Chapter 1498: 1498 Do you understand what I mean?

Chapter 1498: Chapter 1498 Do you understand what I mean?

The next day, the three women stayed in bed lazily until nine o’clock. Once they finished getting ready and arrived at the Stele Forest Museum, it was already close to ten.

As a result, the group only had enough time to quickly browse through the museum.

In such a short amount of time, it was impossible to see all the inscriptions, so they only viewed some of the most famous steles. Luo Ziling bought rubbings of notable inscriptions like the “Mystery Pagoda Stele,” “Multi-Treasure Pagoda Stele,” “Yan Qinli Stele,” and the “Holy Teachings Preface Stele,” saying he planned to go back home and practice calligraphy with them.

“How about gifting me some of your calligraphy works?” Ouyang Feifei teased Ziling with a smile. “Your handwriting already has a certain masterly quality. With more practice, it’ll become even better. I want to keep them as a collection. Once you become more famous, they’ll be worth a lot. And if you ever fall on hard times, I can sell them to help you out.”

“If you want them, I’ll give them to you,” Ziling joked. “What’s more, if your future son or daughter wants to learn calligraphy, they can come to me. I promise I won’t charge any tuition.” Since Yang Qingyin was standing a few steles away, reading inscriptions and not overhearing their conversation, Ziling felt free to crack jokes recklessly.

Unexpectedly, Luo Yuqing popped up and joined in the banter with a sly grin: “Who knows, maybe Feifei’s son or daughter’s father will turn out to be you. Then as their father, teaching your own kids calligraphy would be natural, wouldn’t it?”

Yuqing’s playful remarks left Ziling a bit embarrassed and made Feifei blush deeply.

In the end, Feifei chased after the mischievously escaping Yuqing, avoiding a continuation of awkwardness between the two of them.

As Yang Qingyin came over from the “Yuan Family Temple Stele,” she noticed the numerous rubbings Ziling had bought and asked with a smile, “Why did you buy so much stuff?”

“It cost me several thousand,” Ziling replied, feigning a pained expression before quickly grinning. “When you visit a place, you have to bring back some souvenirs. Even though I’m already familiar with these texts, practicing calligraphy with authentic rubbings from the Stele Forest might feel a bit more inspiring.”

“Do you even have time to practice calligraphy these days?”

“You make it sound like I’m super busy or something.”

Qingyin gave him a smirk with a hint of exasperation. “Of course you’re busy. With so many pretty girls around you, you barely have time to accompany them. Where would you find the time to practice calligraphy?”

“Jealous much lately? How about I buy you a bottle and bring it on the plane?”

Predictably, Ziling’s quip earned him an annoyed reaction from Qingyin. She pinched his arm so hard that two bruises appeared, making him flee in haste.

When it was time to leave the museum, Ziling suggested they take a group photo together. He tried pulling the three women over for a photo.

But no one was willing to pose with him, leaving him in an awkward position.

“You didn’t perform well today,” Yuqing stated angrily when they got into the car. “That’s why no one wants to take a photo with you.”

“Then what should I have done?”

“You’d be better off thinking about what to do when we get back,” Yuqing said earnestly to Ziling. “Have you considered how Qingyin will handle her family’s pressure once you return? And how will you face it all? Furthermore, if your mom, because of this, leans even more toward you being with Feifei, what will you decide? In Chang’an, you can avoid it, but once we’re back in Yanjing, all of you will have to confront these issues head-on!”

Yuqing’s words instantly dampened Ziling’s good mood.

He knew Yuqing was telling the truth. These were problems they had to face.

During his time in Chang’an, he hadn’t discussed any of this with Qingyin, nor had he made any decisions about how to deal with it. He had come to Chang’an solely to reunite with Qingyin and repair their relationship. But Feifei’s involvement had complicated everything.

Qingyin didn’t bring up these topics, and neither did he know how to broach them with her.

However, once they returned to Yanjing, Ziling knew he would have to have a proper conversation with Qingyin about it all.

So, while they were waiting at the airport, Ziling offered a suggestion to Qingyin: “If you’re not planning to go home tonight, I’d like to come over and spend time with you. Let’s have a good talk about everything. What do you think?”

“Are you planning to break up with me?” Qingyin asked, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. “There’s no need for that. We never officially confirmed we were dating, let alone got engaged. Since none of that exists, there’s no point in talking about breaking up.”

“Are you pretending to be clueless, or are you doing this just to annoy me?” Ziling’s frustration was evident. “If you keep saying things like that to provoke me, just wait and see how I handle you.”

Qingyin didn’t respond immediately. She simply stared at Ziling in silence.

After a long moment, she let out a soft sigh. “I’m not too keen to go back to Yanjing.”

“Then should I stay in Chang’an a little longer with you?”

Ultimately, Qingyin shook her head. “No, let’s leave it for another time. Over the past few days, my dad’s called me multiple times to scold me. He already knows you came to Chang’an to see me. I don’t know how we’ll face everything once we get back.”

After some thought, Ziling suggested, “When we get back, let’s first have a private discussion about us. Then take me to meet your father. I’ll talk to him about everything, okay?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Qingyin replied, shaking her head. “If you met my dad now, I’m sure it would only escalate things further. School is about to start, and I probably won’t go home often. Out of sight, out of mind, right?”

“What are you two whispering about?” Yuqing walked over and sat beside Qingyin, glancing at Ziling. “Judging by your expressions, neither of you looks very happy. Does someone feel like not returning to Yanjing, as if it’s some tragic farewell?”

“Can’t you stop talking so much for once?” Ziling retorted irritably.

“I’m telling you, Ziling, don’t always be so rude to me,” Yuqing fired back, clearly annoyed. “For all you know, I might be the person you’ll rely on the most. In the future, you’ll need my help for a lot of things. I’m saying this now in front of all of you—believe it or not.”

Ziling had no choice but to stay silent, while Qingyin didn’t say anything either.

Yuqing glanced at Feifei, who was sitting in another corner wearing sunglasses, lost in thought. Lowering her voice, she said, “I know what’s troubling the two of you. Ziling is frustrated because the Yang Family treats him like an enemy and opposes him being with you, Qingyin. But Qingyin, it’s not because she doubts Ziling’s ability to handle the pressure—it’s because she’s concerned that Ziling’s feelings for her aren’t as pure as they once were. Ziling, don’t deny it. Feifei’s involvement has muddled your relationship. After all, you two once had an engagement and were childhood sweethearts together.”

Ziling and Qingyin were both stunned, not expecting Yuqing to speak so bluntly.

Ignoring their shock, Yuqing continued, “Let me spell it out for you, Ziling. If your love for Qingyin is pure, she’ll stand by you and endure her family’s pressure. But now that Feifei has come between you two—and maybe even others too—that’s what’s causing her hesitation. Do you understand? And Qingyin, do you get what I’m saying?”

Yuqing’s words left Ziling at a complete loss for words.