Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Frowning in Anger (2/2)

“How about this, old woman, you go change your clothes. I’ve walked for a while and am a bit tired too. I’ll just sit and rest on that stone bench over there, waiting for you to come back,” Su Wenyue said, pointing at a stone bench near an osmanthus tree ahead. Aunt Li considered it and had no choice but to help Su Wenyue sit on the stone bench before hurrying to change into dry clothes and return.

Sure enough, Su Wenyue felt tired. She leaned against the osmanthus tree behind the stone bench and rubbed her stomach. It was already August, and as the breeze blew, some osmanthus petals fell down, bringing bursts of fragrance that was really pleasant to smell. The nauseous feeling that had been lingering in her heart suddenly eased a lot, and her mood improved as well. A serene smile appeared on her face.

When Sikong Ling arrived, the beautiful scene before him was what he saw: the slightly bulging stomach did not detract from the beauty of the picture; instead, it added a touch of the gentleness of humanity. Sikong Ling watched almost mesmerized until he met Su Wenyue’s fierce glare and her forbidding expression, which brought him back to reality.

Su Wenyue had not expected to encounter Sikong Ling here, and considering all the unexpected events at Lingyin Temple today, coupled with what she knew of Sikong Ling’s character and tactics, she immediately became suspicious. She suspected that both Han Yu and Aunt Li had been lured away by Sikong Ling’s people. However, these were just her suspicions, without evidence; moreover, in this life, it was her ‘first time’ meeting Sikong Ling face to face, so she couldn’t confront him with these doubts.

“Who are you? Why are you staring at me like that? Don’t you know it’s rude to stare? You look like someone from a reputable family, and yet you don’t even understand the most basic principles,” Su Wenyue said coldly. She did not like Sikong Ling, and even if he had wronged her in her previous life, she only saw him as a cold and emotionless person. While she didn’t hate him—since they were just using each other for their own needs—she was certainly repelled by him, and even too lazy to speak with him.

“My dear madam, do not be upset. I did not know you were here; I simply came to rest my legs. If I have disturbed you, please forgive me! However, I do not agree with what you said just now. I am not a lowly human, and of course, I know that it’s impolite to stare. It’s just… you are so stunningly beautiful that I was caught off guard and stared in amazement. The love for beauty is natural, and my reaction was only human, nothing else. Please do not take offense,” Sikong Ling replied, with a smile on his face that appeared completely harmless as he looked at Su Wenyue innocently, causing her to feel momentarily disoriented as if taken back to a moment in the past. Yet, she quickly snapped out of it, her expression growing even colder. This man was using his ‘charm’ to manipulate again.

“Now that you know, leave swiftly. Would you rather I call for help?” Su Wenyue’s voice grew colder still.

Sikong Ling wasn’t frazzled by Su Wenyue’s words. The people had been dismissed by his command, and if any servants or maids of Su Wenyue came near, he would be the first to know.

“I have never met you before, madam, so why do I feel that you bear such hostility towards me, as if you greatly dislike me? Have I offended you in some way?” Sikong Ling asked, still wearing that inoffensive smile and innocently looking at Su Wenyue, who felt a brief confusion as if she had returned to a certain moment in the past. But she quickly regained her composure, her face growing uglier by the second. This scoundrel was using ‘beauty’ to confuse people again.

“Because you, as a person, are inherently dislikeable. Just the sight of you disgusts me. Are you satisfied with this answer?!” Su Wenyue said, then stood up with the support of the tree trunk. Seeing that Sikong Ling had no intention of leaving, she decided she might as well go. However, Sikong Ling stepped forward without letting Su Wenyue pass.

“What are you doing? Move aside!” Su Wenyue faced him with furrowed brows and rage, but Sikong Ling seemed to find her anger quite charming.

“Why the rush to leave, madam? I still have questions that I wish to ask you.”