novelaction Chapter 433 Loneliness
Chapter 433 Loneliness
Chapter 433
Qin Chuan had already harbored suspicions when Luo Shuiyao had bluntly stated that she wasn't entirely selfless. He was known for his insightful thinking and wasn't a dull person.
Hearing her say this, he hesitated for a moment before agreeing generously: "Baihua County has suffered a great disaster, and now everything needs to be rebuilt, which will cost a huge amount of manpower and material resources. I was worried about this matter, and I didn't expect that the young lady would be willing to lend a hand. Since you have favored me, I will do my best and will not let you down!"
Luo Shuiyao heard this and a faint smile appeared on her lips. Her fingertips nonchalantly twirled the silver bell at her waist, and the crisp sound echoed in the silent room. "Lord Qin is straightforward, but business is business, so I have to be frank with you—"
She lowered her eyes and fiddled with the bell tassel, but the corner of her eyes was fixed on Qin Chuan's expression. "I will do my best to help you rebuild Baihua County. If you make a profit in the future, you can give me a share."
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly raised her eyes and tapped the table with her fingertips: "As for the specific division, there is no need to be too particular. It will be up to Master Qin to decide."
Qin Chuan's Adam's apple twitched slightly. He had anticipated Luo Shuiyao's needs even when she had approached him as a businessman. Profit was paramount, a businessman's way of life. Luo Shuiyao had no ties to the people of Baihua County, and unlike him, she wasn't in a desperate need for political achievements to secure her career, so naturally she would seek corresponding benefits from this.
He cast his gaze out the window, his mind already picturing the magnificent scene Luo Shuiyao had described. Once Baihua County was rebuilt as she'd envisioned, and people's livelihoods recovered, roads would be clear and businesses would flourish. As she'd said, it would surely attract visitors from all directions. With such a massive business opportunity, it was no wonder Miss Luo was willing to make such a significant bet.
He raised his eyebrows slightly, looking back at her solemnly: "Okay, I promise you. But in the meantime, I hope you will let me take care of all the reconstruction matters."
Whether it was for his career, the foundation of Baihua County, or the people, this matter would only benefit him and not cause him any harm. He figured he had no reason to refuse.
"Of course." Luo Shuiyao raised the corners of her lips and nodded slightly.
Luo Shuiyao had never worried about the possibility of rejection. In her view, whether for career advancement or to alleviate the plight of the people of Baihua County, Qin Chuan's agreement to cooperate was an inevitable choice. Now, upon hearing his agreement, she remained expressionless, simply twirling the silver bell on her wrist, transforming the expected outcome into a clear ring.
Dusk has deepened.
Luo Shuiyao looked out the window and said calmly, "It's getting late. Now that the contract has been reached, I should say goodbye."
After saying that, she took off the silver bell from her waist. This seemingly small bell was actually made by a craftsman specially ordered by her, and was used for communicating with Fang Yueniang, Yang Wei and others. It had the same function as the waist badges and tokens of this era.
She walked slowly forward holding the silver bell and handed it to Qin Chuan.
Seeing Qin Chuan's puzzled expression, she gently opened her red lips and said, "Keep this. When you go to Qingyu Tower in Kyoto, tell us what you need by telling us the bell, and we will fully cooperate with you."
Qin Chuan heard this and took the silver bell from her hand. The small bell lay in his broad palm, delicate as an ordinary ornament, yet it was unexpectedly a token of identity. He subconsciously closed his palm, gripping the bell tightly. The coolness of the metal penetrated his palm, as if reminding him of the significance of this transaction.
Qin Chuan had heard of the Qingyu Tower mentioned by Luo Shuiyao a long time ago.
Merchants everywhere spoke highly of this renowned business in the capital—it boasted a dazzling array of rare treasures, fair prices, and an endless variety of styles. He had long considered that if he could establish a connection with Qingyulou and open a branch in Baihua County, he would surely be able to revive the local business.
Now, by chance, he had the opportunity to cooperate without any effort. But he quickly suppressed his thoughts. Rebuilding Baihua County was a complicated matter. The most urgent task was to fulfill Luo Shuiyao's agreement and turn Baihua County into a famous tourist destination.
"Okay, then I will accept it."
Qin Chuan solemnly put the silver bell into his sleeve and said seriously, "It's getting late. Although order is gradually being restored in the city, it's inconvenient to travel at night. How about I take the girl back?"
"Please, Master Qin."
Luo Shuiyao didn't try to be stubborn and readily agreed. She had already told Chun Xing and the others to go on their own and then return. Now that Qin Chuan was escorting them, it saved a lot of trouble.
The two walked out of the teahouse side by side, their sleeves swaying inadvertently in the evening breeze. They were immersed in their own thoughts, unaware that someone behind them was staring at Qin Chuan's back. A complex emotion flashed in their eyes, and then they stepped up to catch up.
The two walked in silence. Qin Chuan, noticing Luo Shuiyao's reluctance to speak, tactfully stopped talking. The moment he stepped out of the teahouse, a cool breeze blew in his face, dispersing the lingering tea fragrance and the haze that lingered in his heart, suddenly clearing his chaotic thoughts.
Only then did he realize that his quest to see Luo Shuiyao wasn't solely for this deal. While the cooperation proposal Luo Shuiyao had proposed was a timely relief for Baihua County's predicament, there was still something crucial stuck in his throat, unspoken.
Before they knew it, they had reached the downstairs of the inn where Luo Shuiyao was staying. Luo Shuiyao turned around and said with a smile, "Thank you, Lord Qin, for seeing me off. I'm here now. You should go back and rest early."
Qin Chuan shook his head, but saw Luo Shuiyao was about to leave, so he hurriedly said, "Miss Luo, wait a minute."
"Lord Qin, do you have anything else to say?" Luo Shuiyao looked puzzled when she heard this and looked up at him.
Qin Chuan's hands clenched quietly in his sleeves, feeling a lump in his throat, and for a moment, he didn't know how to speak. He had never known such words to be so difficult, and he was afraid that Luo Shuiyao would think he was indecisive. After a moment's thought, he finally bit the bullet and said what was on his mind: "I know that the young lady is extremely intelligent, but... I wonder if the young lady has a lover? Or perhaps, are you engaged?"
His speech was incoherent, completely lacking his usual confident demeanor, and his words were unclear.
Luo Shuiyao, however, understood what he meant. She paused, narrowed her eyes slightly, and carefully studied Qin Chuan's expression. Although she wasn't particularly perceptive when it came to matters of the heart, she was certainly not stupid. How could she not see Qin Chuan's obvious expression of his feelings?
Qin Chuan was a reliable man with a heart for the world, and his demeanor was that of a gentleman. Not to mention the women of this world, even compared to many men in his past lives, he was an excellent choice for a partner.
However, matters of the heart don't just depend on being right or having a good person. Luo Shuiyao thought to herself that besides respect for him, she didn't really have any romantic feelings for him.
Seeing him showing a rare expression of helplessness and uneasiness, she sighed softly in her heart. Then she looked into Qin Chuan's eyes and said softly, "Although I am not engaged, I already have someone I like. Thank you, Sir Qin, for your kindness."
She didn't say those hypocritical, polite words. Her eyes were firm and unyielding, clearly expressing her feelings. Although she had never experienced it herself, she understood that in matters of the heart, a short pain is worse than a long one. This was better than those people she had met in her previous life who kept giving people hope under the pretext of fear of hurting others.
Qin Chuan's entire body stiffened for a moment after hearing this, and a flicker of unconcealable disappointment flashed across his eyes. But he quickly regained his composure, bowed slightly, and said with a look of relief, "I was rude. In that case, I wish the young lady all she wishes for."
"Thank you."
Luo Shuiyao observed Qin Chuan's behavior and, though somewhat surprised by his quick reaction, she also felt a surge of admiration for him. A man who could boldly express his feelings and accept rejection calmly was truly rare, but this friendship had nothing to do with her.
She nodded gently and said sincerely, "I hope that in the future, Master Qin will also be able to find someone he truly loves."
After saying that, she bowed and then turned and walked into the inn without looking at Qin Chuan's expression.
Qin Chuan watched her disappearing figure, closed his eyes, and suppressed the bitterness in his heart. He always stood straight, adhering to the principle of standing tall and upright, but there was a hint of loneliness in his posture.
After a long while, he finally composed himself, straightened his clothes, and temporarily suppressed his loneliness, regaining his usual composure and determination. He then turned and walked in the opposite direction. But after only a few steps, he stopped dead in his tracks—a man standing in front of him, leaning against the wall with his arms folded, not looking at him.
But for some reason, Qin Chuan inexplicably felt that this person was waiting for him.