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uncomfortable, he pushed her away yet he didn't expect himself to push her using so much force that Li Xia would stumbled back, good thing that she regained her footing. Li Xia's mouth gaped a little in surprise at his sudden action and her eyes turned glassy when she gazed at him, her emotions were freely flowing out of her eyes. Clearly, she's emotionally hurt. Yan Gen swore that he didn't mean to pushed her or perhaps he did mean to pushed her a little to give him some space.

Unexpectedly, his push was that forceful out of anxiousness. If this lady keep pushing her body into him, Yan Gen will do something the both of them might regret later. The servants around them will probably gauge their eyes out if they witnessed such a scene. He's a man by heart and soul even if he's possessing the body of a stunning young girl.

Although he admits that he's not that respectful to Zhilan's body because he couldn't help squeezing her boobs every morning, it's still different when coming in contact to a soft bosom that isn't considered his body. How should he explain this... it's much more sensual? Yan Gen furiously shook his head.

Our heavenly father in heaven... shade a light upon my dark soul and vanquished the evilness within me. Amen. Oh Great Buddha... Guide me to my spiritual enlightment. Amitabha.

"Miss Li, my mistress bought a gift for you to express her apologies for not seeing you during her recuperation."

His maid, Meigui, tried to break the awkward atmosphere but it puts Yan Gen in a more difficult situation. What gift is she talking about? that was only an excuse to wander in the market. He didn't bought anything, save the beard and he doubt that she'll like it if he did give it to her, not that he's planning to give it away anyway.

"Really? You bought a gift just for me?"

Li Xia's eyes sparkled in anticipation and Yan Gen could only stare dumbfounded.

"Miss, where did you put your gift to Miss Li?"

He blankly stared at his maid then back at Li Xia who's wearing an expectant look. He let out a heavy breath in distress and shook his head, feeling sympathetic to disappoint this pretty young miss, he really doesn't have anything to give her as a gift. It's not like Yan Gen could give the accessories he's wearing to her, a second hand gift would be rude. Might as well reveal the truth to her instead of dragging the matter.

"I lost it"

His maids were stunned by these simple words. Li Xia's shoulders slouched and her sparkling eyes dimmed.

"It seems like I unconsciously bumped into a thief when we're in the market"

This young miss in front of him reveal a faint smile, his explanation seems to appease her a little so he pushed it by adding,

"I'll buy two gifts for you the next time around as a compensation"

A brilliant smile blommed on her face and Yan Gen sighed in relief.

"Aiyaya, where are my manners? I let you stand here for a long time without inviting you in. Come, come"

Her previous excitement rose again and she dragged Yan Gen to walk under the covered corridors of their estate as they walked to Li Xia's courtyard.

The Li estate has some similarities with the Wei estate, it gives a scholarly air since both families were full of scholars and civil officials though it is recognized that in this world, the Wei clan stand above the noble houses.

There are a few servants walking around doing their own chores and they would bow to them when they passed by.

"Summer is yet to come and it's already this hot. Don't you think so?"

Yan Gen nodded, seeing his bland response, she crossed her arms and huffed. Zhilan is acting like she's a stranger, she couldn't even put on a polite smile or exchange small pleasantries. Li Xia thought that she merely forgot some of her memories.

"Why are you acting like I'am a total stranger? It can't be that you've lost all your memories and couldn't remember anything? not even a single one?"

"Yes"

Such a short reply makes her frustrated. After thinking for a while, she shook her head and hooked her arm around Zhilan's. Although she's sad about it, she's also partly happy. Zhilan didn't see anyone of her friends aside from her after her accident. Does that mean that she's her number one friend?

"That's alright, I'll tell you everything you want to know. First, let's start with me, I'am your best friend, Li Xia. I'am one of your childhood friends and you're especially fond of me out of everyone"

One of her childhood friends? Zhilan's cronies must be too loyal to her because they grew up together and Li Xia is one of them, it's just that he didn't expect that she would declare herself as the best out of Zhilan's cronies, is she fighting for her attention? Yan Gen is sure that the antagonist has many influential close friends and they happened to visit the Li estate out of all her close friends because it's the nearest to the Wei.

"When we were kids you--"

Before she could go on her long winded talk, a slim figure appeared in front of them when they turned around the corner.

"Miss, you should change immediately or you will get scolded later"

A maid was following after her. Li Xia's pleasant expression turned into a grim one upon seeing this person and Yan Gen's eyebrows twitched as he carefully assessed this person from head to toe. Although the maid addressed her as 'miss' she's wearing a male outfit. A disguise, perhaps?

Her hair is tied behind her head like a male bun, she wore a simple light green robe that reached her knees and a loose blue pants with cloth boots. Her features are kind of similar to Li Xia's and if someone asked which one is prettier of the two, people will be divided into two factions. After all, different people have different opinions and taste.

Li Xia has an arrogant air of nobles with elegant disposition and her face is obviously belonging to a high class society, soft and delicate, while the other one is a free spirit, unrestrained and easy going like rays of sunshine. Her face has a touch of innocence, bringing out her child-like nature. Who is this person if not the female lead?