Chased You, You're Cold; Married, Why Cry?

Chapter 10: It's Over, This Time It's Really Over

Qiao Yin tossed and turned all night until finally, the day arrived. The first thing she asked upon waking was, "Has big brother left?"

Bi Zhu replied, "The eldest young master just left. Don't worry, miss. He'll come back and inform you right away if there's any news."

Qiao Yin felt uneasy. She believed Xie Yuean to be gentle and considerate, not someone who would take pleasure in tricking others. Yet, she couldn't ignore his unattainable family background and status.

Even in her dreams last night, she was haunted by scenarios of being humiliated by Princess Ning Yao at a banquet, accused of competing for a man.

Qiao Yin knelt and pleaded in her dream, claiming it was against her will, all for survival.

But Princess Ning Yao didn't believe her, accusing her of overreaching and trying to catch a swan as a toad, which turned her into an actual ugly toad in the dream, waking her up in fright.

After a hasty breakfast, Qiao Yin began dressing up to distract herself from her anxiety, secretly hoping Xie Yuean would keep their appointment.

Eventually, rapid footsteps approached, and Bi Zhu called from outside, "Miss, the eldest young master is back."

Qiao Yin sprang up and rushed to the door, leaning out to ask, "Big brother, why are you back so soon? Did you go to the city gate? Was he there?"

Qiao Mo's face was stormy, and even from a distance, his anger was palpable.

"Forget that scoundrel. I didn't make it to the city gate but saw him at Zhang Ji's pastry shop on the way. He was laughing and chatting with a woman, splurging to please her, causing quite a stir among the onlookers."

Zhang Ji's pastry shop?

Of all places, why did it have to be Zhang Ji's pastry shop?

Hadn't she just brought him pastries from Zhang Ji yesterday? And now he was buying them for another woman?

"Big brother, are you sure it was Xie Yuean?" Qiao Yin asked, unwilling to give up hope.

Qiao Mo pointed to his eyes, swearing, "How could I be wrong? These are the eyes of someone who can shoot an arrow through a hole from a hundred steps away. If I'm wrong, I'll dig out my eyeballs for you to step on as firecrackers!"

Qiao Yin felt uncomfortable, her last bit of hope extinguished.

It made sense. How could she, with her background, be good enough for him? He was probably just intrigued for a moment and decided to play along for a few days.

Silently turning back to her vanity, she removed the carefully chosen hairpin. Qiao Mo's curses echoed in her ears.

"Sister, don't be sad. There are plenty of men out there. Let me find you a better-looking one."

Slumped in her chair, Qiao Yin wasn't lamenting the lack of men; she was worried about her life. Failing to win over Xie Yuean meant she had only 28 days left to live.

Was she truly doomed?

Thinking back, she realized how absurd her situation was. She'd been slaving away at this task, living like a dog without dignity, and hadn't truly lived for herself even for a day.

Seeing Qiao Yin so defeated, Qiao Mo lifted her from the chair and onto the carriage.

"Brother, where are you taking me?"

"You'll see."

Throughout the ride, Qiao Yin asked several times, but Qiao Mo kept the destination a secret. Eventually, the carriage stopped, and Qiao Yin looked out to see "Zui Xiang Ju," a well-known restaurant in the capital, though not as elegant as Xie Xing Lou.

"What? Brother, are you taking me here to drink?"

Qiao Mo pulled her out of the carriage, "Yes, to drink. Let's drown your sorrows and forget about that man."

Qiao Yin, already feeling reckless about her impending doom, thought, "Fine, let's drink! And brother, take me to have fun elsewhere afterward?"

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you enjoy yourself today."

Giving Qiao Yin a meaningful look, Qiao Mo led her into an upper room at the restaurant.

The noise in the room ceased as seven or eight men turned to look at them.

Thinking they had entered the wrong room, Qiao Yin tried to retreat, but a firm push from behind propelled her into the center of the room.

"Sister, I've handpicked these fine young men for you. Take a look, do you like any of them?"

Qiao Yin was stunned, hardly believing what she was hearing.

"Big, big brother, what are you saying?"

This was an incredible gesture from her brother, arranging such a touching gift during her final days.

Qiao Mo, thinking Qiao Yin was just shocked, chuckled and began introducing a young man named Qi Xiang as a scribe from the military, noting his scholarly and handsome appearance. Qiao Yin was immediately captivated, liking what she saw.

Then came Zhao Heng, a military champion with unmatched strength. As he greeted Qiao Yin, his muscular arms captivated her attention.

After going around the room, it was clear these men, though varied in talents and passionate in their addresses to "Little Sister Qiao" and "Pretty Sister," were all selected to resemble Lu Jinzhi in some way, especially Qi Xiang in his facial features.

As thunder roared and rain began to pour outside, the sudden chill and the clearing of her drunken haze made Qiao Yin see these men in a new light.

None matched the combination of good looks, scholarly elegance, gentleness, and consideration that was Xie Yuean.

The heavy rain outside only added to Qiao Yin's restlessness, igniting a thought: Could Xie Yuean be waiting at the city gate just as she had waited for Lu Jinzhi years ago?

Determined to find out, she hurried outside into the downpour, only to encounter a familiar figure rushing in.

"Xie Yuean?"

The figure slowly lifted his head, his drenched form resembling a hammer blow to Qiao Yin's conscience.

"Little Sister Qiao, why the rush? Weren't you going to my brother's house to see his tabby cat?"

"No, Little Sister Qiao was going to see my collection of treasured swords," Qi Xiang and Zhao Heng, having followed, argued, each trying to pull her in their direction.

Caught between the two men, Qiao Yin timidly looked to Xie Yuean, meeting his icy gaze.

It was over. This time, she was truly doomed.