Just accompanying a friend for a casual stroll, and yet we stumbled upon such a “spectacle”—truly astonishing.
In truth, their presence here today was purely coincidental. There was a collaboration between Yue Hengyan’s family and Han Xinbai’s family, so the two younger members decided to meet up and buy some delicious pastries for their female elders to enjoy.
Yue Hengyan had already forgotten about Qiu Liuyue, with whom he had once shared a fleeting spark of affection, due to his recent busy schedule. Even if he did remember her, he was unaware of her past connection with Lin Jiarui, so he had no reason to avoid Han Xinbai, who was Lin Jiarui’s close friend.
Han Xinbai, on the other hand, knew everything clearly. But by nature, he was open-minded. Recently, because of Jin Xunmeng, his mood had been exceptionally good, and he found Yue Hengyan quite agreeable, treating him as a friend. Naturally, he didn’t dwell on those “insignificant matters” from the past.
After all, Lin Jiarui had already moved on from his past with Qiu Liuyue. If the person involved didn’t care, why should he hold onto it?
Moreover, Lin Jiarui had been holed up at home lately, buried in books and reluctant to come out. Worried about his friend’s health, Han Xinbai decided to seize this opportunity to drag him out for some fresh air and introduce him to his old and new friends. Men could always resolve minor grievances over a drink, couldn’t they?
Thus, the three of them ended up strolling together.
As for Qiu Liuyue’s situation, Han Xinbai felt it wasn’t his place to bring it up, while the gentle and considerate Lin Jiarui didn’t know how to broach the subject. As a result, neither of them realized that Yue Hengyan had long since forgotten about her.
Now, witnessing this scene unfold before them, Han Xinbai’s mischievous side emerged, and he decided to watch the drama unfold. He had always been clear about his self-proclaimed “scoundrel” identity, so he saw no issue with publicly enjoying a young woman’s misfortune—especially since she wasn’t his beloved Xunmeng. What was the harm in watching?
Lin Jiarui, however, felt somewhat awkward.
After all, he and Qiu Liuyue had once shared memories. Though they had parted amicably and their relationship had faded, there was still a lingering fondness from the past. Lin Jiarui had always been kind to others, let alone someone he had once cared for. Seeing her humiliated in front of everyone made him uneasy.
Stepping forward, Lin Jiarui intended to say a few words in her defense: “Miss Liuyue—”
But to his utter surprise, Qiu Liuyue, whose mental state had become somewhat unstable after recent events, was too proud and arrogant to accept reality after such a shock. Had she calmed down and regained her usual composure, she might have been able to navigate the situation with Lin Jiarui and Yue Hengyan’s help. But now, her mind was in disarray, and her words and actions lacked all reason.
Spotting Lin Jiarui, Qiu Liuyue rushed over frantically, grabbing his sleeve. “Brother Jiarui! Liuyue was wrong! Please forgive me!”
“Brother Jiarui! For the sake of our past, help me, won’t you? I promise I won’t seek out other men to upset you again. Please give me another chance!”
Lin Jiarui, whom Qiu Liuyue now saw as her savior, felt increasingly awkward. Her mention of “other men” confirmed that even during their relationship, she had been involved with others. Having moved on from his feelings for her through the solace of literature, Lin Jiarui now found the revelation deeply uncomfortable.
As a scholar well-versed in the classics, Qiu Liuyue’s behavior struck a nerve. Previously, she had presented herself to him as dignified, self-respecting, and full of vitality, with exceptional poetic talent—qualities that had won his heart. But now, seeing her true colors, the rational and detached Lin Jiarui only distanced himself further.
Quickly reaching a decision, he firmly pushed her hand away and spoke with polite detachment: “Miss Qiu, our past association was merely a scholarly exchange of poetry and literature. There was never anything more. I must ask you to refrain from making misleading statements in the future, lest they tarnish both our reputations.”
Rejected, Qiu Liuyue looked utterly disbelieving. “Brother Jiarui… even you? Even you betray me?!”
Lin Jiarui sighed. “Miss Qiu—”
“You betrayed me!” Before he could finish, Qiu Liuyue shrieked, her former grace completely gone. The surrounding crowd buzzed with murmurs.
Lin Jiarui’s literary prowess was renowned in the capital, with many predicting he would become a great scholar. Qiu Liuyue, too, had once earned fame as a “talented woman” for her poetry, praised by seasoned scholars.
Thus, no one found it strange that Lin Jiarui had been acquainted with her. He was known for his scholarly humility, willing to learn from anyone—even a woman, though he would maintain a gentlemanly distance.
Given this, the onlookers naturally assumed Qiu Liuyue was at fault—that she had fixated on Lin Jiarui and was now shamelessly clinging to him after being rejected. Her inadvertent admission of multiple romantic entanglements only fueled their disdain.
Han Xinbai, who had initially planned to enjoy the spectacle, couldn’t stand by as his friend was dragged into the mess. He stepped forward.
While Lin Jiarui adhered to scholarly decorum, Han Xinbai, self-proclaimed scoundrel, had no such reservations. “Miss Qiu, I personally witnessed you clinging to Hengyan after he helped you. Are you suggesting I’d lie about something so trivial?”
“Moreover,” he added coldly, “our Jiarui isn’t someone you can slander so casually!” As the future heir of the Lin family, Lin Jiarui represented its dignity—how could he allow such baseless accusations?
Yue Hengyan, growing more confused, racked his brain to recall any connection with the seemingly unstable woman before him. What a bizarre turn this outing had taken.
Meanwhile, the forgotten young noble, unhappy at losing the crowd’s attention, sneered, “What, you shameless wretch, still denying it? The truth is plain—who needs to frame you?”
Han Xinbai shook his head in disdain. Though he had no fondness for Qiu Liuyue, he disliked the noble just as much. Elbowing Yue Hengyan, he asked, “Hengyan, do you really not remember this young lady?”
Yue Hengyan smiled wryly. “You know how busy I’ve been lately—my mind’s a complete fog. I truly have no recollection of this lady… Ah!”
Suddenly, it came to him. “I remember now!”
Han Xinbai grinned. “Oh? Do tell—what ‘love and hate’ did you share with Miss Qiu?”
Yue Hengyan waved a hand. “Nothing so dramatic. I once saw her being harassed at the Wonder House while shopping for toys for my younger siblings. I merely stepped in to help. We exchanged a few words afterward, but with my recent workload, I’d completely forgotten until now. Seeing her again, I’m utterly lost.”
Han Xinbai pressed on mischievously, “So, Hengyan, you truly had no… *ahem*… improper thoughts about her?”
Seeing Han Xinbai’s teasing smirk, Yue Hengyan sighed. “None at all. If I dared mistreat any woman, my father would break my legs.”
Those familiar with the capital’s circles knew Yue Hengyan’s aunt had once been harassed by bandits during a shipment. Though rescued unharmed, the fierce woman had reacted drastically before eventually recovering. Yue Hengyan’s father, deeply attached to his sister, had since harbored a fierce hatred for men who disrespected women. If Yue Hengyan ever behaved so shamelessly, his father’s wrath would be no surprise.
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