Chapter 2815 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 20
The front hall was brightly lit, and the atmosphere was subtly tense.
The four leaders were already there, sitting on either side, each with a different expression.
Chen Xiaoshan frowned, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Jin Chen, who had just entered, and Ruan Shutong, who was already seated.
Yan Qi looked at this and then at that, finally turning to Liu Mianfeng for help. Liu Mianfeng continued drinking his wine, while Shi Meng remained blankly focused.
Ruan Shutong sat at the head of the guest seats, her posture upright, her eyebrows and eyes sparse, exuding a refined and restrained nobility cultivated through good upbringing.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up at Gu Fanghe's side and then at Jin Chen's face.
[Wow, host, the protagonist looks like a bootleg version of you.] Zero Gungun exclaimed, staring intently at Gu Fanghe's face.
Jin Chen almost couldn't help but laugh.
Everyone in the hall subconsciously compared the two faces.
It's so similar.
But upon closer inspection, it seems different in many ways.
Liu Mianfeng slowed down his fanning movements, his eyes showing even more interest.
In Liu Mianfeng's opinion, Ruan Shutong was like a freehand painting of distant mountains shrouded in mist—beautiful, but lacking in vitality.
Jin Chen, however, was different. Even though she had no expression at the moment, she radiated a vivid and bright brilliance, like a carefully carved jade infused with a soul. Every glance she made was full of charm, and every gesture she made exuded a composure that others could not imitate.
Gold and jade are precious, and this is nothing more than that.
The villagers used to have a very good impression of Ruan Shutong, thinking he was like the bright moon in the sky, pure and otherworldly. When they first saw Jin Chen, who looked similar to Ruan Shutong, they immediately assumed that Jin Chen resembled him.
But now that the two are in the same room, looking at it so directly...
Chen Xiaoshan frowned even more deeply. The slight disdain and rejection he felt because of the fake product wavered somewhat after seeing the real thing for comparison.
Yan Qi blinked and whispered to Shi Meng beside him, "Why do I think Brother Jin looks better?"
Shi Meng scratched his head and said in a muffled voice, "I can't explain it either."
Jin Chen felt that Ruan Shutong looked more like his original appearance.
If there is such a thing as plastic surgery in this world, it would probably be a meticulous adjustment based on his former appearance.
Ling Gungun gently nuzzled his shoulder. [Host, those two attendants behind Ruan Shutong are Chu Yi and Chu Ming in disguise. True love, accompanying the protagonist on his search.]
Ruan Shutong looked Jin Chen up and down, then slowly stood up and nodded to Gu Fanghe, "Brother Gu, it's been three years. How have you been?"
It was as if they were old friends who had truly parted ways and had come to visit today.
Gu Fanghe's expression, however, was not good.
He stopped in the hall, his gaze fixed on Ruan Shutong, showing no joy at their long-awaited reunion, only displeasure.
"Who asked you to come up here?"
That was an extremely impolite question.
The hall fell silent instantly, even Liu Mianfeng, who was fanning himself, stopped.
Ruan Shutong's smile froze; she hadn't expected Gu Fanghe to react this way.
When he left three years ago, Gu Fanghe was taciturn but still treated him with great courtesy. Three years have passed, so why is he so cold and hard now?
Ruan Shutong said, "Passing by Black Cliff, I thought of an old friend and came to pay my respects. But... have I bothered Brother Gu?"
The one-eyed man, who was trying to minimize his presence in the corner, was sweating profusely.
He was inwardly groaning. Looking at the chief's face, it was clear that he was not bothered at all, but rather annoyed.
One-Eyed quickly stepped forward, trying to salvage the situation, "Boss! Here's what happened!"
"I brought my brothers down the mountain today to buy some trendy trinkets for Young Master Jin. We just happened to run into Young Master Ruan's carriage on the way. We had no other intentions!"
"Young Master Ruan said... that he came specifically to find you, and I dare not make a decision on my own."
Jin Chen stood beside Gu Fanghe, curled the corners of her lips, and tickled Gu Fanghe's palm.
"Since you are a guest, please have a seat."
Gu Fanghe's tense expression finally relaxed, and he took Jin Chen's hand in return, "Sit down."
Ruan Shutong was slightly taken aback, then sat down again.
Not only Ruan Shutong, but also Chu Yi and Chu Ming, who were dressed as his attendants, couldn't help but exchange a glance.
Has Gu Fanghe gone mad?
In front of Shu Tong, he treated the imposter, who only bore a slight resemblance in appearance, with such affection and indulgence, even prioritizing the imposter's wishes.
-
Everyone sat down again, and the servant girl brought out wine and snacks.
Gu Fanghe personally poured wine into Jin Chen's cup, then picked up a piece of osmanthus cake from the plate and offered it to Jin Chen's lips.
"Try it, if you don't like sweets, this isn't too sweet."
Jin Chen glanced down at the pastry, then looked up at Gu Fanghe, opened her mouth and put it in her mouth, her tongue brushing against Gu Fanghe's fingertips.
Gu Fanghe's fingertips twitched slightly, his gaze deepened, and he secretly twisted his fingertips together at his side.
Jin Chen chewed it carefully before saying, "It's still too sweet."
"Then let's get another piece." Gu Fanghe put the half-eaten pastry into his mouth, then picked out a piece of plum cake from the plate and handed it over.
Jin Chen ate it this time and nodded, "This is good."
The two of them went back and forth, oblivious to everyone around them; one fed the other as if it were a matter of course, while the other ate with complete ease.
Ruan Shutong: "..."
He silently took a sip of his drink before speaking again.
"Three years have passed since we parted. Although the capital is bustling, I often think back to the days in Black Mountain Village. The mountain breeze and bright moon made it a rare time of peace and tranquility."
He looked at Gu Fanghe with just the right amount of nostalgia, "I wonder... is the little deer from back then still well?"
The fawn wasn't a real deer, but a child.
Three years ago, when Ruan Shutong came to the village, the orphan of Chen Xiaoshan's elder brother, whom he regarded as his own son, was suffering from a persistent high fever, and the village doctor was at a loss.
Ruan Shutong carried medicine prescribed by a famous doctor in the capital with her, which saved the child's life, and Chen Xiaoshan was grateful for her kindness.
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaoshan said, "Little Lu is doing very well. She can run and jump now and has learned to read with the village teacher."
Ruan Shutong smiled: "That's good. May I ask if he can come and meet us?"
Chen Xiaoshan looked at Gu Fanghe. Gu Fanghe was silent for a moment, then nodded.
Before long, a seven-year-old boy was brought in. The boy had a chubby face and round, bright eyes.
Ruan Shutong beckoned him over, took out a small brocade pouch from her sleeve, and handed it to him. "It's been three years since we last met. Little deer has grown a lot taller. This is a nine-linked ring puzzle that children in the capital love to play with. Here you go."
Little Deer accepted it and thanked him in a childish voice, "Thank you, Young Master Ruan."
Ruan Shutong patted his head.
Little Deer turned to look at Jin Chen, her eyes lighting up. She ran over and looked up, exclaiming, "Brother Jin, I can write the characters you taught me yesterday!"
Jin Chen rested his chin on his hand, talking about how he had been hit on the head, "Really? Then write it for me another day."
"Okay!" Xiao Lu nodded vigorously, then took out half a piece of candy from her pocket and handed it to Jin Chen, "Here, have this, it's very sweet."
Seeing that Jin Chen accepted it, Xiao Lu was finally satisfied and was led away.
Ruan Shutong: "..."
