CHAPTER 1359: CHAPTER 693: FAREWELL (PART 2)

"That... after all, it will be a matter of a few years later. These few years are still mine," Lian Manman said.

"Manman, you haven’t really thought about this, have you?" Shen Jin asked.

"Hmm, no, I haven’t thought about it. I’ll talk about it when the time comes," Lian Manman said casually. She really hadn’t thought much about the matter of marrying or not marrying, nor had she thought about preparing now for future marriage. As for love, Lian Manman considered it a luxury, something to be encountered but not sought after. And marriage was not something she worried about. She was sure to have a very generous dowry in the future, her family would seek her opinion about her marriage, and there would be no need to use her marriage to cling to anyone. She also had two brothers who were promising and had a great relationship.

She would likely marry into a solid, decent family, higher in status than the Wu Family, but not too high. She should be able to handle her in-laws without needing to flatter anyone. She would live a peaceful and stable life.

"Manman, I really envy you," Shen Jin said candidly as she looked at Lian Manman.

"Fifth Sister, what’s there to envy about me? It’s you — how many people in the world wish they could have a tenth of what you have, they might even laugh themselves awake from a dream," Lian Manman replied with a smile.

"But that’s not what I want," Shen Jin said. "I would rather be you."

That’s how people often are; what they can’t have is always the best. They’ve forgotten to cherish what they own. For instance, Shen Jin saw the future carefree life Lian Manman described, but she overlooked the days Lian Manman had spent in the past.

And the future life Lian Manman would have was precisely the result of her past and present efforts.

"What are you two talking about, with all this ’you’ and ’me’?" Accompanied by a bright voice, Shen Liu appeared by the rock formation outside the pavilion at some unknown time.

Lian Manman and Shen Jin turned and were surprised to see Shen Liu, both hurriedly stood up.

"Sixth Brother, what brought you here?" Shen Jin asked.

Shen Liu entered the pavilion from outside, gestured for Lian Manman and Shen Jin to sit down, and then sat down beside them.

"I just went for a walk and happened to run into you," Shen Liu said, his gaze lingering lightly on Lian Manman’s face.

Lian Manman felt inexplicable under his gaze and sensed there was some unusual emotion in it. She instinctively glanced outside the pavilion; Shen Liu was alone, without anyone accompanying him for service. Where had Shen Liu walked from that she hadn’t noticed at all?

Could it be that the words she and Shen Jin said were overheard by Shen Liu? If Shen Liu approached from behind the rock formation, then he really might have overheard their conversation.

Thinking of this possibility made Lian Manman slightly uneasy.

She didn’t believe Shen Liu’s remark about randomly running into them. Shen Liu was certainly here specifically to find Shen Jin. He knew Shen Jin was reluctant to leave, so he didn’t send anyone to rush her. He came to accompany Shen Jin.

"Sixth Brother, isn’t it time to go?" Shen Jin asked Shen Liu.

"No hurry," Shen Liu replied.

Shen Liu said no hurry, but Shen Jin knew that even with reluctance, she couldn’t delay indefinitely.

"Sixth Brother, I’ve pretty much packed up, I can leave very soon," Shen Jin said, rising to her feet.

"That’s good," Shen Liu also stood up.

Lian Manman accompanied Shen Jin, along with Shen Liu, as they left the pavilion and walked back toward the Lotus Pavilion. On the way, the three of them didn’t speak much. At the entrance of the Lotus Pavilion, Shen Liu stopped.

"I’ll go ahead," Shen Liu said to Shen Jin, then turned to Lian Manman and said, "Manman, keep Jinjin company."

"Hmm," Lian Manman nodded and agreed.

Watching Shen Liu turn and leave, Lian Manman entered the Lotus Pavilion with Shen Jin. The maids had already packed everything, and were moving items out one by one to prepare for loading onto the carriage. Without those various small ornaments, the Lotus Pavilion seemed much emptier. Inside, Shen Jin hesitated in her steps.

There was no excuse to linger anymore.

Lian Manman accompanied Shen Jin as they walked outside, surrounded by the maids. Just as they exited the Lotus Pavilion, they saw Shen Qian and Xiao Qi walking quickly toward them. Shen Qian had come with Shen Jin, and now that Shen Jin was returning to Prefecture City, Shen Qian was going back with her, even though he didn’t want to.

"Manman, Xiao Qi said you’ll go to Prefecture City in a few days," Shen Qian said to Lian Manman as they walked, "Have you set the date? Come early so Xiao Qi can study in Prefecture City."

Lian Manman had indeed considered Xiao Qi studying in Prefecture City, but worried Lady Zhang might miss Xiao Qi.

"We haven’t set a date yet, but it will definitely be after the autumn harvest," Lian Manman told Shen Qian.

Shen Qian sighed.

"Brother Xiao Jiu, when we do go, we’ll definitely stay for quite a while," Xiao Qi said.

The corners of Shen Qian’s mouth immediately lifted back up.

When they reached the front, Shen Liu was already waiting there. Shen Jin was first helped onto the carriage, while Shen Qian continued talking with Lian Manman and Xiao Qi.

"On the way here, I saw your brother," Shen Liu said, walking over and giving Shen Qian a stern look to hurry him onto the carriage, then turned to Lian Manman, "Your brother has a small exam in school in these days. After the exam, he’ll return, so you needn’t worry."

Hearing that Wu Lang would be back soon made Lian Manman and Xiao Qi very happy.

"Thank you, Sixth Master," Lian Manman quickly curtsied to Shen Liu, expressing her gratitude.

Shen Liu glanced at Lian Manman, then shifted his gaze to Xiao Qi. Raising his hand, he patted Xiao Qi’s shoulder.

"You’ve grown taller, that’s good. Before long, you’ll be able to protect your sister and take her around," Shen Liu said.

Lian Manman suddenly froze. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)