Chapter 677: Chapter 678: Extra – Do You Have Someone You Like? _1 Chapter 677: Chapter 678: Extra – Do You Have Someone You Like? _1 Zhong Yulang snorted softly, “I’ll consider it.”

Muniang said irritably, “Who’s the boss here? When the boss asks you to go on a business trip, you’re all hesitant!”

Zhong Yulang hooked his lips into a smile, “Then how about I quit being the boss?

Muniang hurriedly said, “Oh come on, just consider it, okay? I’ve always been very understanding!”

Muniang resentfully bit her teeth, this kid was now using this as a threat against her. Zhong Yulang could do the work of two people; she would be reluctant to let him go!

With a “dong,” the gong sounded, and the play began. This time, it was Chen Yuhua’s first attempt at a role with a significant contrast. After Muniang had typecast her with a fairy-like quality, she had been practicing her acting, hoping for a breakthrough. This time, she was playing a cold-blooded female assassin. Muniang watched her performance leisurely, feeling quite impressed.

This girl really was a treasure Muniang had discovered. If she had remained constrained by her fairy-like roles and unable to break free, she would have only been popular for a few years. But looking at her now, completely transformed, it was clear she would continue to keep her popularity with anew shock of wonder.

“Yuhua is a good girl, shame she hasn’t found a good family to marry into. She’s also missed the best time for marriage now. Who knows if she’ll be able to find a decent home in the future,” Muniang mused, seemingly indifferent.

Chen Yuhua was already twenty by now, her features fully matured. She had lost her youthful naivety and gained a touch of charming allure, becoming much more beautiful.

Zhong Yulang, while watching the performance onstage, took a sip of tea before speaking, “She’s in the prime of her popularity right now, marrying would not be good for her. Given her fame in the Daqian Dynasty, even when she is thirty, if she decided to marry, suitors would likely be breaking down her door.”

Zhong Yulang was stating the truth; there were many admirers of Chen Yuhua in the Daqian Dynasty, and those who wanted to marry her were even more numerous. If she truly wanted to get married, it wouldn’t be a problem at all.

“But Yuhua must have someone she likes, right? Marrying someone she doesn’t love, how could she be happy?” Muniang probed, “What do you think?”

“If one doesn’t marry the person they love, being happy isn’t certain either.”

Muniang was taken aback; Zhong Yulang’s reply was so decisive, not leaving any room for doubt. She didn’t understand, having portrayed lovers with Chen Yuhua for so long, was he really not the least bit moved?

“Zhong Yulang, do you have someone you like?”

Zhong Yulang replied calmly, “Yes.”

Muniang had expected him to either say “Are you sick?” or simply “No,” but was genuinely surprised when he admitted it!

Muniang swallowed hard and leaned in, driven by curiosity, “Is it Miss Chen?”

“No.”

“Then is it Dong?”

Zhong Yulang’s icy gaze fell on Muniang, and she hurriedly laughed awkwardly, “Heh heh, just joking, why so serious?”

Zhong Yulang said impatiently, “See for yourself, I don’t have time to entertain you.”

“Hey, remember to think carefully about going to Puhai, okay? We should keep business and personal separate, right?” Muniang called after him in a hurry.

Zhong Yulang didn’t respond and went straight out the door, closing it behind him.

Muniang ground her teeth in frustration, his temperament was becoming more stubborn! But, he said he liked someone— who could it be?

The curtain of night had already descended, and the last performance of the evening at Mei Garden had ended. The once noisy Mei Garden gradually calmed down.

Zhong Yulang had gone back to his room early to pack his things. He owned a private house elsewhere, but during the busy times at Mei Garden, he would still stay in the rooms behind the theater for convenience.

Which popular actor in Mei Garden didn’t have money? Muniang always treated them generously, especially Zhong Yulang with his unique status—not only was he a star performer, but he was also considered a half-owner of the theater. Wasn’t he the one managing everything in Mei Garden? So, his purse was actually quite full, and in Qinghua City, he was definitely considered a wealthy man.

He had always been a man of simplicity and clarity; even his clothing tended to be modest. Packing, too, was straightforward for him—he only took a few sets of clothes to change into and casually picked up a few books from the bookshelf that he liked to read in his spare time.

As Zhong Yulang felt around the inner part of the cabinet, he came across an unmounted painting. The paper seemed quite old, but it was extremely well-preserved, without the slightest damage.

“Zhong Yulang, do you have someone you like?”

Remembering her question from that morning, Zhong Yulang slowly unfolded the painting. A charming girl emerged on the paper, her radiant smile holding a fox-like slyness. The person he liked had always been her.

No one knew this secret, for no one could discern his feelings.

He was a rational man, and even more so, a wise one. Qiao Muniang’s heart only had room for that man. If he were to openly express his own feelings, it would only lead to her distancing herself from him. If that were the case, he would rather keep it hidden.

He was cold to everyone, even more so to her, so nobody knew who he truly cared about. If he could continue like this, letting her trust and rely on him without reserve, he would be content. Perhaps one day, he too could find his own happiness, someone who could replace the little woman in his heart. But when and where that would be, he had never known. At this moment, he still only wished to guard his little secret and feel her joys and sorrows.

Suddenly, he heard a few light taps at the door: “Zhong.”

It was Chen Yuhua’s voice.

Zhong Yulang placed the painting back into the inner part of the bookshelf before saying, “Come in.”

As Chen Yuhua entered, she noticed his packed belongings, and a glint flashed in her eyes: “Have you decided to go to Puhai?”

“Yes.”

Chen Yuhua handed him a purse: “This is an amulet I prayed for in the mountain temple. Take it with you. It’s for your safety. The journey is long, take good care of yourself.”

Zhong Yulang looked down at the purse, the fine embroidery clearly her own work, and did not take it: “I don’t really believe in these things. You keep it for yourself.”

A hint of disappointment flashed in Chen Yuhua’s eyes as she reluctantly said, “Alright then. When will you return from this trip?”

“I don’t know, it might take half a year. I’ll arrange for someone to take care of Mei Garden’s matters, don’t worry.”

Chen Yuhua wanted to say more, but she truly didn’t know how to broach another topic. Zhong Yulang always managed to end the conversation with the briefest of words.

With a somewhat disheartened bow of her head, Chen Yuhua said, “Then you go on with your work. I’ll go out first.”

With that, she turned to leave, but suddenly, Zhong Yulang said, “Miss Chen.”

A flicker of joy arose in Chen Yuhua’s heart. Was he holding her back?

“What is it?” Chen Yuhua quickly turned around.

Zhong Yulang’s gaze was lowered as he slowly said, “In the future, you’ll meet a better man. I’m not worth all this. I don’t want to hold you back.”