"Sir, are you staying or just dining?"
"Staying." Qin Jiujiu took a silver ingot from her purse and placed it on the counter of the restaurant. The man's eyes lit up.
One in blue, the other in pink, they looked like a divine couple. Although the man appeared cold, he was exceptionally handsome, and the woman was sweet and adorable. They made a perfect match.
As soon as they entered the establishment, they became the center of attention.
Xie Jing's cold eyes flickered towards the onlookers. They felt a chill crawl up their spines and dared not stare any longer.
"Right this way, sir and madam!"
A waiter, who had been attending to other customers, received a look from the manager and quickly approached Qin Jiujiu. The waiter was not tall but very nimble. Seeing the pair, he greeted them enthusiastically, "Esteemed guests, please follow me!"
"Bring us a table of food to our room!" Qin Jiujiu looked at Xie Jing, then remembered he was there. However, the innkeeper had only booked one room for her. She paused, turned to the innkeeper, and asked, "Why did you only book us one room? Is the silver insufficient?"
The innkeeper's gaze lingered on the couple for another moment. Xie Jing, however, was growing impatient, his gaze towards the innkeeper carrying a hint of threat.
The innkeeper dared not speak further and quickly replied, "My apologies, esteemed guest. I assumed you were husband and wife, hence the single room. You two are simply too well-matched..."
Qin Jiujiu listened to the first half of the statement without noticing anything amiss, but gradually, a look of surprise spread across her face, and she instinctively moved to explain.
However, the innkeeper soon felt the young man's aura soften. The feeling of being under scrutiny gradually disappeared.
"Innkeeper, we need two rooms!"
A flicker of displeasure crossed Xie Jing's face, but he soon heard her continue, "Two adjoining superior rooms. The meal can be delivered to my room!"
After she finished giving instructions, the innkeeper quickly acknowledged her. Qin Jiujiu then took another silver ingot from her purse and placed it before the innkeeper. "Choose the best ones!"
The innkeeper's joy was palpable. It had been a while since they had encountered such generous customers.
This small town was located at the border between Xiliu City and Manluo Kingdom. Merchants often passed through, trading between the two regions. However, these merchants were usually frugal, and guests like these were rare, so the innkeeper was naturally delighted.
He readily agreed, "Of course!"
Seeing this, the waiter hurried to say, "Esteemed guests, please follow me!"
"Young master, this is your lodging! Young lady, your room is over there!"
As they reached Xie Jing's room, Qin Jiujiu said, "Second Young Master Xie, would you care to dine in my room?"
Xie Jing gave a hum from his nose, indicating his agreement. Qin Jiujiu was accustomed to his demeanor and said nothing further.
"Second Young Master Xie, please don't stand on ceremony. Eat whatever you like!"
Qin Jiujiu picked up her chopsticks, gazing at the spread of dishes, and was about to decide what to eat first when she heard the sound of horses approaching from outside. It wasn't just one or two horses, but a small troop.
This was accompanied by a clamor, a very noisy disturbance. Qin Jiujiu paused, chopsticks in hand, and walked to the window.
Their room was on the second floor, and looking down from the window provided a clear view of the street below. Dust billowed as a small group of people dressed as soldiers galloped forward, scattering the pedestrians.
"Officials are on duty, clear the way!"
Among the crowd, Qin Jiujiu thought she saw Wei Ting.
Wei Ting's face was etched with anxiety. His horse looked as if it had been ridden for a long time and was clearly exhausted. Qin Jiujiu initially thought she was mistaken, but when she heard the voice, she recognized it as Wei Ting's!
She looked at the retreating figure and fell into thought.
Seeing that Qin Jiujiu had not returned for a while, Xie Jing became curious about the situation outside. He also walked to the window, standing behind Qin Jiujiu, and looked out.
"System, has something happened in Xiliu City?"
Considering the timing, it was almost time for Xiliu City to be destroyed.
The four of them had parted ways at the entrance of the desert. Xie Yun had received a letter from home, asking him to return to the Xie family in Huayang for an important matter. She, on the other hand, had received news from Master Qin, stating that he would soon arrive in Xiliu City to arrange a marriage for her and Liu Qi.
Qin Jiujiu had no choice but to rush to Xiliu City. After all, she had lied to Master Qin, claiming she was staying at Chunfeng Du for Liu Qi, which allowed her to remain. If Master Qin arrived in Xiliu City before her, her lie would likely be exposed.
The most serious consequence was that Master Qin would arrange her marriage to Liu Qi!
"What are you looking at?" Xie Jing spoke softly from behind her, his warm breath brushing against her neck. The enchanting red petals on her fair skin looked exceptionally alluring.
Now, there were four petals.
"I think I saw Wei Ting..."
Xie Jing stared at the petals on her neck, not truly hearing her words. In his illusion, Yue Beiyang had similar petals, but strangely, Yue Beiyang would suffer from poison on the first day of every month, while Qin Jiujiu did not.
However, judging by the current pace, she had indeed been poisoned for over four months, meaning a new petal appeared each month. This love-killing poison should be from Xiliu City. It was administered by the Ghost of Painted Skin, and Shen Ting Chi had told him something after the Ghost of Painted Skin disappeared...
He hadn't taken it seriously then, but now, it seemed rather peculiar.
Seeing that Xie Jing remained unresponsive for a long time, Qin Jiujiu finally turned to him, "Did you hear what I said?"
Xie Jing gazed at her dreamily and suddenly asked, "Do you have someone you like in your heart?"
Qin Jiujiu: ?!
Xie Jing's behavior these days was always inexplicable, not only making him unpredictable but also adding a new dimension of awkwardness.
Qin Jiujiu chose to evade the question, "I'm hungry..." She bypassed Xie Jing and walked towards the food. Xie Jing, however, reached out and pulled her back. He looked at her face seriously, showing no hint of jest.
"Answer my question!"
Qin Jiujiu had no choice but to say, "What if I do, and what if I don't?"
This time, Xie Jing did not play coy. He asked directly, "Do you like me?"
Qin Jiujiu's expression suddenly changed. Moments ago, she could still look him in the eye, but now her gaze darted away. She murmured, "You're too narcissistic..."
The words she spoke lacked conviction, making it obvious she was lying.
Xie Jing lowered his head and suddenly leaned closer to her. The scent of pine from his person enveloped her. Qin Jiujiu's face visibly flushed. She dared not meet his eyes.