Although Nan Yan heard his angry question, she had no desire to continue to pay any attention to him. She nodded and answered silently to herself, Yes, I was indeed cursing you for being a fool.
The Fu family's castle was very large, so large that even if Nan Yan had been given an entire day to wander around, she probably wouldn't have seen the entire place. She decided to check out the area to the south where there was a well-known courtyard. It had been designed by a famous Chinese courtyard designer, and there had been stories about it published in major news articles. She had always been curious about it and had wanted to come and see it for herself.
She was wandering around for quite a while, but she couldn't find the courtyard. In the end, she'd had to ask the castle staff for directions.
As soon as she walked through the unique ancient arch of the courtyard, she saw a small bridge made of stone and surrounded by luscious bamboo, which was sublimely elegant. Although the bridge had a sophistication characteristic of ancient times, the bamboo appeared refreshingly modern and minimalistic, and not overly elaborate. It was really unique.
"Cancel all the announcements and advertisements. Cut them off."
Nan Yan had walked across the short bridge and was admiring the subtle details of the courtyard. Along with the cool spring breeze, a familiar voice sounded in her ears, and it caused her to pause for a second. Then, out of curiosity, she quietly began to search for the source of that voice.
Looking for the source of the calm, clear voice, Nan Yan saw a beautiful, stalwart figure standing in the pavilion. He had an almost burned-out cigarette between his fingers.
Nan Yan recognized the man at once. It was Fu Xiao's uncle, Fu Jingheng.
"All right, that will be it!"
After Fu Jingheng had finished his conversation, he took a drag of the cigarette, slowly exhaled gray smoke rings, and let the cold wind blow them away. As he threw his cigarette into a bluestone ashtray, he turned around, and his dark eyes took in the soft khaki-colored cardigan she was wearing.
Upon unexpectedly making eye contact with him, Nan Yan was stunned. Hadn't she basically been caught eavesdropping on his conversation?
She was a little embarrassed...
"Miss Nan?" Fu Jingheng asked, opening his mouth in a subtle arc and approaching her at a leisurely, relaxed pace. Reflecting her beautiful, calm face, his eyes gleamed.
Perhaps it was because his aura was too overpoweringly intimidating or because of her guilty conscience from eavesdropping on his conversation, she had an inexplicable urge to step back and distance herself from him.
"What a coincidence, you're here too, little uncle." Without showing any panic, Nan Yan smiled a little and greeted him gregariously.
Fu Jingheng frowned when he heard how she had addressed him. A quizzical expression flashed through his eyes as he asked in a cold, bewildered tone, "Uncle?"
"What's the matter?" The expression in his eyes was unfathomable, so Nan Yan chuckled awkwardly and asked in bewilderment.
"I'm ashamed to say this, but I seem to be only six years older than Miss Nan. I really can't bear the address of little uncle." His handsome silhouette appeared cold and aloof, and his tone of voice was also indifferent.
Nan Yan didn't know if she was having auditory hallucinations, but she felt as if she could hear noises of him gnashing his teeth, as if he was extremely angry.
"You're Fu Xiao's uncle, and Fu Xiao and I had a contract to get married, so theoretically I should call you little uncle." Nan Yan smiled, as she explained the etiquette to him in a bureaucratic manner.
"Half an hour ago, you officially accepted cancelling the marriage agreement."
As Nan Yan listened to him, she was a little at a loss for words. She had no idea whether she should refute him or not. "However..." She called Fu Tingyuan grandfather, and, no matter what, he was still an elder to her.
"Call me by my real name."