By the time Yin Jiuxiao started to recover, it was already the latter half of the night.

Lin Qinghen saw that he’d finally fallen asleep, utterly exhausted. He touched Yin Jiuxiao’s forehead and felt the cold sweat there.

“Poor guy,” he thought. It was the first time he’d met someone whose life was possibly even worse than his. His health wasn’t great either.

Just as Lin Qinghen was about to lie down and get some rest, another voice echoed through the room.

“Qinghen, it’s me.”

It was Yu Yinyin’s voice.

This courtyard wasn’t heavily guarded; although some people from the Yin family were stationed nearby, they couldn’t hold a candle to the level of Lin Zhongtian. Yu Yinyin’s spiritual power far surpassed theirs, so her presence went undetected.

The first thing Yu Yinyin did was take out a small bottle, open the lid, and wave it briefly near Yin Jiuxiao’s nose. Only after noticing that his breathing had deepened did she begin to speak.

“Don’t worry; it’s just a sleep aid to keep him from waking,” Yu Yinyin said, then turned to Lin Qinghen, her tone more serious. “Lin Qinghen, come with me now. There’s still time.”

Though they had bowed to the Marriage Stone, there was no rule that said they had to be bound together forever after marriage. If Lin Qinghen were to run away now, the Yin family wouldn’t be able to find him.

And likely wouldn’t bother trying.

Lin Qinghen looked at Yin Jiuxiao, who was deeply asleep on the bed. Even in slumber, the man clung to a corner of his clothes, refusing to let go.

“I told him before that I’d be spending my life with him,” Lin Qinghen said. “I don’t go back on my word.”

“Lin Qinghen! Why are you being so dense?” Yu Yinyin sounded genuinely frustrated. “You have a bright future ahead, while Yin Jiuxiao is nothing but a useless waste, he–”

“Master, don’t say that,” Lin Qinghen interrupted. “First of all, regardless of anything, we’re both headed to the Yin family territory in the Northern State. Our destination is the same; I haven’t given up anything because of him.”

He took a deep breath and continued, “And also, don’t call him useless. If he is, then so am I. Two ‘useless’ people together; that’s a pretty good match.”

Yu Yinyin knew well that certain words were sensitive to Lin Qinghen. She fell silent, then replied, “That’s not what I mean, Qinghen. You and he are nothing alike. You–”

“He was once a proud son of heaven, born into wealth and status, with a family of great renown. The Yin family was noble, giving their lives to protect peace in the Spirit World. In a way, I owe that sacrifice some gratitude. In what way, exactly, does Yin Jiuxiao fall short of me?” Lin Qinghen replied. “Our original marriage prospect is gone, leaving me frustrated for a few days, yet he doesn’t seem upset at all. We’ve only met twice, and both times, he’s looked at me with admiration.”

For some inexplicable reason, Yin Jiuxiao seemed to be the only one who made him feel this way.

Yu Yinyin tried a different approach, “Maybe he has hidden motives; everything he says could be lies just to win you over.”

“What could he possibly gain from me? If he does have hidden motives, that’s actually reassuring,” Lin Qinghen replied, glancing back at Yu Yinyin with a dark gaze. “The fact that he’s so attentive to someone as down-and-out as me shows he’s easy to please, wanting only a little. I’m more than happy to give him a bit more from now on. He’s easy to care for. And if…”

Lin Qinghen chuckled, “If he noticed something unusual about me and saw some benefit in me, then I’d never let go.”

“Master, I’ve lived in this household for so many years, and no one from the Lin family noticed a thing, not even you. But he, after only a few days, has seen through my hidden abilities, sensing I could be more useful than Lin Qingshuang. Either he’s got real skill, or he’s extremely perceptive,” he said. “I love dealing with clever people. If that’s the case, we’re the same type. A match made by fate, you could say. I married the right person.

“So, Master, you see, no matter what his intentions are, would I lose anything? Never. Meeting someone like him is rare, so why would I run?”

Yu Yinyin thought Lin Qinghen was just infatuated, but it wasn’t that at all.

His logic was always clear, with no emotions clouding his judgment.

“There’s no need to discuss this further. I’ve made my decision. Master, stay hidden for now; don’t show yourself,” Lin Qinghen said. “Trust me this once. I won’t neglect what needs to be done. The Northern State is a complicated place, so let’s plan carefully.”

Yu Yinyin had no choice; Lin Qinghen had countered her every argument until she was at a loss for words. With a sigh, she left.

Yin Jiuxiao wasn’t actually asleep.

He wasn’t that weak; once he’d caught his breath, he’d merely pretended to be asleep. He hadn’t expected someone else to show up.

The voice sounded like a woman’s, and Lin Qinghen called her “Master.” The medicine she used was no ordinary item; had Yin Jiuxiao been an average person, he would’ve genuinely fallen into a deep sleep.

Lin Qinghen’s Master was no simple person. From her ghostly movements alone, she was at least Heaven-ranked or higher. His guess had been right; Lin Qinghen indeed had someone supporting him.

As he mentally sorted through what he’d overheard, Yin Jiuxiao was left stunned by the subsequent conversation between them.

For a moment, his thoughts ground to a halt.

Lin Qinghen had said it was the first time someone had spoken to him like that, and for Yin Jiuxiao, it was the same.

He couldn’t even describe his feelings at that moment. Unconsciously, he gripped a corner of Lin Qinghen’s clothes a little tighter. When the conversation ended and the woman’s voice faded away, he felt Lin Qinghen quietly lie down beside him.

Usually wary by nature, Yin Jiuxiao surprisingly felt at ease with Lin Qinghen laying next to him.

The two didn’t do anything; they simply slept fully clothed. The next morning, the Yin family was already preparing to leave.

Their marriage contract was complete, and the Lin family had no reason to keep guards around, nor would they restrict Lin Qinghen’s freedom. He could go wherever he pleased.

With his internal clock, he was always up first in the morning. Planning to pack and leave, it didn’t matter in what form he left—he was finally able to leave the Lin family, and that was a good thing.

Lin Qinghen didn’t have much to bring along; the belongings he had stashed in the small courtyard amounted to just one small bundle. He thought it over, divided the seeds he’d stored into two portions, and made sure both he and Yu Yinyin carried some.

The Yin family’s attitude toward Lin Qinghen was lukewarm, neither friendly nor openly disrespectful. Lin Qinghen didn’t mind.

Yin Jiuxiao, who had woken up a bit later, had felt truly tired after meditating the night before. Having Lin Qinghen sleep by his side, he could smell that faint earthy fragrance the entire time.

That morning, he fully experienced what it felt like to have Lin Qinghen beside him.

When Yin Jiuxiao woke up, Lin Qinghen was just coming back, carrying something with the light behind him. Somehow, this brought him a sense of calm.

Lin Qinghen was true to his word, genuinely treating him like someone with a visual impairment. For Lin Qinghen, it was just a matter of lifting a finger, not feeling troublesome or tiresome. After all, it was far easier than farming.

Yin Jiuxiao was surprisingly obedient in Lin Qinghen’s eyes. He’d do whatever Lin Qinghen asked, closing his eyes while Lin Qinghen wiped his face. His lashes, like the dark feathers of a crow, trembled lightly, making him look like a pretty, likable kid.

While Lin Qinghen was packing up, he made breakfast too. Normally, the guards serving Yin Jiuxiao paid little attention, and the food they brought was often lukewarm.

Yin Jiuxiao had never minded, but now, after tasting something warm, he couldn’t help but feel that his previous meals had been downright miserable.

To others, Yin Jiuxiao was blind, so he rarely moved around. If he did, the Lin family’s guards would lead him around begrudgingly. Lin Qinghen, however, held his hand carefully, guiding him seriously, speaking gently as he warned him of steps or turns.

Having someone so attentive was entirely different from before.

At first, Yin Jiuxiao’s interest in Lin Qinghen stemmed from the surprising skills and unique qualities he seemed to possess. Now, after getting to know him better, his interest hadn’t diminished in the least. Instead, it had only intensified.

Silly yet clever, sharp yet gentle. How could this detestable Lin family have produced someone like him?

Just as they finished packing, a guard appeared outside, speaking in a neutral tone, “Young Master, we’re ready to leave. The journey is long, and we must hurry back.”

Lin Qinghen heard him and responded with a nod, then turned to glance at Yin Jiuxiao.

Hearing the title “Young Master,” Lin Qinghen was a bit surprised. Even with his current state, Yin Jiuxiao still held the title.

Perhaps his standing within the Yin family wasn’t as dire as Lin Qinghen had originally assumed.

But this wasn’t the time for questions. Lin Qinghen merely helped Yin Jiuxiao up and guided him toward the carriage parked at the gate.

Lin Qinghen noticed that Yin Jiuxiao’s carriage was positioned in the safest spot in the middle, a place of protection. The Yin family might not think much of him, but they weren’t completely indifferent to his safety.

Even though he hadn’t married the desired Lin Qingshuang, Yin Jiuxiao still had some sway in his family.

After helping him sit, just as Lin Qinghen was about to contemplate the journey ahead, he felt the entire convoy come to a sudden halt, as if someone had blocked their way.

Then, he heard a familiar voice.

“Tell Lin Qinghen to come out; I want to see him.” It was Chu Wei’s voice. “I’m Chu Wei, chief disciple of Su Ye Immortal Mountain. Don’t waste time stopping me. I’m just here to talk to Lin Qinghen.”

Lin Qinghen: “…”

What’s his problem?

Yin Jiuxiao, who had just sat down in the carriage and was feeling a touch of excitement about taking Lin Qinghen home, was immediately interrupted.

His expression darkened, but before he could stop Lin Qinghen, he was already stepping out.

With Lin Qinghen’s straightforward personality, he wasn’t about to waste time on meaningless banter. Chu Wei was young and relatively easy to deal with.

Seeing Lin Qinghen come out so promptly, Chu Wei’s eyes lit up.

“Lin Qinghen, come back with me to Su Ye Immortal Mountain!” he shouted, not caring who heard him. “Lin Qingshuang can’t go. You don’t like her anyway, right? If you come with me, it’ll surely drive her crazy. Besides, whatever you can’t get in the Lin family, I can give you.”

The people from the Yin family, all of whom were familiar with Chu Wei’s identity, exchanged glances.

If given a choice, anyone with common sense would choose Su Ye Immortal Mountain.

In the carriage, Yin Jiuxiao’s expression darkened, his grip on the seat railing so tight it cracked.

Then he heard Lin Qinghen’s response.

“I’m not going.”

Just five words, simple and to the point.

Chu Wei took a few steps forward, incredulous. “Lin Qinghen, are you out of your mind? What do you want, exactly?”

Lin Qinghen replied calmly, “I already turned you down once. I was clear then, so why come back, Master Chu?”

“My uncle didn’t get what he wanted, so he threw a fit. I figured that if someone from Su Ye Immortal Mountain came all this way, someone should get what they want. Since he couldn’t, I’ll take what I want.” Chu Wei was as straightforward as always. “Come with me, Lin Qinghen.”

“Not happening,” Lin Qinghen replied. “Quit bothering me.”

“You…”

“You might be able to take me by force, but you can’t control me,” Lin Qinghen said, already disinterested in wasting more words. Tilting his head slightly, he added with unwavering determination, “Chu Wei, I’m a person, not an object. If I’m unwilling, what can you do? Take back a corpse?”

Chu Wei was someone Lin Qinghen understood well. He was just a half-grown boy, spoiled since birth, never having encountered real obstacles, and not inherently a bad person.

Once someone embarrassed him and made him lose face, his persistence was bound to wane.