Chapter 83: Zhang Zhishen

Ning Yaxin was deeply surprised and caught off guard by the sudden appearance of Young Master Zhang.

With graceful composure, Young Master Zhang clasped his hands and bowed, smiling as he said, “Miss Ning, it has been over a month since we last parted. I trust you have been well?”

Ning Yaxin rose and returned a polite bow. “Thank you for your concern, Young Master Zhang. I have been well lately.”

Young Master Zhang nodded and then turned his gaze to Xu Mo.

“Miss Ning, and this gentleman is...?” As he spoke, he was already appraising Xu Mo.

Ning Yaxin promptly introduced him. “Young Master Zhang, allow me to introduce you. This is my friend and also a business partner of our Ning family—Xu Mo, Young Master Xu.”

“Young Master Xu, a pleasure to meet you.” Young Master Zhang greeted him with a respectful bow.

Seeing this, Xu Mo stood up.

Ning Yaxin continued, “Young Master Xu, this is the eldest son of Master Zhang from Heyang County—Zhang Zhishen, Young Master Zhang.”

“So it is Young Master Zhang. The pleasure is mine!” Xu Mo replied with a bow.

Ning Yaxin went on, “Master Zhang has had business dealings with our family for many years, so our two families have known each other for a long time. Our relations have always been good.”

Xu Mo nodded in acknowledgment.

Ning Yaxin turned and said, “Young Master Zhang, please be seated.”

Zhang Zhishen thanked her and sat down, followed by Xu Mo and Ning Yaxin, who returned to their seats.

Ning Yaxin asked, “Young Master Zhang, when did you arrive in Xinzhou? And how did you know I was here?”

Zhang Zhishen replied, “Miss Ning, I only arrived this morning. As soon as I entered the city, I went to your house, only to learn you had come here, so I hurried over.”

Ning Yaxin asked again, “Young Master Zhang, did you rush to Xinzhou for something urgent?”

Zhang Zhishen hesitated for a moment before suddenly asking, “Miss Ning, do you truly intend to close all the silk shops in Heyang?”

“That is correct.” Though her voice was soft, Ning Yaxin’s tone was resolute.

Zhang Zhishen could not understand and hurriedly said, “Miss Ning, those silk shops in Heyang were built through years of hard work by Master Ning. How can you simply close them?”

“If you are facing difficulties, please let me know, whether it is a shortage of funds or sales channels, I will do my utmost to help you!” Zhang Zhishen spoke urgently.

Ning Yaxin gave no further explanation, but replied earnestly, “Young Master Zhang, thank you for your kindness. But my decision to close the silk shops is firm. Please, do not try to persuade me further.”

“But, Miss Ning…”

Zhang Zhishen wanted to say more, but Ning Yaxin simply called out to him, “Young Master Zhang,” and shook her head. He fell silent.

A brief silence settled between them.

After a moment, Ning Yaxin asked, “Young Master Zhang, did you come to Xinzhou just for this matter?”

Zhang Zhishen quickly shook his head. “No, I have a more important reason!”

Curious, Ning Yaxin asked, “What is it?”

Zhang Zhishen did not answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at Xu Mo, then turned back. “Miss Ning, may I speak with you alone for a moment?”

Upon hearing this, Ning Yaxin instantly understood what Zhang Zhishen meant to say.

She was secretly flustered.

Xu Mo was perceptive and quickly stood up, smiling. “Miss Ning, Young Master Zhang, please continue your conversation. I’ll take a walk over there.”

With that, Xu Mo called Qin Muto to leave with him.

Seeing this, Ning Yaxin hurriedly stood up, so abruptly that her chair scraped loudly against the floor, drawing the attention of several nearby tea guests.

“Um, Young Master Xu…”

Ning Yaxin had intended to ask Xu Mo not to leave, but Xu Mo interrupted her quickly, “It’s fine! You two chat.”

He and Qin Muto walked away.

Ning Yaxin hesitated, then sat back down with no other choice.

This scene caught Zhang Zhishen’s attention. He had known Ning Yaxin for some time, and his impression of her was always calm and composed, unflustered in the face of trouble. This was the first time he had seen her so unsettled.

Zhang Zhishen watched Xu Mo’s departing figure and frowned.

Ning Yaxin settled back in her seat. “Young Master Zhang, if you have something to say, please do.”

She knew there was no avoiding the issue and decided to confront it directly.

Zhang Zhishen gathered himself and said, “Miss Ning, I came here specifically to ask you in person: what must I do to make you understand my sincerity and change your view of me?”

His voice was loud enough for the nearby tea guests to overhear.

Ning Yaxin did not wish to discuss such matters in public, so she answered, “Young Master Zhang, this is a teahouse. It’s not convenient to discuss personal issues here. Perhaps we could find another time to talk.”

But Zhang Zhishen would not agree, insisting, “Miss Ning, we have known each other for three years. In these three years, I have never stopped thinking of you, wishing I could see you every day, care for you, and accompany you. Yet you…”

He paused, deeply pained, pressing his left hand to his chest.

After a moment, he sighed and continued, “Miss Ning, my feelings for you are true, witnessed by heaven and earth, sun and moon alike!”

“Young Master Zhang, could you please lower your voice?”

Ning Yaxin felt his voice rising and grew anxious.

Yet Zhang Zhishen made no effort to be quieter. “Miss Ning, you know best the strength of our Zhang family in Heyang County. We are perfectly matched with your Ning family…”

“We are nearly the same age—you are nineteen, I am twenty. In appearance, talent, and character, we are a perfect match!”

He gave Ning Yaxin no chance to speak, pressing on, “Why is it that every time I send someone to propose marriage, you refuse? I truly do not understand—what about me is unworthy of you, that you must torment me so?”

“Bang!”

In his agitation and heartbreak, Zhang Zhishen slammed his fist onto the table. The loud sound drew the attention of several more guests.

At that moment, Ning Yaxin felt utterly embarrassed, wishing she could disappear into the earth.

She forced herself to remain patient. “Young Master Zhang, you have traveled far from Heyang, enduring the fatigue of the journey. Perhaps you should return to the inn and rest for now. When I am done with my business, I’ll come see you later. Would that be alright?”

All she wanted was to send Zhang Zhishen away as quickly as possible.

“No!”

Zhang Zhishen refused, insisting, “Miss Ning, unless you give me a reasonable explanation today, I will not leave!”

Ning Yaxin was furious, tempted to slap him.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly said, “Young Master Zhang, I asked Ling’er to find Manager Xie earlier, but she’s been gone for a long time. Please wait a moment while I go check…”

As she spoke, she stood up, thinking: If I cannot deal with you, at least I can avoid you.

But as soon as she stepped away, Zhang Zhishen stood up and quickly blocked her path.

Ning Yaxin tried to slip past him and leave, but Zhang Zhishen grabbed her wrist, frowning. “Yaxin, why do you always avoid me? Why?”

“Young Master Zhang, let go of me—let me go!”

Ning Yaxin struggled, but Zhang Zhishen held her tightly, leaving her powerless.

This scene immediately drew the attention of most of the tea guests, who began whispering and pointing.

While Ning Yaxin was flustered and at a loss, a voice came from behind Zhang Zhishen: “Hey, what kind of man are you, bullying a woman in broad daylight? Have you no shame?”