NOVPUB
Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Lord Mu, Do You Like Me?
Boom boom!
Bang bang bang!
Zhan Lan followed the sounds and looked up to see fireworks blossoming in the sky.
The resounding booms brightened the dark night.
The colorful fireworks sparkled like little stars.
Fireworks cascaded down from the firmament like waterfalls, like stars, dazzling and mesmerizing.
Mu Yan glanced at her sideways. Stars twinkled in Zhan Lan’s eyes, her cheeks flushed pink from drinking, and she looked unusually adorable, unlike her usual self.
Suddenly, Zhan Lan said excitedly, "Lord Mu, look! Although we didn’t see any shooting stars, we’ve seen the fireworks!"
She smiled and turned to look, only to see Mu Yan looking at her with intense, passionate eyes.
Zhan Lan then pieced together everything that had happened that day.
Mu Yan had invited her for drinks, to listen to the opera, and now, out of the blue, he brought her to watch fireworks.
The fireworks seemed to be before her eyes; this was the best vantage point—at Wangjiang Building, they had the clearest view.
Although she was a little tipsy now, she still retained a sense of rationality.
If she could not feel Mu Yan’s intentions now, then she would be truly foolish.
Zhan Lan stumbled forward a step toward Mu Yan, and when their eyes met, Mu Yan’s expression softened somewhat.
Zhan Lan tilted her head and cunningly smiled, prodding Mu Yan’s chest with her index finger, "Lord Mu, do you like me?"
Mu Yan’s face instantly grew cold, along with the fervor in his eyes.
The word "like" was foreign to him.
Having his feelings punctured by Zhan Lan, Mu Yan felt frustrated. When it came to acting, he was better than anyone—an ordinary girl would never see through him.
He didn’t particularly like Zhan Lan; he just found her mysterious and interesting.
Mu Yan scoffed coldly, holding her index finger and stepping closer to Zhan Lan, "Miss Zhan, you’re overthinking!"
Under Mu Yan’s imposing presence, Zhan Lan stepped back, somewhat embarrassed, "Just joking, being Lord Mu’s woman is no easy feat."
Upon hearing Zhan Lan’s words, Mu Yan’s face turned even colder.
He let go of Zhan Lan’s hand and said petulantly, "The Seal Keeper does not wish to be constrained by a woman!"
Zhan Lan nodded dizzily, and both were silent for a moment, looking up at the continuously blooming fireworks in the sky.
Zhan Lan watched the fireworks distractedly, thinking: If Mu Yan is not helping her because he likes her, then why is he closing the gap between them—what is his purpose?
They say gratuitous favors suggest ulterior motives.
Perhaps Mu Yan approaches her to get closer to the Zhan Family.
Zhan Lan turned her gaze from the distance to look at the sharply contoured profile of Mu Yan’s face.
She took out several silver notes from her bosom.
"Lord Mu, here are thirty thousand silver notes. It’s not a lot, but consider it partial repayment of your kindness."
Mu Yan frowned as he looked at Zhan Lan, who, though drunk, was not inebriated; there was a distance in her eyes.
The two fell silent, Zhan Lan extended her hand with the silver notes, but Mu Yan did not reach to take them.
The singing of Little White Dove floated to their ears.
Mu Yan stepped closer to Zhan Lan, looking disdainfully at the thirty thousand silver in her hand, "Zhan Lan, this amount cannot repay the Seal Keeper’s kindness!"
Zhan Lan withdrew the silver, "Fine, Lord Mu, I’ll repay you in full when I have the opportunity!"
Mu Yan nodded lightly, "Very well!"
Emotions churned in Zhan Lan’s heart; perhaps Mu Yan was still the same old profit-driven Yan.
Her gaze fell upon the commoners downstairs.
The people excitedly turned their eyes toward Wangjiang Lake, where, on a large boat in the center of the lake,
fireworks erupted continuously.
And on the mast sail of that pleasure boat, the big character "Mu" was exceptionally eye-catching.
"It’s Lord Mu’s pleasure boat!"
"He’s setting off fireworks for the woman he’s taken a liking to!"
"Ah, we are really basking in that girl’s glory today!"
Someone beside them deflate the mood, "I actually feel sorry for that girl, you all know Lord Mu’s reputation; he might fall for another woman any minute!"
"Yes, like these transient fireworks, which scion of a noble family doesn’t keep multiple wives and concubines!"
"Right, with Lord Mu’s luxurious lifestyle, who knows where all that silver comes from!"
"Tsks tsks tsks!"
Vermilion Bird frowned, listening to the few troublemakers speak.
These people did not seem like ordinary folks, but rather as if they came specifically to smear the Master’s reputation.
Although the Master had a bad reputation in the court, there were not many commoners who would dare such reckless criticism.
Vermilion Bird quietly had a few people keep an eye on them.
...
The fifth floor of Wangjiang Building was opened by the young servants.
"Who’s setting off fireworks?" Zhan Hui stood up and leaned out the window.
"Brother, I want to watch!" Zhan Rui scurried over with small, quick steps, clinging to Zhan Hui’s clothing.
"Brother, I want to see too!" Zhan Heng also ran over, grabbing Zhan Hui’s hand.
"Alright, alright!" Zhan Hui first lifted Zhan Rui and then picked up Zhan Heng with one hand, holding the two kids in his arms as he doted on them, "Let’s go downstairs to watch!"
"Yay!"
"Let’s watch the fireworks!"
The two little ones excitedly clapped their hands.
Zhan Xuerou looked at the fireworks filling the sky, and although the viewing platform blocked the view, she could still see some.
She looked excitedly towards Zhan Beicang, "Daddy, these fireworks are..."
Zhan Beicang had just taken a swig of wine, and upon hearing Zhan Xuerou’s words, he said gravely, "So many fireworks, how much silver must they have cost!"
"Right now, there are still so many refugees without homes, unable to eat their fill or dress warmly, while the rich rot in luxury; who knows which rich second generation is squandering his father’s money!"
Zhan Beicang looked disdainfully at the bursting fireworks.
The young servant awkwardly replied, "General, it’s my Master who, having invited important guests today, especially set off fireworks for that Miss."
Zhan Beicang did not speak; he was thinking about visiting the wounded soldiers tomorrow, comforting the families of the soldiers, and also checking on those refugees.
If it weren’t for his daughter’s birthday today, he really wouldn’t want to come to such a luxurious place like Wangjiang Building!
Hearing her father’s words, Zhan Xuerou’s mood plummeted; she had thought that this was a surprise prepared by her father for her.
To think that it was actually the Master of Wangjiang Building, setting off fireworks for a woman’s favor.
Daddy is so incorruptible in his life, can’t he enjoy life a bit?
Zhan Xuerou listened to the booming sound of the fireworks, feeling agitated, when suddenly, Zhan Hui took his younger siblings and went downstairs.
He had barely walked a hundred steps when he saw a familiar figure.
He awkwardly thought to avoid her, but Zhan Rui waved her little hand and called out, "Sister Chu Yin! We’re here!"
Chu Yin was holding a fan, cooling herself; two maids followed behind her, and Zhan Rui quickly toddled over, hugging Chu Yin’s legs.
"Ah, little cute Zhan Rui, what brings you here?" Chu Yin squatted down and smiled, gently touching Zhan Rui’s cheek.
Standing not far away, Zhan Hui rubbed his brow—his younger siblings seemed very fond of Chu Yin.
He watched as Zhan Heng also let go of his hand and ran towards Chu Yin.
"Sister!"
