After hearing Aunt Zhang's intentions, Yaoxi frowned slightly, feeling a surge of irritation. Zhang Yao had just caused so much trouble for Daizi, and now Aunt Zhang was already coming to propose a marriage?
But then, Yaoxi reconsidered. Zhang Yao hadn't acted out of malice, and she had sincerely apologized afterward. There was no need to hold a grudge. Besides, Aunt Zhang's family was reasonable and well-meaning. If Daizi truly had feelings for Zhang Yao and they ended up together, he would have someone to care for him in the future.
However, Zhang Yao's impulsive nature meant that it was necessary to observe things carefully before making any decisions. Yaoxi wanted to make sure Daizi was truly interested before committing to anything.
With that in mind, she said to Aunt Zhang, "There's no need to rush. Let's see how things develop naturally between them first."
Aunt Zhang agreed, realizing the wisdom in letting things take their course, and she didn't press the matter further.
After Aunt Zhang left, Yaoxi found herself wondering about the sudden change in Daizi. How could he so confidently walk around without his mask and even greet people? Had Zhang Yao's actions somehow pushed him to overcome his past trauma?
The thought that, despite all her years of trying, she hadn't been able to help Daizi, yet a single incident with Zhang Yao had done the trick, left Yaoxi with mixed feelings. She was happy for Daizi, but there was also a strange sense of loss in her heart.
As she absentmindedly fiddled with the peachwood hairpin Daizi had given her, she wondered if he even realized he had given it to her. The hairpin held special significance—what did it mean now that it was in her possession?
Perhaps she could keep it for now, and if Daizi and Zhang Yao did end up together, she could pass it on to Zhang Yao as a gift.
Lost in thought, Yaoxi continued to twirl the hairpin in her hands, waiting for Daizi to return. But to her surprise, he stayed out the entire day, only returning at dusk.
When he finally arrived, she frowned and asked, "Why did it take so long to tidy up the shop?"
She couldn't help but worry that something had happened to him while he was out.
Daizi responded calmly, "Zhang Yao… wanted to open… a cosmetics shop. We have… an empty shop, so I… suggested we partner… and open it together. Today, we were… busy buying supplies."
Yaoxi's eyes widened in surprise. Daizi was planning to go into business with Zhang Yao? She had a hard time imagining him managing a shop, especially one that sold cosmetics. But seeing his serious expression, she sighed and asked, "Daizi, can you tell me why you've changed so much all of a sudden? Is it because I said I was leaving?"
Yaoxi felt a pang of guilt. Perhaps she shouldn't have mentioned her departure so abruptly, leaving Daizi unprepared.
"No," Daizi shook his head firmly. He didn't want her to think that his changes were solely because of her impending departure; he didn't want her to feel guilty.
"Alright…" Yaoxi didn't push further, sensing his reluctance to discuss it. Instead, she shifted the topic to something lighter. "Earlier, Aunt Zhang came to propose a match between you and Zhang Yao. What do you think about that?"
Daizi froze at the question, then quickly stammered, "No! I… don't have… those feelings… for Zhang Yao."
"Besides, I… already have… someone I like," he admitted, blushing and looking down, unable to meet her gaze.
"Someone you like already?" Yaoxi was puzzled. Daizi spent almost all his time with her—when had he found the time to fancy someone else?
"Who is it? Tell me, and I'll help you with the match!" Yaoxi pressed, her curiosity piqued. She wanted to know which girl had managed to capture his heart right under her nose.
Still looking down, Daizi nervously twisted the fabric of his sleeve and stuttered, "It's… the girl… I gave the… peachwood hairpin to… at the festival."
"This…?" Yaoxi was taken aback. "Are you sure you like that girl?" Her expression grew curious. After all, she had worn a mask and different clothes that day. Hadn't Daizi just given the hairpin to the first girl he saw when the time was right?
"Yes!" Daizi answered firmly. "Even though… she was wearing… a mask… I know… I like her!"
Seeing how serious he was, Yaoxi found herself at a loss for words. Should she just come clean and tell him that the masked girl was actually her? The situation suddenly felt awkward.
After a moment of hesitation, Yaoxi cleared her throat and changed the subject. "By the way, Daizi, you've really gotten bold. This morning, you even dared to call me by my name!"
She was still surprised by that. Daizi had always called her "Sister Yaoxi," but this morning, he had called her "Yaoxi" so naturally that it had nearly caught her off guard.
At this, Daizi's expression shifted to one of slight annoyance. "Yaoxi, I don't want… you to see me… as a child anymore. I'm already… a man!"
He knew she wasn't angry, just teasing him, but the idea that she still saw him as a child frustrated him. The thought made him lose control of his tone.
"Sorry, I'll… go make dinner," he muttered, turning away and leaving her with a slightly lonely-looking back.
Yaoxi was left in a daze. This was the first time Daizi had ever shown anger toward her, and it was because…
"A man already, huh?" she murmured, watching his tall, slender figure. A slight smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she thought about it. Daizi was indeed starting to change.
She took out the peachwood hairpin from her pocket and looked at it again. This time, her gaze held a different meaning.
But she couldn't help but think that, no matter how many times she looked at it, the craftsmanship was still pretty rough.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8