LC chapter 41

 

Fang Chengze arrived at the Lan Mansion as well. As the newly appointed Deputy Director of the Finance Bureau and a favorite of Young Marshal Gu, his attendance was a given.

However, he hadn’t expected to see Lin Ruan in this situation. He looked at Lin Ruan, who was standing with Zhan Xi, somewhat incredulously. “He…”

Gu Ji looked in the direction of the voice. “Lin Ruan, my cousin’s wife.” Gu Ji glanced at Fang Chengze. “He seems to be your student. Don’t you know about his relationship with my cousin?”

Fang Chengze shook his head. There were many rumors about Lin Ruan at school, but none about the Lan Mansion. Lin Ruan himself hadn’t told Fang Chengze anything. He hadn’t paid much attention to the wealthy families mentioned in the rumors, so he truly had no idea.

Gu Ji said, “Then my cousin is hiding it quite well.”

Fang Chengze frowned slightly.

Zhan Xi took Lin Ruan to meet a few people and then told him to go have some fun on his own. Lin Ruan didn’t join the lively crowds, but many people came to talk to him.

The men and women of a similar age chatted animatedly, but Lin Ruan could hardly say more than a few words and was not very interested.

After spending a long time in the banquet hall, Lin Ruan quietly made his way to the back. Outside the back door, a number of small gauze lights hung along the porch. Lin Ruan stood there to get some fresh air and gazed out at the darkened garden.

Fang Chengze had also emerged from the banquet hall by then. He walked up behind Lin Ruan and called out, “Lin Ruan.”

Lin Ruan turned around, somewhat surprised, and said, “Teacher Fang.”

Fang Chengze walked over to him. Seeing the surprise in his eyes, Fang Chengze explained, “I’m not only teaching at the school now. I also work for the government, which is why I’m here.”

Lin Ruan nodded. Fang Chengze smiled and said, “You, on the other hand, are quite surprising. I didn’t expect you to be the other owner of the Lan Mansion.”

This way of putting it was quite new, and Lin Ruan smiled when he heard it.

Fang Chengze rubbed his wine glass and asked hesitantly, “You and Mr. Zhan…”

“We’re lovers,” Lin Ruan said, fearing Fang Chengze might misunderstand after hearing the rumors at school. “I like him very much.”

“It’s hard to imagine,” said Fang Cheng.

“Why?” Lin Ruan asked. “Are we not a good match?”

Fang Cheng thought for a moment. “Given your personality, I think you should like a gentle man, even if you don’t like girls.”

“Mr. Zhan is very gentle.”

Fang Cheng smiled and said. “Perhaps you’re the only one who thinks so.”

Lin Ruan smiled shyly and sweetly.

Fang Chengze looked at him and suddenly asked, “Are you doing this voluntarily?” Facing Lin Ruan’s puzzled gaze, he replied, “Those rumors about child brides and all that.”

Fang Chengze embraced an open-minded approach that advocated equality for all. He detested feudal practices like arranged marriages and child brides.

“Of course I’m doing this voluntarily,” Lin Ruan replied. “Why do you ask me that?”

“The difference in your status is too great.” Fang Chengze was worried that Lin Ruan wouldn’t be able to protect himself.

Lin Ruan’s expression grew serious. “Teacher, you wouldn’t use your status to force me.”

It wasn’t necessarily forced; it could have been coaxing. Fang Chengze didn’t say this out loud. He felt that he shouldn’t comment too much on the matter between Lin Ruan and Zhan Xi. However, as a teacher, he naturally sided with Lin Ruan and viewed Zhan Xi with a critical eye.

With many thoughts racing through his mind, Fang Chengzhe finally said, “Since you haven’t experienced much, you should carefully consider the meaning of your words. It doesn’t matter who you like, or if you like someone of the same sex. What matters is maintaining your freedom and being yourself.”

Lin Ruan was stunned. Fang Chengzhe carefully considered his words and continued, “A person should maintain their independence. This way, they can gain a clearer understanding of themselves and their relationships.”

Fang Chengzhe felt torn. On the one hand, he wanted to tell Lin Ruan, “Be careful! Zhan Xi is lying!” On the other hand, he thought that if Zhan Xi was sincere, there was nothing wrong with Lin Ruan being naive.

To Lin Ruan, Fang Chengzhe’s words were like a cloud of fog; he couldn’t understand them.

But Lin Ruan was very polite. He looked at Fang Chengzhe and nodded earnestly. “I’ll remember that, I’ll think it over.”

Fang Chengze felt relieved that Lin Ruan understood.

“By the way,” he smiled, “your work won a prize in the architectural design competition. It was third prize.”

“Really?” Lin Ruan’s eyes flashed with joy.

“Really,” he said. “This is the result of your work being suppressed. In other words, to be fair, your work is no worse than the top two.”

Lin Ruan didn’t care about his placement. He was just happy that his work was recognized. He deeply needed recognition. In the past, Zhan Xi’s approval was enough for him, but at some point, he began to crave recognition from others.

Fang Chengze patted Lin Ruan on the shoulder. “You’re very talented. If you have the opportunity, I hope you’ll continue your studies.”

Lin Ruan nodded vigorously.

Fang Chengze spoke with Lin Ruan for a few more minutes. Lin Ruan’s cheerfulness was contagious. Looking at him, Fang Chengze’s initial frustration and dismay about his political career faded away.

Gu Ji called out to Fang Chengze, who went inside. Lin Ruan remained outside and felt happy for a moment. Just as he was about to follow, he saw Zhan Xi come out.

“Sir?”

Zhan Xi walked over to Lin Ruan and placed his palm against his cheek. “Have you been drinking?”

“Just a little,” Lin Ruan eagerly replied. “My competition entry won third place!”

“That’s impressive,” Zhan Xi replied.

Lin Ruan snorted. “You’re being perfunctory.”

Zhan Xi raised an eyebrow. “Are you criticizing your master?”

“I’m not.” Lin Ruan’s eyes and brows were filled with joy. He looked at Zhan Xi. Perhaps Zhan Xi had drunk the most, his eyes were darker than usual.

“Sir,” Lin Ruan said, his smile fading slightly. Looking at Zhan Xi seriously, he asked, “Am I your official wife?”

Zhan Xi paused. “Yes.”

“Are you proposing to me?” Lin Ruan’s eyes were clear, framing Zhan Xi’s figure perfectly.

“Then,” Zhan Xi’s voice trembling slightly, “are you willing to marry me?”

Lin Ruan tilted his head and thought for a moment. “I’ll listen to you, sir.”

Zhan Xi swallowed and slowly exhaled. There was no joy in his eyes.

“Lin Ruan,” he asked, “do you understand what marriage is? Do you know what it means?”

Lin Ruan didn’t understand, but he sensed Zhan Xi’s mood. He leaned closer, feeling uneasy about his emotions. “Sir.”

Zhan Xi looked into Lin Ruan’s uneasy eyes. A hidden, lingering resentment suddenly became clear. Zhan Xi closed his eyes, masking his negative emotions.

“It’s okay.” He opened his eyes, his usual composure restored. He pinched the back of Lin Ruan’s neck and kissed his forehead.

Behind him, the door stood open, and the guests all looked inward. At the half-open door, Zhan Xi lowered his head slightly and placed a gentle kiss on it. Even in this intimate gesture, Zhan Xi remained restrained.

The guests applauded the well-matched couple. Lin Ruan was still a little bewildered, but Zhan Xi appeared completely composed, as if nothing had happened and the entire banquet hall hadn’t witnessed it.

Zhan Xi walked back, holding Lin Ruan’s hand. The clamor and extravagance filled Lin Ruan’s ears. Zhan Xi’s gesture clearly meant that he didn’t want Lin Ruan to have time to think.

Fortunately, Lin Ruan excelled at pretentiousness and distraction. His mind raced with thoughts as he turned slightly to look at Zhan Xi.

I can imagine all sorts of things, yet I can’t understand what Master truly means. Looking at Zhan Xi’s handsome face, Lin Ruan suddenly remembered what Fang Chengze had said.

Maybe when he grows up and becomes an independent person, he’ll finally understand why Master hesitated to speak today.

Sigh. Lin Ruan thought. Master and love are both so tormenting.

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