She Only Needs Me

Old Madam Li let out a long sigh when she looked at the lovey dovey couple in the distance, then at her grandson’s seemingly expressionless face.

She had noticed that her grandson had been working very hard lately and wasn’t in the best of moods, so she thought she’d bring him out for a nice walk. Wen Yuansi did not have any place in mind or any suggestions, so she decided to bring him here because she wanted to see the pomegranate flowers in bloom.

She had always loved nature, especially when the flowers were in bloom. That’s why she brought Song Caitang to the pear blossom gorge back in Luanze.

Who would have known…

They had not come at a good time!

“Look at that branch,” Old Madam Li pointed at a high branch and made Wen Yuansi look, “that’s such a pretty flower.”

Wen Yuansi looked down. “Yes, it is.”

“But it’s too bad, the flower and I are ill-fated. It’s on a branch that’s too high, so I can’t reach it and I can’t pluck it.”

Old Madam Li sighed quietly and spoke very softly, as though she was talking to herself, even though she was clearly talking to Wen Yuansi, “It’s nobody’s fault that such a beautiful flower is blooming from such a high branch. The tree isn’t wrong for growing in this place either, since it has been allowed to grow well. I’m just not fated to have that flower. But even so, I want to thank the flower for giving me such a lovely experience and lovely time…”

“Many times, life is messy and difficult, so it wears one out and only our memories are wonderful. Humans mature alongside their memories, we learn from them and understand more about life from them. Don’t you agree?”

Of course Wen Yuansi agreed. He knew his grandmother was using the flower as an analogy.

She was reminding him that life did not always go the way he wanted. It was nobody’s fault – they were just not fated to be together. But if he took a step back and looked at it, if he accepted it and continued being the best he could be and made good memories with others, life was still good. Being greedy would not end well.

Wen Yuansi wasn’t surprised that his grandmother knew what was bothering him. His grandmother had always been a sharp and intelligent person, so nothing escaped her eyes.

He sighed, “Yes, yes, you’re right, Grandmother. I’m your grandson, so I’ll be just as clever as you and I won’t do anything silly. Don’t worry about me.”

“That’s good,” Old Madam Li smiled at him. “If that’s the case, then go over there and say hello.”

Her expression was encouraging, as though she was saying, prove it to me then.

Wen Yuansi sighed inwardly. Like the saying goes, an elder in the family is like owning a piece of treasure. She was right.

Not going over to say hello was rude, after all. All of them were of a certain status, so it would make him look very rude if he saw them but purposely ignored them. It would seem like he was pissed off with them or that he was asking for a fight.

And so, Wen Yuansi straightened his robe, then walked over with his grandmother.

They didn’t have to walk too close either, since that would make things awkward too. Zhao Zhi had very sharp senses, so he quickly sensed someone walking toward them. He turned and realized it was Old Madam Li and Wen Yuansi, so he quickly stopped being mushy with Song Caitang and helped her to her feet.

Song Caitang was a woman, so technically speaking, she should have been the most awkward in this situation. But she didn’t feel that way at all.

She had explained her feelings to Wen Yuansi very clearly and sincerely before this. Wen Yuansi was a gentleman who did not make things difficult for her. After all, doing that would be disrespectful to how sincerely and respectfully she had talked to him.

And so, she bowed slightly and greeted Old Madam Li and Wen Yuansi. “What a coincidence! Did both of you come to see the pomegranate flowers too?”

“We did! All of you have been working so hard on the case, you’ve almost forgotten to eat and I think your brains are all burned out, so I thought I should bring my grandson out for a nice walk,” Old Madam Li took Song Caitang’s hand warmly. “But boys will be boys – he has no idea how to appreciate these flowers and can’t even describe their beauty.”

Song Caitang laughed. “Why didn’t you take me instead? I’m the best when it comes to flowers. Look at that branch over there, the one with three blossoms squeezed in a row. Don’t you think they look like sisters?”

She held onto the old lady’s hand and took a step forward. Old Madam Li looked up and laughed too. “You’re right, they do look like that! Three sisters in the family? What a lively family it must be! Come with me, Caitang, let’s go and look at the flowers over there!”

Old Madam Li suddenly decided to take Song Caitang away with her.

Song Caitang hadn’t seen Old Madam Li in a long time and missed her, so she just walked away with her without even informing their male companions first. “You’re always so energetic! I’ve been busy with work lately and haven’t had the time to visit you. But I’m glad to see you’re still so energetic and well…”

“I’m well, I’m well…”

They chatted merrily and walked off together, and the conversation topic went from the flowers to everyday life. Old Madam Li teased Song Caitang, “Your dress is very pretty and it suits you well. But I think the color of the pomegranate flowers would suit you better. When would you be wearing bright red?”

When old folks spoke, especially someone who was very intelligent, their words would always include an allusion to other things. Old Madam Li wasn’t talking about wearing any bright red dress. She was referring to a bridal gown.

She was asking about when Song Caitang was going to get married.

Song Caitang didn’t need to turn and look at Wen Yuansi to know what Old Madam Li was trying to do.

The old lady was very wise, very clever, but never tried to force her or hint at her to do anything. She was probably mostly just teasing her, but perhaps she was also hoping to confirm that Song Caitang and her grandson were really impossible.

Song Caitang was not like the women of this era, so she wasn’t going to be awkward or avoid the topic. She was a little shy to say that she was definitely getting married, so she just glanced at Zhao Zhi from afar and said, “Well…I’m not the right person to ask about this!”

She even shyly covered her face after saying that. In other words, she was saying that it all depended on Zhao Zhi. She would get into that bridal gown when he was ready to marry her!

Old Madam Li observed a short moment of silence for her poor grandson, then smiled as she patted Song Caitang’s shoulder. “Every man is anxious about such things. But sometimes, they get a little nervous and are afraid you might not agree to it, so they take time to think about how they could guarantee a yes!”

Song Caitang just smiled and didn’t say anything.

Old Madam Li stopped teasing her and started giving sincere advice, “Marriage is a very important matter, so one can never be too serious about it. Women too, should not simply agree to anything just because they’re shy to speak up. Once you’ve confirmed the date, you must tell me. Make sure you do it when I still have the energy to help you get the wedding going!”

Song Caitang knew stared straight at Old Madam Li and knew that she wasn’t trying to hurry her so that her grandson would give her up completely. Old Madam Li was someone who had gone through this stage in life, so she was reminding her not to be shy and to raise her opinions when necessary, or else she might end up shortchanged.

Besides, if she was to get married, the ones giving her away should be the Guans. But the Guans were merely merchants, so they were nowhere near the level of a prince. But if an old lady of high status came in to support the bride, that would elevate her status sufficiently.

Ever since they got to know each other, Old Madam Li had always treated Song Caitang with kindness and doted dearly on her. Song Caitang didn’t understand at first, but now she felt that perhaps the old lady saw her younger self in Song Caitang, or perhaps the old lady somehow just took a fancy to her.

The heart of the elderly was very different from the impatient young. They were more willing to help, to protect, and to guide the younger ones.

Either way, Song Caitang was very grateful to her. “Aha, you’ve agreed to do that, so when I come to your house with huge presents to invite you to the wedding, you’d better not suddenly regret your decision!”

Old Madam Li laughed so hard, her eyes were closed. She was very happy.

Bright red flowers were in bloom around them, their sweet fragrance intoxicating. The atmosphere was warm and touching.

After that, Old Madam Li patted Song Caitang’s head and said in a kindly voice, “I really like you very much. It’s hard to find another girl as smart as you are, and I’m sure you’ve suffered a lot. I just want all of you to live good and peaceful lives, and not be frightened by what’s ahead of you…”

Song Caitang felt like Old Madam Li was implying something, but after thinking about it a little more, that feeling disappeared. She was just overthinking things.

But while the two ladies were enjoying each other’s company, Zhao Zhi and Wen Yuansi were not.

Both of them were rational people, so while they weren’t going to break out into a fight in public, they weren’t going to pretend to be best friends either.

Also, knowing and seeing were two different matters.

Wen Yuansi knew that it was pointless trying to vie for Song Caitang, since he knew whom she wanted to be with. But actually seeing them being so intimate was still a bit too much for him to bear and he couldn’t really accept it.

“Mountain paths are very rough. You should take good care of her,” he frowned slightly. “The ground is so dirty, and you decided to just simply sit anywhere?”

The jealousy in his voice was almost a slap in the other man’s face. He was basically saying, you guys aren’t properly married yet, so how could you get so close to her! Why aren’t you being considerate toward her?

And he didn’t name Song Caitang or call her Miss Song, but just referred to her as “her”. That annoyed Zhao Zhi. Couldn’t Wen Yuansi be more gentlemanly and keep his distance?

Zhao Zhi folded his arms and stared down arrogantly at Wen Yuansi. “I don’t need you to worry about us.”

Wen Yuansi stared back at him and his eye twitched almost unnoticeably. “If you don’t cherish her, she will walk away from the palm of your hand.”

That wasn’t all. He added, “There are plenty of other people who are willing to cherish her.”

Zhao Zhi raised his eyebrow higher and looked even more arrogant now. Not only did he look arrogant, but he looked like a domineering and unreasonable person now. He even shook his leg like one of those rich wastrels. “In any case, I’m the one she likes.”

Wen Yuansi almost yelled at him, “And because you’re the one she likes, you should pay more attention!”

Zhao Zhi narrowed his eyes. Wen Yuansi had lost his temper.

They had known each other for quite some time now, so it was inevitable for them to argue over differing opinions when it came to work or how to handle situations. But no matter how heated their argument became, Wen Yuansi never lost his temper. It was as though this man was born without a temper and was able to go through life with a smile on his face at all times.

But today, he lost it.

And he lost it over Song Caitang. HIS girl.

“Wen Yuansi, watch your words.” Zhao Zhi was warning him.

Wen Yuansi pursed his lips.

Of course he realized he had spoken rashly. He regretted it the moment he uttered those words. This was the first time he had been rash with words, and he would make sure it was the last time.

But since he had already said those things, it was useless regretting it now. Since he had already started, he might as well finish what he meant to say.

He steadied himself, calmed himself down, then put on his usual faint smile again. “This is not a sure win game in the first place, Your Highness – why don’t you put in a little more effort? You say she likes you, but has she ever told you that?”

Zhao Zhi told himself not to be swayed by this wolf in sheep’s clothing, but he realized that the answer to Wen Yuansi’s question was no.

He had told Song Caitang how he truly felt about her many times, including how much he liked her and how happy he made her. He had said so many mushy things to her and even proposed to her, but it did seem like she had never done the same for him before. She never said that she liked him and only wanted to marry him.

Zhao Zhi’s expression was a little grim now.

Wen Yuansi went on, “She likes you, but why did she tell me instead of telling you?”

Zhao Zhi was almost scowling now.

“If I had feelings toward a girl, I would definitely put in every effort and make sure that this relationship is mine and mine alone. I would want to have every first time of hers, including her first confession. I would want to be the first one to know.”

“I would want her to tell me herself, and not hear it from others,” Wen Yuansi smiled brightly and looked like a sly little fox. “I suddenly don’t feel so indignant anymore. After all, I was the first one to know that she liked someone.”