Chapter 68
Book 7 Chap 1 – So near and yet so far
As everyone in the hall waited expectantly, Ji Yanran flitted in and accompanying her is the current expert of astronomy, his old friend Zou Yan.
Ji Yanran has lost some weight but it has not affected her beauty at all. Besides, her freshness and purity is something that no one can win against.
Zhao Ya and Zhao Zhi are all outstanding beauties but when compared to her, they immediately paled in comparison.
There’s a little more sadness in Ji Yanran’s pretty eyes, and who knows if it may be because she misses him.
Zou Yan on the other hand looks energetic as he accompanied Ji Yanran into the main hall.
Xiang Shaolong was afraid that Ji Yanran would recognize his build so he hurriedly hid behind Zhao Ba and Zhao Zhi.
Zhao Mu who was dumbfounded on seeing her finally regained his senses and stepped forward, saying loudly, "Welcome, Learned Lady Ji and Mister Zou, for coming."
Everyone can’t help but lean nearer towards the entrance, to take a look at this beauty famed for her looks and intellect.
Xiang Shaolong was instead pushed out of the way.
Zhao Zhi’s voice rang next to his ear, "Mister Dong!"
At this time Zhao Mu was introducing Ji Yanran and Zou Yan to the guests one by one and Xiang Shaolong was startled as he turned around to look at Zhao Zhi who was behind him. He saw that her pretty eyes were gleaming as she stared deeply at him so he hurriedly smiled and asked, "Miss Zhao has something to say?"
Zhao Zhi replied gently, "Mister looks really like someone I know!" Xiang Shaolong was relieved and knows that Jing Jun has only leaked a little news, he did not reveal everything at all so he pretended to look interested and asked, "Would that be Miss Zhao’s lover?"
His words are obviously teasing as he knows that Zhao Zhi will definitely not be able to take it and he’ll thank his lucky stars if she will henceforth ignore him. However, Zhao Zhi’s pretty face blushed instead as she lowered her head with shyness. She suddenly shook her head and walked away.
Ji Yanran’s laughter could be heard tinkling from the crowd over there. However Xiang Shaolong is breaking out in cold sweat. What is this all about? Isn’t Zhao Zhi in love with Jing Jun? Then why does she look as if she has feelings for him, and wouldn’t that make him Jing Jun’s rival in love? If she doesn’t like Jing Jun, why is she returning his letters?
Just as he was feeling numb, it was now Zhao Ya’s turn to look for him.
Zhao Ya had an obviously jealous expression yet she pretended to be nonchalant and said, "Everyone is in a hurry to get to know Ji Yanran but why is Mister hiding here?"
Xiang Shaolong’s hatred towards her was still strong so he deliberately made fun of her, going near her ear and whispering in a coa.r.s.e voice, "I am naturally astoundingly attractive to women, if I let Ji Yanran get close to me, she will definitely not be able to retrain her feelings so it’s better that I stay away."
Zhao Ya was stunned on hearing it. To think that there is such a thick-skinned man in the world who will boast of his charm towards women, especially when the recipient of his speech is a woman like her, isn’t he insinuating that she is also offering herself because she could not resist his lure?
She almost wanted to leave in anger but her pretty legs won’t listen to her, insisting on staying put. Even though he insulted her, she seems to feel a m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.tic joy in it.
Looking at how uncertain and sad her pretty face looked, Xiang Shaolong felt a sense of accomplishment and added on, "I’m even more afraid of bedding women, because once those women had a taste of my prowess and the joy, I guarantee that they will not be able to leave me. Hai! That would really be a headache."
Zhao Ya was absolutely flabbergasted. There’s not a single person whom she has just met would dare to say such shameless and dirty words to her. But of all things this person has said something, which she felt, is so moving to the core ever since she met Xiang Shaolong.
She was absolutely confused and unconsciously said, "But all men wants to get Learned Lady Ji’s heart and body, why is Mister the only exception?"
Xiang Shaolong found it very interesting to make fun of her and replied with a smile, "People say that talent can arouse jealousy, I think that this sounds very reasonable. If I manage to get Learned Lady Ji and she in turn refuses to let go of me, we’ll certainly incur the jealousy of others. Won’t it bring unnecessary trouble that will be disadvantageous to my grand plan of setting up the family business here. That’s why I can only suppress my l.u.s.t. Hai! To tell you the truth, back in Chu, I must have a woman with me every night!"
Zhao Ya blushed on hearing that but at the same time felt a ridiculous sense of wild excitement. She lowered her head and said, "Has Mister always been so direct in your talks with women whom you’ve just met?"
Xiang Shaolong was secretly finding this funny as he replied, "I’ve always spoken from my heart towards women. You can excuse yourself if you don’t like to listen, I’ve always been like that."
Zhao Ya’s sense of self-respect could not tolerate this any further and she replied angrily, "Mister does not respect how a girl feels at all, who would be able to tolerate such talk."
Xiang Shaolong saw that the attention of everyone else were all centered on Ji Yanran and no one took notice of them at all so he chortled, "Women are like horses, once you know of their likings, you can tame them into obedient creatures. Hei! Horses that I have taken a liking to, every single one of them will ultimately surrender to my whip."
These words are even more obvious. Zhao Ya could not take it any longer and replied angrily, "Mister is too overbearing towards women, treating humans as beasts and taming them, don’t you care about other’s feelings at all?" But in her heart she was confused, unable to determine what kind of a person is this horse fanatic. At one moment he seems to be a gentleman who does not chase after women, the next moment he’s suddenly like a s.e.x maniac.
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that he’s made her suffered enough and said nonchalantly, "To me, horses have better morality than humans. Once they have regarded someone as master, they will not keep changing their minds."
Zhao Ya was stunned,