NOVEL WEB Chapter 9: Does Mei Sanlang Have Feelings For You?
The sky gradually darkened, and the sound of crickets could be heard from the corner of the wall, while frogs croaked by the pond.
The last streak of sunset vanished into the folds of the hills.
It was time for dinner.
A young man walked alone along the long corridor, occasionally brushed by a gust of evening breeze, causing his large sleeves to billow.
His mother was a peasant, taken into the Mei family by Mei Ru, becoming one of his many concubines.
As a child, Mei Shuyu was relatively introverted but inherently kind-hearted.
Later, when his birth mother was beaten to death by Madam Qin, his stepmother, and it was falsely claimed as an illness, he became taciturn. Then, after witnessing the ugliness and filthiness of many grand mansions, and being trampled upon by numerous people, he came to the Liu Mansion.
That day, he sat alone in the corner, and that girl with the floral bun hairstyle barged into his world. Her eyes were bright and shiny, and the red mole beneath her eye left an impression on his heart.
She took his hand and, with a sweet voice, asked him, “Brother, why are you alone here?”
And then, just as he came back to reality, behind him, there was suddenly a girl with a floral bun hairstyle, resembling a steamed bun. However, that girl no longer harbors affection for him now.
***
That day, after visiting the Shen Mansion, Mei Shuyu bid farewell to the Liu Mansion.
Liu Jiyu still went to the family school every day, and Mei Shuyu also came to accompany her daily. However, apart from exchanging greetings, the two didn’t have much interaction.
After a few days passed like this, Liu Jiyu’s birthday finally arrived.
On the evening before her birthday, Liu Jiyu and Yun Rumei sat on a stone bench in the backyard of the Liu Mansion, cracking melon seeds and chatting happily. Both of them had smiles on their faces.
“Even though you’ve been talking to me all day, I can tell that your mind is elsewhere. Is there something on your mind that you can’t speak of?” Liu Jiyu looked at Yun Rumei.
Yun Rumei pouted and said, “As expected, I can’t hide anything from you.”
“Then, tell me,” Liu Jiyu urged.
Yun Rumei thought for a moment before speaking softly, “Does the third young master Mei have feelings for you?”
Liu Jiyu was startled and instinctively denied, “Why would you say that?”
Yun Rumei, always straightforward, replied, “I don’t know, I just feel like he treats you differently.”
Liu Jiyu didn’t want anyone to know about her relationship with Mei Shuyu, if only to protect his dignity.
“Perhaps it’s just your speculation. Third brother only sees me as a sister,” she said.
Yun Rumei shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
Seeing her hesitate, Yun Rumei continued, “Although he’s usually reserved, he seems to have an inexplicable concern for you.”
“Perhaps it’s because we grew up together,” Liu Jiyu suggested quickly, hoping to change the subject. “Tomorrow is my birthday. What gift do you plan to give me?”
Yun Rumei gave her a disdainful look and huffed, “You, Liu Yinyin, actually dare to ask me for a gift? Aren’t you embarrassed?”
Liu Jiyu playfully hooked her neck. “Oh, come on, we’re like sisters. Why bother with such formalities? Just tell me what you have in mind.”
“Young ladies, it’s time for dinner,” a maid interrupted.
Yun Rumei removed Li Jiyu’s hand from her neck, stood up, glanced sideways at Liu Jiyu, pursed her lips without saying a word, and walked away along the stone path, looking quite disgusted.
Li Jiyu was taken aback for a moment, then she smiled and got up, bouncing along behind Yun Rumei.
Nearby, next to a peach tree, stood a young man. His hand rested on a nearby branch, gently stroking it, but his eyes were fixed on the charming figure of the girl with a calm expression.
***
On Liu Jiyu’s birthday, she woke up to find a thick red envelope under her pillow.
Later, Yun Rumei, Liu Jiluan, young ladies from the Mei’s clan, as well as the sisters from the second and third families of the Liu family, all came to congratulate her with gifts.
“You’re all here, no need to be so formal,” Liu Jiyu said with a smile as she looked at them.
However, Yun Rumei pinched her cheek and said to the other girls, “Look at her. She’s saying such things. If we only sent someone to greet her, she’d definitely complain about us.”
With that, the girls in the room covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and burst into laughter.
After the gifts were given, the girls all left.
Alone in the room, Liu Jiyu smiled as she looked at the presents.
“Miss, it’s time for breakfast,” Hualing came to notify her mistress.
Liu Jiyu nodded. “Bring the meal in.”
After breakfast, Liu Jiyu went to the courtyard where Madam Sui was talking with Madam Qin from the Mei family.
“Mother~” Liu Jiyu called out.
The girl clung to Madam Sui’s arm, acting cute with a playful expression on her face, which brought smiles to both Madam Sui and Madam Qin beside her.
Madam Sui reached out and tousled her hair, as she said gently, “Go find the other girls to play with. We’ll have lunch at Xinrong Hall later, understand?”
Liu Jiyu sighed. She got up from her seat, then smiled and nodded at Madam Qin before she turned and walked out of the room.
Madam Qin watched her retreating figure then smiled at Madam Sui, saying, “Now that the young lady is grown up, do you have any plans?”
The implication of the question was clear.
“I’ll just let her decide for herself. It has to be something she’s willing to do,” Madam Sui replied.
***
Inside the bamboo-themed pavilion, the young ladies and gentlemen were sitting together, chatting and laughing.
Liu Jiyu was talking with Mei Jianxue. She calmly assessed her. Mei Jianxue was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Mei family. Both Mei Jianxue and Liu Jiluan were eldest daughters, but in terms of talent and social skills, Mei Jianxue couldn’t compare to Liu Jiluan.
Li Jiyu remembered that Mei Jianxue was jealous of Liu Jiluan. In the previous life, when the Liu family was in decline, she even spoke ill of Liu Jiluan.
Although she appeared gentle and harmless on the surface, she had a lot of calculations in her heart.
But one had to be on guard against her.
“Seventh sister, why isn’t Zhizhi here?” Liu Zhu looked at Liu Jiyu curiously.
Liu Zhu was the illegitimate daughter of the second branch. She was lively and sweet-tongued, and no one overlooked her.
Liu Jiyu shrugged. “How would I know? Anyway, I invited her, but if she doesn’t come, there’s nothing I can do.”
Seeing her lowering her gaze, with a hint of darkness in her eyes. Liu Zhu also had her own hidden thoughts. In the previous life, she even betrayed her by seducing Shen Huan.
Thinking about this, Liu Jiyu sneered inwardly. Shen Huan must be quite capable to be able to make his own sister and these girls show him affection. Even she herself couldn’t escape.
“We’re sorry for being late.”
A hearty laugh suddenly came from the entrance.
Everyone turned to see Shen Huan and Shen Zhizhi walking in together.
Shen Zhizhi strode up to Li Jiyu, dropped the gift in front of her, and said with a smile, “Jiyu, happy birthday.”
Today was the right time.
Liu Jiyu sneered, “Miss Shen, you’re like a respected Buddha. I dare not accept your congratulations.”
Liu Jiluan frowned as she looked at Liu Jiyu, but she said nothing.
Shen Zhizhi’s face stiffened, feeling embarrassed, she awkwardly touched her nose and said, “My bad for being late. Are you angry with me?”
Liu Jiyu remained silent, making Shen Zhizhi’s expression even more unpleasant.
Others didn’t know what had happened and remained silent, leaving the atmosphere tense.
Unfortunately, this Liu Zhu was a bit foolish. Trying to please Shen Zhizhi, she intervened, “Nonsense, just now, we were just talking about you.”
Shen Zhizhi looked at her, asking, “What did you all talk about?”
Yun Rumei, who never liked her, sneered, “They said you’re like a respected Buddha, everyone has to wait eagerly for you. What else could they say?”
Her words touched Shen Zhizhi’s nerves. Seeing her angry, Shen Zhihi swept the birthday gifts off the table with a flick of her sleeve, and turned to look at Liu Jiyu with teary eyes, “If that’s the case, then it’s my fault for being rude. Goodbye!”
With that, she turned her back and ran out.
Shen Huan frowned. He looked at Liu Jiyu with a hint of disapproval, then bowed to everyone and also left, following his little sister.