A Man pulled Li Ying along without any explanation. Soon, the two of them arrived outside Lu Xunguang's mansion.
Sure enough, from afar, they saw Qing Liu standing tearfully behind him. She stretched out a slender hand as if trying to grab the corner of his sleeve, but her hand paused in mid - air. After a long while, as if realizing it was inappropriate, she finally let it fall.
"Master Lu, this humble one knows that many difficult things have happened to you these days. This... was really not my intention..."
She bit her lower lip, as if making some kind of determination. Whether Lu Xunguang turned to look at her or not, her usually soft and delicate voice took on a tone of desperation and determination.
"Master Lu, during these days, although this humble one had no intention of disturbing your wonderful and harmonious relationship with Boss Li, things have gone wrong by accident, causing a rift between you two... This humble one deeply knows that she has committed a serious sin. Even though my original intention was just to repay your kindness, if I continue to stay in front of you, I will only be an eyesore."
"I have made it clear to all my sisters. Today, after explaining all the past events to Master Lu, I will go far away."
Qing Liu spoke softly and quickly, as if afraid that if she delayed any longer, she would annoy Lu Xunguang.
She let out a long sigh.
"Qing Liu's life was saved by you, Master. Maybe for you, it was just a small effort and not a big deal. But for me... over the years, you are the first and the only good person who sincerely told me not to belittle myself and to take good care of my own body."
"To be honest, before I met you, Master, I lived a muddled life, just getting through each day. It was your advice that made me see the light and finally understand that I am also a living person and there is meaning in living in this world."
"Master, Qing Liu knows that you were never the sun that belongs to me. Your brilliant light once shone warmly on me for a moment, and that is enough for me."
"I once asked a fortune - teller about my fortune. I have been unlucky all my life, and only my old age will bring some comfort."
"Qing Liu has no other requests. If what the fortune - teller said is true, I am willing to dedicate that only bit of good fortune to you, Master. I only hope that you will achieve all your wishes, have a beautiful woman by your side, and achieve success and fame."
After Qing Liu finished speaking, she knelt on the ground seriously and bowed deeply to Lu Xunguang.
Li Ying watched this touching scene from afar. Before she could say anything, A Man was indignant and rolled her eyes so hard it seemed they would pop out.
"Pah! What good fortune could she possibly have! Whoever gets involved with her is doomed for eight generations!"
Qing Liu was completely unaware and just stubbornly knelt there.
After a long while, Lu Xunguang's stiff back moved. Finally, he turned around and looked down at her.
"What virtue and ability do I have to receive your love, miss? We are not a good match. Qing Liu, please find a better man."
A Man heard clearly and let out another cold snort.
"Humph! That coquette's few words and false affection have actually softened Lu Xunguang's heart? Where is his usual shrewdness? Has he fed it to the dogs?"
Li Ying frowned. At this moment, Qing Liu took out a very delicately woven hand - string from her bosom.
"Master, this red string was woven by this humble one with her own hands. It was also enshrined in front of the Buddha and blessed. I heard from the old people in the village that wearing this in spring will bring peace and good luck throughout the year. I am all alone and don't have much money. This red string is all I have... Please, Master... don't despise it..."
As she spoke, her slender fingers nervously twisted the string. Her hesitant and cautious appearance made Li Ying secretly praise her for her cleverness.
What a heart - rending self - confession!
In Qing Liu's words, she had built an indestructible lighthouse named "Lu Xunguang" for herself.
She loved him deeply and didn't ask for anything in return. In her words, he was the eternal sun, the immortal god, and the last ray of redemption in the darkness.
Although Lu Xunguang always seemed indifferent in dealing with people, he was not a cold - hearted person.
How many people in this world could bear to push away the last floating board of a drowning person when facing Qing Liu's tearful face?
Sure enough, after hesitating for a moment, Lu Xunguang finally reached out his hand and took the red string.
Li Ying didn't feel much in her heart, but A Man was furious and couldn't hold back any longer. She rushed forward in a few steps and snatched the red string away without any explanation.
She took out a small dagger from her boot and with a swift movement, neatly cut the red string in two. A strand of black hair fell out from the red string and landed on the ground.
Qing Liu seemed to be afraid of her and timidly took two steps back, carefully covering her cheeks.
"Miss A Man... it's not what you think..."
A Man didn't wait for her to defend herself and sneered.
"What do you think I think? Black hair symbolizes tying your heart to a man. Qing Liu, you wove your own hair into this hand - string. Do you still want to be married to the head of the Lu family and never part?"
She then glanced at Lu Xunguang lightly.
"A single man and a single woman exchanging things privately. Head of the Lu family, is this how you are worthy of my elder sister?"
Lu Xunguang didn't say a word. His eyes just passed over her and landed on Li Ying. When their eyes met, Li Ying let out a soft sigh. She no longer concealed her whereabouts and walked forward calmly.
Before she could speak, Qing Liu slumped to the ground dejectedly, with tear - filled eyes. She said softly, "May the heavens bear witness. Qing Liu swears that she has no other thoughts!"
"This strand of hair... I once heard people say... if a woman gives her hair to her beloved, if he encounters any disasters in the future, he will be able to turn bad luck into good luck, and all the misfortunes will only fall on the owner of the hair..."
"Qing Liu really doesn't know what other way there is to repay Master Lu's kindness of saving my life. So I secretly made this red string... If it can really ward off disasters for Master Lu, I will be satisfied..."
She covered her face and cried uncontrollably.
A Man never expected that Qing Liu was so infatuated that she was even willing to bet her own fate. For a moment, she stood there stunned and couldn't say a word.
Li Ying naturally didn't believe these superstitious words.
After a long while, they only heard Lu Xunguang speak in a deep voice.
"A Ying, are you satisfied now?"
There was already a hint of suppressed anger in his voice.
"Yesterday, we were so affectionate, and you said that your pure and innocent heart had already been given to me. Could it be that, like the words 'trust each other without doubt', it was just something you said casually to fool me on a whim?"
A complex and hard - to - describe look flashed in his eyes. Then he turned to look at A Man.
"A Man has such a sharp tongue. All the suspicions that your elder sister was reluctant to voice have been spoken out so straightforwardly by you."
"A Ying, is this what you kept saying about teaching A Man well and not letting her cause trouble?"
"A Ying, is it because you were too busy to discipline her, or... you deliberately indulged her to scold me with your hidden grievances?"
Li Ying seemed to have never thought that Lu Xunguang would think so poorly of her one day. She stood there stunned.
"Slap!"
A clear slap landed heavily on Lu Xunguang's left cheek.
A Man shook her aching hand and raised her head, staring at Lu Xunguang without backing down an inch.
"Stop playing the victim! Head of the Lu family is just annoyed because I hit the nail on the head!"
"Elder sister, such a stupid and shallow man who is easily tempted by appearances and fickle in love is not worth having! Since we can't see eye to eye, we don't need to accompany him anymore!"
She pulled Li Ying along without any explanation and walked away angrily.