After taking the photo, Zhezhi quietly approached and cautiously said, "Um... Mr. Lucian... about what we agreed on earlier, would you still be willing to model for me?"
Lucian glanced at Rover with a questioning look. She sneered, "You already promised. Did you think I'd let you back out now?"
Lucian chuckled and whispered in her ear, "I'll make it up to you properly when we get back..."
Rover gave a slight nod. "The Moonlit Fair still has some time left. I'll walk around a bit more. Come find me when you're done."
With that, Rover led Chixia and the others down the mountain in a lively procession.
Once everyone had left, Lucian asked, "So, have you decided where you'd like to paint?"
Before Zhezhi could answer, a loud growl echoed through the air.
The atmosphere froze for a few seconds. Zhezhi's face turned crimson as she covered it in embarrassment, unable to face Lucian.
Lucian slowly glanced at her soft, slightly trembling stomach. "You're hungry?"
Zhezhi fidgeted and shook her head. "I... I'm actually not that hungry..."
Lucian could tell she was forcing herself. He recalled that Zhezhi usually lived quite frugally...
"Come on, let's get you some snacks at Plumpcake's down the mountain."
Zhezhi frantically waved her hands. "N-No need... I don't want to trouble you..."
Without hesitation, Lucian reached out and took her delicate wrist, pulling her along as they headed downhill.
Zhezhi's face burned red as she followed behind Lucian, biting her thin lips shyly while stealing glances at his back.
As they continued descending, Zhezhi gradually relaxed, her mind beginning to wander...
Being dragged along like this... Does Mr. Lucian think I'm a loose or frivolous woman...?
And what if Rover sees us...?
Mr. Lucian really has... no sense of danger...
But Chixia is also very close to him, and Rover hasn't done anything to her...
Lucian turned back and noticed her dazed expression. "What's on your mind?"
Caught off guard, Zhezhi's mind blanked, and she blurted out, "I also want to... with Mr. Lucian..."
Before she could finish, she hastily covered her lips, afraid she'd said something wrong.
Lucian blinked, then smirked. "Want to do what with me?"
Zhezhi flailed her hands in denial. "N-Nothing! You misheard! I meant... I wanted to... um..."
She stammered for a while before finally managing, "...to paint together with Mr. Lucian! Yeah! Paint together!"
Her head hung low, her ears burning so red they looked ready to drip blood.
Lucian suddenly slid his hand down and interlaced his fingers with her smooth, jade-like ones.
Zhezhi stiffened instantly, too flustered to speak. "L-Lu... Lu..."
Lucian grinned. "Consider this payment for me modeling for you. How's that?"
Zhezhi felt like her whole body was overheating, as if she might faint any second. "P-Payment... O-Okay..."
By the time they finished talking, they had arrived at Plumpcake's. Uncle Li, spotting Lucian, greeted him warmly. "Ah, Mr. Lucian, back again?"
He glanced at Zhezhi beside him and clapped his hands cheerfully. "My, Mr. Lucian, you're quite the lucky man! Such a lovely companion—"
Before he could finish, Lucian cleared his throat lightly. Uncle Li paused, then quickly caught on.
"Oh! Look at me, almost misspoke!"
"Here for some Plumpcakes, right? I'll make some fresh ones for you two, hehe..."
Lucian smiled. "And a few dishes too. She hasn't eaten all night—almost starved the poor girl."
Uncle Li laughed heartily. "You got it! Take a seat, and I'll have it ready in no time."
Lucian led the blushing Zhezhi to a table. While waiting for the food, he asked, "Did you enjoy the Moon-Chasing Festival? I don't think I saw you around earlier."
Zhezhi scratched her cheek awkwardly and forced a laugh. "Ah... I... It was fine, nothing bad, haha..."
From her tone and expression, Lucian sensed something was off. Did something happen?
Meanwhile, Zhezhi sighed inwardly. Should I tell the truth? No, I shouldn't worry him. A little white lie won't hurt...
"Actually—" Zhezhi suddenly exclaimed, but when she saw Lucian's amused expression, she choked up, feeling completely exposed.
In the end, she confessed, lowering her head dejectedly. "Actually... I haven't really gotten to enjoy the festival. I've had too many commissions these past few days, and I had to watch Ms. Dianxiao's painted fan stall."
"Managing the stall was so hard... After sitting there for just an hour, I had to go home and rest for half a day..."
"And I couldn't find anyone free to walk around with me. Crowds make me feel suffocated, but being alone feels a bit embarrassing too..."
Slumping back in her chair, she stared despondently at the sky, sighing internally. I can't even lie properly in front of Mr. Lucian... Does he think I'm such a hassle...?
At that thought, she hurriedly added, "Not that I'm unhappy! Thanks to the festival, I got a lot of commissions, and watching the stall paid well. Just these few days earned enough to cover three or four months of debt!"
She tried to sound cheerful, but her face immediately flushed again. Crap! Now I just sound even more pitiful...
Lucian couldn't help but laugh at her rapidly shifting expressions.
Zhezhi wished she could vanish into the ground.
Is her social anxiety this severe...? Lucian wondered.
I just asked how the festival was, and she spiraled into all this...
Reaching out, he gently patted her head. "After we eat, I'll take you around properly. Just the two of us."
Zhezhi's head shot up. "Huh? Just... the two of us...?"
Her mind raced again. What does Mr. Lucian mean by that...? Could it be...?
No, no... That can't be it... What am I thinking?!
"T-Two people is... nice. Actually, two people... is just perfect..."
Lucian burst into laughter. "Yeah, just perfect."