Geheimagent Wind Boy

Kapitel 78

She took a few deep breaths, blinked until her vision cleared, pouted, and said with considerable dissatisfaction, "You haven't even calculated the interest on those forty thousand taels yet. I won't let you off so easily!"

Upon hearing this, a storm of emotions flashed in his eyes, changing rapidly in an instant.

She suddenly felt like laughing... but secretly thought to herself: Go quickly, go quickly, only by going quickly can you return quickly...

The day after Long Ming left, Tian Shuang disguised himself as a man and entered Sunset Garden. It was not a big deal to change the servants who served him; he could simply find a reason to inform the steward of the Prince's Mansion.

The good news is that my third brother has been in much better spirits these past few days, and he always has a warm and gentle smile on his face, especially when he sees her.

Seeing that her third brother's injuries were gradually improving, Xi Ri began to consider how to let him know her identity. Every day she deceived him, she would suffer from a guilty conscience. Especially when her third brother was good to her, she felt even more that she could no longer deceive him.

Perhaps I should let him sense it first... It's always better to be mentally prepared than to speak rashly.

She had considered backing down, but whenever she thought of Minglu's expression when he learned her true identity, and of how Fu Jin, Nalan, and Xi'en might react, she felt a deep-seated fear. She was afraid of losing her brothers, afraid they wouldn't forgive her deception, afraid they would look down on her… Ultimately, she didn't want to lose their care and love, didn't want to lose their trust. What price would she pay for her past foolishness? Sometimes, the thought made her shrink back.

But she knew that deception was still deception, and that she could only hide it for a while, not forever; what was coming would eventually come.

Perhaps it was the departure of the meddlesome Long Ming that made her feel so lonely; she suddenly felt a little isolated...

Since Xiao Mingzi left, her fourth brother, Fu Jin, has been frequently seen around her, which makes Xi Ri even more mistakenly believe that her fourth brother is doing this because of Xiao Mingzi...

I thought things would be less troublesome after Long Ming left. But I didn't expect that after Xiao Mingzi left, Xiao Shuangzi came along, and things weren't much better. Especially Xiao Shuangzi and Fourth Brother, the two of them are like oil and water, almost to the point where it's either him or her, it's either him or her.

So what exactly happened? It all started when the two of them first met at Sunset Garden…

That day, at the door, one was about to enter, and the other was about to leave. One was in a hurry, and the other was in a hurry. The one in a hurry was Xiao Shuangzi, who was busy delivering Xi Ri's message to Tian Yong. The one in a hurry was Fu Jin, who was carrying a parrot like a treasure. The parrot was a new one he had just bought. Coincidentally, it had taught him a phrase that day, and he was so excited that he wanted to show it to Yu Di as soon as possible so they could have some fun together.

Both were in a hurry, but neither noticed the person coming from the opposite direction, and they bumped into each other. It wouldn't have been a big deal in itself; although they collided, it wasn't serious. However, neither of them expected that their reaction after bumping into each other and seeing each other would be so unexpectedly intense.

The twins' attempt to embrace Fu Jin was rejected. Instead, when Fu Jin saw that the twins were a man and he was holding them, he was shocked and immediately tried to push them away. However, his hand ended up hitting the twins' chest instead. Almost at the same time, the twins looked up and saw who was holding them when they felt a hand on their chest. Enraged, they kicked Fu Jin in the groin. In the blink of an eye, with two loud thuds, the two fell backward.

The scene was extremely tragic... Xi Ri covered her face slightly, unable to bear the sight, and even later, recalling it brought her endless sorrow.

After all that, Xiao Mingzi finally left, but why are these twins so unlucky too...?

Although Tian Shuang was Xi Ri's maid, she was not someone to be trifled with. Not only was she clever, but she also possessed some martial arts skills. From that day on, a grudge was formed between Xiao Shuangzi and Fu Jin. Whether by accident or unintentional mistake, Fu Jin repeatedly provoked Xiao Shuangzi, and no matter how much Xi Ri tried to persuade and guide her, she couldn't stop Fu Jin from causing trouble for her time and again. Finally, even Xi Ri was powerless to defend Fu Jin. She only occasionally saw the look in Tian Shuang's eyes when she stared at the parrot that Fourth Brother had given her… and couldn't help but secretly worry for Fourth Brother. If Xiao Shuangzi went berserk and retaliated, the consequences would be unimaginable. Fourth Brother, you can only pray for your own good fortune.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is here.

Her father sent someone to the old house to tell her that she should return home for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

After all, she was still the second young lady of the Tian family. Although her mother was gone, her status remained unchanged. Having escaped from that secluded mansion for so long, she absolutely had to return for the Mid-Autumn Festival. She had initially considered making an excuse that her maternal uncles in the capital had invited her to their residence for a family reunion on the night of the festival, but after much thought, she decided against it. Let her third brother suspect something; she didn't want to lie to him anymore. So, she left only a note saying: "If I don't return tonight, don't worry." Then, early the next morning, when there were fewer people around, she left the Prince's residence with Tian Shuang.

On this Mid-Autumn Festival, a day of family reunion, the daytime markets are bustling with activity, as vendors hawk all sorts of items. Xi Ri, having changed back into women's clothing, can finally freely choose what she likes.

As I strolled along, I happened to pass by the Yue Lao Temple. I had stopped outside the temple on a previous day, and during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the temple was even more bustling with worshippers than usual. Seeing the men and women coming and going with joyful expressions, I also felt a smile on my face.

Behind her, Tian Shuang asked if she wanted to go in. She shook her head, knowing Tian Shuang wanted to go in and pray, so she let her go. Watching Tian Shuang's light and quick figure disappear through the door, a sense of melancholy washed over her. Two years ago, she also enjoyed visiting the Temple of the Matchmaker, but now… She silently turned around, and as she looked up, she unexpectedly saw someone.

Xi Ri, who hadn't worn women's clothing for many days, was dressed very plainly today, like a girl from an ordinary family, in simple clothes and a single wooden hairpin in her hair. As she gracefully raised her head, her gaze unexpectedly met his; it was surprising that the two of them would meet here.

He politely nodded slightly to her. She should have returned the greeting, but when she saw a sweet young girl emerge from the Temple of the Matchmaker and rush towards him, her gaze turned cold, she turned her head away, and felt a slight pain in her heart, as if stabbed by something. Suddenly, she felt a pang of hatred for the slight pain she felt. So Ge... it's better not to see him.

She gave a slight bow to Suoge with an indifferent expression and was about to leave.

Just then, the girl spoke, her voice soft and sweet, just like her personality: "Brother, why don't you go in and draw a fortune stick? I heard it's very effective here. As long as you write the name of the person you like on a letter and hang it on the Lover's Tree for three days without it falling off, the lovers will be able to get married."

Soge asked with a gentle smile, "Ningxiang has someone she likes too?"

Upon hearing this, Xi Ri was slightly taken aback.

The young girl was infinitely shy.

Suoge became even more gentle and asked, "Who does Ningxiang like? Can you tell me, elder brother?"

The girl remained silent for a long time, but Xi Ri realized she was standing there, seemingly listening to their conversation. At that moment, Suo Ge must have noticed her standing still, wondering if she was also eavesdropping. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he was about to leave when he heard the girl whisper a name – Xiao Bai.

She didn't know who Xiaobai was, nor did she care to know. All she knew was that... his voice could be so gentle...

Just then, a large crowd suddenly poured out of the Temple of the Matchmaker. The temple keeper was holding a red rope with small red embroidered balls tied to both ends. Xi Ri knew what it was.

At the Yue Lao Temple (Temple of the Matchmaker), there's a custom where the temple keeper throws a red thread, several meters long, tied to an embroidered ball, onto the platform at the entrance. When the keeper throws it, men and women stand on either side of the wall, choosing their spots and remaining motionless. If an unmarried man or woman is struck by the ball on that moment, they are said to be blessed by the God of Marriage, and the man will likely propose marriage to the woman within a month. This custom has a long history, and it's said that all marriages tied by this red thread are happy and fulfilling. Therefore, it's highly sought after by unmarried men and women.

The Temple of the Matchmaker throws the red thread of fate only once a year, and this day is never known, so it's a rare and precious occasion. I never expected to be lucky enough to witness it today. Although I can't participate, I can at least enjoy watching the spectacle.

Soon, the unmarried men and women excitedly stood on both sides, looking together at the temple keeper who respectfully emerged from the temple holding a red thread.

The past has already retreated to the side.

Does a match made in heaven truly mean standing still and waiting for the red thread of fate to tie the knot? Otherwise, is it considered forced? She pondered this deeply; forced… perhaps she was forcing things right now…

At this moment, two temple keepers ascended to the high platform atop the wall, each facing one side, holding up an embroidered ball at one end of a red thread. They looked down at the crowd standing on either side, their expressions solemn. The devout men and women below held their breath in anticipation, as if this were an incredibly solemn ceremony. But Xi Ri smiled slightly at this moment…

Finally, the two temple keepers suddenly exerted force simultaneously, tossing the embroidered balls high into the air. They caught the red string in the middle and danced in the air. The crowd stared wide-eyed; some watched the spectacle, while others eagerly awaited being hit. Xi Ri also looked up, just then a gust of wind blew, and a kite, flown by someone, suddenly plummeted from the sky. The kite string pulled on the red string, causing the embroidered balls at both ends to lose their aim and fall haphazardly. The crowd below all cried out, yet dared not move. For if they did, even if they were hit by a ball, it wouldn't be a match made in heaven, but a forced marriage, destined to be unhappy.

Just then, seeing the red thread lose its strength and direction due to the kite, and wondering where it would be pulled, Xi Ri's gaze followed the embroidered ball. Suddenly, a ray of sunlight dazzled her, and she had to lower her head. Just then, a pom-pom suddenly hit her chest. Instinctively, she grabbed it and looked closely; it was the embroidered ball at the end of the red thread, with the words "Good Marriage" embroidered on it.

Just then, the temple keeper above exclaimed, "What a match made in heaven!"

A match made in heaven? Xi Ri stared blankly at the embroidered ball in her hand, momentarily speechless, only subconsciously looking along the red thread to the other end of the ball... The devout men and women in the middle quickly made way, revealing the other end of the red thread.

At that moment, on the other end, someone was also looking at her along the red line.

It was him! (It was her!) Upon seeing each other, their expressions suddenly changed.

The other end of the embroidered ball was none other than Suoge! This was undoubtedly an irony for her!

Xi Ri suddenly released the embroidered ball from her hand, letting it fall to the ground, then turned and strode away.

When their eyes met, he frowned, his gaze deep, and with a flick of his fingers, the embroidered ball and Xiri fell to the ground at the same time.