Chapter 26: Bringing People Together

Zhao Kai subconsciously frowned, wanting to dissuade Zhou Chengwang from this idea, but Lin Fei’er seemed to have discovered something extraordinary and exclaimed, “Really? You like Sister Yan’er?”

Zhou Chengwang was straightforward by nature, never one to hide his thoughts. Embarrassed, he smiled with a hint of shyness. “Yes…”

Zhao Kai was furious. They had only just met, and already he claimed to like her—wasn’t that far too hasty?

“Sister Yan’er has a straightforward personality; she matches you well. Why don’t you try courting her and see if she has any feelings for you?” Lin Fei’er encouraged.

“No,” Zhao Kai disagreed instinctively, his face cold.

“Why not?” Lin Fei’er was puzzled.

She was truly thinking of Zhao Yan’er’s happiness. She knew Master Zhao wanted to find Yan’er a husband. Even if Yan’er liked Zhao Kai, he could never become her husband. If someone liked Yan’er, it was worth a try. But for her husband to react so strongly… Could it be he had feelings for Yan’er?

“Why not?” Zhou Chengwang asked, confused.

Zhao Kai was at a loss for words. He couldn’t quite explain, but it was simply not possible…

“Husband, do you not want Sister Yan’er to get married?”

“No…” Zhao Kai tried to explain, “I just think… you’re all being too hasty. I am Yan’er’s elder brother, I must be careful in such matters.”

His explanation sounded feeble, but Zhou Chengwang didn’t take it to heart.

“We can take it slow. After all, I do like Miss Yan’er. If she doesn’t like me, then so be it.”

A gentleman never forces another’s will. Zhou Chengwang was no scoundrel; if Zhao Yan’er didn’t like him, he wouldn’t persist.

Zhao Kai gave him a long, assessing look—this Zhou Chengwang was indeed a proper, upright gentleman.

After he left, Lin Fei’er softly asked, “Husband, do you really not want Sister Yan’er to get married?”

Zhao Kai’s thoughts were already adrift. “No…”

“If not, why did you refuse to let Young Master Zhou try? Or is it because you think his family is beneath ours?”

Beneath them? The direct nephew of the master of Erxian Manor, beneath them? What a joke—the people at Erxian Manor probably didn’t even think much of the Zhao family.

“I promised Master Zhao I would look after Yan’er. Naturally, I can’t be careless. Zhou Chengwang still needs to be observed. I cannot make a decision lightly.”

“Is that truly the reason?”

“It is.”

Lin Fei’er felt reassured, but whether that was truly the case, only Zhao Kai knew.

Zhou Chengwang remained at the Zhao residence. His arrival didn’t cause much of a stir, but he trailed after Zhao Yan’er everywhere, which Zhao Kai found hard to tolerate.

By all rights, he ought to encourage their relationship, let them develop naturally, but he simply didn’t want to. He told himself that Zhou Chengwang had yet to accomplish anything; entrusting Yan’er to him now would only bring her hardship. Only when Zhou Chengwang ceased relying on his family and became a responsible, dependable man could he rest easy.

Zhou Chengwang was indeed diligent. His heart was pure and transparent, and he regarded Zhao Kai as a true brother, always stepping in to help resolve any difficulty at the first opportunity.

Over time, Zhou Chengwang matured as well. His former childish impulsiveness faded, replaced by a calm and composed demeanor.

Many praised him, even Zhao Yan’er. When he first arrived, she often caused Zhao Kai trouble, but now she handled everything with poise, which surprised her greatly.

“You’ve done well lately. Here’s your wages,” Zhao Yan’er said, not knowing Zhou Chengwang’s true identity, only that he’d performed admirably and thus gave him some extra silver.

Zhou Chengwang was flattered. These days, to attract Zhao Yan’er’s attention, he’d followed Zhao Kai night and day, learning the ways of handling affairs.

His efforts paid off, and soon he won Zhao Yan’er’s praise.

“It’s what I should do,” he replied, embarrassed.

“Work even harder in the future, or else my brother will be overburdened again. His complexion has improved these past days, all thanks to you. This is your due. If you help him even more, I’ll pay you even more.”

Zhou Chengwang nodded eagerly. Hearing her call Zhao Kai “brother” again and again, he thought to himself how close the siblings were.

“By the way, has Fei’er visited lately?” Zhao Yan’er asked casually.

“She’s come a few times, but never stayed long,” Zhou Chengwang replied, lowering his voice. “I think Zhao Kai and his wife might have argued.”

“Oh?” Zhao Yan’er’s hand trembled.

“Every time his wife leaves, Zhao Kai’s face darkens and he looks exhausted, as though he hates that she’s not living up to his expectations.”

Zhao Yan’er listened and seemed to understand. It appeared her brother and Fei’er had some issues in that regard. Her brother was a normal man, energetic and robust—how could Fei’er not satisfy him…

Perhaps…

An idea sprouted in Zhao Yan’er’s mind.

“All right, you may go now.”

But Zhou Chengwang was reluctant to leave, wanting to spend more time with Zhao Yan’er.

Seeing his lingering, Zhao Yan’er grew impatient and instructed, “My brother has a drinking gathering tonight. Go to the tavern and buy some wine. The sooner you return, the sooner you can rest.”

Zhou Chengwang, thinking she was being considerate, happily trotted off.

Zhao Kai saw how jubilant he was, and glancing at Zhao Yan’er’s lovestruck look, thought something must have happened between them. His expression shifted several times.

“What’s wrong? Did that boy not do well?”

Zhao Yan’er was lost in thoughts of her and Zhao Kai, recalling the joys of that night, which had since haunted her dreams. If only it could happen once more, she would do anything…

In the midst of her reverie, the object of her longing appeared before her. Her heart raced wildly, and her cheeks flushed deep red.

“No… I’m just a bit tired.”

“If you’re tired, rest. This isn’t really your job; the house has a steward for such matters.”

Of course, she knew that, but she only wished to be closer to her brother.

“Brother, let me handle tonight’s gathering. I’ve already sent Zhou Chengwang to buy the wine.”

“All right.”

But at the mention of Zhou Chengwang, Zhao Kai paused and asked, “What do you think of him?”

“He’s quite good—capable and considerate.”

Considerate? Considerate to whom? Zhao Kai was puzzled.

To Zhao Yan’er, being considerate meant being a help to Zhao Kai, lessening his burdens.

But clearly Zhao Kai misunderstood and felt a pang of jealousy, though he dared not show it, finding an excuse to leave instead.

Meanwhile, Zhou Chengwang, elated by Zhao Yan’er’s praise, clutched the silver she’d given him and grinned to himself. “Miss Yan’er truly cares for me. So long as I keep trying, I’ll surely win her heart.”

“Win her heart? Who do you think you are, that Zhao Yan’er would ever fall for you?”

Just then, Lin Zhengtian, who happened to be buying wine, overheard Zhou Chengwang’s mutterings about Zhao Yan’er and mocked him with a sneer.