CHAPTER 536: CHAPTER 275: TAKE HIM TO SEE IT WITH HIS OWN EYES

"No!" Shi Fengming hurriedly said with a smile, "There will be many more times in the future when I’ll need to ask for your help, big brother. How could I be unwilling!"

When the respectful term "you" was used, Shi Fengju could not remember when he had ever been addressed so politely by his brother, and couldn’t help but feel a sourness in his heart. Seated in the carriage, he sighed and said, "Younger brother, no matter what you see later, you must listen to me!"

"Don’t worry, big brother, I’ll listen to you, I definitely will," Shi Fengming said, his heart filled with excitement. How could he think of anything else?

Shi Fengju couldn’t stand his obsequious manner and so said nothing more.

The carriage traveled for half an hour and stopped at a grand restaurant called Yangliu House, built amidst the verdant willows and peach forest by the West Lake, surrounded by fresh flowers and dotted with Taihu stones, with a pond excavated at the front to guide water from the West Lake and various colored lotuses planted within, inhabited by mandarin ducks, mallards, and other waterfowl. Behind the restaurant, close to West Lake, opening a window gave a view of a vast misty water landscape, broadening the horizon with pleasant scenery.

"Let’s go, let’s head inside!" Shi Fengju said as he stepped down from the carriage.

Shi Fengming finally sensed something amiss and gave his big brother a suspicious glance, then nodded and uttered an "oh" as he followed his brother’s pace.

Only the wealthy could afford to dine here. Hearing the sound of the carriage, the shopkeeper came out early to welcome them. Shi Fengju had held several banquets with colleagues here before and the shopkeeper recognized him, hurriedly coming forward to greet him with a smile.

Shi Fengju cordially exchanged pleasantries with him but did not introduce Shi Fengming, then followed the shopkeeper to a private room on the second floor that had been reserved in advance.

The windows were wide open, the lake glistened with silver light, and pleasure boats and painted barges floated gently on it, moving slowly and cutting through the jade water, dragging fish-scale like winding ripples. The distant mountains extended softly, enveloping the expansive lake with lush and verdant peaks adorned with pagodas, creating a deep and indescribable artistic conception from afar.

Although the scenery was beautiful and pleasing to the eye, Shi Fengming had none of the leisurely mood to enjoy it at this time. With a tentative smile, he said to Shi Fengju, "Big brother, did you—arrange to meet Qing’er here?"

Shi Fengju withdrew his gaze and smiled, "You can say that, yes!"

Shi Fengming sighed a little in relief and then said with a smile, "Had I known, I would have invited my sister-in-law. She would have liked the scenery here."

Shi Fengju snorted lightly and said, "Mind your own business about your sister-in-law! She knows what she likes without needing your input!"

Shi Fengming uttered an "oh" with some grievance, thinking to himself that his big brother’s words were heavy with jealousy. The sister-in-law was obviously a proper lady; how could he harbor any improper thoughts toward her? Tsk, tsk, what am I even thinking? Whether or not she’s a proper lady has nothing to do with what thoughts one might have, right? Sister-in-law is sister-in-law!

The clerk served a pot of fine Longjing tea, and Shi Fengju leisurely tasted it. But Shi Fengming, as he waited, became increasingly restless. It had been quite a while—why had Qing’er not arrived yet? Could she have gotten lost?

"Big brother, how about I go to the entrance to look around and, incidentally, welcome Qing’er?" Shi Fengming suddenly stood up.

"Sit down!" Shi Fengju said mildly, "Are you afraid she can’t find the place? Rest assured!"

Shi Fengming still wanted to persuade, but when he met Shi Fengju’s warning gaze and remembered the promise he had made, he could only sit down, disappointed.

Soon, the sound of footsteps and conversation came from the adjacent private room. Shi Fengju’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but he remained seated, unmoved.

Gradually, Shi Fengming’s face turned increasingly unsightly. The voice he heard was all too familiar—after living together for two years, he would recognize it even if it turned to ashes.

The flirtatious banter of a man and woman grew more lewd, and Shi Fengming’s forehead throbbed with veins, his fists trembling uncontrollably. He abruptly stood up, intending to rush over there.

Shi Fengju quickly grabbed his arm, his voice containing a warning, "Don’t cause trouble! Have you forgotten what I’ve told you?"

"How can this voice sound so alike? I need to go see exactly who it is!" Shi Fengming ground his teeth, his voice filled with endless shock and pain.

Shi Fengju stared at him with deep, still eyes, and said, "Haven’t you given up hope yet?"

Shi Fengming’s face turned ashen in an instant. He suddenly looked up, glaring at Shi Fengju and said, "You orchestrated this, didn’t you? It was you!"

Shi Fengju’s expression shifted subtly but remained composed, as he lightly said, "Can you hear any sign of her being forced?"

As if to prove Shi Fengju’s point, just in time, Su Qing’er’s giggle rang out—a laughter like silver bells that filled Shi Fengming’s ears, and he heard her clearly laugh and say, "You’re so annoying, official! Always teasing me!"