To Hold One’s Joy

hapter 13-1: The Reason

Many apparent coincidences in this world, upon closer look, happened on purpose. Luo Chen's visit to the lake was not a coincidence but a result of his encounter with Hongdou.

At that moment, he noticed Hongdou had a fierce look on her face and was in a hurry. Worried that the maid might once again venture out to the streets to abduct handsome men on behalf of her master, he stopped Hongdou to ask what was going on.

Hongdou said that she was going to fetch melon seeds from their room and mentioned that Luo Sheng was waiting for her at the lake. Luo Chen couldn't shake off his doubts about her response. Consequently, his legs instinctively carried him toward the lake.

As he approached, he spotted Luo Sheng dozing off by the lake. Relieved, he was ready to turn around and leave. He wasn't particularly concerned about Luo Sheng as long as she didn't cause trouble that could embarrass him.

However, at that very moment, he witnessed Sheng Jialan approaching the lake, followed by the shocking sight of Sheng Jialan pushing the dozing Luo Sheng into the lake.

After Luo Chen finished speaking, the room fell silent, so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop. It took a moment before Sheng Jiayu broke the suffocating silence. Her eyes widened, filled with disbelief, as she stared at Sheng Jialan. "Ermei, did you push Luo Sheng into the lake?"

Sheng Jialan remained silent, covering her mouth and shaking her head while tears streamed down her face. The single pearl earring dangling from her ear swayed back and forth with her movements, gently patting her pale cheek.

A realization seemed to dawn upon Sheng Jiayu, and her voice trembled as she exclaimed, " Something doesn't add up!" Pointing at Sheng Jialan, she hurriedly continued, "Ermei came back to search for her lost earring. How could she intend to harm Luo Sheng and lose her earring at the same time? It's too coincidental."

Luo Chen furrowed his brow, his eyes filled with a young man's determination. "Biaojie, you don't believe me?" Sheng Jiayu bit her lip, looking uncomfortable. "It's not that I don't believe you, but the pieces don't fit together. I have to make the matter clear before deciding whom to trust."

Hongdou sneered: "Daguniang, when it involved your sister, you said you have to make the matter clear, yet moments ago, you barged in without asking a question and directly accused my Miss of pushing your sister into the lake. Are you saying that your sister is more precious than someone else's sister?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Chen's expression darkened, feeling annoyed. He never considered Luo Sheng as his precious sister! This maid is spouting nonsense!

A slightly cold voice interjected: "Biaomei wants to clear the matter? Then I'll make it clear for you." Luo Sheng approached Sheng Jiayu step by step and stopped in front of her. Sheng Jiayu instinctively took half a step back, asking, "How will you make it clear?"

Luo Sheng stretched out two fingers and said in a gentle tone, "There are two types of crimes: impulsive acts and premeditated acts. In the first scenario, perhaps Sheng Jialan genuinely lost her earrings and returned to search for them. However, a sudden malicious intent emerged upon seeing me asleep by the lake, leading her to push me into the lake. In this case, it is no coincidence that she returned to search for the earrings. Biaomei, am I correct?"

Despite her reluctance to agree with Luo Sheng, Sheng Jiayu still nodded and asked, "Then what about the premeditated one? Ermei lost her earrings here at Funing Hall. She wouldn't know you would be dozing off by the lake at that time."

T/N: Table on how they refer each other