Long Hanjie stood frozen, watching the chaos.
Xu Qiu’er, pointing at Long Hanjie, saw the hatred in her mother’s eyes, which chilled him.
In a dark moment, she laughed, thinking she might be dying soon, and said, “Ensure I die; otherwise, I will return everything I’ve suffered to you, one by one…”
Qiu’er lay like a demon in blood, her snow-white body marked with blue and purple, her eyes glowing blood-red as she uttered a vicious curse.
Long Hanjie hated himself for destroying a girl’s life, but thoughts of Qing’er made him feel justified. He squatted down and grabbed Xu Qiu’er’s hand.
“Only by your death can I marry Qing’er. You… go die.”
Long Hanjie knew the stab wound wouldn’t kill her but wanted to provoke her, wishing for her to feel pain and helplessness.
He turned and left, leaving the Xu residence in silence. The once jubilant courtyard had been stripped of everything red.
Long Hanjie was right; Xu Qiu’er was saved, but something had changed. She moved as if nothing had happened, greeting everyone.
Her first words were: “I want to marry Long Hanjie.” [Text: Determination 3]
Madam Xu looked at Xu Qiu’er in disbelief.
“What did you say?”
Qiu’er laughed, ethereal and charming, and simply repeated, “I want to marry Long Hanjie.”
Lord Xu, seeing his daughter’s radiant face, expressed concern:
“Qiu’er, you don’t have to be afraid. If you don’t want to marry, Father…”
Xu Qiu’er glanced at her parents.
The joy in Xu Qiu’er’s eyes transformed into ferocity, with resentment burning in her gaze.
“I am ruined.”
Madam Xu’s heart went cold. Her daughter was filled with hate, the same hate she felt for the man who had caused her suffering.
Lord Xu pulled Qiu’er’s hand, tears streaming down his face. “My good Qiu’er, we won’t marry. Even if it means losing our heads, we won’t marry.” He held her close, crushed by the realization that his cherished daughter, whom he had protected for seventeen years, was now shattered. He wanted to confront Long Hanjie but refrained, knowing the stakes for the Xu residence were too high for impulsive actions.
However, Qiu’er’s declaration of being “ruined” made him disregard the consequences.
