Bai Qingqing flashed a bright smile, full of familiarity. "If I don't hold you back, are you really going to waste your breath on them? What a perfect day, such a wonderful poetry gathering, a place of talent and wisdom. It's a shame to waste time on them."
She moved a little closer to Mo Kexin. "I overheard a bit, were you standing up for me?"
Mo Kexin immediately blushed, jumping in place. "Who’s standing up for you! Don't flatter yourself! I just—I just can't stand their attitude!"
"I get it, I get it. I’m just asking, there’s no need to be embarrassed."
"I’m not embarrassed!"
Mo Kexin wanted to explain with all her might, but Bai Qingqing’s indulgent and considerate demeanor only made her more frustrated.
"As for their thoughts and schemes, I don’t care. I wasn’t planning on getting involved with the Fu family anyway. Look at this poetry gathering…"
Bai Qingqing pointed to the crowd not far away. Mo Kexin glanced over, puzzled, and heard her continue, "Talented youths everywhere, I heard there will be… what’s-his-name, and what’s-his-name, both famous, unmatched scholars! We just don’t get out enough, our horizons are too narrow. When we see someone, we think they're dragons among men, but honestly, once you’ve seen more, they’re nothing special."
After she finished speaking, she noticed Mo Kexin staring at her with a strange look. "You’re not like before."
"Really? So, do you prefer the old me, or the new me?"
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The corners of Bai Qingqing's soft pink lips seemed to have a magical effect, and Mo Kexin blurted out unconsciously, "Well, I prefer the current you... wait, why would I like you?"
She realized what she said and her forehead twitched, but when she saw Bai Qingqing looking hurt, one hand pressed to her chest, she was taken aback.
"But I quite like you, you don’t like me? Why not? What’s wrong with me? Take another look."
She didn’t know why she had fled in such a panic. As she walked further away, she seemed to hear Bai Qingqing’s laughter behind her, but she didn’t dare to turn back and confirm it.
Bai Qingqing couldn’t stop laughing. "I never thought Mo Kexin could be this interesting. What a loss, what a loss."
Zi Dai shook her head helplessly. "Miss, why did you tease Miss Mo? You’ve scared her off."
"I wasn’t teasing her, I really do like her. A temperament like hers is rare, it shouldn’t be disturbed by little loves and infatuations."
"But what if she’s truly deeply in love with Young Master Fu and can’t let go?"
"That’s why I want her to broaden her horizons. Didn’t we have all sorts of young masters here today? Perhaps after seeing them, she’ll realize that there’s always someone better, and countless talented people in the world. Why limit herself to just one? Isn’t that a pity?"
Bai Qingqing, feeling free to speak her mind since there was no one around, was suddenly interrupted by a soft laugh. Her expression changed, and she looked around. She soon saw someone leisurely stepping out from behind a corner, greeting her before she could speak. "I wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping, it’s just… I came first."
Bai Qingqing then noticed that the corner behind the wall was a resting spot for people. Judging by the tea cups on the stone table, it was clear that he had been there for quite some time.
One should never rebuke a person with a smiling face. His demeanor was so pleasant, and his appearance so handsome and refined, with a gentle tone, it was hard not to feel a sense of goodwill.
"I must have disturbed Young Master’s leisure. I owe you an apology."
Bai Qingqing just wanted to leave quickly. Thinking of what she had just said, her toes curled up inside her embroidered shoes.