Chapter 376: Hidden Corners
Zhou Moran looked at Zhou Qingyang's extremely aggrieved expression, then glanced at the puzzled gazes from Liu Yunyan and Lin Xinyao, sneering inwardly.
He never expected that despite all his precautions, everything would circle back to the starting point.
In his previous life, at this same moment, he had chosen to deny everything to the death.
He angrily defended himself, accusing Zhou Qingyang of framing him, but what was the result? Everyone believed he was narrow-minded, unable to tolerate even an adopted son.
Xinyao's disappointed gaze, Yunyan's cold attitude, his father's scolding... everything left him speechless.
In this life, he wouldn't make the same mistake.
"Sorry, Qingyang." Zhou Moran suddenly spoke, his tone sincere, "I accidentally bumped into the wine jug."
He stepped forward and took out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve, offering it to Zhou Qingyang: "Wipe yourself."
Zhou Qingyang was clearly stunned, obviously not expecting him to admit fault so readily. He subconsciously took the handkerchief, a flash of confusion passing through his eyes, but quickly resumed his weak and innocent appearance: "I-it's fine... Brother didn't do it on purpose."
Liu Yunyan frowned slightly, looking at Zhou Moran, then at Zhou Qingyang, seeming somewhat hesitant.
Lin Xinyao quickly walked over and asked with concern: "Young Master Qingyang, are you alright?"
Zhou Qingyang shook his head, forcing a smile: "Just my clothes are wet, it's nothing serious."
Zhou Moran watched this scene, his inward sneer growing stronger.
Sure enough, as soon as he admitted his mistake, it反而 foiled Zhou Qingyang's scheme.
"Qingyang, go change your clothes first." Zhou Moran said gently, "Don't catch a cold."
Zhou Qingyang opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something more, but ultimately just said softly: "Thank you for your concern, Brother."
After speaking, he turned and left, his figure appearing somewhat lonely.
Lin Xinyao watched his retreating figure and sighed softly: "Moran, you just now..."
"It was my fault." Zhou Moran admitted frankly, "I wasn't paying attention for a moment and bumped the wine jug."
His sincere attitude made it difficult for Lin Xinyao to say anything more.
Liu Yunyan stood nearby, her gaze sweeping between the two, and finally said indifferently: "The banquet isn't over yet, let's go back."
Zhou Moran nodded, and the three returned to the banquet together.
For the rest of the banquet, Zhou Qingyang returned in clean clothes but was noticeably much quieter, no longer deliberately approaching Xinyao or Yunyan as before.
---
The night was dark and heavy. Zhou Moran stood in the courtyard, his fingertips lightly pinching as a wisp of invisible spiritual power spread out along his senses.
When Zhou Moran apologized earlier, he had secretly placed a tracking talisman on Zhou Qingyang. This kid's success in his previous life was all because Zhou Moran was in the light while he was in the dark. With this tracking talisman, he could now monitor his movements at any time, keeping watch on him secretly and planning ahead.
"Kid, I didn't live my previous life for nothing," Zhou Moran snorted inwardly.
Soon, he sensed the location of the tracking talisman.
Huh—this direction! It seemed to be in Yunyan's room!
His brows suddenly furrowed tightly, alarm bells ringing in his heart.
Why would Zhou Qingyang go to Yunyan's place?
Could he be trying to take advantage of the daytime incident to get close to Yunyan?
Zhou Moran's eyes turned cold as he immediately set off for Liu Yunyan's courtyard. Yunyan had a cold temperament but a soft heart, especially now that he was engaged to Xinyao, she would certainly be feeling down. If Zhou Qingyang took advantage of her vulnerability...
He absolutely couldn't let the tragedy of his previous life repeat itself!
He quickly walked through the corridor, the night breeze brushing against his robes, carrying a hint of coolness.
The moonlight was like water, spilling onto the bluestone slabs, reflecting his cold profile.
Liu Yunyan's courtyard was located on the west side of the Zhou residence, usually with few visitors. Several plum trees were planted in the courtyard. Though it wasn't yet flowering season, the branches and leaves were lush, casting mottled shadows in the moonlight.
Zhou Moran lightened his footsteps and arrived outside the room door.
The candlelight flickered inside, and faint sounds of conversation could be heard.
---
He was about to push the door open when he suddenly heard a burst of laughter from inside—
"Hahaha, that fool, he didn't even see how unwilling Sister Xinyao was to be engaged to him!"
Zhou Moran's hand froze abruptly in mid-air.
This voice... it was Liu Yunyan's.
But her tone was completely different from her usual cold demeanor, carrying a hint of mockery and triumph.
Immediately after, her voice came again—
"He didn't even look at himself in the mirror, yet he actually tried to comfort me? Hehe, and he actually got chosen?"
Zhou Moran's pupils contracted, his fingertips tightening unconsciously.
What did this mean?
Yunyan... was mocking him?
He held his breath and continued listening to the conversation inside.
Zhou Qingyang's voice followed, carrying a fawning smile: "Sister Yunyan, thanks for your cooperation this time. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have known how to embarrass him."
Liu Yunyan snorted lightly: "Save it. I just can't stand his self-righteous appearance."
Zhou Moran stood outside the door, his blood seeming to freeze.
What was going on?
Yunyan and Zhou Qingyang actually knew each other?
He slowly withdrew his hand, a chill gradually deepening in his eyes.
Then, the forbearance he had learned in his previous life gradually took over his thoughts.
He quietly retreated a few steps, hiding in the shadows, continuing to listen to the conversation inside.
"But, Sister Yunyan," Zhou Qingyang's voice carried a probing tone, "are you really willing to let Xinyao marry him?"
Liu Yunyan sneered: "Willing? Of course not. But now is not the time to fall out."
She paused, her tone suddenly softening: "Qingyang, don't worry. Our plan won't change. As long as you do as I say, sooner or later, everything in the Zhou family will be ours."
Zhou Qingyang seemed somewhat excited: "Sister Yunyan, I... I definitely won't disappoint you!"
---
Chen Chang'an was lounging lazily on a rattan chair, his slender fingers picking up a crystal-clear grape and slowly sending it into his mouth. Ji Hongli was half-reclining on the soft couch beside him.
In front of them was a water mirror.
At this moment, the mirror clearly reflected the image of Zhou Moran carefully leaving Liu Yunyan's courtyard.
"Tsk, that expression is good." Chen Chang'an chuckled lightly, "Three parts shock, three parts heartbreak, and four parts forced composure."
Ji Hongli glanced at him, her red lips slightly curving: "You're certainly having fun."
"Naturally." Chen Chang'an casually picked another grape, "This is much more interesting than the short dramas I used to watch."
The image in the water mirror shifted, switching to inside Liu Yunyan's room.
She was sitting in front of her dressing table, her expression dark and unclear.
"The plot you arranged is quite convincing," Ji Hongli watched the mirror with interest, "but what is the truth?"
"The truth?" Chen Chang'an raised a finger and shook it, "That doesn't matter."
"What's important is that to make a complete lapdog awaken, you need strong medicine."
"I was originally planning to perform some action movies in front of Zhou Moran?"
"But that might be somewhat disrespectful to the actors, so forget it."
Ji Hongli was curious: "What are action movies?"
"That's not important. Besides..." Chen Chang'an said righteously, "A woman who doesn't believe her childhood sweetheart of twenty years but unconditionally trusts a stranger. This kind of stupid plot simply doesn't make sense."
"I'm just fixing the plot to make it a little more logical." Chen Chang'an smiled and bit into a peach, "That's all."
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