The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 73

I Will Stay and Take Care of You

Qian Shuangying knelt to one side, listening to the message Feng Qi had brought. After her gaze shifted between the two of them, she said hurriedly, “Sheng-meimei¹ must be feeling unwell. I think you should go and see her.” She didn’t think Qu Sheng was asking Lin Xizhao to go over and serve her, but rather that she wanted her to go back and rest. “It’s getting late. It’s a good time for me to go back and rest as well.”

Just now, when Jin Yunfei had sent a message, Qian Shuangying had stayed to keep Lin Xizhao company.

Qu Ting had gone to welcome Qu Jixian. He had been gone for a day and was estimated to be returning soon.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao glanced sideways at Qian Shuangying. Qu Sheng had kept her a thousand li² away today, yet now she was asking her to go over and take care of her. Lin Xizhao only needed a few moments of thought to realize that Qu Sheng wanted her to go back and rest.

Lin Xizhao rose to her feet and left the courtyard with Qian Shuangying.

Qu Sheng stood before the window inside the room, sensing the darkness outside. When Lin Xizhao entered the courtyard, she looked up and saw Qu Sheng immediately.

Qu Sheng’s eyes were fixed on one spot, her gaze unfocused. Lin Xizhao paused to look at her for a moment longer before following behind Feng Qi.

“Eldest Miss, please.”

Feng Qi pushed open the door and stood to the side. Lin Xizhao nodded and walked in, surveying the room’s furnishings.

Aside from the walls, the room was empty without a single thing³.

Back when Qu Sheng had needed to get out of bed and walk, the slave servants in the residence had moved all the furniture, tables, and chairs out of the room. Only during mealtimes would they move a table and chairs back in from the side room.

Lin Xizhao entered the room, and Feng Qi closed the door behind her.

Lin Xizhao walked further into the room and pushed open the door to the inner chamber. Inside, there was only a bed and a brazier placed in the far corner.

Qu Sheng stood by the open window. When she heard Lin Xizhao’s footsteps, her eyelids twitched slightly.

Lin Xizhao stood behind her, glanced at her, and then went to the side to pick up a changyi⁴. Lin Xizhao walked over and draped the changyi over Qu Sheng.

Qu Sheng moved slightly, deliberately raising her arm to let the changyi slide off.

The changyi fell to the floor, but Lin Xizhao, showing no emotion, simply bent down to pick it up again.

“Help me to rest,” Qu Sheng said, her voice detached.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao held the changyi in one arm and reached out with her other hand to take Qu Sheng’s.

The moment Lin Xizhao’s hand touched hers, Qu Sheng immediately flung it away, her expression one of mild anger.

Her hand having been thrown off, Lin Xizhao pressed her soft lips together lightly. After only a moment’s thought, she raised her arm for Qu Sheng to rest on.

Qu Sheng was treating her like a maidservant⁵.

But at this moment, Lin Xizhao didn’t care at all. Just being allowed to see Qu Sheng was enough to satisfy her.

Lin Xizhao supported Qu Sheng as they walked toward the bed. After a few steps, Qu Sheng stopped on her own accord; she remembered the distance from the window to the bed.

Seeing that Qu Sheng had stopped moving, Lin Xizhao took the initiative to help her undress. Qu Sheng just stood there, raising her hands.

Lin Xizhao was already accustomed to waiting on Qu Sheng. In just a few motions, she had removed Qu Sheng’s clothes and placed them aside. Qu Sheng raised a hand to straighten the hem of her inner garment, then took a few steps and got onto the bed.

Qu Sheng lay down. Sensing that Lin Xizhao was still standing there watching her, she glanced sideways and said, “Get on.” Although she couldn’t see, her hearing had become exceptionally sharp these past few days.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao hesitated for a moment before removing her own outer robe and getting onto the bed.

Qu Sheng shifted toward the inside of the bed. After Lin Xizhao lay down, she turned to face inward, ignoring her and maintaining the distance of one person between them.

Qu Sheng lay on the bed with her eyes closed, while Lin Xizhao lay on her side, gazing at Qu Sheng’s back. In the past, she could hug Qu Sheng whenever she wanted, but now, she no longer dared.

With Qu Sheng sleeping beside her, and after several days and nights of rushing on the road, Lin Xizhao, not knowing and not feeling⁶, drifted into a deep sleep while watching her.

Hearing Lin Xizhao’s light, shallow breathing, Qu Sheng turned over. She couldn’t see Lin Xizhao. She wanted to feel her presence, but she didn’t dare to hold her again.

She had once made pledges and vows sincere and true that she would marry Lin Xizhao, but now she was blind in both eyes and needed someone to support her even to walk. The Imperial Physician had also diagnosed that she would never regain her sight. How could she possibly give Lin Xizhao happiness?

She knew Lin Xizhao cared for her, but she couldn’t be so selfish. Maintaining this distance now would also allow her own heart to slowly give up hope.

She would just treat it as if Lin Xizhao had rejected her before, and she would no longer pester her.

When Lin Xizhao opened her eyes in the early morning, she momentarily forgot where she was. It took a few moments for her mind to recall that she was in Qu Sheng’s room.

And she also remembered that Qu Sheng was blind.

In her dreams, she had been running away, refusing to admit she had returned, refusing to believe that Qu Sheng’s eyes could no longer see.

When Lin Xizhao looked for Qu Sheng, the inner side of the bed was already empty. Qu Sheng had already gotten up and gone out.

She was supposed to be here to wait on Qu Sheng, yet she herself had slept so soundly that she didn’t even know when the person she was supposed to be serving had woken up and left. Lin Xizhao hurriedly got up, and as she looked up, she saw the new clothes that the Marquis Qu’s Residence had prepared for her.

A maidservant from outside must have come in. Had she slept so deeply because of the incense from last night?

Lin Xizhao walked out of the room. As she opened the door, the maidservant outside curtsied and said, “Eldest Miss, these slave servants⁷ are here to help you wash and dress.”

Lin Xizhao looked at the maidservant at the door and quickly asked, “Where is Sheng’er⁸?”

The maidservant glanced toward a corner of the courtyard and said, “The Young Miss is in the courtyard, basking in the sun.”

Lin Xizhao followed the maidservant’s gaze and indeed saw Qu Sheng sitting to one side, her head tilted up toward the red morning sun.

Qu Sheng was feeling the color of the red sun; it was a color she could see, besides black and white.

At this moment, Qu Sheng also heard the maidservant’s voice at the doorway, but she didn’t look over.

Lin Xizhao saw Qu Sheng draped in a thick changyi with Feng Qi standing by her side. She lowered her eyes, her worries easing slightly, and returned to her room to wash and dress.

During breakfast, the table had been moved back into the room.

“Sheng’er.” Lin Xizhao picked up some food with her chopsticks, cupped her other hand underneath, and brought it to Qu Sheng’s lips.

Qu Sheng knew Lin Xizhao wanted to feed her, but she didn’t appreciate the gesture. Chewing the rice in her mouth, Qu Sheng stared straight ahead as if she hadn’t heard, then lowered her head and continued eating.

Feng Qi, standing to one side, signaled for the maidservant to stop serving Qu Sheng and looked at Lin Xizhao.

Lin Xizhao exchanged a glance with Feng Qi and silently placed the food into Qu Sheng’s bowl.

After a few bites, Qu Sheng guessed that it was Lin Xizhao who was serving her food. A short while later, she put down her bowl and chopsticks and stopped eating. The dishes Lin Xizhao had picked were all her favorites.

There were also dishes on the table that Lin Xizhao liked. The maidservant, however, didn’t know what Qu Sheng liked to eat and had only given her a little of everything.

Qu Sheng had made Feng Qi watch in the room precisely because she was afraid the maidservant would conspire with Lin Xizhao. Who would have thought that Feng Qi would be the first to help Lin Xizhao?

Since Qu Sheng wasn’t eating, Lin Xizhao lost her appetite as well. Qu Sheng was helped to the lingtang⁹ by Feng Qi, and Lin Xizhao followed.

The two knelt in the lingtang. Qu Sheng just stared at the ground, while Lin Xizhao knelt beside her, glancing at her from time to time.

Today, Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu had also come. Because Qu Ming was of the younger generation, not many people came to pay their respects. The prolonged wake in the lingtang was to wait for the Qu family’s Second Uncle, Qu Jixian, and Qu Ming’s mother to arrive together.

Around noon, Qu Ting, leading the residence guards, welcomed the two elders back. Qu Ming’s mother had already cried her tears dry on the road. Now, getting out of the carriage and seeing the white cloth on the residence gate, she nearly fainted again.

Qu Ting and Qu Yu lowered their heads, fighting back tears, but their reddened eyes already exposed their grief.

The two elders were helped into the residence. Qu Sheng, kneeling in the lingtang, heard that her Second Uncle and Second Aunt had arrived and hurriedly stood up. But she had just taken a step when she kicked the brazier in front of her.

Seeing this, Lin Xizhao quickly moved the brazier aside, stood up, and took Qu Sheng’s hand.

Upon being touched by those soft, cool fingertips, Qu Sheng instantly guessed it was Lin Xizhao. But she needed to go out, so she couldn’t be bothered with such things.

Qu Sheng was led out of the lingtang by Lin Xizhao. Qu Jixian and Second Aunt Qu had known since Shoulin that Qu Sheng’s eyes were blind. Now, seeing her gaze constantly drifting, never finding a focal point, their hearts filled with even greater sorrow.

“Second Uncle, Second Aunt.” Qu Sheng heard the commotion, but everyone had fallen silent. She had to call out to them to determine their location.

When Qu Sheng was in Shoulin, she had been cared for by her Second Uncle, Qu Jixian, and Second Aunt Qu. Although they had spent little time together, they treated her like their own child.

She hadn’t been able to save Qu Ming, and the self-blame was now written all over her face.

“Good child, quickly, let Second Aunt have a look at you.” Second Aunt Qu’s tears had all been cried out. She reached out to hug Qu Sheng, and Lin Xizhao let go of Qu Sheng’s hand at the right moment.

Second Aunt Qu looked Qu Sheng over from left to right. Seeing that she truly couldn’t see, another wave of sadness was added to her heart.

The group stood outside the lingtang for a moment before heading back inside. Second Aunt Qu hugged Qu Ming’s coffin, crying, her heart broken to the point of ceasing¹⁰. Second Uncle Qu stood to the side, his eyes downcast, sighing in sorrow.

At this moment, the Qu family’s Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle were also filled with self-reproach, grieving that they hadn’t stopped Qu Ming from investigating the truth behind Qu Ce’s death.

The whole family had gathered together after so many years, yet it was in Qu Ming’s lingtang. How tragic.

Second Aunt Qu stayed with Qu Ming in the lingtang for two nights. On the day of the burial, white paper money floated through the main streets of the Jingcheng, like a heavy snow sent down by the heavens.

Lin Xizhao held Qu Sheng’s hand, following in the funeral procession. Everyone in the Qu family, old and young, came out to see Qu Ming off.

A successor to a vassal lord¹¹, highly regarded both inside and outside the imperial court, had been murdered by a villain. The Qu family had already informed the Son of Heaven¹², vowing to capture the murderer and grind his bones to dust and scatter his ashes¹³.

Qu Ming was buried near the thatched cottage outside the city, with men sent by the Qu family to guard the grave. They would wait until the Qu family brought the murderer’s head to pay respects before choosing an auspicious day to move him to the Shoulin fief¹⁴.

The elders of the Qu family had originally not interfered with the younger generation’s investigation into Qu Ce’s death, but Qu Ming’s death had also brought the cause of Qu Ce’s death to light.

Qu Jinian had already reported it to the Imperial Court¹⁵, and the Emperor had appointed a special official to take charge of the case of Qu Ce’s and Qu Ming’s deaths.

The mourning banner at the gate of the Qu Residence was not taken down after Qu Ming’s burial. They would leave it up until the day Qu Ming could close his eyes¹⁶.

Back when Qu Sheng came to the Jingcheng, the Qu family’s Second Uncle, Qu Jixian, had also been summoned to court, but the fief could not be left without a member of the Qu family. They found a way to delay, ultimately allowing the Emperor to dispatch an official to the fief, which let Qu Jixian remain.

That time, Qu Sheng had injured the daughter of the Imperial Uncle¹⁷. By paying compensation in gold, spreading the rumor that Qu Sheng had become a simpleton, and losing the position of Princess Consort¹⁸, she had created room for negotiation for Qu Jixian to stay behind. But most importantly, the Emperor had been forced to dispatch an official into the Qu family’s army, showing the court that the Qu family had no intention of rebelling.

At that time, the three-year-old Qu Sheng had, with a single plan, secured three outcomes beneficial to the Qu family. It also made her three older brothers rub their eyes and look again at their little sister¹⁹. Therefore, for many matters, the three brothers would consult with Qu Sheng. It was only this one time that Qu Ming had been too impatient and had ventured into danger without waiting for Qu Sheng to return.

After seeing Qu Ming off, the group returned to the residence. The lingtang was now empty, just like the hearts of the people in the Qu Residence.

Due to his health, Qu Yu was helped back to his courtyard upon returning, with Zhao Jiayu accompanying him to care for him.

Qu Ting and Qian Shuangying stayed by the elders’ side. Qu Sheng, because she couldn’t see and didn’t want everyone to feel sad seeing her condition, returned to her own courtyard early.

Lin Xizhao stood in the courtyard, once again shut out by Qu Sheng.

Qu Sheng told her to go back, back to the Prime Minister’s Residence.

“Eldest Miss, you should go back for now,” Feng Qi advised from the side.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked at Feng Qi. She bit her somewhat pale lips and, after a moment, nodded. She had been back for several days now, staying at the Marquis Qu’s Residence the entire time. It was time for her to go back and check on things.

Once she handled matters at the Prime Minister’s Residence, she would come back to take care of Qu Sheng. Lin Xizhao had already made up her mind. As long as Qu Sheng was not well, she would take care of her for a day. She would not give up on treating Qu Sheng’s eyes.

Lin Xizhao left the Marquis Qu’s Residence, but Feng Qi followed her with his men. Lin Xizhao lifted the carriage curtain and looked at Feng Qi riding his horse outside. She didn’t need to think to know it was Qu Sheng’s order.

She didn’t know why Qu Sheng, who clearly cared so much for her, would deliberately create such distance between them. Was it because of her rejection last time? Or was it that Qu Sheng felt inferior because of her eyes?

Lin Xizhao thought it over and over, but she didn’t feel Qu Sheng was someone who would feel inferior. Yet, she couldn’t understand why Qu Sheng was alienating her right now, and only her.

Lin Xizhao returned to the Prime Minister’s Residence. The young masters of the Lin family had also paid their respects to Qu Ming, but Lin Xizhao had not yet returned at that time.

When Lin Xirui saw his elder sister return, he hurried to the residence gate to greet her. Seeing that Lin Xizhao was safe and sound, he felt relieved.

“Ajie²⁰, Xirui was worried sick.” Ever since he was sent back to the Prime Minister’s Residence that day, Lin Xirui had been on edge. Fortunately, the Marquis Qu’s Residence later sent word that Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng had arrived safely in Changzhou.

This time, he heard that Lin Xizhao had been sent back by their maternal uncle from the Liang Residence and had gone straight to the Marquis Qu’s Residence upon her return. He was filled with longing and worry, but with the Marquis’s Residence in a state of recent mourning, he couldn’t find a reasonable excuse to visit again.

“Ajie is fine. Are you and Xikuan doing well?” Lin Xizhao forced herself to put on a brave face to comfort Lin Xirui.

Lin Xirui nodded and said, “We’re all fine. Father is fine too, it’s just that there are too many matters in the residence.”

Listening to Lin Xirui, Lin Xizhao suddenly remembered he still had his studies. “Has the teacher returned?”

“Yes, he has. The teacher even asked where you and Sheng-meimei went.”

Previously, when the two were at the Prime Minister’s Residence, Lin Xizhao would have someone prepare a meal and personally deliver it every few days. Since the teacher hadn’t seen either of them for so long after the New Year, he had casually asked.

The two entered the residence. Lin Xizhao first placed the things she had brought back in her room, went to the washroom for a thorough bath, and then changed into the clothes Qu Sheng had made for her.

They lacked the heaviness of winter clothes and fit her body perfectly. The color was also one she liked. Lin Xizhao stroked the dress, a faint, genuine smile appearing on her lips.

Lin Xizhao took off the clothes and had someone store them properly. It wasn’t the right season to wear them now.

After her bath, Lin Xizhao went to the accounting office. After checking that the recent account books had no issues, she just waited for Lin Jianhai to return to tell him she was safe before going to the Marquis Qu’s Residence again.

Lin Xizhao stayed in her room, but unfortunately, Lin Jianhai didn’t return until late at night.

It was too late, so Lin Xizhao gave up the idea of going to the Marquis Qu’s Residence again.

The next morning, Lin Xizhao had breakfast with Lin Jianhai, then went to her teacher’s place to talk for a while and ask some questions, before taking a carriage to the Marquis Qu’s Residence again.

Lin Xizhao first went to see Jin Yunfei. For the past few days, she had been going back and forth between Qu Sheng’s room and the lingtang and hadn’t had a proper conversation with Jin Yunfei.

Seeing that Lin Xizhao’s complexion was much better than yesterday, Jin Yunfei said with a pang of pity, “Why don’t you rest at home for a few more days?” She felt a bit sorry for Lin Xizhao.

“Resting here is also resting,” Lin Xizhao said in a gentle tone.

Jin Yunfei knew that Qu Sheng wasn’t letting Lin Xizhao into her courtyard. She looked at Lin Xizhao and said, “Sheng’er can’t see. You are the elder sister, so be more patient with her.”

If an ordinary person were to go blind, they would either throw tantrums or think of ending their life. She knew her daughter was a child who didn’t cause worry. Although Qu Sheng wasn’t making a fuss, nor had she let her sense any emotional turmoil, she was still just a half-grown child. How could she not feel some resentment in her heart? She was just trying not to add to their sorrow.

Lin Xizhao nodded and hummed a soft “en,” saying, “Yimu²¹, rest assured, I will take good care of Sheng’er.”

Jin Yunfei had wanted to ask why the two of them had suddenly gone to Changzhou, but on second thought, it was likely they had a disagreement, and this disagreement had not yet been resolved, which was why Qu Sheng was somewhat resistant to Lin Xizhao.

“Don’t spoil her too much, either. If she makes you uncomfortable, you tell me, and This Mother²² will discipline her for you.”

When Jin Yunfei asked Lin Xizhao to be more patient, it wasn’t out of favoritism. She was just considering Qu Sheng’s current condition, but if Qu Sheng made things too difficult for Lin Xizhao, she wouldn’t let it go unchecked either.

Lin Xizhao went to Qu Sheng’s courtyard. When Feng Qi, who was waiting at the entrance, was about to announce her, Lin Xizhao shook her head.

Feng Qi stood where he was, lowered his head, and pretended not to have seen anything. He continued to stand guard by the door, letting Lin Xizhao enter.

Feng Qi could tell that Qu Sheng cared about Lin Xizhao; he was the person most familiar with their current situation. He still remembered Qu Sheng telling him that she wanted to marry Lin Xizhao.

Today, the residence had found another physician²³ to examine Qu Sheng’s eyes, but he was still helpless. Every time a diagnosis was given, it was another blow to Qu Sheng. These past few days, she had seen many doctors, and there were even some folk doctors, found through widely posted notices, who were on their way here.

Lin Xizhao entered the room. Recognizing her footsteps, Qu Sheng turned around. Her vacant eyes looked toward Lin Xizhao’s position as she said in a cold voice, “Didn’t I tell you not to come?”

Lin Xizhao was not surprised. She took a few steps forward and said in a gentle voice, “I’ve come to take care of my younger sister.”

Qu Sheng let out a cold laugh, her tone rising in question. “Younger sister?” Qu Sheng took a long, deep breath and added, “What a fine ‘younger sister’.”

Hearing Qu Sheng’s cold laugh, Lin Xizhao was stunned for a moment. She quickly bit her lip and asked, “Then in what capacity do you want me to take care of you?”

As a maidservant? I can do that.

Hearing her words, Qu Sheng sneered again. “I don’t need you to take care of me. I’m not useless yet.”

Qu Sheng’s sharp words sent a pang of pain through Lin Xizhao’s heart. “Is it because of your eyes that you’re treating your elder sister this way?”

A trace of sorrow flashed in Lin Xizhao’s eyes. She had to lay things bare with Qu Sheng and make it clear. She would not abandon her just because she couldn’t see.

“What do you think?” Qu Sheng’s words were clear, tinged with a bit of cold indifference.

Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes in thought. When Qu Sheng heard no response for a long time, her heart was in turmoil. Pushing Lin Xizhao away was like stabbing herself with the tip of a knife.

She wanted Lin Xizhao to stay away from her, but at the same time she couldn’t bear it, she had to do this. In the future, she would need others to take care of her. She could give her nothing and would only be a burden.

Even though her eyes could no longer see, she still wanted to possess Lin Xizhao. Every time Lin Xizhao appeared, her resolve would weaken a little.

But she knew she couldn’t do that.

Previously, Lin Xizhao had already rejected her. She hadn’t been very confident before, and now that she was blind, she thought Lin Xizhao’s rejection would surely be even more firm.

“Whether Sheng’er believes it or not, Ajie will never leave Sheng’er.” The words Lin Xizhao had used to reject Qu Sheng before were long forgotten. Although she didn’t regret what she had done to Qu Sheng at the Liang Residence, she would definitely not do it again.

Qu Sheng’s health was the top priority.

“Hmph.” Qu Sheng sneered again, but before the sound could fade, her lips were covered by something warm and soft.

Lin Xizhao had taken a step forward and kissed her on the lips without hesitation.

The familiar fragrance in the air, the soft lips she had longed for day and night, were now actively kissing her.

Qu Sheng was stunned for a moment. Just as Lin Xizhao’s lips moved slightly, wanting to continue, she pushed her away.

Qu Sheng’s face was flushed with mild anger. She faced Lin Xizhao, who had stumbled a few steps back from her push, and said, “Are you pitying me?” Or was it to appease and accommodate her until her eyes could see again.

Lin Xizhao steadied herself. She looked up at Qu Sheng’s angry expression, her heart torn. A moment ago, that was indeed what I was thinking.

“I don’t need your pity. You should go,” Qu Sheng said, then turned her back to Lin Xizhao and fumbled her way toward the window. The window was open, and a cool breeze was coming in. She needed to calm down.

Lin Xizhao stood behind Qu Sheng. It was rare for her to be so reckless, but while her kiss just now was born of desperation, it was not unwilling.

I like Qu Sheng. I realized this a long time ago. It’s precisely because of this that I’ve always blamed myself, believing my own actions caused Qu Sheng to develop feelings for me that shouldn’t exist.

I like Qu Sheng, but I can control myself. Qu Sheng, however, is still young, and for her, the bean of love is first opening²⁴. I don’t want her to become like me, a strange person who likes women.

Qu Sheng stood by the window. Lin Xizhao’s expression was full of heartache, yet she was conflicted about her own decision.

After a long moment, Lin Xizhao went to the side, picked up a changyi, and walked to Qu Sheng’s side.

“You should go back.” Qu Sheng’s emotions had calmed slightly. She was also afraid that she might have scared Lin Xizhao just now, so her voice was much more peaceful.

“I will stay and take care of you.” Since Lin Xizhao had come, she had no intention of going back. She was also prepared for Qu Sheng to treat her with cold words and cold speech²⁵, or even physical aggression.

With the changyi Lin Xizhao had brought draped over her, Qu Sheng’s body began to warm up, and so did her heart. It wasn’t anger or shame, but a craving for Lin Xizhao herself.

Lin Xizhao’s proximity made her resolve waver even more. She turned to face Lin Xizhao, but for a long time, she heard no movement from her. She knew she was right beside her, but she couldn’t pinpoint her exact location.

“Come closer.” Qu Sheng’s eyes blinked gently, her vacant gaze on Lin Xizhao’s face.

Lin Xizhao was puzzled for a moment. Before she could figure out what Qu Sheng wanted to do, her body had already complied and moved closer.

Qu Sheng raised a hand and touched Lin Xizhao’s face. She caressed the soft, smooth cheek, and after turning her head to face Lin Xizhao directly, she raised her other hand as well.

Qu Sheng cupped Lin Xizhao’s face with both hands. Although her eyes were looking at Lin Xizhao, they had no focus at all. She just looked at Lin Xizhao like this, and let Lin Xizhao look at her.

Lin Xizhao blinked, looking at Qu Sheng. After a moment, she heard Qu Sheng say with a hint of ruthlessness, “You see? I’m a blind person. You were unwilling to like me before, so you must be even more unwilling now, right?”

Lin Xizhao didn’t speak. I like Qu Sheng. That hasn’t changed because of her blindness. It’s just that as the elder sister, I ought to set an example for Qu Sheng, not mislead her, not induce her to become a strange person for my own selfish desires.

“You’re not leaving, are you?” Qu Sheng’s tone grew colder. She had already made things so clear, yet Lin Xizhao made no move and said nothing. “I’m giving you a chance to leave now. If you don’t go, don’t even think about leaving in the future!”

Qu Sheng began to threaten Lin Xizhao.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Are you leaving or not? If you don’t, I’ll scoop you up with an excavator bucket and trap you.”

Lin Xizhao: “……”

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