Jiang Ce's eyebrows rose. "What, you think people will stop trying to poison me just because we go outside? Besides, I'm broke."
Shen Xuanran shot him a sideways glance. "Jiang Ce, I've noticed your words have been getting sharper."
"I may be a bit down on my luck right now, but I can still afford to treat you to a meal. Let's go. Consider it my thanks for you stepping up today!"
Without waiting for a reply, Shen Xuanran grabbed Jiang Ce's arm and pulled him out the door.
...
「On the other side.」
In the teahouse of a mountainside villa, the room fell silent after listening to Ma Xiangqian's report.
Ma Xiangqian swallowed hard. "Master Liu, it truly wasn't my fault. I delivered the invitation, but Young Master Jiang said he was busy and wouldn't come. There was nothing I could do…"
A buzz of discussion erupted.
"This Jiang Ce is so disrespectful."
"Master Liu himself extended the invitation, and he's still too busy? I think he just doesn't want to come!"
