Chapter 35: Irresistibly Eye-Catching

The visitor was a woman in her early forties, dressed in a somewhat worn lotus-pink jacket cinched at the waist with a scarlet sash. A pink monthly rose was pinned in her hair at the temple.

Paired with her round, smiling face, she looked positively festive.

The moment she stepped through the door, she launched into familiar praise for Xie Zhaoran and Shi Yuning.

“The instant I heard Tian Dame had taken in two flower-like beauties, I couldn’t sit still. I rushed right over to see what kind of delicate blossoms they were. Even the Village Chief’s wife couldn’t stop raving about you.”

“Lucky I made it in time, or this Cui Gu wouldn’t have known there were such stunning girls in the world.”

As she spoke, she reached out to grab Shi Yuning’s hand.

Shi Yuning swiftly stepped back, dodging her grasp.

Unfazed, the woman who called herself Cui Gu tried to take Xie Zhaoran’s hand next.

Xie Zhaoran, with her injured leg, couldn’t evade. She shot Cui Gu a sharp glance from the corner of her eye, and the hand about to touch her froze midair.

It was the first time Cui Gu had seen such a frightening look on a young woman’s face. This intimidating aura coming from a girl with a broken leg startled her.

She had a keen eye for people. Seeing that neither girl wanted to get too close, she stepped back a bit. “What were you two sisters chatting about? You were laughing so happily, I could hear you from way down the lane.”

Shi Yuning stepped forward vigilantly, blocking Xie Zhaoran’s face, and asked, “Who are you?”

Cui Gu burst into proud laughter at the question. “Well, you’re newcomers from out of town, so you wouldn’t know. But far and wide around here, there’s no one who hasn’t heard of Li Hongcui.”

She cleared her throat and raised her voice. “I’m the most famous matchmaker in these parts. You two can call me Cui Gu.”

Shi Yuning’s mouth fell open slightly in surprise. She’d thought it was just some villager dropping by to gawk at the rarities. She hadn’t expected a matchmaker.

Who had she come to propose marriage for?

Shi Yuning glanced back at Xie Zhaoran, annoyance flashing in her eyes. That face of hers was just too striking, no matter where they went.

Cui Gu, seeing they hadn’t invited her in after her introduction, felt a twinge of displeasure.

Far and wide around here, who wouldn’t beg Cui Gu to arrange their match? Her proposals weren’t always a sure thing, but they succeeded nine times out of ten—eight out of ten at the very least.

Her eyes darted around as she noted how young Shi Yuning and the others seemed. They probably hadn’t come of age yet, hadn’t realized what was what. She was only here to test the waters anyway.

From a glimpse outside earlier, she could already predict that these two girls would have matchmakers wearing down their doorstep in the future.

Good thing she was quick on her feet. The moment she heard Tian Dame had taken in two girls, she’d hurried over.

“You two young ladies were supposedly heading to visit relatives when misfortune struck on the road. Where exactly were you bound for?”

This was the cover story Xie Zhaoran had come up with after waking. Shi Yuning had no idea what address to make up, so she turned to Xie Zhaoran, who was propped up sitting.

Xie Zhaoran gave her a reassuring look. Shi Yuning pulled her a bit behind herself.

“Cui Gu, why not get straight to the point? What brings you here?”

Cui Gu raised an eyebrow at the composed Xie Zhaoran and smiled. “You’re the elder sister, aren’t you? You seem more level-headed. Rest assured, I mean no harm.”

“You must know what a matchmaker does—arranges marriages. I see you two sisters are of marriageable age. If you’re interested, just say the word. I’ll find you both excellent matches.”

Xie Zhaoran smiled faintly. “No need for that. Tian Dame saved us sisters. Once our injuries heal, we’ll head to the Imperial Capital to find family. We won’t be staying here long-term.”

Cui Gu’s heart sank at that, as if a fat gold ingot had just flown away before her eyes.

She’d been thinking that with looks like Xie Zhaoran and Shi Yuning’s, once word got out, the wealthy families in the county wouldn’t be able to resist.

Her matchmaker’s gift would be handsome indeed.

“You’re going to the Imperial Capital to throw yourselves on relatives’ mercy anyway. The road is long and full of dangers, and even if you make it, you’ll be living under someone else’s roof. Why not settle here? Let me arrange marriages for you. Once you’re wed, you’ll have proper homes of your own.”

Xie Zhaoran shook her head. “Thank you for your kindness, but I already have a home.”

She glanced at Shi Yuning, who stood there bristling with vigilance, and smiled. “As long as I’m with my little sister, anywhere is home.”

Shi Yuning snapped back to herself. Looking into Xie Zhaoran’s earnest eyes, her nose suddenly tingled. She nodded vigorously. “Mm. We’ll be together forever.”

Cui Gu waved her handkerchief dismissively. “Oh, it’s wonderful for sisters to be close. But women all marry eventually. You’ll end up separated anyway once you both wed.”

“If you trust me, I can help you find a household with two sons of marrying age.”

“Then you sisters could marry brothers and stay together for life.”

Shi Yuning and Xie Zhaoran both scowled, their gazes turning unfriendly.

Cui Gu blinked in confusion. “What’s wrong? It’s perfect! You’d go from sisters to sisters-in-law, seeing each other every day—how cozy.”

Shi Yuning snorted coldly. “If you want to marry into that, go ahead yourself. I’ve got no such plans.”

The very thought made her stomach turn.

Cui Gu figured Shi Yuning was too young to understand, so she turned to persuade Xie Zhaoran.

Xie Zhaoran’s expression soured even more. She eyed Cui Gu coldly. “My leg makes it hard to see you out. Farewell.”

She issued the dismissal bluntly.

It was the first time Cui Gu had been treated so rudely. She’d talked herself hoarse without so much as a cup of water, only to be chased out.

She flicked her handkerchief and stormed out of the courtyard. At the gate, she yelled back, “Don’t regret this! If you come begging me for a match later, it’ll cost double!”

Shi Yuning curled her lip and shouted after her, “Don’t worry—we won’t spend a single copper on you.”

Once Cui Gu had waddled out of sight, twisting her hips all the way, Shi Yuning turned and glared at Xie Zhaoran.

Xie Zhaoran raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Shi Yuning snorted. “Why’d you have to be so gorgeous, anyway?”

It was only the first day, and already they’d drawn a matchmaker. Who knew what else tomorrow might bring.

Xie Zhaoran nodded. “You’re right, my bad. Tell you what—from now on, I’ll wear a mask. No one but Ningning gets to see my face.”

Shi Yuning noticed that lately, Xie Zhaoran went along with whatever she said. She wasn’t sure if it was sincere or just for show, but the feeling was oddly nice.

Hearing Xie Zhaoran mention a mask reminded her of the first time she’d seen her wearing one. She sighed. “Won’t help. Even with a mask, you’re still irresistibly eye-catching.”

Xie Zhaoran caught the odd note in her words right away. She tugged Shi Yuning’s hand and shook it. “What, was Ningning smitten by me in my masked days?”

Shi Yuning gripped her hand in return. “Get up first. You can’t sit in the doorway like this.”

Who knew how many bees and butterflies it’d attract.

With Shi Yuning’s support, Xie Zhaoran rose, using the stool as a crutch to hobble back inside.

Once Xie Zhaoran was lying down again, Shi Yuning stowed the stool and tucked the folded quilt under her injured foot.

“You rest here a bit. I’ll go brew more medicine.”

The earlier batch had scorched, so she needed to start over.

But Xie Zhaoran wouldn’t let go of her hand. “You haven’t answered me yet.”

“What?” Shi Yuning puzzled for a moment, then remembered the question.

She’d already confessed her feelings, so there was no point hiding now. She nodded.

“Yeah, I was smitten.”

She still remembered that jolt of awe and the heart-flutter.

Xie Zhaoran beamed with pride, then grew a touch worried. “Ningning, do you only like my face?”

Shi Yuning paused, her expression awkward, her words stumbling. “N-no, how could that be?”

Sure, she’d been dazzled by that face plenty of times, but it wasn’t just the face. Her hands were nice too, Shi Yuning thought, gazing at their clasped ones.

Xie Zhaoran had never asked Shi Yuning why she liked her before. She’d figured it didn’t matter—as long as Shi Yuning did.

Now she realized it did. For instance, if it was just the face, she’d have to focus on skincare to keep her even more enchanted.

Shi Yuning had no idea Xie Zhaoran was already plotting to try the Appearance Preservation Technique she’d read about in books, or to craft all sorts of masks to captivate her. She tried to pull her hand free, but Xie Zhaoran held fast.

“Let go. I need to brew the medicine.” Shi Yuning patted her hand gently.

Xie Zhaoran not only didn’t release her but tugged her closer, blinking. “Hasn’t Ningning forgotten something?”

“What?” Shi Yuning blinked in surprise. What else?

Xie Zhaoran arched a brow. “We haven’t settled up yet. How can I let you go?”

Shi Yuning’s mind went boom, like a bomb had detonated. Why was Xie Zhaoran circling back to that?

She regretted bringing up “settling up” in the first place.

Xie Zhaoran watched pink flush bloom across Shi Yuning’s cheeks, creeping down to the pale skin exposed at her collar.

Seeing her hesitate, Xie Zhaoran leaned in and tapped the left corner of her mouth. “Kiss here. I kissed your left cheek earlier—fair’s fair.”

Shi Yuning felt like she was meeting Xie Zhaoran anew. How could she say such improper things with such a straight face?

But with that face right there, she glanced around guiltily, like a thief checking for witnesses. She knew no one could see, but she was still shy.

Taking a deep breath, she bent one knee onto the bed and leaned in slowly, brushing her lips lightly against Xie Zhaoran’s mouth corner.

The warm touch sent a tingle through her. She pulled back quickly.

Suddenly, a strong pull gripped her waist. Caught off guard, Shi Yuning pitched forward.

Their lips, just parted, fused together again.

Xie Zhaoran deftly parted Shi Yuning’s already lax defenses and plunged in, claiming territory with ease.