Destined

Gu Jiusi's impression of Ye Shi'an came almost entirely from his father, Gu Langhua.

Although his father was a merchant, he had a deep love for poetry and literature, and wholeheartedly hoped that his son would study diligently to earn an official rank through the imperial examinations.

However, Gu Jiusi had never been interested in scholarly pursuits. Since childhood, he had been fond of play and mischief. To motivate him, Gu Langhua often held up Ye Shi'an as a model, which consequently made Gu Jiusi harbor an extremely negative impression of Ye Shi'an. Now, upon learning that Ye Shi'an was to marry a clever but plain-looking girl like Liu Yuru, he couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude.

A smirk tugged at his lips. After a moment's thought, he nudged Chen Xun with his fan and said, "Have someone keep an eye on Liu Yuru for me."

"Why keep an eye on her?" Chen Xun was taken aback, then widened his eyes and exclaimed, "Jiusi, don't tell me you've taken a fancy to Liu Yuru?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Gu Jiusi rapped Chen Xun on the head with his fan, fuming. "Do I look like someone with such poor taste? Let me tell you, even if all the women in the world were gone, I would never marry her!"

"Then why have Chen Xun spy on a girl?"

Yang Wenchang grew wary. He always felt Gu Jiusi was capable of anything. Gu Jiusi raised an eyebrow and retorted, "After what she did to me today, am I just supposed to let it slide? Are you? Listen, she's now Ye Shi'an's fiancée. Ye Shi'an has always bullied us, and now she's humiliated us like this. If we don't retaliate, are we even men?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun found it quite reasonable.

Ye Shi'an was the most despised figure among all the idle young masters in Yangzhou City. He lorded over them with his academic achievements, and now his fiancée was doing the same. This was utterly intolerable—they had to fight back!

The three quickly reached a consensus. Chen Xun immediately went to assign his street informants to stake out Liu Yuru's home, instructing them not to miss any movement or detail.

While the three were scheming how to deal with Liu Yuru, she, on the other hand, had dragged Liu Yusi all the way back to the small courtyard in a frantic run.

Liu Yuru explained the situation to Liu Yusi and comforted her at the Liu residence, reassuring her until Liu Yusi felt at ease. Only then did Liu Yuru return home.

Sitting in the carriage, she couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

Now, Liu Yusi would not be marrying Gu Jiusi. Given Gu Jiusi's temperament, he would absolutely refuse to marry Liu Yusi, and since his family doted on him so much, they wouldn't force him. However, this meant that she and Gu Jiusi had likely made an enemy of each other.

She had always been cautious and prudent by nature, but this one impulsive act had landed her in trouble with someone as troublesome as Gu Jiusi. Fortunately, she was about to get married...

At this thought, Liu Yuru breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.

She was soon to be married. Once she married Ye Shi'an, even if Gu Jiusi held a grudge against her, he would have to consider the Ye family's reputation and let it go, wouldn't he?

The Gu family might look down on the merchant-class Liu family, but they would have to show some respect to the scholarly Ye family. Besides, she was just a young girl—surely Gu Jiusi, a grown man, wouldn't stoop so low as to trouble her.

Still, she couldn't quite shake off her unease. So, she fervently hoped that Ye Shi'an would return soon and finalize their marriage.In the following days, Liu Yuru anxiously awaited Ye Shi'an's return while inquiring about his news, all the while keeping an eye on the Gu residence's activities. Not two days later, Yin Hong cheerfully entered the room and said, "Miss, have you heard? Yesterday, Master Gu was so furious he chased Young Master Gu all the way to the main street."

Hearing Gu Jiusi's name, Liu Yuru's hand trembled slightly. Lowering her head over her embroidery, she feigned nonchalance and asked, "What happened?"

"They say it was about marriage arrangements."

Yin Hong tidied the table while chatting casually. "Young Master Gu was shouting all over the streets that he alone would decide his marriage - if he didn't agree, any matchmaking his parents attempted would be meaningless. Master Gu went mad with anger, reportedly grabbing a stick from home and chasing him out into the streets."

Everyone laughed upon hearing this story, and Liu Yuru couldn't help but smile too.

Her mind drifted back to that dream.

Gu Jiusi wasn't truly wicked - his usual behavior was merely outrageous, but he had never committed any truly heinous acts. Instead, he often became the laughingstock of Yangzhou City. Though such a person was rather annoying, if he were to meet the fate from her dream, it would be far too tragic.

Liu Yuru sighed. She couldn't determine whether the events in her dream were real or not, and if they were, what could she possibly do about it?

She pondered this for a long time. Nearby, Yin Hong finished arranging flowers and, noticing Liu Yuru's distraction, smiled and said, "Miss, are you feeling bored? Why not go buy some rouge?"

Snapping out of her reverie, Liu Yuru remembered that she had nearly run out of rouge recently, and Su Wan's room needed some replenishment too. After a moment's thought, she rose and said, "Let's go out for a stroll then."

Now that she was grown up, her days remaining in the residence were numbered. She wanted to be especially good to Su Wan, buying her more things while she still could - this was her filial duty as a daughter.

With these thoughts, after obtaining Zhang Yue'er's permission, she went out onto the streets.

The moment she left, the young beggar Chen Xun had stationed quickly went to report. Gu Jiusi, Chen Xun, and Yang Wenchang were gambling in the casino when Gu Jiusi heard that Liu Yuru had gone out. He immediately stopped gambling, dragged Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun along, and stormed off to find Liu Yuru.

They had agreed on a plan: however Liu Yuru dealt with Gu Jiusi, he would respond in kind.

Since Liu Yuru had Liu Siyu imitate what Gu Jiusi hated most, he would now imitate what Liu Yuru hated most!

And what did Liu Yuru hate most?

Gu Jiusi pondered this. While he didn't know about other things, one thing he was certain of - Liu Yuru thoroughly detested him.

After all, Liu Yuru had said it herself: "If I were the one forced to marry him, I'd rather throw myself into the lake immediately."

Since she hated him so much, he would go and disgust her without delay!

The three ne'er-do-wells' reasoning was straightforward. They headed directly to where Liu Yuru was. When they arrived, she was selecting rouge in the cosmetics shop. As a regular customer here, the shopkeeper knew Liu Yuru wasn't particularly wealthy, but she had a gentle temperament and was kind-hearted, unlike other spoiled young ladies from wealthy families. Though she wasn't extravagant with her purchases, the shopkeeper maintained a good relationship with her, chatting while introducing the latest products.Liu Yu Ru had her eye on the latest rouge and was quite taken with it, but upon inquiring about the price, she hesitated. As she pondered, she suddenly heard an enthusiastic call, sweet as honey, ringing out from outside the shop: "Sister Yu Ru!"

At the sound of that voice, Liu Yu Ru froze. Instinctively, she looked up and saw three young masters stepping into the cosmetics shop. At the forefront was Gu Jiusi, dressed in a vibrant red cloud-patterned robe embroidered with gold thread, wearing a pearl-inlaid golden crown, and holding a folding fan. His face bloomed with a peach-blossom smile, radiant and striking. Behind him, Yang Wenchang in a blue robe and Chen Xun in bamboo-green attire both carried folding fans, swaying them as they followed Gu Jiusi inside.

This was a place meant for women, yet the three men showed no hint of embarrassment. The other female customers hurriedly hid their faces behind round fans and retreated in alarm. Though Liu Yu Ru was a step slower to react, she quickly snapped out of it and turned to head toward the back hall of the rouge shop.

"Sister Yu Ru!"

Chen Xun immediately caught on, taking a large stride to block Liu Yu Ru's path.

Liu Yu Ru swiftly turned around, only for Yang Wenchang to promptly block her other escape route. Trapped by the three men, Liu Yu Ru and her maid were completely surrounded. Gu Jiusi leaned lazily against a nearby counter and drawled, "Sister Yu Ru, shopping for rouge?"

Gu Jiusi possessed a striking appearance.

Even such a casual gesture, which might have seemed listless or weak in others, exuded an air of lazy elegance and an indescribable allure when he performed it.

Yin Hong trembled with fear at the scene, while Liu Yu Ru struggled to maintain her composure. She quickly turned to the shopkeeper and said, "Shopkeeper, isn't it inconvenient for male guests to be here?"

Hearing this, the shopkeeper promptly understood and forced a smile as he addressed Gu Jiusi, "Young Master Gu, this is a rouge shop. As you can see, the customers here are—"

"Oh, it's fine," Gu Jiusi lifted his eyes, cutting off the shopkeeper, and shot him a look that said, "Be sensible." He declared outright, "I'll buy all the rouge in your shop today, so it won't disturb the other customers."

With that, Gu Jiusi turned to Liu Yu Ru, softening his voice as he said, "Sister Yu Ru, take whatever rouge you want. I'll treat you."

"Young Master Gu, mind your words!"

Yin Hong finally burst out, her voice trembling, "Our young lady is a respectable girl from an honorable family. How could you... how could you act like this?"

"Act like what?" Gu Jiusi asked with a smile, "Little maid, tell me, what have I done?"

"Young Master Gu."

Liu Yu Ru wore an expression of grievance and fear, her voice tinged with apprehension as she said, "I don't know why you've sought me out today. There's a world of difference between us, and we've never had any dealings. If my brothers or family have offended you in any way, I beg your forgiveness."

Liu Yu Ru had figured it out: Gu Jiusi was here to cause trouble today. She couldn't avoid it, so her top priority was to protect her reputation and prevent others from thinking she had any private dealings with Gu Jiusi. Thus, she began by clearly distancing herself from him, then hinted to everyone that others had offended Gu Jiusi and she was merely caught in the crossfire.Gu Jiusi saw her like this and immediately felt a toothache. Before he could speak, he heard Liu Yu Ru continue, "Young Master Gu, a great man remembers no small grudges and knows when to show mercy. I apologize on behalf of my brother and family. Please, won't you stop troubling me?"

As she spoke, Liu Yu Ru's eyes reddened instantly. To onlookers, she appeared completely like an innocent woman being bullied.

Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun beside them grew somewhat flustered. Their consciences pricked them—had they really bullied her to tears? Had they gone too far?

However, Gu Jiusi clearly saw through Liu Yu Ru's little schemes. He let out a soft "tsk" and couldn't help but remark, "You're quite the actress."

"Young Master Gu..." Upon hearing this, Liu Yu Ru's tears fell pattering down.

Yang Wenchang panicked and said, "Jiu Si, maybe we should let it go..."

Seeing his companions switch sides, Gu Jiusi felt his anger flare up.

This woman... this woman!!

He could hardly contain himself. Taking a deep breath, he finally decided to deploy a mutually destructive trump card. He smiled, his expression as gentle as a spring breeze, and said softly, "Sister Yu Ru, why are you crying? I'm not troubling you—I like you."

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru's mind went momentarily blank.

She looked up dazedly at the man forcing a lovesick expression opposite her. She had the urge to slap him across the face, but she had to feign shy confusion mixed with shock: "Young Master Gu, you mustn't joke!"

"Sister Yu Ru," Gu Jiusi took a step forward. Liu Yu Ru retreated a step. Watching her affected posture, he suppressed the impulse to throw her into the lake outside and said gently, "How am I joking? It was love at first sight, and my heart was captured upon seeing you again. In this lifetime, I'll marry no one but you!"

Liu Yu Ru: "..."

She felt she had lost.

When it came to thick skin, she truly couldn't outdo Gu Jiusi.

Seeing Liu Yu Ru barely able to maintain her act, Gu Jiusi couldn't help but flash a triumphant smile.

Seeing this, Liu Yu Ru finally understood just how petty Gu Jiusi could be. After a moment of silence, she realized that if this continued, Gu Jiusi would likely hound her relentlessly.

She sighed and simply whispered, "Young Master Gu, I apologize for what happened last time. It was a necessary move—a woman's reputation is important. I was in the wrong. Since you've troubled me today, consider the debt repaid. Could you please show some mercy?"

Gu Jiusi listened to Liu Yu Ru's words, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Didn't you say you'd jump into the lake if you had to marry me? Now that I've proposed to you, hurry up—time waits for no one, Sister Yu Ru."

As he spoke, he tilted his chin and whispered, "The moat is right behind you. Go jump."

Liu Yu Ru said nothing. She pressed her lips together, her entire body trembling with anger, and suppressed her fury as she said, "Young Master Gu, must I jump into that river for you to let this go?"

Gu Jiusi thought for a moment.

Truthfully, seeing Liu Yu Ru trembling with anger and sincerely apologizing to him had already cooled his rage.

With his anger diminished, he lost interest in tormenting her. After pondering for a moment, he revealed a smile, stroked his chin, and said, "Not necessarily. But you must say this: 'Ye Shi'an is a scoundrel, nowhere near as handsome, dashing, quick-witted, and upright as Gu Jiusi.'"

These were all phrases his father had once used to praise Ye Shi'an.Hearing this, Liu Yuru was momentarily stunned. She opened her mouth, stammering as she struggled to recall the words she had just heard, and said softly, "What Young Master Gu means is that Young Master Ye... Ye is a big scoundrel, not... not as dashing and handsome as you..."

"Dashing," Gu Jiusi reminded her.

"Yes," Liu Yuru nodded, continuing to stammer, "handsome and dashing, quick-witted, and with a character that is..."

"Upright."

"Mm, upright." Liu Yuru nodded again and hurriedly added, "You are a true gentleman, noble in character, and would never bully a young woman like me."

Gu Jiusi clicked his tongue at her words and said, "You're quite the smooth talker. Alright," he tossed the rouge case in his hand, "you can go."

At these words, Liu Yuru felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly prepared to leave.

But after taking only a few steps, lifting her skirt, Gu Jiusi called out to her, "Wait a moment."

Then, Gu Jiusi glanced at the young ladies in the inner hall who were hiding their faces behind fans and said, "Everyone, pick a case of rouge. Put it on my tab."

Hearing this, the girls exchanged glances, thought for a moment, and a few of them mustered the courage to step forward.

Once someone took the lead, the others began to pick and choose. Gu Jiusi said nothing more, holding his fan, and after instructing his servant to stay behind and pay, he beckoned Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun to leave. As he passed Liu Yuru, he gave her a once-over, raised his chin, and said, "What are you standing there for? Go pick one."

Liu Yuru was taken aback. Gu Jiusi raised an eyebrow. "Looking down on me?"

"I wouldn't dare, it's just..."

Before she could finish, Gu Jiusi suddenly tossed a case of rouge to her. "Take it, and pick a few more. When you marry Ye Shi'an in the future," he lowered his voice, his beautiful eyes sparkling with seriousness, "make sure you give him a hard time, alright?"

With that, he laughed heartily and left with his companions.

Liu Yuru stood rooted to the spot, clutching the rouge in her hands, lost in thought as she recalled the way Gu Jiusi had raised his eyebrow at the end.

This case of rouge was the very one she had been reluctant to buy earlier.

Meanwhile, as Gu Jiusi stepped out of the shop, Yang Wenchang asked curiously, "Why did you give them rouge?"

"Life's not easy for them," Gu Jiusi said, fanning himself.

Chen Xun looked puzzled. "What do you mean, life's not easy for them?"

Gu Jiusi sighed, a hint of pity in his voice. "Just now, when she suddenly changed her tone and apologized to me, it struck me that this girl isn't so detestable after all."

As he spoke, he flipped his fan to shield his eyes from the sun overhead and looked up at the wind chimes hanging under the eaves of the Brothel, frowning. "It just occurred to me that bullying her like that might not have been very fair. After all," Gu Jiusi pursed his lips, "she's had a pretty tough life too."

Author's Note: Gu Jiusi: "Even if all the women in the world were gone, I, Gu Jiusi, would never marry Liu Yuru!"

Later—

Famous last words.