Chapter 355 - 223: The Black Robe Attacks

Chapter 355: Chapter 223: The Black Robe Attacks

Fang Yue was stunned. He never would have expected this gentle and graceful young woman to be the proprietress of Dingfeng Building, let alone one so young.

’This Miss Wan’Er is not only exceptionally beautiful but has a unique air about her, a refreshing and ethereal quality,’ Fang Yue mused.

He stood up, cupped his fists in a salute, and said, "So it is Miss Wan’Er. Forgive my lack of recognition."

Miss Wan’Er smiled lightly, returned the salute, and said, "Lord Fang, you are too kind. I have long heard of your great renown. To meet you today is truly an honor of a lifetime."

As she spoke, she had already taken a seat beside Fang Yue at Chen Lian’s gesture.

Seeing this, Chen Lian laughed heartily and raised his cup. "To have fine wine and a beautiful woman in our company is truly one of life’s great pleasures. Come, let’s drain this cup together! A toast to Younger Brother Fang’s success on this journey."

Fang Yue and Miss Wan’Er also raised their cups, and the three of them drank them dry.

After a few rounds of drinks, Chen Lian swayed as he stood up. His face showed a hint of drunkenness, but his eyes still glinted with shrewd light.

He patted Fang Yue’s shoulder, his tone slightly slurred. "Younger Brother Fang, enjoy the fine wine, the good food, and Miss Wan’Er’s company for tonight. Your big brother will take his leave. We have plenty of time in the future, so I won’t disturb you young people."

With that, he turned and walked out the door.

Fang Yue watched Chen Lian leave, his mind spinning with thoughts.

He could feel the Lord Director’s goodwill and warmth toward him, but he also knew that in the world of officialdom, people’s hearts were hard to read. He had to be cautious about everything.

He withdrew his gaze and turned to Miss Wan’Er beside him. She was still sitting upright, her features delicate, her bearing exceptional.

Her eyes seemed to hold a trace of curiosity and inquiry as she watched him quietly.

Fang Yue smiled slightly, breaking the silence between them. "Miss Wan’Er, Lord Chen has left. Perhaps we should call it a night?"

Hearing this, Miss Wan’Er smiled gently, a hint of slyness flashing in her eyes.

"Is Lord Fang saying he’s tired of my company? If that’s the case, then I shall take my leave." As she spoke, she rose and gave a graceful bow, making a show of leaving.

Seeing this, Fang Yue quickly waved his hands. "Miss Wan’Er, you misunderstand. That was not my intention at all. I was simply worried about taking up too much of your time."

Miss Wan’Er turned back to look at Fang Yue, the corners of her mouth lifting into a triumphant smile.

"Lord Fang, there’s no need to explain. I know what you mean." She sat back down and poured a cup of wine for both herself and Fang Yue. "Come, let me offer you a toast."

Seeing no other choice, Fang Yue could only raise his cup to meet hers.

He smiled wryly to himself. ’This Miss Wan’Er seems gentle and sweet, but she’s actually a mischievous pixie. I don’t think I can handle her.’

The two exchanged toasts, and the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Miss Wan’Er was not only exceptionally beautiful, but her words and actions also revealed a sharp intelligence, forcing Fang Yue to see her in a new light.

After several more rounds of drinks, a sly glint appeared in Miss Wan’Er’s eyes. She said to Fang Yue, "Young Master Fang, there is something I don’t understand, and I wish to ask for your guidance."

Fang Yue smiled slightly, set down his cup, and said, "Miss Wan’Er, you flatter me. Please, feel free to ask. If it is something I know, I will certainly tell you."

Miss Wan’Er nodded. After a moment of thought, she began, "Since ancient times, it is said that all things in the world are bound by cause and effect. So, I ask you, Young Master, is a person’s destiny also bound by this causality? If so, then by striving to change our fate, are we not violating the way of cause and effect?"

He gently swirled the wine in his cup, his gaze profound, and slowly began to speak. "Miss Wan’Er, the question you’ve raised is indeed a deep one. When it comes to destiny and causality, everyone’s understanding may differ."

He paused, organizing his thoughts, and continued, "In my view, destiny is not immutable. It is influenced by many factors, including our choices, our efforts, our environment, and so on. These factors intertwine to form what we call destiny."

"And the way of cause and effect is more of a natural law, a principle. It tells us that every action produces a corresponding result, and that result, in turn, becomes a new cause, leading to a new effect. This cycle repeats endlessly, forming the myriad phenomena of the world."

After listening, a bright light flashed in Miss Wan’Er’s eyes; she seemed quite satisfied with Fang Yue’s answer.

She nodded lightly and pressed on, "Then, Young Master Fang, do you believe a person can fall for someone after just one meeting?"

Miss Wan’Er’s question took Fang Yue by surprise; he hadn’t expected her to suddenly raise such a topic.

He pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly, "The feelings of this world are vast and varied. Some people do indeed develop feelings from a single encounter. Such a feeling may be difficult to explain with words, but it certainly exists."

He paused, then continued, "However, this kind of affection is often built upon a beautiful fantasy of the other person. After truly getting to know them, one might find that reality and imagination do not align.

"Therefore, I believe that true affection, or love, should be built on a foundation of deep understanding."

Miss Wan’Er nodded thoughtfully after hearing his words.

She seemed quite interested in the topic and continued, "Then, Young Master Fang... I think I’m starting to like you!"

Fang Yue was stunned. He hadn’t expected Miss Wan’Er to express her feelings so directly.

He looked at the delicate, lovely, and sharp-witted woman before him, and a ripple stirred in his heart.

However, he quickly calmed himself.

He knew the purpose of his trip was not for romantic entanglements; he had important business to attend to.

Therefore, he couldn’t allow himself to get caught up in emotional complications.

So, he took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Miss Wan’Er, I appreciate your feelings. However, I am on an important mission and cannot afford to get involved in matters of the heart. I hope you can understand."

A flash of disappointment crossed Miss Wan’Er’s eyes when she heard this.

But she quickly recovered, the corners of her mouth turning up in a defiant smile.

"Since the Young Master has important business, I won’t disturb you any longer. We have plenty of time in the future. We will meet again."

With that, she rose, gave a graceful bow, and turned to walk out the door.

Fang Yue watched Miss Wan’Er’s retreating figure, and another ripple stirred in his heart.

’What is going on with this Liangzhou Prefecture City?’ he wondered. ’The two people I’ve met, whether it’s that Chen Lian or this Miss Wan’Er, have been so polite to me... or rather, it feels a bit deliberate.’

’Have they misunderstood something?’

’Or do they have ulterior motives?’

He took a deep breath, casting the distracting thoughts from his mind, and turned to walk toward the private room’s window.

He pushed open the window, and a cool night breeze rushed in, sobering him up a little.

He looked up at the night sky. The stars were scattered like diamonds, the Bright Moon hung high, and the night was as tranquil and beautiful as still water.

An inexplicable feeling welled up in Fang Yue’s heart. ’No matter what, I have to be careful.’

This Liangzhou Prefecture City seemed calm on the surface, but there were hidden currents moving beneath.

But just then, Fang Yue’s pupils suddenly contracted. Through the window, he saw a black-robed figure slowly approaching on the road outside!

The black-robed figure moved without a sound, like a phantom. An indescribably sinister aura radiated from him, causing Fang Yue’s heart to tighten.

’He actually followed me here!’