Everyone: "..."
They stared blankly at the two figures walking away, exchanging bewildered glances.
Why did Weisheng Biehe smile?
Isn't he usually too lazy to smile?
Why is he holding a girl's hand?
Isn't he supposed to be the aloof, ascetic monk?!
Qi Xiaojia was entranced listening to Xia Xuechun's piano performance when she suddenly noticed Weisheng Biehe was no longer there.
Her expression immediately darkened: "Where did he go?"
Xia Xuechun finished her piano piece, smiling as she looked up, expecting applause.
But the room was dead silent.
Everyone was chatting with champagne glasses in hand, not even glancing her way.
Only a couple of idle women gave her a once-over, whispering: "What was that mess? The rhythm was all over the place, and she didn't even manage the crescendos. Why would the Weisheng family let a waitress play the piano?"
"Probably the pianist got a stomachache, and they had to find a last-minute replacement. I've never heard such a terrible performance in my life. Let's go somewhere else to cleanse our ears."
Xia Xuechun lowered her head, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, and awkwardly walked over to Qi Xiaojia after stepping away from the piano.
Qi Xiaojia pouted like an angry pufferfish: "How can they talk like that? You played beautifully! Weisheng Biehe even stopped to listen to you. I swear I saw emotion in his eyes!"
Xia Xuechun lowered her lashes, muttering: "I saw Weisheng Biehe leave with Qiao Chuchu."
Qi Xiaojia was even more furious: "Damn it, that Qiao Chuchu is such a bitch! Why does she always have to get in our way and trip us up?"
They had finally gotten a chance to perform on the piano, hoping to catch Weisheng Biehe's attention and leave a lasting impression.
Qi Xiaojia was so angry her stomach hurt, hands on her hips as she declared: "Qiao Chuchu is the biggest obstacle on our road to riches!"
Xia Xuechun hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage: "I think... I can still try."
Qi Xiaojia: "? Try? How?"
Weisheng Biehe leaned against the wall of the second-floor corridor, waiting outside the guest room for Qiao Chuchu to come out.
His slender fingers lightly twirled his prayer beads, his head resting against the wall as he closed his eyes to relax.
Qiao Chuchu stood at the guest room door, hesitating to open it.
[By now, Xia Xuechun must have finished her piano performance, right? That means a large part of Weisheng Biehe's storyline has already been avoided.]
Weisheng Biehe slowly opened his eyes, walked to the door, adjusted his prayer beads, and waited for Qiao Chuchu to open it.
He watched as the doorknob turned slightly, but the door still didn't open.
Biehe: "?"
Why isn't she coming out?
Is she really afraid he'll kill her?
Qiao Chuchu leaned her head against the door, making a dull "thud."
He pinpointed her position by the sound and placed his hand on the door where her head rested.
With only the door separating them, Weisheng Biehe stood tall, his beaded hand seemingly caressing her head as she leaned weakly against the door.
Qiao Chuchu sighed.
His eyes darkened as he held his breath, listening intently.
[A significant part of Weisheng Biehe's storyline revolves around him falling in love with Xia Xuechun.]
[Now that I've prevented the beginning of his love for Xia Xuechun, shouldn't their storyline be over?]
[If there's no storyline, can I keep my distance from him?]
Weisheng Biehe narrowed his eyes, displeased as he stared at the door.
Qiao Chuchu bit her lower lip, conflicted: [Because Weisheng Biehe is kind of terrifying.]
[In the story, after he falls in love with Xia Xuechun, he sends people to follow her. He secretly gives her things she likes, and if she talks to a guy, he gets angry and makes sure she never sees that guy again.]
[...The more I think about it, the scarier it gets.]
[But it's not surprising, considering the Weisheng family—all five members are horrifying in their own way.]
Even though Lou Tingsi is a pervert, and my brother becomes a bit twisted after his dark turn, Weisheng Biehe is on another level.
[From the moment he met Xia Xuechun, Weisheng Biehe has been meticulously luring her in.]
He literally custom-built a dungeon, chains, and a luxurious princess bed. His pursuit of Xia Xuechun can't even be called love. If he had an ugly face, it would be a straight-up horror movie. Weisheng Biehe's actions are only held together by his stunningly beautiful face.
Weisheng Biehe was slightly surprised.
His face is stunningly beautiful?
He smirked slightly, just as Qiao Chuchu broke down internally.
[If Lou Tingsi and my brother are beginner-level yanderes, Weisheng Biehe is the advanced version! Super advanced!]
She scratched her cheek: [I definitely need to avoid this minefield. I can't have any contact with a pure psychopath like Weisheng Biehe. According to the setting, Weisheng Biehe should only love Xia Xuechun. Since he hasn't fallen for her yet, he shouldn't interact with other women. By that logic, I'm actually preventing him from hurting other girls! Hehe!~]
Weisheng Biehe: "..."
His fingers on the door curled into a fist.
[Alright, after I go out, I'll thank him and then quickly distance myself. The farther away I stay, the better! That way, I can avoid his tragic fate of falling off a cliff, prevent him from dragging Yucan-jie into this, and keep myself safe.]
[That's the plan!!]
Qiao Chuchu took a deep breath and straightened her appearance.
Weisheng Biehe had already stepped back, his tea-colored eyes swirling with dark, ominous thoughts as he stared intently at the door.
"Um..." A soft female voice came from the staircase.
Weisheng Biehe turned to look.
Xia Xuechun was holding a small Yorkshire terrier, looking pitifully at him: "Is this little dog yours?"
The Yorkshire wagged its tail furiously and barked twice.
Weisheng Biehe's expression remained neutral, but his face gradually darkened.
Didn't he ask the butler to take his dog somewhere else to play? How did it end up in Xia Xuechun's hands?
Qiao Chuchu heard the voice and cracked the door open slightly to observe Weisheng Biehe.
[What's going on?]
[Is Xia Xuechun here?]
[Didn't I already prevent them from meeting?! Why is Xia Xuechun still here?!]
[Is this a forced plot point? Will Weisheng Biehe still fall for Xia Xuechun?!]
[Does that mean I still have to deal with him?]
Weisheng Biehe raised an eyebrow, his dark expression instantly brightening: "That's my dog."
He crouched down and opened his arms: "Liu Liu, come to Daddy."
Xia Xuechun quickly put the dog down, and Liu Liu happily scampered over on its short legs, leaping into Biehe's arms.
He gently patted the dog's head, a slight smile on his lips: "Who's Daddy's good dog?"
The dog barked once.
Biehe's smile deepened: "Yes, you're Daddy's good dog."
He glanced at the slightly open guest room door, his smile confident and assured, then turned to Xia Xuechun: "You're Xia Xuechun, right?"
Qiao Chuchu: "!"
[How does he know Xia Xuechun's name?]
[Isn't he supposed to be indifferent to everyone? Did he already have his eye on Xia Xuechun?]