Luo Qingwu wagged a finger. “Let’s make a bet.”
“Pick anything you’re best at and compete with me. We’ll have everyone in Luo-Fu as witnesses.”
“If I lose, I won’t wait for you to say a word—I’ll pack my bags and leave without complaint, never setting foot in Luo-Fu again.”
Luo Mingzhao’s eyes instantly lit up, sparkling with excitement. “Really? You’ll leave on your own?”
“A gentleman’s word is his bond.”
Luo Qingwu’s tone shifted, her eyes carrying a hint of mockery. “But what if you lose?”
Luo Mingzhao furrowed his little brow. “How could I possibly lose to a country bumpkin like you? Tell me, what do you want?”
Luo Qingwu had been waiting for this.
She looked at him with a smile. “If you lose, you have to bow your head and admit defeat.”
“From then on, you’ll be my little brother, and I’ll be your boss. If I tell you to go east, you can’t go west; if I tell you to hit a dog, you can’t chase a chicken.”
“You think you’re fit to be my boss? Dream on!”
Luo Mingzhao instinctively wanted to refuse, but then it occurred to him: this wild girl grew up in the countryside—what could she possibly know besides farming and feeding pigs? Meanwhile, he had been tutored by renowned masters since childhood, dabbling in everything from music and chess to calligraphy, painting, riding, and archery.
Winning against her would be easy!
As long as he won, he could drive this eyesore away, avenge Jin’er’s sister, and establish his authority in the manor!
No matter how he calculated, it was a sure win!
“Fine! Let’s bet!”
Afraid she might back out, Luo Mingzhao agreed immediately. Then, his eyes darting around, he revealed a cunning smile. “I get to decide what we compete in, right?”
“Of course.” Luo Qingwu spread her hands.
“Good!”
Luo Mingzhao straightened his back and announced loudly, “Then we’ll compete in… horseback archery!”
He was utterly pleased with himself: this wild girl probably hadn’t even touched a horse, let alone drawn a bow and shot an arrow.
This time, let’s see how you die!
“Horseback archery?”
Luo Qingwu frowned slightly, her face appropriately showing a hint of difficulty and panic.
She bit her lower lip, her tone hesitant. “This… horseback archery is such a dangerous thing. As a country girl, I’ve hardly even ridden a donkey…”
Seeing her guilty expression, Luo Mingzhao’s tail practically wagged with pride.
Haha! He knew it!
This wild girl must be useless, unable to even draw a bow besides farming!
“Scared?”
Luo Mingzhao lifted his chin triumphantly, pressing step by step. “Weren’t you so bold just now? Want to back out now? Too late! A gentleman’s word is his bond, and everyone in Luo-Fu is watching!”
Worried Luo Qingwu might not agree, he quickly made the decision. “It’s settled! Tomorrow morning, we’ll meet at Yanwu Chang! I’ll go tell Father and Mother right now, have them call more people to witness for us!”
He didn’t just want to win—he wanted to win spectacularly!
He wanted Father and Mother to see who was truly Luojia’s pride, and he wanted everyone to watch as this wild girl slunk out of Luo-Fu in disgrace!
“Well… alright then.”
Luo Qingwu sighed deeply, seemingly resigned to compromise. “Since my little brother insists on this competition, as your elder sister, I can only indulge you.”
“Hmph! You brought this on yourself!”
Luo Mingzhao tossed out a harsh remark and rushed out like a gust of wind.
He had to hurry and share the good news with Jin’er’s sister! This time, he had accomplished a great feat!
Watching that round figure disappear beyond the courtyard gate, the panic on Luo Qingwu’s face vanished without a trace, replaced by a sly, cold smile.
“Fool.”
That little brat probably didn’t know that before she transmigrated into this book, although she spent most of her time in the laboratory, she had tried all sorts of things—horseback riding, archery, even shooting—to relieve the stress of academic work.
Moreover, when she first transmigrated here, she was in a rural estate, and her initial means of obtaining food was hunting.
Tomorrow, she would teach this little hothouse flower what it meant to face the harsh realities of the world.
And…
Luo Qingwu stroked her chin, deep in thought.
Since Luo Mingzhao wanted to make a big scene, it suited her perfectly.
To establish her footing in Luojia, merely sweet-talking Luo Yuandao wasn’t enough—she had to show some real skill. Only by proving her worth would Luo Yuandao truly see her as a useful pawn, not disposable trash.
…
Night fell, the moonlight cool and faint.
Luo Qingwu lay on the newly replaced carved wooden bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Accustomed to her previous dilapidated courtyard, Yunxi-Yuan, though luxurious, came with many rules.
Earlier, she had tried to climb over the wall to gather some medicinal herbs, but as soon as she reached the top, she saw two teams of guards patrolling with torches, crisscrossing so tightly that not even a fly could slip out.
“Tsk, this is troublesome.”
Luo Qingwu sighed. If she couldn’t get out, how was she supposed to carry out her “cook the rice” plan?
It seemed she needed to rethink her escape route.
Just as she was pondering this, an extremely faint sound came from outside the previously silent window.
Click—
It was the sound of the window latch being gently pushed open.
Luo Qingwu’s eyes sharpened. Instantly holding her breath, she turned over in the darkness, squinting to stare intently at the direction of the window.
With Yunxi-Yuan so heavily guarded, who had the audacity to pick her window lock in the middle of the night?
The window was pushed open a crack, and a tall, slender figure slipped in like a ghost, landing without a sound.
By the sliver of moonlight that seeped in, Luo Qingwu could make out the visitor’s silhouette.
Broad shoulders, narrow waist, that familiar oppressive presence…
Lin Lang?!
Luo Qingwu’s heart skipped a beat.
Why was he here?
And… she had only just moved into Yunxi-Yuan today. Even Luo Jin’er had never lived here. How had he so accurately found her room?
This meant the man had been keeping tabs on her movements!
Watching the shadowy figure approach the bed step by step, Luo Qingwu’s hand, hidden beneath the quilt, quietly reached for the silver hairpin tucked under her pillow.
Alarm bells rang in her mind.
Late at night, a man and a woman alone.
What was this man here for?
Could it be because she had stumbled upon his secret with Luo Yuandao last night, so…
He was here to silence her?
As this thought flashed through her mind, Luo Qingwu’s knuckles turned white around the silver hairpin, her entire body tense.
Closer.
Even closer.
Just as the shadow reached the bedside, and that large, calloused hand began to reach toward her…
Now!
Luo Qingwu’s gaze turned icy. The silver hairpin in her hand shot out like lightning, aimed straight for the other’s throat!
Yet, Xiao Junhe merely tilted his head slightly. Without even clearly seeing her movement, his body reacted on instinct.
Tap.
A soft sound.
Luo Qingwu felt a sudden numbness in her wrist, and her entire arm instantly lost its strength. Before the silver hairpin could even touch his collar, it was firmly seized by that iron-clamp-like hand.
In the next second, the world spun around her.
She was pressed back into the silk quilt by an irresistible force, and the man’s body immediately covered hers, carrying the chill of the late-night dew and that uniquely dangerous aura.
“It’s me!”