Chapter 34: Assistant Lu, could you give us a hand?

"Jingyue?"

The delicate, pleasantly surprised female voice rang out again, closer than before.

He Jingyue and Lu Qiuyi turned their heads simultaneously, following the sound. Not far away stood a young woman in a white lace dress. Her makeup was exquisite, marking her clearly as the daughter of a wealthy family. Beside her was another companion, dressed with equal flair.

Upon seeing He Jingyue, the woman in the white dress hurried over with quick, small steps. Her tone was intimate, tinged with a hint of coquetry: "I saw a silhouette at the corner that looked just like you, but I didn't dare to be sure—I thought I was mistaken! What a coincidence, are you here to enjoy the sights too?"

She paused, then naturally steered the conversation toward their elders to emphasize their closeness: "Why didn't Auntie He mention it to me? If I’d known you were coming, I would have come to find you sooner. It’s so boring to be here alone."

Lu Qiuyi’s ears pricked up immediately. *Auntie He? Calling her that so affectionately?*

Linking this to the gossip about arranged marriages she had heard from Lin Xiaoyu, a name instantly jumped into her mind: Zhou Shiyan?

He Jingyue looked over, recognizing the newcomer. "Miss Zhou, what a coincidence."

Zhou Shiyan seemed unfazed by He Jingyue’s indifference. Her gaze shifted to Lu Qiuyi beside him, filled with a hint of scrutiny. "And this is...?"

Lu Qiuyi immediately put on a professional, artificial smile and introduced herself. "Hello, Miss Zhou. I am Mr. He’s assistant. My surname is Lu."

"Ah, just an assistant," Zhou Shiyan said, smiling as if suddenly enlightened.

She quickly turned back to He Jingyue, pointing toward the plaza ahead. "Brother Jingyue, I heard there’s a folk performance in the square up ahead. It sounds like it’ll be very lively and crowded. Since it’s late and we’re just two girls, I’m a little scared of getting pushed around... Would you mind accompanying us to see it? I wouldn't be afraid if you were there!"

*Well, isn't that convenient,* Lu Qiuyi thought. They were headed to the performance anyway.

He Jingyue glanced at Zhou Shiyan, then at the bustling crowd not far away. After all, she was the daughter of his mother’s friend; he had to maintain appearances. He gave a faint nod. "Very well."

Lu Qiuyi’s mental gears began to turn rapidly. *Sabotage the marriage?* The thought flashed through her mind, but she quickly suppressed it.

She recalled that He Jingyue’s own attitude had been ambiguous; he hadn't given a clear commitment, so the marriage talk was likely still just rumors. Even if it were merely the wishful thinking of their elders, Miss Zhou clearly had feelings for him. If the girl was taking the initiative to foster the relationship, it would be immoral for her to act as a third wheel or pull any petty tricks.

With that, Lu Qiuyi became very tactful. "In that case, Mr. He, Miss Zhou, you two go ahead and enjoy yourselves. I’m actually a bit tired, so I think I’ll head back..."

Before she could finish, Zhou Shiyan interrupted her with a smile, affectionately linking her arm with Lu Qiuyi’s. "Assistant Lu, how boring it would be for you to go back alone! Besides, Mr. He’s assistant is my friend, too!"

She tilted her head, her smile sweet and guileless. "You wouldn't refuse such a small request, would you, Assistant Lu?"

Lu Qiuyi: ...

*So, she’s dead-set on making me the shining third wheel?* Although she felt speechless, with the request put that way, she couldn't firmly refuse.

*Fine, just treat it like watching a play,* she thought.

Lu Qiuyi smiled helplessly. "All right."

And so, a bizarre foursome was formed. Zhou Shiyan walked ahead with effortless grace, occupying the space beside He Jingyue and chatting away with a bright, charming smile. Lu Qiuyi, very self-aware, fell two steps behind, walking alongside Zhou Shiyan’s friend.

The atmosphere was awkward. Lu Qiuyi tried to strike up a conversation with the companion to ease the tension. "The night market here is quite lively, isn't it?"

The companion merely glanced at her coldly, let out a faint "hmph" through her nose as a response, and then hurried forward to focus her attention back on Zhou Shiyan, showing no interest in talking to her at all.

Lu Qiuyi pursed her lips, realizing she was being a nuisance, so she stopped speaking and followed quietly, trying her best to minimize her presence.

They hadn't gone far when they passed a small stall selling handmade lanterns. The owner was a kind-faced, white-haired grandmother. The lanterns were exquisite—little rabbits, pumpkins, fish—and the warm yellow light glowing from within made them look cozy and adorable.

Zhou Shiyan bought several different lanterns at once. The grandmother tremblingly handed her the most delicate rabbit lantern, while carefully packing the others into paper bags.

Zhou Shiyan was already carrying a small chain-strap bag, and with the lantern in her hand, she clearly couldn't carry anything else. A distressed yet adorable expression appeared on her face.

Lu Qiuyi expected her to ask He Jingyue to help carry them—wasn't that the perfect opportunity to get closer to him?

However, Zhou Shiyan’s gaze swept around and finally landed on Lu Qiuyi behind them. A sweet smile blossomed on her face. "Assistant Lu, you wouldn't mind helping me carry these, would you? They’re so heavy; I can’t carry them anymore."

Lu Qiuyi: ?

Before she could react or say she *did* mind, Zhou Shiyan had already naturally thrust the paper bags into Lu Qiuyi’s hands. Not stopping there, she unshouldered her small chain bag—which didn't look heavy at all—and dumped that into Lu Qiuyi’s hands as well.

"Oh, please help me with this bag too~" She clapped her hands, then added lightly, "I didn't want to trouble you, but I thought, as an assistant, you must be used to doing these little chores like carrying things, right?"

He Jingyue, walking in front, paused imperceptibly. He cast a faint glance back, his brows lifting almost invisibly.

Lu Qiuyi pressed her lips together, looking at the pile of items suddenly thrust upon her—Zhou Shiyan’s bag, several paper bags of lanterns, plus the small trinkets she had bought earlier. Both her hands were completely occupied.

She said nothing, just quietly gathered everything. *Fine, carrying things is part of an assistant's duty, right?*

She would endure it.

A while later, Zhou Shiyan’s friend stopped at a stall selling unique hair accessories and picked out a feather hairpin. She tried it on, discussed it with Zhou Shiyan, and then, with a natural motion, reached back and tossed the taken-off hairpin directly into one of the paper bags Lu Qiuyi was holding. "Hey, hold this."

Having said that, she immediately turned back to continue chatting and giggling with Zhou Shiyan.

Lu Qiuyi: *I am nothing but a heartless, mobile luggage rack.*

A sense of grievance and rising anger began to simmer in her heart.