The Rain-Soaked Encounter

In a private room on the second floor of the inn.

Qin Yan looked at the drenched Xiao Miao before him, her black gown clinging to her body, outlining the curves of her youthful figure due to the rain.

“Bring a towel and a pot of fine tea, along with your inn’s signature dishes.”

Qin Yan instructed the young waitress beside him, his gaze fixed on the disheveled Xiao Miao.

The waitress, also a young woman of about twenty, nodded and left the room.

“Thank you…”

Xiao Miao’s heart was touched by Qin Yan’s thoughtfulness. Indeed, men were often more attentive to such details than women. This small act earned her some affection for him.

She looked at Qin Yan curiously, still her fiancé, at least for now.

“Please…”

Qin Yan gestured for her to take a seat.

“Of course.”

Xiao Miao nodded and sat down across from him. Her thoughts drifted as she watched the torrential rain outside, her gaze eventually shifting to Qin Yan.

“This cancellation of our engagement wasn’t my idea,” Qin Yan began, turning his face slightly. “In fact, the engagement itself had nothing to do with me. I was an abandoned child, raised by the Elders of the Yanqing Sect. The sect is my family, and I must obey my elders’ commands.”

Xiao Miao nodded silently, understanding the constraints of fate.

Qin Yan looked at her, his expression serious. “Your background is as extraordinary as mine. I need to maintain a good relationship with you, for my own sake. If I were to claim that you would become a top-tier power in the future, the sect would think I’m mad. But if you don’t become strong, it doesn’t matter; it’s just a casual move on my part.”

“Your words are noted, Qin Yan,” Xiao Miao replied, a hint of self-deprecation in her voice. “Although I don’t understand why you care so much about a useless person like me, I’m grateful that you’ve come this far to explain things.”

In the past year, few had spoken to her, fearing the misfortune that seemed to cling to her.

“Creak—”

Just then, the door creaked open, and the waitress returned with a tray.

A pot of hot tea was placed before them, along with a towel for Xiao Miao. The waitress bowed and left.

Qin Yan poured a cup for himself and one for Xiao Miao. He had seen enough of the world to know that wealth and status weren’t everything. One should be kind regardless of a person’s circumstances.

“Thank you…”

Xiao Miao accepted the tea, taking a sip. The warmth spread through her, chasing away the chill of the rain.

She set down the cup and began to dry her hair with the towel, her movements carefree. The scene was almost like a vision of a beautiful woman emerging from a bath, much to Qin Yan’s amusement.

Xiao Miao caught his glance and wondered if he had been admiring her. But she quickly dismissed the thought. He was a prodigy from the Yanqing Sect, a rare male cultivator with a handsome face. Why would he be interested in her? She was just a useless person.

Xiao Miao believed Qin Yan’s purpose was clear: to distance himself from the broken engagement. But why was he so concerned about her feelings?

She couldn’t understand it, but from his actions, she felt a renewed sense of importance.

With nothing more to say, Qin Yan remained silent. In the sect, his position was modest, and he couldn’t control everything. Now that Xiao Miao understood, she wouldn’t hold any grudges.

Although Xiao Miao seemed like a protagonist, Qin Yan wasn’t about to fawn over her. Who knew if her story was true or what the future held?

The room fell silent until Xiao Miao reached for her tea, and Qin Yan noticed the ancient ring on her left hand.

“That’s…”

Xiao Miao followed his gaze, touching the ring gently. “It’s a memento from my father…”

“My condolences.”

Qin Yan listened quietly until she fell silent, then spoke softly, “Do you have any close companions, I mean, any men who are particularly kind to you?”

Xiao Miao was taken aback, unsure of his meaning. Since becoming a useless person, neither men nor women in her family wanted to be near her.

Suddenly, she felt a surge of anger. She jumped to her feet, her voice trembling. “Qin Yan, are you trying to humiliate me? You know we have a marriage contract, so why ask about my companions? Are you looking for something to use against me?!”

Qin Yan was surprised by her outburst. He had only been curious if she had someone like that in her life. Now he realized she didn’t.

“It was a misunderstanding, Xiao Miao,” Qin Yan explained quickly. “I just thought you were so attractive and capable, you must be popular with men.”

“Attractiveness means nothing in a world where strength rules, and I am but a useless person!”

Xiao Miao slapped the table, sending the tea cups flying and spilling their contents. The room was a mess.

Qin Yan watched her, seeing the fiery spirit within.

After her anger subsided, Xiao Miao sat back down, avoiding his gaze.

“Sorry.”

Qin Yan didn’t respond. Instead, he reached into his storage ring and pulled out two small vials. “Here, one with cultivation pills and one with foundation-building pills. They’re gifts for you.”

Xiao Miao looked at him, her expression unreadable. What use were these pills to a useless person like her? It felt more like an insult. But she wouldn’t be ungrateful, knowing his intentions were good.

“Do you really think I can cultivate anymore?”

Xiao Miao asked suddenly.

“Believe in yourself, Xiao Miao.”

Qin Yan met her defiant gaze, his tone sincere.

He stood up, looking out at the now-cleared rain. “I must go. We’ll meet again in half a month.”

With those words, he left the room.

Xiao Miao looked at the vials, a determined light in her eyes. “In half a month, we’ll meet again, Qin Yan!”

Her spirit seemed to ignite.

****

On an unnamed peak of the Yanqing Sect, Elder Qin Nianci stood beside a woman in white.

“Sect Master, Qin Yan has gone down the mountain, likely to see Xiao Miao.”

“Nianci, Qin Yan is a kind and loyal soul, but in the cultivation world, one must strive to rise above. I’ll find a better match for him.”

“Thank you, Sect Master!”

Qin Nianci bowed deeply.

“Has King Qin made his decision?”

“Yes, King Qin has decided.”

“These upcoming years will be tumultuous in the north. Our fate is tied to that of Qin. Handle the preparations as you see fit.”

****

In a distant, ancient village in the southwest of the north, a young girl opened her eyes, her gaze falling on her still-youthful hands. A realization dawned in her eyes.

“Spring and autumn cicadas sing as the girl returns…”

“Xiao Miao, Yu Qingxuan, and that damn fool! None of you will take Qin Yan from me!”