“What? You do not welcome me? Then I will leave!” Ye Chu’s gaze fell on Zhang Su’er. Zhang Su’er’s pretty face flushed red, her eyes widened. She was indeed a beauty, no wonder Pang Shao was interested in her.
Seeing that Ye Chu really turned to leave, Zhang Su’er hurriedly shouted, “Stop!”
She actually wished Ye Chu would leave quickly, but she was afraid Su Rong would get angry because of it. After all, Su Rong had spent quite a bit of effort to invite this brat.
“So do you want me to stay here, or do you want me to leave?” Ye Chu looked at Zhang Su’er with a smile, leaning against the wall. His gaze was frivolous as it swept over Zhang Su’er’s chest and thighs.
“Come with me to see Su Rong!” Zhang Su’er took a few deep breaths, trying hard to calm herself. She thought arguing with this bastard would only bring trouble to herself.
“Let little Su Rong come see me,” Ye Chu said with a smile. His gaze moved toward the hall. Su Rong was surrounded by a group of people, and he did not want to join that commotion.
But Ye Chu’s single sentence immediately caused many people to glare angrily at him. The group of girlfriends beside Zhang Su’er were even more furious.
“Who does he think he is, asking our Su Rong to go see him!”
“Hmph! If Su Rong says a single word, who knows how many men will run over eagerly, yet he is still putting on airs!”
“Throw him out. Does this scum think he is amazing just because he has a bit of strength!”
“…”
A group of women scolded loudly, condemning Ye Chu. Liang Shan walked in and saw the scene. He could not help shrinking his neck and did not dare to get too close to Ye Chu, wondering how Ye Chu had angered this group of women so badly.
“Go on. Let little Su Rong come over,” Ye Chu said with a smile to Zhang Su’er as if he had not heard the insults. He turned around and looked out through the window at the cold lake that shone like a mirror. The cool breeze brushed against him, bringing a refreshing chill. Ye Chu’s thoughts could not help drifting back to West Lake from his previous life, which looked somewhat similar to the cold lake here.
The group of women who had been condemning Ye Chu looked at the quietly standing figure and exchanged glances. They had not expected that after being scolded so harshly, the scum of Yao City would endure it. Three years ago, was his temper not the most violent?
At this moment, Ye Chu stood with his back to them by the window. His whole person seemed to merge silently with the scenery of the lake and mountains. There was a hint of lonely calm about him, even a trace of charm. But once they thought about Ye Chu’s past behaviour, that feeling vanished instantly.
“I will go ask Su Rong,” Zhang Su’er shook her head. In the end she chose to inform Su Rong. The group of women beside her also stopped condemning Ye Chu for some reason.
Zhang Su’er passed Ye Chu’s words to Su Rong. Su Rong actually dismissed the group surrounding her and walked toward Ye Chu.
Seeing Ye Chu leaning by the window, looking across the cold lake and standing there quietly without a sound, Su Rong did not disturb him. Her gaze fell on his outstanding back. His figure was taller and straighter than before.
Thinking of the figure in the royal palace, Su Rong realised for the first time that Ye Chu was completely different from before. She could not see through him at all.
Ye Chu simply stood there, lonely as if he did not belong to this world. Su Rong thought that if Ye Chu’s reputation had not been ruined, with his current strength that mysterious back view would probably attract many women.
Su Rong walked to Ye Chu’s side and stood beside him by the window. She followed his gaze and saw him staring blankly at an arched bridge. She could not help asking, “What are you looking at?”
“I was thinking that calling this Five Ring Bridge the Broken Bridge might be better,” Ye Chu said with a smile to the beautiful woman beside him.
“Why?” Su Rong asked in confusion.
“Nothing,” Ye Chu smiled and gathered his thoughts. He could not possibly tell them the story of the Legend of the White Snake. “Why did you come to see me? To confess your love or to propose marriage?”
In an instant Ye Chu returned to that frivolous and unrestrained attitude, looking Su Rong up and down. The people beside them immediately began insulting him again for being shameless.
“Was it you that night?” Su Rong looked directly at Ye Chu and asked, her eyes fixed on him.
“Which night? What are you talking about?” Ye Chu pretended to be surprised and looked at Su Rong.
“Stop pretending,” Su Rong stared at him. “You know what I am talking about, you know which matter I mean.”
Ye Chu shook his head, shrugged, and said innocently, “I really do not know. Could it be…”
His eyes widened. He looked at Su Rong’s abdomen in disbelief and said, “It cannot be that ridiculous. You cannot even figure out something like that?”
“You remember now?” Su Rong looked at Ye Chu. “Was it you? And who was she?”
Ye Chu looked astonished. He shook his head and sighed. “What a strange story in this world. You are pregnant and you do not even know whose it is. You are not trying to make me take responsibility, are you? Let me tell you, these past nights I have not gone anywhere. I stayed at home cultivating myself. Do not expect me to be a cheap father. I think children are better created by their own parents.”
At first Su Rong did not understand. Then she finally reacted. Her face instantly turned bright red, her cheeks flushed and extremely charming. “What nonsense are you talking about?”
“You asked if it was me that night. If it is not about that, then what else could it be? What man would stay awake late at night if not for making babies?” Ye Chu shook his head and said seriously, “It really was not me. Do not expect me to take responsibility.”
Liang Shan listened to Ye Chu’s words with his mouth hanging open. Everyone stared blankly at Ye Chu and Su Rong. What did Ye Chu mean? Could Su Rong be pregnant? And she did not even know who the father was?
Seeing everyone looking at her, Su Rong wished she could slap Ye Chu to death. If people really believed his nonsense, her reputation would be completely ruined. A rumour repeated by three people becomes truth, she knew how terrifying rumours could be.
“No…” Su Rong shook her head and shouted angrily.
“It was not you?” Ye Chu said with an “oh”. “I knew it. In my heart you are still a fairly proper girl. How could you do something like that? If it is not you, then it must be your friend. Who is it?”
Su Rong wanted to interrupt and say something, but Ye Chu did not give her the chance. He sighed and said sorrowfully, “Women these days, morals are declining and people’s hearts are not what they used to be. They love circling around men, flirting and getting close, playing together only a few times before they start having romantic nights under the flowers and moon. They treat feelings like a game and have no self respect. Now they do not even know who the father of the child is. For girls like that I only want to say one thing, please contact me.”
“Pfft…”
Someone could not help spitting out a mouthful of water, staring dumbfounded at Ye Chu, who was criticising women in a righteous tone.
“What a bastard,” Liang Shan thought. Ye Chu had already become shameless beyond belief. Only he would dare say something like this. He was speaking so righteously here. Was he not afraid these women would hate him?
When the women heard the first part of Ye Chu’s speech, they were still scolding him for having no right to lecture others. But when they heard the last sentence, they almost burst out laughing. Then again, this was exactly the sort of behaviour expected from this scum. He could dream on. Even if someone lacked self respect, they would not come looking for him.
“You…” Only Su Rong stood there with a red face and ears burning. With Ye Chu joking and interrupting like this, she could no longer continue asking whether it had been him that night.