The gold jewelry at Lingyun Pavilion was far from vulgar; it was meticulously crafted by master artisans, exuding grandeur and elegance. The more Bai Qingqing looked, the more she liked it, and in one go, she bought several pieces, feeling a rare sense of ease.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the astonishment in Fu Yi’s gaze. She found it both amusing and pitiful—she knew everything about him. She knew what dishes he liked, what tea he drank, his fondness for collecting famous inkstones and various types of paper, the colors of clothing he preferred, the scents of incense he favored...

  But he—he probably wouldn’t know her even in death. The few times he had gifted her jewelry, it had always been pearls, jade, and precious stones. And yet, in hindsight, was Fu Yi not intelligent? He was the heir of the Prince of Ping, a renowned scholar of Xuancheng. It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand her—it was that he never cared to.

  Buying the gold jewelry she liked right in front of Fu Yi felt like a final release. As if, at last, she had let go of her obsession, and was slowly learning to treat him like a stranger.

  After Zidai paid for the purchases, Bai Qingqing stepped out of the store, thinking that since she was already here, she might as well browse a few more shops. But before she could take a few steps, Fu Yi caught up from behind.

  "Does Young Master have some other business?"

  Fu Yi was slightly nervous, unaccustomed to her indifference. In his past life, from the moment they met, Bai Qingqing had always greeted him with a radiant smile. She had never spoken to him with such impatience before.

  "Forgive me, miss. It’s just that you look familiar. Have we met before?"

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  "I don’t recall ever meeting you, sir."

  "I remember now. That day in the plum garden at the estate—you and your younger sister were admiring the blossoms. I happened to pass by. Does that ring a bell?"

  Bai Qingqing felt an irritation rising in her chest. What was Fu Yi trying to do?

  In her past life, she had devoted her heart to him, always putting him first, treading carefully around him—yet he hadn’t even spared her a glance. Years of marriage, countless nights under the same roof, and to him, she had been as invisible as air. But now that she had let go, now that she no longer cared about him or whatever woman he held in his heart, he refused to leave her alone. Why?

  Perhaps Yaoyao was right—some men were just shameless. The more you obeyed them, the less they cherished you. The more distant and indifferent you became, the more they found it... entertaining.

  Bai Qingqing was furious. She had wasted her entire past life on this pathetic man. If she could, she would go back in time and slap herself awake.

  Fu Yi’s gaze lingered on Bai Qingqing’s face, transfixed by the soft flush on her cheeks. She had always carried a faint, indescribable sweetness about her—one that teased the senses whenever he got close. It was intoxicating, drawing him in without him realizing it.

  "I have no recollection of that, and I do not know you, sir. Could you kindly step aside?"

  "Perhaps you simply did not take notice. May I ask the young lady’s name?"

  Bai Qingqing had no intention of continuing this meaningless exchange. But she had only brought Zidai with her today—if Fu Yi insisted on blocking her path…

  "Sis, what are you doing here? And who is this?"

  Bai Qingqing’s eyes widened as if she had seen a savior. She lifted the hem of her skirt and hurried over to the speaker. "A-Rui, I don’t know him."

  The newcomer was Bai Rui, the younger son of the Bai family. Fu Yi remained standing where he was as Bai Rui scrutinized him from head to toe. This second young master of the Bai family—whether in the past life or this one—had never been worth his attention. Just a tall, brash, and reckless scoundrel. After the Bai family was sentenced to exile, he had continued to stir up trouble and ultimately died on the road.

  Bai Rui stepped in front of Bai Qingqing, shielding her with a wary squint at Fu Yi. "Who the hell are you? Harassing my sister in the middle of the street—do you even know the meaning of shame?"