Wang Yue truly had not been betting on whether Gu Jiusi would stop him. He simply felt that since the other party was so wary, he would have to approach someone else.
As for taking things slowly, that had never even entered his consideration.
After all, the emperor's envoy was already waiting at Changfeng Ferry, and he didn't have time to negotiate with a playboy—especially one who only knew how to spend money and have fun, and never bothered with anything else.
In fact, he was overthinking it. After Wang Yue returned to his own boat, Gu Jiusi made no move to call him back, as if certain that Wang Yue would find an excuse to return anyway.
But Wang Yue did not turn around to strike up a conversation, as Gu Jiusi had imagined. Once aboard his own boat, he bowed to the three men again, then had his servants remove the gangplank and returned to the cabin without hesitation.
When Wang Yue's figure disappeared from sight and the boats quickly drifted apart again, Yang Wenchang, who had never given Wang Yue his name, suddenly spoke. "Brother Chen, Brother Gu, did we get it wrong?"
Chen Xun casually waved a hand, unconcerned. "So what if we did? He's from Qingzhou, and we're in Yangzhou. We're miles apart, and who knows when we'll meet again. Are you hoping to become friends with him?"
After hearing Chen Xun's words, Gu Jiusi shook his head in disagreement and said, looking conflicted, "I think I got the short end of the stick."
Yang Wenchang turned to look at Gu Jiusi, puzzled. "What did you lose?"
Chen Xun immediately stood up and clapped his hands. Then, looking rather vexed, he said, "That kid took Brother Gu's cloak with him. Maybe we really will get