Chapter 20: Lost in One's Own Intoxication

After wandering around for half a month, Xue Zuining ultimately followed the elderly master of the Su family to Yunnan.

Since the incident of being followed by a car last time, everyone had become exceptionally vigilant. Unless absolutely necessary, Xue Zuining could only quietly stay in her room, which was the safest place for her.

At the residence in Yunnan, opening the window revealed a serene and graceful view of Erhai Lake, as if a mother guarding this magical land. In the distance, towering mountains nurtured countless rivers, nourishing the hardworking people on this fertile soil.

When Su Yi arrived, he saw a woman, earnest yet languid, reclining on a rattan sofa, her pen sketching some lines. Upon closer look, he realized Xue Zuining was replicating the distant scenery.

“Not bad,” he remarked briefly.

Startled, Xue Zuining turned around abruptly, only to find Su Yi’s enlarged face filling her field of vision.

“What are you doing here?” Seeing the man who had been elusive these past days suddenly appear before her, she felt an unfamiliar flutter in her heart. She wanted to ask about that man but found herself at a loss for words.

Su Yi raised an eyebrow, took her sketchbook, and flipped through several pages. Most of the drawings were landscapes, but when he reached the last page, his gaze abruptly shifted from the sketch to Xue Zuining’s face.

At first, she didn’t quite understand the look in his eyes, but soon she recalled the content of the drawing and stood up to snatch the book back.

Su Yi deliberately raised his hand higher, his almond-shaped eyes rolling with a smug expression, as if relishing having caught someone’s weakness. “You said you wanted a clean break. You said you’d never bother that man again. So then, beautiful Miss Xue, explain why you secretly drew his portrait.”

Faced with his teasing, Xue Zuining found herself momentarily speechless.

Watching her at a loss for words, Su Yi was utterly delighted. This woman was all talk and no truth—clearly missing him deeply, yet stubbornly pretending otherwise.

Alright then, I’ll let you be as stubborn as a mule. I’ll find a way to make you admit it willingly.

“Hey, why are you deliberately provoking me? When did you, Master Su, get so bored?” Xue Zuining sat down, took a sip of water to steady her nerves, and looked up at him with a lazy gaze. “Besides, if you’re here to be a mediator, you’d better be careful.”

“Careful of what?” he asked.

“Careful that Grandpa doesn’t skin you alive for defying his orders,” she retorted.

“Heh, that won’t happen. You can rest assured. I’m not here to waste words.” Su Yi calmly took out a red invitation card. “In a few days, it’s Lu Huaining’s wedding. I’m here to invite the old master to attend. After all, the two families have a longstanding relationship. We can’t be too inconsiderate.”

“A wedding? Lu Huaining is getting married?” Xue Zuining flared up like a startled cat.

“You didn’t know?” Su Yi crossed his arms and watched her. “He proposed in America a week ago. The girl is Ning Caier—you’ve met her before.”

Xue Zuining furrowed her brows and, ignoring him, began to walk away.

Su Yi quickly blocked her path. “Hey, where are you going? The poor guy is finally stepping into marriage. You’re not going to steal the groom, are you?”

“Not at all.” She glanced at him, then suddenly smiled. “I’m just going to skin him, that’s all.”