But when he realized maybe he wouldn’t meet her again, Wu Jitian had a secret selfish plan. He took Dong Ling’s arm and headed for the busy market.

Dong Ling staggered. Before she realized what happened, Wu Jitian said seriously, “Well, time to repay my lifesaver!”

Okay. Then, she was taken to “Romance Restaurant”.

It was a famous restaurant on the South Street. Its hall was covered with flowers and a fishpond. Through the palm tree leaves, some opera singers could be seen singing on the stage. They were singing beautifully and dancing gracefully.

Customers all fixed their eyes on the singers, except Dong Ling.

Staying in a private room, she totally ignored the performance and still remained cold and calm. Sitting across the table, Wu Jitian stared at her placidly, trying to find out any feeling for him from her eyes.

But no, he found nothing.

Bathed in disappointment, he still ordered all the signature dishes of this restaurant.

It was only then that Dong Ling no long kept a poker face. She looked Wu Jitian up and down and sneered, “Are you feeding a pig?”

Wu Jitian didn’t take her question as sarcasm. Instead, he smiled and joked, “You really are a special girl. Why did you compare yourself to a pig?”

“You!” Dong Ling was lost for words. Just when she was about to talk back, her stomach growled. Looking at so many delicious dishes on the table, she was too hungry to argue with him. She threw herself into the mouth-watering food.

Seeing this, somehow Wu Jitian felt so contented!

Without saying anything, Dong Ling just stuffed herself. Before she looked up again, Wu Jitian had watched how she enjoyed the food. In the end, he commended, “You’ve got a good appet.i.te!”

Dong Ling rolled her eyes secretly and replied, “Well, since it’s your treat, I should enjoy myself.”

“Good point.” said Wu Jitian with a radiant smile. Again, he stared at her eagerly.

His pa.s.sionate look rattled Dong Ling. She changed a topic hurriedly, “I’m done. Shall I go back home?”

The smile on Wu Jitian’s face suddenly froze as if he didn’t expect her to say goodbye so soon.

Dong Ling noticed that. He froze for only so few seconds that she even suspected if she really had influenced his mood.

She had great respect for Wu Jitian.  

But what about him? What did he think of her?

A chance acquaintance? Or a resolute girl who had a totally different character in this age?

Just when Dong Ling thought about it, Wu Jitian answered in a low voice, “Well, I think girls not only like delicious food, but also cosmetics. Don’t they?”

“What?” Dong Ling asked in surprise. She thought, “What did he mean? What is he thinking of?”

“Ahem, I mean, such dishes can’t pay for your life-saving grace.” Wu Jitian explained, “Don’t you think so?”

His voice was so attractive that Dong Ling felt her heart raced.

“Ah, yes… No… Uh, I mean… yes, I suppose.” She stuttered. To her surprise, she was so nervous.  

“Since when did I gradually let down my guard?” she asked herself, “And since when did I feel calm whenever I saw him?” She felt as if she would no longer live a turbulent life as she used to. She could have the hope wherever he stayed aside.

She totally understood what she really thought of. She also sounded Wu Jitian out several times. Unexpectedly, she still failed to know what a past he hid from her.  

Phenix brocade was what all girls in the Wu State dreamed to have for their weddings. For dresses made of phenix brocade, the collars and sleeves were embellished with dazzling onyx stones.

As Dong Ling touched such phenix brocade, she flushed.

Wu Jitian squinted when he saw the change on her face. He banged on the table and waved his hand with an order, “Pack all this up!”

The trader of phenix brocade was stumped. After a long hesitation, she explained, “But… But girls in this city are waiting for the phenix brocade. I’m afraid I can’t sell it all to you…”

Wu Jitian insisted, “But my lifesaver likes it! Why must I care for other girls?”

Dong Ling hastened to stop him. And she just picked some.

When it was time to say goodbye, Wu Jitian offered that he wanted Dong Ling to escort him back to the capital.

His kind invitation made Dong Ling lost in thought.

She looked serious and thought to herself, “If I leave with a prince like him, it’ll be more convenient for me. And I saved his life. Not everyone else could be treated like this.”

Indeed, as long as she could get the help from Wu Jitian, she would no longer be the same girl. In addition to promotion, she might also rise directly to a high position.

By then, no one in her family would dare to bully her or her mom.

As she was thinking about it, there came a scurry of footsteps. Immediately, the door of the private room was pushed. In rushed Zhumo and Li Fugui!

Seeing this, Dong Ling frowned faintly. She put down the brocade and helped Zhumo up who was breathing heavily. She asked, “What’s the rushed? Anything wrong?”

Zhumo replied, “Doomed, Miss Ling! Earlier today, Maid Feicui went out for shopping, but she hasn’t come back yet. We’ve looked for her throughout the house, but still didn’t find her…”

In the whole Dong family, Feicui was her mother’s favorite maid.

Dong Ling asked, “How is my mom?” Surely, her mom was her first concern.

“She’s having some rest in her room, but she can’t help feeling worried.” answered Zhumo.

Dong Ling asked again, “Do you know where Feicui went for shopping?”

“Yes, I do!” replied Zhumo when she nodded rashly, “Miss Ling, I’m taking you there right away. Please come with me.”

Dong Ling nodded without saying anything. She looked around and said to Wu Jitian, “I agree to escort you back to the capital! But I need a few days. After I settle the family problem, I’ll leave with you!”

Her anxious look struck Wu Jitian dumb, because she used to be calm and cool even in case of danger.