Chapter 17: Qin Xiaoyi's Longing
Rarely daring to position herself at the front of the platform instead of hiding in her usual spot toward the back, Hu Xiu stood where she could clearly see that the injuries on Qin Xiaoyi's face remained painfully visible—bruises that hadn't faded, cuts that were still healing. He had noticed her too. His gaze landed on her briefly before deliberately shifting away, and that single fleeting glance felt utterly devastating—like a door closing just as she reached for the handle. Rong City had returned to its carefully constructed original state: everything appearing orderly and controlled on the surface, yet fraught with the same hidden dangers and betrayals that always lurked beneath the polished veneer. Qin Xiaoyi stepped into Rong City with his characteristic unshakable composure, even taking the time to tip an attendant with that particular grace that made every gesture seem both generous and calculated. As he reached the central main road where the action typically began,...
