Chapter 15: You Are Mine

Qing Mu fell silent, looking at Lin Qiyou with a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

At first, he had been pleased, thinking Lin Qiyou had come either out of pity or to mock a wretched cuckold.

He never expected… she already knew so much.

So how much else did she know?

It couldn’t be that she even knew the spiritual vein within her body belonged to him, right?

That would be unacceptable! If that were the case, his simulation would fail, and all his efforts would be wasted!

“Ah, that was also the Family Head’s idea.”

Qing Mu said stubbornly, silently praying not to be exposed.

But Lin Qiyou’s words dashed his hopes.

“Lying!”

Lin Qiyou said loudly, shifting her chair forward so their knees bumped together. She pressed on, “When I got home, I almost killed the steward. When Father stopped me, I questioned him thoroughly, even tricked him with a silver bell. He didn’t know that silver bell came from Qin Shuang!”

As she spoke, Lin Qiyou lifted Qing Mu’s chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. She frowned and said, “You and Father have been treating me like a fool, hiding everything for so long. What good does that do you?”

Qing Mu’s eyes glanced aside, and he chuckled quietly, “It’s not hiding, exactly. Some things just have to be done this way.”

At this point, there was no point in pretending.

But Lin Qiyou was clearly holding back, and Qing Mu believed that even if the Family Head spoke, he definitely wouldn’t mention the spiritual vein.

“So Qin Shuang was right. It’s not by choice. It’s out of necessity.”

Lin Qiyou stared at Qing Mu, shaking his head gently. “Look me in the eye.”

“How much did Qin Shuang tell you? I’m going to dock her pay.”

Qing Mu sighed, thinking, as expected, Lin Qiyou only knew what Qin Shuang had said. That made things easier.

“Whatever you dock, I’ll cover for her.”

“So you and Miss have become friends?”

“No. She’s one of the conspirators who tricked me. You and Father want to lose your heads, so she’d better lose her feet.”

“That’s terrifying.”

“You think I’m terrifying?”

Lin Qiyou glared, her face drawing close, a fragrant breeze washing over Qing Mu, leaving him momentarily dazed.

When was the last time she had been this close?

“I actually think you’re terrifying… I’m not the lunatic, the blockhead you think I am.

And you’re not the wooden idiot I thought you were.

After all these years, you should understand some things. You should’ve seen it from a very young age.

But you’re hiding, you’re avoiding it. I don’t understand… If you were truly as loyal and single-minded as you pretend, you wouldn’t reveal those looks so carelessly.

So everything you do, all that you’re working for! It’s an insult, a betrayal of both you and me—of you and me…”

Lin Qiyou grit her teeth, anxiously tugging at the collar of Qing Mu’s shirt with both hands.

Qing Mu felt a flicker of fear.

Compared to facing Lin Qiyou’s hysterical threats during their sparring, he found her like this far more frightening.

What was she babbling about?

It was all lies.

Once he died, nothing would remain.

After death, the mysterious connection of the spiritual vein would vanish, and this illusion of love would disperse with the wind.

There was no need to waste breath or emotion on something destined to disappear.

In the end, she was just a young girl.

What did she really know?

Unfortunately, there were things she simply couldn’t know.

Hearing all this, Qing Mu understood she didn’t know about the spiritual vein.

She kept her heart guarded.

“Whew…”

Lin Qiyou released Qing Mu and frowned. “You’ve never been wooden. You’re just hiding something bad.”

“So, knowing all this, what does Miss intend to do? I suggest—”

“Save your suggestions!”

Lin Qiyou slammed her hand on the table, pointing at her own nose before leaning close to Qing Mu, her voice cold: “So it begins! Ready to start teaching me how to handle things. I guess in the past two years you were too busy pretending to be a loving Taoist companion with Qin Shuang to ever look at me, right?”

“What are you saying? I just wanted to remind you…”

Qing Mu looked confused.

“Tch! By the time I came back, I had already moved Qin Shuang elsewhere. The Lin family won’t find him.

From now on, I won’t get too close to you.

Nor will I change anything about the Lin family or my own situation.

I’ll act as if none of this ever happened—just like always.”

Lin Qiyou pointed at Qing Mu’s nose, warning: “I won’t let you treat me like a reckless fool. I’m sharper than you think! And soon you won’t be able to beat me.”

Qing Mu didn’t understand why she added that last part about him losing to her, but her actions surprised him.

What she was doing was right. It was good.

But why?

Had she given up on something because of this?

Had she lost hope in him?

That was… actually great.

Fake emotions and bonds in a simulation were unnecessary. Nothing could stop him from growing stronger or his resolve to avenge Yue Lan and the Demon King.

“Good!”

Qing Mu nodded repeatedly, approving Lin Qiyou’s stance.

So, the purpose of this visit was just to scold him…

Not bad.

Qing Mu didn’t quite understand—wasn’t this better?

Why did his heart feel a strange emptiness and disappointment?

Could it be he was hoping Lin Qiyou would—

“So, behave yourself, okay?”

“Hm?”

Qing Mu looked up at Lin Qiyou.

The white-robed fairy stood before him, grasping one arm and tilting her head slightly. Though he often watched her in secret, he rarely examined her so closely.

Lin Qiyou was already slender and graceful, her sweet fragrance drifting as she looked up, her pretty face never disappointing. But now, a layer of melancholy shadowed her features, her gaze utterly captivating.

It was… the spiritual vein’s doing.

No matter if it was me looking at her, or her at me…

“Behave yourself? What do you mean?”

Qing Mu asked, puzzled.

“Just behave, that’s all.

Leave everything to me… I’m not a reckless fool. I will wisely lay low.

I will grow stronger, strong enough to stand against Father and the Lin family, strong enough to defy the rules.

I will break the shackles binding you.”

Lin Qiyou stared deeply into Qing Mu’s eyes.

Qing Mu was momentarily stunned, then smiled curiously. “I don’t quite understand. Miss, what are you saying?”

“You must have suffered a lot of grievances.”

Lin Qiyou pressed two fingers against Qing Mu’s lips.

Warmth radiated from the girl’s fingertips, seeping into Qing Mu’s mouth, and his heart jolted as his eyes widened.

Qing Mu’s expression made Lin Qiyou think, as she tilted her head, that she had finally revealed a gentleness she had never shown him before.

She had imagined this expression countless times.

“Forgive me. I was young. Back then, I couldn’t see the grievances in your eyes.

I didn’t know where you were, who you were with… or how much you suffered. But now I see it.

Do you remember when you were eight?

I once asked you…”

Lin Qiyou took a deep breath, mimicking the manner she had as an eight-year-old. In front of the dazed Qing Mu, she leaned in close, speaking earnestly:

“Are you scared? You’re mine. I will protect you.”

The tear mole beneath her left eye shone sharply in Qing Mu’s gaze.