After Su Chenbi was ransomed, a complex look flashed in Ning Zhi’s eyes. He laughed sarcastically. Others might not know who ransomed Chenbi, but he did. He always felt the boss’s feelings for Chenbi were different and wondered about their past. The boss should not have known Su Chenbi before.

When the boss brought Su Chenbi from another brothel to Yanhua Zui, it indeed boosted business. Initially, Ning Zhi thought this was purely for profit, but he later reconsidered. Although the boss never revealed much, Ning Zhi, familiar with his changes over the years, sensed this was more than just profit-driven.

Furthermore, Su Chenbi was a troublemaker who could attract important figures, putting the owner at risk. Whenever Chenbi received guests, the owner would order strong-scented incense to be lit in his room.

She was not acting to satisfy the women, but to inflict more pain on Su Chenbi for his uncontrollable desires and oppression by those women. The owner’s deep eyes seemed to grasp everything, making her feelings towards Su Chenbi appear contradictory.

Now, she was about to get married. Why suddenly send someone to redeem Su Chenbi? Was she wanting to continue tormenting him or thinking of keeping him hidden away?

#

The winter wind howled through the bare trees, bone-chillingly cold.

Inside, the charcoal stove crackled softly. Su Jin held the child, soothing him, while Ke He sat beside her husband, accompanying the father and son.

A knock interrupted them. Su Jin looked out and signaled his wife to open the door.

Ke He walked outside, where a voice called, “Owner, why have you come?”

Su Jin, puzzled, recalled that his husband had mentioned the owner. In Shi Li Town, everyone knew the master of the Jin family.

When Yu saw Su Jin holding the child, even her calm demeanor slightly faltered. This visit was only to confirm what her informants had said.

#

The days before New Year’s Eve were drawing closer.

Yanhua Zui’s business was exceptionally good, with lewd sounds everywhere. Clients sought to enjoy their last sensual pleasures of the year before returning home for the holiday. In a few days, business would reach its annual low point, with almost no customers during the New Year, allowing them to close and rest.

The bride and groom couldn’t meet before the wedding, but Jin Yu visited Xu Yi several times. The betrothal gifts had been given, and the wedding invitations sent. Xu Yi was happy but somewhat uneasy, feeling truly at ease only once married.

Every time Jin Yu came, Xu Yi would grasp her clothing and nestle in her embrace, fearing she might change her mind and disappear.

On this day, Jin Mo finally returned. She had imagined savoring the familiar feeling on the main street of Shi Li Town, standing before the vermilion gate of the Jin residence that had accompanied her for over a decade, observing everything around her.

Curing her elder sister’s illness had eased her guilt from the past two years. She would marry the man she loved and live well with her family. Yet, the man she had loved for so many years was about to marry her only relative. How would she handle this?

All her beautiful dreams were shattered. The precious thing she had protected for years was about to vanish. Was it too late?

Jin Mo rode her horse swiftly down the street. As horse hooves sounded before the Jin residence, the steward led servants to welcome her.

“Where is my elder sister?” Jin Mo asked, her tone calm and courteous, wearing a gentle expression similar to Jin Yu.

The steward had originally thought the second young miss would continue wandering, but he was informed by the family master that she was returning.

Jin Mo stood at the hall entrance, looking at her unseen relative for two years, the one she cared for deeply, who was about to marry the man she loved.

Jin Yu knew Jin Mo would return today and had deliberately waited. This was Jin Yu’s first time seeing Jin Mo, having heard many descriptions of her—a refined and elegant woman, warm yet unfathomably deep.

“Sister, have you forgotten our agreement?” Jin Mo’s voice, though light, trembled with a painful questioning emotion.

A flash crossed Jin Yu’s eyes. Agreement?

“Young Master, Young Master…” The door suddenly burst open.

Dao’er rushed in, panting, sweat on his forehead. “Young Master, she’s back, she’s back…”

Cloud Mei, pricked by a needle, furrowed his brow as a drop of blood pooled. He sucked on his fingertip, then looked at the anxious Dao’er. “What’s got you so flustered? Who’s back?”

“Young Master, outside…”

“First, drink some tea. Slow down.” Cloud Mei interrupted; this outburst was unusual for Dao’er.

Dao’er poured a cup of tea, drank quickly, and caught his breath. “The… Second Young Miss is back…”

Cloud Mei’s delicate hand trembled, the sachet and needle fell to the ground, his body subtly shaken. She was back? So soon? His heart was in turmoil, unable to discern whether he felt joy or sorrow.

“When she returns, I will write a divorce letter for you…”

Divorce letter? So soon? Cloud Mei picked up the fallen sachet, tears rolling from his eyes, wetting the sachet in his hand. He hadn’t even finished making the mandarin duck sachet for his master.

Dao’er thought Cloud Mei was crying out of excitement about the Second Young Miss’s return and moved to comfort him. But Cloud Mei wiped away his tears, picked up the sachet and needle, and said, “Dao’er, close the door. I won’t see her. Besides my master, I won’t see anyone else.”

Dao’er thought Yun Mei was crying out of excitement over the Second Young Lady’s return and was about to offer comfort. Yun Mei wiped his tears, picked up the sachet and sewing materials, and said, “Dao’er, close the door. I won’t see her. From now on, I will see no one except my master.”

Why should he see her? Was it ridiculous to hold onto any hope? No, he would extinguish that hope and never look back.

In the past, ‘Jin Yu’ loved him, but over the last two years, neither Jin Mo nor Jin Yu had considered him. He had become an outsider.

Xu Yi was confused, and Jin Mo felt bitter. Did he really not remember her at all? Jin Mo looked at Xu Yi’s unfocused eyes, “It’s me, Jin Mo, the second young lady of the Jin family.” If he had known back then that Xu Yi was pregnant and had gone blind, perhaps he would have stayed to care for her.

Xu Yi was startled by the voice and lowered his eyes, “Why are you here?” Suddenly, remembering something, his body trembled, “You, how did you get in? Where is Hua Yan? This is my boudoir; you can’t come in.” His voice was anxious, fearing Young Miss Jin might get angry if she knew another woman had entered his room and could potentially call off the engagement.

He couldn’t let that happen; he had waited so long for Young Miss Jin’s favor.

“Don’t be anxious, Hua Yan is outside. I’ll just take a look and leave,” Jin Mo comforted. “First, tell me how your eyes became like this.” Those once-beautiful eyes now lacked focus and light. What had happened after she left? What hadn’t Hua Yan told her?

Xu Yi lowered his head, not wanting anyone to see his lifeless eyes, and whispered, “This has nothing to do with you. Please leave.”

Jin Mo’s heart ached. Wasn’t he the man she loved? How could it be unrelated? How much had he suffered these past two years? Jin Mo said tenderly, “I’ve learned some medical skills. I can cure your eyes.”

“No, I don’t want treatment,” Xu Yi said, shaking his head. “After I went blind, she said she would marry me. Sometimes she still comes to see me. This is good enough.”

“But you can’t see. Aren’t you afraid? Do you want to stay like this forever?” Jin Mo’s heart was heavy, but her voice remained gentle.