Lift a rock only to drop it on one's own feet

The gazes of the two young masters from noble families toward Yi Feng were filled with hostility.

How dare he treat Fairy Mei with such disrespect!

If not for the fact that they were in Fairy Mei’s presence and feared overstepping their bounds—lest they leave a poor impression on her—they would have already spoken out against Yi Feng.

After taking their seats,

the woman had her maidservants serve them premium tea.

Not only was the tea exquisite, but the maidservants were also stunning beauties.

"Everyone, the reason I’ve invited you here today is simply because I’ve grown a bit restless, but the noise downstairs was too much, so I took the liberty of calling you up,"

the woman said apologetically.

"Fairy Mei, you’re too kind,"

Gu Duyun replied with a smile. "It’s an honor to play a few rounds with you."

"Indeed, if Fairy Mei wishes to play, you need only notify me,"

Feng Wuzong added, also wearing a smile.

However,

the woman paid little attention to their responses.

Instead, her gaze settled on Yi Feng.

"And what about you, Young Master Yi? Would you care to entertain me with a few rounds?" she asked leisurely.

"Entertainment isn’t really my thing,"

Yi Feng said, rubbing his nose. "There are plenty of people downstairs—why not just call someone else up?"

"Oh?"

The woman’s brows lifted slightly. "Earlier, the steward mentioned that Young Master Yi was having quite the lively time on the second floor. Why is it that when you’re here with me, you’re suddenly unwilling?"

Her voice took on a coquettish tone, laced with a hint of playful pleading. "Today, you must give me a proper explanation. If you don’t, don’t even think about leaving this room."

Her words

sent a pang of envy straight to the hearts of Gu Duyun and Feng Wuzong.

Why was Fairy Mei so fixated on this nobody they’d never even heard of before?

The jealousy was unbearable!

"Fairy Mei, since this brother here isn’t interested, why not just let him go? I have plenty of friends on the second floor—you can call any one of them up, and I guarantee they’ll keep you entertained today," Gu Duyun suggested smoothly.

"No,"

the woman retorted with a pout, her eyes still fixed on Yi Feng. "Unless Young Master Yi gives me a proper reason, I won’t let you leave."

"Well, it’s not that I don’t want to play,"

Yi Feng said, rubbing his nose again. "But if we’re going to play, there’d better be money on the line. What’s the point of playing for fun? I might as well go home and sleep."

"Ah, so Young Master Yi needs a wager? That’s no problem at all," the woman replied, covering her mouth with a laugh, clearly delighted. "Then we’ll do as you say. Whatever way you want to play, we’ll play."

"Fine, let’s go with the high-stakes rules from the second floor,"

Yi Feng said, finally showing a hint of a smile.

"As I said, it’s all up to you, Young Master Yi,"

the woman replied with a radiant smile.

The entire interaction was between the woman and Yi Feng, leaving the two self-proclaimed refined young masters as mere bystanders—a fact that filled them with resentment.

"No way."

"After finally getting the chance to meet Fairy Mei, I can’t just sit here like a decoration."

Gu Duyun’s eyes flickered as he replayed the exchange between Yi Feng and the woman in his mind.

Of course!

Given Fairy Mei’s status, she’d met all sorts of distinguished figures. And with her beauty and reputation, she was undoubtedly accustomed to people fawning over her and never refusing her requests. So, when faced with someone who treated her casually or even rejected her, it naturally caught her attention.

"That’s it—it has to be!"

"Damn it, Gu Duyun! You, a master of strategy and intrigue, only just realized this now? And to think this nobody managed to seize the advantage before you!"

"But it’s not too late."

"If this guy can use this method to capture Fairy Mei’s attention, then so can I."

"In fact, if I first agree and then refuse, the psychological impact will be even greater."

"Push and pull—the art of playing hard to get..."

With this realization, Gu Duyun’s lips curled into a smirk.

Meanwhile, the others had no idea of the mental gymnastics unfolding in his mind.

The next moment,

Gu Duyun stood up.

Turning to the woman, he clasped his hands and said, "My apologies, Fairy Mei. While I would love to keep you company, I’ve just remembered an urgent matter I must attend to. I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay and entertain you further."

Fairy Mei, who had been speaking with Yi Feng, glanced over at Gu Duyun’s words.

"Young Master Gu, is this matter so urgent that it can’t wait? Perhaps you could set it aside for now and deal with it later?"

the woman couldn’t help but ask.

Seeing this,

Gu Duyun’s heart leaped with joy.

Just as he’d thought—even an ethereal beauty like Fairy Mei had a touch of human nature. The more you doted on her, the less she cared. But if you ignored or rejected her, she’d take notice.

Case in point: Fairy Mei, who had been focused on Yi Feng just moments ago, was now showing concern for him.

This method was clearly effective.

Since it worked, he had to commit to it. If he stayed and played, it would be no different from before.

Not only that, but he needed to be even firmer.

Confident that he’d cracked the code to the woman’s psychology, Gu Duyun raised his chin slightly and said with deliberate resolve, "No, I’m afraid not. A promise is a promise. As a man of honor, my word is my bond. If I’ve committed to something, I must see it through."

Gu Duyun believed his words struck the perfect balance.

First, he’d made his stance clear.

Second, he’d subtly crafted an image of himself as a principled and dependable man.

If his predictions were correct, Fairy Mei should now regard him in a new light.

Tsk.

Outwardly, he remained composed, but inwardly, he smirked, eagerly awaiting Fairy Mei’s response.

However,

reality did not go as planned.

Fairy Mei’s reply left Gu Duyun frozen in place, utterly humiliated.

"Is that so..."

the woman said indifferently. "In that case, Young Master Gu, you may go. I’ll simply invite someone else from the second floor."

With that, her gaze drifted back to Yi Feng.

Clearly,

her attention remained entirely fixed on him.

Gu Duyun’s confident expression instantly crumbled, his facial muscles twitching uncontrollably.

Wh-what just happened?

Shouldn’t she have insisted he stay?

Why was she dismissing him outright?

Now, Gu Duyun was caught in a dilemma.

Did he actually want to leave? Of course not—he’d jumped at this rare opportunity to spend time with her.

But with Fairy Mei’s response, he was stuck. Leaving would be a loss, but staying after his declaration would make him look foolish. He stood there, utterly at a loss.

"Hmm? Young Master Gu, didn’t you say you had matters to attend to? Why are you still here?"

the woman asked softly, her beautiful eyes lifting to meet his.

"Uh..."

Gu Duyun’s lips twitched as he forced out an awkward reply. "Upon further reflection, I realized that leaving now would spoil Fairy Mei’s mood, so... so..."

"You're overthinking it, Young Master Gu. This is merely a bit of amusement—nothing to spoil the mood over. If you leave, I can simply call for someone else," Fairy Mei said indifferently.

Gu Duyun's expression grew even more awkward.

So, he was just an expendable presence, after all...

"It would be too much trouble for Fairy Mei to summon another. I... I’ll stay and keep everyone company," Gu Duyun stammered, forcing a smile.

"But didn’t you just say, Young Master Gu, that as a man of honor, you must keep your word once given? That integrity is paramount?" Fairy Mei’s gaze lingered on him, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Well... occasionally, breaking a promise once in a while shouldn’t matter..."

Gu Duyun stumbled over his words, abandoning any pretense of strategy. Right now, all he cared about was staying. Without another thought, he gritted his teeth and sat back down.