"Qin Ling!?"

Liu Xiyun stared at the formally dressed man before her, astonishment flashing in her eyes, shock etched on her face.

Qin Ling, still supporting her shoulders, smiled at her.

Then he eyed her quizzically. "Hey cutie, who are you? How do you know my name? Watch where you're walking next time."

"This guy..." Pang Cheng muttered irritably from behind, shrugging. "He stepped back blind and blames the Liu Clan girl for not looking."

"Liu Xiyun?" Song Xiaoxi emerged from the house, startled to see them nearly embracing.

Hearing her voice, Liu Xiyun scanned the area. Spotting Pang Cheng and Song Xiaoxi, her delicate brows furrowed slightly. A flicker of light danced in her lovely eyes, unreadable.

"What's wrong, cutie?" Qin Ling pressed.

"Oh, you're a Liu too? Wait—"

Qin Ling froze mid-sentence at Song Xiaoxi's words. His eyes widened, shock and complexity swirling in his gaze at Liu Xiyun.

"You're Liu Xiyun? She called you Liu Xiyun?" He locked eyes with her, seeking confirmation.

"Hmm..." Liu Xiyun broke the stare first, lowering her head. She couldn't meet his eyes, murmuring softly.

Qin Ling fell silent.

In her eyes, he saw familiarity. This must be that little mute girl he'd saved by chance on QiHuang Mountain years ago...

He stared at his hands on her shoulders, unsure what to do.

After a long pause, he broke the silence. "Um... these past years. Have you... been okay?"

Liu Xiyun, head still down, gave a slight nod. "Hmm..."

"Why won't you look at me?" Qin Ling sensed her tension.

If this was truly that little mute, she should be overjoyed—not trembling like this.

"Ah, the mute girl? How could she be mute now?" He smiled wryly at her odd behavior.

Back when he'd arrived in Riversea, he'd asked about Liu Xiyun. Learning she was the Liu Clan's young mistress, penniless as he was, he'd buried any thought of reunion. Life had blurred that memory... until today.

Realizing her full name, he finally understood. She was that girl from QiHuang Mountain. No wonder she'd watched him so closely...

"Look up. Why avoid my eyes?" Qin Ling frowned.

She didn't move. Instead, she flinched as if to pull away, her eyes darting.

A thought struck him. He forced a smile. "Did you... find someone these years? Get married?"

Marrying at eighteen was rare, but for the Liu Clan's heir? Not impossible.

"Mmm..." Liu Xiyun shuddered at his words.

He saw her bowed head, lips bitten tight, refusing to lift her face.

Qin Ling slowly released her shoulders. Now he knew his next step.

"Sorry. I wasn't watching and bumped into you." He smiled. "You know Xiaoxi, right? Come inside for a bit?"

He turned to leave.

Liu Xiyun stood frozen, teeth clenched on her lip. Her slender hands hung at her sides, fists tight, trembling unseen.

As Qin Ling walked away, she steeled herself. Lifting her head, she grabbed his arm.

"Wait! I'm single. No boyfriend!"

"Uh..." Qin Ling paused, surprised by her grip.

Tears brimmed in her eyes. She bit her teeth shut after speaking. He nodded kindly, smiling.

"Hmm."

"But I have a girlfriend." His smile delivered the words like a knife to her heart.

He gently pulled his hand free. Turning to Pang Cheng and Song Xiaoxi by the door, he said, "I've got things to do. Since you know Liu Xiyun, please look after her."

Song Xiaoxi opened her mouth, then just nodded.

"Sorry. Someone's waiting. Next time, I'll treat you to tea." Qin Ling gave Liu Xiyun an apologetic smile and left without waiting.

Liu Xiyun stood motionless, lip bleeding from biting. Tears spilled over as his footsteps faded. Only then did she bolt from the yard, fleeing like a shadow.