She remembered their identities; both of them had striking appearances and demeanors, easily leaving a lasting impression.
The girl was quite charming, but the young man beside her was too cold, appearing unapproachable at first glance.
Seeing Qin Jiujiu looking at her, Liu Jin smiled, acknowledging her greeting. She then shifted her gaze back to the young man, only to see him looking down at the girl, his coldness seemingly softened. In that instant, Liu Jin felt they were a perfect match.
As the saying goes, those involved are often blind, but observers can see clearly. She could discern some budding affection!
The young man then said something, and the girl followed him as he left. Liu Jin chuckled, turning away herself, as she had important matters to attend to.
The four gathered, each reporting on the night's events. With no issues arising from either side, they retired to their rooms.
As Qin Jiujiu stepped out, she heard Xie Jing's voice from above her. "Is this yours?"
Immediately, a plush toy appeared before her. Qin Jiujiu recognized it as one of the small dolls she had made recently. She had given a small bear to Xie Yun, a small dog to Bai Qianluo, and a small rabbit to Xie Jing.
The one before her was that little white rabbit.
"I made it. I left it at your door when I came to see you that day and you weren't in. Look, there's a note from me in the pocket of this little rabbit's clothes..."
Qin Jiujiu saw that there was indeed a note in the doll's pocket. Upon opening it, she saw her own name written crookedly.
But if Xie Jing hadn't seen the note, how would he have kept the plush toy?
Qin Jiujiu looked puzzled. As she was about to speak, Xie Jing preempted her. "I thought this doll was incredibly ugly and wanted to know who would leave such an ugly doll at my door. I figured my elder brother and Miss Bai wouldn't have anything so hideous, so I came to ask you..."
He avoided her gaze as he spoke, as if he didn't dare to meet her eyes.
Qin Jiujiu found Xie Jing increasingly strange. Previously, he wouldn't say more than a few words at a time, but now he spoke rapidly and at length.
She then heard him say, "I didn't expect this ugly thing was actually put there by you."
Hearing this, Qin Jiujiu felt a bit indignant. The little rabbit was clearly cute, and despite the slightly crooked stitching, it was still quite lovely.
So, she reached out to snatch the rabbit. Xie Jing suddenly retracted his hand. Using his height advantage, a simple movement was enough to put it out of her reach. Qin Jiujiu, looking puzzled, said to him, "Since you think it's ugly, then give it back to me!"
She didn't notice that her tone was a little strange at the moment, nor did she notice a slight blockage in her heart. She just wanted to get the little rabbit back.
Xie Jing directly put the rabbit into his sleeve and said unhurriedly, "Even if it's ugly, once it's given away, there's no reason to take it back. I'll reluctantly keep it for you."
Qin Jiujiu increasingly felt that Xie Jing was somewhat annoying, but being timid, she could only comfort herself internally, thinking it was fortunate she had strong self-healing abilities, and quickly resumed her usual playful demeanor.
She smiled and said to Xie Jing, "If that's the case, then I must thank you, sir!"
Xie Jing always felt that this woman's tone sounded a bit strange, but he couldn't find any fault with it. Moreover, she was smiling, and it's impolite to refuse someone with a smile.
After a night of activity, Qin Jiujiu felt extremely tired and fell asleep as soon as she returned to her room.
A few days passed, and no more cases of faces being peeled off occurred in Willow City. People gradually relaxed, and with the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the evening crowds in Willow City grew even larger than before.
The City Lord's mansion was also busy preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, with people coming and going to procure supplies.
Because everything had been peaceful for days, after deliberation, they concluded that their recent stakeouts had alerted the culprits. Thus, they had withdrawn their surveillance on the Bai and Wen families for the past two days.
Qin Jiujiu had some free time during these two days, and she was getting along well with Liu Jin.
She often secretly probed Liu Jin's feelings for Xie Yun. However, whether it was because Liu Jin was unwilling to reveal them or for some other reason, she couldn't detect any romantic interest from the second female lead towards the male lead.
According to the novel, Liu Jin not only fell for Xie Yun at first sight but also, upon learning that Xie Yun was the young boy from her childhood, her childhood sweetheart feelings reignited intensely.
Their families had a deep connection, which was why Bai Qianluo felt a great sense of crisis regarding the appearance of this second female lead.
At the same time, Bai Qianluo met the Medical Sage, leading to a love quadrangle. No! If Xie Jing were added, it would be a love pentagon! It was amidst this push and pull that Xie Yun and Bai Qianluo confessed their feelings to each other.
Upon realizing their mutual affection, Liu Jin and the Medical Sage quietly withdrew from this love pentagon. Only the villain, Xie Jing, saw his "darkening" value soar, becoming even more fixated on the female lead!
Thinking of Xie Jing gave Qin Jiujiu a headache.
As Liu Jin entered, she saw Qin Jiujiu resting her head in her hands, looking troubled. She didn't even notice Liu Jin's presence behind her.
Liu Jin bent down, brought her head close to Qin Jiujiu's ear, and suddenly exclaimed, "What are you thinking about? You're so engrossed!"
Qin Jiujiu jumped in surprise and straightened up abruptly, nearly bumping her head against Liu Jin's.
Liu Jin turned and sat on the stool next to her, looking at her and smiling. "Are you perhaps thinking about how to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival?"
Qin Jiujiu shook her head and replied, "Of course not. What's so special about spending the Mid-Autumn Festival?"
Her faint tone successfully energized Liu Jin, who began to enthusiastically recommend all the fun places in Willow City for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Qin Jiujiu had always been unable to resist delicious food and fun activities. After Liu Jin's description, she started to look forward to the Mid-Autumn Festival in three days.
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, something significant seemed to have happened in the original novel, but she only knew that something important would occur, without recalling the specifics.
Although she didn't know why, Liu Jin had no interaction with Xie Yun. Still, Qin Jiujiu felt uneasy, so she subtly asked Liu Jin, "Sister Ajin, what do you think of Brother Xie?"
Liu Jin, without much thought, quickly uttered a few descriptive words. Qin Jiujiu watched her lips part and close again. She said, "He's quite a good person! Warm-hearted and righteous."
Qin Jiujiu eagerly watched Liu Jin's lips, but seeing that she didn't intend to say more, she couldn't help but ask, "That's it? Nothing more?"
Liu Jin looked full of questions. "Is there supposed to be something else?"
She then recalled how Qin Jiujiu had been asking such strange questions frequently these days, and that "Brother Xie" was the person she mentioned most often when they chatted.
Liu Jin's expression immediately turned mischievous, and she looked at Qin Jiujiu with a knowing smile. "Jiujiu, tell me honestly, do you like young master Xie?"
She then looked at Qin Jiujiu expectantly, like an eager gossip. Qin Jiujiu hadn't expected to become the subject of gossip. In her haste, she became somewhat incoherent and failed to explain herself clearly.
Liu Jin's smile widened, her eyes clearly conveying, "I understand everything!"
She must have misunderstood!
This misunderstanding could cost her her life.
Qin Jiujiu continued to explain, "I don't like Brother Xie! Sister Ajin, please don't misunderstand..."
To Liu Jin, these words sounded like a girl's excuses after her secret had been exposed. She comforted her, "Don't rush, sister understands!"
Qin Jiujiu's inner thoughts: Understand what! Everything you understand is wrong!
Qin Jiujiu could only give up struggling and said to her, "Sister Ajin, please don't tell anyone about this!"
Liu Jin looked at Qin Jiujiu with an expression that clearly said, "You don't need to say it, I already know," which successfully made Qin Jiujiu feel depressed.
Soon, the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.