Chance Encounter

After walking for another short while, Shi Lan felt her legs beginning to ache, and she unconsciously slowed down.

One of the burly men following behind Shi Lan keenly noticed the change. With a respectful expression, he asked, "Eldest Young Master, would you like to rest your feet at Yunsheng Restaurant?"

Shi Lan nodded slightly and headed toward a restaurant up ahead.

The restaurant's entrance was broad. The three gilded characters Yunsheng Restaurant were written upon its black plaque, the strokes vigorous and powerful at a glance, clearly the work of a master calligrapher.

When Shi Lan entered, the somewhat noisy main hall fell silent. The people inside looked at her no differently from the passersby she had encountered earlier—fear mingled with a trace of disgust.

"Young Master Shi, you've come... Please, upstairs." The waiter was uneasy inside as he hurried over with a smile, bowing respectfully.

Shi Lan swept her gaze across the hall, then went up to the second floor.

Just as she reached the second floor, the door to a private room on the left side of the corridor opened. A young man in a green robe, carrying an air of scholarly refinement, stepped out.

Upon seeing him, Shi Lan slowly frowned.

Xu Yuanbai...

Tenglong City really was small as could be.

Xu Yuanbai was also slightly taken aback when he saw Shi Lan, but he quickly recovered. He cupped his hands in greeting, neither cold nor overly familiar.

"Brother Shi, have you been well of late?"

Shi Lan could not be bothered with him and walked straight toward a private room with an "Unoccupied" sign hanging outside its door.

Xu Yuanbai froze where he stood, a flicker of gloom and disbelief passing through his eyes.

Given Shi Lan's usual attitude, she would never have ignored him so completely.

"Brother Shi, please wait. Have I offended you in some way?" Xu Yuanbai quickly stepped before Shi Lan, blocking her path.

Shi Lan shot him a glance and said unpleasantly, "Move aside. I don't have time to ramble with you."

Shi Lan had only wanted to stop for a sip of tea and rest a while before leaving. She had never expected to encounter Xu Yuanbai, and she did not wish to waste what little time and breath she had on things that meant nothing at all.

Moreover, ever since seeing Xu Yuanbai, some lingering reactions from the body's former owner had surged forth again, stirring a measure of irritation in Shi Lan's heart.

Her mood had not been good to begin with. Shi Lan was already doing her utmost to restrain her emotions.

Seeing Shi Lan speak this way, Xu Yuanbai's eyes flashed with surprise. Her attitude today was far too different from before, as though she were a completely different person. The contrast left him somewhat unable to adjust.

"Brother Shi, if I have offended you in any way, you may simply say so. There is no need to put on such airs."

Shi Lan said nothing further. She merely lowered her eyes and took a light, deep breath, suppressing the urge to give Xu Yuanbai a thorough beating.

Shi Lan had long since gained a fairly clear understanding of what kind of person Xu Yuanbai was. It was precisely because of this that his hypocritical act disgusted her.

Shi Lan's breathing quickened slightly as she repeatedly muttered in her heart, Impulse is the devil, impulse is the devil...

"I had thought we could be considered friends. It seems I was merely indulging in wishful thinking. The Shi Clan stands high behind lofty gates; I cannot afford to climb so high. Farewell!" Xu Yuanbai flung down those self-mocking words and headed straight for the stairs.

As he walked, Xu Yuanbai began counting silently. He was certain that before three breaths had passed, Shi Lan would call him back and apologize to him.

One...

Two...

"Stop!"

Before he could count to three, a sharp shout came from behind him.

Hearing that shout, Xu Yuanbai's heart settled. Pretending not to hear, he continued toward the stairs.

"Didn't you hear the Eldest Young Master's words?"

A chilling voice rang beside his ear. Before Xu Yuanbai could see who had spoken, he felt a tremendous force strike his chest. His entire body was lifted up and swiftly dragged back before Shi Lan.

Staggering as he regained his footing, Xu Yuanbai finally saw that his collar was being gripped by a young man dressed in black.

"Let go! You boor who only knows violence!" Xu Yuanbai's face flushed red as he struggled twice, but the young man's hand did not budge in the slightest.

Xu Yuanbai shifted his gaze to Shi Lan beside them. After seeing the expression on her face, he could not help but freeze slightly.

There was none of the apology he had imagined on Shi Lan's face. There was only an unmistakable trace of irritation.

"Drag him over there and teach him what rules are!" Shi Lan took a deep breath and pointed toward the corner.

Shi Lan had not wanted to argue with Xu Yuanbai, but he was simply too incapable of reading the room. He had even tried to play hard to get with her, directly igniting the fury Shi Lan had suppressed for so long.

Asking for a beating?!

The saying that impulse was the devil had already been tossed to the back of Shi Lan's mind.

The young man in black grinned and happily dragged Xu Yuanbai toward the corner.

The several burly men standing behind Shi Lan exchanged looks, then all headed toward the corner as well.

"Boors! You're all crude martial brutes!"

"You can't treat me like this!"

"I was wrong! I really know I was wrong!"

After taking only a few blows, Xu Yuanbai began begging for mercy. Whatever scholar's integrity or refusal to yield even in death he possessed had been thrown cleanly behind him.

As Shi Lan watched Xu Yuanbai beg for mercy, the heartache hidden in a corner of her heart turned into disappointment, then slowly began to fade away.

Sometimes, a young girl's dream could be shattered that easily.

Shi Lan's emotions gradually settled, and she called for the men to stop.

By then, Xu Yuanbai had already fainted. All those who had struck him possessed martial arts, so their blows naturally had not been light. No one knew how many bones in his body had been broken.

"Throw him downstairs. You, come in with me." Shi Lan waved her hand, beckoned to the young man in black, then pushed open the door and entered the private room.

Shi Lan sat beside the table, poured two cups of cold tea, pushed one toward the young man in black, and asked, "What is your name?"

"Shi Feng."

"Why were you so heavy-handed just now?" Shi Lan had watched the entire process. The other burly men seemed to have some reservations and had held back their strength, but Shi Feng had gone up and directly broken both of Xu Yuanbai's legs.

He looked fair and clean, harmless to man and beast, yet his hands were so ruthless. The contrast was simply too great.

"Xu Yuanbai was disrespectful toward the Eldest Young Master. It is only right that he receive a lesson," Shi Feng said calmly.

"Tell the truth."

Shi Feng said somewhat helplessly, "Xu Yuanbai and I have a private grievance." He had disliked Xu Yuanbai for a long time. If not for his concern over Shi Lan's feelings in the past, how could Xu Yuanbai have remained carefree until today?

Shi Lan nodded in realization, rose to her feet, walked over to Shi Feng, and patted his shoulder. "Kind face, ruthless hands. You're a talent. Follow me from now on."

"Huh?"

Shi Feng stared blankly at Shi Lan, unable to recover his senses for a long while.

When Shi Lan went downstairs, the main hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop. Everyone was trembling with fear.

Thanks to Empty Valley Quiet Mist and Tushan Yaqing for the rewards. There will be no marrying off in this book; the author will not suddenly serve up poison. Please vote for the story (ì_í)