The cold wind outside was blowing, making the gauze window rustle.

I sat down and smiled, "Today is New Year's Eve. I suppose even the bad guys are at home celebrating. You don't need to protect me here. Mr. Luan, you should go back to the escort agency and reunite with your family."

Luan Zhong put a piece of eggplant in my bowl and said, "My parents passed away early, I have a brother, but he is in the capital. I am alone at the escort agency, so why not have a New Year's Eve dinner with you."

I actually felt a bit guilty towards Luan Zhong.

Ever since I ran away with the family fortune, Aunt Zhou collapsed after I cut ties with Cui Anren. She didn't dare criticize Miss Zhou from the official family, but she dared to scold me, calling me ungrateful, saying that the Cui family raised me for several years, yet I heartlessly left. She also said my conduct was improper, that I didn't uphold womanly virtues, and that I set my sights on Luan Zhong from the Weihai Escort Agency, callously abandoning her son.

Now, rumors about Luan Zhong and me have started circulating.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Luan." I raised my glass, feeling ashamed. "Because of me, your reputation has been tarnished."

Luan Zhong smiled faintly, "I never cared much for these empty reputations, Miss, you don't need to worry about it."

I worried, "But I'm afraid your fiancée might misunderstand."

Luan Zhong raised his gaze and looked at me steadily, "She won't misunderstand."

I quickly lowered my head and took a sip of wine.

Luan Zhong cleared his throat and said, "Miss, don't be troubled. In fact, I was just scaring the Zhou family father and daughter. I don't have a fiancée."

I just acknowledged and focused on eating.

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward, and neither of us spoke.

Luan Zhong broke the silence, "What are your plans for the future?"

I rubbed my throbbing temples and replied, "Although Mr. Tao is currently protecting me at the Peach Blossom Temple, I am temporarily safe. But knowing the nature of the Cui family, they will never let me go. So after the New Year, I plan to return to my hometown in Huaiyang. My father had a few close friends there, and I intend to seek refuge with them and learn to do business."

Luan Zhong frowned, "Can they be trusted?"

I nodded, "They can be trusted."

Luan Zhong hesitated, "As a young lady, I'm concerned..."

I laughed, "They are all very reputable uncles. One of them even owes my father a favor, who knows, maybe he can find me a good match, and I can settle down for the rest of my life."

Luan Zhong suddenly slammed the table and angrily said, "Are you going back to Huaiyang to get married?"

I was startled, "Why are you angry?"

Luan Zhong seemed to realize he had overreacted and quickly added, "I just think that getting married right after entering the Dao might invite criticism."

I smiled, "Thank you for your concern. By the way, I have one more thing I need your help with."

Luan Zhong asked, "Please tell me, Miss."

I placed a sandalwood box on the table, "Inside are the house deeds and land deeds of the Cui residence, all of which I bought at a high price. I am weak and alone, and since my aunt lives in the house, it's always difficult to ask her directly. So I would like you to help me sell the properties in the future. You can take a 30% cut of the silver, and the rest can be sent to me in Huaiyang. With this money, I can live comfortably for the rest of my life."

Luan Zhong's face turned cold, "I refuse!"

I asked, "Why? Is it because you think the share of silver I offered is too little? I can increase it."

Luan Zhong replied, "It's not about the silver."

Just then, there was a sudden commotion outside, the drunken clamor of Cui Anren.