Chapter 158

As the first ray of morning sunlight streamed into the room, Qi Huan slowly opened her eyes.

Gazing at the empty side of the bed, she felt a twinge of loneliness.

After dressing and washing up, she trudged listlessly into the dining room, where she once again encountered her old friend she hadn't seen in a long time—plain noodle soup.

Yan Ge waited nearby, greeting her with a grin, "Good morning, Miss Qi."

Qi Huan responded with a soft "Morning" before sitting at the redwood table and picking up a mouthful of noodles with her chopsticks, chewing slowly.

It wasn't as delicious as Shu's cooking.

Seeing her eyes gradually redden, Yan Ge cautiously asked, "Miss Qi, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just don't like plain noodle soup."

What I like is Shu, who only knows how to make plain noodle soup.

Hearing the melancholy in her voice, Yan Ge quickly removed the bowl of noodles.

Softening her tone, she said gently, "Since Miss Qi doesn't like it, let's not eat it. I'll take you out to buy some char siu bao!"

Before Qi Huan could answer, Yan Qing gulped audibly.

Amused by her comical expression, Qi Huan nodded.

A short while later, the three of them were happily walking down the street.

Suddenly, a few dark clouds drifted across the sky, completely obscuring the morning sun. A cool breeze arose, sweeping away the usual stuffiness and making everyone feel refreshed.

At the corner shop, steam billowed from the bamboo steamers, and the vendor wore a bright smile, warmly attending to each customer.

Yan Ge squeezed forward and bought ten buns.

She gave two to Qi Huan, kept two for herself, and the remaining six all went into Yan Qing's stomach.

Qi Huan held a bun in each hand, taking a bite from the left, then a bite from the right, ensuring equal attention to both, without favoring either side.

Across the alley, on the upper floor of a teahouse, Li Yuanxiu happened to spot the three mistress and servants again, and found himself watching them for a few moments.

He observed her serious demeanor as she alternated bites between the left and right buns, and couldn't help but smile.

The wind outside grew stronger, and his servant Suixin reminded him, "Young Master, shall we close the window?"

"No need," Li Yuanxiu replied.

He took a small sip of clear tea and picked up a xiaolongbao, eating it slowly and methodically.

Suddenly, it began to pour.

He put down his chopsticks and looked towards the alley entrance.

He saw the three of them running for cover.

Large raindrops pelted the bluestone-paved road, creating a misty haze over the street. After a long drought, this welcome rain made people laugh as they ran for shelter.

The assassins began to fight recklessly, forsaking defense for all-out attack.

As Li Shuchen intervened to save the gravely injured Yan Wu, a blade slashed the back of his hand.

He slit the throat of the last assassin and suddenly coughed up a mouthful of black blood.

The assassin's blade had been poisoned.

The downpour continued unabated.

Yan Qing stomped her feet and hugged herself, asking Qi Huan, "Sister Qi, are you cold?"

Qi Huan smiled and patted the bun on top of her head. "Let's go inside. I'll treat you to some tea."

The finest Jun Mountain Silver Needle Tea, with leaves as thin as needles, offered a sweet taste with a hint of bitterness. Qi Huan took a few small sips, and her right eyelid began to twitch incessantly.

She extended her arm to Yan Qing and said, "Pinch me."

In her previous life, she had heard that a twitching left eye meant coming fortune, while a twitching right eye signaled impending disaster. It was said that having someone pinch you could ward off the bad luck. Though unscientific, she and her friends had always indulged in this practice.

But she had forgotten that Yan Qing wasn't one of her old friends, but a supernaturally strong girl. A light pinch from her was enough to make Qi Huan cry out in pain.

Seeing the red mark on her arm, Yan Qing panicked and nervously said, "Sister Qi, let me pinch you back to make it even."

Qi Huan wiped away her tears and burst into laughter.

Her radiant smile, with traces of moisture still clinging to the corners of her eyes, created a conflicting beauty that suddenly caught Li Yuanxiu's gaze.

As the sky gradually darkened, the rain showed no signs of letting up, as if trying to make up for months of drought all at once.

Yan Ge turned to Qi Huan and asked, "Miss Qi, shall I go back to fetch the carriage and return to pick you up?"

Qi Huan handed her the curtain and said with concern, "When you get back, just have Yan Jiu come pick me up. You should quickly take a hot bath, change into clean clothes, and drink some ginger tea. Be careful not to catch a cold."

At that moment, a man in scarlet robes slowly descended the stairs, passing by her side.

"Perhaps I could escort the young lady home?" he offered.

Qi Huan looked at him, feeling that his face was somewhat familiar, but she couldn't recall where she had seen him before.

She refused without hesitation, "Thank you for your kind offer, sir, but that won't be necessary."

Even though Shu wasn't around, she still behaved well, actively maintaining a proper distance from all men.

Hearing her straightforward answer, Li Yuanxiu didn't persist. He left an umbrella for them and departed with his servant.

Yan Ge disappeared into the rain under the umbrella, then returned driving a carriage to pick up Qi Huan.

It rained all day, and the temperature dropped suddenly.

Qi Huan removed the summer mat, replaced it with fresh bedding, and gradually fell asleep wrapped in her quilt.

In her dream, she seemed to see Shu.

Amidst mountains shrouded in bloody mist and piles of corpses, she stumbled along. Suddenly, she saw a familiar figure soaking in a pool of blood. As she approached, she realized it was Shu's face.