"That’s right, I’m just that kind of practical woman. Whoever can give me the status of a wife and whatever I want, I will choose him. What’s wrong with that? Huo Yuan can make me his wife, so why would I choose you, a man who only wants me as his concubine? I’m sorry, I’m not that noble, and I definitely can’t do it."
"Whether you call me vain or practical, I wouldn’t give up dignity and honor, which I can easily get, for your unreachable promise. In the end, there’s nothing between us. You can easily walk away, just like we’ve never met."
Nangong Yi is furious, growling lowly, as he grabs her wrist, pushing her down onto the couch, gritting his teeth and saying, "Who would have thought, you are this kind of woman!"
In an instant, he feels like he’s been fooled. His eyes are red, and he wants to choke her in humiliation.
Seeing his frightful glare, Cai Wei is startled, looking towards the door. At this time, her parents and siblings have all gone to bed. She can’t disturb them and make the situation awkward, difficult to resolve.
She tries to pull out her restrained hand, but Nangong Yi’s grip is tight, pressing her and the cotton quilt down when she strains. The quilt is under her shoulders, and Nangong Yi is holding the two sides, supporting himself with his arms on the couch, looking down at Cai Wei.
The two are extremely close; she can see the fierce fire in his eyes and smell the strong liquor on his body. He too can see the indifference in her eyes and smell the delicate orchid scent from this maiden. That scent, once worshiped by him, has now fallen from the altar, igniting the fierce fire in his eyes, unquenchable, ready to consume her.
"Nangong Yi!" Then, she’s heard, pouring into his heart like a cold blade, "I may be a practical and opportunistic woman, not worthy of your love and respect, but I am not someone to be easily messed with!"
She warned him coldly, anger flashing in her eyes.
Nangong Yi straightens up, lets her go, laughing bitterly. "Rest assured, I won’t do anything to you, you’re not worth it!"
He walks to the window, stops, and without turning back, his voice turns hoarse, "Huo’s Family is not as simple as you think, take care of yourself!"
With that, his figure flashes and disappears out the window.
Cai Wei looks at the pitch-black window, lost for a moment.
She knows she has succeeded this time. He is utterly disappointed in her now and won’t bother her again.
Her wish has come true, and she should be elated, but for some reason, she feels a hollow in her heart, as if something important has disappeared.
He...has disappeared...
The next morning, Cai Wei wakes up to find that he and his subordinates left quietly last night. Before leaving, he gave her a tiny paper package through the shopkeeper.
The small, soft paper packet, when opened, reveals a pink, crudely made, semi-worn dress she had in Yushu County that he took. The faint scent remaining on the dress is his scent...
He must have kept this dress close to his body so that it carries his scent...
Clutching the dress, Cai Wei’s heart trembles slightly as emotions wash over her. They roil and surge in her chest before she violently suppresses them after a long time.
Face reality, don’t be fooled by illusions! She reminds herself with the wisdom of her forty-odd years of life.