Chapter 2: I Am Not Afraid of Encountering Rogues

When Jin Wei crossed the street, the customers at the neighboring table had already left. The proprietress was busy tidying up inside, preparing to close for the day. She caught sight of Jin Wei’s defeated expression and, through the glass, gave Qiao Ruyi a look: See? Didn’t I say so.

“He won’t budge. I’ve said everything I can, even revealed your status as a national-level master of wall rubbings, but he still refuses to guide us.” Jin Wei pulled a napkin from the battered red tissue box, took off his glasses, and began wiping the lenses as he spoke. The napkin was so thin it tore under his fingers.

Qiao Ruyi leaned forward, grabbed two more napkins, and handed them to him. “Alright…”

“Xing Lin.” Jin Wei took the napkins and continued cleaning his glasses. Highly nearsighted, he squinted across the table without them.

“What’s his story?” Qiao Ruyi asked, curious.

Jin Wei breathed on his lenses. “No clue about his background. He’s not a local. He said he might consider guiding us on ordinary days, but not right now.” He looked up, squinting at her. “Are you certain the ancient mural of the Western Hundred Performances is at the ruins of Guyang City?”

The wind carried sand; Qiao Ruyi squinted slightly, her eyes shimmering. She murmured, “That’s what the clues suggest.”

“Maybe we should wait a couple more days?” Jin Wei put his glasses back on. “With the sandstorm raging, entering Guyang City isn’t wise. Besides, there’s no one else in Gua County brave enough to go. We have to wait for Xing Lin’s mood. But honestly, even if he agrees, we can’t be too sure. He’s a lone man—what if he harbors ill intentions towards you?”

Qiao Ruyi laughed, her brows and eyes showing a certain free-spiritedness. “Is he handsome?”

“Decent enough, but his temperament is terrible, cold, hard to communicate with,” Jin Wei frowned, his three ‘too’s biting sharply. “Besides, good looks aren’t food. Just because someone’s handsome doesn’t mean they’re good.”

Qiao Ruyi smoothed her wind-tousled hair, unconcerned. “I’m not afraid of running into a scoundrel, especially if he’s handsome.”

Jin Wei was struck speechless, his face contorting into an indescribable expression. At last, he said awkwardly, “You’re representing the Institute on this task, so don’t let anything else happen…”

Qiao Ruyi feigned ignorance. “What else?”

Jin Wei was stumped, his face flushed red, suddenly recalling the teacher’s words before departure—

Don’t be fooled by Qiao Ruyi’s youth—she’s the only one in our field who’s mastered the bone-deep rubbing technique. She’s unconventional, but her seniority is undeniable. Just listen to her, don’t cross her. If she gets angry, the consequences are severe.

“Alright, I’ll figure out the Guyang City matter myself,” Qiao Ruyi returned to business, deciding not to tease him further.

Jin Wei hesitated, looking troubled.

Seeing this, Qiao Ruyi said, “Don’t worry, I’ll explain to the Institute. You have your work, no need to follow me.”

Jin Wei, seeing his thoughts so easily guessed, felt awkward. He looked over her travel gear, contemplative. “Well, now… let me arrange the hotel for you.”

“You don’t need to, I’ll call you if I need anything.”

Jin Wei licked his dry lips.

Call? The authority of seniority—her tone spoke volumes.

Across the street, Xing Lin tightened the reins deftly. The sandstorm had passed, the light dimmed, most of his face lost in shadow. He watched the woman rise and leave, his deep-set brows and eyes heavy.

He’d noticed her the moment he sat at the eatery across the street.

In the gloomy, yellow sky, she wore a brocade cheongsam, the hem long enough to reveal pale calves. Her shawl was thin, unable to hide her delicate figure. She sat straight-backed, and when she bent to sip her soup, the curve of her neck appeared, at odds with everything around her. That glance she gave him was inscrutable.

Was she not cold?

Xing Lin narrowed his eyes, gaze falling on the jade bracelet at her wrist.

That bracelet—

Moved.

Zhou Bie’s handsome face appeared, following Xing Lin’s stare, arms folded, eyes glittering with the brilliance of the Milky Way.

“So, you’ve taken a fancy to the lady?”

Xing Lin withdrew his gaze, not bothering with a direct look, turned back to the shop, tossing, “Finish the rest of the hooves and send them back to the stable.”

“Hey, Xing Lin, that’s too much. I’m your clerk, not an apprentice at the stable.”

Xing Lin stopped, finally glancing at him, “Who told you to owe me money?”

Owe money…

Alright, hit where it hurts.

—

As dusk neared, Qiao Ruyi returned, this time heading straight for Wish Fulfilled.

Xing Lin was outside, lowering the window blinds to close up. The wind carried a faint scent—not floral or fruity, but a clean medicinal fragrance.

He turned, and there she was.

Just as before, she appeared with a long-handled umbrella, the rim covering most of her face, revealing only a sharp pale chin and crimson lips. Still clad in brocade, now close enough that her exposed calves shone coldly in the sand. Her thin shawl drawn tight, shoulders even more slender.

Her waist, even finer, made Xing Lin think of the phrase “a waist as slender as silk.”

The sandstorm intensified, rattling against the umbrella.

She used it as a shield from the sand, and in this season, still wore a cheongsam—Xing Lin thought, what an ostentatious display.

She stood at the shop door, the umbrella rim lifting just enough to reveal elegant lines of her profile. She seemed to be studying the sign, or perhaps the bronze camel bell at the entrance.

Xing Lin withdrew his gaze, hands busy, voice flat, “We’re closing.”

Clearly dismissive.

Qiao Ruyi also looked away, voice light and airy. “The black sandstorm hasn’t arrived yet, Boss Xing, isn’t it a bit early to close?” With that, she pushed the door open and entered.

Xing Lin was lowering the blinds and didn’t expect her to barge in. He paused, then quickly dropped all three blinds with a firm pull and entered the shop.

The scent of coffee lingered inside. The pastry display was empty, six tables and chairs nestled among lush plants.

No overhead lights, only a corner floor lamp lit the room. With the blinds drawn tight, the interior was dim.

Upon entering, he saw her standing immobile before the side wall, face tilted up, gazing at the embedded rubbing.

An old artifact, inscribed with the advertising slogan on the glass.

Xing Lin respected old pieces, using small seal script.

Light didn’t reach this part of the wall, and the woman was swallowed by shadow, appearing especially petite. The umbrella tip touched the floor, fine black sand trickling from its surface, slowly gathering.

Soon, a small pile formed, then spread like a stream, quickly branching into two arms, stretching farther until suddenly they broke free, rising from the floor like a paper figure, its lower half still attached, but striving to stand.

Small, like a child learning to walk, it staggered toward Qiao Ruyi—only to be stomped flat by Xing Lin!

At the same moment, the jade bracelet at Qiao Ruyi’s wrist stirred!

It circled her wrist, pale enough to seem almost blue, and in the gloom, the serpent’s head turned suddenly toward Xing Lin, hissing twice.

Her slender fingers stroked the serpent’s head, and it instantly became docile, turning back.

The snake was translucent jade, glowing faintly even in shadow, motionless as a bracelet, rare indeed.

“Shengqing looks fierce, but actually, it’s timid,” Qiao Ruyi turned, a slight smile at her lips.

Now face to face, even in the dim light Xing Lin could see her: crescent brows, lotus-petal face, beautiful eyes, delicate and sweet-voiced—she reminded one of a blue-eyed white cat.

Qiao Ruyi, meanwhile, was sizing up Xing Lin. Jin Wei was blind—this was ‘decent’?

Broad-shouldered, tall and sturdy, his shadow enveloped her.

Dark brown leather jacket, black shirt underneath, aged jeans below, a slim waist, taut muscles, a near-perfect face with thick brows, sharp contours, clean jawline, excellent bone structure, thin lips, a slight Roman nose connecting naturally to his high brow.

Handsome, rugged, wild, full of tension, Qiao Ruyi catalogued silently.

No wonder the proprietress said girls flocked to him—just his physique was enough, though his eyes seemed to conceal knives, dark and forbidding.

Xing Lin glanced again at her wrist; the serpent’s head pressed close to its body, imperceptible unless one looked closely.

His tone was offhand, “Shengqing, call and fortune answers.”

“Boss Xing knows his stuff,” Qiao Ruyi smiled, twisting her wrist. “But this Shengqing isn’t that Shengqing. When traveling, one needs a bit of luck, right?”

“In this weather, even ten Shengqings won’t keep you safe in Guyang City. I’ve said all I needed to your colleague. Go back.” Xing Lin circled behind the counter, only a small scatter of sand at his feet.

His temperament, as Jin Wei described, was indeed unapproachable.

Qiao Ruyi neither angry nor annoyed, lifted her eyelids, gaze lingering on the rubbing, intrigued. “Wish Fulfilled Special… ‘Desires collapse at the first sip.’ Drink the coffee, and wishes come true?”

Xing Lin carved a wooden hourglass, not even looking up. “Marketing.”

Qiao Ruyi drew out her words, set aside the umbrella, walked over, arms resting on the counter, leaning forward, her figure alluring.

He was carving an hourglass; each cut precise and swift.

His hands were defined, especially long and strong fingers, nails clean and neat.

“For luck, how about a cup of coffee?”

“We’re closed,” Xing Lin replied bluntly.

“Look at my hands.” Qiao Ruyi extended both hands.

Xing Lin did look.

Her hands were fair and delicate, fingers so slender they’d snap with a twist.

No visible injury.

“What’s wrong with your hands?” Xing Lin saw nothing amiss.

Qiao Ruyi replied, “They’re cold, frozen today, so I’d like a cup of coffee to warm up. Boss Xing, could you oblige?”

Xing Lin: …

He’d thought she was suffering sensory issues.

Qiao Ruyi, following the universal rule of never striking a smiling face, maintained her smile, genuinely unhurried.

Xing Lin was silent for a moment, seeming to relent. He set down the knife and moved to the coffee machine.

Qiao Ruyi glanced at the knife.

It wasn’t a typical carving tool, but a nine-centimeter hunting blade. The edge feather-shaped, sharp, glinting in shadow; the handle carved with some totem, details indistinct.

Xing Lin ground the beans with practiced ease, the rich aroma filling the room, his movements smooth, tamping the grounds just right.

Qiao Ruyi, propping her chin, gazed mesmerized at his hands.

She was a hand enthusiast, loving beautiful hands—especially hands this sexy, capable not just of making coffee and pastries, but carving and tending hooves…

“Boss Xing, haven’t we met before?” Her gaze shifted to his profile, the question sudden.

When he wasn’t smiling, he was intimidating, his eyes cold, body exuding wildness, making those around him feel as if any misstep might provoke a beating.

Xing Lin’s tamping paused imperceptibly. “That kind of pickup line is outdated.”

“What’s popular now?”

When Xing Lin looked at her, there was a brief surprise; his lips tightened. He handed her an hourglass. “Find a seat.”

Hourglasses were standard for waiting at each table.

Crafted from poplar base, intricately carved, sand from the Hexi Corridor falling with a soft sound, making one forget the boredom while waiting for coffee.

According to customer reviews, every hourglass was made by the owner himself.

Some said it was odd: while waiting for coffee, they either watched the owner’s handsome face or stared at the hourglass, never thinking to use their phones.

If anyone liked, they could take the hourglass home.

No one ever left one behind, so the owner kept making more.

Qiao Ruyi’s was adorned with galloping horses, more like war horses clad in armor.

He really did love horses.

The sand was purple and gold—her favorite colors. She tipped it back and forth, the grains shining as if imbued with light.

As the sand fell, the room seemed to grow quieter, the sound of the coffee machine fading, the flow of sand growing ever clearer—

Qiao Ruyi’s consciousness drifted for a moment.

She felt herself transported to the vast desert, the sunset stretching across the sky, the distant sound of camel bells rising with the wind and sand. She seemed… to see a figure.

A cup of coffee was placed before her.

Top-grade beans, the aroma rich and full, instantly pulling Qiao Ruyi from her daze.

She snapped back to alertness, wary.

Trying to ponder the hourglass further, the man’s hand reached over, retrieving it smoothly.

“Finish your coffee and leave.”

Xing Lin set the tray back on the bar, hourglass returned to its place.

He stood in shadow, the light in his eyes shrinking to the corners, remote and cold. “Leave the Hexi Corridor.”