Chapter Eight: A Curious Fate

Li Haoran sat on the stone bench, his expression dark and grim. The man in black lying on the ground had already begun to rouse.

“Since you’re awake, stop playing dead.”

Xiao Zhu, a trusted lieutenant of his father, was someone whose capabilities Li Haoran knew well. The injuries he suffered were no more than flesh wounds, nothing life-threatening—by now, he should have recovered consciousness.

Sure enough, the man in black opened his eyes, slowly pushed himself up, and cupped his fists in salute. “Young Master.”

Li Haoran’s face remained impassive. “Why are you here? And why did you attempt to kill my guest?”

Xiao Zhu’s status in the Li household was anything but ordinary. The only person who could command him was Old Lord Li himself. But why would his father do such a thing?

Li Haoran fixed his gaze on Xiao Zhu, his eyes unblinking.

“...I was merely following orders. I know nothing else,” Xiao Zhu replied, lowering his head and avoiding Li Haoran’s eyes.

Li Haoran let out a cold laugh, knowing he would never get the truth from this loyal subordinate’s lips.

He shot to his feet, pacing like an enraged lion. “Very well. If you won’t speak, I’ll ask Father myself. Are they truly so determined to see me ruined before they’re satisfied?”

Xiao Zhu said nothing, his head bowed as if he was long used to Li Haoran’s outbursts.

Li Haoran kicked him in the chest, his voice low and menacing. “Go back and tell Father this: Miss Chu is my honored guest. If he wishes her harm, he should be prepared for me to turn my back on him!”

Xiao Zhu gave a brief salute, then rose and left.

The rift between father and son was long past the point where a few words could mend it. Still, Xiao Zhu had not expected Li Haoran to care so much for this Miss Chu. What was it about her that set her apart?

Shortly after Xiao Zhu departed, Chu Bing regained consciousness.

“Miss Chu, you’re awake!”

She opened her eyes and found Li Haoran seated at the bedside. His striking features filled her vision so suddenly that she forgot what she meant to say.

This man truly was handsome.

“Miss Chu?” Li Haoran, seeing her silence, grew anxious. “Are you feeling unwell? I’ll fetch a physician!”

Chu Bing hurriedly caught his hand.

“I’m feeling much better already.”

Li Haoran looked down at her hand clutching his wrist, and felt a sudden warmth spread from that spot. His ears flushed red—he had never been so close to a young woman before!

Noticing his odd expression, Chu Bing couldn’t help but laugh. These people of old truly were amusing! Just one touch and he was blushing!

But this wasn’t necessarily a good thing—Chu Bing had no intention of becoming entangled in a sweet romance with anyone here. She quickly changed the subject. “I really must thank you. If you hadn’t shown up when you did, I’m afraid things would have gone badly for me.”

Though she possessed considerable martial skill, her lack of real combat experience had left her vulnerable. Silently, Chu Bing resolved that once she recovered, she would find challengers to train with, determined to hone her abilities further.

Li Haoran’s expression shifted as he looked at her, and he gave a bitter smile. “Miss Chu, there’s something I must confess.”

She paused. “Go on.”

“Since childhood, I’ve loved martial arts and military strategy. But every time my family hired a teacher for me, disaster would strike—injuries, deaths, precious items vanishing overnight. People say my fate is cursed...”

His voice grew heavier, his whole frame shadowed by sorrow.

Chu Bing raised an eyebrow, her tone odd. “Surely you don’t believe these men in black were drawn to you by your ill-fated destiny?”

Li Haoran was indeed rather unlucky, but fate? Chu Bing didn’t buy into such things.

After a moment of silence, Li Haoran spoke, his words slow and heavy. “Yes, my fate is ill-starred. Anyone who grows close to me suffers misfortune.”

Anyone of talent who approached him would inevitably meet with calamity. Li Haoran could no longer bear to see those who cared for him come to harm.

“I think... it’s not your fate at fault, but someone deliberately plotting against you,” Chu Bing mused, stroking her chin as she pondered.

Based on her encounters with the men in black, she sensed they had a particular interest in Li Haoran, as if determined to keep her away from him.

“In fact, I’ve run into these black-clad men once before—barely escaped with my life. One of them warned me to stay away from you. I’m convinced someone is trying to cut off your path to progress.”

The more Chu Bing spoke, the more sense it made. Her thoughts became clearer. After all, those who bore a grudge against Li Haoran could be counted on one hand. Of all of them, his half-brothers were the most likely suspects.

Li Haoran understood what Chu Bing was implying. With his keen mind, he had long suspected that such schemes originated from within his own family, though he’d never found proof or dared to face the truth.

But now, he had no choice but to face it squarely.

A trace of confusion and pain flickered in his eyes.

He had never enjoyed his father’s favor. Even the common folk knew that the heir to the marquisate would be one of his two elder brothers, never him. He’d never shown enmity toward those two, yet they seemed incapable of lowering their guard, endlessly working against him from the shadows.

Li Haoran looked at Chu Bing, guilt clouding his face. “Miss Chu, I’m sorry. I’ve brought this trouble upon you.”

Chu Bing couldn’t help rolling her eyes. She hadn’t said all this just to make him feel worse.

“You certainly are unlucky, but you’ve met me now, haven’t you? I’m here precisely to change your luck!”

She reached out and patted Li Haoran’s shoulder, her posture proud—like a brilliant rooster strutting its feathers.

Li Haoran stared, his gaze settling on her delicate hand resting lightly on his shoulder, pale and soft in the dusky light.

His cheeks warmed suddenly, and he turned his head in embarrassment, only to catch sight of Chu Bing’s unadorned face—she really was rather pretty...

What am I thinking!

He snapped out of it, mortified by his own wayward thoughts. His ears reddened as he leapt to his feet. “Miss Chu, I—I have some matters to attend to. Please excuse me...”

With that, he saluted in her direction, eyes glued to the floor, and hurried out.

Chu Bing watched his hasty retreat, utterly bewildered. Had she said something dreadful without realizing it?