Spoiled Eldest Miss x Two-faced Madman

CHAPTER 114: Never Once Did He Look Away.

　　When Lin Qingyan said they were about to arrive at Jiufang City, a suggestion originally brought up by Pei Ji, An Jiu was stunned for quite a while.

　　She couldn’t help but sneak a glance at him.

　　The moment her gaze shifted, he caught it. The man in white instinctively gave her a warm, gentle smile.

　　It was a smile from the heart, not the fake, mask-like one he used to wear.

　　An Jiu calmly looked away again, her expression unreadable, but her heart wasn’t nearly as calm.

　　He seemed... different.

　　He wasn’t cold and numb like before.

　　He didn’t seem bitter toward the world anymore.

　　He no longer obsessed over controlling the martial world or showed any concern for anything else.

　　He wasn’t even focused on his own health now...

　　Or in a rush to cure the poison.

　　In his eyes, it was like she was the only thing left.

　　The only one he could see.　　

　　An Jiu felt a surge of fear.

　　And she knew exactly where that fear came from.

　　She didn’t see herself as a good person, but not exactly a bad one either.

　　If she had to use modern terms, she’d probably be called a ‘refined egoist.’

　　Someone who made all her choices based on self-interest, with little moral compass, little sympathy or empathy.

　　But that didn’t mean she’d hurt someone for no reason.

　　Back then, when she deceived Pei Ji, when she used every strategy and trick to win him over, she never once felt guilty.

　　Because at that time, Pei Ji saw her as the antidote to his poison.

　　He had his own agenda too.

　　Let’s be real, they were both lying to each other.

　　And he was even more ruthless, he wanted her life.

　　Why should she have such a heart of compassion, feel sorry for him, or feel guilty about him?

　　Was she trying to get herself killed?

　　From the moment she transmigrated into this book, An Jiu had stayed perfectly rational and calm.

　　Not once had she been moved by the villain’s love.

　　From the very beginning, he had approached her with malicious intent. Even when his affection level had reached 85, he still intended to kill her.

　　What An Jiu hadn’t expected… was that after Pei Ji’s affection level hit 95, he actually gave up using her to detoxify himself.

　　From the moment he gave up, in An Jiu’s heart, their once mutual deception became lopsided.

　　An Jiu could tell that he truly loved her. It was a pure, untainted kind of love, but it made her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles, her back prickling with unease, completely on edge.

　　“I just don’t get it. Did something short-circuit in his brain?! Why would he give up killing me?! Does he have a death wish or something?! Isn’t he supposed to be a cold-blooded, heartless villain?! Why the hell is he turning into a love-struck idiot?!”

　　An Jiu screamed internally.

　　【Isn’t this more beneficial for your mission, Host? You’ve gained more time.】

　　“I know, but—but… ugh!”

　　An Jiu could be ruthless toward liars, but when facing someone whose entire heart and soul was filled with nothing but her, she couldn’t help but feel guilty.

　　Even if she knew clearly that Pei Ji was a bad person, a ruthless villain who had done countless evil deeds, whose hands were stained with blood, who had once deceived her and tried to take her life, all unforgivable things…

　　But… who could remain completely unmoved in the face of such pure, wholehearted love?

　　An Jiu couldn’t give up on going home.

　　So, all she could do was grit her teeth and continue acting out the role of being deeply in love with him, despite the fear constantly gnawing at her heart.

　　But more and more, she found it hard to get into character. She still treated him the way she always had, maybe even more spoiled, more willful, more bossy and demanding than before.

　　Yet Pei Ji remained the same as always. No matter when she looked at him, he was always gazing back with gentle eyes, quietly responding to her every move.

　　He asked for nothing in return. He didn’t demand affection, didn’t need a title or status, didn’t ask her any questions.

　　It was as if… as long as he knew she loved him, that was enough.

　　An Jiu was overwhelmed with fear, unsure what to do.

　　【Host, do you perhaps have an avoidant attachment style?】

　　The system’s mechanical voice echoed in her mind. An Jiu paused for a second, then pressed her lips together. “…Maybe.”

　　She’d never denied that her personality was heavily shaped by her parents. The impact parents have on their children is massive. Maybe their failed marriage had made her stop believing in love—and made her fear this kind of intense affection.

　　She used to think Pei Ji was the same kind of person as her.

　　But now… it seemed they were a little different after all.

　　Pei Ji might be saved by love.

　　But An Jiu, all she wanted was to run away.

　　The carriage arrived at Jiufang City just as the sun was setting. The weather was beautiful, with a fiery sunset painting most of the sky. An Jiu leaned on the window, admiring the view, when her eyes were drawn to a woman walking along the street with her head down.

　　“Zhou Yuru!” she raised her hand and called out.

　　The woman looked up, and when her gaze landed on An Jiu, she nodded slightly and smiled. “Miss An.”

　　Seeing someone familiar on the road, and noticing she was alone, An Jiu invited her into the carriage for a ride.

　　Zhou Yuru didn’t decline and got in.

　　As she stepped in, she noticed a young, handsome man in white robes already seated inside. Zhou Yuru paused slightly and asked, “And this is...?”

　　“This is Master Pei, also known as Divine Doctor Pei, our companion who traveled with us,” An Jiu said with a smile.

　　She didn’t elaborate further.

　　Pei Ji returned a calm glance and smiled gently, without a hint of displeasure. He sat quietly in the corner, poured tea for the two of them, and even carefully shelled melon seeds for An Jiu.

　　Even the way he used his long, slender fingers to peel seeds was strangely pleasing to the eye.

　　Zhou Yuru took one look and immediately understood what was going on. She chuckled. “Looks like good news is coming your way, Miss An. So what brings you back to Jiufang City this time?”

　　An Jiu waved it off. “Still too early for that,” she said casually, then answered the second question. “Just passing by to visit some family, and also to check on how the Dark Village situation’s been handled. Since I ran into you, do you happen to know what’s going on with Dark Village lately?”

　　Zhou Yuru replied, “You’ve asked the right person. I’ve been keeping tabs on it. Dark Village’s been completely destroyed. Even the old cave was filled in by the authorities. That county magistrate and the governor of Qingyang were thrown into prison and executed just last month.”

　　Hearing that, An Jiu couldn’t help but feel pleased. She asked, “And what about you all?”

　　Zhou Yuru smiled. “My reputation was ruined, but my father and younger brother didn’t mind. They even said they’d take care of me for life. But I didn’t want to get in the way of my brother getting married, so I moved into the embroidery house with the other girls. I still visit home from time to time.”

　　As she spoke, Zhou Yuru opened the bundle she carried on her shoulder and pulled out a pile of snacks and treats. “Look at this, all from my family. They packed it so I could share with the other girls.”

　　Though her tone sounded annoyed, the smile on her face was filled with warmth.

　　It was obvious Zhou Yuru was doing well. Her life was peaceful and her heart was content. She had no more worries.

　　“Oh, and Miss An, we’ve got to thank you for what you did back then. My brother passed the provincial exam and is now working as a county official. As for the girls, they all know it was you who saved them. They’d really like to thank you in person. When you’re free, come visit us at the embroidery house. We’ll welcome you properly.”

　　She paused, then teased with a grin, “You and your companion too.”

　　An Jiu glanced at Pei Ji, who sat quietly and calmly beside her, and shook her head. “Better not. I’ll visit when I have the chance.”

　　Pei Ji was still a man. Considering what those girls had gone through, they were probably still uneasy around men. It was better not to bring him along.

　　Hearing her say that, Zhou Yuru didn’t look too surprised. Pei Ji, on the other hand, quietly glanced at An Jiu like a poor little wife who had been wronged but didn’t dare speak up.

　　An Jiu pretended not to notice.

　　After a bit of polite small talk, Zhou Yuru got off the carriage halfway through the ride.

　　Finally, Pei Ji, who had been quiet as a mouse, opened his mouth. “You helped those women before?”

　　An Jiu nodded and replied casually, “Yeah, they looked pretty pitiful, and I’ve got money to spare, so I just gave them a hand. No big deal.”

　　Then she added, “The underground brothel’s completely shut down now, so I can finally stop worrying. I was afraid someone might keep running one in secret. Places like that shouldn’t exist. And that city governor, he totally deserved to die! Honestly, beheading was too easy for him. After everything he did to all those people, he should’ve been sliced up and executed slowly!”

　　She said it with righteous anger, while the man beside her unconsciously swallowed and gave a light cough. “You’re right,” he said.

　　An Jiu turned to him and said seriously, “You better never do bad things. I absolutely hate people who do evil.”

　　Pei Ji gave a gentle smile. “Of course not.”

　　He said that, but secretly he broke out in a cold sweat.

　　Pei Ji had long since realized that An Jiu liked people who were upright and righteous, like He Ziqing from their previous life, the vigilante Fei Yi who acted like a hero at first, and the divine doctor Pei Ji who healed the sick and saved lives.

　　The more he got to know her, the more he realized how wrong he’d been about her before.

　　An Jiu might be a little spoiled, but that was because she’d been pampered since she was a kid. At heart, she was never a bad person. She even helped strangers without a second thought.

　　Someone like her, who hated evil with a passion, would definitely never forgive him if she ever found out the things he’d done in the past. Maybe she’d stop loving him too.

　　Just imagining that made Pei Ji turn pale, a lingering fear settling in his chest.

　　“Why’s your face so pale? Are you not feeling well?”

　　The girl suddenly leaned in, reaching out her soft, fair hand to gently touch his forehead. Her clear peach blossom eyes were filled with concern.

　　Pei Ji lowered his eyes slightly. Beneath his long, dark lashes, his gaze softened like ripples on a calm lake.

　　His pale, nearly colorless lips curved faintly. He lifted his hand and gently held hers. His fingers were cold, almost without warmth, while her hand felt toasty, like a little heater.

　　Even that simple touch sent a wave of warmth flowing through his chest, filling him with an overwhelming sense of happiness and contentment.

　　She didn’t pull away.

　　Pei Ji held her small hand carefully, almost nervously. His grip was gentle, as if he was afraid she’d slip away if he used even a little more force.

　　“I’m not feeling unwell. My body’s fine,” he said in a low voice.

　　“You’re lying. You look awful,” the girl said, but she still didn’t take her hand back, letting him hold it. The tips of her ears, hidden under her dark hair, were faintly red.

　　“If you’re ever feeling sick, you better tell me. I don’t want to become a widow so soon,” she said, her rosy lips curling into a small pout. It sounded like a complaint, but that clear and sweet voice landed in Pei Ji’s ears like she was being playful. “Did you hear me?”

　　“I heard you,” he replied softly, his voice slightly hoarse.

　　His eyes never left her, dark and calm like moonlight in a quiet night.

　　Under that gaze, An Jiu couldn’t help but turn her face away to avoid his eyes.

　　“Don’t look at me like that,” she mumbled.

　　“…Alright.”

　　But the hand holding hers slowly started to misbehave. His cool fingertips gently tangled with hers, sliding into the spaces between her fingers until their hands were completely interlocked.

　　“You…”

　　An Jiu squirmed a little, trying to pull her hand back, but the moment she turned around, she met those deep black eyes that looked like they could drown her.

　　He had been looking at her the whole time.

　　Not once had he looked away.

　　The frustration building in An Jiu’s chest popped like a balloon pricked by a needle and disappeared instantly.

 

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