Volume 1, Chapter 49: Once Elder Sister Is Done Playing, It's Your Turn

"Sister Xiulan," Fan Xiu quickly pleaded for mercy, "I came here today because I have an important matter and need Miss Ying'er's help. Won't you please spare me this time?"

Guo Xiulan said with a wronged expression, "Fan Xiu, do you find me bothersome?"

"No," Fan Xiu quickly replied, "It's not that I find you bothersome. I... I look up to you as an elder sister!"

He certainly didn't dare to offend Guo Xiulan. What if she whispered a few malicious words about him to Su Ying'er? How would he ever discuss a cooperative venture with Su Ying'er then?

"Tee-hee!"

Guo Xiulan hugged Fan Xiu's arm and said, "I knew it! Sister likes you the most, too! You go ahead and chat with Sister Ying'er first, I'm going outside."

With that, she happily walked out of the room.

Only then did Fan Xiu let out a long sigh of relief. That was a close call. He had finally cleared this hurdle. The next time he saw Zhao Defu, he would have to remind him to keep his concubine in check. If this Guo Xiulan ever dared to provoke him again, he wouldn't mind taking matters into his own hands and having his way with her! Fan Xiu thought to himself with a vicious glint in his mind.

"Young Master Fan," Su Ying'er said, "Sister Xiulan is just naturally playful, but she isn't a bad person at heart."

"I understand, Miss Ying'er can rest assured," Fan Xiu nodded and said.

Su Ying'er poured a cup of water for Fan Xiu and said, "The poem Young Master Fan composed today left me deeply in admiration, especially the line 'Four hundred and eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties, how many towers and pavilions in the misty rain.' It is filled with a sense of lingering sorrow and helplessness. It seems Young Master Fan has a profound study of the Southern Liang dynasty."

Fan Xiu gave a light cough, accepted the teacup from Su Ying'er, and said, "Study would be too strong a word; I merely possess a slight understanding. I have made a fool of myself before an expert."

Su Ying'er smiled and said, "I heard that Young Master Fan has also invented a snack called cold skin noodles, which is remarkably delicious. Not only is Young Master astonishingly talented, but you are even able to create such a culinary delight. It truly commands my utmost admiration."

Fan Xiu dismissively replied, "Miss Ying'er flatters me too much. It was merely a means to make a living. The reason I came today is precisely because of this matter."

Su Ying'er cast a surprised look at Fan Xiu. In the past, other men, even upon merely seeing her, would blindly try to show off or attempt to make improper advances. Yet Fan Xiu showed none of these behaviors whatsoever; instead, he actually wanted to discuss business with her?

It was only then that Su Ying'er recalled how exceptionally clear and bright Fan Xiu's gaze had been ever since he entered the room. There was no flattery, no sycophancy, no greed, and certainly no desire. All that remained was pure appreciation.

This was completely different from other men who looked at her as if they could devour her whole!

From the moment she met Fan Xiu until now, she had already witnessed several different facets of him. There was his rascal-like, shameless demeanor when facing Liu Wenyang. There was his quick-witted adaptability when encountering Mother Ma. There was the profoundness and vicissitudes he displayed while composing poetry. But when facing Guo Xiulan, he transformed into someone completely helpless. And now, when facing her, he appeared incomparably solemn and earnest.

Just what kind of person was this Fan Xiu?

"Young Master Fan, do tell, what is this matter that brought you here specifically to see me?" Su Ying'er asked curiously.

Fan Xiu sighed and said, "You also know that I wish to run a cold skin noodle business, but unfortunately, Scholar Liu Wenyang claims that I am abandoning scholarly pursuits for commerce, which smears the reputation of scholars. He led a group of students to boycott the cold skin noodles, causing many people to be afraid to eat them anymore."

Su Ying'er did not interrupt Fan Xiu; instead, she refilled his teacup.

Fan Xiu drained it in one gulp and said, "Therefore, Miss Ying'er, I would like to invite you to step forward and help advertise my cold skin noodles. I wonder what Miss Ying'er thinks of this proposal?"

"Ad... advertisement? What is an advertisement?" Su Ying'er asked, puzzled.

Fan Xiu explained, "It means making a widespread public announcement! To put it simply, I would like to invite you to have a meal at the Knowing Flavor Pavilion, letting everyone in the city know about it. That way, people will no longer pay attention to those pedantic scholars led by Liu Wenyang."

Su Ying'er bit her lip lightly and smiled faintly. "Young Master Fan, the poem you recited earlier was in response to my work, but if you want me to step in and help, what kind of sincerity can you bring to the table?"

"How much money do you want?" Fan Xiu's heart skipped a beat. He didn't have much money on hand. However, that fellow Zhao Defu certainly did, so he could squeeze some funds out of him. After all, if Su Ying'er went to the Knowing Flavor Pavilion, not only would the cold skin noodles sell like wildfire, but his entire restaurant business would also thrive once again.

Su Ying'er shook her head. "This young lady does not want money. What I want is for Young Master Fan to write another poem for me."

"Ah? Write another poem?" Fan Xiu asked in surprise.

"Young Master Fan need not be anxious," Su Ying'er smiled. "This poem is not required right now. When Young Master travels to the capital in the future, you may simply write the poem and present it to me then."

Fan Xiu nodded. "That's not a problem. When will Miss Ying'er have the time? We need to make some preparations."

"Let us set it for tomorrow at noon."

"Very well, then I shall take my leave."

With that, Fan Xiu stood up, cupped his fists in salute, and turned to walk out.

Su Ying'er looked at Fan Xiu's retreating figure with a gaze full of bewilderment. What did this fellow mean? Other men meeting her would linger endlessly, refusing to leave even when chased away, usually requiring the staff to politely escort them out. Yet this Fan Xiu came purely to talk business? The moment the talk concluded, he turned around and left? Not even a polite parting remark?

Could her charm possibly be that poor?

Not only her, but Guo Xiulan outside the door was also shocked and wide-eyed when she saw Fan Xiu emerge so quickly.

"Fan Xiu, why are you out so soon?" Guo Xiulan asked, puzzled.

Fan Xiu cupped his fists and said, "Sister Xiulan, my business inside has already been discussed."

"You've discussed it, and you're not going to stay and chat a little longer?"

"We've already finished discussing," Fan Xiu replied. "I have other matters to attend to, so I must be going."

With that, he bid farewell and departed directly.

Guo Xiulan blinked at Fan Xiu's retreating back. Then, she hurriedly pushed open the door to Su Ying'er's room and walked inside.

The two women looked at each other.

"Sister Ying'er, did you chase him out?" Guo Xiulan asked.

Su Ying'er took a sip of tea and said helplessly, "Why would I chase him out?"

"Then why did he leave so in a hurry?"

"I'm wondering the same thing."

Saying this, Su Ying'er picked up the bronze mirror nearby with a puzzled look and examined her appearance. The reflection in the mirror was as radiant and moving as ever, so much so that even she herself adored it. But what was wrong with Fan Xiu?

Guo Xiulan said with a face full of suspicion, "Sister Ying'er, could that Fan Xiu... not be a real man?"

A faint flush appeared on Su Ying'er's cheeks, and she remained silent.

Guo Xiulan rubbed her chin and calculated, "That's entirely possible! Otherwise, why hasn't he reacted at all when I've seduced him time and time again? I must find an opportunity to test him! Once sister tests him and confirms he's fine, I'll pass him on to you!"

Su Ying'er shook her head helplessly. It seemed this Sister Xiulan was truly determined to capture Fan Xiu.

Fan Xiu remained completely unaware of the scheming between Guo Xiulan and Su Ying'er. At this moment, he had returned to the first-floor lobby. The people in the lobby had not yet dispersed, as less than five minutes had passed from the time he went upstairs until now. Even Liu Wenyang was still there.

When these people saw Fan Xiu coming down so quickly, they all stared at him in astonishment.

Liu Wenyang wore an expression of utmost disdain as he laughed mockingly, "What? Great Scholar Fan, were you kicked out by Miss Ying'er? Haha!"