The second record, an old friend's heart, how can one know what it resembles

Hui Shu paused for a moment, picked up the tea, and sipped it slowly, as if she had not heard anything.

Under this silent coercion, Belle suppressed her laughter and recounted the highlights of last night's "Miss Qi Seven's Rainy Night Elopement," deliberately exaggerating the pitiful state of Xiao Qi to cater to the Fourth Young Master's tender-heartedness. Hearing this, Hui Shu felt a pang of sorrow herself, her eyes reddening, nearly bringing her to tears.

The Fourth Young Master listened quietly, merely sipping his tea at a leisurely pace. Bei'er finally finished speaking and glanced sideways, unsure if he had absorbed any of it. Hui Shu left the mask with Yan Shize; revealing her secret was what she worried about the most, yet she dared not conceal it. If it were merely a matter of leaving out of spite, it would be a trivial issue, but Hui Shu's character was too stubborn, unwilling to leave herself an escape route. When Yan Shize saw that mask, he would only assume that she had an ambiguous relationship with the Fourth Young Master, a situation that could not be clarified even if she jumped into the Yellow River. If it were merely a matter of leaving out of spite, it would be a trivial issue, but Hui Shu's character was too stubborn, unwilling to leave herself an escape route. When Yan Shize saw that mask, he would only assume that she had an ambiguous relationship with the Fourth Young Master, a situation that could not be clarified even if she jumped into the Yellow River.

The four young masters invited her to sit, and she complied, placing her hands together on her knees, silently watching him pour tea; observing his long fingers as they turned the bone china cup adorned with gold, the gentle stream of water flowing in, and the tea mist rising. In her heart, Huishu gradually felt a sense of tranquility, an unprecedented stability mixed with confusion.

Hui Shu was anxious and did not know what she had said wrong

The Fourth Young Master indeed smiled, "Beier must have told you in private, I am in need of hiring a secretary"

Hui Shu's face flushed, and she boldly admitted, "I can do very well; I have no problem with English, and I know some German as well. No one is more suitable than me to be your secretary." She slightly raised her face, and beneath her youthful, smooth forehead, her eyes sparkled, revealing the unique flamboyance and confidence of the modern woman

The sadness in his eyes seemed to transform into faint hopes. Hui Shu could not respond; was it really so? Did she still hold any expectations for the world? Otherwise, why would she leave that mask to hurt him, to awaken him? Yet the retreat had been completely cut off, and there was no turning back. Whether he could become the person she hoped for had become irrelevant. She had never thought this deeply or intricately before; it was only at this moment that she felt a profound sense of melancholy, with an inexplicable ache in her heart.

Since it is not a good match, let it end. The Fourth Young Master set down his cup and smiled slightly at Huishu.

"Why?" Huishu opened her eyes wide and immediately retorted

Hui Shu nodded, feeling a sense of melancholy in her heart as she recalled Bei Er's tumultuous experiences, momentarily at a loss for words. Bei Er's husband is a wealthy merchant with the surname Meng, ten years her senior, and is said to be an exceptionally outstanding man. Although this marriage is primarily a transaction of wealth and power, it cannot be considered unfavorable. In the early days of her marriage, Lily often wrote letters filled with the happiness and contentment of a young wife.

To me, he is the best friend, partner, and benefactor. " Belle smiled faintly, " So I am not troubled, I am not afraid at all of falling in love with him and not being able to have him—this is your trouble, isn't it?

Hui Shu stared at him in silence

Beier frowned, "What’s wrong? Is there anything else?"

Hui Shu interrupted her and said lightly: "I have agreed."

However, he never mentions that name

Indeed, love cannot be divided into two. Gemstones are creations of heaven and earth, each possessing its own unique spirit and *characteristics*. Rubies symbolize love, representing passionate affection. When he gave away that half of the pendant, he never anticipated that it was the lost half of a whole.

Beier fixed her gaze, and the image of their first meeting emerged before her eyes... At that time, in the distant southern campus of the United States, it was not easy to encounter a fellow compatriot from the East. The two girls, close in age, instantly became confidantes.

The Four Young Masters had a somewhat serious expression, "Hui Shu, a moment's thought may change your entire life. Bearing such a mark, who could still be your good match in the future?"

This statement was uttered without forethought, a clarity and honesty that even I did not anticipate

At the moment the door was pushed open, a shower of fragmented gold rushed towards me, as sunlight filtered through the shadows of the parasol trees and poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a tall figure onto the ground. The fourth young master turned from the window, wearing a plain white shirt, with a long straight collar tied in a small Windsor knot, his profile outlined against the backlight, adorned with a faint smile.

Beier remained silent, seemingly lost in thought as she looked at her.

"Your face is about to be buried in the plate, are you that hungry?" His tone was gentle and teasing

The four young men remained silent. Huishu bit her lip in silence. She hoped he would say something, even a grunt would be better than this silence. But he showed no reaction at all; just moments ago he had a smile on his face, yet now his expression seemed somewhat dazed

"You are absolutely right, all of this is true." The Fourth Young Master looked directly into her eyes, "But you have forgotten one thing, Lily is the divorced Mrs. Beif, and she is now by my side, free from concerns about status and reputation, whereas you are different from her"

The Four Young Masters smiled faintly, "You should know, she is not my woman"

Hui Shu was momentarily stunned, turned her face away, and did not dare to look at him, "I didn't mean it that way, I'm sorry." She never regarded him as a base person and knew that there was a forbidden area in his heart that should not be touched. ... She merely spoke those aggrieved and resentful words out of spite towards herself ... . ... Yet she had not anticipated that it would be an offense to him.

"You are still laughing," Huishu shot her a glance, resting her elbow on her forehead, "I am utterly distressed."

At that time, they were carefree and truly happy. No matter how far a kite drifts, there is always a string attached; when that string tightens, it marks the end of freedom. After graduating, Belle returned to Hong Kong, where her father, a councilor of the Governor's Office, was a notorious gambler. He arranged for her to marry a wealthy Chinese businessman from the locality, making a lucrative transaction that exchanged money for status. Huishu returned to her homeland, continuing her tranquil life as a lady of a prestigious family. Her return from studying abroad merely added a layer of gilding to her splendid wedding dress, and it also contributed another delightful story to the enlightened reputation of the Qi family.

She noticed that he used the word "do not"; what a strange choice of words

"Why must it be done so harshly?" Belle sighed, placing a steaming cup of Darjeeling tea in front of Huishu. "This time, you have gone too far." Upon hearing this, Huishu looked up, her eyelids still slightly swollen from crying all night, making her eyes appear even larger and more expressive, with dark, moist pupils that sparkled. She had been focused on her breakfast, but upon hearing Belle's words, she set down her silver fork and raised her eyebrows, saying, "Am I really supposed to marry without sincerity and simply be a dutiful young mistress?"

"No need for him to understand." Hui Shu raised a napkin to cover half of her face, her expression unchanged, her voice muffled, "I have no good intentions, I just want to infuriate him." Bei Er laughed, "With such a tough mouth, let's see what you have to say when you meet the Fourth Young Master later."

She hurriedly spoke up, "I will not trouble you again, what Lily can do well, I can do too"

The fourth young master, dressed in a black silk robe, stood dazedly at the door of the dining room, with the belt around his waist loosely tied and the collar half-open, when a carnation was thrown into his arms.

Now that you know sorrow, you burst into my home like a drenched chicken in the middle of the night, yet I do not see your sorrow. Beier glanced over with a sidelong look, laughing so that Huishu became furious and embarrassed, casually throwing a yellow carnation from the decorated plate at her, "Lily, do you have any heart!"

The rumors circulating among others are nothing short of sensational and bizarre. Yet, when it comes to the person involved, it is merely stated in a faint tone, "I forgot that half a stone is inauspicious."

Hui Shu looked at him in surprise and heard him ask again, "But you still hope that one day he can become the kind of person you want, right?"

"Lily, you know that I am unwilling to accept this." Huishu lowered her head, her voice somewhat hoarse

"But you still care about appearances, otherwise you wouldn't have presented that mask." Belle took out a cigarette, her gaze revealing an insight that was not in line with Shaoling's age, "You hope to inspire him to rally, but unfortunately, he may not understand this intention."

She witnessed him take out the pigeon blood ruby, finally matching it with the pendant in the box to form a pair. The expression of joy and sorrow on his face at that moment left an indelible impression on her. What kind of deep affection could drive a person to such obsession

Have you thought about your plans for the future? The Fourth Young Master finally spoke, his voice gentle

Hui Shu felt a bit more at ease, mustering her courage to reply, "I envy Belle for being able to be an independent woman." She lowered her eyes, not daring to look at his expression, but in her heart, there was a hint of a young woman's audacity. From what she knew of the Fourth Young Master, he would never refuse a woman's plea for help

I do not know if I have made a mistake. Huishu felt somewhat bewildered, "I have great admiration for him, but I have never had any other thoughts, nor do I dare to... In the future, I chose this path, and I do not care what others say, but how will the Fourth Young Master view me, and how should I treat him.

In this vast city, it would be as easy as turning one's hand for the Yan and Qi families to bring forth a young woman. Now, the only one capable of cleaning up the mess for Xiao Qi is the Fourth Young Master

This breakfast is so delicious that Huishu can hardly eat anymore. The two girls exchanged glances, and Belle seemed unable to believe that the Fourth Young Master had forgiven Xiao Qi's recklessness so easily. She had already thought of various methods to persuade him through soft and hard tactics. Unexpectedly, he actually agreed to this elopement.

I am not distressed. " Bei Er looked at her, her gaze complex, " Xiao Qi, we are different.

That past, in the eyes of others, is a legendary tale of a hero and a beauty, yet it is also an unflattering joke for another failure. He does not shy away from it, nor does he ever deny his deep affection for that lady. He spares no effort in searching everywhere for the other half of that pigeon blood ruby; he allows Belle and her curiosity to see the pendant he treasures; he designs various Western masks, simply because that lady once wore them; ... He loves white camellias, which he once pinned in the hair of the beauty, resonating with the flower's meaning in his heart ... He spares no effort in searching everywhere for the other half of that pigeon blood ruby; he allows Belle and her curiosity to see the pendant he treasures; he designs various Western masks, simply because that lady once wore them; ... He loves white camellias, which he once pinned in the hair of the beauty, resonating with the flower's meaning in his heart ...

She remained silent, and the Fourth Young Master leaned slightly forward, asking softly, "Xiao Qi, is it?"

Hui Shu raised her arched eyebrows and looked at her, her eyes filled with inquiry

Hui Shu lowered her face, stirring the red tea with a silver spoon in a half-hearted manner, "Do you think I am willing to do that?"

Belle's emerald green eyes narrowed, resembling a cat, "Truly, Xiao Qi, you have never really loved."

Standing in front of the slightly ajar door of the study, Huishu took a deep breath, raised her hand to knock, and heard a gentle voice from inside saying, "Come in"

Beier smiled and dodged, but then heard Huishu exclaim in surprise, her eyes widening as she looked behind her, her cheeks flushing bright red

Three years ago, she was still far away in America, and that scandalous affair was only heard of later with few rumors... Now, the name Huo Shen Nianqing sounds so prominent, yet few people mention the three characters "Xue Jinming" anymore

Belle laughed out loud

She was clearly upset, yet her face was more composed than anyone else's, the redness around her eyes had already betrayed the grievances in her heart. Belle observed her and couldn't help but shake her head and smile, "This is indeed the real Qi Huishu returning, it's commendable how well you played the role of the Seventh Miss in the past"

This expression caused him to momentarily lose his composure. That person had also once possessed a captivating demeanor, with a gaze that was both enchanting and spirited

I have made up my mind. Huishu raised her eyes, which held both clarity and melancholy. He is not the person I desire.

As time goes by, I increasingly realize that beneath the seemingly gentle demeanor of the Fourth Young Master lies an unpredictable temperament. If Xiao Qi were to act recklessly, it would truly provoke his anger. Beier felt anxious and immediately changed her tone: "This time, Xiao Qi was indeed a bit reckless, but it is also my fault; I shouldn't have intended to tease him that night. If I hadn't invited Young Master Yan over, these troubles wouldn't have arisen. I only wanted to have some fun with Xiao Qi, but unexpectedly..."

The usually dashing Fourth Young Master, who remained silent, appeared entirely different from his usual self, making Huishu feel unfamiliar with him

Have you thought it through? Do you really not want that person? His voice was calm, revealing a rare... What is this rarity? Hui Shu could not articulate this feeling, only sensing an invisible force that suppressed the turmoil in her heart

Hui Shu stared at him blankly, momentarily forgetting what she was supposed to say

Hui Shu was shaken by this, wondering in confusion if this could be considered a rejection of her

The name of Huo Shen Nianqing is a riddle in his words

She stood still, lowered her head and rubbed the handrail of the nanmu staircase. After a moment of silence, she said, "Lily, I suddenly don't know..."

Do you really not like him at all? Belle's green eyes shimmered with a hint of ambiguity, "More than just liking Gaston?"

When Shi Ze showed her the gem that day, Hui Shu was stunned at first sight, amazed at the intricacies of the world and the smallness of human affairs. She never expected to find the other half of the ruby here. Shi Ze said it was taken by a destitute flagman to pawn, and then sold to his jewelry store by the pawnshop. He had never seen such a fine gem before.

You say the same. Hui Shu forced a bitter smile.

Kehui has seen it before. The other half of the almost identical pigeon blood ruby, set as a tear-shaped pendant, she has seen it in the palm of Fourth Young Master. Its quality is rare and unmistakable. It is a royal treasure that was leaked from the Qing Dynasty palace. Originally, it was a large crown decoration, but later it was cut into two pieces and each fell into unknown hands. Fourth Young Master purchased half of it and had it crafted into a pendant, which he gifted to his beloved.

The four young masters lazily asked, "Is Xiao Qi very hungry?"

Worldly speaking, he is not good enough, but he treats her very well. Hui Shu's nose felt sour, and she slowly said, "Maybe I want to be a different person, not Miss Qi, not Madam Shao."

The two ladies' embarrassment, the four young masters seemed to be oblivious, without any intention of avoiding, and sat down directly at the dining table. Hui dared not lift her head, gave a glance to Belle, lowered her face as low as possible, and shrunk her shoulders as much as possible.

Huishu is neither annoyed nor embarrassed, she just wants to fix Belle with her gaze in the corner of the wall.

It's really strange that there is a hint of sadness in Si Shao's eyes.

However, it doesn't matter. Belle smiled, with a knowing look in her eyes as someone who has been through it before. She tucked her hair behind her ear and walked hand in hand with him into the living room. "You still have plenty of time to make a decision. It's not too late to think about it when we come back from Beijing."

If you become like her, you will be seen as my woman by others. There was a hint of self-mockery on Si Shao's face, as if smiling but not smiling. "Being Xue Jinming's woman is not a glorious thing."

"You eat first, and come to the study later," he said, then stood up and left the dining room without looking back

If it weren't for meeting you, she wouldn't know where she would be drifting now. Hui Shu lowered her head and ran her fingertips over the button on her clothes. "It's good like this now. Although she works for you, she doesn't depend on you. She has her own independent will, which is something I don't have."

Hui Shu jumped up, "No, I did not think that way"

At the end of the corridor, the long window is wide open. A gust of wind blows in, carrying the rich fragrance of white camellias from the garden, as if to remind her.

Lily, don't you have this distress? Huishu sighed and sat down on the last step of the stairs, staring blankly at the ubiquitous white camellias in the garden, "Or am I just too weak and think too much?"

Hui Shu's tears truly fell this time, "Fourth Young Master... I actually..."

Obviously just woke up, the Fourth Young Master's lazy and charming look has not faded, squinting his narrow and beautiful eyes, looking at the two women beside the table, "You are really early." Hui Shu opened her mouth, not knowing how to respond, and dared not meet the eyes of the Fourth Young Master, ... and dared not look down ... The neckline of the sleeping robe slightly revealed the tight and firm skin of the man, which was particularly eye-catching against the black silk.

Huishu was taken aback and looked up to see Si Shao pushing a whole plate of bread slices in front of her.

The wall clock ticked, pointing from 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock. Beier, feeling anxious, secretly glanced several times, but the door to the Fourth Young Master's study remained ajar. Occasionally, faint voices from Huishu could be heard inside, but not a single word was clear. Just as she was feeling restless, Huishu opened the door and came out, silently walking down the stairs. Beier sensed something was wrong and immediately asked: "What happened, did the Fourth Young Master not agree? Did you speak to him properly? Did you say something wrong that made him angry..."

The regret in his eyes made the grievance in her heart increasingly uncontrollable, and without a moment's thought, she blurted out, "What harm is there in being your woman!"

The Fourth Young Master sighed, "You are not like Bei'er."

Beier had not yet replied, and she spoke hurriedly like splashing droplets, "I said to postpone the wedding, and the old man only thinks I am reluctant to leave home; when I urge Shize to pull himself together, he only considers me nagging... When I first knew him, he was not like this. I do not understand why he has become more and more like a dandy. I cannot deceive myself; I cannot spend a lifetime with such a man. He is no longer the Yan Shize I once knew. I can no longer lie to myself; I do not like him like this, I have long since stopped liking him... From now on, let him bear the resentment, it has nothing to do with me anymore!" I cannot deceive myself; I cannot spend a lifetime with such a man. He is no longer the Yan Shize I once knew. I can no longer lie to myself; I do not like him like this, I have long since stopped liking him... From now on, let him bear the resentment, it has nothing to do with me anymore!

Upon her arrival in a foreign land, Huishu had not yet shed her shyness; every gesture and movement reflected the restraint of an Eastern maiden. However, Lily Bell, with her Eastern heritage, was a natural focal point amidst the crowd, drawing countless gazes with the Chinese charm inherited from her mother. Initially, Huishu felt nervous and resistant as she was compelled to learn dancing and horseback riding by Lily, but gradually, like a bird escaping from its cage, she discovered the freedom of the sky.

"It's nothing," Huishu forced a smile and said, "The Fourth Young Master mentioned that in a few days you will be going to Beiping, and he would like me to accompany you. If I return from this trip without any regrets, then I will be considered for the position of secretary; however, if I do have regrets, I can return home at any time"

Huishu's face turned red and then pale, remaining silent.

This blissful period lasted less than a year before it came to an end, as Mr. Meng found a new love outside. Bei'er, with her sharp personality, retaliated in a shocking manner—when Mr. Meng sought a new love, she found a lover; when he stayed out all night, she held lavish banquets until dawn; when he kept a mistress in a golden house, she indulged in extravagant gambling. Although the Meng family was not considered traditional, they could not tolerate such a daughter-in-law. The old lady of the Meng family was nearly driven to death by her anger, forcing Mr. Meng to divorce her. Bei'er left without looking back after receiving a generous alimony, wandering through various places in the South Seas, indulging in pleasures and gambling as if her life depended on it

A wisp of smoke wafted from Belle's red lips, clouding her azure eyes.

Oh, so you still have the audacity to show your face! Belle's heart leaped with joy, "That's great! I knew Fourth Young Master wouldn't stand by and do nothing. This is wonderful! From now on, you'll be the secretary for Fourth Young Master, and we'll be together again!" However, Hui Shu remained silent, with little smile on her face, looking melancholic and lost.

As soon as the words were spoken, regret arose in her heart. Hui Shu hated that she couldn't cut off her own tongue. He looked at her indifferently, his gaze like a cup of slowly cooling red tea, the only warmth dissipating into the air. "Do you think it doesn't matter?"