Ruan Xi had just walked out of his room, exhaling a breath of frustration.
He didn't know why, but when he saw the young maid undressing to serve him earlier, he suddenly felt a very uncomfortable sensation, telling him he could no longer be dissolute.
After that, he'd inexplicably dismissed her.
And now, he still couldn't figure out why he had such an unbelievable thought.
What was intended as seeking pleasure had turned into displeasure, a displeasure he couldn't even understand, making him incredibly depressed!
Ruan Xi sighed softly, "Alas!"
As soon as the sigh left his lips, he suddenly noticed a figure not far away – it was Gu Zhiruo.
In the dim light of night, Gu Zhiruo's facial contours held a hint of cold beauty as she stared at him expressionlessly. He suddenly realized something and opened his mouth to explain, but as the words reached his lips, he abruptly stopped himself.
Why did he instinctively want to explain himself to Gu Zhiruo?
This question suddenly surfaced.
But what came out of his mouth was, "What do you need me for?"
"Yun Shu is leaving early tomorrow morning, and I wanted to escort her part of the way. I came to discuss it with you, but it seems you're busy. You attend to your matters, and find me early tomorrow morning," Gu Zhiruo said coldly and left.
Ruan Xi frowned, wanting to stop her, but the words stuck in his throat.
He could only react after she had walked away.
He should have told her that nothing happened between him and the maid.
But...
"What is there to tell her? As if I'm going to remain chaste for her. It's probably because too much happened tonight, and I'm not in the mood. I'll go out and have some fun in a couple of days!" Ruan Xi thought, then turned and潇洒ly entered his room.
However, Ruan Xi tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
After a brief moment of sleep, the scene from earlier flashed before his eyes.
A ball of fire suddenly accumulated in his chest.
"Extremely infuriating!"
Ruan Xi sat up abruptly, cursing. What was wrong with him?
Despite the anger in his heart, Ruan Xi lay back down to sleep. He refused to believe in this evil! He was determined to have a good night's sleep tonight!
As soon as he lay down.
Ruan Xi cursed again, "Damn it!"
And so it continued until the next day.
At breakfast, Ruan Xi appeared before Yun Shu and Gu Zhiruo with dark circles under his eyes.
Yun Shu had just sat down and taken a few sips of porridge when she looked up and saw Ruan Xi. The porridge almost sprayed from her mouth. "What's wrong with you?"
Having known Ruan Xi for years, she had never seen him look so haggard.
"Heh!" Jing Heng exclaimed in surprise at the sight.
He must not have slept at all last night.
It was certainly another night of debauchery.
Gu Zhiruo also looked up. Seeing Ruan Xi's dark circles, she calmly withdrew her gaze. She knew why; perhaps he was dissatisfied with the maid who had served him last night. She had seen the maid that morning, her eyes red from crying, clearly frightened by Ruan Xi.
Ruan Xi felt like a mute under the gazes of the three of them.
He truly wished he were mute!
There would be no need to say anything!
But clearly, he still needed to explain.
He could only feign an air of roguish charm and say nonchalantly, "I had a nightmare last night that kept me from finding peace, which is why I have dark circles. It's nothing serious."
"A nightmare scared you?" Jing Heng scoffed, clearly not believing him.
One could only believe half of what Ruan Xi said; the rest was just for listening.
Ruan Xi glared angrily and retorted, "Do you think everyone can be as cold-blooded and heartless as you?"
He sat down with a thud.
He happened to sit next to Gu Zhiruo, but he only glanced at her peripherally. He felt she wasn't really looking at him today. Thinking about what happened last night, his head began to ache again.
He maintained his outwardly nonchalant demeanor and said to Yun Shu, "Zhiruo and I will escort you part of the way later. It's not like I'm saying this, but since it's only a day or two difference, why don't you stay at my mansion for another two days?"
Yun Shu was drinking her porridge and put down her bowl after a few sips, feeling a bit full. "Xiao Li and the others miss me."
It wasn't just them missing her; she missed them too.
Ruan Xi said no more.
He wasn't in the mood to say much today.
Sitting next to Gu Zhiruo, he felt she was unusually reticent today. It must be because of what happened last night; did she think he was too dissolute?
Yun Shu looked up, her gaze sharp as she looked at Ruan Xi and Gu Zhiruo.
She felt a strange atmosphere between the two of them.
She hadn't noticed anything when she arrived at Ruan Mansion yesterday, but this morning she sensed something amiss.
Ruan Xi, believing he was hiding it well, kept stealing glances at Gu Zhiruo, his attitude towards her clearly unusual.
And Gu Zhiruo's attitude towards Ruan Xi was even colder than yesterday.
Had something else happened?
Yun Shu lowered her eyes and picked up her tea cup, taking a few sips to moisten her throat.
An hour later.
In the carriage, Gu Zhiruo reluctantly held Yun Shu's arm. "Yun Shu, I truly can't bear to part with you. Thinking that we might not see each other again for a long time makes it even harder to say goodbye."
Yun Shu smiled and said, "We will meet again soon."
Suddenly, her eyes flickered, and she added, "You were quite indifferent to Ruan Xi at breakfast this morning. Did he offend you?"
Gu Zhiruo's heart skipped a beat as she recalled the scene from last night. She shook her head. "He and I mind our own business. We are merely in a relationship of mutual use; neither can offend the other. It's just that I dislike his conduct, but it's of no consequence. I won't have anything to do with him for much longer."
Yun Shu smiled and didn't press further.
She trusted Gu Zhiruo's judgment. As for Ruan Xi...
If he truly had feelings for Gu Zhiruo, he needed to abandon his bad habits. If he couldn't change, then he shouldn't expect Zhiruo to change her mind.
Soon, they reached a fork in the road.
The carriage stopped.
They could not escort her any further.
Gu Zhiruo reluctantly alighted from the carriage, standing by the roadside, waving at Yun Shu. "I hope everything goes smoothly for you! Please be safe!"
"Okay, everything will go smoothly," Yun Shu replied with a smile.
As the carriage gradually moved away and disappeared from sight on the distant winding road, Gu Zhiruo's eyes welled up.
Seeing how reluctant Gu Zhiruo was to part with Yun Shu, Ruan Xi felt a pang of jealousy.
Gu Zhiruo withdrew her gaze and said coldly to Ruan Xi, "Let's go back."
Ruan Xi blinked his eyes and, after some thought, ultimately said nothing.
A few days later.
In a teahouse along the official road.
A group of people had arrived early to have tea.
They had waited for about half an hour when a carriage stopped in front of the teahouse.