Chapter 283: The Former Fiancé
Hua Zhi was concerned about her family. Upon learning that Bai Mingxia had returned, she immediately sent a name card agreeing to his request and had Xu Ying make a trip to the Food Studio to instruct Fu Dong to prepare a banquet featuring mushrooms as the main ingredient.
What she hadn’t expected was for Shen Qi to come along as well.
After exchanging greetings, Bai Mingxia smiled and said, “He happened to be at my place, so we came together. You look a bit thinner, Miss Hua. I heard from Du Cheng that you went south?”
“Yes, to discuss a business deal,” Hua Zhi replied without evasion. Seeing Fu Dong approach with reddened eyes and on the verge of tears, she chuckled, “What’s this? Don’t you want to see me?”
“You know very well that’s not the case, Miss,” Fu Dong retorted, which was rare for her. She was currently training those around her with all her might, hoping to quickly return to her mistress’s side. Yet, she knew it wouldn’t be possible in the short term. The thought alone saddened her. If the price of pursuing what she loved was leaving her mistress, she would rather not do it at all.
Hua Zhi affectionately flicked her forehead and turned back to Bai Mingxia. “This is my head maid, Fu Dong. She single-handedly manages the Food Studio. In the future, Uncle, you can come directly to her.”
“Excellent!” Bai Mingxia laughed heartily, showing no displeasure that the person in charge of the Food Studio was a maid. Satisfied, Hua Zhi gestured for Fu Dong to lead the way.
The innermost private room on the second floor of the Food Studio was usually kept vacant. It could be accessed via the rear staircase, avoiding the need to pass through the front and potentially run into acquaintances.
This suited Bai Mingxia perfectly. With the Bai family’s accounts still in disarray, he had no desire to encounter certain people who pretended to care but actually harbored ulterior motives.
Once they were seated as host and guests, Hua Zhi pushed a cup of tea toward Bai Mingxia. “Have you been back long, Uncle?”
“Just three or four days. Don’t worry, your family is doing well. Since Yue Zhi arrived there, he’s been free from restrictions and has had the chance to showcase his talents. He’s now working in the General’s residence and is quite valued by General Wu. While he may not hold significant power, the Hua family at least has some support now and isn’t someone anyone can trample on.”
“That’s no surprise. My father, second uncle, and third uncle are all inexperienced in practical matters. They’d be better suited as teachers. For the family to establish a foothold there, they can only rely on Fourth Uncle.”
Bai Mingxia laughed. “You see things clearly. Your father is indeed working as a teacher now.”
Hua Zhi was taken aback. Could an exiled person become a teacher?
Seizing the opportunity, Shen Qi stepped in to clarify. “Your father isn’t teaching at an academy—there aren’t any academies in that place. He’s just giving lessons to local children. His manual labor is done by others.”
Hua Zhi nodded slightly. That was for the best. Her father was a true scholar, completely at ease with books in hand. Asking him to do anything else would likely yield half the result for twice the effort.
Bai Mingxia handed her a package. “Yue Zhi asked me to bring this back. It’s all letters.”
Hua Zhi thanked him but still did not mention her impending journey north.
Despite his close relationship with the Fourth Master of the Hua family, Bai Mingxia was still an outsider to the Hua family. Even in letters, they only discussed trivial matters, avoiding anything sensitive. Naturally, they couldn’t entrust him with any crucial messages. Bai Mingxia could only share what he had seen and heard, with Shen Qi adding a few details here and there. The conversation flowed smoothly without any awkwardness.Just as their conversation was winding down, Fu Dong appeared as if timing it perfectly, directing servants to bring in the dishes one by one. With few guests present, each portion was modest, but there were a full twelve courses—braised, stir-fried, marinated, and more—filling the room with the rich, savory aroma of mushrooms.
Bai Mingxia chuckled. "I heard about the Mushroom Banquet at the Food Studio as soon as I returned. Today, I'll finally get to indulge my palate."
"I'm glad you like it, Uncle."
Fu Dong's culinary skills, praised by Gu Yanxi and Shaoyao, were clearly exceptional, and winning over Bai Mingxia was no challenge. By the end of the meal, Bai Mingxia had eaten his fill, his belly round, and he began to playfully insist, "How can one meal make up for all my hardships on the road? It should be at least three—no, five meals! What do you say, Niece?"
Hua Zhi had also eaten quite a bit. Though she had been busy since her return, she had only just arrived today and had scarcely had a decent meal in over a month away. She appreciated Bai Mingxia's character and respected his business acumen, so she saw no reason to refuse him. "This private room is reserved for our own people. Feel free to come anytime, Uncle."
Bai Mingxia raised an eyebrow. "Our own people?" Given his friendship with Yue Zhi, he certainly qualified, but his own elder brother, who ought to treat him as family, was so wary of him that he didn't even want him to return home!
Suddenly, Bai Mingxia felt utterly disheartened. Rather than stifling himself in the capital, he'd be better off roaming the world freely and happily.
Having made up his mind, Bai Mingxia proactively brought up the matter Hua Zhi had mentioned before his journey north. "Is what you said still valid, Miss Hua?"
Hua Zhi lifted her chin slightly. "Though I am not a man, my word is my bond."
"Then, Miss Hua, please explain how you intend to collaborate on this canned goods business."
"It's simple: I supply the goods, and you purchase them from me. I'll sell them to you at cost plus a reasonable profit. How much you earn from there depends entirely on your skill."
Bai Mingxia wasn't entirely satisfied with this arrangement—it left him too passive—but he had to admit it was the most straightforward approach.
At that moment, Shen Qi stood up. "My mother is unwell, so I need to return early. I must take my leave."
Understanding that he was avoiding the appearance of impropriety, neither of them pressed him to stay. Hua Zhi bowed slightly. "The Hua family is indebted to you, Young Master Shen."
A bitter taste filled Shen Qi's mouth, his heart aching with regret. Words he had long held back now spilled out: "There's no need for that, Miss Hua. I studied under your father for many years. Even if fate has been unkind to us, I will always be his student. I already feel guilty in this matter. Hearing you speak like this only deepens my sorrow."
Mention of her father softened Hua Zhi's heart. Her father, who had spent half his life with books, had taken only two or three students, and Shen Qi had been his favorite. If he hadn't thought highly of him, their betrothal would never have been arranged.
Hua Zhi bowed again. "You are right, Young Master Shen. You will always be my father's student, and he has always been proud of you."
Shen Qi smiled bitterly inwardly. After bidding farewell to Bai Mingxia, he cast one last deep glance at Hua Zhi before turning to leave.
Perhaps it was best not to see her again. Each encounter only deepened his attachment, making it harder to let go. She was resolute and decisive—she would surely dislike such lingering sentiments. He didn't want her to despise him.Bai Mingxia glanced at Hua Zhi, whose expression remained completely unchanged, and realized that only Shen Qi was trapped in this situation. Thus, it became easier to speak his mind, "Yuezhi was worried about you, saying that Shen Qi has an excellent temperament and is indeed a good match. If you were interested, you should go to the Zhu Family and ask them to find a way to make this happen. But now it seems he was worrying for nothing."
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