His tone carried obvious displeasure and a hint of barely concealed worry.
"So many people... are they all here for Qingyou?"
Indeed, a subtle competitive atmosphere permeated the air.
Not far away, several young men from wealthy families, dressed in designer suits, were huddled together, whispering amongst themselves.
The sound wasn't loud, but it reached Qin Xiao's ears clearly.
"Have you heard? Miss Qingyou from the Liu family is a famous talented and beautiful woman in the capital."
"They say he has an excellent temperament and rarely goes out. Today's marriage proposal event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"Yes, yes, Miss Liu is so beautiful and elegant, and she is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy and painting."
"If I married her, she would definitely be a wonderful wife! A lucky charm for her husband!"
"I heard that she is simple and gentle by nature, and almost never leaves the house."
"Such a traditional, good girl is rare these days. Just imagine, she'd be a simple and lovely wife! Whoever marries her is truly blessed!"
What's more, because of a dispute over who was more qualified to pursue Liu Qingyou, the two hot-blooded young men, who were clearly spoiled by their families, actually got into a quarrel right at the gate of the Liu family.
They almost came to blows during the shoving.
Finally, the two were expressionlessly "invited" aside by the Liu family security guards who were maintaining order.
The scene became somewhat unpleasant at one point.
Qin Xiao took in all of this, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips.
He now understood Liu Qingyou's previous warning more deeply.
It seems that this so-called "marriage proposal" has indeed attracted quite a few suitors.
No wonder she was so nervous.
He continued to stroll seemingly casually through the garden, but his gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, silently sweeping over every corner.
I tried to catch a glimpse of that familiar figure.
Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to a corner of a pale yellow sash fluttering gently in the wind beside the artificial hill not far away.
The color and texture were very similar to the elegant style that Liu Qingyou usually liked in his memory.
Qin Xiao's heart stirred, and he made a judgment almost instantly.
He casually made up an excuse for Qin Ruoyan and Nie Beini beside him.
"You guys go in first. I saw someone I know, I'll go say hello and then I'll be right there."
After saying that, he turned around before the two could react.
She nimbly weaved past clumps of green bamboo and passing guests, and strode quickly toward the artificial hill.
Sure enough, behind the artificial hill, a slender and graceful figure was facing away from him.
She seemed to be pacing anxiously, waiting for something.
It was Liu Qingyou.
Today she was wearing an exquisite pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a high waist.
Her long, flowing hair was loosely tied up with a simple white jade hairpin, revealing a fair and slender neck with a beautiful curve.
A gentle breeze blew by, causing her skirt and hair to sway softly.
That silhouette was like a graceful orchid swaying in the wind, elegant and captivating.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Liu Qingyou turned around abruptly.
When she saw that the person who came was Qin Xiao, her beautiful and refined face immediately lit up with surprise.
Then a hint of reproach crept onto her face, and her eyes became more lively.
Qin Xiao walked up to her and stopped.
His gaze was scrutinizing as he looked her up and down to make sure she was unharmed.
A mocking smile returned to the corners of his mouth.
"Miss Liu, the birthday banquet is about to begin. Why aren't you in the front hall choosing your ideal husband? What are you doing hiding behind this rockery?"
"Could it be that you were waiting for me?"
Liu Qingyou's cheeks flushed slightly from his undisguised teasing, like a beautiful layer of rouge.
She stretched out her slender finger and gently poked Qin Xiao's strong arm.
She said with a hint of embarrassment and annoyance.
"You jerk! All you do is make fun of me!"
"I already told you, I'm just a facade, a signboard put up to attract attention!"
"I wasn't the one holding a marriage contest today!"
Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise, seemingly quite interested in the statement.
"Oh? Not you? Then who is it?"
"Does the Liu family have other daughters of marriageable age?"
Liu Qingyou pursed her lips, a hint of helplessness flashing in her clear eyes, even carrying a touch of indescribable disdain.
"It's my older sister—Liu Qingrong!"
"Your sister?"
Qin Xiao tried hard to search his memory for the plot of the original work.
There seems to be no description of Sister Liu Qingyou; the name is quite unfamiliar.
"What...does she look like?"
"How come I've never heard of the Liu family having an eldest daughter?"
Liu Qingyou sighed softly, as if mentioning this older sister was giving her a headache.
She subconsciously lowered her voice and leaned close to Qin Xiao's ear.
He spoke in a tone that was almost sarcastic, yet also somewhat mysterious.
"My sister... she, she's thirty-five."
"Her family was even willing to give her a dowry of five million yuan so that she could get married."
"But until now... I still haven't been able to get married..."
She paused, then looked up at Qin Xiao with her large, watery eyes that seemed to speak volumes.
With a sly glint in his eyes, he countered with a question.
What do you think?
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