54th Break: Apologize

Meng residence, next day.

Meng Xing, who was calmly reading a book, saw in the corner of his eyes that Qiu Shisi looked at him again. This is the nth time.

"What is it?" Meng Xing can't help but ask. He could see that Qiu Shisi is restless.

Qiu Shisi paused, then turned to look at him. "Boss, that..." he muttered. "Will Lin Ze really come today in the Meng residence?" He asked. "To properly apologize?" He added, feeling doubtful.

"That was what he said yesterday." Meng Xing answered.

Qiu Shisi nodded in affirmation. He recalled what happened yesterday, after Meng Xing expressed his 'gratitude' to Meng Ruyan.

...

"It was second young master Meng who suffered lots of grievances." Meng Xing said. "And, I heard that you broke the engagement with him one-sidedly?" he looked at Lin Ze. "You didn't even go to see him… just even once?" he added.

Lin Ze fell silent as he stared at Meng Xing's veiled face in a daze. It was only now did he realize how self-centered he was. "No..." he answered. Though he doesn't know whether his answer was really answering Meng Xing's answer, or he was defending himself.

Meng Xing looked at Lin Ze with a disappointed gaze.

Lin Ze's face turned pale. "No, Meng Xing, I just – " he spoke, panicking.

"You what?" Meng Xing asked. "You wanted to say that what they said is false?" he asked and looked at Qiu Yi, Qiu Shisi, and Qiu Si.

Lin Ze wanted to say 'yes', but his voice was stuck on his throat. He can't lie, and so he can't say 'yes'. Thus, he fell silent.

Meng Xing is not a fool. He frowned. "I can't believe second young master Lin who pride himself as a responsible and upright individual would wrong someone like this." He said. His voice is filled with disappointment.

Lin Ze pupils trembled. "I... I am sorry." He spoke.

Meng Xing shook his head. "I am not the one who needs your apology." He said.

Lin Ze froze. Then, he lowered his head. He understand what Meng Xing meant. "I will go apologize to Meng Ruyan tomorrow." He said.

Qiu Yi sneered. "I believe second young master Lin is not doing this for sir Meng's sake, right?" he asked.

QIu Shisi and Qiu si stared at Lin Ze. If Lin Ze says 'yes' then he is really too much a bastard!

"No." Lin Ze answered. "I had been planning to apologize to him while I was in jianghu and to break our engagement after. But, I want to tell it to him personally." He explained. "My elder brother happened to call me back to the capital so the opportunity has come. I just didn't expect that my elder brother's request was for me to become an officer, while my parents immediately took action after they heard me say that I want to break our engagement." He told them. "By the time I found out, everything happened." He finished.

Qiu Yi Qiu Shisi, and Qiu Si looked at Lin Ze with a doubtful gaze. Meanwhile, Meng Xing was calm. He recalled that Wen Liao died the night when their engagement was broken. Lin Ze was also one of the people who were investigating Wen Liao's case, so Lin Ze was really busy. Not to mention after that, more cases followed which has a shadow of Wen Liao's case.

So, Lin Ze really can't find a time to apologize to Meng Ruyan.

"I see..." Meng Xing muttered. He nodded in understanding.

Qiu Yi snorted. "Excuses." He muttered and frowned.

Meng Xing doesn't really care. He only wanted for Lin Ze to apologize to Meng Ruyan to give Meng Ruyan a closure with his awkward relationship with Lin Ze.

"That's good to hear, then." Meng Xing said and sighed in relief. Then, he nodded at Qiu Yi, Qiu Shisi, and Qiu Si, and left.

The servants who were also eavesdropping came out and led Meng Xing out. They then called for a carriage to him, going back to the Meng residence.

...

"How are Qiu Liu and Qiu Qi's side?" Meng Xing spoke. His voice pulled Qiu Shisi from his recollection.

Qiu Shisi started. He turned and looked at Meng Xing through the folding screen. "Qiu Liu had one of his brothers (beggar) to follow Madam Xu and found out her secret lover." He answered. "Sir Xu is still going to the clothes store, though already started to doubt. As for Qiu Qi's side, she found that the Yang family has a guest. She is trying to find out who it is and if it is Xu Ran." He told Meng Xing.

"Good." Meng Xing muttered. "How about Qiu Yi? Has he finally found which publishing house was Xu Ran cooperating with?" he asked.

"Qiu Yi sent Qiu Ba to inquire. He also had Qiu Shiwu help Qiu Ba watch over the authors working with the publishing houses." Qiu Yi answered.

"I see. Let's hope they will find it soon." Meng Xing said.

At this time, they heard the sound of footsteps coming, followed by a knock on the door.

"Second young master. Second young master Lin has come." The maid spoke. "The master, madam, eldest young master, third young master, and young miss are waiting in the living room." She said.

Qiu Shisi didn't speak and just went back hiding.

"I see." Meng Xing spoke and calmly placed down his book. "I will come right away. You may leave." He told the maid.

"Yes." The maid answered and left.

Qiu Shisi appeared again. "Boss, you... are you really going to see Lin Ze?" he asked and looked at their boss worriedly.

"The entire family has appeared." Meng Xing calmly spoke and fixed his clothes before he went out from behind the folding screen. "Even if I was already removed from the family register, and grandfather - who was the one arranged the engagement for me, was gone, this is what Lin Ze owed Meng Ruyan - who was still part of the Meng family that time." He explained.

Qiu Shisi ignored their boss addressing 'himself' as another person again. "But, your face..." he muttered.

Meng Xing smiled. "I will see him as Meng Ruyan, not Meng Xing." He said.

"... huh?" Qiu Shisi muttered and stared at their boss.