16: Chapter 16 You've Fallen in Love!

Tie Manor, Tie Xinlan's bedroom.

Since returning from Meng Manor, Tie Xinlan had locked herself in her room, tossing and turning on her bed alone.

Her personal maid, Xiao Xiao, who had grown up with her, came in to change the tea on the table. Seeing her like this, she couldn't help but ask curiously, "Young Miss, what happened? Why have you been acting so strange since you came back from Young Master Meng's place?"

"Acting strange? Am I?"

Tie Xinlan stopped her tossing and turning, completely unaware of her own abnormality.

Xiao Xiao nodded with certainty, then noticed an extra hairpin on Tie Xinlan's head and exclaimed in surprise, "Where did that hairpin on your head come from? It's so beautiful!"

Hearing this, Tie Xinlan subconsciously reached out to touch the hairpin. The corners of her lips curled up slightly as she said with a hint of smugness and pride, "Meng Li gave it to me. I said I didn't want it, but he insisted on giving it. Honestly, it's so annoying!"

Meng Li: ???

"Young Master Meng forced it on you?"

Xiao Xiao looked suspicious, stroking her chin as she said, "That's impossible. Young Master Meng has never liked forcing people. If he offered a gift and was rejected, he'd more likely just take it back and not give it. Young Miss, are you sure you didn't get it wrong?"

Tie Xinlan's face darkened. "Hasn't Meng Li ever taught you a saying?"

"What saying?" Xiao Xiao was puzzled, then muttered, "I'm your maid, Young Miss. Why would Young Master Meng be the one teaching me things?"

"'See through it but don't say it; life is hard, don't expose me, hey!'" Tie Xinlan gave the answer with a dark expression, then huffed, "You still remember you're my maid? Would it kill you to let me show off my charm a little? You just had to expose me!"

As she spoke, she reached out to tickle Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao and Tie Xinlan had grown up together. Though they were officially master and servant, they were more like sisters, so she wasn't afraid of her.

Seeing her playfulness, Xiao Xiao laughed and dodged while looking for a chance to strike back.

In a short while, the two were a tangled mess of play-fighting, and it took a good while before they settled down.

Afterward, Xiao Xiao brought up the previous topic again: "Young Miss, you still haven't told me what happened. Why have you been acting so strange since you came back from Young Master Meng's place?"

Tie Xinlan replied, "Nothing much happened. He just gave me a hairpin and put it on for me personally. When he was helping me with the hairpin, I was very close to him, and then I felt my heart racing uncontrollably, and my face felt red and hot. It was a bit embarrassing."

"Then I ran back, but I keep thinking about that feeling of my heart racing."

After hearing this, Xiao Xiao looked shocked. "Young Miss, you're in trouble!"

Tie Xinlan was confused. "How am I in trouble?"

Xiao Xiao (with a wise face): "You've fallen in love!"

Tie Xinlan: o((⊙﹏⊙))o?

Tie Xinlan: ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄!

Tie Xinlan: o(*////▽////*)q

Tie Xinlan: [○･｀Д´･ ○]

After her expression shifted several times, Tie Xinlan, out of a young girl's reserve, subconsciously denied it: "Don't talk nonsense! I've known Meng Li since we were kids. We've gotten along fine for all these years. How could I suddenly fall in love?"

Xiao Xiao said, "But Young Miss, your situation is basically exactly like the state of falling in love described in storybooks. Besides..."

She paused, then said while reminiscing, "Don't you think you like pestering Young Master Meng? When he's at the manor, you go looking for him whenever you have free time. When he goes out on business, you can't help but worry, constantly talking about him and looking forward to his return."

"After he comes back, you're always the first one to visit him."

"Even when the Master goes out, you don't miss him as much as you worry about Young Master Meng."

Tie Xinlan was stunned. Upon closer thought, she realized it really was like that, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

Xiao Xiao immediately seized the opportunity: "Look, Young Miss, you're blushing!"

Embarrassed and angry, Tie Xinlan slapped her lightly and then made an excuse: "It's not like that! I go to see him often because the manor is boring, and he can always come up with some fun things. I find it very interesting. Besides, don't you often follow me there too?"

"As for when he's away and I worry and talk about him..."

"We grew up together and are very good friends. As a good friend, that's perfectly normal, right?"

"The reason I went to see him the moment he returned was because I had business."

"That's right, business... I remember now. I went there this time to urge him to update."

"So, was there any result?" Xiao Xiao asked.

Tie Xinlan: "..."

She had forgotten, but she acted as if nothing was wrong on the surface: "Of course. He said he just got back today and needs to rest. He'll start updating tomorrow."

Then, Tie Xinlan continued to justify herself: "My father... he's older, goes out often, is very experienced, and his Martial Arts are high. Naturally, I don't need to worry too much. But Meng Li is different. He's still young, lacks experience, and his Martial Arts aren't that great. It's inevitable to worry about him more."

"Really?"

"Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you?"

Tie Xinlan answered without hesitation, but her eyes flickered, and she subconsciously clenched her fists.

Xiao Xiao noticed this but didn't press further.

Because she knew her Young Miss—her fists were already clenched; if she asked any more, she'd get hit.

So, she changed the subject: "Then are we going to see Young Master Meng tomorrow?"

Tie Xinlan felt a bit guilty because of her state, but she couldn't resist the throbbing in her heart. Plus, she needed to cover up the matter of urging the update, so she confirmed, "Yes. Otherwise, how can I see the latest chapter of the storybooks as soon as possible?"

Xiao Xiao said doubtfully, "Young Miss, for those storybooks, Young Master Meng only provides the general outline of the story. The specific content is filled in by the writers under him, and then he reviews it."

"With all that back and forth, the latest chapter won't be out in a single day."

"Then we'll go listen to the general outline and play Fight the Landlord while we're at it."

...

The next day.

Tie Xinlan brought Xiao Xiao to Meng Manor. Just as they entered the front hall, they heard singing coming from the backyard.

"At the foot of Mount Qingcheng, Bai Suzhen, a thousand years in a cave to cultivate this form."

"Ah..."

"Diligent cultivation to attain the Dao, shedding the mortal coil to become human."

"Ah..."

"With a heart set on the Dao and no stray thoughts, taking refuge in the Three Jewels and forsaking the Mortal World."

"Ah..."

"Seeking the Bodhisattva for enlightenment, to ferry me, Suzhen, out of the mundane world."

"Heiya heihei yo..."

The two girls had never heard these lyrics or this melody before, and they couldn't help but feel curious.

Tie Xinlan asked the servant serving tea, "What happened at the manor? Why have people suddenly been invited to sing?"

The servant replied, "Nothing happened at the manor. The Young Master suddenly felt like listening to music. The person singing wasn't invited either; she was brought back by the Young Master yesterday. Supposedly, she's a new maid he bought during his last trip."

"So that's how it is," Tie Xinlan realized, then said, "It's nothing. You can go about your work."

"Alright."

At this moment, the song ended, and the singing stopped.

A moment later, Meng Li walked out: "You two arrived just in time. I've taught Yu Yan a few songs. Listen to them together and see how they sound."

...