Chapter 18: Destiny Entwined
Huang Nian stared at the man before her, clearing her throat before speaking, "Do you know me?"
The moment Jun Mo Xie got close to Huang Nian, a strange sense of familiarity washed over him. 'Could she be the key to breaking my bottleneck?' he wondered.
"I don't know you," Jun Mo Xie replied calmly.
"I thought people only saved those they knew," Huang Nian said, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Not necessarily," Jun Mo Xie said with a soft smile. "I can't just stand by and let a beautiful young lady get hurt."
"I see you have a way with words," Huang Nian remarked, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Allow me to treat you to dinner."
As they walked to a small restaurant by the river, Huang Nian couldn't help but feel that this man, though straightforward, didn't pose any threat. She relaxed slightly.
"Look at the moon," Jun Mo Xie said, glancing up at the sky. "Isn't it exceptionally bright tonight?"
"Hmm," Huang Nian responded, her thoughts elsewhere.
"Do you usually eat out?" Jun Mo Xie asked, turning his gaze back to her.
"No, not really. Why do you ask?" she replied, curious.
"I just thought that the young miss of a Minister's family would be more accustomed to dining out," he said, watching her closely.
Huang Nian's expression darkened slightly. "I suppose you've heard the stories—how I'm considered a disgrace, a trash unworthy of my family name. My father prefers to keep me hidden away rather than let me bring him shame."
"But you don't seem like trash to me," Jun Mo Xie said, his voice steady.
"Thanks for saying that," Huang Nian replied, though her tone remained distant.
"You're welcome," he said, still watching her intently.
"It's the first time someone has said that to me," she admitted quietly.
"Does this mean I can consider you a friend?" Jun Mo Xie asked, a hint of warmth in his voice.
"Maybe," Huang Nian replied, meeting his gaze for a moment before looking away.
"Am I that handsome?" he teased, breaking the silence.
Huang Nian stood abruptly. "I should go," she said, avoiding his eyes.
"Goodbye, Young Miss," Jun Mo Xie called after her, waving as she walked away.
Later that night, Huang Nian returned to the Huang Mansion. As she entered her courtyard, her maid Ye Xiwu greeted her. "Young Miss, you're back. If you need anything, just call me. I'll be cultivating in my room."
"Go ahead," Huang Nian replied, dismissing her with a wave.
The next morning, sunlight streamed into Huang Nian's room as Ye Xiwu gently woke her. "Young Miss, Master has summoned you."
Huang Nian slowly opened her eyes, slipping out of bed and putting on her shoes.
In the Huang family lounge, Huang Yuan sat at the head of the room, his expression thunderous. His wife, Wen Qipa, and his other children, Huang Ning and Huang Tian, sat beside him.
"This child is so unfilial," Huang Yuan fumed. "It's been half an hour since I sent for her, and she's still not here. How dare she be so disrespectful!"
"Honey, don't be too harsh," Wen Qipa said gently. "I'm sure she has her reasons."
Huang Ning, enjoying the tension, added, "Father, don't be angry with Elder Sister. She'll be here soon."
"That disgraceful girl," Huang Tian muttered. "I don't know how she's my twin. Such bad luck."
"Tian'er, don't speak ill of your sister," Wen Qipa chided.
At that moment, Huang Nian entered the room, her expression cold. "What's the matter?" she asked, her voice icy. "If there's nothing important, I'll return to my room."
Huang Yuan's face darkened further. "Is this how you behave in front of your father and your mother?"
"As far as I remember, my mother is dead," Huang Nian replied, her tone sharp. "And I don't understand why you're calling your concubine my mother."
"You—" Huang Yuan started, his voice faltering.
"Honey, Huang Nian is right," Wen Qipa said, trying to diffuse the situation. "I'm only your wife, not her birth mother. I understand how she feels."
"Are you saying she thinks you're unworthy of being her mother?" Huang Yuan snapped.
Wen Qipa tried to calm him. "She's just upset. There's no need to take her words to heart."
"Huang Nian, your father is only concerned about you," Wen Qipa continued. "He heard that you went to test your inborn talent."
"Qipa, Huang Ning, stop defending this ungrateful brat!" Huang Yuan shouted. "When I dined with my friends yesterday, do you know what they said? They said you were shameless enough to get your talent tested alongside children! You're a trash, and no matter how much you're tested, you'll always be a trash!"
"Are you done?" Huang Nian asked, stifling a yawn. "If you are, I'll head back to my room."
"Where do you think you're going?" Huang Yuan demanded as she turned to leave.
Huang Nian didn't look back, ignoring his outburst.
'Where did she get this courage?' Huang Yuan thought, stunned by her defiance.
As Huang Nian walked through the market later, a horse suddenly galloped toward her, seemingly out of control. Just as the horse was about to knock her down, a pair of strong hands grabbed her by the waist, pulling her out of harm's way. She found herself pressed against a broad, sturdy chest, their eyes locking for several seconds.
"It's you..." she whispered, recognizing Jun Mo Xie.