Chapter Twenty-One: The Ancient City’s Marketplace—Affection Unfolds

A dazzling array of precious antiques, exquisitely crafted paintings and calligraphy, the lingering aroma of unique local snacks, and rare and sharp treasures—all these things fascinated those who rarely ventured from the secluded depths of Netherlight City. Among them, Lanwu was especially delighted, darting from one stall to another, unable to sit still for a moment. Xiaoyin kept close by her side, unwavering in his attention, and Lanwu, too absorbed in her excitement, had no time to be afraid. She tugged Xiaoyin through the bustling crowds, weaving back and forth along the lively streets. In that moment, the two seemed the best of friends, all earlier awkwardness between them long forgotten.

Watching their growing intimacy, Yushang smiled and teased, “It seems Xiaoyin and Lanwu make quite a pair!”

“Just a moment ago they were at odds, and now they’re so close, as if nothing ever stood between them. True rivals in affection!” Leng Huaiyi added with approval, clearly intent on playing matchmaker.

“Exactly. I said before—if you let a good match slip by in a fit of pique, that’s truly missing the forest for the trees,” Yan Xuesu chimed in, clearly eager to tie a red thread of fate between the two.

“Yet what if the girl already has someone in her heart? Perhaps she won’t appreciate your meddling. These matters are best left alone; otherwise, you’ll end up thankless and resented for your trouble.” After cooling their enthusiasm, Yu Xiaoran cast a peculiar glance at Leng Huaiyi.

“Sometimes feelings are clouded by gratitude or momentary emotion, but that’s not true love. In time, she’ll come to understand her own heart.” Leng Huaiyi, ever perceptive and intelligent, saw clearly that Lanwu had long been devoted to him. But he also knew too well that this was not the love between a man and a woman—it was simply gratitude, for saving her life, for bringing her to Netherlight City and granting her a new beginning. She had misunderstood all along, mistaking gratitude for affection and letting the error become habit. He dared not give her further hope. He saw her only as a younger sister; no matter how much he cherished her, it was the affection of a brother for his sibling, nothing more.

“You’re not her—how could you know her thoughts? If you don’t like her, fine, but why push her into someone else’s arms? Do you think that would make her happy? Hmph!” Yu Xiaoran spoke in irritation. Over the years, everyone had seen how devoted Lanwu was to Leng Huaiyi, how she followed her heart without regret, while he remained unmoved. Even as a bystander, Yu Xiaoran felt for the girl and couldn’t understand Leng Huaiyi’s indifference. Why always try to hand her off to someone else? He almost wished he could cut open Leng Huaiyi’s heart and see what it was made of.

“When you encounter true love, you’ll understand. Everything I do now is for her own good. I treat her as my own sister—what sort of brother would throw his sister into the fire?” Leng Huaiyi retorted, a touch agitated.

“Enough! Don’t quarrel and spoil the mood. After all this time, don’t you know each other’s hearts? We all care for Lanwu, and only wish her well. That’s beyond question! See how happy she is now? Let her enjoy herself!” Yan Xuesu urged them to make peace.

Watching the near argument, Yushang could only sigh. It seemed Xiaoyin’s romantic path would also be full of twists and turns—he only hoped the boy wouldn’t follow in his own footsteps. The entanglements between them were best left for them to resolve; he had no intention of interfering. Perhaps Xiaoyin’s interest was only fleeting, and things would soon return to normal. After all, he didn’t seem the sort to be trapped by love, nor did he appear likely to fall for a headstrong girl like Lanwu. Yushang found himself more and more unable to understand him. From the very first time they met Lanwu, Yushang had sensed something unusual in Xiaoyin’s attitude toward her, as if they’d known each other before. Yet Lanwu’s expression suggested otherwise. All in all, there was certainly some untold past between them, and because of it, their fates were now entwined.

“What are you smirking about, boy?” From a distance, Xiaoyin glanced back at Yushang, catching his meaningful grin, and sent him a telepathic message out of curiosity.

“I was just thinking—you two look quite a match. Has the ever-playful Lord Yin finally found someone to settle down with? Have you really taken a liking to this Lanwu girl?” Yushang couldn’t resist asking.

“Who can tell truth from falsehood? Sometimes understanding too much makes things dull, don’t you think? As long as I’m happy now, and she is too, that’s enough. Who knows what the future holds? No point thinking so far ahead.” For once, Xiaoyin spoke with rare gravity and philosophical depth.

“Indeed, seize the present. Who can foresee what changes tomorrow might bring?” Yushang said with feeling.

“You always say others are heartless, but aren’t you the same?” Yan Xuesu suddenly whispered to Yu Xiaoran’s ear as she passed by, then strode ahead, leaving Yu Xiaoran standing there, dumbfounded.

Yushang and Leng Huaiyi, walking behind, saw it all. They exchanged a knowing smile, and Yushang quietly said to Leng Huaiyi, “It seems the feelings among you four are truly complicated!”

“After so long together, it’s only natural that feelings develop out of loneliness. Yet the bystander sees clearly, while those involved are lost. We can see others’ hearts but not our own. Alas…” Leng Huaiyi shook his head helplessly.

Indeed, how many in this world suffer for love, are trapped by it? Once you fall, you lose control. In this dangerous game of love, how many escape unscathed? How many are imprisoned for a lifetime? In the long river of love, we are all jagged stones, willing to blunt our edges to fit better with another, letting the current polish us smooth. In love, we should be equal, yet some are willing to humble themselves for the sake of feeling, some feign aloofness out of fear, some lock their hearts and never open them again. Who can judge right from wrong in all this? In truth, there is no heart that cannot be hurt, no one impossible to let go of—it all depends on whether you can overcome yourself. If you do, it’s rebirth; if not, it’s endless suffering.

“Hey, come and look! Isn’t this hairpin beautiful?” Lanwu, enchanted, played with a jeweled hairpin. It was indeed lovely: silver petals inlaid with sapphires, a pink stamen sparkling in the sunlight. Its aura only made it more remarkable—no wonder she couldn’t let go of it; even a casual observer could see this was no ordinary item.

“Miss, you have a good eye! That’s the treasure of my shop. Not only is this hairpin an ornament, but it can serve as a concealed weapon for self-defense. And it’s a portable safe—if you have something you wish to keep close, simply channel your energy into it and it will open. Truly a marvel of three uses!” The shopkeeper, seeing her delight, spared no effort in his sales pitch.

“How much is it?” Lanwu asked, excited.

“Well, seeing as you’re so beautiful and fond of it, I’ll give you a good price—twenty thousand taels!” the shopkeeper declared firmly.

“What? Twenty thousand taels? Forget it, I don’t want it anymore.” Shocked, Lanwu quickly put the hairpin down and turned away.

Though Xiaoyin expected the wares here to be expensive, the price still stunned him. Then he composed himself and said calmly, “I may not have that much silver, but perhaps I can trade this—would that suffice?” With a magician’s flourish, he produced a dark green crystal and showed it to the shopkeeper.

“That’s the dark jade crystal! Xiaoyin hasn’t refined all of it, and now he’s trading it for a hairpin!” Yushang muttered in disbelief. Truly, Xiaoyin’s ways were beyond comprehension.

The shopkeeper, experienced and knowledgeable, recognized the crystal’s rarity and eagerly agreed. Xiaoyin took the hairpin and walked over to the now-distant Lanwu. She felt a tug on her hair, spun around, and cried out, “You’re teasing me again!”

“Ha! Why not look at what’s in your hair before getting angry?” Xiaoyin grinned mischievously.

“Hmph, I will—I’m curious to see what else you’ll stick in my hair!” Lanwu grumbled, pulling out the object. “Wait, this is the hairpin!” Her eyes lit up with joy at the sight of her beloved treasure.

“So, do you like it?” Xiaoyin asked, taking the hairpin and tucking it into her hair. With such a jewel in her hair, she looked truly radiant.

“Yes, I love it! But it must have cost you dearly…” Lanwu said softly.

“He traded the precious dark jade crystal for that hairpin—what do you think?” Yushang interjected on purpose.

“Don’t mind him. It’s bought already, so don’t worry about it.” Xiaoyin said, pleased by Lanwu’s gentle gratitude.

“Thank you!” Lanwu said earnestly, her smile deepening.

“So, a mere hairpin is all it takes to win you over?” Yu Xiaoran commented with a mocking tone.

“She’s touched by sincerity. If you can’t say anything nice, at least don’t spoil the mood!” Yan Xuesu scolded.

“Nonsense! I’m just being polite. Is it wrong to say thank you for a gift? Must I be that ill-mannered?” Lanwu retorted.

“Haha, so our Lady Lanwu knows etiquette after all!” Leng Huaiyi joined in the teasing.

“Even you’re laughing at me now? Have they corrupted you, too?” Lanwu blushed furiously.

“She didn’t bother explaining herself this time—does that mean she’s finally accepted it? Xiaoyin really has a way with her; he’s won her heart so quickly. Looks like my place as first in her heart is about to be taken,” thought Leng Huaiyi with a smile.

“You’re heartless, letting go so easily!” Yushang teased him telepathically.

“Oh? Am I that obvious?” Leng Huaiyi replied, not bothering to hide his feelings.

“If no one were around, I bet you’d be laughing out loud!” Yushang joked.

“Haha, you really do know me well!” Leng Huaiyi replied, treating Yushang as a true confidant.

As each was lost in their own thoughts, Xiaoyin leaned close to Lanwu’s ear and whispered, “Do you really not remember me?”

“What?” Lanwu asked, puzzled.

“Nothing, just teasing you,” Xiaoyin replied with a bitter smile. Lanwu gave him a curious look, then said nothing more.