After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

As the year draws to a close, the streets are bustling with people coming and going.

Considering Jiawan's safety, Zhao Huining originally did not intend for Jiawan to appear on the street and attract attention, but she could not resist Jiawan's pleading.

That's how they released the person.

"Ah Ning, you're so boring."

"Why are you bringing a bunch of guards when we just go out?"

Although the familiar faces following her were dressed in plain clothes, Jiawan could still accurately call out each of their "names" after spending time with them.

Ice Face No. 1, Ice Face No. 3, Ice Face No. 3.

Seemingly having heard Jiawan's complaint, the guards subconsciously moved further away, but their eyes still followed Jiawan and Zhao Huining closely.

"If I don't keep them with me, and something happens, do you think you can escape, Ah Shui?"

Zhao Huining also went out in casual clothes, wearing the kind of clothes that ladies from well-to-do families would wear, making her look quite authentic.

She wanted to keep a low profile, but given her noble birth, her deliberate attempt to blend in as an ordinary citizen only aroused suspicion.

This way, it's not so bad.

With her hands on her hips, amidst a flurry of graceful movements, Jia Wan turned to look at Zhao Huining, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

"What can't be escaped?"

"You killed my baby before, and the ones you replaced with were not as well-behaved as I used to be, but they were still barely obedient."

"Let them bite two or three people, that's no problem."

Jiawan used to raise Gu worms, disliking the short and fleeting life of butterflies.

In her words, he was all looks and no substance, all that mattered was his appearance.

Unfortunately, A-Che wouldn't listen to her advice and insisted on raising these butterflies. She even told her not to say such cruel things to the butterflies, as it would hurt them.

Looking back now... Ah Che's pity for the butterfly was probably due to their shared suffering.

Jiawan moved closer to Zhao Huining, completely ignoring the distance between them.

"So, Aning, if you're scared while shopping on the street, I can protect you."

Zhao Huining: "..."

I really don't know how Ah Shui, who was caught by her, could have the nerve to say such a thing.

Never mind, let her be.

Seeing through Zhao Huining's disbelief at a glance, Jia Wan immediately perked up. Ignoring the crowds on the street, she blocked Zhao Huining's path, raising her bright eyes to stare at him.

"Ah Ning, don't you believe what I'm saying is true?"

Zhao Huining: "I never thought of it that way."

Jiawan, who saw through Zhao Huining's thoughts, pointed at her with her finger.

"You lied to me again."

"And you still say... you've never... thought of this before!?"

"You clearly think I can't protect you!"

Seeing that Jiawan was determined to persist, Zhao Huining had no choice but to put her hands on Jiawan's shoulders and push her forward forcefully.

While pushing and coaxing, she said, "My dear Ah Shui, didn't you say you were going to buy some New Year's goods to send to your dear Ah Che and Huai Xi?"

Jiawan, still unwilling to give up, turned her head away.

"What does it matter? The things are there, they won't run away, we can buy them whenever we want. What we need to talk about now is..."

Zhao Huining: "But the items will be bought by others."

Upon hearing Zhao Huining's words, Jiawan's previously calm expression turned anxious.

"That's true!"

"I can't talk to you anymore. All the good stuff on the street will be bought by someone else first, and all that's left is junk that nobody wants!"

Zhao Huining's lips curled up, but before she could laugh out loud, her wrist was grabbed by Jia Wan, and the cool touch made Zhao Huining's smile stop.

Her heart seemed to skip a beat.

However, the culprit, Jia Wan, was completely unaware. She followed Zhao Huining's wrist downwards, forcefully squeezing her fingers between his and pulling his hand up.

"Let's go, Aning."

"Didn't we say we were going shopping?"

With Jia Wan teasing him like that, Zhao Huining had no choice but to take her hand.

"Okay, whatever you want, I'll buy it for you."

Hearing the gentle words from behind, Jia Wan was immediately delighted, feeling as if spring honey was flowing through her heart. She held Zhao Huining's wrist and swayed back and forth.

With childlike innocence, she asked, "Ah Ning, if I wanted all the stars in the sky, would you buy them for me?"

That was just a joke.

Jiawan hadn't expected Zhao Huining to give her a proper answer, but Zhao Huining unexpectedly moved closer to her.

He said in an extremely serious tone, "If you want the stars in the sky, I'll pluck them for you, what harm is there?"

He should have known in his heart that it was a joke, but Zhao Huining said it so seriously, as if he were really swearing to God.

Jiawan was slightly embarrassed, a thin blush rising on both sides of her cheeks, and she turned away as if to hide her embarrassment.

"Ah Ning...you...you're just full of empty boasts!"

"You can't possibly pluck the stars from the sky!"

Zhao Huining: "Mm."

This soft hum almost made Jia Wan think that Zhao Huining was going to surrender to her, but Zhao Huining leaned closer to her and looked incredibly sincere.

"I do indeed have a piece of meteorite iron that fell from a star in my residence. If you want it, I will give it to you."

"how?"

Jiawan: "..."

The Han people are really something else; they can do whatever they want just because they have money.

Jiawan: "I was just saying it casually. Aning, you should keep such a valuable item yourself."

What she wanted wasn't some heavenly gift, but simply a promise from Zhao Huining.

Zhao Huining: "Why do I insist on giving it to you?"

Jiawan: "Then I don't want it either!"

Jiawan: "Aning, don't you always say you won't bow down for five pecks of rice? I'll do the same!"

The two were clearly arguing, attracting a large crowd of onlookers.

"Did these two sisters have a falling out?"

"It looks like... um... should we go over and try to talk to them?"

"It's almost Chinese New Year, and it's not good to let the two sisters quarrel."

Just as a kind-hearted passerby was about to approach, Zhao Huining grabbed Jiawan's hand and coaxed her gently, winning her over completely.

The common people: "..."

It seems they really are meddling in other people's business!

...

Lingshui City.

Unlike the joy of others celebrating the New Year, Hua He was practically "escorted" to the gates of the Yin residence under the watchful eye of an unnamed person.

"Sir, with such strong hands, it's a real shame you don't use them to dig for medicinal herbs."

Rubbing her aching arms, Hua He turned to stare at Wuming, her expression filled with impatience, as if Wuming had done something to her.

"I'm really sorry, Dr. Hua, but I have an important mission to attend to."

Hua He rolled her eyes: "You mean I'm going to run away halfway through?"

Feeling inexplicably guilty under her gaze, Wuming touched the tip of his nose, but did not deny her guess.

Hua He looked as if she had expected this: "My mother was right, all Han people are like this."

The nameless man asked in surprise, "You're not Han Chinese?"

Hua He was even more annoyed with her.

"Of course I'm not Han Chinese, I'm of mixed Han and Miao descent, can't you tell? You idiot!"

Anonymous scratches his head: "..."

Just as she was about to say something more, a familiar figure appeared and disappeared around the corner of the courtyard.

"Ah Che, don't get so close to me... we're still in the yard!"

Sang Che, however, remained unfazed and shamelessly continued to press herself against Yin Huaixi. She rubbed against Yin Huaixi's collar and said in a muffled voice, "But I want to be close to you, Huaixi..."

Her eyes were clear and bright, like a still spring. She lowered her head, looking rather dejected, and said, "Huaixi, is this not allowed either?"

Honestly, there's just no way to deal with her!

Yin Huaixi had no choice but to glance at the servants who were sweeping snow with a look of resignation. Fortunately, the maids were sensible and turned their heads away.

She opened her arms.

"You can hold me, you can hold me."

Sang Che pressed his advantage: "Can I report for as long as I want?"

Yin Huaixi: "Okay."

Sang Che, completely outrageous, said, "Huai Xi, how about a kiss?"