Chapter 36 Then Marry Her

Seeing that Hua Qinci showed no reaction, Qin Youtian stood up, angrily ignored her, and left the inn with Liu Bingbing. Watching their figures retreat into the night, Hua Qinci finally rose to leave as well; it was inconvenient to do anything with those two around. She spent half the day outside, only returning after dusk had fallen.

As soon as she entered, she saw Doctor Li and two young men sitting with Qin Youtian, deep in conversation.

“Cousin-sister, you’re finally back!” Liu Bingbing was the first to notice Hua Qinci’s arrival and hurried over to greet her. The inn was already lit, and everyone crowded around her as she entered.

“Sister-in-law!” Erwa, shy and polite, called out.

“Hua, come here.” Wei San, his face round and ruddy, smiled broadly like a blooming flower. In his hand was a half-melted sugar-coated hawthorn stick, with only one hawthorn left, already licked. He offered it to Hua Qinci. “Hua, have a hawthorn; it’s delicious, so sweet!”

Hua Qinci did not take the treat, her gaze lingering on Doctor Li. “You eat it. I’m not hungry.”

“Hua, why did you come back so late? My mother said you’d run away, and I really thought you had! Hehe!” Wei San was a simple-hearted youth; though twenty, his mind had never matured beyond that of a child, damaged by a severe fever in his early years.

“Tch, what are you so happy about if she ran away?” Liu Bingbing’s face was full of impatience.

“Hehe, you don’t understand. If Hua ran away, I’d chase after her and stay with her. Hehe.”

“In your dreams!” Liu Bingbing snatched the hawthorn stick from Wei San and darted off.

Wei San hurried after her, leaving Hua Qinci finally able to sit down.

Qin Youtian pulled Erwa aside.

“Qinci, how is it?” Doctor Li urged gently. “If things don’t work out, I still have a little savings; after all, I have neither son nor daughter, and your father left some silver as well. We can tell everyone the truth, repay the principal, and I’m sure they’ll accept it. If there’s still a shortfall, I’ll find another way, alright?”

“No need! I’ll handle it. Please, Grandpa Li, help mediate and give me a little more time. I promise I can do it.” Hua Qinci firmly refused. If she failed in her promise, the entire village would erupt. Everyone’s anger was just barely contained; if released, the consequences would be dire. Above all, if her reputation was destroyed, her future would become even more terrifying.

She was no longer as capable as before; she lacked the power to forcefully quell chaos. Now, she could only proceed cautiously, relying on clever strategies.

Doctor Li glanced at her, and after a long pause, stopped pressing her. He pushed a bowl of untouched noodles toward Hua Qinci. “I saved this for you. Eat, then rest early. Tomorrow at dawn, we’ll return home, alright?”

“Grandpa Li, you eat. I’m not hungry. I’d like to rest now.”

She pushed the bowl back and rose to go upstairs.

Doctor Li watched her small, lonely figure ascend, his eyes brimming with tears. What a pitiful child!

Back in her room, Liu Bingbing had not yet returned. Hua Qinci undressed to tend to her wounds. The gash on her back was scabbing over, still uncomfortable, but she couldn’t reach it.

Suddenly, she felt a wave of heat behind her. Before she could turn, a large hand gripped hers.

“Don’t move. You’ll scar,” came a low, mysterious voice, captivating in the darkness.

“You shouldn’t be here.” Hua Qinci quickly put on her clothes and stood up.

Her face collided with Qin Youtian’s, breath mingling, her heart racing.

“We are husband and wife! Why shouldn’t I be here?” He abruptly hooked his arm around her neck, keeping their distance intimate and inescapable. His other hand held her tightly, bringing them even closer.

“Bingbing will be back soon,” Hua Qinci replied, coldly.

“So what?” Qin Youtian maintained his posture, his gaze sweeping over her eyes, her nose, finally lingering on her delicate lips, reluctant to look away.

“Ruining a young woman’s reputation—how can she face everyone?”

“Then I’ll marry you!” Qin Youtian’s words were defiant, and outside, Liu Bingbing, hearing this, gleefully ran a lap around the inn.

“You...” Hua Qinci’s eyes blazed with fury.

“What about it?” Qin Youtian asked, his masked face moving closer.

“No...” Hua Qinci could only plead.

“But I want to.” Qin Youtian lifted her hand, pressing it to his fiercely beating heart. His other arm wrapped firmly around her slender waist, while his free hand gently traced her lips.