Chapter 80 - Introduction

Being pulled into an alleyway suddenly was something Yu Yingyi never thought would happen to her in her life, especially not by Nian Zhen whom she barely knows.

"Nian Zhen, what're you doing?" asked Yu Yingyi, there was a bit of worry laced in her tone due to the fact she knows nothing about her.

"..."

Yu Yingyi received no answer as she was pinned against the wall, Nian Zhen's expression remained unchanged as her eyes stared into Yingyi's eyes. Right as she was going to try to push Nian Zhen off her, she suddenly spoke up.

"I'm curious about something," said Nian Zhen.

Yu Yingyi wanted to chuckle at the fact that Nian Zhen didn't sound curious at all despite saying that. But considering the situation, she was in, it didn't feel appropriate..

"What are you curious about?" asked Yu Yingyi.

"Why are you acting as if you've never seen me before?" asked Nian Zhen.

Yu Yingyi was confused about what Nian Zhen was talking about. She was sure that today was the first time they met and saw each other.

"Carriage," Nian Zhen muttered.

With that single word, a light bulb appeared above Yu Yingyi's head, "Wait, that day, you were the one in the carriage that had traditional designs on it?"

"Yes, that was me."

"Ah, I didn't remember your face. Now, can you get off me? I'm in a weird position."

"Not yet, there is something else I'd like to know."

Surprisingly, despite being a plain person, Nian Zhen was quite forceful. Though that's probably because of the way Nian Zhen was raised.

"What is it that you'd like to know?"

"Why do you wear a disguise? I know there was an event where you explained it, but I was only there when it was near the end," Nian Zhen replied.

Another light bulb appeared above Yu Yingyi's mind, which meant Nian Zhen was the familiar figure she saw during the event.

"I wore a disguise because of some circumstances I'm not allowed to explain, so even if you ask me that, I don't think I'm going to be able to answer," said Yu Yingyi.

"Don't lie, I can see it, something is bothering you," said Nian Zhen.

Yu Yingyi's eyes widened when Nian Zhen said that, something was bothering her? If Nian Zhen was able to tell, why couldn't she tell?

"Sorry, but I don't think I know what're you're talking about as what I just told you is the truth," said Yu Yingyi.

"Nevermind then," Nian Zhen muttered as she pulled away, "Forget this ever happened, I was spouting nonsense."

Yu Yingyi felt a sudden interest in Nian Zhen, when she was about to leave, Yingyi grabbed onto Nian Zhen's arm.

"Wait, before you leave, let's get something to eat. I'm sure you haven't eaten anything," Yu Yingyi assumed.

"Ah, but I wouldn't know how to repay the favor after," said Nian Zhen.

"It's fine, Mei Xiang did want us to know each other better, so think of it as us introducing each other," said Yu Yingyi.

"If that's the case, then I'll accept the offer. Though I'll find a way to repay you," said Nian Zhen.

"I already said you didn't have to."

"No, I have to since you're part of royalty, it would be rude of me not to."

Yu Yingyi let out a helpless sigh, no matter what she said, Nian Zhen seemed determined to pay her back. Yingyi just couldn't understand Nian Zhen.

With that being said, Yingyi led Nian Zhen to the place they were going to eat. Somehow, Nian Zhen's presence felt relaxing as if there was a cool waterfall near her.

Though her thoughts disappeared when they made it into the restaurant, taking the two seats in the far back, they waited for their food to arrive.

"I'll introduce myself again, I'm Yu Yingyi, the consort of Song Liya. As you've already heard, I was a prince before and now I'm a princess," said Yu Yingyi.

"I'm Nian Zhen, nobody's consort, and I come from a family full of commoners," Nian Zhen said flatly.

At this moment, Yu Yingyi knew that Nian Zhen was going the be the hardest person to have a conversation with. Nonetheless, she started talking to her since it felt pleasant.

But she didn't know why it felt this way.

"Do you have any hobbies? Things you enjoy?" asked Yu Yingyi.

"Hobbies? I like...breathing," Nian Zhen replied.

Yu Yingyi confirmed it with that question, Nian Zhen is an actual robot living in this era, there was no way she wasn't.

"Give an actual answer, breathing isn't a hobby."

"There isn't particularly anything I enjoy doing."

Yu Yingyi mentally cursed whoever raised Nian Zhen, everyone should enjoy something. But this girl in front of her, did she really not like anything at all?

"Is there anything you enjoy, Yingyi?" asked Nian Zhen.

Yu Yingyi was surprised, this was the first time she heard Nian Zhen say her name.

"Ah, sorry, I shouldn't be so casual. Is there anything you enjoy, Princess Yingyi?"

"It's fine, you can be as casual as you want with me. Being formal in public doesn't work well because they'll figure out who I am and there'll be a commotion."

"Is that so? Then I apologize, I'll be formal with you from now on."

"Thank you, and to answer your question, I have one thing I enjoy a lot. It's architecture, one day, I wish to design something of my own and have it built in the city."

"That's a nice hobby to have, perhaps I'll be able to enjoy something like you one day."

Yu Yingyi felt sad when she heard that, but she wasn't worried. If Nian Zhen couldn't find something she enjoyed on her own, she decided she would help her.

After all, that's what friends are for.

"Don't worry, you'll find something one day. If you can't, I'll help you."

"I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I don't want to bother you too much."

Before Yu Yingyi could give a reply, their food arrived. She couldn't wait any longer and immediately took multiple bites.

"So delicious."

Yu Yingyi was surprised, not at how delicious it was, but the fact that it didn't come from her.

It came from Nian Zhen.

Now that she thought about it clearly, Nian Zhen's appearance didn't fit her personality, and her tone didn't fit the way she talked. Everything about her wasn't in order.

She didn't find it weird though, instead, she found it...interesting since it was the first time she met someone like this.

Yu Yingyi wondered what Nian Zhen was going to be like if everything was in order, will she be the opposite way she'll be now or will she be the same?

'I'll find out one day' Yu Yingyi thought determinedly.