Bai Qingqing welcomed him warmly, offering only the finest tea.
Pei Lingshu held a folding fan in his hand, dressed in robes of pale celadon that lent him an air of quiet nobility—like a breeze under the moonlight. Bai Qingqing had always thought that most people looked pretentious wielding fans, as if putting on airs. But not him. He was elegance itself.
“I happened to be passing by today,” he said, “so I thought I’d stop in. The incense I bought from you last time has served me well—especially that sleep blend your manager recommended. Slept like a baby. I figured I’d buy some more, and see what else you might have.”
When Pei Lingshu praised the incense, Bai Qingqing took it as praise for herself. Her mood instantly lifted, and she enthusiastically began introducing the different blends in the shop.
“This one is perfect for reading or painting—it sharpens focus and calms the mind. My elder brother loves it.”
“This box here is best used in the morning—refreshes the senses and clears the mind…”
Pei Lingshu examined each offering, then casually asked, “The scent on Ning Yan—I quite liked it as well. Was that your handiwork too, Miss Bai?”
Bai Qingqing froze. “Brother Pei, you know Lord Ning?”
Pei Lingshu flicked his fan lightly. “Didn’t I tell you before? I came to Xuancheng to visit old friends. Ning Yan is one of them.”
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“What a coincidence…”
Bai Qingqing murmured, “How could Brother Pei and Lord Ning be friends?”
Then she caught herself, cheeks flushing. “I mean—Brother Pei is so gentle in temperament, while Lord Ning… well, he does enjoy giving people a hard time. Of course I know he’s a good person, just that…”
Pei Lingshu burst into laughter. “I know, I know. It is something, isn’t it? That a man with a temper like his can have any friends at all—practically a miracle, right?”
Bai Qingqing's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, her voice barely audible. “Lord Ning… isn’t that bad…”
“He is. You just don’t know what he was like as a boy—exactly the same as he is now. Just as infuriating. The only difference is, he’s got a good-looking face, always attracting the girls. The number of girls he’s made cry could circle the city walls—twice.”
Bai Qingqing's lips parted slightly. Somehow… she could picture it.
A faint flicker passed through Pei Lingshu’s eyes, then he nodded. “Yes. I remember once, back here in Xuancheng, we ran into this little girl—adorable, delicate, looked like a porcelain doll. Her kite got caught in a tree. And she was so charming that every little boy nearby started scrambling to climb the tree for her. Ended up fighting each other over it.”
“We were just passing by, watching the commotion for fun. And then, out of nowhere, that little girl grabbed Ning Yan’s sleeve and asked him to help. Isn’t that strange?”
“I was honestly worried he’d turn her down in that awful way of his and make her cry. But to my surprise, he actually climbed the tree.”
Pei Lingshu paused, parched from talking, and took a slow sip of tea. Bai Qingqing, growing impatient, pressed, “And then? Did he get the kite down?”
“He did. But Ning Yan was all clumsy back then. Tore a huge hole in it. The girl burst into tears right there—heartbroken. We had no choice but to get someone to bring materials and help her make a new one on the spot before she calmed down.”
Bai Qingqing stared, stunned, her eyes flickering with disbelief. Could it really be such a coincidence?
She hesitated, then asked softly, “The new kite you made… what did it look like?”