Chapter 2333 - 23035: The Gap in Status

"Ah, pfft!" Luo Linyu quickly retorted, "Who said we’re not suitable? Where are we not suitable? I can change to become suitable, can’t I?"

"Ahchoo..."

Before a reply came, the inn’s waiter brought up hot water. Yang Qingtong took it and helped her bring it inside.

"You wash up first, I’ll keep watch outside."

With that, he stepped out and closed the door.

"Hmph, such a stubborn man!" Luo Linyu pouted, "Clearly he has feelings for me, yet he says we’re not suitable; what a stubborn mouth."

She took a hot bath, feeling much more comfortable afterward.

Upon opening the door, Yang Qingtong was still there, back turned to the door, tall and upright like a pine tree. It must be said, all the Yang children have good looks, and Yang Qingtong is no exception.

Seeing that she was done washing and had changed into clean clothes, Yang Qingtong went to the next room. His own clothes were a bit damp; he had to change them quickly.

Noticing his silence, Luo Linyu followed him directly, feeling puzzled. When did Yang Qingtong become so reserved? He wasn’t like this before.

"Why are you following me?" Yang Qingtong frowned slightly.

"You helped me guard the door, so I’m helping you guard the door too."

Yang Qingtong was speechless. A grown man doesn’t need a door guarded.

"There’s no need, you go rest first; dinner will be ready soon."

"I’m not hungry!" Luo Linhao’s eyes sparkled as she pushed him slightly with both hands, "Hurry up and wash up, change clothes quickly, quickly."

Yang Qingtong paused, said nothing more, and went inside. The waiter had already prepared the water for him.

The hot water in the tub dissipated all his fatigue, and cleared his somewhat muddled mind.

Why did she follow me?

It’s not that he hadn’t seen her letter or didn’t want to reply, but he always felt it should remain unanswered.

She is a young lady from a noble family, the legitimate daughter of the State Duke of Defense. Her brother is also the Marquis Wu’an, while he is merely a small county officer—their status gap is too wide.

Despite Linyu having stayed with the Yang Family for quite a while, he always knew the gap between them. When they were young, he thought once he became an Advanced Scholar, the gap would lessen. But who would have thought that after he achieved that, the Luo Family advanced even further, and the original gap not only didn’t narrow but widened.

How could he reply under such circumstances? With her status, she could easily marry someone with a good family background in the Capital City who treats her well. But if she marries him, perhaps she’ll spend her life with him holed up in a small place like Cangzhou; even if not Cangzhou, it would be someplace else.

To climb up to the position of an official in the Capital City would take many years, perhaps a lifetime without success. He’s not her brother-in-law; he can’t reach the rank of marquis in a short span. So, he mustn’t let her suffer because of him.

Having resolved himself, Yang Qingtong grew even colder.

When speaking with him, Luo Linyu realized he was so stiff.

After dinner, Yang Qingtong didn’t say much and was about to return to his room when Luo Linyu grabbed him, "I have something to say to you."

"If there’s anything to say, let’s talk tomorrow. After traveling all day, aren’t you tired?"

He could guess what she was going to say, but some things are better left unspoken.

"But..."

"Rest first, talk tomorrow."

With that, he closed the door, and Luo Linyu stomped her feet, "So annoying, does he think I’m blind? He just doesn’t want to talk to me."

"Hmm-hmm, you cannot escape the palm of my hand." She stretched her fist toward the room, went back to her room, and lay down. Somehow, she began thinking about their childhood.