Chapter 534: Chapter 521: Secret Delight

“Master, should I give an order to serve dinner?” Jing Zhao asked.

“I’ve been so engrossed in my conversation with Miss Zhuang that I almost forget it’s time to eat,” laughed Chu Jinnian, “Let’s have dinner then.”

“Okay,” Jing Zhao replied, intending to send someone to invite Chu Jinzhou and the others to join them for dinner.

“Oh, did you say earlier when you were serving tea that Jinzhou and the others prefer to eat in their courtyard and don’t feel like coming over for dinner?”

Chu Jinnian raised an eyebrow, “Just like children. When they start playing, they forget about everything else. Even Mr. Fan, who usually indulges them, does nothing to stop them. He becomes like a kid himself, only wanting to eat alone, also not caring if Miss Zhuang is here or not.”

“Well, well, well, if they wish to eat on their own, then let them be. Just send their meals over to them. For us, only send the dishes that Miss Zhuang and I are going to eat.”

????

Did he just say that Chu Jinzhou and their group had asked to eat separately, not with them?

On the contrary, when he had left to prepare the tea earlier, he had heard Chu Jinzhou and the others loudly discussing how they were going to have dinner with Chu Jinnian and Miss Zhuang…

But now, Chu Jinnian is saying this… what is he up to?

Jing Zhao was startled for a moment.

Seeing this, Chu Jinnian’s eyebrows raised, “Just tell Jinzhou and the others that it’s no problem if they want to eat alone, I won’t be upset because of it.”

The word ‘upset’ was emphasized.

That is to say if they failed to handle this…

Jing Zhao snapped back to reality, a chill sweeping across his back, “Yes, I’ll go right now.”

Finishing his sentence, he hurried off to Chu Jinzhou’s courtyard.

Chu Jinnian’s expression softened, showing a hint of guilt, “Jinzhou is my fault. I’ve spoiled him too much, which made him increasingly willful. Miss Zhuang, please don’t take it to heart.”

“Jinzhou is smart and sensible, usually very polite. I guess it’s due to Qingsui and the others messing around that he cannot help it. This boy has also been spoiled by me and is getting more and more unruly,” Zhuang Qingning also laughed embarrassingly.

“Well, just let them be. Luckily we are not unfamiliar with each other, so there’s no need for such formalities. As long as the kids are happy. Without them fooling around, our dinner will be more peaceful.”

Chu Jinnian put on a teasing, self-mocking look, to which Zhuang Qingning deliberately teased back, “That’s true. Without them, our meal will be more peaceful. Maybe during dinner, I could eat half a bowl more rice than usual.”

Their friendly banter was full of playful charm, causing Chu Jinnian’s eyes to curve into crescents.

Like jade, the gentleman stands unmatched in the world.

His fair complexion was already very handsome. When he smiled, the corners of his mouth curved into a pleasant arc. The smile on his lips carried a gentle warmth, radiating striking beauty.

At that moment, Zhuang Qingning didn’t know what words to use to describe the handsome man before her. His lifted lips curved even more, and her eyes refused to leave his face.

“Miss Zhuang, you’ve been staring at me this whole time. Is there something dirty on my face?” Chu Jinnian asked with a smile.

“No, it’s just that Master Chu is very handsome,” Zhuang Qingning laughed.

That’s the truth. If you’re good-looking, anyone would naturally want to take a second look.

Zhuang Qingsui and Zhuang Mingli, these two kids, claim to like Chu Jinnian’s classes because he teaches well. But I bet the real reason is that looking at Chu Jinnian is much more enjoyable compared to looking at Fan Wenxuan.

Good-looking?

Chu Jinnian’s eyebrows raised, and his eyes squinted slightly.

Since childhood, there have been people who praised his looks.

But as a man, being praised for his looks is not necessarily a good thing.

Therefore, Chu Jinnian did not appreciate it since he was young and still does not now.

But at this moment, hearing Zhuang Qingning praise his looks, he wasn’t turned off by it, on the contrary…

He felt a bit delighted.

Zhuang Qingning said that he’s good-looking, and thus her gaze couldn’t leave him.

Afterward, wouldn’t her eyes not allow for the appearance of others?

“Being praised by Miss Zhuang is a great honor,” Chu Jinnian had a sudden insight, his eyes sparkled, and he bowed slightly towards Zhuang Qingning, “Well then…”

“Since Miss Zhuang likes this face, how about we turn the play into reality and get married officially? Then, Miss Zhuang can look at my handsome face every day, right?”

His voice was lazy and clear, the finger of his clearly jointed hand caressed his attractive face. His bottomless eyes now held a playful intent, akin to a gentle spring breeze, stirring hearts at whim.

Seeing Chu Jinnian like this, Zhuang Qingning hesitated for a moment before relenting with a sigh.

When this handsome man starts flirting, he really is devilishly charming.

A casual joke, a trivial action, contribute to his irresistible charm. If it were anyone else, they probably would have fallen for him long ago.

Luckily, from childhood to now, she’s always been in the second or third class, and she has always been distant from the first class.

She can handle such a joke.

“No way,” said Zhuang Qingning, shaking her head seriously.

“What?” Chu Jinnian was taken aback.

“I mean, it’s probably not possible for me and Master Chu to get married.”

Zhuang Qingning started laughing again, her gaze cunning like a little fox, saying, “Master Chu is so handsome, there must be plenty of lascivious women like me who vastly appreciate you, not to mention all the people who covet you. Just like this flower, blooming so fragrantly and attractively, attracting bees and butterflies. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.”

So, should he be handsome or ugly to please her?

Chu Jinnian thought for a long while then his eyes lit up, “Actually, there might be another solution.”

“How about I declare to the outside world that my face was ruined in an accident and cover it with a mask when I go out, only showing my true face to those close to me? This way not only will it hinder people’s coveting, but also keep my appearance.”

“In this case, if I claim I’m disinterested in marriage because I’m ugly, senior members of my family won’t pressure me anymore, and those who approach me will certainly not be because of my looks. Wouldn’t that solve two problems at once?”

Moreover, in the future, even though the Empress and Concubine Hui would respect his wishes and not interfere with his marriage, they may still hold some prejudice. To be safe, if someone still sticks by him despite his ‘ugliness’, they would certainly receive high praise.

More importantly, this would also be a great excuse to rekindle the liveliness in the King of Qi’s residence, which has become a bit quiet recently.

Many gains can be made all at once.

Chu Jinnian couldn’t help but squint his eyes in laughter.

“This plan is really excellent, and I never thought about it before. Thanks to Miss Zhuang’s reminder, I will order a delicate and lightweight mask in the next few days to cover my appearance.”

“Miss Zhuang is indeed extraordinarily intelligent, very admirable.”