Chapter 52: Coaxing the Talented Scholar

"Ah, well..."

Li Qi frowned, his expression hesitating as if he had more to say.

Seeing Li Qi's hesitant demeanor, Song Yuchen grew even more anxious and pleaded, "Brother Li, this matter is of the utmost importance to me. I sincerely hope you can help me out."

Oh, little fellow! Now you know how to beg me.

Watching his expression, Li Qi chuckled inwardly, yet put on a troubled look. "Well... isn't it a bit immoral to gossip behind people's backs?"

"Brother Li, please rest assured, I will never breathe a word of this to anyone." With that, Song Yuchen turned his gaze to Cai Minde and asked, "Patron, don't you agree?"

"Um!"

Cai Minde was momentarily stunned, then offered an awkward smile. "Should I perhaps excuse myself?"

His mind was solely focused on how to make more money and how to turn the Jade Pavilion into the premier restaurant in Bianjing; he had never taken the slightest interest in romantic entanglements between men and women.

Li Qi smiled. "Patron jests. This is your establishment; how could I possibly ask you to leave?" Inwardly, however, he thought, It seems this Song Yuchen's background is truly formidable, given that even Cai Minde has to retreat three steps for him. Fortunately, I didn't offend him just now.

Cai Minde smiled. "Young Master Li flatters me too much."

"So, what is Brother Li's decision...?" Song Yuchen asked, staring anxiously at Li Qi.

Li Qi sighed. "Since Young Master Song cares so deeply for Lady Bai, I assume you harbor no malicious intent. If I were to keep hiding it, the fault would lie with me."

Song Yuchen was overjoyed and hurriedly urged, "Then please, Brother Li, tell me quickly."

Suppressing a smile, Li Qi said, "The last time my wife and Lady Bai were drinking tea together, I happened to be present. While chatting with my wife, Lady Bai incidentally mentioned you, Young Master. She said that Young Master Song, despite your youth, is well-read, possesses a mind full of classic literature, and has extraordinary insight—a true standout among the younger generation. However..."

At this point, Li Qi suddenly stopped and cast a worried glance at Song Yuchen.

Hearing the first half, Song Yuchen's face had lit up with delight, but upon reaching the word "however," intense anxiety gripped him once more. He rushed to ask, "However what? Do tell me quickly, you're driving me crazy!"

Li Qi feigned difficulty. "If I say this out loud, Young Master Song will surely blame me. Perhaps it's better left unsaid."

"Oh, Brother Li, you mean well, how could I possibly blame you? Please, just tell me," Song Yuchen urged anxiously.

"Then I shall speak."

"Please, go right ahead!"

Li Qi sighed again and continued, "Lady Bai said that ever since you were young, Young Master, your quick wit has surpassed that of others. As a result, your arrogance has grown, and you hold yourself in such high regard that you look down on everyone else. That is why it has been so difficult for you to make further progress. She added that if you could correct this flaw, your future would be boundless."

Upon hearing this, Song Yuchen frowned in deep thought. Suddenly, he struck his left palm with the fan in his right hand and nodded, "Precisely, precisely! No wonder Qiannuo has grown increasingly distant from me lately. It must surely be because of that incident."

"Ah? What incident?" Li Qi asked in surprise.

Song Yuchen explained, "Brother Li may not know this, but a month ago, a friend of Qiannuo's brought a painting of his own creation for me to appraise. In a moment of thoughtlessness, I let slip a few rather harsh remarks. Qiannuo must have misunderstood my intentions because of that."

Even that works?

That is truly a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse.

Now it was Li Qi's turn to be dumbfounded. Everything he had just said was entirely fabricated. Knowing that high-society wealthy playboys like Song Yuchen inevitably suffered from such flaws—looking down on everyone and making themselves the center of the universe—he had never expected to hit the mark so accurately by sheer coincidence. It was truly the will of heaven!

"So that's how it is!"

Li Qi nodded, then suddenly said, "Still, you were indeed in the wrong on that matter, Young Master."

"Oh? I beg Brother Li to enlighten me!" Song Yuchen immediately cupped his hands in a salute.

Li Qi smiled. "You flatter me, Young Master. As the saying goes, the spectator sees more than the player. You were merely too close to the situation to perceive the truth. Allow me to ask a bold question: are you trying to win Lady Bai's affections?"

At this, a faint blush immediately crept across Song Yuchen's fair face, and he gave a slight nod. His pursuit of Bai Qiannuo was hardly a secret; almost everyone in their social circle knew of it, and even Cai Minde had caught wind of it, so there was no need for concealment.

"That settles it, then!"

Li Qi sighed. "A modest, fair maiden is a gentleman's fair match, and a fair maiden paired with a gentleman is entirely natural according to the laws of heaven. However, the world holds more than just one gentleman and one fair maiden. Furthermore, a talented, well-read, and breathtakingly beautiful woman like Lady Bai is the paragon of maidens; her suitors are undoubtedly countless. Therefore, Young Master, you must exercise caution in everything you do. Sometimes, ten thousand sweet words of your own cannot compare to a single kind word spoken by her friends. If you offend her friends, and they fill her ears with your shortcomings day in and day out, the damage will be beyond repair."

Hearing these words, Song Yuchen broke out in a cold sweat, nodding repeatedly and feeling a deep sense of lingering fear.

When it came to the art of deception, how could Song Yuchen possibly match Li Qi? A few brief sentences had him completely wrapped around his finger.

Seeing Li Qi's confident and composed demeanor, Song Yuchen knew he must have a solution. Eagerly, he asked for guidance, "According to you, Young Master, what should my next step be?"

Flirting?

Ha, you've certainly come to the right person.

Li Qi smiled faintly. "It's simple: a detour strategy!"

Song Yuchen looked puzzled. "A detour strategy?"

"Precisely!"

Li Qi said with a calm smile, "First of all, Young Master, you must lower your pride and befriend those in Lady Bai's inner circle—from her relatives and close friends down to her maids and servants. In short, anyone connected to Lady Bai must be firmly on your side. Use their voices to convey your sincere devotion to Lady Bai. In this way, you present yourself as a humble gentleman before Lady Bai while leveraging others to enhance her impression of you. It's killing two birds with one stone. Isn't that wonderful?"

Upon hearing this, Song Yuchen drew a sharp intake of breath. A moment later, comprehension dawned upon him, and his face broke into a broad, delighted smile. "Brilliant! Simply brilliant! Brother Li's detour strategy is absolute genius!" With that, Song Yuchen abruptly stood up, bowed deeply before Li Qi, and said sincerely, "Your words have completely cleared the fog from my mind, Brother. If I am fortunate enough to win Qiannuo's heart one day, I will surely reward you handsomely."

After Song Yuchen finished his bow, Li Qi feigned modesty, helped him up, and smiled. "You flatter me too much, Young Master. I am hardly worthy of such praise. My only wish is that when you and Lady Bai are wed, you invite me to share a cup of wedding wine. That will be more than enough."

The day of the wedding!

Song Yuchen's heart bloomed with joy, and he nodded hastily. "Most certainly, most certainly!"

The two men sat down once again, and Song Yuchen, acting like an eager and diligent student thirsty for knowledge, bombarded Li Qi with questions regarding the finer details of the "detour strategy."

Naturally, Li Qi shared everything he knew without reservation, mindful that he might need Song Yuchen's help in the future, making it wise to stay on his good side.

After chatting a little longer, until several of Song Yuchen's friends arrived, he took his leave with lingering reluctance, promising Li Qi before departing that he would soon visit him formally at his residence.

Upon hearing those words, Li Qi nearly spat out the tea he had just swallowed.

It was just flirting with a woman, was it really necessary to make such a grand production out of it?

Little did he know that Song Yuchen had spent years bitterly pursuing Bai Qiannuo without ever winning her favor, their relationship only growing more and more distant. He had been on the verge of despair, but Li Qi's glib tongue had reignited the flickering flame of hope within his heart.