Chapter Fifty-Seven: Cui Liu's Decision

Believing herself on the verge of successfully matchmaking a pair, Liu Qin entered the classroom in high spirits, only to realize that everyone was waiting for her. Embarrassed, she stuck out her tongue, then obediently saluted the teacher before taking her seat.

Master Zhou began his lecture. His voice was gentle and pleasant, imbued with the deep, magnetic resonance unique to grown men. It seemed to possess a magical quality, lingering in the ears. Sitting in the back row, Cui Liu’s head hummed, unable to make out his words, yet bewitched by that voice—a bottomless abyss into which she fell, endlessly and helplessly.

She hated herself for being so useless, for being swayed by vague, uncertain feelings about the future. An otherwise proper young lady, enamored of a man without rhyme or reason—such things could neither be spoken nor even deeply contemplated, for the shame would be overwhelming. Yet she could not control herself, drawn like a moth to flame, powerless to resist. Must she fall into utter ruin before finding release?

Never having experienced matters between men and women, Cui Liu now tasted the agony of sleepless nights—a bittersweet torment, the longing to meet yet fearing the encounter, the pain of seeing him but unable to speak or smile. Last night, she’d intended to fetch Liu Qin for dinner, but wandered absentmindedly, unknowingly passing through the second gate into the front courtyard. When she came to her senses, she found herself outside Pavilion Xuan, separated by the courtyard fence. She saw him, seated at his usual spot, pen in hand, writing something. He would pause, furrow his brow in thought, then continue. The candle beside him illuminated his profile in a warm amber glow, imparting an indescribable beauty.

Cui Liu stood outside, lost in a daze, staring at him, forgetting time and everything around her. She did not know how long she remained thus, until a servant passed by and his voice startled her from her reverie. Alarmed, she hid behind a nearby tree.

Once the surroundings fell silent again, Cui Liu stepped out from behind the tree, cast a final, longing glance at that unattainable figure, then wandered back in a daze. The delay meant she missed Liu Qin’s escort; by the time she reached the main room, Liu Qin had already returned to Plum Courtyard. Cui Liu didn’t know how to explain herself, but fortunately, her mistress didn’t ask, nor did the usually talkative Cui Yu. Lying in bed, Cui Liu let out a long sigh and resolved to bury this episode deep in her heart, to make it part of the past. However difficult and painful it might be to forget, she would strive to do so.

But now, sitting in the same room as him, hearing his melodious voice and seeing his handsome face, her resolution crumbled instantly. Decisions are made with such difficulty and deliberation, yet undone in a heartbeat. If this was her fate, then at this moment, she accepted it. Whether it be heaven or hell in this life, she would accept it.

Fate is strange and mysterious. One can see their footprints behind, but never know the precise path ahead. Yet when a person yields to destiny, it is as if a chemical reaction occurs—their state and thoughts change instantly: some become despondent, some serene. At this moment, Cui Liu’s eyes sparkled; she lifted her head bravely and gazed directly at the man before her, her gaze filled with irrepressible affection and a resolute openness.

No one knew that Cui Liu, in that morning, made a decision that would shape her life. Meanwhile, in the classroom, Master Zhou had begun teaching arithmetic. The Han Kingdom already had a solid foundation in mathematics; addition and multiplication tables were no different from her previous life. This left Liu Qin, who had always struggled with math, no chance to show off. But after just two arithmetic lessons, Liu Qin discovered another remarkable talent.

Even Master Zhou had to admit that Fang Nuo’s aptitude for mathematics was unparalleled. He could instantly recite all addition and subtraction within one hundred, and even multiplication and division required only a moment’s thought, with answers always perfectly accurate. To further test him, Master Zhou devised several challenging problems, which little Fang Nuo solved quickly and correctly. Liu Qin was dumbfounded—who was the reincarnated one here? She, living two lives, was outdone by a nine-year-old child. Mortified, she repeatedly knocked her forehead against her hands on the desk. She couldn’t bear to hit the wall—it might not be clever, but it was still useful; what if she damaged it?

Her odd behavior caught the attention of Jiang Li, who sat one seat away, his brows furrowed with concern. What was wrong with his sister? Was she suffering from a headache? If not for the ongoing lesson, he would have rushed over to ask.

Between Jiang Li and Liu Qin sat Xiao Wu, who watched her in confusion—what sort of training was this?

Suddenly, a paper ball flew over and struck Liu Qin’s head. Startled out of her self-pity, she nearly blurted out an insult, quickly covered her mouth, and looked around for the culprit.

Master Zhou continued his lecture in front; on her left, Jiang Li watched her anxiously; Xiao Wu faced forward; to her right, Hai Ge and A Nuo listened intently. There was no need to check behind—none of them had the nerve. Who was it, then?

Calming herself, Liu Qin analyzed the situation, narrowing it down to the teacher or Xiao Wu. The teacher had reason; teachers in her previous life often used chalk as a weapon, pelting inattentive students with uncanny precision. But Master Zhou didn’t seem to share that habit—he had never punished anyone so far. That left Xiao Wu, the least sympathetic person in the room. Liu Qin scrutinized his face for a long time, finally spotting a hint of mischievous amusement in his eyes.

You little rascal, I haven’t provoked you—what’s your problem, hitting me for no reason? Liu Qin, cheeks puffed in anger, shot him a glare, but Xiao Wu seemed unfazed; not only unfazed, the amusement in his eyes grew, and even the corners of his mouth twitched upward.

Normally icy and aloof, he suddenly revealed a rare smile. Rather than feeling charmed, Liu Qin grew even angrier. She grabbed the paper ball from the desk and shredded it to bits—let’s see you laugh now! Imagining it as Xiao Wu, she gave it a thorough beating, then made a face at him, finally feeling satisfied.

Jiang Li observed their exchange, and for reasons unknown, that uneasy feeling returned, coupled with a subtle sense of crisis. His sister, who once belonged solely to him, was now being taken away? In that moment, Jiang Li regarded Xiao Wu as his greatest rival.

Outside, warm sunlight streamed through the window, carrying the scent of grass and wood. A cluster of purple wisteria climbed the window's edge, a few playful blossoms poking their heads in, their violet petals like smiling faces—beautiful and exuberant.