Chapter 89: Decisively Cutting Off Love
“Sir, you know my identity?”
Liu Mengjiao looked surprised.
But she quickly recalled the rumors circulating in the county and couldn’t help but smile bitterly. “I apologize. I almost forgot about that. I must have made you laugh.”
“It’s alright, I was just a bit surprised.”
It was such a coincidence to meet one of the main characters involved.
Lin Tianlu put aside his surprise and waved his hand. “I didn’t expect the magistrate’s daughter to be the owner of Yan Hong Fang.”
Thinking back, everyone in Nanfeng County said that the magistrate’s daughter used to be no different from ordinary people, but after a strange illness, she had been confined to her home. Perhaps that was when she died unexpectedly and became a ghost?
And as a ghost, she naturally couldn’t show her face in public as she used to.
“Sir, please don’t misunderstand. This Yan Hong Fang has nothing to do with my father’s position as magistrate. I haven’t been involved in the county’s affairs. As for those matters—”
“I didn’t mean to pry into Miss Liu’s personal affairs. I just happened to meet Young Master Hong on the lantern street on my way here, so I have some impressions of him.”
“Young Master Hong is on the street… ?”
At the mention of this person, Liu Mengjiao’s expression became slightly complicated. “So, he ultimately couldn’t overcome my father’s challenge.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly. “I apologize, Miss Liu. You didn’t know about this yet. Please don’t be too sad—”
“No.”
But Liu Mengjiao shook her head. “Sir, don’t worry. I was mentally prepared for this… In fact, I’m rather relieved that Young Master Hong failed.”
“Huh?”
Both Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya were stunned.
What was going on?
The man she admired had lost his chance with her, but she seemed relieved?
Hua Shuya was full of confusion and quickly asked, “Excuse me for asking, but what happened between Miss Liu and that man?”
“I understand your confusion, Miss.”
Liu Mengjiao smiled faintly. “Actually, I’ve long since wanted to cut ties with him.”
“Why…”
“The rumors circulating in the county now say that I’m in love with Young Master Hong. That might have been true in the past.”
Liu Mengjiao paused for a moment and continued, “After I became a ghost and couldn’t see people casually, my father saw that I was often alone at home and felt sorry for me. He wanted to recruit a scholar in the county to accompany me and read some poetry and books… Of course, my father also had the intention of finding a suitable husband for me. After all, I’m not young anymore, and women my age have already married and had children.”
She glanced at Hua Shuya, her eyes filled with admiration, and couldn’t help but sigh. “It might sound ridiculous to you, Miss, but my appearance is the only thing I have going for me.
And during my interactions with Young Master Hong, he did develop feelings for me and expressed his intentions to pursue me. Recently, he’s even been planning to propose marriage.”
Hua Shuya frowned. “Then why…”
Liu Mengjiao sighed. “But I knew in my heart that it was impossible from the beginning. I’m a ghost, and Young Master Hong is a living person. The rules of the world dictate that humans and ghosts cannot be together. Moreover, we wouldn’t be able to have children and continue the family line, so we could never be together.”
“…”
Hua Shuya said in astonishment, “But the people in the county all say that it was Magistrate Liu—”
“I just saw how sincere Young Master Hong was and couldn’t bear to reject him directly, so I only hinted at it. But Young Master Hong believed the rumors in the streets and thought that my father was deliberately obstructing us, which made him even more determined to propose.”
Liu Mengjiao said calmly, “Helpless, I had to confess to my father and discuss it with him.
And although my father was reluctant, he had to intervene at my urging, hoping to make Young Master Hong give up. But he didn’t expect him to be so stubborn, kneeling in front of the magistrate’s residence day and night to express his determination. In the end, he had to come up with a difficult challenge, hoping to give him a way out.”
“Of course, my father might have still held some hope for Young Master Hong, hoping that he could show more talent.”
Hua Shuya fell silent after hearing this.
So the relationship between this couple had already broken down. On the contrary, it was the magistrate, who was rumored to be cold and heartless, who was actually taking into account their reputation and deliberately playing the role of the villain, even trying to mend their broken relationship.
Lin Tianlu said in a deep voice, “So, you already knew that he couldn’t win first place in the academy gathering.”
“I know Young Master Hong’s level of talent. Although it’s commendable, there’s still a gap compared to the scholars in the entire Nanfeng County. He was destined to lose this bet.”
“Then from today onwards…”
“Young Master Hong will leave as agreed and stop pestering me.” Liu Mengjiao replied softly.
Hua Shuya couldn’t help but ask, “Do you really have no feelings for him at all, Miss Liu?”
Liu Mengjiao pondered for a moment, then shook her head. “Young Master Hong is eloquent, knowledgeable, and handsome. We got along well at first, so I naturally developed some feelings for him. But those feelings are not everything. I know that if I rely too much on love, my future life will not be happy.”
Hua Shuya couldn’t understand. “You clearly like each other. As long as you can be together, why would you have such worries?”
Liu Mengjiao smiled gently. “Miss Hua, you are still young and don’t understand.
As we got to know each other better, I gradually discovered that Young Master Hong’s personality is too stubborn and extreme. He often makes harsh and unpleasant remarks, and we have more and more disagreements. He is also arrogant and selfish at heart. In these past few months, he hasn’t even paid much attention to his elderly parents, only focusing on flirting with me.
His carefree and childish nature might be charming as a lover, but it’s simply not enough to support a family or fulfill the responsibilities of a father.
I’m not saying that I’m perfect, but Young Master Hong is definitely not the right person for me. This is not something that can be remedied by love alone, nor by a few love poems or lyrics.”
Lin Tianlu was a little surprised.
Although this woman looked young, she was unexpectedly mature and rational.
She didn’t get lost in love because of temporary feelings. After realizing that the man’s flaws were unacceptable to her, she made a very calm decision and deliberately cut off their relationship.
“Sir, my actions might seem cold and heartless to you, and my way of breaking up might seem hesitant, delaying Young Master Hong’s preparations for the past month.”
Liu Mengjiao turned her gaze back and said softly, “I will try my best to compensate him for all his losses during this time.”
“I’m not blaming you, I’m just a little surprised by your decision.”
Lin Tianlu waved his hand. “After all, in this day and age, it’s rare to see a woman with such decisiveness.”
“Sir…”
“I’m not being sarcastic. I truly admire your decision. It’s quite like Miss Ren’s style.”
Lin Tianlu smiled. “But you still lack a bit of decisiveness. This delay is ultimately a torment for the man. If you’re sure that there’s no future for you two, Miss Liu, you should reject him directly instead of being soft-hearted and beating around the bush.”
Liu Mengjiao’s eyes widened.
After a moment of silence, she sighed. “As expected of Master’s friend, you are admirable.”
Then, she stood up and bowed deeply. “Thank you for your understanding, Sir. I will keep your teachings in mind.”
“It’s good that you’re willing to change. But I also hope that you will compensate that scholar as you said.”
“I understand.”
Liu Mengjiao gathered her hair and smiled softly. “Alright, let’s not talk about my trivial matters for now.
Now that the moon is beautiful, I won’t disturb you two enjoying your dinner. Please continue to enjoy the music and dance.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and cupped his hands. “Thank you, Miss Liu. But…”
He coughed lightly. “It’s best if the dancers don’t reveal too much skin during their performance. The young lady beside me is still innocent.”
“I was being careless. I will go and remind them.”
Liu Mengjiao quickly apologized.
…
The woman in red quietly retreated, and silence returned to the private room.
Lin Tianlu turned to the girl beside him and said softly, “Are you still thinking about this matter, Miss Hua?”
“Miss Liu… she probably still has some feelings for that scholar.”
“But she made her own choice in the end, she wasn’t blinded by love.”
Hua Shuya fell silent, lost in thought.
She admired the woman’s decisiveness in cutting off her love and being alone. But…
She also believed in her own eyes, in her own feelings, and in the time they had spent together these past few days.
“Senior, I will always be by your side.”
The words slipped out of her mouth.
Lin Tianlu’s hand, which was raising his wine glass, froze in mid-air. He looked at the girl in astonishment.
Hua Shuya also froze, subconsciously covering her lips, realizing that she had accidentally said something strange.
“Why… No-no, Senior, please… please watch the dance performance!”
She hurriedly tried to pour wine and pick up some food.
But her hand slipped, and the wine spilled all over Lin Tianlu.
“…”
The atmosphere became a little awkward.
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