They didn’t know where to go on their journey, but after a long silence, they decided to head to Gold Scale City.

After all, it’s a relatively familiar place.

"Hmph, do you think you still have any right to act recklessly in front of me now?" Just before entering the city, a loud shout was heard, causing the group to stop in their tracks, and Huangfu Yihui’s eyes instantly took on a peculiar look.

The five of them quietly walked towards the woods where the voice came from, cautiously heading to the source of the sound, afraid of making any noise. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"You can’t do this!" The voice, with a slight tremor, came from a woman cowering on the ground, slowly retreating backwards. Her small hands pressed hard against the ground as she moved back, not caring even when her hands started to bleed.

"Do what?" The man’s face showed not an ounce of pity but rather more cruelty as he slowly approached the woman on the ground.

Seeing the man’s actions, the woman’s face turned ashen, but she still loudly shouted, "I’ve married someone, please let me go!"

"What does it matter if you’ve married? Even if I take you, no one will dare question!"

The man’s expression changed slightly. He had fallen in love with this woman at first sight, but to his surprise, before he could make any move, this woman had already married? And married an ordinary person at that? How could he not be angry?

But even though her family was very ordinary and had no qualifications, her two brothers were skilled, which he had to take seriously.

But now, the woman’s two brothers were taken away, leaving only a terminally ill old father and a husband who had gone out to seek medicine and had not yet returned. Wasn’t this his golden opportunity? If such a chance passed without action, it would be a waste of perfect timing and opportunity.

And this woman was foolish enough that a simple message could make her recklessly run out.

The woman on the ground was precisely Hua Nianyi.

And in her sleeve was the Silver Hairpin she took off from her head earlier, ready to end it all if there was no way out.

"If you go with me now, I’ll find someone to heal your father, how about it?" The man was indifferent and had long noticed Hua Nianyi’s slightly messy hair and her somewhat unnatural right hand.

Hua Nianyi glared at him with angry eyes, fiercely staring down the man in front of her, saying in a sorrowful yet furious voice, "If it weren’t for Young Master Jin ordering no doctor to treat my father, would he be in this state?" Her voice was filled with grief, but it couldn’t conceal her hatred.

Seeing the woman’s angry, hateful expression before him, the man’s eyes showed a hint of madness. He steered away from his aggressive approach, squatted down, lifted her chin with his hand, and said arrogantly, "If you had been with me earlier, would any of this have happened?"

"I am already married!" Hua Nianyi fiercely turned her head, unwilling to allow any touch from him, her right hand trembling slightly.

Did she really have to do it? She was still young...

Her small hand retracted into her sleeve, gripping the Silver Hairpin tightly. This Silver Hairpin was a gift from her brother. Though not valuable or pretty, it had sentimental value since her brother handcrafted it, so even if she wore neither gold nor jade, she would still wear this Silver Hairpin.

The next second, her tiny hand was enveloped in a larger palm, and in her startled surprise, the Silver Hairpin fell to the ground.

With a cold gaze, the man said, "What, want to kill me? Go ahead and try!"

Despair filled Hua Nianyi’s eyes; now she couldn’t even commit suicide? Was her honor really going to be lost?

"Oh, what’s this play about, my good sir? Seems quite interesting, mind if I join?" Luo Qianqian stepped out, smiling with a hint of teasing in her eyes.

Seeing Luo Qianqian, Hua Nianyi’s long-suppressed fear finally dissipated. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at Luo Qianqian, finally feeling a sense of relief. Though she didn’t know why Luo Qianqian was here, she was sure she was saved.

The man instinctively released his hold and stood up, warily watching Luo Qianqian.

After all, he was a prominent figure in Gold Scale City, and being seen acting this way was ultimately not a good thing.

Seeing that Luo Qianqian was alone, he relaxed a bit; after all, a young girl would be easy to handle.

"Shiqi... wah..."

"Oh, isn’t this Sister Xiao Hua, who used to live next door to us? What brings you here? I get it; it must be your new show, right? Is this your newlywed husband?" Luo Qianqian feigned surprise, ignoring the murderous look and bent down to help Hua Nianyi up, picking up the Silver Hairpin that fell on the ground and handing it back to her, "You seem to have quite the spark between you two."

Upon hearing Luo Qianqian’s words, the man quickly nodded, giving Hua Nianyi a warning glance, recalling what she called him earlier. He affirmed, "So it’s Sister Shiqi, what brings you to Gold Scale City?" Showing familiarity on his face, but internally, he pondered; perhaps this family shouldn’t be easily offended, otherwise why is she numbered Shiqi?

Hua Nianyi saw the glance but felt no fear, silently lowering her head.

The reason she didn’t expose him was simply because the one standing in front of her gave her a sense of security.

But in the man’s view, it was satisfaction; this little girl was quite sensible, knowing not to expose him and save face, fearing her reputation might suffer. It seemed there wasn’t much affection between this girl and Hua Nianyi anyway.

"Ah, don’t mention it; there were some family issues, so I’m here to seek refuge," Luo Qianqian slightly shook her head, speaking half-truthfully, "Brother-in-law, don’t find me cumbersome. It was a long way to find Sister Xiao Hua."

One "Brother-in-law" successfully pleased the man, and he agreed repeatedly without a trace of impatience.

His eyes scrutinized Luo Qianqian.

Though looking slightly young, she was quite pretty, with a pleasing voice. Most importantly, she was sensible, not much worse than the married Hua Nianyi. Once in the Jin Residence, wouldn’t he have plenty of chances to act? The thought pleased him immensely.

Luo Qianqian’s expression showed disdain; was this man’s brain between his legs?

"Sister Xiao Hua, how is Father? My father asked me to check on him, and he’ll be here soon, having obtained some Lifespan Extension Pill, wanting to exchange for your family’s Bright Pearl," Luo Qianqian turned, showing no fear of the man’s assessment, pretending to be anxious, "Father hasn’t damaged the Bright Pearl, has he? It wouldn’t be easy to handle if that’s the case."

Understanding the meaning behind Luo Qianqian’s words, Hua Nianyi shook her head, "No, Father misses you too, he’s been waiting for you to come."

That much was true. Before their marriage lapse, Luo Qianqian’s group fled, and they sensed something was off. Upon investigation, they discovered it was the eldest brother’s doing; the father almost broke the brother’s leg and was indeed waiting for Luo Qianqian to arrive so they could apologize.