After parting from her in the misty rain yesterday, Qin Ruhai returned to his dark, cramped rented room and did not sleep deeply all night.
He need not think of family hatred nor dwell on the past. When he closed his eyes, there was only Su Liwan.
Her pink dress reflected the misty rain, her skin dazzlingly white, her eyes and brows as pure as a pool of spring water. When she smiled, shallow pear dimples appeared on her cheeks, so innocent and charming that he only wanted to hold her tightly, crush her, and possess her completely.
In all his life, he had never met such a satisfying prey. Beautiful, pure, foolish, wealthy, with no brothers, and parents easy to control. She was simply a piece of tender fat meat, stewed to the bone and personally delivered to his mouth by heaven.
The Qin ancestors did have a faint reputation of scholarship, but by his father's generation, the family had long been in decline. Then a lawsuit arose, forcing him to flee here. None of that mattered. There was no need to talk about it, nor to beg for pity. What he wanted was never sympathy. He wanted Su Liwan, he wanted the Su family, and he intended to devour this delicate flower completely—her body, her wealth, everything.
As soon as the sky turned pale, Qin Ruhai rose. He carefully smoothed his faded blue linen robe, then took the few remaining sheets of fine rice paper, dipped his brush in ink, and copied two volumes of short poems by hand.
His handwriting was elegant and upright, exuding an air of noble character. Calling on the Su residence to "thank her for her care in the rain yesterday" was reasonable, proper, and perfectly fitting the humility and courtesy a poor scholar ought to show.
On his way to the Su mansion, Qingxi County was already bustling. But in just one night, rumors had spread like wild grass.
"Look, that's the poor scholar clinging to Miss Su."
"A mere copyist wants to eat swan meat? He's dreaming."
"Just wait. He'll be chased out by the Su family sooner or later, making a fool of himself."
Passersby smiled and nodded at him, their tones kind, yet their eyes filled with mockery and disdain. Every word drilled into Qin Ruhai's ears, tightening his chest.
Yet his face remained soft, his steps gentle, his frame so frail it seemed a gust of wind could blow him over. He even nodded slightly at the neighbors, appearing humble, polite, and uninvolved with the world.
Only he himself knew that beneath his sleeve, his fingers were clenched so tight his knuckles had turned white.
Laugh. Look down on him. Soon enough, he would make these people unworthy of even looking up at him.
Before the red-lacquered gate of the Su mansion, the plump steward had long been waiting. He wore a simple, warm smile, looking honest and honest, yet his eyes hid undisguised curiosity. A poor outsider scholar trying to attach himself to the number one beauty of Qingxi—who in the entire county did not take this as a joke?
"Master Qin, you've finally come! My young lady has been waiting for you since early morning!"
Qin Ruhai bowed slightly, his voice clear and soft, without the slightest fluctuation: "Thank you for waiting, Steward. I disturbed Miss Su yesterday and felt uneasy. I have come specially today to visit and express my gratitude."
"No need for such courtesy! Please come in!"
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, the fragrance of flowers rushed toward him. Under the corridor, a delicate figure quickly hurried forward to greet him.
Su Liwan had changed into a pale yellow ruqun today, making her skin even fairer and her features more charming. At the sight of Qin Ruhai, her cheeks flushed instantly, her heartbeat raced, and even her speech carried a soft, flustered tone.
"Master Qin."
"Miss Su."
Qin Ruhai lifted his eyes to look at her, his gaze gentle and affectionate, sweeping over her eyes, nose, and lips at just the right pace, as if admiring a rare treasure. Lust surged in his heart, yet on the surface he only smiled faintly and handed over the scrolls of poems.
"I hastily copied two short poems by hand. They are no great gift, but I hope Miss Su will not dislike them."
"How could I dislike them!" Su Liwan quickly took them with both hands and held them tightly to her chest, as if she had obtained some priceless treasure. "Your handwriting is even more beautiful than the calligraphy models sold in bookshops. I will keep them carefully and read them every day."
Qin Ruhai said softly: "I only make a living by copying books. My handwriting is nothing remarkable."
"That's just because they don't understand your talent!" Su Liwan spoke at once, her eyes earnest, as if defending him. "You are so excellent; you shouldn't stay like this forever. You will surely soar to great heights in the future."
She was naive to the point of foolishness, her heart and eyes full of the gentle, handsome scholar before her. She could not hear the whispers of the maidservants in the corner of the courtyard, could not see the hidden glances and malice around her, nor did she know the whole city was laughing at her family.
She only knew that when she saw him, she felt shy, her heart fluttered, and she could not help wanting to be kind to him.
The two stood talking softly in the courtyard, the scene gentle and harmonious, like a perfect couple.
Shortly afterward, Master Su and Madam Su walked slowly out of the inner hall.
Master Su wore a silk robe with a kind face; Madam Su was dressed elegantly, her features gentle, yet her figure slightly thin—clearly someone who had been cared for all year round and never wronged.
As soon as the couple saw Qin Ruhai, their eyes fell on him gently, examining him carefully from head to toe.
Qin Ruhai immediately restrained all his thoughts, bowed respectfully and properly, without overstepping in the slightest.
"This humble student Qin Ruhai greets Master Su and Madam Su."
He was frail, his face pale from years of wandering, his voice soft, his manner refined and proper—clearly a gentle, trustworthy man.
Master Su nodded in satisfaction at once, his favor greatly increasing: "No need for such formality. Sit. I hear you often copy books in the bookshop?"
"Yes." Qin Ruhai answered honestly. "Stranded in Qingxi, I have no other skills but to make a living with my weak calligraphy."
Madam Su looked at him this way, her eyes full of pity, and spoke softly: "Child, you look so gentle and weak, wandering alone outside with no relatives. You must have suffered a great deal."
"I am used to it. It is not hard." Qin Ruhai lowered his eyes, his tone calm, not deliberately begging for pity, yet stirring even more compassion.
Master Su asked casually: "I hear people in the county say your hometown is in the capital? Your family was once scholarly?"
These words seemed like small talk, but in truth, they were what the whole of Qingxi was secretly probing into.
Qin Ruhai sneered inwardly, yet on the surface he remained open and natural, summarizing lightly: "Yes. My ancestors had a slight scholarly reputation. Later the family fell into decline, and some troubles arose. With nowhere to go, I wandered all the way to Qingxi."
He said no more, no less, no exaggeration, leaving no flaws.
After listening, Master Su immediately slapped his thigh: "No wonder your bearing is so outstanding! A child raised in a scholarly family is truly different!"
Madam Su nodded repeatedly: "A child raised in such a family must have good character."
Like Su Liwan, the couple were pure-minded and believed whatever others told them. They had only this one daughter all their lives, spoiled her endlessly, and only wished for her to marry a gentle, kind man who would never wrong her.
Master Su sighed, looking at Qin Ruhai, his tone extremely sincere: "To be honest, my wife and I have only Liwan as our daughter. Her mother hurt her health giving birth to her and can no longer have children. We do not ask for great wealth or honor for her, only that she may marry someone who cares for her and will not bully her in the future."
Madam Su's eyes reddened and she continued: "She is our only precious treasure. We only fear she will meet the wrong person and live a hard life in the future."
Qin Ruhai's fingers at his sides curled almost imperceptibly.
Infertile, only daughter, immense family wealth, parents foolish and easy to deceive.
Truly heaven was helping him.
He slowly raised his head, his eyes gentle and sincere, his tone respectful and polite: "Master and Madam Su's love for your daughter is admirable. Miss Su is pure, beautiful and kind-natured. She will surely live a smooth life and be cherished by others in the future."
He spoke polite and decent words, yet his heart was already filled with greed.
Cherished? Her body, her wealth, her everything—they would all belong to Qin Ruhai.
The more Master Su looked at him, the more pleased he was. He talked with him for a long time, wishing to keep him on the spot.
"You work hard copying books every day. If you lack anything, just say so. The Su family will buy it for you."
"Come often to our home in the future. Don't consider yourself an outsider."
Su Liwan sat to one side, stealing glances at him from time to time, the corners of her mouth lifting uncontrollably, her heart sweet. Her parents liked the gentleman she admired, and she felt only joy and peace.
The sun gradually sank toward the west.
Qin Ruhai checked the sky and rose to take his leave at the right moment.
"I have troubled you for a long time today. I shall take my leave now and visit again another day."
"Very well, very well! Come anytime!" Master Su waved repeatedly, extremely enthusiastic.
Su Liwan saw him to the gate, her cheeks flushed, whispering softly: "Come again next time, sir. I will make my best pastries for you."
Qin Ruhai looked at her delicate, expectant, starry-eyed face. Dark waves surged in his eyes; he longed to crush her into his arms and devour her at once. Yet he still smiled gently, his voice as light as the wind.
"Very well. I shall wait for you, Miss Su."