"Beike Song, there's no need to continue. My move from Suzhou to Yanjing already expresses my stance. Perhaps some in the Shen family wish to marry into the Bei family, but that has nothing to do with me. I don't seek to leverage your family's influence, nor will I beg for the Shen family's pity. What I want, I'll create with my own hands. What I can't achieve, I have no interest in. If your purpose here is to convince me to return with you, then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed." Shen Monong took the cup of tea Lin Bao'er handed her, gave her a sidelong glance, and continued speaking.
Seeing that Shen Monong wasn't angry with her, Lin Bao'er's face broke into a radiant smile. She had initially misjudged the situation, praising this man as a 'handsome guy' without realizing he intended to pursue Monong. Realizing her mistake, Lin Bao'er quickly sought to make amends, eagerly brewing tea and offering it with a smile. She deliberately only made one cup, excluding Beike Song from tasting her tea-making skills. This was a subtle way to slight him and show support for Monong—though, truth be told, Lin Bao'er had no particular tea-making skills. She merely tossed some leaves into the cup and poured in hot water, skipping the rinsing step entirely.
Beike Song, caught up in his emotional turmoil, paid no mind to Lin Bao'er's little snub. With no invitation to sit, he remained standing, softening his gaze to avoid intimidating the strong-willed Shen Monong.
"Monong, I believe our feelings have hit a misunderstanding. I know you resent the Shen-Bei family alliance, as do I. Our feelings should be our own, not a tool for trade. This was set by our elders, and we as juniors can't easily change it. But now, I genuinely wish to be with you, not for any benefits it brings me from a family alliance. Do you understand? We can set aside family interests and personal backgrounds. I, Beike Song, and you, Shen Monong, are individuals with the right to pursue our happiness. Isn't that good? Monong, I know you have some misunderstandings about me, but I'm willing to change and accept your supervision."
"I am willing, like other men who admire you, to start from scratch in pursuing you. We've known each other, and you can't deny me a chance to court you, can you?"
Suzhou and Hangzhou have produced many talented men and beautiful women, like the four famous scholars of the past. Today, there are four notable young masters: Lian Fengrui, Beike Song, Han Youling, and Guo Chengzhao. These four come from prominent families, wealthy and talented, known for their charm and business acumen.
Beike Song, ranked second among the four, expressed his sincere admiration eloquently. His words were genuine without seeming insincere. He expressed a willingness to forgo his status and compete with other suitors on equal footing for Shen Monong's affection. Though the truthfulness of his words was questionable, such sentiments could deceive women with lesser intelligence.
Furthermore, women often lose rationality in such matters. If they are even slightly interested, they can easily fall.
"Sorry, I don't like you," Shen Monong said flatly. "I usually reject unwanted suitors with this simple statement."
Beike Song felt like vomiting blood. After all his heartfelt speech, she remained unmoved, as cold as ever.
"Monong, didn't I just say? If you don't like something about me, tell me honestly, and I will change for you." Beike Song, instead of losing confidence, felt his fighting spirit ignite. Isn't this more interesting?
Television and novels are filled with couples who go through trials and tribulations to be together, touching countless hearts. Such love stories are captivating, and women like Shen Monong are all the more enticing.
"I don't like being pursued by you," Shen Monong elegantly sipped her tea and replied softly.
"———"
"Pfft!" Tang Guo, standing at the door, couldn't hold back her laughter. Lin Bao'er, even more unrestrained, clutched her stomach and laughed uncontrollably, her ample chest shaking vigorously.
Beike Song, furious, still couldn't help but glance at Lin Bao'er's chest. This woman was quite the seductress.
Tang Guo's carefully maintained image shattered, leaving her feeling frustrated. She was pondering how to cover it up when she saw Ye Qiu in the yard. Her eyes lit up, and she called out with a cheerful smile, "Ye Shao, why are you here?"
Ye Qiu, hesitating in the yard about whether to enter the living room, saw Tang Guo waving at him.
Ye Shao? Was she calling him?
"Ye Shao, come in. Monong is home," Tang Guo called again, then ran into the yard to invite him in, her face full of smiles. She whispered, "Play along, okay?"
"I know. Just act as her suitor, right? I've seen this plot many times on TV."
"——— You talk too much. Don't mess it up later." Tang Guo's tone was fierce, but her smile grew wider.
Tang Guo led Ye Qiu into the living room and cheerfully introduced him, "This is Ye Jiadashao, Ye Qiu."
Ye Jiadashao? Beike Song glanced at Tang Guo's fawning attitude towards Ye Qiu and then at the joyful expressions on Shen Monong and Lin Bao'er's faces. He thought, 'Could it be that Monong likes this guy?'
Annoyed, he didn't show it and extended his right hand to Ye Qiu with a smile, "Ye Shao, nice to meet you."
As one of the four young masters, Beike Song still retained some poise.