CHAPTER 280: CHAPTER 271: HOUSES, SHOPS, AND SILVER!

Yu Xiaolian felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at by everyone.

The way they looked at her was as if she had just come out in her underwear.

Was it really that strange?

Before she left the house, she clearly made sure that her outfit looked nice and the fabric wasn’t see-through. Why did those people look at her as if she wasn’t wearing anything?

Walk your own path and let others talk!

Wearing what feels comfortable is most important, isn’t it?

Yu Xiaolian placed her bundle on the counter and said to Zhao Erya, "These are hairpins and hair ornaments; put them up for sale in the shop!"

Ever since developing the second floor, Yu Xiaolian always found surprises there.

The hairpins and ornaments were what Yu Xiaolian found in her home storeroom. They were things she bought online during her years obsessed with Hanfu. After she outgrew that phase, she packed them away in boxes in the storeroom.

These hairpins were made of silver and brass, but none were gold. Fortunately, the designs were pretty and could be supplied in unlimited quantities. Yu Xiaolian thought selling them in Taotao Residence could add some income.

The moment Yu Xiaolian walked in, Zhao Erya noticed she was dressed differently than usual.

After Zhao Erya finished looking her up and down, Yu Xiaolian quickly asked, "Does it look good?"

Zhao Erya hesitated for a moment before reluctantly nodding, "It’s... alright."

Yu Xiaolian felt a little disappointed, "Ugh, I shouldn’t have asked you. No taste."

Yu Xiaolian was pleased with herself and didn’t care about others’ opinions. She was just arranging the pricing for the hairpins when she heard Su Jingchen’s voice behind her, "Why are you dressed so weirdly?"

Unhappy, Yu Xiaolian turned around and glared at Su Jingchen, "Mind your own business!"

Su Jingchen sheepishly scratched his nose. How could he dare interfere with her?

"My father is here and he wants to thank you in person for saving Jingyue. Can you come over to our house for dinner tonight?

My dad rented a courtyard in Bridge Alley. I’ll come to pick you up this evening, is that okay?"

Yu Xiaolian exclaimed, "I’ve been really busy lately, I probably don’t have time, so no need for that..."

"No matter how busy you are, you still need to eat. Let’s just set it for today at the hour of Shen, I’ll pick you up."

Su Jingchen’s unyielding demeanor, a bit domineering, left Yu Xiaolian stunned. Normally, he was always polite, almost as if he had no temper. Why did he suddenly become so forceful?

Was there really a necessity for her to meet Su Dafu?

Yu Xiaolian watched Su Jingchen’s departing silhouette, feeling puzzled.

Ever since Su Jingchen confessed to her in Xiangyang Lane, their relationship had been somewhat awkward, not particularly good, but not bad either.

Just because back then, she blurted out that she currently didn’t feel anything for him.

She was being honest.

Su Jingchen was nice and good-looking. Long-time single Yu Xiaolian, although very eager for romance, always felt that they were unsuitable. Both their personalities were too ’cold’.

Yu Xiaolian could even imagine that if they quarreled in the future, they’d surely end up in a silent battle.

She had no idea how Su Jingchen would react, but Yu Xiaolian knew she’d definitely be stubborn as a mule and would never be the first to back down.

She believed that a couple should be complementary, one being indifferent, the other lively, so that life together wouldn’t be dull.

It’s not that Yu Xiaolian didn’t think she was lively; it’s just that she had a very clear self-awareness. She was the type with intermittent liveliness, like a rabbit on the move, as calm as a maiden when still.

You could call her a nutcase; she thought so of herself too.

And she considered her personality not great. Sometimes she even found herself excessive.

Well, the reason for her prolonged singlehood was found: she had a phobia of relationships.

In her past life, she would envy other people’s love while watching soap operas but when it was her turn, she’d soberly remind herself that all soap operas were lies, and such beautiful love didn’t exist.

When pursued by someone, she’d always advise herself to stay calm, keep a clear head, and not be swayed by sweet talk.

Plus, when chatting with colleagues, she often heard them complain about their husbands and boyfriends, one bad habit after another. After hearing it enough, Yu Xiaolian thought that if she couldn’t find someone who’d make her want to risk everything for love, she’d rather remain single.

Being single was quite nice, too, allowing her to admire handsome guys without any restrictions.

Of course, she also felt lonely and yearned for love, especially after going on more than a dozen blind dates arranged by her mother.

But she seemed to have a serious problem. When facing a man, she’d become unbelievably calm and picky, and invariably end up saying no.

She still remembered when discussing this with a colleague, they suggested she see a therapist. Reflecting on it now, she realized the colleague might have been right; she might indeed have a warped mind.

However, isn’t it true that people with such twisted minds usually have been hurt by love? Only when frightened by past pain would one fear love, yet she had never been in a relationship. What was there to be afraid of?

Yu Xiaolian didn’t know what she feared either.

But if Yu Changhe and Sun proposed other marriage candidates for her, she preferred choosing Su Jingchen. At least Su Jingchen seemed to be someone with emotions and loyalty.

It’s just, Su Jingchen didn’t know how to pursue people. He asked that once, and when she disagreed, he let it go. What was this about?

Sigh, thinking logically, it made sense. After all, there wasn’t such a romantic courtship system in ancient times; he asked her intentions privately. When she didn’t agree, pestering further wouldn’t be gentlemanly.

Yu Xiaolian pouted. Although Su Jingchen’s behavior was quite composed, he was still a boy in his voice-changing years. How could she make a move on him!

Let’s wait a bit. Su Jingchen was still young; what if he didn’t turn out well as he grew? She’d regret it terribly.

No help for it, looks are justice.

She was just that shallow!

It’s just, Yu Xiaolian didn’t expect that when the hour of Shen came, not only did Su Jingchen arrive at Taotao Residence, but also Li Meng and Li Lie.

Indeed, they were sent by Prince Jin on a specific order to fetch Yu Xiaolian.

Under the pretense that Prince Jin, reminiscing Yu Xiaolian’s assistance in the small town last autumn, specially invited her to the Prince Mansion to be a concubine.

Prince Jin, you big pig’s trotter.

In the pitch-darkness, you didn’t even see my appearance clearly, yet you plan to bring me to your mansion! Haven’t you seen a woman in eight lifetimes?

"I’m not going!" Yu Xiaolian said coldly, "Go tell Prince Jin, I already have a fiancé."

Yu Xiaolian pulled the stunned Su Jingchen beside her, "Look, my fiancé is Su Jingchen, last year’s Linzhou Autumn Examination top scorer. Back when we were in Linzhou, we were already mutually in love and privately betrothed."

Li Meng and Li Lie originally thought Yu Xiaolian would be delighted to hear about becoming a concubine in the Prince Mansion; after all, it’s a joy to rise to higher status like a phoenix. They never expected such a reaction from her.

"Go back and tell Prince Jin there are various ways to repay a favor, like a house, a shop, or silver coins?"