After the old scholar passed away, Qin Ruhai continued to live in a small rented house at the end of the alley. Narrow, dark, and rarely touched by daylight, it was nonetheless the only place in Qingxi County where he could behave exactly as he pleased. The old scholar had lived a poor life, leaving behind no money or valuables, only a shabby calligraphy stall that barely made ends meet. Now that the stall belonged to Qin Ruhai, he was finally truly alone, free to act as he wished.
He had an exceptionally striking appearance.
Even in a faded blue robe, his tall, slender figure could not be overlooked. His eyebrows were sharp, his eyes calm, and his gentle, quiet temperament gave him a pitiful, vulnerable air as soon as he sat by the street.
Within a short time, women flocked to his stall endlessly.
Wives of merchants came under the pretense of buying calligraphy, leaving behind silver and food; maids from wealthy households brought snacks and new clothes under the excuse of appreciating paintings; many married women visited his small courtyard repeatedly, claiming to take pity on the lonely young man. People came and went, from morning till night, and everyone in the area understood what was happening, yet no one spoke of it openly.
The fruit-selling old woman nearby nudged her assistant, grinning slyly.
"Look, that's the mistress from the Zhang household again. She was just here the other day."
The assistant chuckled. "She's not here for the writing. Young Master Qin just has to sit there, and he steals all their souls."
"Young Master Qin is so handsome and gentle. No wonder everyone's willing to spoil him," a young lady in a red dress murmured, her eyes sparkling. "I'd give anything for someone like him."
"It's a shame he has no family. We should look after him," another woman added, her voice full of affection. "Such a pure, quiet young man shouldn't suffer."
The women arrived with neat hair and composed expressions, but left with disheveled clothes, faint blushes still on their cheeks, and unsteady steps. Yet each looked satisfied, as if no one noticed their behavior.
A laborer carrying a pole glared in jealousy, spitting on the ground.
"Just because he's pretty, he gets to live off women?"
"People are always going in and out of his place, doors closed for ages. Who knows what he's really doing?"
Another vendor added sourly, "They say they're buying paintings, but it's just an excuse… We sweat all day and earn less than he does with a single smile."
A passing scholar shook his head, pretending to be noble. "The world is deteriorating. People only care about looks, not real talent! Ridiculous!"
But even as he spoke, he secretly glanced at Qin Ruhai, secretly admitting that he was indeed extraordinarily good-looking.
The gossip drifted through the air, but Qin Ruhai simply kept his head down, writing calmly, as if none of the noise concerned him.
He had understood people's hearts since he was young.
Women's kindness, vanity, hidden desires, and loneliness were all tools he could use effortlessly.
He never fought or begged. With only his gentle appearance and a few soft, well-timed words, he wrapped them around his finger completely, making them give him everything willingly.
All these women surrounding him were nothing but stepping stones for his rise.
He had only one real target.
One day, the street was crowded with people, and he saw Su Liwan in the middle of the crowd at a single glance.
Dressed in a light pink skirt, with bright, pure eyes and breathtaking beauty, she stood tall and noble, just like the little girl who had reached out to help him with innocent kindness that cold winter day years ago.
The crowd erupted in whispers.
"Heavens, it's Miss Su!"
"As expected of Qingxi's greatest beauty. Not even immortals could compare!"
"With her family background, who in Qingxi is worthy of her?"
In one glance, he recognized her.
In one glance, he marked her in his heart as his prey, to be taken at all costs.
She was Qingxi's greatest beauty.
She was the only daughter of the wealthy Su family.
She had everything he had ever craved.
And he planned to quietly weave a web, draw her closer step by step, and then devour her completely, along with everything she owned.
After that, he quietly moved his calligraphy stall to the main street near the Su residence, right on her usual path.
Day after day, he sat quietly, gentle and polite, never staring too long or approaching too closely.
He waited, observed, memorized her habits, her timing, her temperament.
He had endless patience.
Until a fierce wind suddenly rose one day. A plain silk handkerchief was torn from her sleeve. Made of the finest silk, snow-white and embroidered with pale pink begonia buds, the stitches were delicate and warm, clearly a beloved personal item.
The handkerchief twirled in the air and fell onto the lake, drifting toward the center with the wind.
Su Liwan's face paled instantly. Her eyes reddened, tears trembling on her lashes, and her voice shook with panic and distress.
"It was handmade by my mother… How did it fall in? What should I do…"
She was already breathtakingly beautiful, with fair skin and bright eyes. In her anxiety and sorrow, her brows furrowed slightly, her eyes glistening with tears, making her look like a pear blossom dampened by rain. Her usual purity and elegance mixed with helpless fragility, making her even more captivating. Even her messy hair from the wind only added to her charm.
Her maids panicked, rushing to the lake's edge and stretching out their hands, but they could not reach it at all.
The surrounding crowd quickly gathered, speaking with seemingly kind concern.
"Miss, don't worry. It's only a handkerchief. Don't upset yourself!"
"Yes, your health is more important. Don't cry!"
"The wind is strong; there's nothing we can do…"
But almost immediately, many of their expressions darkened.
While speaking polite words of comfort, their eyes stared greedily at her, wandering from her slender neck to her graceful figure, lingering on her blushing eyes and trembling shoulders. Some swallowed quietly, their minds filled with indecent thoughts — such a delicate, pure young lady, stripped of her dignity and composure, completely helpless… what a sight that would be.
Yet they all wore fake concerned expressions, looking like proper gentlemen.
At that moment, Qin Ruhai stepped forward slowly.
The crowd stretched out their hands but could not reach the handkerchief, only watching helplessly.
Without hesitation, Qin Ruhai lifted his robe and stepped into the water. The cold lake immediately soaked his shoes and the hem of his clothes. He paid no attention, walking steadily toward the center of the lake. Bending slightly, he firmly grasped the handkerchief.
When he turned and walked back to shore, half his robe was soaked, clinging to his slender frame. Yet he remained calm and gentle, not appearing embarrassed at all. He simply held out the handkerchief toward her.
The crowd gasped in admiration.
"This scholar actually went into the water!"
"He looks weak, but he's so brave at critical moments!"
"To get soaked just for her handkerchief… he's truly kind and sincere…"
Su Liwan looked up at him, their eyes meeting.
In that instant, her heart raced, her cheeks burned, and she thought she had fallen in love at first sight.
She thought this was fate, providence, a destined meeting.
Little did she know that from the moment she caught his eye,
every step, every timing, every "coincidence"
had been carefully calculated by him.
Night fell, and the small house was shrouded in dim light.
Qin Ruhai sat at the table, his fingers brushing over and over the portrait he had drawn of Su Liwan. The paper was worn thin from repeated touching.
He stared at the painting, no warmth in his eyes, only cold, paranoid possessiveness.
At that moment, an extremely soft, cautious knock sounded on the door.
"Knock… knock…"
Quiet as a cat scratching wood.
Qin Ruhai slowly lowered his hand, his face returning to its usual gentle calm. He stood and walked over.
He gently opened the door.
Shen Ruowei stood outside, shrinking timidly in the shadow, like a small grass trembling in the wind.