Chapter 654: Chapter 590, Relief_1 Chapter 654: Chapter 590, Relief_1 On the way back to the Guankou Building, Daohua’s mind was preoccupied with Xiao Yeyang dealing with the men in black, somewhat absent-minded. However, considering that Dong Yuanyao had just experienced a fall into the water, she spirited up to chat with her to alleviate the lingering fear in her heart.

However, as they talked, she realized that Dong Yuanyao was even more distracted than she was, her responses perfunctory each time.

“Miss Dong, be careful!”

While passing a stone staircase, Dong Yuanyao didn’t notice her footing and kicked the stair, tumbling forward.

Daohua hurried to catch her, but failed to grab hold. Just as Dong Yuanyao was about to fall, Sun Changze rapidly darted over from the side and grabbed her.

Seeing Dong Yuanyao, who was gasping with fright in Sun Changze’s arms, Daohua froze for a few seconds before rushing over to ask, “Yuanyao, are you alright?”

As soon as Daohua approached, Dong Yuanyao and Sun Changze separated like electrically shocked, post-haste.

Dong Yuanyao shook her head at Daohua, somewhat uncomfortably, “I’m fine.”

Sun Changze glanced at Dong Yuanyao and quickly walked ahead.

Seeing Daohua’s inquisitive look, Dong Yuanyao hastily linked arms with her, “Let’s hurry along.”

For the rest of the journey, Daohua noticed that Dong Yuanyao and Sun Changze exchanged glances from time to time. When their eyes met, they would immediately look away, both of their faces carrying an ignorable blush.

Witnessing the subtle atmosphere between the two, Daohua felt a twinge in her heart, moved her lips as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed her words silently.

When it came to affairs of the heart, she couldn’t figure out her own, let alone comment on others’.

Before long, the Guankou Building appeared in their sight.

When they were still hundreds of meters away from the Guankou Building, Sun Changze stopped, “Miss Dong, Miss Yan, it wouldn’t be right for me to go any further. I’ll say goodbye here.”

Daohua quickly smiled, “Thank you for walking us back.”

Sun Changze, “Miss Yan, you’re too polite.” After saying that, he cast a quick glance at Dong Yuanyao, “You two should head back. I will watch over you until you’re there before I leave.”

Daohua nodded, took Dong Yuanyao’s arm, and prepared to leave.

Dong Yuanyao didn’t move, hesitatingly looked at Sun Changze, “You were injured just now. When you get back, take good care of it, and don’t neglect it just because the wound seems small.”

After speaking, she pulled Daohua away.

Upon hearing Dong Yuanyao’s words of concern, Sun Changze couldn’t help but smile, silently watching her retreating figure.

After walking a distance, Dong Yuanyao couldn’t help but look back and saw Sun Changze standing there with a foolish smile. She pursed her lips and quickened her steps.

“Yuanyao, slow down, I can’t keep up,” Daohua called out.

Only then did Dong Yuanyao remember Daohua’s injured foot hadn’t fully recovered, and she looked at her apologetically, “Sorry, I forgot.” Saying this, she looked worriedly at Daohua’s right foot, “Are you okay?”

Daohua glanced at her, shook her head, “I’m fine, but with the way you’re rushing back, I’m afraid you’re not going to be.”

Dong Yuanyao was puzzled, “What’s going to happen to me?”

Daohua reached out to pinch her cheek, “Your face is so red, anyone would think you have a fever if they didn’t know better.” As she said this, Daohua also froze, recalling what she had said earlier about Xiao Yeyang having a fever, and internally cursed at herself.

Dong Yuanyao quickly covered her face with her hands, her cheeks burning, feeling even more uneasy, “This is… this is…”

Seeing that she was too flustered to know what to say, Daohua quickly pulled her into a nearby pavilion, “Let’s rest our feet here for a bit, shall we?”

Dong Yuanyao didn’t object. Once inside the pavilion, she kept fanning herself with a handkerchief. Seeing Daohua staring at her, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Daohua inquired, “Why aren’t you with Sister Su?”

Dong Yuanyao hummed discontentedly, “This ticks me off just to mention it, Shiyu is someone who favors love over friends. The moment your fourth brother shows up, she just shoves me aside. To avoid being an eyesore, I had no choice but to leave on my own.”

Daohua then asked, “Then how come you ended up walking alone with Sun Changze, and even went to such a secluded place?”

Upon hearing this, Dong Yuanyao fell silent for a moment before looking at Daohua and counter-questioning, “I haven’t asked you yet, why were you alone with the Little Prince, and also went to such a secluded place?”

Daohua fell into silence, “Xiao Yeyang took me there to admire the beautiful scenery.”

Dong Yuanyao quickly retorted, “Sun Changze also took me to see the scenery.”

Daohua, “…Xiao Yeyang grew up with us, I am very clear about what kind of person he is, so I feel very comfortable going out with him. But you’ve barely met Sun Changze a few times, and you just went out alone with him like this, isn’t that a bit reckless?”

After pondering for a moment, Dong Yuanyao looked at Daohua and sat down beside her, “I don’t know if it’s because he saved me before, but I feel quite at ease with him.” She said, then bashfully lowered her head, “And very happy.”

Then, turning her head to look at Daohua.

“Yiyi, you said before that Sun Changze has a kind of wildness about him. To me, this wildness signifies that he is free and unrestrained. With him, there aren’t the usual twists and turns of an aristocratic family’s son–laugh if he wants to laugh, and speak if he wants to speak–a sincere, enthusiastic, and forthright nature. I really like being with him.”

Watching the spark of light in Dong Yuanyao’s eyes, Daohua was somewhat spellbound, remaining silent for a long time.

Afterward, Dong Yuanyao chose not to speak further, and once the blush had faded from her face, she and Daohua walked together towards the Guankou Building.

Today, girls from various families had all gone out for a pleasurable outing, and although Daohua and Dong Yuanyao returned a bit later than others, it wasn’t overly conspicuous, drawing no particular attention.

However, Guo Xueming, who was always mindful of details, noticed that the clothes on the two were different from before and inquired with a smile, “Miss Dong, Miss Yan, where did you go earlier? We didn’t see you at all.”

Daohua glanced at her and replied with a smile, “I twisted my ankle earlier and had some difficulty walking, so Yuanyao and I simply found a place with a nice view to enjoy the scenery.”

Guo Xueming’s face showed realization, “I see.” She then glanced at their attire, puzzled, “Am I mistaken, or did you change your clothes?”

As soon as she said this, the rest of the girls all looked over.

Chen Jiarou spoke with a smile, “Miss Dong and Miss Yan really did change into different clothes, but I’ve been staying upstairs the whole time and haven’t seen the two of you come back.”

The implication was that the two had changed their clothes outside.

Changing clothes was nothing unusual, but changing outside, especially in the presence of many outsiders, particularly men, was highly improper.

Daohua and Dong Yuanyao both wore cold expressions.

Before either could speak, Guo Xueming interjected, “Miss Chen, please be careful with your words. Perhaps you didn’t notice Miss Dong and Miss Yan returning.” She then looked apologetically at Daohua and Dong Yuanyao.

“It was my fault. I apologize to you both. Please don’t take it to heart,” she said, eager to change the subject.

Daohua and Dong Yuanyao’s faces turned even grimmer, but they found the situation difficult to explain and could only begrudgingly accept the implied insult.

Just then, Zhu Qiyun suddenly stood up, “I don’t think Miss Chen was upstairs the entire time, if I recall correctly. You went to the bridge head to listen to the folksongs, didn’t you?”

Chen Jiarou’s face changed, forcing a laugh, “I did go listen to the folksongs, but I came back very quickly.”

Zhu Qiyun smiled faintly, “The bridge head is not a short distance from the Guankou Building.” She then fell silent.

Su Shiyu immediately took over the conversation, “Speaking of which, Ningmen Pass is truly a place of pristine beauty. Seeing the shallow waters, I just couldn’t resist playing in the water–I saw that quite a few girls changed their clothes today.”

With this remark, the crowd of girls chimed in, and the conversation shifted to other topics.

Seeing the issue defused like this, Guo Xueming’s smile did not waver as she calmly picked up her tea to sip, then seamlessly joined the other conversations.

Su Shiyu pulled Daohua and Dong Yuanyao to a corner to sit.

Dong Yuanyao glanced at Guo Xueming, snorting coldly, “I used to think that Guo Xueming was decent, but now I see, she is even more despicable than Jiang Wanying, who wears her heart on her sleeve.”