CHAPTER 469: CHAPTER 240: SHE DID NOT SEEK PROFIT (2)

Gu Fangzi spoke with indomitable righteousness and heartfelt sincerity, her words resonating deeply that anyone who heard them would be moved.

Yet, Shi Fengju merely glanced at her unimpressed and said slowly, "I am not going to audit your accounts, nor do I need to summon the shop managers to inquire. If I investigate you today without any reason, others might fear they’d be next. You know that I wouldn’t do such a thing without evidence. Moreover, the chief shop managers are not fools; you can’t tamper with the account books and the major business transactions! There’s no need for you to explain your intentions to me. After all, as long as my mother trusts you, that’s enough, isn’t it? Don’t bother coming tomorrow; I trust that the shop managers will report to me what needs to be reported. Also, let there not be a next time, do you understand?"

Gu Fangzi stared at him in disbelief, then gave a sorrowful smile, "Big cousin, do you really detest me that much now? Even everything I do? Big cousin, what intentions could I have? My mind is filled with only you; I just want to be with you and live a good life together! You clearly promised not to fail me before, why do you now—"

Gu Fangzi’s mouth filled with bitterness as she turned her face away, weeping silently.

"Yes, I’ve been unfaithful and regret it! Are you satisfied now? We have nothing left to say to each other. Why are you being so stubborn!" Shi Fengju said coldly.

Gu Fangzi, taken aback by his frankness, took a moment to regain her senses and gritted her teeth: "Why? If there’s something wrong with me, I can change. If my sister has misunderstood something, I can explain! Big cousin, I—"

"Fangzi!" Shi Fengju really wanted to see what was inside her head, "Is there any point in your persistent entangling? It’s not your fault, nor is it Miss Wan’s business! I’ve made it clear that it was me who changed! Don’t manipulate my mother anymore or show your tricks in front of her; it only makes me disdain you more! Don’t rush to argue! I’m not my mother; arguing with me is useless! And as for Miss Wan, you’d better stay away from her. If you dare harm her, I won’t let you off! Be careful from now on! Whatever my mother says won’t matter unless I speak!"

Finally, Shi Fengju glanced at her once more, her pitiful face wet with tears, yet he felt not the slightest pity or sympathy. He shook his head slightly and stepped out of the peony garden’s gate.

Shi Fengju looked up at the starry sky and took a deep breath, still feeling a heavy discomfort at the bottom of his heart. One side was Gu Fangzi’s ceaseless entanglement, the other was his mother’s blind interference; he really wanted to just leave home with Sang Wan, to live peacefully for a few days.

Unconsciously, Shi Fengju returned to the study. He sat absentmindedly behind the spacious desk for a while until the flickering candlelight almost burnt out. Startled back to his senses, he glanced at the Western clock at the corner of the desk, muttered "Oh no," and hurried back to Ningyuan.

When Shi Fengju arrived, Sang Wan had already gone to bed. Xingzhi and a maid moved swiftly to fetch hot water from the small kitchen for his face and feet washing, then he went to rest.

The curtains were softly drawn, and through the double-layered beaded curtains, all that was visible was the vague silhouette of the brocade quilt. Shi Fengju gently lifted the curtains, but Sang Wan slightly opened her eyes.

"Did I wake you?" Shi Fengju smiled and no longer restrained his presence, climbing onto the couch with ease.

Sang Wan shifted slightly inward and muttered unclearly, "I thought you weren’t coming back!"

Shi Fengju, hearing her voice tinged with a light reproach, hurriedly laughed and said, "I, I went to the study earlier, I meant to sit for a little while before returning, but I lost track of the time."

Both clearly understood and unspoken of where he "first" went; Shi Fengju did not mention it, naturally, Sang Wan would not ask.

Sang Wan opened her eyes, her gaze fixed on the faintly furrowed brows of Shi Fengju, and suddenly felt a powerless bitterness swell within her; she was too greedy and demanding of him!

"Fengju," Sang Wan suddenly sat up and said, "Seeing you troubled like this, I—let’s just forget it! Let’s pretend I never said anything to you before!"

Humans can’t defy fate; some events are destined to occur, some people are destined to entangle for a lifetime, and it’s not something she could change by her effort alone. Just like how she was reborn and opened her eyes, not early nor late, but right inside the Shi family’s bridal sedan!

In the soft, gentle glow below, she slightly lifted her eyes and told him these words, dressed in a light-blue gauze nightgown, her silky black hair gathered loosely over her left shoulder, making her look more frail. Her person, just like her name, was so tender that it made one wanting to cherish and protect it.

"Miss Wan," Shi Fengju sighed softly, wrapping his arm gently around her, whispering, "This isn’t about you. Even without your words, I couldn’t accommodate her!"

Sang Wan fell silent, murmuring after a moment, "Since you say so, I won’t say more. Fengju, don’t rush this matter; I’m really worried something might happen."

"Don’t worry, I’ll protect you!" Shi Fengju tightened his embrace.

Just as Shi Fengju was about to pull her to sleep, Sang Wan suddenly smiled and asked, "Did Xingzhi bring you the bird’s nest to eat just now?"

Shi Fengju frowned, "Why eat that stuff in the middle of the night! Let’s sleep now, it’s late!"

"No!" Sang Wan quickly freed herself from his grip, laughing, "Mrs. Jiang personally delivered it, and she also conveyed mother’s words that you must eat it before sleeping. I didn’t know you would be back so late, otherwise, I would have sent someone to the study earlier! It should still be kept warm in the small kitchen now! Go eat it quickly, otherwise tomorrow there won’t be an explanation if mother asks!" Sang Wan said, pushing him out.