The mute ugly duckling turned out to be the same person as that chirping little crow from the other day.

Once Yin Jiuxiao realized this, everything he had been puzzled about made sense.

For instance, why would that person secretly plant that round wheat in the Lin family’s garden without informing them, only to sneak out to sell it himself, hiding in a corner, not daring to draw attention?

Lin Qinghen was an outsider in the Lin family, distrustful of them and with nowhere to go due to his lack of strength; of course, he’d choose to lie low.

Then there was that time he saw him silently endure Lin Qingshuang and the others bullying him, only to change his demeanor as soon as they left. Yin Jiuxiao had simply found it interesting at the time, but now, reflecting back, there was one more detail—the clothes Lin Qinghen wore that day were those of a farmworker.

It made sense that he’d be involved in planting and gardening.

No one in the Lin family suspected him. Not just because he hid it well, but because creating that array required spiritual energy, which Lin Qinghen lacked. Besides, he wasn’t an alchemist; he didn’t possess spiritual essence and wasn’t even a Spirit Master.

As for the array, either Lin Qinghen had some kind of spiritual tool, or someone helped him.

Could it be the garden overseer who disappeared suddenly?

Yin Jiuxiao pondered this silently, but he didn’t believe anyone helped Lin Qinghen with alchemy.

The other day, he’d overheard Lin Qinghen muttering to himself in the corner, clearly saying, “Those materials were grown by me,” and “My medicine,” “My Homeostasis Powder.”

From the sounds of it, everything was his work.

With his keen senses, Yin Jiuxiao was the only one who’d caught those quiet mutterings, the type that didn’t seem to carry any need for lies.

But could alchemical talent suddenly emerge out of nowhere?

Yin Jiuxiao’s guess was mostly accurate, but Lin Qinghen still had secrets he hadn’t unearthed, and that intrigued him even more, even more than the spiritual source promised in their marriage contract.

He knew the members of Fu Xin Hall and Bai Lu’s followers hadn’t given up, especially after Su Ye Immortal Mountain’s peak lord tried it out and confirmed its effectiveness.

Su Ye Immortal Mountain people were always interested in strange things, but the other two factions were more concerned with profit from the round wheat than in finding out who was behind it.

Who was the genius behind this creation?

This person was the true golden goose.

And now, this remarkably elusive ugly duckling had clumsily run right into him.

While Yin Jiuxiao was deep in thought, Lin Qinghen had his mind racing as well.

As soon as he entered, he knew what was happening: the Yin family was here to talk things over.

He hadn’t planned on saying much and just stood there. A few members of the Yin family looked him over, their expressions turning disappointed, and then went back to arguing loudly with Lin Zhongtian.

Lin Qinghen was still figuring out how to escape. Since he’d already been brought out to face people, he wondered if he’d have a chance to slip away before the wedding, giving his master a chance to take him away.

While he was lost in thought, he heard a voice next to him, as if speaking to him.

“You are…Lin Qinghen?”

In the middle of the noisy scene, this voice sounded refreshingly pleasant.

Instinctively, he turned to look—and that’s when he saw him.

Honestly, at first sight of Yin Jiuxiao, Lin Qinghen was stunned.

This was a strikingly handsome young man, probably the best-looking person Lin Qinghen had ever seen, and every feature seemed to match his tastes exactly.

Though taller than him, the boy had his head slightly lowered, his face turning gently toward him like a painting, his gray, lifeless pupils giving him a vulnerable look that made Lin Qinghen feel a pang of sympathy.

“Are you leaving?”

Lin Qinghen: “…No.”

He took a breath, suddenly realizing who this was.

Out of all the Yin family members, only one boy was blind. This had to be Yin Jiuxiao.

The very same Yin Jiuxiao who became famous at three, only to fall from grace at seven.

The Yin family continued their loud dispute over the marriage contract, completely ignoring him.

Lin Qinghen watched Yin Jiuxiao move toward him, carefully following the sound of his voice. Blind and unfamiliar with the room, he stumbled his way over, and, feeling sorry for him, Lin Qinghen stepped forward to steady him.

Up close, Lin Qinghen found himself even more captivated by the boy’s face. His downcast gaze and slightly helpless expression made Lin Qinghen want to help him.

When Yin Jiuxiao felt Lin Qinghen’s hand, he was startled, then broke into a slight smile. “The Lin family head said that you’re the one marrying me, right?”

“…Yes.” Lin Qinghen hesitated but nodded. He wasn’t a fan of these arranged marriage customs and muttered, “But, we’re meeting for the first time, and the marriage contract wasn’t even meant for me…”

Before he could finish, he saw a look of clear sadness cross Yin Jiuxiao’s face. “You look down on me too, don’t you? You don’t want me, is that it?”

Lin Qinghen: “I didn’t mean it like that.”

The person in front of him was blameless, and Lin Qinghen couldn’t bring himself to dismiss him so harshly.

“I’m just…sigh,” Lin Qinghen sighed softly, explaining, “I’m not talented, and the family never liked me much. The Yin family would have no use for me; they traveled all this way to fetch Lin Qingshuang, not me.”

But Yin Jiuxiao still held onto his arm, not letting go.

“But I think you’re wonderful,” he said.

“You’ve never even met me before, how would you know that?” Lin Qinghen looked up, dazed again by his face. “You…sigh.”

For over a decade, Lin Qinghen never felt this way—being momentarily dazzled by someone’s looks.

“But you came to help me,” Yin Jiuxiao replied. “You spoke kindly when you entered. That was my first impression, and it seems I was right. There aren’t many people who would do that. And I can tell you’re forced into this too, but you’re not angry at me.”

As he spoke, he smiled softly, his tone even gentler. “Also, it’s not the first time I’ve heard of you. Before I came, I’d heard a few things about the Lin family.”

Then he moved a little closer to Lin Qinghen, his tone filled with purpose. “Lin Qinghen, I feel that…we’re actually quite alike.”

Lin Qinghen found himself at a loss for words.

In some ways, they were indeed similar. Yin Jiuxiao’s glory days had been brief, his family had fallen, he’d lost his sight—perhaps even worse off than him.

“If it’s you, that’d be good,” he heard Yin Jiuxiao say. “No matter what anyone else thinks, I think you’re better than Lin Qingshuang, far better.”

He raised his voice a bit as he said it, ensuring everyone in the room could hear.

Lin Zhongtian, fed up with the Yin family’s complaints, seized on this and added, “Look at that; they’re both fine with it, so why keep arguing?”

Yin Miao, practically shaking with anger, shouted, “Yin Jiuxiao! What are you saying?!”

The boy, silent like a block of wood this whole time, now spoke up?

“I’m saying, I am very pleased with Lin Qinghen.” Yin Jiuxiao didn’t even glance at him, keeping his empty gaze on Lin Qinghen. “The moment we met, I felt he was wonderful.”

Right at that moment, what could Yin Miao possibly do about it?

Yin Jiuxiao didn’t fear him and had nothing to hold back. Binding Lin Qinghen to him with this marriage contract was, in a way, perfect; in fact, the ripple Lin Qinghen caused in his heart was bigger than the thought of acquiring his grandfather’s spiritual source.

Originally, he’d planned to leave the Yin family once he had that source, but now, with Lin Qinghen, he no longer planned to follow that path.

In his past life, Yin Jiuxiao had clashed with the Lin family, even bringing Lin Zhongtian down. But he’d never heard of or met Lin Qinghen.

But what good would sticking to the past be?

He could cultivate anywhere and didn’t mind sticking around a while longer to see what path this unusual person—the biggest anomaly since his rebirth—would take.

Lin Qinghen was speechless.

He’d never thought the first person to ever tell him, “You’re better than Lin Qingshuang,” would be this boy.

Not that he cared for comparison with Lin Qingshuang, but like it or not, he had lived under her shadow for years. No one had ever looked at him and found him valuable, found him good, from the first meeting.

His heart trembled slightly.

Lin Qinghen wasn’t overly sentimental, but he thought, luckily, Yin Jiuxiao was blind, or how could he have been so smitten from the start? And yet, he had to admit, Yin Jiuxiao’s words weren’t baseless.

Yin Jiuxiao’s circumstances were indeed similar; they shared some hardships.

If they had to go through with this marriage contract, they’d both benefit from having a kindhearted, resilient partner. Yin Jiuxiao would need care, and Lin Qinghen understood that such mutual empathy was essential for any relationship.

Conveniently, Yu Yinyin’s holdings were in the Yin family’s North State territory, so he’d have to go there eventually.

Deep in thought, Lin Qinghen didn’t notice as the guards came to escort him back to his small courtyard.

As he passed Yin Jiuxiao, he heard the boy ask hopefully, “Will you marry me, then?”

Given his expression, his voice, and the current situation, Lin Qinghen couldn’t bring himself to say “no.” He stayed silent as they led him away.

Yet as Lin Qinghen left, he couldn’t see the shift in Yin Jiuxiao’s expression.

The pitiful look disappeared, replaced with a dark, determined gaze.

“Oh, you will.”

He whispered in a voice only he could hear.

Author’s Note:

Yin Jiuxiao: The persuasion begins.