I seemed to have become the villain. Over the past year, although I hadn’t obstructed anything, I was aware of An Jin’s romantic encounters, often meeting in crowded places—tea houses, willow banks, or White Crane Plains—making it convenient for me to track and sketch.
Whenever he had a date, I would follow or observe from a distance, completing my paintings about him and understanding his romantic history.
This Song third miss had never actually been on a date with An Jin. She had only met him once through her brother, and An Jin probably spoke no more than three sentences to her.
This sheltered young lady, who rarely saw men, encountered a handsome and gentle man and immediately thought she had found her true love. She began daydreaming, likely seeing me as an imaginary enemy.
With my mother-in-law absent, I carelessly disregarded my demeanor and had Que’er bring a plate of sugar cakes.
Madam Song’s face turned completely blue. She said indignantly, “Madam An, what do you mean?”
I swallowed the last bite of cake and clapped my hands. “Madam Song, I have three words for you.”
“What?”
I smiled sincerely at her. “Not a chance.”
Chapter Nine: Song Third Miss
That evening, An Jin unexpectedly returned home on time, followed by a small, fat, entirely white dog.
I was overjoyed. The big white dog ran towards me happily, barking lightly.
An Jin frowned slightly and said firmly, “Stop.” It reluctantly stopped, sitting and looking at me, then at him.
I stood in place, glancing at An Jin.
The corner of An Jin’s mouth slightly curved before pressing down again, looking somewhat stiff. “On my way back, I passed your home and saw it sitting at the door looking quite pitiful. So…”
I couldn’t help but cheer, bending down to hug Yuan Xiao. Yuan Xiao raised its front legs onto my shoulders, its white fur burrowing into my neck.
An Jin watched quietly, his smile surprisingly gentle.
Yuan Xiao had been sitting at the door for days. Why did An Jin suddenly decide to bring it back? While stroking Yuan Xiao, I speculated darkly that perhaps An Jin knew about Madam Song’s marriage proposal and wanted to curry my favor to introduce a concubine.
The more I thought, the angrier I became. Yuan Xiao sensed my mood change and whimpered questioningly.
