Free Web NovelChapter 88: Chapter 50: An Eye for an Eye (Part 3)
Hm?
Song Yunzhao was startled. Looking at He Lan Yun, she said, "Why are you asking me this? I’ve only met him a few times. How could I possibly judge his character?"
’This is the man He Lan Yun holds dearest to her heart. Can I really just say whatever I want about him?’
"Why can’t you? I’ve noticed you have a sharp eye for people, so I wanted to ask you."
Song Yunzhao glanced at Qin Xiyue and the others who had just walked in. She watched them choose a spot far away from her before pulling her gaze back. Looking at He Lan Yun, she considered her words slowly before speaking. "I don’t think much of him. He knows you like him, and he probably knows Miss Qin has feelings for him too. But look at how he acts when you and Miss Qin clash."
He Lan Yun froze.
Song Yunzhao said with a very serious expression, "I don’t think it’s wrong not to like someone. But you have to make it clear to them. Don’t let a girl misunderstand, and don’t keep giving her hope. Has Ji Yunting ever told you he doesn’t like you?"
He Lan Yun shook her head instinctively.
"See? I knew it. With your pride, if he had said it, you definitely wouldn’t keep pestering him."
He Lan Yun felt a pang of guilt. ’That’s not necessarily true.’
"A three-legged toad might be hard to find, but there are plenty of two-legged men out there. Since he doesn’t like you, why do you insist on chasing after him? A girl’s heart is precious; you have to cherish yourself. Stand on higher ground and open your eyes. You’ll find there are plenty of handsome men in this world. There are plenty of fish in the sea, so why fixate on just one?"
He Lan Yun: ...
’Can I really think like that?’
’Can I really do that?’
’Wouldn’t people call me fickle and promiscuous?’
"But... I just like him," He Lan Yun said, a little embarrassed. "We grew up together. He used to be so good to me."
"What do you like about him? That he’s good to you? But he’s good to another woman now." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
He Lan Yun’s face twisted. ’Can’t you say anything nice for once!’
"But he really was good to me before."
"A ten-thousand-fathom cliff has a bottom, but a person’s heart is immeasurable. The most fleeting thing in this world is a man’s affection—gone in the blink of an eye."
He Lan Yun: ...
Song Yunzhao saw He Lan Yun’s face pale, looking quite unwell. She figured she might have been a bit harsh and cleared her throat. "Think about it. Right now, he’s letting you suffer because of another woman. What about in the future? Are you really willing to suffer a lifetime of grievances for him?"
He Lan Yun’s brows shot up. "Of course not!"
"Exactly. You’re not willing to be wronged, and he’s not willing to compromise for you. So what is it you like about him? Do you like that he looks down on you? That he wrongs you?"
He Lan Yun was so angry her chest heaved. "Can’t you say anything nice for once?"
"Fine, I can. But do you want to listen to a mouthful of lies?"
He Lan Yun shut her mouth.
Song Yunzhao didn’t say anything more either. ’Even with friends, there have to be boundaries.’
In Qiushui Pavilion, the concubines sat in small groups, their chatter and laughter drifting over from time to time. Outside, a little palace maid carried a teapot, refilling everyone’s cups. It looked like the appointed hour was almost upon them.
Before the Housekeeper arrived, He Lan Yun looked at Song Yunzhao. "If it were you, what would you do?"
"Me?"
Song Yunzhao met He Lan Yun’s conflicted gaze. After a moment of thought, she asked, "Do you want the truth or a pleasant lie?"
He Lan Yun glared at her, fuming. "The truth!"
’So petty,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’All because I teased her about saying something nice earlier.’
"This love should be for a lifetime. If you are heartless, then I will walk away."
"What?"
’So... ruthless?’
He Lan Yun was completely stunned, not knowing what to say.
That was just Song Yunzhao’s personality: decisive and resolute, never dragging things out. The whole concept of an "ambiguous phase" in a relationship was completely foreign to her. For her, like was like, and dislike was dislike.
To her, that so-called ambiguous phase was just an excuse for being a player.
It was just that while such ideas might be understood in a future era, they were truly shocking and unconventional in the present time.
Just then, Nanny Zhang and the others arrived. He Lan Yun turned back around, and Song Yunzhao also began to listen as the nannies started explaining the rules for today’s painting session.
Song Yunzhao felt Nanny Zhang’s gaze sweep over her, but she didn’t meet her eyes, pretending not to notice.
Soon, palace maids began distributing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and various pigments. The large table was quickly filled to the brim.
Song Yunzhao felt a headache coming on. She didn’t know what to paint. In her past life, she had learned some traditional Chinese painting, focusing on flowers and birds, but she was by no means an expert. She could produce something passable that might fool a layman, but an expert would see its true quality at a glance.
