After thinking for a while but coming up with nothing, Chi Huai shook his head, dismissing the uneasy premonition he had just felt, and redirected all his focus to You Qi beside him.
The saying that love lowers one’s IQ isn’t entirely without merit.
Over there, You Qi continued chatting with Chi Huai as calmly as ever, appearing like any other ordinary guest—except for their striking looks and demeanor, they didn’t stand out much.
However, as a soon-to-be-married couple who had recently been the talk of the town, the two still held considerable fame. It wasn’t long before someone recognized them and approached, saying, “Ah, you must be Boss Chi and the future Mrs. Chi! What a perfect match—truly, seeing you in person is even better than hearing about you. It’s an honor!”
Though inwardly annoyed that their private moment with You Qi had been interrupted, Chi Huai noticed that You Qi didn’t seem upset. Instead, they continued gazing at him with that same gentle warmth, which eased his mind slightly and made him feel even more drawn to You Qi.
Of course, Chi Huai’s demeanor when facing outsiders was entirely different from how he acted around You Qi. With a composed and refined smile, he engaged in flawless social etiquette, skillfully navigating the conversation—his ability to handle such situations was top-notch, always maintaining an impeccable presence.
Meanwhile, You Qi, observing this side of Chi Huai, licked their lips subtly where no one could see. *What should I do? My little darling just keeps getting cuter and more irresistible…*
You Qi didn’t say much to the outsider, standing quietly by Chi Huai’s side like an exquisite ornament. In reality, though, they were carefully surveying their surroundings, taking in the layout and decor, and nodding inwardly. Just as the Emperor had mentioned, the design here bore distinct influences from overseas styles.
Lowering their head in thought, You Qi pondered: *Qiu Liuyue is just an ordinary young lady from a noble family, one who rarely steps outside her home. How would she know about overseas styles? Is it just a coincidence? But that doesn’t quite add up. So… is all this really part of some faction’s elaborate scheme? Tsk, something feels off.*
Recalling their previous encounters with Qiu Liuyue, You Qi sank deeper into contemplation: *Given Qiu Liuyue’s intelligence… she doesn’t seem capable of handling such a significant task. So why would those forces entrust her with something so important? Is it simply because of her status? But before this, she was just an ordinary, overlooked illegitimate daughter.*
You Qi: *Then what caught their attention? Why would they place their bets on Qiu Liuyue? Does she possess some hidden quality that hasn’t been discovered yet?*
Rubbing their chin, You Qi felt the situation growing increasingly convoluted.
This was the downside of being clever—overthinkers tended to turn even the simplest questions into intricate mazes of complexity.
That said, even without overanalyzing, no one would guess Qiu Liuyue’s identity as a transmigrator. Everything she had arranged so far was likely an advantage brought by her otherworldly knowledge.
Still, You Qi’s suspicions of Qiu Liuyue only deepened. After all, they had no idea what secrets lay behind her or why certain factions had taken an interest in her. As a result, their guard against her rose sharply.
This had its pros and cons. While it was wise to plan before acting, hesitation could sometimes lead to missed opportunities and allow threats to grow unchecked. In the past, You Qi had indeed fallen victim to this very mistake—but now, the circumstances were entirely different.
The nobleman who had greeted Chi Huai was quite unlike him. While Chi Huai was a disciplined workaholic, this young master was a carefree playboy who frequented pleasure districts, with countless romantic entanglements to his name. His favorite pastimes were idling about or pursuing fleeting romances with beautiful courtesans.
Unlike Chi Huai, who was visiting the Wonder House for the first time despite knowing of its existence, this nobleman was a regular—a VIP client, in fact. (The VIP system was another innovation introduced by Qiu Liuyue.) This tiered service, designed to flatter the privileged, had proven highly popular among the elite.
For instance, this young master enjoyed periodically visiting to purchase novel trinkets, which he then flaunted before friends or lovers.
Now that he’d run into Chi Huai and his fiancée, the nobleman naturally seized the chance to strengthen their connection. Networking was all about fostering relationships, after all. Though not the family heir, being a well-loved second son who caroused without causing trouble required its own skills.
While Chi Huai was no stranger to such socializing, he’d much rather spend this time alone with You Qi. Just as he was about to politely decline the invitation, You Qi gently tugged his sleeve—a silent signal he immediately understood.
“Haha, since Young Master Han insists, how could I refuse? We’ll trouble you to make the arrangements.” The two then exchanged the usual pleasantries.
Thanks to his VIP status, Han led them to an upper-floor private room. While Chi Huai continued the social dance, You Qi discreetly studied the room’s layout.
Noticing You Qi’s curiosity about the decor, Chi Huai felt compelled as their fiancé to comment, “The Wonder House’s design is truly fascinating. I wonder which artist created such a novel style—I’ve never seen anything like it. No wonder it’s taken the capital by storm.”
Han shrugged. “Isn’t that the truth? When this place first appeared, countless people tried uncovering the designer behind it, but no one ever caught so much as a glimpse. Later, rumors surfaced claiming the owner designed everything themselves. Interesting, isn’t it?”
Chi Huai feigned surprise. “That’s… unexpected.”
Considering the strange yet amusing items sold here, he added approvingly, “The owner must be quite remarkable!”
“Absolutely,” Han agreed. “Who knows how their mind works, constantly dreaming up these curious little things?”
Their discussion grew lively, with Chi Huai subtly guiding Han to share more insider knowledge. As a frequent VIP patron, Han naturally knew plenty.
You Qi listened quietly, cross-referencing this intel with their own investigations—perhaps they’d uncover previously overlooked details?
Stealing a glance at Chi Huai, You Qi felt their heart swell with honeyed warmth, sweet enough to melt into candy, yet they savored every bit of it.
Just as the atmosphere peaked, commotion erupted downstairs. Chi Huai and Han exchanged puzzled looks. Ever the enthusiast for spectacle, Han eagerly jumped up to investigate, while Chi Huai turned to You Qi for their opinion.
At his core, Chi Huai was gentle and considerate, free from macho pride. He deeply respected and cherished his beloved, his fiancée, his lifelong partner—a trait characteristic of Chi men. No wonder so many noble daughters competed to marry into the family.
Touched by this respect, You Qi felt warmth spread through their chest. After a moment’s thought, they suggested, “Who knows what’s happening downstairs? Why don’t we go see, Ah-Huai?”
Recalling that today’s outing was meant to show You Qi around the capital, Chi Huai agreed—a little excitement wouldn’t hurt. They joined Han at his vantage point.
True to his reputation as a spectacle-chaser, Han had picked the perfect spot—optimal viewing angle, elevation, and perspective. Chi Huai and You Qi happily took advantage.
Upon seeing the center of attention below, the same thought flashed through both their minds: *Her again…*
Indeed, among the crowd’s focus was someone all too familiar—Qiu Liuyue. Spotting her, You Qi’s eyes darkened, their mind already racing with fresh suspicions.
Han, recognizing both Qiu Liuyue and her male companion, fanned himself curiously. “How odd. Weren’t there rumors about Miss Qiu being deeply involved with the Minister of Revenue’s son? Yet this gentleman… appears to be Young Master Yue of Brocade Pavilion.”
Chi Huai studied the scene. “You’re right, that is indeed Young Master Yue.”
Brocade Pavilion had built its fortune on textiles, now a widely recognized brand with diverse ventures. Their luxurious fabrics and exquisite embroidery made them a favorite among noblewomen—even the Chi family paled slightly in comparison here.
As for Yue Hengyan, Brocade Pavilion’s heir, recent collaborations between their families meant Chi Huai knew him well.
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