Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 902 - 877: Breaking Up the Pair

Fang Chuning also didn’t understand why he tolerated Xie Jue living next to him. With so many empty rooms at Lu Liu Villa, it was odd to choose the one next door to him. When asked, Xie Jue claimed he was uncomfortable around women and preferred to stay away from them, since the guest rooms were close to the maidens’ quarters. Fang Chuning had ulterior motives; he wanted to obtain the second jar of Daughter’s Red. After a moment’s thought, he allowed him to stay. Claiming to be penniless was clearly a lie, as Fang Chuning didn’t believe Xie Jue was truly destitute. Despite Xie Jue’s otherworldly demeanor, Fang Chuning instinctively felt he was lying.

"If you’re really penniless, you can pawn the Jade Pendant around your waist. I like it very much, you can pawn it to me," Fang Chuning suggested. The pendant was indeed eye-catching with its rich green hue, worth a fortune, enough to buy a mansion.

Xie Jue chuckled softly, lowering his gaze without speaking. Fang Chuning was momentarily dazzled, his heart deeply moved by Xie Jue’s beautiful smile. How could Fang Chuning prefer Prince Yan over him? Perhaps his odd personality put people off.

"It was a gift from someone, it can’t be pawned," Xie Jue replied.

"You’re penniless, and it can’t be pawned?" Fang Chuning asked dismissively, "How important was the person who gifted it?"

"Very important!" Xie Jue said calmly. Despite his amnesia, his preferences remained unchanged; the things he carved were indeed what he liked. He had already noticed Fang Chuning’s interest in his Jade Pendant, or maybe Fang Chuning found it familiar, "Do you find it familiar?"

"Not really, I just find it exquisite," Fang Chuning said. "Name a price."

"I can’t put a price on it."

"What a pity!" Fang Chuning remarked, "I’ll have someone carve a pair for me."

Xie Jue raised his eyebrows and said softly, "Then bring the jade, I’ll carve it for you."

"You can carve?"

"I can!" Xie Jue’s carving skills were more refined than many masters. Fang Chuning indeed brought jade for Xie Jue to carve, hoping for an identical pair of Jade Pendants.

"You..." Xie Jue looked at the green stone in his hand, thinking perhaps Fang Chuning indeed had a pair of Jade Pendants, made of white jade. Maybe he had forgotten it, or someone else took it.

"What, is it difficult?"

"No," Xie Jue said, "Though it may take some time."

Fang Chuning suddenly realized something—if Xie Jue was to carve here and took even a day longer, he’d have to stay another day. Fang Chuning immediately regretted allowing it, letting himself be led by the beautiful presence in front of him, misjudging the situation.

Xie Jue amused himself inwardly. Fang Chuning watched his smile, considering the pleasant sight of the beauty here, without any insane behavior. He just needed to lessen their contact.

Though their courtyards were next door, if Fang Chuning wished not to see him, he might not encounter Xie Jue. Fang Chuning was still recovering from his injuries, living luxuriously, eating, drinking, playing, boat riding and picking lotuses daily as they bloomed beautifully. At Xie Jue’s courtyard, a lotus flower thrived on the windowsill, fresh and appealing.

Fang Chuning was cherishing the rare jar of Daughter’s Red, having just a small cup daily without overindulgence. Tentatively, he asked Xie Jue if he could get another jar. Xie Jue said he would think about it. Fang Chuning mused inwardly, "This person is truly like Jiang Taigong fishing; willing ones take the bait. Clearly, he’s treating me as a big fish to hook, so cunning!"

He knew better than to take action, nor did he drive him away; Fang Chuning realized he had his issues too!

Xie Jue didn’t mind Fang Chuning spending daily time with maidens touring mountains and waters. He remained in the courtyard, focused on carving the jade stone. Fang Chuning, curious about Xie Jue’s calm demeanor, entered his small courtyard unexpectedly. The courtyard had a small pond, with a willow tree by its side, casting gentle shadows. Under the willow sat Xie Jue, carving the Jade Pendants. Fang Chuning couldn’t help but get closer. Xie Jue was grinding the corners but hadn’t yet detached the core.

Fang Chuning stood with arms behind his back, hesitantly asking, "You’ve been carving for two days, is this it?"

"Years without touching a knife, my hand is rusty," Xie Jue replied.

"Even a beginner should have at least detached the core after two days," Fang Chuning said incredulously.

"You’re really impatient for this Jade Pendant?"

Xie Jue looked up at Fang Chuning, asking earnestly. Fang Chuning had an indefinable feeling, finding it odd. He was indeed quite anxious, knowing that once the carving ended, he’d feel reluctant to remain at Lu Liu Villa.

Fang Chuning sat down, "Mr. Xie, you’ve been separated from your household staff for several days; they should be looking for you now, right?"

"I’ve left a message in Yangzhou City; they’ll come find me."

"I feel like you’re deceiving me."

"I never lie."

Fang Chuning found this claim extremely unconvincing but could only listen. Xie Jue asked, "Not heading out for boating today?"

"Boating every day gets tiresome."

"What do you want to do?"

"I don’t know!" Memory wiped clean, Fang Chuning hadn’t found what he truly wished to do, "Every day feels monotonous, empty, like something’s missing."

"With a piece of memory missing, interests naturally go missing too."

Fang Chuning lazily watched Xie Jue carve, though Xie Jue was skilled, he carved slowly, taking time for precision. Fang Chuning dazedly fixated on him and realized only after a while that he had been staring at Xie Jue for quite some time.

Xie Jue didn’t issue a notice for him to leave. One carved, the other daydreamed. Fang Chuning felt that when silent, Xie Jue indeed seemed detached from worldly concerns, "Xie Tingfeng, what kind of person is Fang Chuning?"

Xie Jue paused, the knife softly grinding the jade stone.

He stayed silent for a long time.

"Why ask about him?"

"Curious!"

"Aren’t you listening to rumors?"

"Who said that? I’m just..." Fang Chuning took a deep breath, "Half believing and half doubting. He’s a stranger to me; I don’t know who he is, so I can only listen to others."

"If I told you, would you believe it?"

"Yes!"

"He’s a fraud, just as rumored."

Fang Chuning blurted out, "Then why do you like him?"

"Ignorance of youth led to being deceived."

Fang Chuning said, "I suspect you’re lying to me."

"Believe it or don’t, it’s up to you."

Fang Chuning didn’t know why he felt a bit angry. He asked earnestly but received a perfunctory answer. He was about to continue questioning when Tao Yao rushed in, "Gentleman, Sir has arrived."

Tao Yao’s hurried arrival, with a very anxious expression. Xie Jue and Fang Chuning both looked up, seeing behind Tao Yao was a stern-looking man—it was Marshal Fang.

Marshal Fang also seemed to arrive in haste, his gaze falling on Xie Jue with great caution and rejection. Fang Chuning softly said, "My father can be very strict; if he says anything unpleasant, please don’t take it to heart."

Xie Jue coldly laughed. "Fruitlessly seeking for it everywhere, and yet it delivers itself to me."