Love Lock

Chapter 23 Pretending to be a Lady

The Chinese military tent.

The charcoal in the brazier burned bright red, and Hua Tianyou, dressed casually, was having a drink with Zhao Zun.

"You have too few guards around you, it's not safe. When do you plan to return to Ling'an City?" Hua Tianyou took a small sip of wine and asked Zhao Zun.

Zhao Zun did not answer; he was lost in thought.

Hua Tianyou frowned and kicked him. "Hey! What are you spacing out for? I'm asking you a question!"

"Ok?"

Zhao Zun glanced at him sideways, then sighed deeply after regaining his senses.

"When are we going back to Ling'an City? We can't keep it a secret from them for more than a few days."

Hua Tianyou rolled his eyes at him, annoyed. This guy was distracted; he'd been invited to drink, but Zhao Zun hadn't touched his glass at all.

"I know. Sigh!" Zhao Zun sighed again. "Let's wait a few more days!"

Han Lei's attitude has been ambiguous these past few days. If she didn't agree, how do you explain her shy and blushing appearance that day? If she did agree, why has she been avoiding him these past few days, going to the thatched shed every day to refine alcohol, and secretly hiding away whenever she sees him approaching from afar, so they can't even bump into each other?

He has been feeling lost these past few days, unable to eat or sleep, with Han Lei's charming and sweet image constantly appearing in his mind, refusing to leave.

He knew that Ala and Meng Kingdom coveted the city and he couldn't leave Lin'an for too long, but he had never felt so fearful as he did now. The liquor was almost finished being brewed, and he wanted to wait for Han Lei to have some free time to ask her for a clear answer.

"Wait for what?" Hua Tianyou asked, puzzled.

"Waiting for Miss Han," Zhao Zun murmured.

"Oh!" Hua Tianyou exclaimed in understanding. "So that's why you've been so absent-minded. You were thinking about women all this time!"

Zhao Zun nodded dejectedly, his eyes fixed on the wine glass in front of him.

"What, didn't you manage to get it sorted out?" Hua Tianyou asked with a gossipy expression.

Zhao Zun nodded, not feeling embarrassed in front of his best friend at all.

"Heh, heh heh heh..." Hua Tianyou chuckled, sporting the standard smile of a spoiled brat. "When it comes to leading troops into battle, you're definitely a master, but when it comes to understanding girls and winning their hearts, you'll have to ask me for advice."

"Hmm?" A light suddenly flashed in Zhao Zun's wooden eyes as he turned to look at Hua Tianyou. "Tell me quickly!"

How could he forget that Hua Tianyou is a celebrity in the circle of young masters in Beijing, a bee among beauties, and an elite among playboys!

"Hmph!" Hua Tianyou chuckled. "You're usually so calm and wise in front of thousands of troops, but how come you become a completely different person when you're around a girl you like? Here, fill Master's cup."

After saying that, Hua Tianyou smugly slammed his wine glass in front of Zhao Zun, crossed his arms, and leaned back in his chair leisurely.

Normally, Zhao Zun would have given him a sharp rap on the head. But this time, Zhao Zun didn't say a word, simply picked up the wine jug and filled it with wine, waiting for Hua Tianyou's instructions.

“I said, Miss Han is neither your enemy nor your soldier. The way you acted that day must have frightened her.”

"Have it?"

Zhao Zun thought he had spoken quite gently that day!

"Brother, have you gone mad from being in the army? Don't you know the proper terms of marriage? At least find someone to introduce you! Who would just ask someone to be their queen right off the bat? What, are you a mountain bandit king trying to snatch his wife? You didn't even ask if she wanted to."

"But she was different from those ladies from prominent families."

Zhao Zun lowered his head, looking like a child who had done something wrong, after being scolded by Hua Tianyou.

So many twists and turns, it's so difficult!
He thought Han Lei was different from those rich young ladies and shouldn't need those things, so... "Even without an introducer, you should proceed step by step and ask her first..." Hua Tianyou continued to impart his experience.

Zhao Zun rubbed his temples, and suddenly, as if remembering something, he stood up abruptly and walked towards the altar.

His love lock is still on the altar these days!
Outside the large tent, Han Lei braved the wind and snow to stand a few meters from the door but then stopped. Peering through the curtain into the tent, she bit her red lips, clutching her wildly beating heart and taking deep breaths, as if some ferocious beast were lurking inside.

The guard at the door glanced at Han Lei, who was hesitant to move forward. He thought to himself: Why don't you just go in already!

These past few days, the marshal has been in a bad mood. Every day he goes to the thatched hut where Miss Han works, and each time he comes back dejected. Those of them who serve the marshal are also suffering because of him.

He realized that the problem lay with this young lady, Ms. Han.

After a while, Han Lei finally mustered her courage and, with the soldier's tacit approval, stepped into the tent.

Upon seeing Han Lei enter, Hua Tianyou suddenly shut his incessant chatter and a mischievous smile appeared on his face.

"Hey~~"

He gave another cheeky whistle.

Hearing the whistle, Zhao Zun turned his head. Seeing Han Lei suddenly appear in the tent, he was so shocked that he couldn't speak for a moment, standing there like a wooden statue, motionless.

"Hey! What are you standing there for? Hurry up and invite them to sit down." Hua Tianyou was truly exasperated with him.

"Oh, come and sit down."

Zhao Zun snapped out of his daze, overjoyed. He quickly stuffed the love lock he had just been holding into his bosom, stepped forward to pull out a chair for Han Lei, and kept his eyes glued to Han Lei's every smile and gesture.

He had just taken the love lock from the shrine when Han Lei, whom he had been longing for, appeared. This made him even more convinced that the love lock could connect him and Han Lei to their destiny.

Han Lei smiled slightly at Zhao Zun, then gracefully sat down like a lady. Like all girls, she wanted to leave a good impression on the man she admired.

But in her heart she was thinking: Pretending to be a lady is so uncomfortable!
Zhao Zun was at a loss for words after Hua Tianyou's guidance. Afraid of startling Han Lei again, he tried his best to suppress his excitement and quietly observed Han Lei.

Han Lei wore delicate, light makeup, and instead of her usual sportswear, she specially changed into the ancient costume that Zhao Zun had given her. The light pink dress paired with the snow-white fur-trimmed cloak made her already charming and sweet appearance even more lively.

The tent was quiet for a moment.

A normally lively and cheerful woman is trying hard to act like a lady. Another is afraid that acting too directly, like charging into battle, will frighten the other person.

The two remained silent, neither speaking first. Hua Tianyou, however, showed no awareness of being a third wheel, his gossipy gaze sweeping back and forth between them.

Han Lei felt uneasy under Hua Tianyou's gaze, and finally broke down, glaring at him sideways before taking out an exquisite box from her spatial watch and pushing it in front of Zhao Zun.

"This...this is for you," Han Lei said softly.

"Give it to me?"

Zhao Zun was flattered and quickly took the box and opened it, his anxiety of the past few days vanishing.

Inside the box was a stylish men's mechanical watch, an Omega. The black dial was studded with a ring of small rhinestones, which sparkled in the firelight.

Han Lei actually gave him such a precious and exquisite gift?
Zhao Zun didn't know what it was, but judging from its appearance, he felt it must be very precious.

He carefully took the watch out of the box and examined it, but before he could even understand it, a large hand suddenly reached out.

Wow! What is this? It's so beautiful!

Hua Tianyou snatched it away.

Thank you all for your support, here's a red envelope!
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(End of this chapter)