Chapter 137: Chen Hao Ran (Part One)
Chapter 137: Chen Hao Ran (Part One)
The market street was bustling with energy as Xiang Ling and Fu Xiao made their way through the crowd.
"My Lady, here’s another restaurant." Fu Xiao told Xiang Ling as they passed by a three-storey building with a lot of people going in and coming out of it.
Xiang Ling turned to face the building and nodded her head while saying, "Then let’s head inside and take a look."
Ever since the two of them stepped outside of their manor late in the morning, they had been visiting all the Inns and restaurants that they found on their way. Not only that but Xiang Ling even stopped by the stalls that were selling food.
Fu Xiao was both confused and curious to know what was going through her lady’s mind, but she held herself back from asking anything and just followed after Xiang Ling in silence, only speaking when Xiang Ling missed any restaurant, Inn, or food stall by mistake.
"I should have asked the others to come along. There’s too much food to taste but I’m already feeling stuffed." regretted Xiang Ling when she felt that there was not too much room left in her stomach to keep tasting more food.
They booked a private room and were on their way upstairs when Fu Xiao suddenly came to a sudden stop, causing Xiang Ling to stop in their tracks as well.
"What’s wrong? Why are you standing here like a statue?" Xiang Ling asked when she came to stand next to Fu Xiao who was staring ahead with a bewildered look on her face. When the young woman didn’t reply and just kept staring at something, Xiang Ling followed the line of her sight and found herself looking at a man who appeared like her male version.
Xiang Ling stared at his dark eyes, long black hair, and the rest of his facial features that made him look so similar to her. She didn’t need anyone to tell her who the man was.
"First Brother Hao..."
She was at a complete loss as to what she should do in that situation. The last thing she expected was to come across one of the family members of the previous owner of her body. She wasn’t the slightest bit prepared to handle the current situation.
"First Young Master." Fu Xiao also came out of her shock and immediately greeted the First son of Magistrate Chen before she quickly moved and stood behind Xiang Ling.
The man, Chen Hao Ran, kept his gaze focused on the young woman whose face was hidden behind a veil. It had been months since he last saw his sister and looking at her now, he barely recognized her. If not for the fact that he recognized Fu Xiao, he would have completely ignored Xiang Ling even if they passed by each other. His sister looked that different.
Instead of her usual extravagant and bold-colored dresses, she was wearing a pastel blue colored dress. Instead of dozens of hairpins that she used to stuff in her hair, there was only one set of hairpins adorning her hair which was styled simply. Despite the veil that was hiding the lower half of her face, he could tell that she was barely wearing any makeup. But not only her appearance was so different from the past, but also her demeanor. The way she walked, talked, and conducted herself, looked so noble and elegant - something that his sister never learned.
"Xiang’er, what are you doing here?" He asked when she remained silent for way too long.
Xiang Ling looked up at the man and struggled for a few seconds before finally responding, "I... I’m here to eat the lunch."
Hao Ran shifted his gaze toward Fu Xiao who quickly nodded her head in agreement. After remaining silent for a few moments, he spoke again, "That’s great. I’m also here to eat. Let’s eat together then." Saying that he turned around and headed toward the room from which he just walked out a couple of moments ago.
Xiang Ling quickly exchanged a look with Fu Xiao only for the young woman to signal for her to follow her brother. What kind of situation was this? She wondered as she forced herself to move and followed behind her supposed-to-be biological brother.
The three of them entered the private room which was being cleaned at the moment. Hao Ran took his seat first before he signaled Xiang Ling to settle down as well. When Xiang Ling didn’t move even after several long moments, she felt Fu Xiao pushing her forward from the back.
Xiang Ling glared at the woman over her shoulder but Fu Xiao completely ignored her and moved to stand at the side.
"Xiang’er, come and sit down." Hao Ran ordered in a calm voice which made Xiang Ling finally take a seat opposite her brother.
A servant of the restaurant entered the room and Hao Ran quickly ordered several dishes along with Osthamus wine. He then turned his full attention toward his sister and asked, "Are you going to eat with that veil on?"
Xiang Ling wanted to run away from there. She didn’t recall when was the last time she felt this afraid of someone. She wasn’t this afraid even when she was being punished by the Heavenly Empress. She wasn’t this afraid even when she met her husbands who used to hate her, but as she looked at the man sitting in front of her, she felt her entire body shaking in fear, even when his face held the softest and kindest expression possible.
With shaking hands, she pulled away the veil from her face and set it aside, all the while she kept her gaze focused on her lap.
"Why are you looking so scared? Have you caused another trouble?" Hao Ran finally asked when he noticed that the young woman didn’t even dare to look up at his face. He hadn’t seen her this scared ever before, not even when she committed the biggest of crimes and brought the worst possible wrath out of their father.
He was still wondering what was wrong with her when he was suddenly left completely baffled by what happened next.