sussing out this kind of gossip is what I’m really good at! I’ve already had Qing You eavesdropping by the backyard gate for a good while. I’ll go and have a look for myself in a bit—just relax, by this afternoon at the latest, I promise to tell you everything, all the ins and outs, alright?"

Hua Xiaomai smiled slightly, thanked her, and immediately turned to head home.

Under the trees in the backyard, Song Jingxi was still speaking in hushed tones with Wang Zhanrui.

"I’ve been asking around for your whereabouts these past years. Now that you’re back in Tong’an Prefecture, why didn’t you send me a message?"

Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and her face showed a hint of resentment as she softly said, "That incident was several years ago, and besides, at that time, I truly had no other choice, you..."

"Where I go and what I do, why should I inform you?"

Wang Zhanrui’s rough voice interrupted her, "I have no connection with you, and I’m doing quite well here at Daoxiang Garden. The owner never interferes with whatever dishes I want to cook, and I’m quite content. I don’t remember anything about the past. Since you’ve come to Fire Knife Village, if you have anything to say, you should speak with our owner, not me."

Song Jingxi stepped forward, tugging at his sleeve, her voice growing softer, "Do you really plan to work in this remote village for the rest of your life? When will you get your big break?"

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to continue reading.)