Chapter 31: A Pond of Lotus Blossoms

This street was famous not only in Nanxun Town but throughout the Jiangnan region. It was renowned as a place of ancient culture with a long history, yet what truly made it famous was the tea house.

Yes, the tea house—no other name, simply Tea House. Scholars, experts, wealthy merchants, and celebrated figures often visited this place, unable to resist praising it.

A group of distinguished guests had arranged for a boat ride, dressed in traditional attire, now gathered in clusters on the steps by the riverside.

“The fragrance of tea spreads far and wide, enduring through the ages—this is the Tea House, simple and clear, the pinnacle of tea culture… Truly worthy of your establishment, sir,” said a portly, prosperous middle-aged man, smiling as he offered his compliments. The man ahead of him was taller by two heads, with a straight and elegant posture like a pine on Mount Hua, standing tall beside the rippling waters. Even his silhouette was striking, captivating the gaze of many female tourists and students nearby.

As for his face… The shops across the river were lively and bustling.

The man did not turn at the praise, only replying coolly, “I simply wasn’t in the mood to name it at the time—too lazy, that’s all.”

Such a blunt response? Yet those around him found nothing amiss, chiming in, “Sir, this is true character—a natural ease…”

Natural ease? Hearing the phrase, the man lowered his sharp brows slightly, his lips thin and tinted, cool and indifferent.

There was a hint of fatigue in his eyes. These people were truly dull, far less interesting than that unruly soul…

The boat had arrived. He was about to step aboard when—

Splash! A shadow burst from the water. Whether it was a lotus emerging was uncertain, but the spray was inevitable.

“Ah!”

“Heavens!”

“What is that? A ghost!”

Those usually unflappable individuals jumped back in fright, tumbling away from the steps.

Only the man remained motionless. Several stern-faced men behind him tried to rush forward, but he held them back with a single gesture.

He looked down.

There she was, right before him, floating in the water, sprawled on the steps. Her slender, pale arms clung to the filthy, moss-covered stone, her hands marked with blood. Like a trapped fish, she gasped painfully for air, her eyes bright as stars, her hair black as ink trailing behind her like seaweed…

The man paused for a moment, then acted.

He took off his coat, wrapped it around her, lifted her up, pressing her head against his chest.

All in one fluid motion, he carried her—Su Yi—and turned away.

“Handle what follows. I don’t want any trouble…”

The incident had happened so suddenly, with Su Yi’s face pressed against his chest, so few saw her features—only the water-soaked school uniform.

Countless people stared in astonishment as the man, usually reserved and distant, carried a woman through the crowd without hesitation, shielded by his guards as he departed.

“Mr. Yi!”

“Mr. Yi!”

Those behind tried to follow, but were blocked.

Damn, where did these bodyguards come from? Each as strong as an ox, yet as stiff as corpses!

Some rolled their eyes, but none dared to make trouble.

---

Cough, cough, cough!

Su Yi expelled the water from her lungs, her vision clearing, finally able to take in her surroundings.

A room? Antique in style, resembling a house from ages past…

Yet before her stood a man in a white coat with a stethoscope—an odd mix of images.

She blinked, and with a glance to the side, saw the man sitting in a chair, sipping tea.

She paused, then smiled. Was this another favor?

The physician saw Su Yi awaken, raised an eyebrow, parted his lips—she thought he’d speak about her condition…

Instead, he turned to the man in the chair. “Mr. Yi, the young lady is fine, just some difficulty breathing. I’ll prescribe something to soothe her lungs… but her hand injuries mustn’t touch water, or they’ll get infected.”

Indeed, the one who pays is king—the patient can be overlooked.

Su Yi exhaled softly, closing her eyes to ease the dryness.

“Mm,” Mr. Yi responded with a faint sound.

The physician smiled, his expression gentle, lips red and teeth white, like a peony blooming on spring waters.

“…But there’s still a problem. The young lady has a knife wound on her shoulder; she’ll need to undress for me to examine it.”

For me to examine it! His voice grew louder.

Su Yi opened her eyes, looked at his profile, frowned, and before Mr. Yi could react, spoke: “That’s unnecessary. There’s no injury on me.”

Hmm?

The physician turned, a playful look in his eyes, pointing to the bloodstain on her uniform. “No injury? But there’s blood here…”

“Someone else’s.”

“….”

Was this girl a murderer?

His expression shifted, even more intrigued, just about to say something when—

“Jiang Yunxiu, your work is done. You can leave now.”

“Hey, you always dismiss me like this! Yi Chilian… you make it hard for your old classmate!” Jiang Yunxiu sighed, deftly packed his things, and in no time was at the door.

“Well then, I’m off… goodbye, pretty girl…”

Bang!

He left as if by habit.

Apparently, he was often “sent away” like this.

Once the door closed, Su Yi pressed her forehead and rose from the bed…

She looked at the man before her.

The famous Mr. Yi of Nanxun—real name Chilian?

---

Yi Chilian?

A pond of lotus blossoms? Such a poetic name, and it seemed well suited to him.

Su Yi was about to speak—

Bang! The door was suddenly thrown open!

Jiang Yunxiu stood in the doorway, earnestly reminding Su Yi, “Alone with a man, remember to protect yourself! If anything happens, just shout: Molestation ah ah ah—!”

Yi Chilian glanced over.

Bang, the door closed again.

Su Yi: “….”

Why did he seem more like a veterinarian?

Chaotic, absurd, and inexplicable.

---

“Take a bath.”

Out of nowhere, Yi Chilian spoke. Su Yi looked at him, startled.

“You’re filthy—the bed is dirty, and your clothes aren’t clean either.”

With a hint of distaste, Yi Chilian had already risen, opened the door, “Your clothes are by the side. Get them yourself… don’t touch water with your hands.”

He left, closing the door behind him.

Su Yi, still in a daze, noticed his chest and abdomen seemed damp as well.

From when he carried her…

But if she couldn’t touch water, how was she supposed to bathe?

“He really is a contradiction—cold in manner, warm at heart,” she chuckled softly, stepping from the bed. Behind the screen, she found a bathing pool.

While bathing, she realized her shoulder wound was already healing, leaving only a thin line of blood.

In a few days, even that would disappear. Yet her head still throbbed painfully, a sense of utter exhaustion.

“Phew…” Su Yi exhaled, finished washing, and changed clothes.

Descending the stairs, she finally realized this was an antique-style tea house.

Everything was exquisitely arranged, elegant and grand—clearly expensive.

Looking down the corridor, it seemed she was on the top floor, with spiral stairs below, three stories high.

Remarkably, the tea house also contained rooms like an inn.

Whether the room was reserved for Yi Chilian or the tea house belonged to him…

It fit the master of Little Lotus Manor perfectly.

Which meant repaying him for two favors would be even harder.

As she went downstairs, Su Yi was stopped.