Chapter 6 V2 : The Self-Defeat of Enlightenmen (1/2)

“How could you say that?” Gu Fangzi had never expected him to respond in such a way. Even though he said it jokingly, her heart still experienced a wave of unspeakable grief. She felt both offended and uncomfortable. Crouching on the spot, she sobbed and hugged both her legs tightly.

“Why are you crying?” Shi Fengju had always liked teasing her, but this time, she might have taken the joke too seriously and cried. Panicky, he immediately tried to coax her, “Fang’er, Fang’er, don’t cry. Please don’t cry, ah. What I said was just to tease you. Why did you take it so seriously and cry? My good Fang’er, please don’t put me on the spot! You know I’ll never love anyone except you, so please don’t cry.”

Gu Fangzi grunted softly and turned away from Shi Fengju, refusing to look at him. Only after he had coaxed her for a long time did she finally reply. “How could you joke about that? You… you already know that she — how could you use that to tease me?”

Seeing that she was alright now, Shi Fengju chuckled. “Still angry at me? Wasn’t it you who started it? Did you hear yourself when you said those unpleasant words before?”

She stared sternly at him and became silent. Then, with a grin on her face, she giggled softly. “You only know how to annoy and bully me! I’m so silly to let you bully me…” With that, her voice eventually became softer and her shyness was exposed as she turned her body towards him. The girl’s coyness was indeed moving.

Shi Fengju’s heart was overcome with warmth and he sighed softly, “Fang’er, I won’t bully you anymore, so next time, don’t say such silly words!”

Gu Fangzi’s bittersweet heart couldn’t help but feel discontent. You won’t bully me? You marrying Sang Wan into the Shi family is equivalent to bullying me! If you really meant what you said, you would have disapproved of the marriage! Whether that will affect the Sang family’s reputation or not, what does that have to do with you? What does it have to do with the Shi family?

Of course, those were only Gu Fangzi’s thoughts. On the surface, however, her face displayed a sweet smile and she softly said, “En,” to show that she agreed with him. Looking directly at Shi Fengju, she said, “Big Cousin, hearing those words is enough for me. I am a very naive person, so I’ll take your words and remember them for a lifetime!”

“Of course. Forever.” Shi Fengju smiled and nodded.

Her eyes flickered and her once steady gaze wavered. Her gaze, which carried a trace of distrust and apprehension, revealed her emotions.

“Actually, Cousin-in-law Sang Wan really isn’t that bad.” Gu Fangzi understood what he was hinting at and added slyly, “I’m sure she must have scored a few points in your heart, am I right?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Astonished, Shi Fengju exclaimed, “How could you think that way?” His heart had always belonged to her. All these years, he had only had eyes for her and his heart had yearned for only her. Never had his eyes left her, so how could she say that to him?

“Okay, okay. Just take it as I’m wrong!” Seeing his cold face, she couldn’t help but feel remorse as he was indeed angry. Gu Fangzi immediately apologized for being suspicious of him.

However, deep within, a shadow of doubt still remained. They had grown up together and thus she knew him all too well. The day when the marriage date had been set and especially the day before her cousin-in-law had married into the Shi family, Shi Fengju’s expression had been unsightly and cold. But today, that cold expression had completely vanished! His eyes were calm and poised, which made her feel uneasy as if something was very amiss.

Since the marriage had been arranged by the elders, the matter of Sang Wan marrying into the family was already decided. Gu Fangzi had already accepted that fact long ago. She was neither afraid nor worried, as she believed that Shi Fengju was not a heartless and unfaithful person. The bond that both of them shared was not something that could be easily broken. The arrival of Sang Wan into the family was not something that could change that fact, even if she were an angel dispatched by heaven!

So what if she had stepped into the Shi family and became a couple with Shi Fengju? The war had only just begun. Who could say that she had lost?

But for the time being, it seemed like she was a little too careless!

“In the future, don’t be cranky!” Shi Fengju sighed.

“It is only because I care for you!” Gu Fangzi pouted. “Are… are you really sure your heart won’t waver. You won’t like her?”

“Of course I won’t!” Shi Fengju answered firmly.

With that, Gu Fangzi felt delighted. “Then, do you have anything you would like to say to me?”

Startled, he almost blurted out the secret between him and Sang Wan to Gu Fangzi. However, he managed to control himself. Not because he did not trust Gu Fangzi, but because he was confident that the world was not foolproof. Naturally, the fewer people who knew of their secret the better. Also, since a year would soon be over anyway, letting the cat out of the bag now wouldn’t be such a wise idea.

Giving her a surprise in the future would also be good!

With that in mind, Shi Fengju held back the urge to tell Gu Fangzi and smiled, “Only that, I will not be unfaithful to you.”

“En!” Although disappointed, she felt happy inside and nodded with a broad smile on her face.

After the vindication between her and Shi Fengju, she half-jokingly asked, “Well, since my cousin-in-law just got married into the Shi family, don’t you want to go back and spend some time with her?”

A hesitant tone to express her unwillingness and dismay, and the gentle words to show her benevolence. Those were the principles she wanted him to see; to see the good side of her.

“That will not be necessary.” Shi Fengju shook his head and spoke without hesitation. Deep within, both of them knew they weren’t even an actual couple to begin with. What’s more, she might not even want him to always be by her side.