The shop assistant casually grabbed another copy and tossed it out, still looking none too welcoming.
Shi Chun turned to Big Stone, who had accompanied them. "You pay."
Big Stone glanced at Wu Jinliang beside him, feeling rather helpless. He had promised to treat Wu Jinliang earlier, and paying was no big deal, but what was the point of buying two copies of the same book? He figured one was meant for the big fellow.
Wu Jinliang was all smiles, also assuming one was for him. Who knew Shi Chun would tuck both copies away and leave? Wu Jinliang and Big Stone exchanged speechless looks, then one followed while the other paid.
They had not gone far before they met Old Dong, who had returned after announcing their arrival. He told Shi Chun that Miss Miao had agreed to see them.
Shi Chun said there was no hurry. He wanted to change his outfit first.
Back in the Land of Exile, he had always dressed neatly whenever he went to see Miss Miao. Now that he was here, he certainly could not show up in rags.
Old Dong could only urge him to hurry, saying it would not be good to keep Miss Miao waiting.
The group headed straight for the clothing section. After some browsing, Shi Chun picked a pair of black shoes, grabbed a set of clothes to wear underneath without much fuss, and finally chose a blue outer robe.
He had originally wanted a white robe too, thinking white looked better and more refined, but gave up after seeing how unflattering it looked on Wu Jinliang beside him.
Fully dressed, with his hair pinned up, he really did look like a sharp young man. Only the darkened, dry, cracked skin on the backs of his hands, his lips, and his cheekbones could not be changed so quickly.
As they went upstairs, Shi Chun handed one book to Wu Jinliang to hold and kept the other in his own hand.
They were stopped and questioned several times along the way before finally making their halting way to the door of Miao Yilan's office.
Che Si met them at the door. As they entered, Miao Yilan looked up and immediately set down her brush.
The beautiful feather on her desk was gone. She had put it away for the moment, for no other reason than that she did not want Shi Chun to see it and get the wrong idea. She simply admired how beautiful the feather was, nothing more.
Shi Chun stopped where he stood and leaned sideways against a display shelf, folding his arms with the book held against his chest and crossing his feet in a pose he thought looked very dashing. He and Miao Yilan looked at each other for a while, then suddenly smiled at the same time.
Smiling aside, Miao Yilan still looked him up and down, studying his outfit. This was the first time she had seen him dressed so respectably.
He did indeed look more refined, but she knew perfectly well that his refinement was all an act.
It was not that her discerning eyes had seen through him. Rather, the many things she had learned from her mother had made it clear. Leaving aside his struggles for supremacy and vicious fights, there were, in short, many souls who had fallen beneath his blade.
Seeing her studying him like that, Shi Chun immediately straightened, spread his arms, and turned in a circle, presenting himself for her appreciation. "Well? Don't I look less rustic now?"
So he knew how rustic he had looked before. This was the first time he had shown such self-awareness in front of Miao Yilan.
"You look very sharp," Miao Yilan praised. She did not forget to lift her hand and beckon to Wu Jinliang with her delicate fingers, greeting him in a soft, lilting voice. "Big fellow."
Her gentle, fresh manner was pleasant for anyone to behold.
Wu Jinliang nodded cheerfully. "Hello, Miss Miao."
Shi Chun stepped forward and offered the book with both hands. "I don't know whether you've read this. I just bought it. It's the first book I've ever bought in my life, and I'm giving it to you."
Standing behind him with his hands folded, Big Stone suddenly felt his teeth ache. He badly wanted to say, I bought that, all right?
He really had to hand it to him. Buying a gift for someone without even paying for it himself.
Wu Jinliang grinned again, looking entertained. He already knew Shi Chun was merely playing along with Miss Miao.
Watching coolly from the sidelines, Che Si also had his eyes opened. He had finally witnessed the sort of thing he had previously only heard about.
Miao Yilan rose and accepted the book. Patting it lightly, she smiled. "The moment you open your mouth, it becomes an extraordinary gift. All right, since you've already bought it, I'll accept it."
Shi Chun clasped his now-empty hands behind his back and strolled around, studying the office. He walked onto the balcony outside, saw the beautiful lake and mountains, and called back, "This really is much better than inside the Prison of Life."
Miao Yilan also came out onto the balcony, looked around, and nodded. "It's all right."
Clearly, she had seen better. To her, the view before them was merely ordinary.
With envy written all over his face, Shi Chun leaned his arms on the railing and murmured, "How wonderful."
Miao Yilan also rested both hands on the railing. "Now that you're out, what are your plans?"
Shi Chun admired the scenery. "I'll take it one step at a time. I'll repay the forty thousand Sandalwood Gold I borrowed from you as soon as I can."
Miao Yilan said, "Would you like to join Wangbo Tower? I can ask about positions for the two of you. It shouldn't be much of a problem."
Inside, Wu Jinliang's eyes lit up at that. Old Dong and Big Stone exchanged smiles. They would be able to stay together again, which would be rather nice.
Che Si was secretly startled and puzzled. Could Miss Miao really have feelings for that fellow?
"Thank you." Shi Chun declined tactfully. "I'd like to find something to do on my own."
Everyone was surprised by those words.
Wu Jinliang in particular looked a little anxious. After making a fortune, they could even join Wangbo Tower. How wonderful would that be? Other people could not get such an opportunity no matter how hard they begged. Why turn it down?
Miao Yilan asked in confusion, "Is Wangbo Tower not good enough?"
Shi Chun said, "It's not that Wangbo Tower isn't good enough. What other people give you will always have its limits. I want too much."
Miao Yilan turned her head and stared blankly at his profile, then gave a soft laugh and shook her head. "So you really are out now. It's not like being in the Land of Exile anymore. You no longer need to keep up the act."
In the past, whenever she so much as said the word, this fellow would immediately put on a show of being ready to brave boiling water and raging fire for her. How could he possibly refuse? Every meeting had brought a heap of syrupy sweet nothings. Now that he had suddenly stopped, she actually felt just a tiny bit unaccustomed to it.
"It wasn't an act. You're so beautiful, and you're a good person. I really do like you, but I'm not worthy of you!" As he spoke, Shi Chun slid one hand along the railing until it lay beside Miao Yilan's. One large hand and one small, one porcelain-white and delicate, the other rough and dark, with cracks in its skin. At a glance, anyone could tell these were two hands shaped by utterly different fates. He smiled and asked, "Do you think we're a match? If you can say the words 'a good match,' I'll give up everything right now and go nowhere else. From then on, I'll stay by your side with a contented heart, and do anything you ask. Could we be a good match?"
He looked at her, waiting for her answer.
Everyone inside also waited quietly for Miao Yilan's reply.
To be fair, now that the subject had come up, the people inside looked at the pair's backs on the balcony and found that they actually looked rather well matched.
The wind stirred her skirts. After meeting his eyes for a while, Miao Yilan avoided his gaze and looked into the distance. In a gentle, teasing voice, she refused to answer. "There you go again. Let me remind you, when you said those flirtatious things in Zhixu City, its rules were in place, and no one dared lay a hand on you. It's different here. Someone might beat you up."
Shi Chun knew exactly when to back off. He turned away as though he had said nothing at all and withdrew his hand. "I've never known whether you liked the things I gave you. Yilan, is there anything you like and want? I'll see whether I can find a chance to get it for you."
In truth, he simply did not know how to repay her.
Had Lan Qiaoyan not intervened in Zhixu City, he and Wu Jinliang might well have been unable to leave alive. And Miao Yilan, standing before him, had lent him forty thousand gold without even seeing him. He owed mother and daughter an enormous debt of gratitude, yet he truly had no means of repaying them now. He could only see whether there was anything he could do.
Miao Yilan smiled softly and shook her head. "Thank you, but there really is no need."
Since she had said that, Shi Chun felt some regret but did not pursue the subject. He let go of the railing. "Yilan, I saw you were busy just now, and I happen to have something to do as well, so I won't disturb you. I'll come visit again when I have time. Don't worry, I'll repay the money as soon as I can."
He was going to find a way to make money now and sell off the goods he had acquired.
Miao Yilan did not ask him to stay, nor did she mention the money. Instead, she offered another warning. "Lü Taizhen has influence in Skyward City. You damaged his pride. Have you considered the consequences?"
"I know. Nothing will happen." Shi Chun shook his head calmly, then cupped his hands in farewell and turned to leave. As he passed Wu Jinliang, he paused and thumped him on the chest with the back of his hand. "Miss Miao kindly offered you a place at Wangbo Tower. Are you coming or not?"
At that question, Wu Jinliang scratched his head, unsure how to decide.
Shi Chun left him alone after that. He could stay or go as he pleased. Shi Chun strode out first.
Old Dong and Big Stone immediately followed him out.
Wu Jinliang was still anxiously scratching his head and ears. Miao Yilan watched him with interest, looking very patient.
Watching from the sidelines, Old Che thought the big fellow would surely stay. Unexpectedly, Wu Jinliang suddenly stamped his foot and let out a heavy sigh, then cupped his hands to Miao Yilan in farewell. "Miss Miao, I'll come visit you with Chuntian another time."
Then he hoisted his great saber onto his shoulder, turned, and ran, hurrying after the others.
After a moment of silence, Miao Yilan told Che Si, "It would hardly be acceptable for something to happen to them just because they came to visit me. Put your work aside for now and keep an eye on them. If Lü Taizhen really makes a move, and they can't get past that hurdle, step in and stop him. If necessary, you can invoke my mother's name. Say they're her people."