Chapter 1827: Chapter 1827 Doesn’t Care at All
"Ugh, fine, don’t tell me then! But remember, I’m not treating you for nothing. You owe me a story in return," Xuan Yuanling reminded Ye Liuyun.
"I’ll keep my promise after I fill my belly, okay? If I tell you now and miss out on the food, I’d be lose out!" Ye Liuyun joked.
Xuan Yuanling rolled her eyes at him but didn’t push further.
They chatted casually along the way.
Ye Liuyun started by asking about the recent happenings in the capital, though he was fishing for news about Xuan Yuanyu.
"There’s something big going on, and I’m sure you’ll be interested," Xuan Yuanling said, eyeing Ye Liuyun with a mischievous smile.
"Judging by your expression, it doesn’t seem like good news," Ye Liuyun replied, pretending to be wary as he looked at Xuan Yuanling.
"Yesterday, Prince Liang announced a martial arts competition to seek a husband for his daughter, He Lianxiu. Interested?" Xuan Yuanling asked with a smirk.
"What?" Ye Liuyun was taken aback. "Prince Liang’s daughter needs a competition to find a husband? Why should I be interested?"
“Oh, come on. Guys always pretend they’re uninterested, but they’ll rush to sign up for the contest the next second!” Xuan Yuanling teased.
"Not me! Even if she were the emperor’s daughter, I wouldn’t care!" Ye Liuyun said dismissively.
Xuan Yuanling noticed Ye Liuyun’s indifferent expression yet continued to tease him, "You’ve already got Moonflower hidden away and Xiao Yunfang fighting by your side. Isn’t that enough for you?"
"What makes you so sure I’ve Moonflower stashed away? And what does Xiao Yunfang have to do with this?" Ye Liuyun was baffled.
"Is this girl secretly keeping tabs on me?" he thought, becoming more cautious.
But he kept joking. "Now you’re having lunch with me as the top beauty among the four, sharing a carriage and having fun together. Aren’t you worried about gossip?"
"Ugh, who’s having fun with you?" Xuan Yuanling blushed instantly.
Despite her retort, she was pleased by his compliment.
Ye Liuyu wasn’t flirting on purpose. He was just being cautious, smoothing things over with his words. Normally, he wasn’t this slick, which often left the women around him calling him a blockhead.
The restaurant they were headed to wasn’t far from Mystique Mart. Before they knew it, they had arrived.
"It’s this close?" Ye Liuyun thought, finding the carriage a bit over the top.
Xuan Yuanling guessed his thoughts and explained with a smile, "High-end places like this are for socializing. Everyone puts on a show."
"Alright, I get to experience this fancy place thanks to you. But let’s go somewhere simpler next time!" Ye Liuyun joked.
Xuan Yuanling sighed, "I have to dine here whenever I eat out. It’s a family rule. I can’t go to regular places."
Ye Liuyun glanced at her sympathetically. "I know a way. Next time, I’ll take you wherever you want!"
"Really?" Xuan Yuanling’s interest was piqued.
"Yup, but you’re paying! Ye Liuyun laughed.
"You are such a cheapskate! But if you can pull it off, I’ll pay," Xuan Yuanling agreed readily.
Ye Liuyun glanced at the restaurant’s sign.
"Gruidae Tower, huh? Sounds pretty elegant." He thought to himself.
As they entered, the staff greeted Xuan Yuanling immediately with bows and led the way. Meanwhile, Ye Liuyun was treated like a servant and ignored.
Ye Liuyun didn’t mind. He glanced around the restaurant and noticed the other diners were dressed much better than he was.
They headed upstairs and were about to enter Xuan Yulaning’s private room.
Suddenly, the door to the neighboring room opened, and He Lianqiang walked out with a woman.
The woman saw Xuan Yuanling and ran over with a smile. "Ling, what brings you here?"
"Hey, Xiu! I brought a friend here for a meal. You’re getting married soon. What are you doing out here?" Xuan Yuanling asked warmly.
"Hi there, Miss Xuan Yuan!"
"Nice to meet you, Prince He Liancheng!"
He Lianqiang and Xuan Yuanling exchanged greetings
"It’s the ridiculous martial arts contest my dad arranged for my marriage. It’s so embarrassing! Like I can’t find a husband on my own! I was so upset that I forced my brother into taking me out to have fun," the woman complained to Xuan Yuanling.
Ye Liuyun quickly figured out she was He Lianxiu.
He Lianqiang and He Lianxiu completely ignored Ye Liuyun’s presence, taking him as a servant.
But Xuan Yualing didn’t forget to introduce him.
"This is my friend, Ye Liuyun. Mr. Ye, they are Prince Liang’s son and daughter, He Lianqiang and He Lianxiu."
After Xuan Yuanling introduced Ye Liuyun, the two finally looked at him. They were surprised by his plain clothes and just nodded slightly at him.
Ye Liuyun returned the gesture with a martial practitioner’s salute. It was clear neither side thought much of the other.
He Lianqiang couldn’t remember Ye Liuyun, even though they had once listened to Moonflower’s music playing. He was too arrogant to remember someone not from a powerful family.
Xuan Yuanling tried to ease the awkwardness and told He Lianxiu, "Go and enjoy your time with your brother. I have some matters to attend to."
"Alright, Ling, we’ll be off then!" He Lianxiu said goodbye to Xuan Yuanling, and He Lianqiang also bid his farewell before leaving with his sister.
Xuan Yuanling took Ye Liuyun into the private room, worried he might be upset. She explained, "The wealthy kids around here are all like that. Don’t let it bother you."
Ye Liuyun didn’t care about their opinions. He just wanted to enjoy a quiet meal.
He Lianqiang hadn’t left a good impression on him. Ye Liuyun preferred not to know people like him.
So he joked to Xuan Yuanling, "If you had mentioned I’m here for the foreign race selection, their reactions would’ve been even more interesting!"
Ye Liuyun was totally joking around.
But Xuan Yuanling thought he was upset and regretted it internally, "I should’ve reminded him to wear something nicer! I shouldn’t have teased him like that. This might’ve gone a bit too far!"
Ye Liuyun had teased her, and she just wanted to get back at him a little.
"Where’s the menu? Let me see what good stuff they’ve got. It’s not often you treat me, so I need to make the most of it!" Ye Liuyun interrupted her thought.
"Alright, as long as you’re happy, you can eat all you want today." Xuan Yuanling said, wanting to make it up to him.
