Chapter Twenty Five.

Duan Xinyue is startled because Su Jiali is the first person he meets when he enters Qingfeng Pavilion.

"I heard you went to the Temple," Su Jiali says smiling.

"Mhm." Duan Xinyue replies bluntly and goes upstairs.

"What's wrong with him?"Qin Lanhua who has been watching them from a distance asks as she approaches Su Jiali.

"I don't know. It looks like he fell out with someone."

"Could it be that he was suspended from the sect again? That's the only thing that can shake his feelings," Qin Lanhua says teasingly.

At night Duan Xinyue secretly visits Guo Mulang at Redemption Temple.

"Old man it's been a while."

"With your personality I thought you were serious about not coming back."

"I change my mind about very many things."

"People change because of other people. Did you fall in love with someone?"Guo Mulang smiles .

Duan Xinyue ignores him and changes the subject,"Why is your disciple afraid of Temples?"

Guo Mulang stays silent for a while then decides to answer,"Because he lost his whole family in the Temple. His father had feud with his brothers. They were envious of him . Lei Qiang's father was a religious man so at times he would take his whole household including his servants to worship at the temple. His brothers arranged an attack and the temple was burnt while they were inside. Lei Qiang was wandering outside so he happened to escape death. Lei Qiang rarely talked about his family even when he was at the sect. I only know he's an orphan but I don't know from which family. This is the most he could tell me about his family."

The following day the showgirls go to the market to buy a few accessories. The girls shop while Su Jiali pays for everything. They stroll around till the girls are satisfied. One of them suggests Su Jiali to buy something for herself since they are all satisfied. A golden hairpin attracts her attention but when the seller states the price she finds out she doesn't have enough money to purchase it.

"Take it I will pay it for you."

All the showgirls turn to look at Wei Yi who is fanning himself with a handheld fan. They can't help gushing over how handsome he is. Su Jiali curtseys to him shyly.

"Thank you Mister Wei. When I go back to Qingfeng Pavilion I'll write you an IOU so I can pay you back later."

"No need. We've known each other before no need to behave so formally."

Wei Yi pays the seller and walks away still fanning himself.

"Sister Jiali you're so lucky. You're surrounded by handsome men but I'm still rooting for our Young Master Duan."

Su Jiali chuckles before replying ," Unfortunately our Young Master Duan doesn't seem to like women."

"Huh?"the girls exclaim in unison.

"No wonder he's so clingy around men. I heard people say he slept with Young Master Du,"one of the showgirls comments.

"How dare you slander our Young Master?" Su Jiali's expression turns to a serious one and the girl who commented apologizes instantly.

On Wednesday afternoon,Xu Han,Duan Xinyue and Lei Qiang go to Hope Temple as planned. This time they learn how to draw. They learn how to draw different kinds of flowers that represent love. Lei Qiang hands his drawing to Duan Xinyue.

"Lei-xiong I'm sorry this time I'll have to keep mine."

"Then give me back mine."

"Take it."

"Duan-ge are you going to give it to Miss Su?"Xu Han asks out of nowhere.

"What Miss Su?" Lei Qiang asks curiously.

"Bro Lei you didn't know. Duan-ge is in love with Miss Su from Qingfeng Pavilion but is afraid to acknowledge it."

"When did I say I'm in love with her?"

"The way you're reacting shows it."

Duan Xinyue feels a bit uncomfortable so he leaves the room. When Lei Qiang and Xu Han walk out,he's nowhere to be seen. Hong Yi informs them that he left .

In the evening after a quality performance, Qingfeng Pavilion earns lots of money due to the many tips their guests gave them. Normally Duan Xinyue would be happy about it and invite them for a meal but this time he stays in his room. Qin Lanhua brings him food and stays over to find out what his problem is.

"You are so absent minded nowadays."

"Why do you think someone who used to ignore you or dislikes your presence would suddenly start acting extra friendly towards you?"

"Maybe they heard a rumour about you so they're trying to gain your trust and find out if it's true."

"What if he knows I trust him?"

"Well maybe he's flirting with you."

"Huh?"

"Who is doing that to you? I didn't think you'd complain about someone flirting with you."

"I'm not complaining I'm just not used to that side of them. Don't worry I know what I will do."

"And what will you do?"

"Flirt with them back."

"Is it someone you're interested in?"

"Of course,"Duan Xinyue smiles.

Duan Xinyue knows Lei Qiang is trying to win him over because he wants something from him so he will shamelessly flirt with him and make him give up and his plan will fail and he might end up revealing what he wants from Xinyue.

Meanwhile at White Pavilion Lei Qiang and Hong Yi are trying to find new strategies to win Duan Xinyue over.

"My Lord Young Master Xu said that Duan gongzi has been acting weird since he mentioned about him being in love with Miss Su."

"Of course he's not in love with her. The reason he has been acting weird is because I started paying extra attention towards him and he finds it strange."

"It makes sense,"Hong Yi nods.