There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 340 Love rivals meet

Li Shuchen overheard and whispered, "So many people are watching us. The news that we're mutually attracted to each other should spread throughout the capital today."

Cheng Zhian smiled smugly: "Okay, Chenchen, this way."

The two walked to the boat rental place

The old man renting the boat looked at the two men's clothes and chuckled, "Gentlemen, you want to rent a boat? I have three kinds of boats: large, medium, and small. Which one would you like, young master?"

Cheng Zhian straightened his back and said confidently, "I want the biggest and prettiest one."

The old man renting the boat smiled broadly, his eyes crinkling: "Alright, ten taels of silver in total."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhian immediately took out her money and handed it over. The old man who rented the boat took the money and looked at Li Shuchen, saying, "Young lady, you are truly blessed."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen blushed and replied shyly, "Having Cheng Lang in this life is enough."

"Chenchen, I have you, and that's all I need."

Cheng Zhian gently helped Li Shuchen onto the ship. Once inside the cabin, Li Shuchen began rubbing her face.

"I kept laughing until my face got stiff."

Cheng Zhian placed the food on the table: "Have something to eat, let's rest for a while before resuming the performance."

Li Shuchen nodded, reached out and took a piece of coconut milk jam cake, put it in his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and sighed.

"It smells delicious! You should try some; it's my favorite."

"it is good"

Cheng Zhian picked up a piece and chewed it slowly.

"It tastes really good, no wonder you love it."

Li Shuchen proudly tilted his head back: "There's nothing I love to eat that's bad. I've only mentioned a part of it today; there are still many more of my favorite foods that I haven't talked about yet."

Cheng Zhi'an: "Then I'll take advantage of you these next two days and try some of these pastries."

Li Shuchen: Okay

The two, having eaten and drunk their fill, stood at the bow of the boat to admire the scenery. They had now reached the center of the lake, where the water shimmered and a gentle breeze blew.

Li Shuchen squatted down and splashed water, feeling relaxed and happy.

Suddenly, she said

"Indeed, beautiful things can easily give people the illusion of being in love, making them think they like the other person."

Cheng Zhi'an raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "What do you mean by that?"

Li Shuchen: "Take this cruise ship for example. With you, we have plenty to eat and drink, no worries, and we can even play in the water. It's so relaxing and enjoyable, sweet and wonderful."

But do I love you? No, it's just a wonderful illusion born of a stress-free life. In reality, I'm happy and joyful on a boat trip with anyone.

Cheng Zhian nodded: "That's absolutely right. What if you and I could always be this happy and joyful?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen stood up: "Then I can only say you're very rich. After all, I love money, and I'm happy if you give me money."

Cheng Zhian suddenly said seriously, "I can afford it. I don't need Shu Chen to bear my children, nor do I have in-laws who need Shu Chen to serve them. Shu Chen only needs to spend my money to marry me."

"No, Shu Chen must not agree to him."

Xu Shaobao, dressed in blue, appeared out of nowhere and suddenly spoke.

Li Shuchen panicked upon hearing this, wondering if Li Shuchen had overheard the entire conversation. If he had, their plan would have been for nothing.

"when did you come?"

Xu Shaobao looked at Li Shuchen in a panic and said, "Shuchen, you can't marry him! I have money too, you can spend all the money in the Duke's mansion."

Li Shuchen was relieved to hear this; it seemed he had only heard the last half of the sentence.

Cheng Zhi'an pulled Li Shuchen behind him and bowed slightly to Xu Shaobao, saying, "Greetings, Young Master Xu."

Xu Shaobao showed no mercy, gritting his teeth as he said, "Scholar Cheng, you mustn't force Shu Chen."

Cheng Zhian smiled slightly upon hearing this: "Chenchen and I are in love, so how can you say I forced her?"

Xu Shaobao frowned upon hearing this: "Nonsense. Shu Chen didn't have anyone he liked until recently. How could he possibly like you in just a few days?"

Cheng Zhian calmly replied, "Who can say for sure about matters of the heart? Falling in love can happen in an instant."

Upon hearing this, Xu Shaobao became angry and looked at Li Shuchen.

"Shu Chen, do you really like him?"

Li Shuchen was about to speak when Cheng Zhian interrupted him.

"Why did Prince Xu ask Chenchen? It's perfectly clear that she likes me. Besides, my family background is simple; I'm an only child. If Shuchen marries into my family, she can do as she pleases without any constraints, which suits her personality perfectly. It's only natural that she chose me."

Xu Shaobao's handsome face darkened and then turned pale, before he pleaded...

"Shu Chen, I know my family has many rules and a lot of people, which might restrict you. But I've already bought a house in the west of the city. If you marry me, we can live there. It will just be the two of us then, okay?"

Li Shuchen blinked, unable to answer.

Cheng Zhi'an: "Chenchen loves me and naturally wants to marry me. Prince Xu, you should give up."

"I won't give up, why should I give up?"

The sudden high decibel startled Li Shuchen.

Li Shuchen unconsciously shrank behind Cheng Zhian, his actions piercing Xu Shaobao's eyes.

Xu Shaobao felt a pang of pain in his heart and lowered his voice.

"Shu Chen isn't engaged to you yet, so I still have a chance, Cheng Jieyuan. Let's compete fairly."

Cheng Zhian smiled politely: "Alright, I'll make sure you lose convincingly."

Xu Shaobao: "It's still uncertain who will win and who will lose."

Cheng Zhi'an: "I invited Chenchen out today, so can Prince Xu please not disturb our time together?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Shaobao's gaze fell on Li Shuchen: "Shuchen, I'll ask you out another day. I'll be going now."

Li Shuchen nodded.

Xu Shaobao left with a faint smile.

Cheng Zhian pulled Li Shuchen into the cabin, sat down, and joked...

"Young Master Xu is truly deeply in love with you."

"I haven't had much contact with him, and I don't know why he's like this."

Perhaps it really was love at first sight.

"I don't believe it. Love at first sight is always lust."

Cheng Zhi'an sighed: "Perhaps you'll understand someday."

Li Shuchen glanced at the sky; it was already dusk.

"Let's go back; we should have enough for today's scenes."

Cheng Zhi'an: "We've already summoned Prince Xu, so we've exceeded our allotted time for the scene. Let's reschedule for a few days and confirm the news that we're mutually attracted."

Li Shuchen: Okay

Cheng Zhian escorted Li Shuchen back to the inn and then left.

Li Shuchen had just sat down when Liang Yuying entered the room with a heartbroken look on her face.

"Did Shu Chen go boating on the lake with Cheng Jieyuan today?"

Li Shuchen nodded: "Yes."

Upon hearing this, Liang Yuying lowered her eyes dejectedly: "Is Shu Chen still happy?"

Li Shuchen nodded again: "I'm happy, what's wrong?"

Liang Yuying felt a lump in her throat and found it difficult to speak.

"Has Shu Chen fallen for Cheng Jieyuan?"

"No, we were just acting."

"really?"

Liang Yuying looked up at Li Shuchen, eager for an answer.

Li Shuchen nodded again: "It's true. Cheng Zhian is now the top scholar in the provincial examination, and his reputation is soaring. Many matchmakers are trying to arrange marriages for him, so he came to me for help to avoid them."

I agreed because I knew he would help me make an essential oil extractor. Yu Ying, please don't forget to tell anyone, or my performance today will have been for nothing.

Upon hearing this, Liang Yuying's lips curled up, and she couldn't help but feel happy.

Okay, I won't say.

Li Shuchen: "Yuying, is there something you need from coming to see me so late?"

"hold head high,,,"

Liang Yuying squeezed her teacup, thought for a while, and then said, "I came today to ask Shu Chen what your birthday is, so I can prepare a birthday gift for you in advance."