Li Ying stopped in her tracks. After a long while, she finally looked up and offered a gentle smile.
"Brother Lu, why do you say such a thing? For no reason at all, why would I be angry with you?"
Her smile didn't reach her eyes, and how could Lu Xunguang not notice?
Seeing that Li Ying was about to leave right away, he quickly stepped in front of her.
"A Ying, please listen to my explanation..."
But Li Ying only replied indifferently, "Brother Lu, you're joking."
As a businesswoman who greeted and saw off customers every day, her smiles were always smooth, and her words were flawless.
"A Ying, I know you blame me for not standing up for you that day... It was just that I couldn't afford to be recognized by Concubine Lian. If you're angry, just beat or scold me. Please don't be so cold to me, okay?"
There was a hint of pleading in Lu Xunguang's voice. Li Ying had never seen him speak to someone so humbly and softly. For no reason, her heart ached.
She managed to compose herself and still smiled faintly.
"You're incognito and don't want to expose your whereabouts. How could I possibly blame you? You're overthinking. Look, I'm still talking to you as amicably as usual, aren't I?"
She deliberately evaded, and Lu Xunguang frowned even more tightly. But there was nothing he could do. He could only watch helplessly as she gracefully turned around and left.
After a long while, he let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
"Miss Li seems to have a lot on her mind?"
Li Ying found a deserted beach, propped her chin up, and watched as the reefs splashed the waves into flying jade fragments. A few tailless Wenchang chicks with sparse feathers were pecking at small fish and shrimps. Hearing the voice behind her, she turned her head and saw Su Buchi looking at her with a smile in his eyes.
"If I'm not mistaken, Miss Li seems to be upset because of the disagreement with Lu Xunguang?"
Li Ying forced a dry smile and didn't want to say much. Su Buchi didn't press further. He took two more steps forward, sat down beside her, and said gently, "Miss Li is a broad - minded person. Why do you keep it all bottled up and torture yourself?"
Li Ying gave a self - deprecating bitter smile.
Was she blaming Lu Xunguang?
It seemed that she wasn't.
This man was surrounded by mysteries. Since Concubine Lian was his enemy and his injuries hadn't fully healed yet, it was reasonable for him to avoid her for the time being.
What she was angry about was herself.
Li Ying, Li Ying, you've lived two lives and considered yourself smart. But now, why have you become so infatuated and developed a useless lovestruck mind?
Neither the fishing village nor Lu Xunguang was her familiar hometown, even though they got along well.
Mountains may crumble, and people may leave. In this world, only oneself would never abandon oneself.
Lu Xunguang had just saved her twice without hesitation. How could she have regarded him as a life - saving straw? Just because he had stepped back and didn't come to her rescue in time, she actually felt a sense of loss in her heart?
While she was self - pitying, Su Buchi couldn't bear to see her so annoyed. After a moment's thought, he took out a silk handkerchief from his bosom.
Li Ying was stunned. She thought she had hidden her emotions well, but she never expected that in others' eyes, she looked on the verge of tears.
She took the handkerchief, shook her head as if trying to drive away all the distracting thoughts in her mind. Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of the pattern embroidered on the handkerchief, and she seemed to have been burned. Her voice couldn't help but tremble.
"Junior Uncle, where did you get this handkerchief?"
In one corner of the light blue silk handkerchief was embroidered a light purple five - petaled flower with golden stamens. It was simple and cute.
Su Buchi didn't understand why her expression changed so much, but he still answered sincerely, "I've been searching everywhere for my master's whereabouts. By chance, I passed by a small town. This flower is a local specialty. People of all ages use this pattern to decorate their clothes. I bought this handkerchief in that town."
If she wasn't mistaken, this pattern was clearly a potato flower!
Li Ying instantly perked up. All the unhappiness with Lu Xunguang was thrown to the back of her mind.
She seemed to see potato powder, French fries, and big chicken steaks lining up to wave at her. If she could find potatoes, the business of Li's Restaurant would surely reach new heights!
"Junior Uncle, could you take me to this town?"
She briefly told Su Buchi about the potatoes. Su Buchi looked hesitant and pondered, "The villagers there usually just wear these purple flowers in their hair. I've never heard that they can be used for cooking..."
He paused for a moment and then said, "The town isn't far from here. Since Miss Li is interested, I'll take you there right away."
Li Ying told Granny Sun and then saddled up Wu Zhui, eager to go out.
The small town that Su Buchi mentioned wasn't far from the fishing village.
They arrived there smoothly before sunset. It was dinner time, and the smoke from cooking was rising from every household.
Li Ying was so hungry, but she couldn't wait to stop a passer - by and ask about the location of the potato vines.
But Su Buchi reached out to stop her.
"Miss Li, those purple - flowered vines grow on the sandy ground at the foot of the mountain outside the town. They don't have legs. They won't disappear if we go a bit later."
"The sunset is so beautiful. It would be a pity to enjoy such a wonderful view alone. Would you like to climb the mountain with me to enjoy the scenery?"
Since he invited her, Li Ying couldn't very well refuse. She had to nod.
The back mountain wasn't very high, but the mountain path was rugged. Even with the dead branch that Su Buchi found for her as a walking stick, Li Ying still stumbled from time to time.
He reached out in time to help her. By the time they finally managed to reach the mountaintop, the setting sun had turned blood - red.
Their clothes were soaked with sweat. Now, the slightly cool mountain breeze blew over them, making them feel refreshed and comfortable all over.
Li Ying felt that the stuffy air in her heart had been dispelled a lot. She turned her head and saw Su Buchi looking at her with a gentle expression and a relaxed smile. Only then did she suddenly realize.
He didn't ask her to accompany him to enjoy the sunset at all!
Su Buchi clearly meant to cheer her up!
"Thank you, Junior Uncle. I'm extremely grateful!"
Li Ying was touched. She immediately curtsied to him and bowed gracefully.
Su Buchi smiled and said, "Miss Li, you have no connection with my sect. Where did this 'Junior Uncle' come from?"
Actually, she and Su Buchi were about the same age. She could just call him "Brother Su".
Li Ying had, for some inexplicable reason, followed Lu Xunguang's seniority and called him "Junior Uncle". She had a vague idea of the reason but didn't want to think about it carefully. Now, when he asked, she blushed involuntarily.
Seeing her stammering and her face turning even redder than the setting sun, Su Buchi didn't want to make her uncomfortable. He suppressed the faint sense of loss in his heart and said softly, "Such a wonderful moment is worth it if it can resolve the knot in Miss Li's heart."
"Since it's still early, let's go down the mountain right away, find the potatoes you mentioned, and go back to the village quickly. Otherwise, my master and Granny Sun will worry."
Li Ying nodded in agreement. The way down the mountain was much flatter, and they didn't have to exert much effort.
From afar, a field of purple - and - white colors was swaying. The potato field was obviously right there.