Qiao Yin tossed and turned all night, finally making it to the next day. The first thing she asked upon waking was, “Has big brother left yet?”
Bizhu replied, “The young master just went out. Don’t worry, miss, he’ll come back and tell you as soon as there’s any news.”
Qiao Yin felt uneasy. She thought Xie Yu’an was gentle and considerate, not the type to play meaningless pranks. But she couldn’t ignore his lofty family background and unattainable status in her mind.
Last night, she even had a dream where she was invited to a banquet by Princess Ningyao and publicly humiliated. Princess Ningyao questioned her, asking why she was trying to steal her man.
Qiao Yin knelt and begged for mercy, saying she had no choice, that she was just trying to survive.
Princess Ningyao didn’t believe her, pointed at her nose and scolded her, calling her an overreaching toad trying to eat swan meat.
Then she actually turned into an incredibly ugly toad and woke up in fright.
Qiao Yin hastily ate some breakfast, then began to dress up to distract herself from her inner anxiety.
Secretly, she hoped Xie Yu’an would keep the appointment.
After who knows how long, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Bizhu called from outside the door, “Miss, the young master is back.”
Qiao Yin immediately jumped up from her chair, rushing to the door in a few quick steps. Leaning against the threshold, she asked, “Big brother, why are you back so soon? Did you go to the city gate? Was he there?”
Qiao Mo’s face was dark with anger, and even from several steps away, his fury was palpable.
“Don’t mention that scumbag again. I didn’t make it to the city gate, but on the way, I passed Zhang’s Pastry Shop and saw him there. He was laughing and talking with a woman, and he even spent a fortune to buy out the entire pastry shop to make her happy, causing quite a stir among the people outside.”
Zhang’s Pastry Shop?
Of all the shops, why did it have to be Zhang’s Pastry Shop?
She had just sent him pastries from Zhang’s yesterday, and today he went to buy them for another girl?
“Big brother, are you sure it was really Xie Yu’an?” Qiao Yin asked unwillingly.
Qiao Mo pointed at his eyes, swearing, “How could I be mistaken? I have eagle-eyed vision. If I’m wrong, I’ll dig out my eyeballs and let you stomp on them like firecrackers!”
Qiao Yin felt uncomfortable inside, her last remaining hopes completely shattered.
Of course, with her status, how could she possibly be worthy of him? He was probably just feeling momentarily amused and played with her for a couple of days.
Silently, she turned back to her dressing table and removed the carefully chosen hairpins. Qiao Mo’s curses kept echoing in her ears.
“Little sister, don’t be sad. Three-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged men are everywhere. Big brother will find you another handsome one.”
Qiao Yin slumped weakly into her chair. It wasn’t that she was thinking about men; she was thinking about her own life.
If she couldn’t win over Xie Yu’an, she only had one month left—no, twenty-eight days of life.
Was she really going to be finished?
Thinking about it, it really felt like a waste. She had been in this world for four years, busy every day completing tasks and acting like a sycophant for others, never having a single good day for herself.
Qiao Yin looked like a frostbitten eggplant, showing unprecedented defeat on her face. Seeing this, her big brother Qiao Mo reached out, grabbed her, and lifted her from the chair.
Before Qiao Yin could react, she was already in a carriage.
“Brother, where are you taking me?””You’ll know when we get there.”
Along the way, Qiao Yin asked several times, but Qiao Mo remained mysteriously tight-lipped.
After what felt like an eternity, the carriage finally stopped. Qiao Yin lifted the curtain and looked out. “Isn’t this Drunken Fragrance Pavilion?”
Though not as refined as the Star-Gazing Tower, Drunken Fragrance Pavilion was also a famous restaurant in the capital, usually packed with guests.
“What? Is big brother really taking me here to drink?”
Qiao Mo pulled her out of the carriage. “Yes, I’m taking you to drink. Drown your sorrows in wine and stop thinking about that worthless man.”
Qiao Yin was already feeling like giving up and letting go. After all, her life was about to end, and she hadn’t indulged even once, had she?
“Alright, let’s drink! After we finish, will big brother take me somewhere else to have fun?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you have a great time today.”
Qiao Mo gave Qiao Yin a meaningful look, then led her upstairs to a private room.
The noise in the room abruptly stopped as seven or eight men inside turned their heads in unison.
Thinking Qiao Mo had entered the wrong room, Qiao Yin was about to step back when a sudden force on her shoulder pushed her straight into the center of the room.
“Little sister, these are all fine young men I’ve carefully selected for you. Take a look—do you like any of them?”
Qiao Yin’s jaw dropped, unable to believe what she was hearing.
“B-b-big brother, what are you saying?”
What an incredible big brother, giving her such a touching gift in her final days.
Thinking Qiao Yin was frightened, Qiao Mo chuckled and pointed to one of the men in white. “This is Qi Xiang, a military clerk in our army. Don’t you think he looks very refined and handsome?”
Qiao Yin nodded vigorously. Not only was he refined and handsome, but Qi Xiang also carried an air of elegance, unlike the rough-and-tumble soldiers. He seemed more like a noble young master from some prestigious household. She liked him.
“This is Zhao Heng, the military champion in our army. He’s incredibly strong, unmatched in the military.”
Qiao Mo then introduced another tall and imposing man. Zhao Heng cupped his hands in greeting toward Qiao Yin, his raised arm revealing bulging muscles. Qiao Yin’s gaze was instantly glued to him, unable to look away.
Qiao Mo introduced each one in turn. Among the group were those skilled in literature, martial arts, painting, and music—a diverse and talented bunch. What’s more, they were all very enthusiastic, calling her “Little Qiao” and “pretty sister” one after another. In no time, they had completely captivated Qiao Yin, and she no longer cared about anyone surnamed Lu or Xie.
“Little sister, have you noticed they all have something in common?”
After a few rounds of drinks, Qiao Yin was thoroughly enjoying herself when Qiao Mo leaned over and asked mysteriously.
Qiao Yin set her wine cup on the table and clapped her hands. “I know, I know! They’re all living bodhisattvas! Saving the suffering, delivering the needy—living bodhisattvas here to rescue this poor little me.”
Everyone burst into laughter at her words.
Qiao Mo whispered in her ear, “Little sister, don’t you think they all resemble someone?”
“Huh? Who?”
Hearing this, Qiao Yin examined them carefully. She hadn’t noticed before, but now it startled her.
Whether it was their noses or mouths, every one of them bore some resemblance to Lu Jinzhi, especially Qi Xiang, whose eyes and eyebrows were the most similar.Just then, a clap of thunder roared from the rooftop, and rain began to pour outside. The autumn wind carried the chilly rain through the window, causing Qiao Yin to shiver violently. Her drunkenness vanished completely, and even her vision cleared up.
As Qiao Yin looked at the handsome men gathered around the table, she found them increasingly unappealing.
Qi Xiang was refined but lacked masculinity, Zhao Heng was imposing but lacked elegance…
The more she looked, the clearer the image in her mind became. After a long moment, she finally realized—the one who was both handsome, refined, elegant, and gentle was none other than Xie Yu’an, wasn’t it?
Outside, the rain grew heavier, and Qiao Yin felt restless. A sudden thought crossed her mind: Could Xie Yu’an have gone to the city gate, still waiting for her there in the rain?
Just as she had foolishly waited for Lu Jinzhi in the same spot four years ago?
Qiao Yin abruptly stood up and rushed downstairs.
Outside, the rain was pouring down. Just as she was about to call for the carriage driver, a familiar figure dashed through the rain and into the building.
Qiao Yin froze in place. “Xie Yu’an?”
The figure seeking shelter from the rain slowly lifted his head. He was drenched from head to toe, and a drop of rainwater trickled from the hair at his temple to the ground. It felt like a heavy hammer striking Qiao Yin’s conscience.
“Little Sister Qiao, why are you in such a hurry? Didn’t you say you wanted to come to my place to see the tabby cat I’m raising?”
“No, Little Sister Qiao should come to my place first to see the treasured sword I’ve collected.”
Qi Xiang and Zhao Heng caught up from behind. Without even glancing at Xie Yu’an, each grabbed one of Qiao Yin’s arms, trying to pull her away.
Caught between the two men, Qiao Yin timidly looked toward Xie Yu’an, only to meet his icy gaze.
It’s over. This time, it’s really over!