Volume One, Chapter Seven: I’m Going to Find Ninth Master

She walked away with utter ease, never once looking back. Pei Qingzhou stroked his chin as he followed her out. He had even prepared a red envelope for the occasion; it seemed he would not need it after all. Today’s events had truly taken everyone by surprise.

Secretary Zhang hesitated, uncertain whether to report to Master Qin, but at this hour, he was likely still in the air and unreachable.

Once Li Qiuning left, the other guests began to take their leave as well. After all, with the leading lady gone, there was no way the engagement party could continue.

Old Madam Shang's expression was ashen. "I told you she was a harbinger of misfortune, but you just had to get involved for the sake of a little profit. Now look: not only did we gain nothing, but we've been thoroughly humiliated. Such bad luck."

Old Master Shang, paralyzed on one side from a stroke, could only sit in his wheelchair, mouth twitching as he tried to speak but could only utter unintelligible sounds.

Old Madam Shang shot the old man a withering glare, braced herself on her cane, and left. "This is all your doing. Look what you've done to my precious grandson."

The rest of the Shang family felt equally disgraced and withdrew one by one.

Shang Lu, enraged, shattered the champagne tower nearby, sending wine spilling everywhere.

“Sixth Brother, don’t hurt yourself,” Li Qingran approached him, gently picking the shards of glass from his clothes. Her gaze was full of concern for him, gentle yet unwavering.

Shang Lu’s expression soon softened, his mood lightening as he looked at her. "I'm fine."

Li Qingran took his hand, her voice melodious and soothing. "I know you're angry. You've done so much for your sister, but... she misunderstands me deeply. I’ll explain everything to her."

"You said you’d explain last time, but look how she treated you. I know you’re innocent. But don’t get involved between us—she’s just upset. She’ll come back."

Shang Lu kept telling himself it was just a minor tantrum. After all, she had suffered so much; it was only natural for her to finally snap. Given how she felt about him, she’d be back within three days, unable to stay away.

Li Qingran’s eyes flickered, and she let go of his hand of her own accord. "Alright, I’ll do as you say."

Rong Yue was beside himself with anger, nearly breathless. "Sister Ran, anyone can see you truly care for Sixth Brother. I just don’t know what’s so special about Li Qiuning that he can’t let her go."

"She’s ruined the engagement party you prepared, made a scene like a madwoman—maybe she’s mentally unstable. Sixth Brother shouldn’t keep his hopes up."

"A woman like her, always looking for someone higher up the ladder, won’t look our way now that she’s found a better prospect."

His tone was unmistakably sour—one could almost taste the jealousy.

Shang Lu had his assistant wheel him away. "Have someone keep an eye on her at the hospital. If she really goes through with the abortion, tell me immediately."

Rong Yue hesitated, as if wanting to say more.

Li Qingran remained silent, but she had no fear this man would ever bow his head to Li Qiuning.

Most men never regret.

...

In the car.

Li Qiuning pressed them for answers. "Where exactly did Master Qin go?"

Pei Qingzhou guessed that Qin Zhan had left so abruptly because he couldn’t bear to see Li Qiuning engaged to another man. That was why he’d gone so far away.

So he hesitated to answer truthfully. Besides, this woman would stop at nothing to achieve her ends. What if today’s drama was all just an act? If she wanted to hurt Master Qin again, he would be complicit.

"Well—"

Secretary Zhang answered, "Master Qin went to Haicheng."

Over two thousand kilometers away.

That was indeed far.

"Book me a flight. I have to find him." Li Qiuning’s tone was urgent. She had just checked her phone and realized she had deleted Master Qin’s contact information. Not being able to reach him made her inexplicably uneasy.

Secretary Zhang immediately began arrangements. "Certainly, Miss Li. One moment, please."

Pei Qingzhou considered her for a moment, then spoke with hidden meaning. "Li Qiuning, with your acting skills, you’re truly wasted outside the entertainment industry. Whatever your intentions, if you ever scheme against Master Qin again, you’ll answer to me."

Li Qiuning wasn’t angered by his warning. She had, after all, done foolish things before—her actions had led to Master Qin being stabbed in the abdomen, and he had barely recovered after a long convalescence.

"I won’t make the same mistake again," Li Qiuning replied firmly, her eyes steeled with determination. She wanted nothing more than for Qin Zhan to be well, to live a long and healthy life.

Pei Qingzhou’s expression grew grave, and he signaled to Secretary Zhang to keep an eye on her.

Two hours later, Li Qiuning waited in the airport lounge with Secretary Zhang.

Her stomach twinged with pain, but it soon passed, so she thought nothing of it.

Several hours later, as she disembarked the plane, her phone rang.

Without checking the caller ID, she answered.

"Ningning, why did you suddenly break off the engagement with Shang Lu? I was busy, then heard from others in the group chat that something had happened."

It was Su Moxi’s voice—her closest friend since childhood. Yet even she hadn’t noticed when Li Qingran had slowly replaced her in Su Moxi’s heart. In the end, Su Moxi had turned on her completely, stabbing her in the back. She’d said she hated her, all because Lu Liuying didn’t love her.

Li Qiuning stood silently at the airport exit for a long time.

"Ningning?" Su Moxi sounded genuinely concerned.

Li Qiuning slowly walked out of the terminal, the heavy scent of the sea filling her lungs. "Su Moxi, pretending at sisterhood must be exhausting. Don’t contact me again. You’re blocked."

Without hesitation, she hung up and blocked the number. No matter who hurt her, she would never forgive them.

Secretary Zhang told her to wait by the roadside. "Miss Li, the car will be here shortly."

Li Qiuning gazed at the sunset, blood-red on the horizon. She hadn’t eaten much all day and was ravenous.

"What is Master Qin doing right now?"

Secretary Zhang, ever the automaton, replied, "He has a dinner engagement tonight, listening to opera in Huangmei Garden with a few elders."

Upon hearing there was food, Li Qiuning asked, "Can I go?"

Secretary Zhang offered a polite, official smile. "Master Qin said you may go if you wish."

When the car arrived, Li Qiuning decided to go.

Half an hour later, they arrived at a small garden with a distinctly Vietnamese flair.

Secretary Zhang led her through an exquisitely arranged flower garden. Soon, the sounds of gongs and drums and opera singing reached their ears.

On the central stage, a man and a woman performed a classic Qiong opera. The woman, especially, was captivating—her figure and beauty enchanting, her voice clear and sweet as a yellow warbler, drawing the audience in.

Across the way, a small upper floor housed several people. Li Qiuning instantly recognized Qin Zhan at the center, his presence commanding.

When the song ended, the elegantly costumed woman approached with a pot of tea, her smile radiant. She walked straight to Master Qin’s side, shyly avoiding his gaze.

The middle-aged men around them exchanged meaningful smiles.

The woman’s figure obscured Qin Zhan’s face, so Li Qiuning couldn’t see him clearly, but the two of them seemed suspiciously close—almost intimate.

Without thinking, Li Qiuning lifted her skirt and strode forward, brazenly interrupting the gathering without regard for its importance.

"Master Qin, why won’t you look at me?"