Hearing the voice, Xiaoman recognized the newcomer as Xiaomi.
Nowadays, her name was quite renowned among the courtesans of the Phantom Melody Pavilion; even Xiangyun mentioned her from time to time.
He turned toward the figure, smiled, and cupped his hands in a polite salute, calling out, Miss Xiaomi.
His tone carried a hint of emotion. To openly call a woman of the brothel a friend in front of a crowd of common onlookers showed a rare frankness. He made a mental note to tell Xiangyun when he returned that Miss Xiaomi was indeed worth befriending.
After greeting her, his hazy gaze swept around a few times, but he never caught sight of that bright red silhouette.
A sudden wave of emptiness welled up in his heart, and he could not help but ask in a low voice, That young lady from just now... where did she go?
Noticing the little fox wrapped in her robes quietly shrinking further into her embrace, its furry head shaking gently, its clear yellow eyes filled with helplessness and bewilderment.
Chai Xiaomi immediately understood.
She did not want to be seen by Xiaoman.
She calmly pulled her outer garment closer to conceal the tiny figure, answering gently, She has already left.
Xiaoman paused for a moment before nodding in response. ...That is for the best.
Leaving quietly while the crowd was not paying attention was the safest course of action.
Yet, for some unknown reason, an indescribable trace of bitterness surfaced in his heart.
It was as if she should not have left so hastily, without even leaving a single word of farewell.
Chai Xiaomi looked at the unconcealable loneliness between his brows and said gratefully, Xiaoman, thank you for stepping forward just now to help my friend out of a predicament.
She had originally thought Xiaoman's gentle nature was tinged with a bit of weakness, usually choosing to yield to keep the peace, but she never expected him to stand up so resolutely at such a critical moment.
She suddenly recalled what Ziyan had said about how he had recklessly burst into a VIP guest's room to save Xiangyun.
It was a pity that he did not know that after he saved one person, another young woman had fallen into the abyss.
Chai Xiaomi quietly looked at his righteous expression, thinking to herself: with his unyielding and upright character, had he known of the tragedy that would follow, he probably would have risked his life to save her too.
The furry body in her arms was trembling slightly, and this trembling was not out of fear, but rather a desperately suppressed sorrow.
Hongxiao was crying secretly.
Was it because Xiaoman's appearance had once again evoked the memories of that night?
But when Chai Xiaomi looked down, those dim fox eyes were clearly brimming with deep reluctance and attachment.
Xiaoman, Xiaoman!
Right at this moment, an urgent call came from afar, drawing closer.
Xiangyun ran over, her face covered in tears and her breathing ragged. The moment she saw the young man, it was as if she had found a safe harbor, and she threw herself straight into his arms.
What is wrong? Xiaoman's expression changed drastically. Were you bullied?
The courtesans and musicians of the Phantom Melody Pavilion were not allowed to go out casually. For Xiangyun to run out in such a panic, she must have encountered something incredibly serious.
Xiangyun sobbed against his chest for a good while before lifting her tearful eyes and choking out, I heard Madam Liu talking to the manager. A patron from out of town has taken a fancy to me and wants to buy my freedom to make me his concubine. I do not want to... Xiaoman, I do not want to be separated from you.
She suddenly grabbed Xiaoman's sleeve and said eagerly, Have you seen the new lute strings I bought? I will put them on tonight and play a few more new tunes. If Madam Liu knows my lute skills can improve even more, perhaps she will not sell me off so easily.
She had searched every corner of her room, but she could not find that roll of new strings anywhere.
Xiangyun, I am sorry... Xiaoman lowered his head, his voice full of guilt. I took your new strings a few days ago to use as a bowstring. I went out on the streets today specifically to buy a new roll to return to you.
As he spoke, he carefully took out a cloth handkerchief from his chest pocket, uncovering it layer by layer to reveal a brand-new roll of strings inside.
Do not worry, he gently placed the strings in Xiangyun's hands, his voice gentle yet firm. I will never let you be taken away to be someone's concubine. There will always be a way.
As his words fell, he looked slightly awkwardly at Chai Xiaomi on the side, his cheeks slightly red, his eyes showing a mix of embarrassment and a faint glimmer of hope.
In the past, although the Luo family was not immensely wealthy, they were still considered a reputable family in Thousand Mist Town. Since childhood, he had never tasted the bitterness of being troubled by money.
But now, the only person he could rely on was the young lady who had promised to lend him ten thousand taels of gold that day.
Xiaoman, take Xiangyun back first, Chai Xiaomi spoke softly. I will certainly not forget what I promised you. Just wait a few more days.
What promise? Xiangyun, with red and swollen eyes, looked hesitantly at Chai Xiaomi.
About redeeming your freedom. Xiaoman gently patted Xiangyun's shoulder, comforting her softly. In a few days, once I gather enough silver, I can buy your freedom.
As if thinking of something, a flash of terror crossed Xiangyun's eyes. Xiaoman, where are you getting the silver? Did someone approach you, promising high wages, and trick you into signing a death contract to do hard labor outside?
Her voice trembled slightly as she clutched his sleeve tightly. You cannot go, you absolutely cannot go! I heard my father say in the past that that kind of work will cost you your life!
Seeing her so anxious, Xiaoman hurriedly explained, No, it is not that.
Someone had indeed come looking for him previously. Although he had considered it, remembering Xiangyun's daily reminders, he ultimately declined.
It is Miss Xiaomi. She is willing to lend me the silver to buy your freedom.
Xiangyun was stunned, and her eyes suddenly lit up with a brilliant glow, filled with both shock and joy.
She took a step forward, dropped to her knees before Chai Xiaomi with a thud, and bowed deeply. My benefactor above, please accept this humble girl's bow!
Xiaoman's expression shifted slightly, and he also bent his knees to kneel.
The beautiful couple just knelt together in front of her, as solemn as if they were bowing to their parents at a wedding.
No, no, no, please do not do this!
Those ten thousand taels of gold were not even in her hands yet, not to mention it was up to Old Ji to earn it. She was merely presenting Buddha with borrowed flowers.
Flustered, Chai Xiaomi backed away repeatedly, but her heel caught on a raised bluestone slab by the road, and she swayed.
Just then, a hand steadily caught her waist.
Wu Li supported her, his cool gaze sweeping over the two kneeling figures. Enough. If your knees are weak, go rest on the side. Stop trying to shorten my wife's lifespan here.
His deity was meant to be knelt to by him and him alone.
What were these two doing being so overly attentive here?
He caught sight of the faintly trembling furry figure in Chai Xiaomi's arms and gave a cold sneer. As his gaze swept past Xiaoman, the corner of his mouth curled into a mocking arc.
This blind man was blind in his eyes, but even blinder in his heart.
I am afraid from beginning to end, he has been protecting the wrong person.
Regardless, it was none of his business, and he had absolutely no interest in interfering with other people's karma.
But someone else had taken it to heart.
After seeing off Xiaoman and Xiangyun, Chai Xiaomi lowered her head, gently stroked the back of the little fox in her arms, and asked softly, Hongxiao, do you know Xiaoman?
The fox's eyes were brimming with tears. Upon being asked, it first nodded subconsciously, but then, as if suddenly waking up, it shook its head desperately.
Its little head shook like a rattle drum, leaving only a blur.
"Alright, alright, you don't know him, we don't know him," Chai Xiaomi coaxed softly, her fingertips gently stroking the soft fluff behind its ears. "Stop shaking your head now, or your brains will get all scrambled."
Hearing this, the little fox froze in fear.
After a long moment, it finally spoke in a subdued voice, "Xiaomi... I think I want to go back now."
Figuring that it probably just wanted some peace and quiet to itself, Chai Xiaomi didn't press the matter.
"Alright, be careful on your way back."
"Mhm."
The little fox leaped lightly from her embrace. It stumbled a little upon landing, then trotted off toward the depths of the alley.
It hadn't gone far when it was stopped by a young man's clear, cold voice.
"Hey."
Wu Li furrowed his brows slightly and tossed over the outer robe that had just been wrapped around the little creature.
"Take this robe with you."
It had been used to wrap that fox for so long and was tainted with another's scent; he had absolutely no desire to touch it again.
