The Beautiful Pariah Thought He Could Be Loved - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: “And I am also introducing my fiancé to everyone…”

The horse racing tracks were located to the west of the Blood-Melting Palace’s territory. Xu Qiyao loved riding; in the past, six out of every ten times they met, it was here.

Ding Qing was a burly, robust man and a mixed-blood demon. He was a rare independent cultivator. Xin Qishu wasn’t very close to him, but he had a good impression of the man. As soon as Ding Qing arrived, Xin Qishu stopped his tears, afraid of losing face.

The racing track was vast, situated in the shadow of a great mountain. A cold wind brushed past, causing a stinging sensation where the tears had dried on his skin.

“Fei Jia didn’t come today?” Ding Qing led a black horse slowly toward him.

Xin Qishu rubbed his face, his voice still sounding a bit off. “No. He has things to do today.”

Xu Qiyao had also chosen a horse, a handsome beast with a brown mane. “Why worry about him?”

The horse let out a few low whinnies. Ding Qing’s eyes lit up. “Oho! Now that is a fine horse.” He winked and nudged Xu Qiyao. “I asked you to bring it out for me to see before, and you refused every time. Seems Qishu has the most influence after all.”

Feeling awkward, Xin Qishu turned his head away to pat his face. Xu Qiyao playfully swatted at Ding Qing. “Stop talking nonsense.”

“Why did you only bring one horse?” Ding Qing asked.

Xin Qishu spoke up quickly, “It’s fine, I won’t ride. I’ll just watch you two.”

“Then why did I ask you out?” Xu Qiyao noticed red marks on Xin Qishu’s cheeks from the wind and reached out to touch them gently. Xin Qishu let out a low wince.

“The wind will help cool me down,” Xin Qishu stammered, not knowing how to respond properly.

Suddenly, Ding Qing also noticed the state of the youth’s face. “Your face is already like that, forget the wind. Did you bring any face balm?”

Xin Qishu shook his head. It was even more unlikely for Xu Qiyao or Ding Qing to have any of them.

“Ah, I didn’t plan this well,” Xu Qiyao sighed heavily. “You definitely can’t ride like this. And I brought the horse out so early…”

“Uh, it’s not a big deal. I can still ride,” Xin Qishu felt obligated to change his tune. “I’ll go fetch another horse then.”

Xu Qiyao pressed the reins into his palm, his eyes soft. “This horse is for you.”

“But didn’t Ding Qing say this horse is special?” Xin Qishu knew how to ride, but he wasn’t an expert on horses.

“Only a fine horse is worthy of you. This one is gentle; it won’t hurt you.”

Xin Qishu accepted it and was dazed. But there were only two horses for three people. “Should I fetch another for you?”

Xu Qiyao said smoothly, “I don’t know why, but all the other horses have suddenly fallen ill.”

What now? Whenever Xin Qishu socialized with Xu Qiyao, he felt a certain pressure. Xu Qiyao was looking at him expectantly, and he found he couldn’t refuse. He asked, as Xu Qiyao clearly hoped he would, “Then… will you ride with me?”

Xu Qiyao accepted with delight. Ding Qing remained silent.

…

The Birthday Banquet

Night fell, and the hall was brilliantly lit. Xin Qishu lay panting on a soft couch while Ding Qing and Xu Qiyao sat at the table laughing at him.

“Only two laps and you’re exhausted.” Xu Qiyao helped him to the table, where the delicacies were still warm.

“Move around more and you’ll get used to it,” Ding Qing laughed, piling food onto Xin Qishu’s plate.

Xin Qishu massaged his aching calf muscles. “Next time, let’s pick a more relaxing activity.”

“No problem,” Xu Qiyao said, peeling some shrimp for him. “My birthday banquet is coming up soon. That counts as a relaxing activity, right?”

Ever since the broken engagement, Xu Qiyao had always invited him to his birthday, but Xin Qishu had been so obsessed with He Lvqing and so afraid to face Xu Qiyao that he never went. Now that He Lvqing was gone, he was drifting back into Xu Qiyao’s circle. Even with He Lvqing gone, Xin Qishu had no desire to leave the Demon Abyss again.

“Of course,” Xin Qishu leaned back in his chair, half-covering his eyes with his hand. He looked at the blurred, dazzling lights. “What do you want as a gift?”

“Who asks the person they’re giving a gift to? What do you think I like?” Xu Qiyao asked with a smile.

Xin Qishu smiled faintly. “I don’t know.”

…

The “Fiancé” Announcement

When Xin Qishu arrived at the banquet, it was already crowded. The hall was lavishly decorated with thick, intricate carpets and long streamers of pink and purple gauze. To the sound of silk and bamboo instruments, the faces of the guests shifted behind the veils.

Xin Qishu hadn’t attended such a party in a long time. Seeing so many familiar faces turned his stomach. He suddenly regretted coming, but he was already there.

Xu Qiyao stepped forward to meet him. Today, he wore a magnificent gold robe. His aura was fully unleashed, his handsome features sharp and powerful. Xin Qishu felt a sudden chill of apprehension—he was actually a bit afraid of him.

“It’s okay, I’m here,” Xu Qiyao sensed his unease and flashed a brilliant smile, subtly softening his aggression.

Many eyes followed Xu Qiyao as he led Xin Qishu into the room. Overwhelmed, Xin Qishu leaned close to his chest and whispered, “Where do I sit?”

Xu Qiyao put an arm around him. Xin Qishu’s porcelain skin was framed by soft black hair, and his crimson eyes stared timidly at the floor. To Xu Qiyao, everyone else was a threat, and he alone was the boy’s sanctuary.

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you.”

He had specifically placed Xin Qishu’s seat right next to his own—a position from which they could look down upon everyone else.

As Xu Qiyao went to greet other guests, Xin Qishu felt like he was sitting on needles. What made him more anxious was that everyone below was watching him with “kind” expressions. He didn’t necessarily have a grudge with most of them, but they certainly didn’t respect him.

The banquet began. Amidst the toasts and celebrations, Xin Qishu’s mind wandered. He wanted to give his gift and leave, but leaving now would be a massive insult to Xu Qiyao.

Suddenly, the noisy room went silent. Xin Qishu looked up.

A figure in moon-white robes entered the hall.

Xin Qishu’s heart hammered against his ribs. He Lvqing sat down with a detached expression, not sparing him a single glance.

Why did Xu Qiyao invite him? Xin Qishu’s face went pale. He whispered to Xu Qiyao, “Why did you call him here?”

Xu Qiyao took his hand reassuringly, stood up, and raised his voice. “Today is my birthday banquet. And it is also the day I introduce my fiancé to everyone!”

Xin Qishu felt as though he’d been struck by lightning. He tried to yank his hand away, but Xu Qiyao’s grip was like a steel shackle. Xu Qiyao raised their clasped hands high for all to see.

In a panic, Xin Qishu looked at He Lvqing. The man sat with a straight back and a calm expression, as if none of this concerned him. Xin Qishu suddenly lost the strength to struggle.

…

The Encounter in the Garden

After the banquet, as the guests began to depart, Xin Qishu’s heartbroken gaze finally locked with a pair of pale green eyes. He didn’t look away; he stared straight at He Lvqing.

When He Lvqing’s figure vanished into the crowd, the light in Xin Qishu’s eyes died. He slumped over the table.

A soft tap on the wood made him look up. He Lvqing stood there like a pine tree, looking down with those shimmering green eyes. He said nothing, then turned and walked away.

Xin Qishu immediately chased after him. Xu Qiyao, who was still making small talk with guests, stopped mid-sentence. His eyes darkened as he watched the corner of a light blue robe disappear.

The two walked into the rear garden.

“Did you come today… just to hear Xu Qiyao announce that?” Xin Qishu asked from behind him.

“No. I came to find you.” In a pavilion, He Lvqing turned around. Under the moonlight, his face looked almost merciful. “Give me Yang Li’s letter.”

Xin Qishu gritted his teeth and produced the undelivered letter. He Lvqing opened it immediately, not hiding it from him, glanced at it, and tucked it away.

“Since you are marrying Xu Qiyao, we should sign the severance contract as soon as possible.”

“No!” Xin Qishu blurted out. “I’m not marrying him. Today was all his own doing! Do you really want to break our bond?”

Moonlight filled his eyes, which were brimming with sorrow. Even He Lvqing was momentarily moved, but he turned his back. “I do not love you.”

“Maybe you will in the future?”

“We’ll worry about the future when it comes,” He Lvqing said coldly.

“I won’t do it,” Xin Qishu frowned.

He Lvqing hadn’t actually come just to break the bond; it was merely a convenience. Since Xin Qishu was unwilling, he didn’t push it. He had no one he wanted to spend his life with, so the marriage bond didn’t harm him. Besides, he knew Xin Qishu’s personality—soft-hearted and unable to make final decisions. He figured Xin Qishu would eventually be the one to ask for the divorce once he realized his situation.

“Qishu?” A strange voice suddenly rang out in the quiet garden.

Xin Qishu flinched and instinctively hid behind He Lvqing. He looked up at He Lvqing, who merely raised an eyebrow at him.

Xu Qiyao was standing near the pavilion, his eyes fierce. He had changed into black clothes, blending into the night.

“Was that your voice just now?” Xin Qishu was shocked.

“You can’t tell?” Xu Qiyao walked closer.

He let out a lazy, amused chuckle. “I’ve heard the Young Master of the Di Ting clan is invincible and talented in many ways. I didn’t expect him to be so skilled at vocal mimicry (fake voices). My eyes have been opened today.”

Vocal mimicry? Xin Qishu realized—had Xu Qiyao been “pinching” his throat to sound different every time he spoke to him?

Xu Qiyao’s face soured. He forced a smile. “I know many things. You’ll see.” He then tried to use his “soft” voice again. “Qishu, come here.” To Xin Qishu’s ears now, it didn’t even sound human.

Xin Qishu hesitated but stepped out from behind He Lvqing. Xu Qiyao’s expression shifted to one of triumph, opening his arms for a hug.

But Xin Qishu stopped halfway. He plucked up his courage and looked at Xu Qiyao. “Can you testify for me? Tell everyone that today was your idea alone, and you never discussed it with me?”

The smile vanished from Xu Qiyao’s face.