"The plan failed."

  Nian Xiaoyuan spoke after their long silence in the carriage. Hong Cha kept her gaze outside the window. She tried to focus but that fragment of her memory kept bugging her. No matter how she tries to remember, she can't recall how the boy looked or why she was there. Moreover, her dress is obviously priced high but the boy wore simple clothes. She can tell she is not from a commoner family. Who could she be? A young miss? And who is that boy?

  "You know what?" Hong Cha straightened herself and composed her sitting stature. She picked a sliced melon from the table that was served a while ago. Hong Cha took a bite while looking at him. "These melons are delicious! Where did you get them?"

  "Miss Cha, you should know you are here because of our deal." he reminded sternly. Right, she almost forgot. He's not as friendly as he looks. Nian Xiaoyuan is rarely patient as well.

  "You're so boring. Anyway, I think we should do nothing first." Hong Cha savored the juicy taste. She took another piece as if those were for her. Nian Xiaoyuan is not prohibiting her so she took that as his permission.

  "Do nothing? Are you quitting the deal?" his brow raised from her decision. Aren't they supposed to break those two apart? But why do nothing? Isn't that equal to letting them have a happy ending?

  "No~ of course, not." a light laughter escaped from her lips. Hong Cha smiled sweetly and looked outside again. "Have you ever thought that we, as their obstacles, are polishing their relationship? The more we hinder them, the more they rely on each other and overcome their problems together. Thus, we are only strengthening their love and trust. Why don't we let the others take minor steps and see what happens? If one of them gives up, one of us can take advantage of it."

  "Oh. It's like the sparrow waiting for the mantis to strike the cicada." Nian Xiaoyuan took it into consideration.

  He likes her idea.

  "We just have to make sure the others who wished to break them apart will take minor steps. If it's ahead of the line, we should make a move." Hong Cha finished eating half of the melons from the tray. She reached out for another one when Nian Xiaoyuan tapped her hand with the same fan.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  "Know your limit, en?" his lips rose to a playful arc. Hong Cha unhappily retrieved her hand. She scoffed at him and decided to take a short nap.

  By the time they returned to the capital, it was already late at night. Nian Xiaoyuan glanced at her sleeping figure. She looks quite innocent when asleep, like an angel but she is a little devil at heart.

  "Seems like only Lin Xingjin can stay in your mind." Nian Xiaoyuan muttered before picking her up. He went out of the carriage with Hong Cha in his arms. The imperial tutor's manor had its gate opened and the worried Song Yue stood outside.

  "You- how come she's with you?" Song Yue's face darkened. If he wants his daughter to find a husband, any young master would be fine but not Nian Xiaoyuan!

  "We had a little stroll. The little girl is tired so I considered bringing her here." he knew Song Yue doesn't like this. "Where does she live? I should take her there. Unless the Master wants some pageboy to bring her instead."

  "Apology for the trouble." Song Yue understood what Nian Xiaoyuan meant. He can't let other men touch her daughter. Thus, he has to bear with Nian Xiaoyuan for a while.

  On the way to his manor, Nian Xiaoyuan thought of an effective plan. All this time, he has been chasing after Zhao Xue. If the situation is reversed, she'll be his in no time. But to do that, he needs a crucial chess pawn. Song Cha Hua.

  [Host, go outside.]

  System Wu suddenly said. Hong Cha stood up from her chair and opened her room's door. She headed to another door that leads to the garden she loves taking care of. Upon opening the door, she saw a basket of fruit on the floor. Hong Cha tilted her head in wonder. Nevertheless, she picked the letter stuck between them.

  "Eh? From the villain?" she read the little concern Nian Xiaoyuan wrote on the note. It says that since she is weak this summer, he left her the fruits which is a tribute from the palace. Including a melon.

  "Oh, he's quite a good subordinate. System Wu, is the villain this kind?"

  [I don't know, Host. But according to the plotline, the villain is kind if there is something he wants to quickly achieve.]

  "Sounds dangerous." Hong Cha almost threw the letter out of fear. However, the melon she tasted before is really great. Temptation still reigned over her. She picked up the basket and crumpled the note before throwing it outside. "Poisonous or not, I'll make him pay if something terrible happens to me."

  Just as she entered her room, a gloved hand picked the crumpled paper. Nian Xiaoyuan was almost caught there. Did she notice his presence? Either way, she likes them. He should make it official next week.

  For a week, the basket of fruits arrived in front of her residence with the same 'concerned' letter from Nian Xiaoyuan. Hong Cha is happy, of course. Those were tributes from the palace and the tributes her father received were already gone. She enjoyed the basket of fruits, especially the melon. Strangely, the next day, Hong Cha waited for the exact time and checked outside her residence. However, there is no basket or fruit. This made her frown.

  "Young Miss! Young Miss!" just then, Ai Wen came in a hurry. "Young Miss, a head minister came to court you!"

  "Who? An old hag?!" Hong Cha was taken aback. Most head ministers are married or old. She doesn't want to!

  "No, Young Miss. It was the Head Minister of Military Affairs, Grand General Nian Xiaoyuan!"

  "Wha-what?!" she cried out stuttering.

  What is that creep doing?