Chapter Ten: Persuasion and Gentle Refusal

"Damn it, are you kidding me? They're actually here for me?"

Duàn Yì felt incredibly wronged and depressed, but there was nothing he could do. What else could he do?

He could only try to appeal to her emotions and reason with her, politely declining.

He figured this "big sister" must be a kind-hearted person. If he explained things properly, it shouldn't be hard to communicate. After all, a forced melon isn't sweet.

"Heh heh, don't worry, young lady. The moment this kid stepped into my shop, I knew he was a country bumpkin in the city. He's dressed shabbily and is stingy with his money. If he follows you, he'll be eating well and drinking spicy food. What reason would he have to refuse?"

The portly shopkeeper completely failed to notice the murderous glare Duàn Yì was giving him. Instead, he looked calm and confident.

"Pfft, haha, this is hilarious! So these people aren't here for me, but for you. And I never expected you to be so popular that someone's here to snatch you away, hahaha."

The young lady finally understood what was happening and couldn't hold back her laughter. She pointed at Duàn Yì with one hand while clutching her stomach with the other, laughing heartily. Tears even welled up in the corners of her eyes, sparkling brightly. She was actually laughing until she cried!

"Alright, alright. You go and negotiate with my future husband. As long as he marries me, I'll be his for life. Not only will I bear him children, but I'll also ensure he lives a worry-free life. I'll never mistreat him."

This young lady completely ignored Duàn Yì's displeased expression. She was practically drooling over his face and physique, then she ordered the portly shopkeeper.

The portly shopkeeper didn't mind. Instead, he chuckled in agreement and trotted over, bringing a gust of warm air with him.

Finally, he stood before the table, pulled out a handkerchief from his robes, wiped his greasy face, and then, with a smile creasing his plump face, cupped his fists towards Duàn Yì.

"Esteemed young master, you're a smart person. After hearing what I just said, you should know why I'm here, right?"

"Shopkeeper, I recall we've only met once, and I paid for my stay at your establishment. We have no past grievances and no recent enmity. Why are you trying to harm me?"

Duàn Yì's expression was blank, and he didn't even lift his head. His resentment towards the portly shopkeeper was even greater than his resentment towards the young lady.

At that moment, he wished he could use his Minor Capturing Hand to dislocate this fat pig's joints and make him experience the agony of a thousand deaths.

In this large county town, if it weren't for this fat pig, how would that young lady have found him?

He was also completely inexperienced, not even realizing he was being followed.

"Huh? What do you mean? I'm helping you, young master. How could I possibly be harming you?"

Seeing Duàn Yì remain silent, seemingly not understanding his good intentions, the portly shopkeeper continued, "This young lady's name is Zhou Xiufen. She is the younger sister of Zhou Xiong, the head disciple of the outer sect of the Golden Cauldron Sect. She's unmarried at thirty because she's been looking for a suitable husband, which has delayed her.

Lord Zhou Xiong is renowned throughout the city. Not only is he immensely wealthy, but he also has connections everywhere. Both the underworld and the legitimate world have to consider Lord Zhou Xiong's face.

And as everyone knows, Zhou Xiong dotes on his younger sister more than anything. He'd give her the stars and the moon, spoiling her endlessly.

My boy, just take my advice. Looks and pride don't matter. Only tangible benefits are important.

Now, a golden opportunity has presented itself. Miss Zhou has fallen for you at first sight. As long as you marry her, you'll have endless wealth and glory in the future – wearing gold and silver, feasting on delicacies, and adorning yourself with fine silks.

As the saying goes, life is short, seize the moment. These are golden words of advice, so you must understand my good intentions."

Finally, seeing that Duàn Yì remained unmoved and unyielding, the portly shopkeeper leaned closer. He first smiled from afar at Miss Zhou, as if showing goodwill, then turned back and whispered, "My boy, I know what you're against, but that's not a problem at all. Miss Zhou prefers handsome young men, and your appearance is truly the most striking I've ever seen. As long as you treat her even a little bit well, won't she be putty in your hands? When the time is right, you can casually take a few beautiful concubines or keep a few mistresses. Won't that be a wonderful life? Marry for virtue, take concubines for beauty – that's the hard truth. But if you remain stubborn, what will be the consequence? You'll offend Lord Zhou, live in poverty, and forget about beauties – you might not even be able to marry a wife. Why put yourself through that? Listen to your brother, resources are meant to be used, and wasting them is a shame. Your face is naturally suited for this kind of life."

This damned fatty was truly a talent. He appealed to reason, tempted with benefits, and threatened – a three-pronged approach with a silver tongue. He was indeed skilled in diplomacy.

However, Duàn Yì didn't take any of it to heart. If the words were so good, why didn't he go for it himself?

If the portly shopkeeper knew Duàn Yì's thoughts, he would surely cry out in injustice. Do you think I don't want to? It's just that my looks don't allow it, and the young lady isn't interested in me!

Creak. Duàn Yì pushed back the wooden stool slightly with his foot, then stood up and walked out of the small stall. He finally stood before the young lady, suppressing the visual impact, and looked directly at her with a calm and composed gaze. He cupped his fists and said, "Miss Zhou, I am very grateful for your affection. However, a true man in this world must first establish his career before thinking about starting a family. Currently, I have achieved nothing and am living in poverty. I truly do not wish to consider marriage at this time. I hope you can forgive me."

As soon as Duàn Yì spoke, the onlookers who had quietly gathered around, Zhou Xiufen's guards, the silent diners at the stall, and the stall owners all silently mourned for him in their hearts.

Miss Zhou, the "bane of ghosts" in Daming County, was not a bad person, nor had she ever done anything wicked. However, relying on her brother Zhou Xiong, she hadn't done anything good either. Her most famous characteristic was her domineering nature. No one dared to stop her from doing what she wanted in her territory, and no one could force her to do what she didn't want to do – not even Zhou Xiong. And her remaining unmarried at thirty wasn't because no one wanted her, but because she looked down on the "crooked melons and cracked dates" her brother picked for her. Now that this handsome young man had caught her eye, would she allow him to refuse? It was likely wishful thinking.

However, faced with Duàn Yì's obvious rejection, this Miss Zhou surprisingly nodded. Her attitude seemed to have changed considerably. Before, her demeanor had been like a lovesick girl, her possessiveness so obvious that anyone could see it. Now, she seemed quite appreciative. The lovesick look vanished, and instead, she clapped her plump hands, seemingly smiling.

"Good, good! You have ambition. You truly are the man I've chosen. However, as the saying goes, establish a family before building a career. Marrying me will not hinder your pursuit of success. Moreover, whatever you wish to do, I will fully support you, and my brother will also help you. You have nothing to worry about."

Her speech was clear and organized, a stark contrast to her previous imbecilic behavior, which was quite surprising.

A vase, lacking personality or traits, to be played with by anyone, would eventually become tiresome.

But a man with ambition, aspirations, and unparalleled handsomeness was a true treasure. Zhou Xiufen thoroughly approved of the ideal husband she had chosen this time.

Furthermore, her attraction this time wasn't solely due to his appearance; it was more about the way this young man looked at her.

There was no discrimination, no disgust, no fawning, no flattery. It was a very calm, very normal gaze, just like the way he looked at other people on the street.

That was respect.

As a woman who had endured others' peculiar gazes for a long time, Zhou Xiufen, despite appearing foolish as a pig on the outside, was actually extremely sensitive on the inside.

Some people had tried to please her, to obey her, hiding disgust in their eyes while putting on a show of deep affection, as if they couldn't live without her. Weren't they all just trying to climb the Zhou family tree for wealth and status?

Since she could see through those people's ill intentions, why would she invite a wolf into her house and endure endless future suffering for temporary pleasure?

Duàn Yì was different. Originally, she was already very fond of the young man's appearance and wouldn't have hesitated to keep him by her side, even under confinement.

Now, his demeanor was neither servile nor overbearing, and he had given her a long-lost sense of respect, making her feel as if she had truly met someone worthy of her trust.

"Huh, this woman isn't as unbearable as she seemed before."

Duàn Yì was somewhat surprised. The image of Zhou Xiufen's foundation makeup crumbling and her drooling over him was still fresh in his mind. Yet, now she seemed like a completely different person – so rational and easy to talk to. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover.

Women, indeed, were creatures adept at disguise.

"Hey, even though he's being subtle, you should know he doesn't really want to achieve great deeds; he's just making excuses.

To put it plainly, he just doesn't like you. Since he doesn't like you, why are you clinging to him?"

Just as Duàn Yì was about to refuse again, he heard the pretty young girl who had been laughing heartily speak to Miss Zhou in a peculiar tone.

It felt like a child fighting over candy, tinged with sourness.