Chapter 370: Revealing True Feelings

As the evening settled in, the warm, rosy glow of the sunset bathed the sky with hues of red, casting a soft light that made everyone look almost serene. Shao Yao stepped out of Shi Zai restaurant, feeling content after a hearty meal. Her stomach was pleasantly full, and with a content sigh, she took a moment to admire the sky, remarking, "Wow, the view is just stunning."

Hua Zhi, who had been walking alongside her, turned around just as she was about to get into the carriage. She heard someone call her name, "Miss Hua."

She glanced back, a little surprised, and asked, "Is Master Jiang here to pick up Old Master Jiang? He already left."

But Jiang Huanran wasn’t actually there for his father. He had overheard the steward mention that his father was meeting with Miss Hua and, on a whim, decided to follow along. He hadn’t planned on revealing himself, choosing to stay hidden until his father was gone.

"Miss, could I speak with you for a moment?" Jiang Huanran asked, breaking the brief silence.

Thinking he was about to discuss business, Hua Zhi gave a quick nod and, without much hesitation, led him back into the room.

*

In a quiet, private room with only a few people present, Ying Chun was serving tea while Shao Yao casually leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Her gaze was fixed on Jiang Huanran, who, in her opinion, resembled Sima Zhao—someone who clearly had feelings for Hua Zhi, yet was being met with indifference.

Curiously, Hua Zhi broke the silence. “I wonder what Master Jiang wants to discuss.”

Jiang Huanran, surveying the people around him, took a deep breath and decided to get straight to the point. "Miss, I admire you deeply, and I was wondering if, perhaps, you might feel the same way about me."

Hua Zhi blinked, a bit taken aback. Having lived in this world for sixteen years, she’d never encountered someone who was so direct about their feelings. It was a bit of a shock, and for a moment, she found herself at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Shao Yao, unable to hold back, started fidgeting. “Come on, there’s no way Hua Zhi would like you. She already... ”

"Shao Yao," Hua Zhi cut her off, not wanting to let the conversation escalate.

Shao Yao, a bit sulky, pouted. It seemed like, despite being the sister-in-law, she wasn't allowed to defend her sister's reputation. Her frustration was clear.

Hua Zhi, however, took a moment to collect herself, her response warm yet firm. "I appreciate your feelings, Master Jiang, but I can't return them."

Jiang Huanran, determined, immediately pleaded. "Why? Is it because of my family’s situation? I can live on my own if need be. I will work hard to improve, and I promise I won’t cause you any grief. If business calls you away or if you need to travel, I’ll be there beside you. I’ll do everything I can to be someone worthy of you. Please, think about it."

Hua Zhi looked at him gently but resolutely. “I already have someone in mind.”

At this, Shao Yao’s mood lifted instantly, her earlier irritation forgotten as she smiled to herself.

Jiang Huanran stood silent for a moment, processing the words. “Is it the man from Xiangyang?”

Hua Zhi nodded softly, confirming his suspicion. “Yes.”

Jiang Huanran wasn’t exactly shocked. He had noticed the way the man treated Miss Hua differently from everyone else. But still, a sense of disappointment crept over him. “What has he promised you? Whatever he can offer, I can give you too, and even more.”

This wasn’t a conversation Hua Zhi had any interest in sharing. It was a personal matter, and she wasn’t about to let it spill out in front of anyone else. She just gave a faint, knowing smile. “Love isn’t a transaction. Just because you can offer me more doesn’t mean I should choose you. Think about it, Master Jiang. If a woman agrees to everything you propose, and it drives a wedge between you and your family, is she really worth that much sacrifice? In some families, they might go so far as to sacrifice their children for the greater good, but that’s not how the Jiang family operates. I’m sure Old Master Jiang wouldn’t have pressured you like that. If he had, he wouldn’t have let you, at just twenty, run wild outside without a second thought.”

She stood up, offering a small bow. “If Old Master Jiang knows you’re trying to better yourself, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. It’s never too late for change, as long as your heart’s in it. Goodbye.”

As the others filed out, Jiang Huanran stayed behind, slumped against the table, feeling a hollow emptiness inside. He knew deep down that his chances were slim. How could someone as extraordinary as Miss Hua Zhi ever look twice at someone like him, a man with nothing to show for himself?

Yet, there he was, holding on to that tiny flicker of hope, wondering… what if?

For Hua Zhi, there was no need for “what ifs.” She was more than capable of achieving anything she set her mind to. She didn’t need anyone’s help or to sacrifice herself for the sake of a family’s support. With her skills, she could turn anything into gold. As soon as her father received her invitation, he was rushing to her side.

But the thing was, because of all this, he couldn’t let go. Miss Hua was like a blazing fire, and he was like a moth drawn to the flame. Even knowing it could burn him to ashes, he’d gladly fly straight into it.

*

Hua Zhi’s carriage had already disappeared into the distance when Jiang Huanran finally emerged from the bustling Shi Zai restaurant. His expression was heavy, his shoulders slumped with unspoken frustration. Without a word, he climbed onto his horse and rode off, his figure fading into the city’s chaotic streets.

Not far away, another carriage rolled out from the shadows of a quiet alley. Inside, Jiang Xinde sat silently, watching his son’s retreating form through the lifted curtain. A deep sigh escaped him. He’d heard from the servants that Jiang Huanran was at the restaurant and had intended to go in and speak with him. But knowing his son, he held back. The boy was convinced the family’s every move was an attempt to meddle in his love life, turning even well-meaning gestures into points of contention. Perhaps it was best to let him face Hua Zhi on his own this time.

Jiang Xinde had always known Hua Zhi was no ordinary young woman. Though the Hua family had seemingly fallen from grace after the scandal, he’d observed enough to understand the truth: they had never fully exited the aristocratic stage. Much of their resilience stemmed from their strategic alliances, particularly with the influential Zhu family.

But the real backbone of the family’s survival was Hua Zhi herself. She had managed to hold the family together with quiet strength and unshakable poise, refusing to give the gossips anything to feed on. Even after the death of Hua Jing and Hua Xian’s divorce, the family’s reputation remained unblemished—a sharp contrast to those who had mocked them, predicting they would crumble like the ill-fated He family.

It wasn’t until today, after spending time with her, that Jiang Xinde truly grasped the depth of her character. Hua Zhi wasn’t just competent—she was exceptional. Her maturity, vision, and unflinching resolve rivaled those of the most carefully groomed heirs of the elite families. And, as much as it pained him to admit it, she was simply out of Jiang Huanran’s league. Perhaps his son needed to see that for himself, to come to terms with the reality.

“Sir, shall we send someone to follow him?” a servant asked, breaking Jiang Xinde’s train of thought.

He shook his head, his voice calm but firm. “No need. Let him go.”

*

Gu Yanxi slipped in through the side gate with the kind of ease that suggested he practically owned the place. He moved like he belonged, his presence so natural it didn’t raise an eyebrow.

The servants in the front courtyard weren’t oblivious, either. They had a pretty clear idea of the dynamic between Miss Hua and this man. Frankly, if Mr. Lu didn’t show up one day, they’d find it odd. Even Lan Qiao, the housekeeper, had already made it a habit to set an extra place at dinner without a second thought.

If the help could figure it out, there was no way Hua Zhi hadn’t noticed. Walking in to find Gu Yanxi settled behind the desk in the study, looking more like the master of the house than she ever did, she raised an eyebrow and said, “Didn’t I tell you not to wait for me? You knew I’d already eaten out.”

Gu Yanxi gave her an easy grin, leaning back in his chair like he owned the room. “Food doesn’t taste as good if you’re not around,” he quipped. “How’d it go?”

“Who’d turn down a deal that’s all upside and no downside? It’s handled. Now go eat—I’m checking on Xiaohan.”

Zeng Han was a bit of a loner by nature. Hua Zhi didn’t try to change that—she wasn’t about to force him to be someone he wasn’t—but she did hope he’d loosen up, maybe act a little more like a kid. That’s why she’d placed him in the courtyard with the four Hua brothers, instructing the other three boys to look out for him. No special treatment, just a nudge toward being part of the group.

Not wanting her preferential treatment to cause any trouble for him, she made sure to visit each brother's room with a fair and balanced attitude, careful to treat everyone equally. Eventually, she made her way to Zeng Han’s room.

He was reserved, speaking little but always polite and mindful. Thanks to some words of encouragement from their eldest sister, the younger siblings had been particularly warm and welcoming toward him. When Hua Zhi entered, she found the group gathered in Zeng Han’s room, discussing the finer points of what to keep in mind during family study sessions.

Zeng Han sat quietly among them, listening intently. He nodded at the right moments, his steady, thoughtful gaze leaving the younger children satisfied and even a little reassured by his responses.

Watching this unfold, Hua Zhi felt some of the tension ease from her chest. She had been genuinely worried that Zeng Han’s reserved nature might hint at something more isolating, like autism, and that the clannish tendencies of the younger siblings might lead them to exclude him because of his quietness.

———TN: I won’t claim that my translation is flawless, but I can promise that I put in my best effort to convey the essence of the original. I’m constantly striving to improve and ensure that the author’s intended meaning shines through. If you come across areas where my translation falls short, I’d genuinely appreciate it if you could point out the specific issues and let me know why they don’t work. I’ll take my time to address and refine them.

Since I don’t have the support of an editor or proofreader, I’m aware that grammatical errors, typos, or mismatches between the English translation and the original Chinese text might slip through. Please bear with me on that.

Also, while I have Chinese heritage through my grandfather, I don’t speak the language daily, so my understanding of the original text may not always be perfect. I hope you’ll forgive me if I’ve missed the mark in fully capturing the essence of the work.