Chapter 39 of 100

Chapter 39

11 min read2,669 words

Standing in front of the bamboo grove, Shiyue looked at Tang Jie, her face pale.

She gave him a deep look and then turned to leave.

"Shiyue!" Tang Jie chased after her and grabbed her arm, "Did you see everything?"

Caught by Tang Jie, Shiyue fiercely shook her arm, "I wish I hadn't seen anything. I never thought... Tang Jie, you're really capable, to even seduce the Fourth Miss!"

Tang Jie smiled bitterly, "It's not what you think, there's nothing between me and the Fourth Miss."

"Nothing? I saw her come out of the bamboo grove with a rosy face, and you still dare to say you didn't do anything to her?" Shiyue was almost in tears, "I was too naive, thinking you were someone I could rely on... No wonder you treated me so coldly, it turns out you had your eyes on someone higher!"

Tang Jie said helplessly, "Why do you have to make it like this? Actually, it's not certain that the Fourth Miss likes me, either."

Shiyue was stunned, "What do you mean by that?"

"There are some things I don't want to say too clearly, but you know, I know, and everyone knows."

Shiyue felt deeply humiliated, "Do you think I was just trying to curry favor with you because you might become a servant scholar, so you look down on me?"

Tang Jie didn't answer.

Some things, it's enough for both parties to understand, no need to say it too clearly.

Unfortunately, Shiyue wasn't willing to let it go.

She looked at Tang Jie and said, "Yes, I admit that my kindness to you at first was related to Madam's appreciation of you, I won't deny that I had selfish motives. But as a maid, what's wrong with thinking about myself? I admit I was attracted to your prospects, but I also genuinely thought you were a good person, someone I could rely on, so I devoted myself to you. But you..."

She began to sob as she spoke.

Tang Jie sighed, "I've never looked down on you because of your motives."

Shiyue was slightly stunned, "Do you really mean that?"

"Really," Tang Jie replied, "Everyone has the right to think about their future. I've never thought what you did was wrong. In my hometown, there's a saying: a capable man doesn't fear a materialistic woman, he fears a woman who isn't materialistic. As a woman, it's not easy to live in this world. No matter what the motive, as long as there's effort and help, there should be a reward. So I've never thought there was anything wrong with such women, and I certainly don't look down on them."

As Tang Jie, who came from the modern world, he was already desensitized to women's materialism. In his eyes, there was no such thing as a non-materialistic woman, only a matter of degree.

Men themselves are greedy and profit-driven, so why should women be expected to be detached from material things?

Shiyue had her own motives, just as he had his own motives for the Wei family. Both were striving for their own interests without harming others, and had made significant contributions and help beforehand, so there was no need for blame.

Because he truly thought this way, Tang Jie said it with a sense of righteousness and confidence, leaving Shiyue stunned.

She finally couldn't help but ask, "Then why have you never paid attention to me?"

"Because what you want isn't me," Tang Jie answered, "I remember the kindness the Fourth Miss has shown me. If I succeed in cultivation in the future, I will never forget her great kindness and will repay her generously, but that doesn't include me personally, as that was never your goal."

Women wanting repayment is nothing unusual.

But if the goal is material, then material repayment is sufficient. Why add marriage to it?

In Tang Jie's eyes, women wanting material things isn't wrong, but it's wrong to add a love story, a marital title, and a contractual obligation, making it seem pure and flawless, when in reality it's just a way to show off to the world, to display virtue, or to get endless returns with minimal effort.

This is what Tang Jie couldn't accept.

Shiyue wanted Tang Jie's future repayment, so if that's what she wanted, he would give it to her.

As for offering himself as a legitimate husband, that was out of the question.

Therefore, Shiyue's mistake wasn't in what she wanted, but in wanting too much.

Tang Jie didn't have a love phobia, but if a woman didn't love him and didn't have the talent to make him overlook this issue, he couldn't be blamed for being picky.

Hearing Tang Jie's words, Shiyue looked at him in a daze.

After a while, she said, "By saying this, aren't you implying I had ulterior motives? I didn't just..."

"I know," Tang Jie interrupted her, "I know your feelings, but if one day I'm declared to have no chance of becoming a servant scholar, would you still be so kind to me? Would you still place your life's hopes on me?"

Of course, there was affection.

Unfortunately, affection isn't an absolute value, it's not a matter of having it or not. It often involves various factors. True, pure love can only be found in dreams.

A woman who plans to bind a man with her body will convince herself that she loves him, even if she doesn't.

Tang Jie was quite handsome and good at dealing with people. Convincing herself that she loved him wasn't difficult, so when Shiyue said she liked him, the feelings might be genuine, but the situation might not be.

Or perhaps this liking was just that, a liking that could be for him or for someone else.

She could deceive herself, but not others.

Tang Jie's response left Shiyue speechless. At that moment, she realized she couldn't answer the question, and her mood sank.

Seeing her pale and sad face, Tang Jie sighed, "My heart is on the Great Path, and I truly have no interest in the Fourth Miss. This was just a misunderstanding. As for Sister Shiyue, I can only say I'm sorry. But as I said, if I succeed in the future, I will never forget your kindness!"

With that, he retreated.

Staring at him as he left, Shiyue suddenly felt a deep regret.

Perhaps she should have confidently told Tang Jie, "I can do it, no matter what, I will follow you and share your hardships until old age."

But she hesitated.

A moment's hesitation led to an eternal loss.

At that moment, Shiyue's tears fell like rain.

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Three days later, Wei Die left the Wei family and went to the Ruzhou Indifference Academy.

Before leaving, Wei Die hugged her mother and cried, creating a touching farewell scene. At that time, no one noticed a nameless servant standing in a corner of the farewell procession.

He watched Wei Die, and when their eyes occasionally met, both of their hearts trembled.

Manager Qin was greatly relieved and that night, he invited Tang Jie to drink, getting thoroughly drunk. In his dream, he called out, "Ruer, Ruer..."

After sending Manager Qin home, Tang Jie returned to his room.

He felt a bit melancholic but didn't know what to say. Lying in bed, he stared blankly, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound.

Looking closely, he saw Yi Yi climbing up the bed.

The little thing slipped in beside him, got under the covers, and snuggled up to Tang Jie to sleep.

Seeing the little thing's peaceful sleeping face, Tang Jie suddenly felt a warm feeling in his heart, and the inexplicable sadness was greatly alleviated.

To avoid pressing on the little one, Tang Jie slightly turned over and gently kissed her little face, "Naughty thing, why aren't you sleeping in your own nest, running to me for what?"

The little thing mumbled as if in a dream, "Here... warm..."

Tang Jie was stunned.

Yi Yi could speak!

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