In the moment she met those slender, smiling phoenix eyes, Shang Ruyi felt as if the drizzle around her had paused for a brief second.
The man before her had fair, smooth skin, resembling a youthful beauty, clearly accustomed to a life of luxury. His smile and demeanor radiated an innocence unique to youth, appearing not more than twenty years old. But upon closer inspection of his eyes, there lay traces of time’s imprint.
That was certainly not something a young man could possess.
Moreover, his slender willow-leaf brows and dazzling phoenix eyes were like those of a deity high in the temple, yet the God Buddha lowered their eyes to show compassion to the world. But in the brows and eyes of this man, there was an air of laziness mixed with a disregard for the world’s hubris.
It seemed as if everything in the world was merely ants crawling at his feet.
Luckily, at this moment when he looked down at her, there was a semblance of kindness in his smile, albeit a smile devoid of warmth. Indeed, even at the moment his sleeves fluttered, a cold fragrance wafted towards her.
Throughout her life, Shang Ruyi had never encountered a face more perfect than the one before her.
Instinctively, she said, "Yang Suyi?"
A teasing smile appeared on that handsome face, "How did you know it was me?"
This voice, it was unmistakably him.
Shang Ruyi regarded him a moment longer before speaking, "Young Master Yang, in your noble elegance, shouldn’t carry such a thing that tarnishes the dignity of your nobility."
While speaking, her gaze had already fallen upon the hand with which Yang Suyi held the umbrella. Yang Suyi also glanced at his own hand, noting the slender, fair fingertips wrapped with silken threads, from which dangled a small jade ring.
It was precisely the "joyful aura" he had once taken from Shang Ruyi.
Yang Suyi looked at the jade ring that had "betrayed" him twice, then smiled and said, "Even if this item isn’t precious, I still like to bring it with me."
"Because it pleases me."
Shang Ruyi’s brows furrowed slightly.
Was it her imagination, or did this Yang Suyi deliberately choose a tone and words that always seemed a bit ambiguous when speaking to her, making her feel quite uncomfortable?
Thus, she took a step back, moving out from under his umbrella, then asked, "Why would Young Master Yang be here?"
"I came out to find someone."
"Who are you looking for?"
Yang Suyi lazily smiled but did not answer her question, instead saying, "I unintentionally spotted madam in the rain, so I paused my steps."
It was then Shang Ruyi realized her own disheveled state.
Even her originally neat hair, now damp from the rain, had slightly collapsed, with the wet sideburns and hair stuck to her cheeks, bearing no trace of a presence worthy of an extended pause.
She forced a smile, "I’ve troubled Young Master."
Yang Suyi extended his hand, once more placing the umbrella over Shang Ruyi’s head, then said, "In such weather, madam could catch a cold. Just ahead there is a place to shelter from the rain; may I escort madam there?"
Shang Ruyi slightly furrowed her brow, hesitantly looking at him.
Seeing Shang Ruyi’s face show signs of doubt, Yang Suyi smiled and said, "Madam need not misunderstand. The reason I suggest another place for shelter is because I suspect madam doesn’t wish to return home at this moment, nor see anyone familiar."
Once again, Shang Ruyi’s heart was shaken.
This person, what a sharp eye!
Indeed, she did not wish to return, nor see anyone familiar because at this moment, she lacked the strength to deal with anyone’s inquiries or concerns.
And now, she had found another thing to do to distract herself from her heart’s troubles.
That was, she was truly curious about the identity of this Young Master Yang Suyi.
After a while of silence, Shang Ruyi finally said, "Please lead the way."