After making some changes to their plan, Pan’er’s teahouse has another grand opening. This time, she makes a huge effort to attract scholars and book-lovers. It’s quite a success. Desserts with pretty names, great tea, sophisticated music, what more can a scholar ask for?
Pan’er also meets up with Haohao to propose a business proposition. Haohao is all snobby at first, but Pan’er knows how to play the game. She points out to Haohao that being a good singer isn’t enough to survive, you need to also be unique. And working with Pan’er will give Haohao that chance. Haohao is sold. One more ally for the girls (I hope).
Qianfan accompanies Pan’er home from Haohao’s place. They act like a married couple, but neither is willing to admit it.
When they arrive at the teahouse, Qianfan decides to tell Pan’er something important. Get ready for it.
Here goes:
Ouyang has arrived at his destination.
Yep. Very important, indeed.
Pan’er is glad to hear this. If Ouyang is well, their chance of finding that valuable painting is higher.
That night, San-niang points out to Pan’er that she’s been smiling and grinning like an idiot all day. She asks Pan’er if something happened between her and Qianfan today. Well, I’ll tell you what happened. He brushed a flower out of her hair. And… that’s it.
Things get serious here.
Pan’er’s eyes welled with tears and she confesses that she likes Qianfan. Well, why is that worth crying over? San-niang is surprised.
Thing is, Pan’er is very, very confused. She doesn’t know if Qianfan likes her back. Sometimes he’s as nice as a fluffy bun, other times he is grim and business-like. Pan’er can’t tell anything clearly, and it doesn’t help that she is still hurt from her previous relationship. Her confusion and fear are reasonable and it’s great that she has a friend to share them with.
In Qianfan’s defense, he has been a gentleman from the beginning and much more. But that’s the point, he has been “more” with little explanation.
To cap it all, Pan’er is insecure due to her unfavorable origin. Is Qianfan nice because he pities her? Establishing connections is part of his job, is she just one of his “connections”? Those are her worries and all are possibilities.
By the way, Qianfan’s half-brother is evil and he’s colluding with the guy who got humiliated by Qianfan the other day. They want to get rid of Qianfan for good.