Her Entire Court Reborn with Her in the Modern World

Chapter 93: Chapter 92: Shi Changying: Why Are You Just Like Xie Qingshi?

Shi Changying tilted her head. She clearly didn’t recognize that the heavily bundled-up figure standing before her was currently the hottest young musician, Xie Lin. However, his muffled-up style bore a striking resemblance to Qingyuan’s, which confirmed her suspicion that this young man was a public figure.

She recalled Xu Shuangqiao’s warning: "Yingying, many paparazzi these days have absolutely no moral compass. They couldn’t care less about invading a private citizen’s privacy, so you have to protect yourself!"

Taking the advice to heart, Shi Changying fished a pair of sunglasses out of her pocket and slid them onto her face. Xu Shuangqiao had given her these sunglasses as well. She loved them because wearing them made her feel like the undisputed boss of the entire street.

Observing her quirky actions, a faint, warm smile graced Xie Qingshi’s eyes and lips. "Miss Shi, I’m Xie Lin. You saved me that night. I didn’t expect Mr. Chengli to be your father. I still... haven’t properly thanked you."

He had finished work early today. After leaving his hotel, he had walked aimlessly until he somehow ended up here, as if some invisible force had guided his steps. But this time, it seemed the heavens had granted him good luck. Even though it was only eight o’clock in the evening, she had actually appeared on Thirteen Street.

"No need," Shi Changying replied lazily. "It was just a casual favor."

"I have no way to repay you for saving my life." The smile in Xie Qingshi’s eyes was pure and sincere. "If I don’t repay you, I’ll never have peace of mind. That’s why I’ve been waiting for you for a long time."

Shi Changying stared at him. Suddenly, her thoughts drifted back to a time long, long ago.

It was the Second Year of Taichu. She had personally traveled south to grant an audience to the Linsu Xie Family. She hadn’t concealed her journey, as she had needed to handle various issues in other cities along the route from Mingjing to Linsu. Ultimately, however, her main objective had stemmed from a list she held.

The list had been given to her by her teacher, Ye Yu, who was the Grand Secretary and the head of the civil servants. It contained several names of individuals worthy of important positions. Xie Qingshi’s name was among them, which was why she had made the trip to Linsu herself.

Coincidentally, she had ended up saving his life, and he had stubbornly insisted on repaying her. Although this Young Master Qing Shi had been blind, his character and integrity had indeed been as pure and resilient as jade.

Sometimes, when her ears had grown callous from his constant talk of repayment, she would tell him, "Then do a good job managing the Taichang Temple and revising the rites and music system. Don’t give anyone an excuse to gossip and say I was wrong to appoint you."

Following that, she had piled so much work onto Xie Qingshi that he simply had no time to think about anything else. How was it that four hundred years later, she found herself in the exact same situation?

Shi Changying didn’t say a word, and Xie Qingshi patiently waited for her response. Finally, Shi Changying recalled something of crucial importance. She asked, "Do you use Qianyu?"

Xie Qingshi paused slightly. "Yes, though my assistant manages my account. Why?"

As the largest social media platform in Jiuzhou, Qianyu controlled all the first-hand trending news. Shi Changying raised an eyebrow. "If you really want to repay me, go register an alt account and follow me. I need to boost my follower count."

Hearing this request that hardly qualified as one, Xie Qingshi couldn’t help but chuckle. "Alright."

True to his word, he pulled out his phone and registered a new account right there on the spot. Watching her follower count tick up by one, Shi Changying nodded in satisfaction. "There. Your debt of gratitude is repaid."

Xie Qingshi hummed in acknowledgment. "Mr. Chengli actually already sent me your contact information, but I thought it would be a bit presumptuous to just add you out of the blue. I—"

Shi Changying immediately pulled up her personal QR code. "Scan this to add me."

With a crisp BEEP, the two successfully added each other as friends. Xie Qingshi pocketed his phone, his gaze gentle. "What would you like to eat today?"

Shi Changying suddenly recalled that Shaoyuan had just asked her that exact same question, word for word. Right then, a cup of milk tea with a straw already poked through the lid was pressed into her hands. It was pleasantly warm.

At the same time, a voice floated down from above her head. "Don’t talk to strangers when you’re out."

Xie Qingshi paused and slowly turned his head. It was a young man about her age, dressed in simple white clothing, looking just like a noble young master from thousands of years ago. His features were surprisingly youthful and remarkably handsome—almost distractingly so. His fox-like eyes, in particular, naturally carried an innate, effortless charm.

Even though his eyes were slightly lowered, he gave off the distinct impression of someone sitting high above the clouds, looking down upon all living beings.

Xie Qingshi’s gaze faltered. Among the people he knew, Pei Xuan was arrogant, viewing everyone else as beneath him, sharp and cutting as a blade. Cui Jinghan was aloof and haughty, but more than being arrogant, he was fundamentally withdrawn.

The young man before him was undeniably arrogant as well, yet his arrogance didn’t carry any sharp edges or cold isolation. He was like the moon—residing high up in the heavens, yet casting his gentle radiance down on all living things. People could bask in his light and warmth, but they could never truly get close; they could only look up in reverence.

Shi Changying’s attention was already completely absorbed by her snacks. "He’s a kindhearted stranger," she remarked casually.

Shaoyuan’s movements didn’t falter in the slightest upon hearing this. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, he effortlessly fed her a fried meatball before unhurriedly lifting his gaze. Meeting Shaoyuan’s gaze at last, Xie Qingshi stated flatly, "I am not a stranger."

Shaoyuan smiled, entirely unfazed. "Mr. Xie may be a kindhearted person, but you ought to head back soon. Otherwise, tomorrow will just bring another wave of negative headlines about you online."

Xie Qingshi furrowed his brows slightly. His public status was indeed a tricky matter; no matter where he went, eyes were always watching him. After the last scandal, he had sued the instigators, forcing them to temporarily back off.

After a brief moment of silent deliberation, Xie Qingshi took out a jade pendant and offered it to Shi Changying. "Miss Shi, if you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’ve already exchanged contact information anyway, haven’t we?"

Shaoyuan tilted his head, a fleeting emotion flashing through his eyes. He offered a faint smile. "A gentleman does not part with his jade without good cause."

"But using jade to repay a life-saving debt is also the act of a gentleman," Xie Qingshi replied softly.

Shi Changying swallowed a mouthful of grilled meat and remarked casually, "Right. You two are the noble gentlemen, leaving me as the only scoundrel here."

Shaoyuan raised an eyebrow. "Since it is a token of gratitude, you should indeed keep it safe."

With practiced ease, he smoothly plucked the jade pendant from Xie Qingshi’s outstretched hand, leaned down, and tucked it directly into Shi Changying’s pocket. Shi Changying was still eating and offered no objection.

Xie Qingshi nodded politely. "Miss Shi, until we meet again."

Shi Changying finished her box of grilled meat and waved at him. "Goodbye, kindhearted stranger!"

**

The night was as cool as water, the moon and stars shining brightly.

Pei Xuan was out for a drive along the riverbank. Housekeeper Pei thought that he really must have had too much free time on his hands to be out here in the dead of night, accompanying their Young Master to look at the scenery.

Jianghuai had developed very early on, so the scenery along the riverbank hadn’t changed much compared to ten years ago. What exactly was the Young Master looking at? Housekeeper Pei knew that as a subordinate, he just needed to keep his mouth shut. He shouldn’t ask questions that weren’t his to ask; his only job was to wait for his superior to speak.

As a cold breeze swept in through the open window, Housekeeper Pei couldn’t help but pull his coat tighter around himself. "Young Master, it’s getting quite late," he suggested tactfully. "Why don’t we head back?"

Pei Xuan gave a faint hum of agreement. However, just as the car turned around, he suddenly spoke up. "No. Let’s make a trip to the Xu family’s home first."