He returned home unable to eat, tossing and turning sleeplessly at night, worried about Miss Jin. He wished she would look at him with genuine feeling, but her heart only held Cloud Zheng. What could he do about his feelings?
“But it’s already daylight, and she still hasn’t returned. Will she really be okay?” Xu Yi nervously twisted her handkerchief.
“Miss Jin will definitely be fine,” Hua Yan, his personal servant, comforted her.
Although Xu Yi felt somewhat more at ease, she remained worried. Hua Yan glanced outside and advised, “Let’s go back. We can’t stay at the Jin residence any longer. If the Madam finds out, she’ll be angry.” The Madam had already arranged his marriage, and if she knew he was secretly visiting the potential in-laws, she would reproach them.
Xu Yi’s eyes filled with tears, gripping the handkerchief so tightly his knuckles turned white. “No, I want to wait for her to return. Today, I must see her. If I don’t see her now, I’ll never have another chance.”
“But Young Master…” Even if he saw her, he might still have no chance.
Everyone in Shili Town knew that Miss Jin was devoted to Cloud Mei and had even called off her engagement to the young master, causing him to be ridiculed and nearly unmarriageable. He had been humiliated, yet he never resented her, silently caring for her. She, however, treated him coldly, not even bothering to look at him. The young master would be overjoyed just to catch her glance, unable to sleep afterwards. Hua Yan sighed; it was pitiful to witness such unrequited love.
Xu Yi bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes. “Hua Yan, don’t try to dissuade me. Today I must see her. I’ll marry no one else. If she doesn’t want me…”
Just then, the steward in a dark blue robe appeared. Xu Yi anxiously asked, “Has Miss Jin returned? Have you sent anyone to look for her?”
The steward, pleased with Xu Yi’s concern, replied, “Miss has already returned and will come shortly. Please wait, Young Master.”
Xu Yi blinked away tears, clutching his handkerchief. “Is she alright? She was gone all night. Was she hurt?”
“Young Master, please don’t worry. Miss is not injured.”
