Chapter 442: What Are These Two Up To?
Hearing Yu Xiangxiang speak with such conviction, both Yu Luo and Ye Jiamei were relieved.
They had saved this girl from a life of suffering not so she could fall back into the same misery.
They had initially worried that Yu Xiangxiang, raised under the constraints of ancient traditions, would be bound by the doctrine of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, unable to break free. But to their surprise, she was remarkably clear-headed.
Seeing her growth, mother and daughter both felt genuinely happy—not because they were keeping her, but because she had truly matured.
“Good! All my lectures these past days weren’t in vain. A woman should take control of her life. If you know returning home means surrendering to your mother’s arrangements, then it’s better to make your own choices and be bold. I’m glad you’ve reached this realization.”
Yu Xiangxiang smiled and nodded. “These past months with Aunt, I’ve learned a lot. Seeing Xiao Luo, a young girl, holding up an entire city—I truly admire her. Though I can’t compare to her abilities, I want to be a woman like her, living freely and not letting my mother dictate my future.”
Hearing this, Yu Luo felt even more certain she had made the right choice in helping her.
Helping Yu Xiangxiang was easy, but Yu Luo wasn’t interested in wasting her efforts on someone who couldn’t stand on their own.
“Looks like my mother’s constant lectures weren’t in vain. You’ve learned a lot from them.”
“Alright, Xiangxiang, go check on the bird’s nest porridge in the kitchen. Xiao Luo just got back from outside—she needs something warm. I had the kitchen prepare four bowls; there’s one for you too, bring them all out.”
“Aunt, I don’t need such expensive things. You’re the one who needs the nourishment. I’m strong and sturdy—it’d just be a waste on me.”
Bird’s nest was valuable even in modern times, let alone in this ancient, remote place where it was considered a luxury.
Ye Jiamei often had Yu Xiangxiang drink a bowl, making her feel guilty. She had refused multiple times, but Ye Jiamei insisted. Now, with Yu Luo’s agreement, she felt even more uncomfortable accepting it.
“Silly girl, women need to take care of themselves. Now that Xiao Luo gave you that cream, your face will recover its former beauty. You should maintain your health properly. From now on, you’ll have a bowl every day, just like me and Xiao Luo.”
Yu Xiangxiang: …
“This is getting out of hand—I can’t keep taking advantage of you, Aunt! No way!”
“Alright, Xiangxiang, stop refusing. Bird’s nest is precious, but our family isn’t short on money. Just go fetch it.”
Yu Luo cut her off, pressing her hands firmly on Xiangxiang’s shoulders and turning her toward the kitchen, giving her a gentle push.
Holding the cream bottle, Yu Xiangxiang felt a warmth spread through her chest. She was grateful but also embarrassed.
As she walked to the kitchen, she kept running her fingers over the bottle, her lips curving into an unconscious smile.
She had already accepted her ruined appearance. Meeting Yu Luo’s family, she had resolved to never marry, instead devoting herself to caring for Ye Jiamei and her unborn child to repay their kindness.
So, whether her face healed or not hadn’t mattered to her.
But now… if she could regain her looks, even if she had no plans to marry, which woman wouldn’t be happy?
“Miss Xiangxiang.”
Just as she was lost in thought, a figure suddenly blocked her path.
Looking up, she saw Tao Ming again—holding a small box in his hands. Her smile immediately vanished, replaced by a cold expression.
“Tao Brother, do you need something?” she asked, her voice deliberately distant.
Seeing her icy demeanor, Tao Ming took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and shoved the box into her hands.
Yu Xiangxiang instinctively stepped back, refusing to accept it.
He had already forced gifts on her multiple times, and she knew his intentions all too well.
She didn’t want to lead him on. She wanted him to give up.
“What are you doing? Why do you keep doing this? I’ve told you before—I don’t want anything from you!”
She raised her voice deliberately, almost shouting at him.
She wasn’t naturally fierce, but she was trying to be.
Tao Ming could see through her, though.
And he had heard about Yu Family’s exoneration.
He hadn’t come just to give her another gift today—he wanted to lay everything out in the open.
He wasn’t afraid of anything except her leaving with her family. If he didn’t say something now, he might never get the chance again.
“Xiangxiang, don’t you understand my feelings for you?”
As he spoke, he opened the wooden box.
Inside was a golden hairpin inlaid with jade—a piece clearly worth a fortune.
Tao Ming had probably spent all his savings on it just to make her happy.
Yu Xiangxiang’s eyes widened in shock.
Previously, he had only given her small gifts—snacks, trinkets, nothing expensive.
She had never expected him to present something this valuable.
But—
“Tao Brother, you…”
“I like you, Xiangxiang!”
Tao Ming saw her hesitation and, unable to hold back any longer, blurted out his confession.
Then, he threw the box aside, grabbed the hairpin in one hand, and reached for her with the other.
Before he could even touch her, Yu Xiangxiang reacted first.
She took two quick steps back, putting even more distance between them.
“Tao Brother, I’m not right for you. Thank you for your feelings, but I’m sorry.”
Without giving him a chance to respond, she turned and ran in the opposite direction.
Tao Ming stood frozen, unable to believe it.
She rejected him—completely, decisively.
Did she truly not like him at all?
Was she really going back to her family?
Was this over before it had even begun?
Clutching the golden hairpin, his eyes stung with unshed tears.
He hadn’t fallen for her at first sight.
It had been the time they spent together—the way her kindness, her smile, and her very presence had warmed him.
Yu Luo happened to walk into the courtyard at that moment and witnessed the entire exchange.
Watching Tao Ming leave in dejection, she sighed and followed Yu Xiangxiang’s direction.
When she reached the kitchen, she found Xiangxiang crouched by the stove, her head buried in her knees, shoulders trembling.
She was crying.
Yu Luo frowned in confusion.
Wait… wasn’t this mutual?
What were these two doing?
(End of Chapter 442)
