Chapter 030: I Told You to Leave!

“Get out! I told you to get out!” Jin’er’s eyes were tinged with red, her voice nearly hysterical as she screamed.

That place was her eternal nightmare. Whenever she glimpsed those ghastly wounds, the torment of her past would rush back with harrowing clarity. Sometimes she even felt phantom sensations on her hands, as if snakes and insects were gnawing at her flesh, sending chills through her entire body.

Those memories were unbearable, too painful to revisit. If only those gruesome scars did not exist, perhaps the agony of her memories would slowly fade with time.

That was why she always covered them, whether with a silk scarf or a strip of cloth, never removing it even when bathing. When she had to change it, she’d close her eyes, refusing to look.

She knew it was a kind of self-deception, but as long as she didn’t see them, her heart felt lighter.

The room had fallen into an uncanny silence. Jin’er’s ragged breathing echoed sharply, followed by the pounding of Qin’er’s heart.

Her sudden outburst had frightened Xiao Jiu, and Qin’er was utterly stunned, staring in disbelief at the meek Jin’er who had suddenly turned so terrifying. For a long moment, she was too shocked to react.

Now, Jin’er withdrew her trembling hand under the blankets, her face pale as death. The white bandage at her temple was stained with fresh crimson. Her beautiful almond eyes radiated a piercing chill, like a startled little beast.

Xiao Jiu was the first to regain his composure. He turned to Qin’er and said, “Leave.” No reproach, no anger—just two cold, emotionless syllables.

“Senior brother…” Qin’er whimpered, her voice filled with grievance.

“I told you to leave!” The gentle, smiling Xiao Jiu was now stone-faced, his voice cold and commanding.

At that moment, Jin’er suddenly realized how imposing he could be.

Qin’er had never been scolded by him before. Unable to hold back her tears any longer, she stamped her foot and ran out, her face buried in her hands.

After a while, Xiao Jiu sighed softly and turned back. “I’m sorry. My master and I have spoiled her too much. She’s not bad at heart, just a little spoiled. Don’t take it to heart.”

Jin’er managed a weary smile and shook her head gently, hoping his words were true.

“Rest well. You don’t need to get up for work tomorrow. I’ll speak to Master about it.”

“Thank you.”

“Silly girl, what are you thanking me for?” Xiao Jiu chuckled, gently pinching her cheek before standing up. “Now rest. I’ll take my leave.”

Whether it was because of his touch or something else, Jin’er felt her cheeks grow warm.

The door closed softly, and the room was quiet once more. Perhaps she had been too tired lately; Jin’er closed her eyes, and within moments, she fell into a deep sleep.

Xiao Jiu returned to his room, preparing to sleep when he heard a knock at the door.

He opened it, and as expected, Qin’er stood outside, her eyes swollen from crying.

Xiao Jiu frowned, resigned, and glanced at her without a word. He turned and poured himself a cup of tea at the table.

Seeing that he still ignored her, Qin’er grew anxious.

“Senior brother, please don’t be angry. I didn’t mean it. I just wanted to say a few words to her, but she was so stubborn and refused to speak to me. That’s why I tried to pull her. How could I know she would…” Before she could finish, Xiao Jiu’s displeased gaze flashed over, forcing her to swallow the rest of her words.

“What did she ever do to you? Why must you torment her like this! You and I are both orphans—can’t you show a little empathy, be kinder to her? You’re old enough to know better than to pick on a little girl. If anyone heard about this, no one would side with you!” Xiao Jiu said, his anger barely contained.

The scene still lingered vividly in his mind, and he could not help but be furious.