After being jilted by the saintess at the beginning, why is she crying?

But out of politeness, she simply nodded slightly and said, "You flatter me, fairy."

Lin Fengmian walked at the front, completely unaware of the subtle atmosphere between the two stunning beauties behind him—or rather, he pretended not to notice.

He led the two men through a maze of turns, and soon they arrived at the most famous restaurant in Qingfeng City. The three-story building was ornately decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, and a gilded plaque hung in front of the door with the three characters "Tingyu Lou" (Listening to the Rain Pavilion) written in vigorous strokes.

We booked a private room facing the street.

The private room was elegantly furnished, with a half-open wooden window overlooking a bay of clear water and weeping willows swaying along the bank—a rare tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle.

After the two sat down, Lin Fengmian raised his hand and cast a spell, instantly enveloping the entire room in an invisible barrier.

The flash of inspiration disappeared like a ripple on water, isolating it from all external prying and noise.

Upon seeing this, Yan Qingyao unconsciously clenched the hem of her dress with her slender fingers, a hint of nervousness flashing in her beautiful eyes.

Although she had made up her mind, she had only known Lin Fengmian for a day.

Seeing the other party so solemnly setting up the restriction, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

Lin Fengmian noticed her unease, picked up the teapot and poured her a cup of hot tea, explaining gently:

"Fairy Qingyao, there's no need to be nervous. I'm just doing this for safety's sake, to prevent eavesdroppers. After all, some things are best left unsaid to you and me."

He put down the teapot, his expression becoming more serious, and continued:

"Speaking of which, I do have some connection with your Yan family. I met an old friend... She asked me to pass something on to you."

After saying that, he took out a jade tube that was pure white and had a faint, warm luster from his pocket and gently pushed it in front of Yan Qingyao.

"The fairy will understand once she looks at this."

Yan Qingyao stared blankly at the jade tube, a sudden tremor running through her heart.

She reached out and took the jade tube; it was warm to the touch, as if the warmth of that person's fingertips still lingered.

She took a deep breath, placed the jade tube between her eyebrows, and slowly let her consciousness sink into it.

next moment--

A familiar voice echoed in her mind, gentle yet resolute.

"Qingyao, by the time you see this jade tube, your sister will probably already be gone."

Yan Qingyao trembled, and her eyes instantly reddened.

"Don't blame me for leaving so suddenly; I had no other choice. I used the ancestral divination techniques of the Yan family to glimpse a thread of that young master's fate..."

He is a man of great fortune, possessing an extraordinary destiny that defies the heavens; his fate is so strong that even the secrets of heaven cannot completely conceal it. Only he can help our Yan Family Fortress overcome this catastrophic disaster.

"Therefore, my sister took it upon herself to betroth you to him. I have already informed Father of this matter, and he has agreed. At that time, Father will hand over our Yan family's most precious treasure—the Soul-Nourishing Wood—to him."

"Qingyao, I know this isn't fair to you. But I'm at my wit's end, and this is the only gamble I can take."

In the next life... let's be sisters again. Live well, live well for your sister.

The sound abruptly stopped, and the spiritual light within the jade tube dimmed.

Yan Qingyao could no longer hold back her tears, which rolled down her cheeks and landed on the table, leaving a small water stain.

She clutched the jade tube tightly, her knuckles turning white, her voice choked with sobs, barely able to form a coherent sentence:

"Sister... Sister, why are you so silly..."

Lin Fengmian sat opposite her, watching her silently shed tears, and couldn't help but sigh.

He knew that no one else could interfere in this matter; the only thing he could do was let her process it on her own.

He didn't offer any words of comfort, but silently replaced her cup with a hot tea and gently pushed the teacup to her side.

Xiao Ling'er, standing to the side, frowned slightly as she watched this scene. Although she didn't know what was written in the jade tube, seeing Yan Qingyao crying so sadly, she subconsciously assumed that Lin Fengmian was using some trick to bully her again.

However, since her life was still in this guy's hands, she could only suppress her anger and slam the teacup on the table with a loud thud.

Yan Qingyao cried for about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn before her sobs gradually subsided. She slowly raised her head; her eyes were still red and swollen, with tear stains still visible, but her beautiful eyes held a new clarity and determination.

It was as if this bout of weeping had washed away the last trace of confusion and resentment in her heart.

She raised her hand, gently wiping away the tears on her cheek with the corner of her sleeve, took a deep breath, stood up, and gave Lin Fengmian a graceful bow opposite her:

"Thank you for bringing my sister's belongings. My sister was right; she gave everything for me and for the Yan family. I cannot let her down."

She paused, a gentle light appearing in her beautiful eyes. Her voice, though soft, carried an unwavering resolve:

"I, Yan Qingyao, wish to fulfill my sister's last wish and become your Daoist partner. From now on, we will weather storms together, share joys and sorrows, and remain faithful for life."

After he finished speaking, the private room fell silent for a moment.

"puff--"

Xiao Ling'er spat out the mouthful of tea she had just taken a sip. Tea splashed all over the table, and she coughed several times in an embarrassed manner.

She looked at Yan Qingyao with disbelief, then turned to look at Lin Fengmian, her beautiful eyes wide with shock.

"Wha...what's going on?!"

She could hardly believe her ears.

This fairy from the Yan family, whose looks and temperament were in no way inferior to her own, and even more pitiful, had actually... actually offered herself to him so directly?!

And right in front of her!

What kind of magic does this lecherous demon possess? Are these fairies blind? Or have they been bewitched by him?!

Xiao Ling'er grew angrier the more she thought about it, her beautiful cheeks puffing out slightly involuntarily, her gaze towards Lin Fengmian as if she wanted to gouge two holes in him.

Lin Fengmian was also taken aback by this sudden "confession." Looking at the woman's slightly red eyes and her feigned strength, his heart softened for no reason.

He coughed lightly and touched his nose somewhat awkwardly:

"Ahem, Fairy Qingyao, this... the matter of a Daoist partner is no small matter, there's no need to rush. We can spend some time together first, cultivate our feelings slowly, and let things take their natural course."

Although Lin Fengmian was a womanizer, he wouldn't take advantage of someone in distress.

However, Yan Qingyao seemed determined to be with him. She shook her head, her tone gentle yet tinged with stubbornness:

"My sister's divination has never been wrong. She said that the young master is a person of great fortune, so he must be. Since Qingyao has made her decision, she will not change it."

Lin Fengmian opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something more, but seeing her clear and firm eyes, she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

He was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay. Let's get to know each other first. If you feel it's not right later, you can always back out."

Upon hearing this, Yan Qingyao smiled faintly, a smile as bright and beautiful as the first melting of snow.