Introduction: What can be changed is fate, what cannot be changed is destiny, fate is in your hands, and destiny was decided thousands of years ago. A world-renowned rose ring, the rise and fall of a family. We were scattered by fate and reunited under its guidance. Meeting the right person at the wrong time and place, where should I go? A fallen noble lady, a hidden prince of unparalleled beauty, fate twisting and turning, they love each other yet are destined to separate. Are they lovers or enemies? A love, a torment. Loving you is my destiny, loving you is also my calamity. I willingly descend into hell, as long as you are there, it is my paradise.
A Fateful Encounter (1)
Yu Yelan dragged her stiff and heavy legs, wandering aimlessly along the street, the only thing she had consumed in three days was tap water from the park.
Night fell, neon lights flickered, and Yu Yelan deeply felt how small she was in this world, that even if she disappeared, no one would notice.
Suddenly, a man holding a microphone excitedly grabbed Yu Yelan’s wrist and shouted to those chasing him, “It’s her, it’s her!”
Yu Yelan, dazzled by the lights, panicked and asked, “What are you going to do?” In her three days of homelessness, she had encountered many frightening things but never people doing bad things in groups.
“Miss, we are currently recording a special Qixi Festival program. You are our lucky on-site guest.
Let me explain how lucky viewers are chosen: the seventh single woman at the best Qixi date location voted by netizens becomes our lucky guest. We will choose a destined partner for you to spend Qixi together!” The host excitedly explained to Yu Yelan. “You’re still a student, right? Which school do you attend, what grade?”
The host’s mouth fired like a machine gun.
“Sorry, I…” Yu Yelan had no strength. In the past few days, she would always come to bustling areas after nightfall, afraid of encountering homeless people or drunk men harassing her.
“Oh, our lucky male protagonist has appeared!” The host didn’t hear Yu Yelan’s whisper, almost dragging her as he rushed towards a young man who, like Yu Yelan, was inexplicably stopped.
“Wow—this is our handsome lucky male protagonist! What a cute girl and a handsome gentleman, you’re so lucky to get the Qixi romantic candlelight dinner! This young gentleman is still a student, right? Care to share your thoughts? Do you feel an instant connection with this cute girl?” The host was enthusiastic, trying to create an atmosphere as sweet as the couples walking by.
A Fateful Encounter (2)
Yu Yelan suddenly looked up, her eyes bright and fixed on the host. Not because she was interested in this Qixi lucky matchmaking game, but—oh, did she hear correctly? A free dinner?
Yue Xiye frowned, trying to remove the hand on his arm. “Sorry, I’m not interested.” But the hand was impossible to remove from his sleeve.
“Oh, handsome guy, this is a once-in-a-century opportunity! Securing this spot on Qixi night is not easy!” The host was determined to complete the program and return early to his girlfriend. He had stood on the street for two hours, observing that young people in Canglan City were too sweet, with too few single individuals. The lucky number had dropped from twenty-seven to seventeen and now to seven—he absolutely would not let this couple slip away!
“Sorry, I’m not interested. Please let me leave.” Yue Xiye’s voice was cold, revealing no hint of annoyance, just frowning more tightly. If Qin Boxiao hadn’t insisted he come here, he would never have appeared in this place.
“Sir, you should at least look at the girl before deciding! Maybe tonight you’ll find your lovely partner!” The host gripped Yue Xiye more tightly, pushing Yu Yelan forward. “Miss, would you like to spend this romantic night with this gentleman?”
Yue Xiye’s frown was tight enough to crush a mosquito as he looked at the thin girl pushed in front of him.
The girl hung her head, only reaching to his chest, with chestnut-colored hair past her shoulders, slightly curled. A bright red strand of hair hung messily by her ear, wearing a dirty white dress.
“Sorry, I have something to do and must leave.” Yue Xiye turned away, coldly scanning the filming camera, showing no interest in the small girl’s shy, demure posture.
“Please… come with me…” Yu Yelan heard the young man’s repeated refusals, and the first thought that flashed in her mind was that the dinner was about to slip away. Her desperate craving for food made her forget her fear of strangers. On impulse, she reached out and grabbed the edge of the young man’s shirt, “Please… come with me…” Yu Yelan’s voice was incredibly weak, mixed with a crying tone, bowing to Yue Xiye and looking up with hopeful eyes.
Please answer me, please answer me! Yu Yelan pleaded in her heart over and over again, knowing that if she didn’t eat something soon, she wouldn’t make it through the night.
Yue Xiye’s body trembled, looking at the heart-shaped little face with a pleading expression, her skin unhealthily pale, with the most striking feature being her full, rosy lips, and a pair of round eyes clearly conveying her request and anticipation.
Damn it!
Yue Xiye cursed inwardly; her appearance was just like an abandoned stray kitten, making him feel that refusing her would be an unforgivable crime.
“Please, come with me, okay?” Seeing the boy’s face growing colder, Yu Yelan bit her lip and tugged at Yue Xiye’s sleeve, silver tears swirling in her eyes. “Please! I beg you!”
“Damn!” This time Yue Xiye cursed out loud. Seeing the girl’s frightened expression, he took a deep breath to calm himself and thought he might as well do a good deed. “Where to, let’s go!” This was said to the host, accompanied by an extremely cold glare.
“How wonderful! This kind of night should be spent together as a pair. Handsome guy, looks like the little girl is interested in you! Such a cute little girl, you must definitely seize the opportunity!” The host was excited about finishing work and celebrating the romantic Qixi Festival.
Unfortunately, Yue Xiye walking behind him was an iceberg, gloomily emanating a cold and distant aura, making the entire production crew feel the chill of an approaching iceberg.
Yu Yelan was desperately hanging her head, clutching Yue Xiye’s sleeve.
Yue Xiye’s temper got worse. He always disliked the fangirls who came at him, but this girl who didn’t even look at him once also made him feel unhappy.
For a full hour, Yue Xiye idly stared at the beggar girl opposite him, who not only ate her own portion but also finished his.
Yu Yelan ate enthusiastically, while Yue Xiye’s anger was accumulating. Looking at his watch, he realized he had completely missed his part-time job tonight. “Are you done eating?” he asked with a voice rough with anger.
“Sorry…” Yu Yelan raised her head, looking at the furious Yue Xiye, “I… I…” She was eating Yue Xiye’s herb-roasted lamb chops, thinking he was angry about that. “I thought you didn’t want to eat since you hadn’t touched it,” Yu Yelan explained timidly, making Yue Xiye feel frustrated.
“I mean, are you full? Can I leave now?” Yue Xiye asked impatiently, thinking about the missed income for the night, which made his mood even worse.
“Oh, I’m full…” Yu Yelan patted her full stomach to confirm, but her eyes never left the dessert just brought to the table.
“You can stay and eat slowly. I’m leaving,” Yue Xiye gritted out before leaving.
Yu Yelan quickly swallowed the dessert and ran after him. Yue Xiye strode along the street, preparing to take a bus home, since he had already missed his part-time job.
