Untouchable Lovers-Chapter 82 - 79 Knowing Autumn from a Single Leaf
Chapter 82: Chapter 79 Knowing Autumn from a Single Leaf
Rong Zhi was too terrifying.
Under his deep gaze, it seemed like nothing could hide. In just a day, he had unearthed everything completely.
Accurate insight, decisive action, and calm judgment—these traits, so starkly different from Rong Zhi’s graceful appearance, also demonstrated how smooth and sharp his techniques were, distinctly unlike Huan Yuan’s rawness.
Because of this, Liu Se grew increasingly fearful of falling into Rong Zhi’s hands. He couldn’t see through this man and couldn’t begin to guess what the consequences might be.
Chu Yu remembered what Rong Zhi had said the previous day about wanting to kill You Lan. Although her view of him had changed, his methods were cold and cruel—that was a fact. She was about to shake her head. Even if Liu Se deserved punishment, it shouldn’t be too harsh.
Although Chu Yu didn’t speak, Rong Zhi seemed to guess her thoughts and added, “Princess, rest assured, I will not mistreat Liu Se unnecessarily. Seeing his extraordinary talent being wasted is just too regrettable. If he were mentored, he could be of assistance to Huan Yuan.”
...
When Rong Zhi mentioned Huan Yuan, Chu Yu also recalled that Huan Yuan had been managing the affairs of the mansion for some time with dedication, yet the results were constantly lacking. He also lacked the leadership to command respect from others. Since she knew Rong Zhi was not an enemy, she planned to hand the authority back to him. This would also alleviate Huan Yuan’s burden, and for Huan Yuan, she had other plans.
Just as Chu Yu thought this, she saw Rong Zhi slightly shake his head, a hint of disapproval in his dark, warm eyes. Just as she was about to ask in detail, she heard him say, “Princess, let’s talk aside.”
The two walked to the courtyard. As soon as Rong Zhi stopped, he began, “Princess, you must not.”
Chu Yu countered, “Why must I not?” Had he already known what she intended to do before she even spoke?
Rong Zhi’s deep black eyes seemed to blend with the night as he spoke softly, “Princess, you have treated me differently before and after; how could I not know what you are thinking? But it cannot be done this way. Princess, while it’s convenient for me to manage the affairs again, have you thought about Huan Yuan? What will he think?”
Chu Yu suddenly became alert and understood Rong Zhi’s intention. If she transferred the administration back to Rong Zhi, which Huan Yuan had not managed for long, it would be the best method to maintain normal operations, and Huan Yuan could also be relieved. However, the problem was that doing so would almost be like slapping Huan Yuan’s face, essentially telling him that he was reinstating Rong Zhi because Huan Yuan was too incompetent.
Rong Zhi opposed this approach because he wanted to protect Huan Yuan’s pride.
Looking intently at Chu Yu, Rong Zhi spoke softly, “Princess, if you show trust in Huan Yuan but suddenly withdraw it at this time, he will not be able to bear it.”
This was different from the impact he had on Huan Yuan. He and Huan Yuan typically did not get along, and the criticism from him was like a hostile tempering. But for Chu Yu and Huan Yuan, she initially entrusted him with heavy responsibilities. Just beginning to handle the affairs, Huan Yuan was already exhausted, and anyone could see his haggardness. If Chu Yu were to withdraw the power from Huan Yuan now, it would completely negate all the efforts he had made previously. It would be like two people in the same camp, but Chu Yu suddenly stabbed him in the back when he was unprepared.
Previously, Chu Yu had abruptly seized the authority from Rong Zhi’s hands, and the transfer of power between them was too harsh, which led Huan Yuan to bear an exhausting burden. Now, what Huan Yuan needed was the confidence and trust of others. Without it, the overwhelming pressure could truly crush him.
Realizing this, Chu Yu broke out in a cold sweat. If Rong Zhi had not reminded her, she might have really said or done something wrong. Actions reflect attitudes; even if she tried to explain to Huan Yuan afterward, the shattered trust could never be restored.
Fortunately, there was Rong Zhi.
Thinking this, Chu Yu raised her hand to bow, but then suddenly remembered she was dressed as a woman, and the gesture was awkward. She started to lower one hand halfway, thought of patting Rong Zhi’s shoulder to show gratitude, but her expression changed instantly, and she forcefully twisted her hand in midair, pretending to touch her chin.
Suddenly feeling estranged, it was because Chu Yu remembered something.
Rong Zhi had mentioned that Huan Yuan’s pride could be hurt, but what about Rong Zhi himself? Summoned by her, Yue Jiefei broke his bones. During his recuperation, he was opportunistically stripped of his authority, calculated against, neglected, and treated coldly… What were his feelings then?
Chu Yu’s body stiffened as she thought.
Could it be that she had already made some irrevocable mistake?
Chu Yu looked at Rong Zhi, their distance was close, yet it felt like they could never truly touch. It was as if an invisible wall separated them, unbreakable by any means.
Meeting Rong Zhi’s smiling gaze, Chu Yu suddenly didn’t know what to do. Her mouth wordlessly spat nothing, even though Rong Zhi’s original stance was ostensibly on her side. After being treated that way, could he still help her without any resentment or grievances?
Had her excessive caution already pushed someone who was supposed to be a friend into a position of enmity?
Chu Yu wanted to ask, but she didn’t know how to begin.
Seeing Chu Yu’s expression changing uncertainly, Rong Zhi smiled and said, “What is the Princess thinking about?”
Chu Yu’s mind was in turmoil, and she replied offhandedly, “You should know what I’m thinking, right?” She no longer doubted Rong Zhi’s ability to perceive people’s hearts and didn’t think that Rong Zhi couldn’t see what she was currently worried about.
Rong Zhi chuckled lightly and said, “If the Princess does not say, how would I know what the Princess is thinking?”
Chu Yu pouted and instinctively countered, “So you mean if I don’t say, you won’t know what I’m thinking?”
Rong Zhi retorted, “Does the Princess think that I would know what she is thinking if she doesn’t say it?”
This time, Chu Yu did not continue. Such accumulated counter questioning was truly too unproductive and a waste of time, but… their eyes met directly as if glued together, then they slightly shifted their gazes, sharing a smile.
The invisible wall that had been there dissolved in an instant.
A few sentences of knowing yet counter questioning each other sounded somewhat boring, but Chu Yu’s heart felt settled by this, and she understood that Rong Zhi’s purpose in engaging in this tedious banter was for this reason.
He was silently conveying a message: rest assured, I will remain uninvolved and will not hinder you.
You don’t say, I don’t say, viewing flowers through a veiled mist, yet both clearly understand. This kind of vagueness was indeed delicate.
Chu Yu finally felt reassured, and then remembered something, she asked, “Then, do you need anything?”
Rong Zhi suddenly smiled, looking at her with a softened gaze, “I only need a place to stay here, Princess, you should go check on Huan Yuan, you can leave everything here to me.” The affairs of the Princess Mansion had become too familiar to him, repeating the same tedious tasks had lost the initial challenge when he took over alone, and he did not want to reclaim power. There was another reason he hadn’t mentioned, and that was this.
However, training Liu Se must be very interesting.
After listening to Rong Zhi’s words, Chu Yu hurriedly headed for Xiu Yuan Residence. As soon as she pushed the door and entered, she saw Huan Yuan sitting at the desk, concentrating on organizing the account books, neatly stacked on both sides, with a square tray in the middle, cushioned with a brocade cloth, holding the seal of the affairs of the Princess Mansion.
Hearing the door open, Huan Yuan looked up, unsurprised by Chu Yu’s arrival, and calmly said, “Princess, I have got things ready. The accounts are organized. When should they be handed over to Rong Zhi?” His slender, refined hands rested on the books, his handsome face expressionless, but his eyes seemed on the verge of shattering.
Chu Yu sighed in her heart. Rong Zhi really was prescient. She walked over and sat opposite him, and said seriously, “Who told you that I am going to hand these matters back to Rong Zhi? Who made up such a rumor? Speak up. I’m going to severely punish that scoundrel who dared to spread such nonsense behind my back.”
Finally, a crack appeared in Huan Yuan’s stoic expression, revealing a bit of surprise, “Is that not the case?”
Minor inadvertent actions reflect a person’s tendencies. Today, Chu Yu had gone with Rong Zhi to see the captured Liu Se without notifying Huan Yuan because she had already let go of her defensive distrust of Rong Zhi and was ready to trust his judgment. If it had been before today, in such a situation, Chu Yu would have first called Huan Yuan to accompany her.
Seeing a leaf fall, knowing the whole world is in autumn, Rong Zhi had the ability to perceive the whole situation. Though Huan Yuan was not as astute as him, he also possessed keen and sensitive thinking. When he was informed that Chu Yu went with Rong Zhi to see Liu Se who had been captured, he knew that he was probably going to be abandoned.
About this conclusion, he was very calm, without any anger, only silently preparing, waiting for that moment.
He was not like Rong Zhi, completely incomparable.
This realization once again struck Huan Yuan deeply, striking his already faltering confidence and self-esteem, just waiting for Chu Yu to come and settle the aftermath, to give him the final blow.
Chu Yu smiled faintly, her hands covering Huan Yuan’s, her gaze clear and unmoving as she looked at him, “I believe in you.” She did not explain or say any unnecessary encouraging words, only gently yet firmly said:
I believe in you.
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.
