Chapter 327 – A Young Spring Garb
He lowered his voice to warn.
“I’m not someone who doesn’t know the stakes, right? Otherwise, when you came near earlier, I should have shouted you out!”
Jiang Pengji showed no fear, rather she rolled her eyes at him with annoyance.
Wei Ci arrived at just the right moment, neither too early nor too late. Jiang Pengji had initially intended to facilitate matters, so she didn’t expose his position. Now that she saw the young girl was open-minded and the boy was oblivious, she realized her role as a matchmaker was going to waste.
After saying this, Jiang Pengji noticed Wei Ci’s gaze drop, concealing the unusual glint in his eyes.
“You are seriously boring, full of thoughts,” Jiang Pengji clicked her tongue, resting her hands behind her head. Her wide sleeves slipped down her arms, revealing two slender white curves, her delicate and pretty wrists causing Wei Ci to awkwardly avert his gaze, afraid to continue looking at her.
Naturally, Jiang Pengji caught his reaction, smiled lightly, and leaned in closer to him, whispering.
“Luckily, I’m a perceptive person. If I were a bit duller, I might think you had a crush on another guy!”
Wei Ci’s expression darkened, “What do you mean?”
“How can a normal guy look at another man’s arm and turn red like that, then feign indifference and look away? Others wouldn’t suspect the latter of any issues, they would only think the former has unusual feelings towards the latter, so that would…”
In this era, men wouldn’t say anything even if they showed an arm, let alone if they were bare-chested.
After hearing this, Wei Ci’s face turned even darker, silently clenching his fists in his sleeves.
Seeing that he hadn’t left but remained rooted to the spot, Jiang Pengji grew a bit curious.
“It seems like you purposely came to find me,” she stated with confidence. “Normally, if I provoke you like this, you’d have already stormed off. Why are you just standing there like a wooden log? Speak, what do you want from me?”
Wei Ci: “…”
Around them, pear blossom petals were fluttering gently in the breeze, and there was no one else around to witness their odd interaction.
The audience in the live stream watched the whole scene unfold, feeling a deep sympathy for this unfortunate boy, Wei Ci.
So far, the males Jiang Pengji had encountered were either those she bullied like a little rabbit and lost interest in afterwards or those who engaged in dubious activities alongside her, neither being good people.
But Wei Ci was a special case; she had taken to bullying him right and left.
They had no idea about Wei Ci’s current state of mind, yet they genuinely felt sorry for him.
【Old Driver Alliance】: Hey host, could you pick someone else to roast?
【Host V】: Nope!
Everyone: “…”
Wei Ci’s expression changed multiple times, but in the end, he still suppressed the turmoil within.
“Ci heard you mention that the Flower Festival is your birthday. However, since you didn’t hold a birthday banquet or invite friends, I couldn’t be sure.”
He once thought the Flower Festival was her birthday too. Every year on this day, officials celebrated, and the world rejoiced, but…
He still couldn’t forget how she single-handedly destroyed all the congratulatory gifts, sending away all the maidservants, with no one daring to approach her.
Wei Ci didn’t know why she acted that way and didn’t dare to ask; a lingering fear remained in his heart.
And just now, he inexplicably found the courage to ask for clarity.
“The Flower Festival is indeed Liu Xi’s birthday.”
Jiang Pengji smiled, her eyes narrowing slightly; her response seemed a bit off to outsiders, but it was harmless since she was Liu Xi herself!
Upon hearing this, Wei Ci felt a vague sense of certainty.
“Did you come to deliver a gift?” Jiang Pengji had dealt with birthdays for years in Langya and usually just made do with a bowl of longevity noodles. She didn’t bother with extravagant banquets or gatherings, at most she’d have a richer meal and wear newer clothes on that day.
“Yep.”
Wei Ci replied softly, and suddenly, Jiang Pengji felt a tinge of guilt.
He came to deliver a birthday gift, yet she had just roasted him for it, leaving him feeling stifled…
Thinking about it, she felt that Wei Ci was a bit unfortunate too.
“What is it?” Jiang Pengji directly asked.
Wei Ci didn’t feel offended; after all… with his reaction, this was already a courteous gesture.
“A humble work, barely pleasing to the eye,” Wei Ci said.
He pulled out a beautifully crafted pendant.
“Beautiful sleeper?” Jiang Pengji took it and saw several blooming beautiful sleepers, their petals unfurling, made of bloodstone, the grain treated exceptionally well, making it seem as if they had just fallen from the branches. She couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, “Zixiao’s skills have certainly improved.”
The material wasn’t top-notch, and it was made by Wei Ci himself. Although it wasn’t precious, it was heartfelt.
Over the years at Langya Academy, Jiang Pengji had attended other people’s birthday banquets, where the gifts were mostly the students’ own creations.
Handwritten manuscripts, carvings, paintings, calligraphy… friendship was what mattered, and value was secondary.
Wei Ci giving this pendant was standard fare.
However… Jiang Pengji discreetly glanced at the bullet comments and saw a wave of critiques directed at Wei Ci.
【Candied Lemon】: The most lethal pretentiousness, what do you mean “a humble work, barely pleasing to the eye”?
【Someone】: Poor baby has been carving for years but can just hug himself and cry.
Jiang Pengji’s mood lifted a bit.
【Host V】: Don’t worry, I’ll roast them back for you.
In that instant, the comments criticizing Wei Ci turned into waves of sympathy.
Roasted before the gift, and yet again after, poor thing.
“Thank you.”
Elsewhere, Wuzhao was blissfully paying tribute to the Flower God, as usual praying for her family’s well-being, and shyly added at the end.
“May I find a good partner, and never part ways.”
The Flower Festival was genuinely lively, with beautifully dressed girls competing to outshine each other, while the young men in elegant robes became a unique sight. Listening to the measured recitations during the Elegant Gathering, Wuzhao pondered her lifelong affairs.
Wei Ci didn’t have to think about it; he was out of reach and unattainable.
There were plenty of talented young men at the Flower Festival, but put them beside Wei Ci, and one by one, they paled in comparison.
Back home, Wuzhao was still worried about this matter.
Mr. Yuanjing, seeing her sulking, couldn’t help but chuckle and asked her, “Did you spot anyone you fancy today?”
“No, they can’t compare to Brother Ci at all,” Wuzhao replied.
Madam Yuanjing saw her husband being so ridiculous and was suddenly filled with anger.
“What kind of teaching is this for a daughter? I’m really worried that once Wuzhao reaches marriageable age, no one will dare to propose. How can you let her decide for herself?”
Mr. Yuanjing replied, “What’s there to worry about? If no one proposes, then no one proposes. Do you think this old man can’t take care of Wuzhao?”
Madam Yuanjing was also fired up, “You realize you’re getting old, yet you can only protect Wuzhao for a few more years? If you don’t plan things wisely for her, you’ll just create more chaos.”
Mr. Yuanjing was indeed knowledgeable and eloquent, but he didn’t dare to argue back with his wife.
He secretly glanced at his daughter, only to see Wuzhao giving him a cheeky smile, clearly enjoying the show.
“With so many young talents, is there truly not one that catches your eye?”
Mr. Yuanjing stretched his neck and confirmed that his wife had walked away, then turned to his daughter and asked.
“Well, there is one, but… I don’t know if he has a marriage pact.”
“Oh? Who?”
“Liu Xi, he’s about the same age as you and quite charming, unlike the terrible rumors spread by others…”
Mr. Yuanjing: “…”
Wait a minute, did his daughter just say who she fancied?
