Even with his mask on, Gu Qinghan could still recognize Ye Muyan.
The shock from her previous life and the longing from this one finally transformed into tears.
Gu Qinghan’s earlier feigned distress, upon seeing Ye Muyan’s appearance, turned into genuine grievance.
It was the kind of reaction a child has upon seeing someone they are closest to.
Why did she feel so wronged?
Despite having become cold and detached in this life, the tension she had been holding onto instantly relaxed the moment she saw Ye Muyan, followed by a coquettish sense of grievance, a desire to be held by him.
But at this moment, she shouldn’t recognize him. In her previous life, she wasn’t familiar with Ye Muyan, so now she could only pretend not to know him.
Her tears hadn’t yet dried, still clinging to her eyelashes.
Ye Muyan frowned slightly, hesitating for a long moment before handing over a dark-colored handkerchief.
“Qing… this young lady, use this to wipe your tears.”
He didn’t realize it, but his voice was incredibly gentle, as if coaxing Gu Qinghan.
Before her sense of grievance could fade, Gu Qinghan’s face flushed with embarrassment. She gave a slight curtsy to express her gratitude and accepted the handkerchief.
Seeing someone pay for Gu Qinghan, and such a handsome man at that, Xiao Yinghuai immediately felt a sense of crisis.
He shrank back, wanting to step forward to assert his presence.
Suddenly, he was swept away by a crowd that seemed to appear out of nowhere. He didn’t even have time to react, and no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t break free from the crowd’s restraint.
What was going on!
Xiao Yinghuai was on the verge of despair. Had he forgotten to check the almanac before leaving home today?
The crowd was actually part of the hidden guards protecting Gu Qinghan. Under Wanzhu’s signal, they had pretended to unintentionally take Xiao Yinghuai away to prevent him from ruining their master’s plans.
The burly man who had earlier teased Gu Qinghan was also silently taken away. What awaited him would be something far more terrifying.
Meanwhile, Ye Muyan watched as his handkerchief moved across Gu Qinghan’s delicate, fair face, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
He had received the news from his hidden guards early in the morning and prepared to come see her from afar.
Even though he knew seeing her with Xiao Yinghuai would hurt, as long as he could see her, the pain didn’t matter.
But he hadn’t expected Xiao Yinghuai to be so useless, not even having a few copper coins, leaving Qingqing at a loss because of him.
How could he bear it? Seeing his Qingqing standing there, wronged and distressed, his body reacted before his mind could think.
He strode over to Gu Qinghan’s side and decisively paid the bill.
The person who had teased Qingqing had already been dealt with—dragged to the dungeon to be tortured. If he was lucky, he might keep his life; if not, well…
Being able to speak to Qingqing was already an unexpected delight. Qingqing had even used his handkerchief. Had his scent now completely transferred to Qingqing’s face?
The handkerchief brushed against the slightly raised corner of her eye, the center of her eyelashes, and then slid over the plump curve of her lips…
Ye Muyan’s mind drifted slightly, imagining how beautiful it would be if Gu Qinghan’s entire body were covered in his scent.
Her fair, delicate body… even her hair would carry his scent alone.
Only his.
His eyes gradually darkened, deep and bottomless, nearly unable to resist wrapping his arms around Gu Qinghan’s slender waist, pulling her into his embrace, kissing, licking… making her his alone.
Gu Qinghan wiped her face dry at that moment, then looked up and stared directly at Ye Muyan, speaking in a delicate voice, “Thank you, young master.” As she spoke, she placed the handkerchief into Ye Muyan’s hand.
The moment the handkerchief touched his hand, Ye Muyan felt Gu Qinghan’s fingertips brush lightly across his palm.
A tingling sensation, like an electric current, swept through his palm, leaving it numb and tingling.
It was Qingqing who had actively touched his hand—so soft…
Ye Muyan’s breathing immediately grew heavier.
Gu Qinghan noticed his reaction and pursed her lips, secretly smiling.
Turning around, she realized Wanzhu was nowhere to be seen.
Wanzhu was creating an opportunity for Ye Muyan—how loyal.
So, Gu Qinghan blinked her almond-shaped eyes and spoke softly to Ye Muyan, “My maid seems to have disappeared. Would you be willing to accompany me for a stroll around the capital?”
Ye Muyan answered almost without hesitation, “I would.”
A sweet smile returned to Gu Qinghan’s face. She picked out a few interesting pendants and hairpins from the small stall and slipped a jade thumb ring onto her finger.
“Then let’s go~”
“Alright.”