Changxi saw Xinxin and Dihao coming out from a garment shop while discussing something seriously. "Done with your shopping?" Changxi's sudden voice startled them.
Xinxin nodded, "Y-Yes, let's go somewhere else, I am hungry" and dragged Changxi ahead. " Dihao agreed as well. Looking at Changxi, he remembered what happened earlier,
FLASHBACK,
In the middle of their tour, Xinxin said, "Dihao, I have some things to buy, it's heavy, so will you help me?" Dihao was about to deny it but saw Xinxin giving signals, "Yes, sure." This morning, Master Hong told her to check with a garment shop secretly without Changxi's notice.
When they went inside the shop, Xinxin showed the receipt. The man at the counter passed the silk box to her and went to inform the owner.
Dihao looked at it carefully, and saw a familiar luxurious pink silk hanfu, "Oh! Isn't it Changxi's hanfu?" He still remembered the day when Master Hong came into the village with a heavily injured girl in his embrace. Xinxin smiled while caressing the dress, "Master Hong wanted to return this dress to her. It might help her to regain her memories."
The man returned, "Miss, would you like to try this once to check the work?" "Can I?" Xinxin's eyes flashed in joy. She had never worn this expensive dress before.
Coming out, when she looked in the mirror, she saw a different version of herself. This hanfu wasn't just soft, airy, and comfortable but also made her look like a goddess. Even Dihao was stupefied.
"X-Xiao Mei?"
Xinxin was over the moon while checking out herself, just then, she heard someone. Turning around, her eyes widened seeing a gorgeous lady, the real-life goddess of beauty. This Noblewoman was more beautiful than the collective beauty she had seen in her entire life.
They noticed the Noblewoman's expression changed from astonished to disappointed. Still, looking at the dress, she asked, "I-Is this your dress? Who gave it to you?"
While admiring her beauty, Xinxin got alert, "Yes, Young Madam," she gave a short formal bow with a smile, "My father gave me this."
The Noblewoman asked in her soft voice, "Who is your father? Where did he get this silk?" there was a slight eagerness in her tone as if she didn't believe Xinxin. "I am the daughter of Physician Hong," Xinxin replied calmly.
The Noblewoman looked at the Shopkeeper, who nodded, "Yes, Young Madam. Master Hong is my good friend. He did tell me to hurry up as he wanted to gift his daughter on the new year."
The Noblewoman closed her eyes to calm herself. "I am sorry for troubling you," she apologized. Xinxin bowed to her, "Please don't be, Young Madam. I will take my leave then."
Later, outside the shop, Dihao said, "You think that noblewoman knows our Changxi?" when Xinxin nodded, he continued, "What if she is Changxi's family, who is trying to find her? She seemed pure and genuine."
Xinxin hummed with a creased forehead, "I feel that too. But we shouldn't forget in what condition Changxi was at that time. We still don't know if it was suicide or someone tried to… ahem, I think we should inform Master Hong first."
FLASHBACK ENDS
'Xinxin is right, we have to report to Master Hong first before trusting anyone,' Dihao thought while looking back at the shop.
It was already dark when four of them were done trying various snacks. While returning, a stall owner stopped them, "Oh my! Such a lovely two pairs! But young men, your wives will get stolen like this."
Xinxin laughed and asked, "Aunty, why do you think we will run away from our husbands?" The shop owner said while looking at Dihao, "Because he didn't mark you that you are his woman!" This made Xinxin bushed heavily.
The shop owner giggled "Aah, you silly young lady! I am talking about this," pointing at the set of hairpins, she continued, "These beautiful hairpins are made from the jade that represents eternal love. If your man puts it on you, he is marking you as his woman. You two handsome young men, look something for your wives."
Changxi rolled her eyes, "Let's go, this is not for us." The rest three followed her with a laugh.
"What happened?" While walking, Changxi was surprised by Chen's downward gaze. Chen asked, "When will I have my vision?" She smiled, "Soon. We are at the last phase of the treatment. Just wait for one or two weeks. But, why?" Chen turned his head and tried to look at her face, "I wanted to get that hairpin by myself for y—"
"Ohh it's fire show there!!!!" Xinxin exclaimed and took everyone there.
All people gathered near the fire show, where 5 men were playing with fire sticks, rings and balls. One of them was even creating fire from his mouth. People gasped in shock at his every move, including the aristocratic couple standing on the opposite side.
In that rush, Changxi and Chen were standing behind Dihao and Xinxin.
For some reason, Changxi started getting a headache seeing the gush of fire. The man was scaring people by blowing the fire in their direction. She caught the Nobleman from the herb shop standing with his wife across the road. She was about to make eye contact with him, just then, the fireman turned to Dihao and Xinxin, and emitted a huge fire by mistake. Xinxin hugged Dihao in fright, resulting in the fire blowing directly in front of Changxi.
While Dihao, Xinxin and everyone were cheering the man for his bravery, Chen felt a sudden weight on his hand, as if someone was holding onto him. Recognizing it instantly, he called out, "Changxi? Changxi?" Touching her hand, he realized that Changxi was slumped on the ground, "Dihao! Xinxin! Where are you? Something happened to Changxi!"
Changxi's gaze was fixed on the fire. She looked at the trio who were calling her 'Changxi' continuously.
"Who?" Changxi mumbled.
Xinxin cried, "Changxi, it's you! Dihao, what is happening with her? Why is she like this?"
When another flame blew in the air, her eyes widened…
A huge blast of hellish fire blew in front of her eyes, with a deafening scream, "Professor!!!!!"
Her bloodshot eyes teared up as a series of scenes started flashing in front of her eyes.
'Some things are not like how your eyes see them, never get misled again'
'Don't come, please, stay alive'
'Good Evening Everyone, I am… Qin Ying'