“The fire on the right shoulder is called the Nameless Fire. It illuminates the entire right side of the body. Generally speaking, when walking at night, it’s best not to turn your head suddenly. If you must look back, do it slowly—otherwise, you risk extinguishing the fire on your shoulder.”
“As for the fire on the left shoulder, it mirrors the Nameless Fire on the right, lighting up the left side of the body. Together with the fire atop the head, these three flames illuminate the entire person.”
“Some say this is actually a person’s yang energy. Those who suffer from hysterical disorders often have weak yang energy. When a person is frightened, their heart energy weakens, their yang fluctuates, and they become more susceptible to evil influences.”
After her explanation, Li Qiao turned her gaze back to where He Lichuan had disappeared.
“Your clan member is about to have bad luck. The fire on his right shoulder has already gone out, the one on his left is faint, and only the fire atop his head still burns strong.”
He Jingnian’s expression remained calm, his refined features unreadable as he withdrew his gaze. “Is there a way to fix it?”
“Wait.”
“Alright.” He didn’t press further.
Li Qiao tilted her head curiously. “Aren’t you going to ask what happens next?”
“I trust you.”
“…”
He Yi, who had been ignored this whole time, couldn’t resist asking, “Miss Li, are the three fires on my body strong?”
After listening to her explanation, He Yi had been scratching his head, hoping to stoke his flames.
“Extremely strong.”
He Yi grinned in delight.
Heh!
Li Qiao’s lips curled into an enigmatic smile. He Jingnian shot a glance at the foolishly grinning He Yi.
Idiot.
When the three of them returned to the He family’s ancestral home, Li Shaoyu had been waiting for a while.
The moment he saw Li Qiao, he scrutinized her carefully. “Qiaoqiao, no one gave you trouble outside, right?”
“Fourth Brother, no one can trouble me.”
“That’s not necessarily true,” Li Shaoyu muttered under his breath, casting a sidelong glance at He Jingnian.
Li Qiao didn’t catch his words.
Outside, the night was deep.
At the Clan Leader’s Residence
In her bedroom, Bai Ci stared unhappily at her reflection in the mirror.
Her fingers traced her striking features.
Her red lips pressed together tightly.
A moment later, the door opened, and Li Feng entered with a plate of fruit.
“A-Ci… Are you upset about Jingnian?”
“Aunt… Jingnian and that girl… It’s bothering me.” Bai Ci was only twenty-two. She had come to He Jianhong’s household at fifteen.
The first time she saw He Jingnian, she had been awestruck.
From that moment on, she was completely infatuated.
She loved He Jingnian—deeply. She wanted to marry him.
When she grew older, she confessed her feelings to her uncle and aunt.
They supported her, but every time He Jingnian returned to Qingshui Town, he remained cold and indifferent toward her.
As experienced adults, they could see it clearly—He Jingnian did not like Bai Ci.
In Li Feng’s eyes, Bai Ci was more than good enough for He Jingnian. But now, he had suddenly brought home another girl.
Their relationship was definitely not just friendship.
“Silly child, you can’t force feelings. A-Ci, there are plenty of other outstanding young men in the He clan.”
“No, I only like Jingnian. Aunt, you know… I’ve loved him for eight years. I… I can’t let go.” Bai Ci’s shoulders slumped weakly.
“But your feelings don’t change his. After all these years… A-Ci, listen to me. Obsession only leads to mental and emotional exhaustion. Over time, it will make you sick at heart.”
Bai Ci’s lips trembled before she finally broke down in tears, burying her face in Li Feng’s embrace.
