Chapter 202: Chapter 202: Was It Deliberate or a Coincidence?
Qu Fulan furrowed her brow; this game is fun only when played with people you know. With so many strangers now, they might ask questions without concern for propriety, making it hard to grasp the limits.
Or choose a big adventure; if punished to complete some task on the mountain, given its vastness, encountering unforeseen events is quite possible.
Pei Yuan also realized this issue and pointed out the hidden dangers, making the game come to a halt.
Cheng Ru then suggested, "Since this game isn’t feasible, let’s switch to something else. For instance, with so many people, we can divide into groups, with each group dispersing to collect firewood or pick flowers, essentially undertaking a task. Whichever group completes their task the fastest and brings back the most will get the largest share of wild boar; how does that sound?"
This suggestion was good, allowing everyone to participate, and many agreed.
Especially Miss Tan and Miss Liu, who originally wanted to seize any opportunity to get close to the Pei Family. With a game on, how could they refuse?
Besides, if they happened to be in the same group as Mr. Pei and the Princely Heir, wouldn’t that be perfect?
Qu Fulan lowered her gaze; Cheng Ru hadn’t usually been one to take the lead, so why was she so proactive today?
Could it be she couldn’t maintain her composure to attract male attention?
"Write everyone’s names on paper, fold them up, and place them in a basket to be shaken, then have someone draw them out, grouping every five people together; how about that?"
This method sounded fair and interesting. Since Cheng Ru proposed it, everyone let her write the names, with Third Miss and Fang Yuan assisting.
Finally, the names were written, placed in the basket, which Miss Cheng shook in front of everyone before reaching in to take a folded paper out and handing it to Fang Yuan, who announced the names, and Third Miss wrote them down.
Names were assigned in order, whoever was drawn first was placed in a group accordingly.
No matter whose names were drawn, Qu Fulan wasn’t bothered, but when hers was placed alongside the Tan and Liu Family’s sons and daughters, it felt odd and too coincidental.
Especially when Cheng Ru and Pei Ji’an, Third Miss, Fang Yuan, and Pei Yuan were grouped together, the coincidence seemed too striking.
However, before Qu Fulan could object, Miss Liu and Miss Tan couldn’t stay calm; they wanted to be with the Princely Heir, but ended up with their own brothers and Qu Fulan; what was this?
But Cheng Ru wrote the names in front of everyone and shook the basket in front of them before drawing out names for Fang Yuan to announce, making it impossible to cheat.
Thus, other people didn’t support Miss Liu and Miss Tan’s objections.
Especially Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu, who initially thought Qu Fulan was a wealthy young lady when they met her alone; who knew she was just a maid. Now, grouped with her, they naturally had no objections, instead scolding their sisters for causing trouble.
"Come on, everyone saw it, where’s the problem? I think this grouping is great," Mr. Tan said.
Young Master Liu agreed, "I also think it’s fair and just, couldn’t be better, let’s not say more."
Miss Tan and Miss Liu had to resign themselves.
Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu approached Qu Fulan, raising their hands in mock courtesy, "Miss Qu, rest assured, later we certainly won’t let you toil; we’ll handle all the hard and laborious tasks."
Qu Fulan smiled wryly but didn’t laugh, "I wouldn’t dare."
Initially encountering four unfamiliar men, her team now included two of them, plus their unconcealed frivolous expressions in their eyes... Qu Fulan was already thinking of ways to escape, like claiming stomach pain or dizziness. Or perhaps quietly taking medicine and withdrawing from the game?
As Qu Fulan was pondering this, she heard Cheng Ru above say, "If anyone in the team quits for various reasons, then the team automatically forfeits the activity of sharing wild boar meat. But it’s just a game, so please everyone participate more and don’t burden your teammates."
One sentence not only blocked Qu Fulan’s retreat but also made it impossible for Miss Tan and Miss Liu to find a chance to escape.
This Cheng Ru, she truly knows how to manipulate people’s hearts.
Ultimately, there were six groups in total, each with five members, all heading in different directions to find firewood, as roasting pigs requires a lot of wood. If they couldn’t find wood, supplementing with other wild game like wild rabbits would also work.
Qu Fulan was only opposed to teaming up with unfamiliar people to complete tasks; she had no other concerns.
At least in terms of safety, with four great protectors secretly guarding her, she was not afraid.
However, all along, Miss Tan and Miss Liu targeted her at every turn, making Qu Fulan a bit restless, yet grateful to have these two women around, at least to avoid any misunderstandings.
In the end, Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu quickly sent their sisters away, leaving Qu Fulan alone with them.
"May I ask what age Miss Qu is this year?" Mr. Tan asked with a smiling face.
Young Master Liu followed immediately, "Has anyone promised your hand? If not, I can find you a suitable match; how does that sound?"
Such straightforward words were no different from a rogue’s teasing, making Qu Fulan extremely averse, "I’m going to search elsewhere; you two gentlemen can do as you please."
With that, she was ready to leave, but they stopped her, still smiling, "Don’t go, miss; you haven’t answered our questions yet."
Qu Fulan frowned, ready to call for the protectors, disregarding the game completely when suddenly, she heard a gust of wind accompany the words "Watch out."
As Qu Fulan reacted, an arrow stopped right in front of her, caught by a hand. Who else could it be but Shi Yi?
He quickly pushed Qu Fulan aside and blocked another arrow.
Only then did Qu Fulan notice that unknown to her, ten or so people in black appeared; all four protectors were already engaged in battle, and the scene became chaotic.
Shi Yi told her to run back, and Qu Fulan naturally ran back without hesitation.
Seeing this, Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu were understandably shocked and ran after her, but as they ran, they realized the protectors were covering them, so there was no danger. Yet, they watched the thoroughly isolated Qu Fulan ahead...
On the other side, once Pei Ji’an finished with post-battle affairs and returned to the area, apart from a few staying to guard the site, others were nowhere in sight. After inquiring, he learned that everyone had grouped up to search for firewood.
The person relaying the message was unclear, remembering only to tell the Princely Heir who his team members were and their direction.
Upon hearing it included Third Sister and Fang Yuan, along with his big brother, Pei Ji’an assumed Qu Fulan was also in that group and headed in that direction.
Cheng Ru was the first to see the Princely Heir approaching and immediately welcomed him with a smile, "Second Cousin."
Pei Ji’an scanned the area and asked, "Where is Qu Fulan?"
Cheng Ru’s smile froze.
Fang Yuan hurriedly replied, "She’s in another group, not with us."
Pei Ji’an frowned, "Who is she grouped with?"
Fang Yuan, unfamiliar with those people, looked towards Third Sister.
Third Miss answered, "With the Tan family and Liu family."
Upon hearing this, Pei Ji’an immediately turned to leave.
Cheng Ru clenched the hand she had hidden in her sleeve.