Chapter 391: Pretending to Be in a Relationship
Ningwan smiled as she personally poured tea for Shangxue, delivering it in front of her: "There’s something I’d like to ask Miss Shangxue for help with."
"Miss Ye, you’re too polite. Whatever you need, just let me know. You’re the one our young master likes, so just tell me whatever you need." Shangxue replied.
Ningwan said, "Xie Mingyu doesn’t even like me; he’s just being childish."
"Oh really? But the young master said he must have you." Shangxue said with a bitter smile.
Ningwan raised her eyebrows: "Oh? Has Xie Mingyu not figured out his own heart yet?"
"What do you mean by that, Miss Ye? The young master’s heart is entirely with you; he’s already figured it out." Shangxue said.
"Shangxue, the way you say this, why do I sense a strong hint of jealousy?" Ningwan asked with a smile.
Shangxue blushed: "Miss Ye, you’ve heard wrong."
"Alright, whether I heard wrong or not, let’s talk about the favor I’m asking. Can you get me a photo of Xunyou? I spent a few days with her but never got a photo, so I’m hoping for one." Ningwan got back to the topic.
Shangxue was surprised: "What do you need a photo of Xunyou for? Xunyou doesn’t like being photographed and usually doesn’t leave any behind. Her tasks are quite special, and she’s often a chameleon. Among the four of us, she’s the best at makeup and disguises."
"That’s exactly why I’m asking you for a photo. I asked Wangyue, and Wangyue doesn’t have one either. As for Xie Mingyu, let’s not even mention it. I figured the only person who might have her photo is you." Ningwan said.
Shangxue nodded: "Miss Ye, you did come to the right person, but can you tell me why you need Xunyou’s photo? Surely it’s not just for sentimentality. Miss Ye, it’s not that I don’t want to give it to you, but this involves Xunyou’s safety, so I have to ask more questions. Although you’re the one our young master likes, I also have to be responsible for my sister."
Ningwan said: "Of course, I’ll naturally tell you the reason. It’s not that complicated. Xunyou has been avoiding a romantic entanglement, and this man has been looking for her. I just want him to verify whether it’s really Xunyou."
"That makes it even more impossible for me to give it to you," Shangxue said. "Since Xunyou doesn’t want to see that person again, if I betray her by giving out her photo, wouldn’t I be harming Xunyou?"
"Shangxue, whether it harms Xunyou is for Xunyou to decide. Running away after leading someone on is also a way of harming others. In the end, how to resolve it should be decided by both people. A relationship involves two people; unrequited love is only one person’s business." Ningwan reminded her.
Shangxue’s expression turned stiff.
Indeed, unrequited love is just one person’s affair, just like her.
Ningwan noticed her expression and smiled slightly: "Actually, I wouldn’t ask you to help for nothing. How about this! I can make Xie Mingyu realize his own feelings this morning, let him know who he really likes, how about that?"
"Miss Ye, you’re really joking, the young master, he..."
"He just doesn’t know he likes you. I can help you with that." Ningwan interrupted her.
Shangxue looked at Ningwan in surprise, momentarily speechless.
"Shangxue, opportunities are for those who are prepared. If you miss this, there won’t be another me willing to help you, so think carefully." Ningwan reminded her.
"Thank you, Miss Ye, for the reminder. I understand. But, how do you plan to help?" Shangxue asked.
Ningwan laughed: "Miss Shangxue, you’re really smart, I knew you’d get it."
Two minutes later, Shangxue handed the photo to Ningwan, who sent it to Feng Jiuzun for confirmation.
Feng Jiuzun was thrilled: "Yes, yes, yes, it’s her. Ningwan, where is she now? I’ll go find her right away."
"Alright, come over to me, I’m waiting for you here." Ningwan gave him the address.
Very soon, Feng Jiuzun arrived.
However, after he came, he only saw Ningwan and Shangxue, and asked in confusion: "Where is she? Why are there only the two of you?"
"Her name is Xunyou," Ningwan said to him, "She’s one of the four maids around Xie Mingyu of the Xie Family."
"What? She’s Xie Mingyu’s... person?" Feng Jiuzun’s eyes widened.
Shangxue coughed lightly and coolly explained: "We’ve grown up with the young master since childhood, and he treats us very well, like family. Please, don’t use your filthy thoughts to randomly guess our relationship with the young master."
"But she’s so beautiful, how could Xie Mingyu possibly not be moved?" Feng Jiuzun muttered under his breath.
Shangxue’s face turned livid with anger and was about to sternly argue with Feng Jiuzun, but Ningwan interrupted.
"Shangxue, don’t mind him, men can be very childish when they’re jealous. This is also something I want to talk to you about. Do you both want to know whether the person you like actually likes you back?"
"Of course I do," Feng Jiuzun immediately replied.
Shangxue didn’t speak, but her eyes gave everything away, looking at her expectantly.
Ningwan smiled and revealed her plan.
It turns out, her plan was simple: let Feng Jiuzun pursue Shangxue.
After hearing this, both Feng Jiuzun and Shangxue exclaimed in shock.
"Impossible."
"Absolutely impossible."
They spoke in unison.
Ningwan explained: "It’s not for you two to actually date, it’s pretend, fake dating."
"What do you mean?" Shangxue frowned and asked.
Ningwan shrugged: "It’s simple. Feng Jiuzun pretends to propose to Shangxue at the Xie family. If at this time Xie Mingyu can still act indifferent, Shangxue, I’d advise you to give up on him altogether and never think of being with Xie Mingyu again. If he doesn’t agree, what does that indicate?"
"Whether the young master likes me or not, he won’t agree. He was furious about Wangyue and Tingyu’s matter. Does that mean he liked them too?" Shangxue said.
Ningwan said: "Of course it doesn’t mean that, so simply proposing isn’t enough. You two need to pretend to be in a relationship. Xie Mingyu might have control not to agree to Feng Jiuzun’s proposal, but can he control you guys from dating? If you want to date Feng Jiuzun, what can he do? Push him to the limit, and he’ll naturally speak his heart."
"What’s in it for me?" Feng Jiuzun asked.
He couldn’t help but feel he was being used as a tool, with no benefit.
Ningwan pursed her lips: "You still don’t know? Xunyou has been avoiding you this entire time. Now, if you and Shangxue pretend to date, what would be the benefit to you?"
Feng Jiuzun: "..."
"Shangxue is Xunyou’s good friend. If she hears you’re dating Shangxue, she’s likely to come find you immediately. At that point, you wouldn’t need to look for her; she’d come to you on her own. So, ask yourself, how would that benefit you?"
"Got it. Ningwan, I said you’re smart, really smart. This move is brilliant, killing two birds with one stone, dealing with these two birds who don’t say what they mean." Feng Jiuzun gave Ningwan a thumbs up.