Chapter 8: [The Number One Loser]

Liu Xiahui gave a bitter smile. Based on his understanding of Gu Man, her current appearance was clearly an act to garner sympathy; only the Prime Minister, in his desperate love for his daughter, would be fooled by her.

"Father understands your feelings. If you can maintain this manner of a refined young lady in the future, Father will indulge your every wish."

"Daughter understands. Daughter will never behave recklessly outside again."

Gu Man lifted her sleeve to wipe the crocodile tears from the corners of her eyes, perfectly concealing the flash of triumph in her gaze.

What a joke. Putting on an act for a moment was one thing, but if she had to be like this all the time, she’d be nothing short of schizophrenic.

To prevent Gu Man's acting from showing a flaw, Liu Xiahui seized the opportunity and stepped forward quickly. "Xiao Man must be tired as well. Your nephew will take his leave for today."

Gu Chengfeng nodded.

"Daughter will go see Cousin off!" Without waiting for Gu Chengfeng's consent, Gu Man dropped the sentence and quickly chased after Liu Xiahui's figure out the door.

Leaving Gu Chengfeng standing alone in place, watching her figure with a sense of loss.

It seemed that everything that had happened before was a misunderstanding on his part. How could his daughter, Gu Chengfeng's daughter, ever fall for the son of that old monster from the Nie family?

Liu Xiahui's pace was extremely fast; Gu Man had to practically jog just to barely catch up.

"Are you really leaving?"

Hearing this, the man in white ahead turned around. His perfect facial profile was as finely sculpted as if carved by a knife. Seeing her panting for breath, the corners of his mouth curled up. "What, can't bear to part with me?"

"You can't spit ivory from a dog's mouth!"

Just a moment ago, during a fleeting glance, she had thought he was quite elegant, but the moment he spoke, all his grace vanished.

"It seems women are all hypocritical creatures, you know? A version of you like this makes me very uncomfortable."

"You're too sensitive. I'm still the same me!"

After hearing this, Liu Xiahui said nothing, merely staring unblinkingly at her pretty face, which still carried a slight flush. Even he couldn't quite say what was wrong; today's Gu Man possessed a few more traces of a woman's shyness compared to before, and every frown and smile seemed to carry a magical, heart-stirring charm.

"Have you seen enough!" The way he looked at her made her feel uneasy deep down. "Did my father say something to you?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiahui withdrew the playfulness from his face and looked directly into Gu Man's dark, watery eyes. "Your father said we should get married."

"Haha—haha—you aren't being serious, are you?" Gu Man gave two dry laughs, the piercing sound making one's skin crawl.

Marrying him? Was her father trying to assist a villain?

"Haha, of course it's fake. Did you think this Young Master would actually take an interest in you, the number one useless person in Tianfang City?"

"Hahaha, I knew you were lying to me! Hahaha!" Gu Man laughed until tears almost came out.

What kind of person is he? Why be so serious when making a joke?

"Heh."

Liu Xiahui also laughed, but the loss in his heart spread infinitely along with the faint ache in his heart.

The conversation he had with Gu Chengfeng inside the barrier in the living room flashed through his mind.

"If the two families were to become in-laws, it would surely be a happy outcome for everyone."

"Uncle is right, but it is common knowledge throughout Tianfang City that Xiao Man likes Nie Hongjing. I hope my nephew can respect Xiao Man's choice."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengfeng's face suddenly turned ashen.

Rumor had it that the third miss of the Gu family was unlearned and spent her days running rampant in Tianfang City, having long coveted the world's number one handsome man, Nie Hongjing, only to be mocked by him at the Sihai Pavilion as the world's number one useless person.

It was precisely because of this that Gu Man had repeatedly snuck into the forest, wanting to hunt magical beasts to use their essence cores to cultivate her own primordial spirit.

"Nie Xie opposes me at every turn in the imperial court. I will absolutely not allow Xiao Man to fall for that old monster's son!"

"Matters of emotion are something even one cannot control themselves, let alone us outsiders trying to manipulate Xiao Man."

...

"Hey, are you leaving or not!"

Gu Man reached out and poked Liu Xiahui's butt. Only then did Liu Xiahui snap out of the previous conversation. He stared at her extremely natural expression with a frown. Did this woman even consider him a man?

Still looking? "Just go already. Don't forget what I just told you!"

"What words?"

"How can you be like this? I already said it twice! I told you to come find me at the third watch tonight!!"

What!!!!!!!!!