The Beautiful Pariah Thought He Could Be Loved - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: The Rabbit Itself Seems Tightly Wrapped by the Gloves…

A light rain began to fall as dawn broke, the misty drizzle dampening the ground. Two figures shared a single umbrella, moving through the curtain of rain.

This was the first time Xin Qishu had successfully seen the scenery outside. He looked at the mountain through the mist; unknown tall trees lined the path, their branches bare, their roots buried under a thick layer of fallen leaves.

He had never been to this mountain before.

This was the peak where He Lvqing lived.

He Lvqing held the oil-paper umbrella high, one hand resting on Xin Qishu’s shoulder, pulling him into a protective embrace.

After turning a corner, they entered He Lvqing’s sleeping quarters.

The hall was filled with the scent of incense. A water-blue dress hung over a folding screen. Several young servant girls stood with heads bowed before a dressing table.

Lvqing’s hand slid to Xin Qishu’s shoulder blade. “Go change your clothes.”

The warmth of He Lvqing’s palm transferred through the fabric. Xin Qishu stared at the dress for a moment with a calm expression before walking slowly behind the screen.

The corner of a robe was caught by a finger, and the fabric on the flower-embroidered screen slowly disappeared.

A moment later, Xin Qishu stepped out.

He wore a snow-white short shirt with a straight collar, topped with a light pink long robe of the same style. The water-blue pleated skirt swayed slightly as he moved. A belt of the same color as the long robe was tied at his waist, the excess fabric hanging down his side.

Though Xin Qishu had a thin waist, his shoulders were wider than the average girl’s. The dress He Lvqing had prepared was specifically tailored to his frame; even as a man, it did not look strange on him.

Xin Qishu sat stiffly before the dressing table, the blurred mirror standing before him.

One girl stepped forward to draw his eyebrows, while others began to do his hair.

Half an hour later, a female cultivator appeared—somewhat tall, with a cold expression.

Xin Qishu stared coldly at the stranger in the mirror, feeling neither like a man nor a woman. Like a freak—but being a freak was better than being a tool.

…

A few days prior.

He Lvqing had unrolled a scroll before him. The youth in the painting looked refined but slightly sharp.

“Your identity is an orphan picked up by Elder Han, taken under his sect. Your name is Han Wan. You are naturally frail and rarely show your face. Elder Han has exempted you from the usual examinations.”

“Don’t worry about being exposed. I’ve arranged a ‘plant.’ He is Dan Yu, the Ninth Prince of the Dan Dynasty. He acts flamboyantly and has a wide circle of friends; many in the sect try to curry favor with him. With him speaking for you, no one will question you.”

“If anything happens, I will step in. Yang Li will also be going. If I’m not by your side, you can seek his help.”

“During this Immortal Competition, I will find an opportunity to ‘encounter’ you. After we return, we can stay together openly,” He Lvqing had said, his tone lifting.

He took out a Fayu Court disciple’s uniform from his storage pouch. The uniform came in two styles: pants and skirts. Male cultivators only wore pants, while females had both options.

Xin Qishu looked down at the clothes, his thick lashes trembling. He said, “I want the skirt.”

Lvqing looked up, slightly surprised.

“I don’t want to be recognized. It’s embarrassing to stand beside you.”

Xin Qishu felt that if he appeared by He Lvqing’s side as himself, he would be living proof of He Lvqing’s “magnanimity.” Everyone’s first reaction upon seeing him would be to think about He Lvqing.

He felt sick inside.

Staying trapped wasn’t an option, but once they were out, He Lvqing wouldn’t let him wander far.

But he had to get out.

Won’t more people try to kill me out there? Why go out? Xin Qishu’s mind was a mess; he couldn’t think clearly, simply acting on whatever impulse surfaced.

Lvqing’s expression soured. “…Fine.”

If Xin Qishu thought it worked, then it worked.

They reached a consensus in that silence, both taking a step back: He Lvqing would not trap Xin Qishu in the deep forest, and Xin Qishu would stop thinking only of escaping.

He Lvqing held his hand. “No matter what others call you, whether they see you as male or female, or what your status is, I have only one Dao companion. Our marriage contract is the best proof.”

…

With a swish of a water-blue hem, dozens of people gathered loosely at the foot of Fayu Court’s mountain. The disciples had their own social circles. Xin Qishu found the person from the painting and blended into the crowd with his head bowed.

Fayu Court disciples were generally tall, so Xin Qishu didn’t stand out as a female cultivator. His arrival drew no attention.

Only Dan Yu, at the center of the largest circle, spared him a casual glance while talking. Dan Yu looked exactly like the painting, though his attire was even more flamboyant. He wore a gold crown, had a handsome face, and fanned himself with a folding fan, surrounded by friends flattering him.

A person in front of him held a longsword, while someone further back was actually holding a white rabbit. Xin Qishu inadvertently met its blood-red eyes. One of the rabbit’s upright ears twitched.

Xin Qishu took a step back.

About half an hour later, He Lvqing and Yang Li arrived. The group set off. Most disciples chose to fly on swords or artifacts; “shortcuts” like spirit boats were not suitable for use in front of the Elders.

Since many new disciples were on this trip, those who couldn’t fly on swords crowded together with others.

Xin Qishu walked toward Yang Li.

Yang Li was waiting for him with his head down. They hadn’t seen each other in a long time; Xin Qishu couldn’t even remember the details of their last meeting.

He remembered his old wish—now they were strangers. But to the current Xin Qishu, that was the least important thing. Xin Qishu called out awkwardly, “Senior Brother Yang… would it be convenient for you to take me?”

His voice had been disguised as a lower, slightly raspy female voice.

Yang Li didn’t dare look at him and gave a low grunt of affirmation.

Suddenly, a flash of gold caught their eyes. People cried out in surprise as a shimmering gold spirit boat appeared above them, floating in the air.

Dan Yu waved his fan and sneered, “There’s so little space on a sword. Doesn’t it feel strange for two people to squeeze onto one?”

“Why not just use my spirit boat? It’s more than enough for our group.”

This was incredibly arrogant!

Envious and resentful disciples looked toward the Elder to see his reaction. He Lvqing indeed frowned, but he didn’t scold Dan Yu as everyone expected. Instead, he said, “Disciples who cannot fly on swords, board the boat.”

As one of those who couldn’t fly a sword, Xin Qishu also boarded the spirit boat.

Compared to the outdoors, the space inside the boat was much smaller, making Xin Qishu’s presence more obvious. One of the disciples surrounding Dan Yu let out a confused “Eh?” as he passed him.

“Which peak are you from? I’ve never seen you before.”

“I am…” Just as Xin Qishu was about to answer, Dan Yu cut him off. “Man, that pick-up line is—way too old-fashioned.”

Dan Yu winked. “I have a new one.” He looked at Xin Qishu and said in an extremely flirtatious tone, “Do you know who I am?”

Xin Qishu stared at him. Dan Yu gave him a strange sense of familiarity. He slowly frowned and whispered, “Dan Yu of Fanhua Peak.”

Dan Yu burst into laughter.

Xin Qishu stood there, the gazes of everyone around him suddenly piercing him like needles. “What are you laughing at?”

“I was just giving him an example,” Dan Yu walked over to his side. “Han Wan, why did you answer so seriously?”

“This is Han Wan of Fanhua Peak. She’s in poor health and rarely appears. She’s out to see the world this time. Don’t bother her for no reason.”

He led Xin Qishu to the terrace. Outside the window was a clear blue sky; birds spread their wings as they flew past.

Dan Yu tossed a spirit fruit to Xin Qishu. “It’s quite sweet. Try it.”

“Elder He already gave me instructions. If you need anything, come find me. I’m always welcome.”

Xin Qishu held the fruit in his hand but didn’t eat it. “Thank you.”

“Oh, right,” Dan Yu pointed to the rabbit in a cage in the corner of the boat. “You’re also welcome to pet it anytime.”

“I noticed when we were still on the ground—you like rabbits, don’t you?”

…

Xiangjiang was far from Fayu Court. Many disciples couldn’t sustain flight for long, so they stayed at an inn mid-way to rest.

The disciples who had flown all day were exhausted and crowded upstairs to rest. Most of those who rode the spirit boat were focused on the Immortal Competition in three days and chose to return to their rooms to cram.

Xin Qishu, who wasn’t there for the competition, gradually fell to the back of the crowd.

Standing at the inn’s entrance, he looked around. In the afterglow of the sunset, shopkeepers waved cattail fans and chatted. A street performer flipped his hand to reveal an empty cup, drawing incredulous shouts from the audience.

Everything was moving peacefully.

Should I run?

Xin Qishu hesitated for only a second before giving up the idea.

Running was useless. He still had a marriage contract with He Lvqing; He Lvqing could find him at any time.

He had forgotten this point when his mind was clouded before.

To truly leave, he needed He Lvqing to sign a “Severance of Fate” document and ensure He Lvqing wouldn’t come looking for him.

Xin Qishu pulled his thoughts back, lowered his head, and lifted his skirt to step over the threshold, the pendants on his hairpin swaying.

Looking up, the lobby was empty. Even the waiter was nowhere to be found. A sudden chill ran down his spine. Looking closer, a tall man stood in the shadows of the staircase leading to the second floor. His eyes were dark and unreadable; seeing he was discovered, he curled his lips into a slight smile.

Xin Qishu froze in place, his skin crawling.

He Lvqing walked down the stairs. “Are you tired today? Don’t practice for the next few days; get some rest early.”

Xin Qishu didn’t speak, trying to walk past him. He Lvqing caught his arm and pressed something soft yet slightly firm into his palm.

He Lvqing whispered in his ear, “This is a rabbit plushie. When we get back, I’ll give you a whole nest of real rabbits.”

“Don’t lock your door tonight. I’ll come to help you do your hair tomorrow morning.” He Lvqing lightly placed a kiss on him. “Goodnight.”

After He Lvqing left, Xin Qishu looked at the object in his hand. It was a pink-and-white rabbit with a look that wasn’t very bright, its body squeezed into two thick layers of black knitted gloves.

The rabbit itself looked like it was being choked by the gloves; its head was tilted, and a grey-white oval soul was floating out with a >_< expression.

This color scheme…

With a complicated expression, Xin Qishu put it into his storage pouch.

Walking up to the second floor, the male cultivator who had carried Dan Yu’s sword earlier blocked his room. Before saying a word, he flashed a bright smile. “Junior Sister Han, can you do me a favor?”

“No.”

The male cultivator acted as if he hadn’t heard and continued, “My realm is loosened; I’m afraid I’m about to break through. I’m going into meditation soon. When Dan Yu comes back, could you please tell him?”

Just as Xin Qishu was about to refuse again, footsteps sounded behind him.

The male cultivator immediately changed his tune. “Senior Brother, Junior Sister Han says she has something to tell you.”

“Oh? Then let’s go to my room.” Dan Yu fanned himself briskly, looking refreshed. Three followers behind him were carrying a pile of things.

“This Senior Brother said he’s about to enter meditation for a breakthrough and asked me to tell you.”

“Is that so?” Dan Yu frowned and smiled, casually tossing a high-quality jade pendant to the male cultivator beside Xin Qishu. He said lazily, “You’re quite thoughtful.”

“A breakthrough, huh…” Dan Yu pointed to the three people behind him. “Then you three go protect Senior Brother Luo while he meditates.”

The four left quickly.

Xin Qishu pushed open his door. Dan Yu’s voice rang out eerily: “Don’t be in such a hurry to rest. You have nothing to say to me, but I have something to say to you.”

It was that familiar feeling again… Xin Qishu clenched his palms and said, “I’m very tired. Whatever it is, say it tomorrow.”

“I ran into Elder He just now. He told me…” Dan Yu deliberately dragged out his words. Under Xin Qishu’s suspicious gaze, he continued, “He said you are…”

Xin Qishu’s heart tightened, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his beautiful eyes.

But Dan Yu laughed. “Don’t be like that, beauty. Elder He didn’t say anything. It’s precisely because he didn’t say anything that I need you to talk to me. Otherwise, how can I help you in the way you truly need?”

Xin Qishu was certain he had ill intentions. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

Dan Yu’s face twitched. “Who do you think you are? You’re just…”

The door slammed shut in his face.

The next morning, there was a commotion outside. Xin Qishu pushed open his door; the hallway was a mess of people crowding around.

Before he could figure out what was happening, a hand grabbed his collar and pulled him to the side. Dan Yu, with a faint smile, said loudly:

“Well, aren’t you bold? You actually dared to steal the jade pendant my Imperial Father bestowed upon me!”

Xin Qishu stared at him, his temples throbbing and the blood rushing to his head.

What did I steal this time? Is this the only trick you people know?!