Miss Ge lay on her bed, disheveled and grimy, her complexion sallow and dull. Her once fair, round little face had grown gaunt and sunken, and the faintly beautiful eyes she still possessed were utterly devoid of spirit.
But she did not care, because as long as she entered her dreams, she could regain a face beautiful as flowers and jade, even more beautiful than she had once been.
As long as she looked good before her lover, wasn't that enough?
Recently, she had been feeling increasingly weak and powerless. Merely shouting at those matchmakers had exhausted her to the point of dizziness.
She had not wanted to yell, but those matchmakers had gone too far, praising those rotten fish and shrimps to the heavens as though there were none like them above or below. In truth, they were all after her family's fortune!
If those men were really brought before her, they would not even be worthy of carrying shoes for her Zhang Lang.
Hmph.
Just as she was recovering her strength, she heard another set of footsteps. The little maid arrived outside the screen and said, "Miss, Master has brought someone to see you."
Miss Ge's brows furrowed again. She snapped, "Didn't I say I wouldn't see anyone? Tell those people to all... uh..."
Before she could finish, her voice gradually faded.
She thought perhaps her eyes were playing tricks on her.
What did I just see?
A broad-bodied, sight-blocking, loathsome dead fat man—oh, right, that was my father.
Behind the fat man followed a young man dressed in Daoist robes. Blue outerwear over white, his long robe draped gracefully, carrying an effortless air of elegance. His hair hung in two clouds at his temples, pinned casually with a bamboo hairpin; seemingly careless, yet every bit of him was charming.
Those brows and eyes glittered brilliantly, as if the stars filling the sky had been shattered within them.
And that nose bridge, those lips—how could they be so perfect? Why!
Could such a face and bearing truly exist in this world?
"Ah—"
Miss Ge could not help flushing as she let out a soft moan.
Master Ge hurried forward and asked, "Darling, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Mm." Miss Ge quickly covered her mouth.
What? That moan had clearly been in her heart.
Had she actually... made a sound without realizing it...?
It was simply too embarrassing.
But upon seeing such a face, who could possibly restrain herself?
Li Chu looked over and met Miss Ge's gaze.
In that instant, she felt as though the Little Daoist Priest's eyes were two sharp arrows that pierced straight through her heart. Accompanied by a crisp shattering sound, it seemed something began to gush out from within her.
Warm and slippery.
Heavens.
There was actually such an ethereal, peerlessly gorgeous man in this world.
The tears of West Lake, my water.
I was willing to turn into a blaze of fire with you!
Li Chu looked at Miss Ge and silently thought, Her glabella is dark, her complexion gloomy, her eyes lifeless... and she has eye gunk. These are indeed signs that a ghost has been stealing her Yang Energy.
Wang Longqi, who had been entangled by the Ghost Bride for one night, had been the same.
Only, Miss Ge's condition was even more severe. If it was not stopped, she would likely breathe her last within a few days.
After looking into each other's eyes for more than two breaths, Miss Ge's heart nearly stopped beating.
He's gazing deeply into my eyes. Heavens, heavens, heavens!
Wait.
Miss Ge suddenly remembered that she had not washed her face in three days.
Could there still be eye gunk in my eyes?
Ah.
She hurriedly pulled the blanket over her face.
Seeing his daughter's expression change from moment to moment, her gaze wandering before she suddenly dared not face anyone, Master Ge immediately grew worried.
"Darling, what's wrong?"
Hiding beneath the blanket, Miss Ge said in a muffled voice, "Father, stop talking. I'm willing!"
"Ah?" Master Ge froze. "Willing to do what?"
"Who brought him here?" Miss Ge stretched out a shriveled hand and pointed at Li Chu.
"I brought him here," Li Xinyi said.
Miss Ge secretly glanced at her, somewhat puzzled. "Which family's matchmaker are you? I don't think I've seen you before... Forget it. Go collect a hundred taels as your reward. I agree to this marriage."
Li Xinyi blinked.
I...
What family's matchmaker am I from?
This young lady has been driving out evil in your house for two days, and you do not even remember who I am?
And besides...
Which marriage did you agree to? Don't tell me you've taken a fancy to Little Daoist Priest Li? What the hell are you dreaming of?
Just because you agree, that makes it settled? Did I agree? Did the countless female compatriots of Yuhang Town agree?
So angry.
But she still had to maintain a smile.
Li Xinyi forced out a sliver of a smile. "Miss Ge, you may have misunderstood. I'm not a matchmaker."
"Hmm?" Miss Ge's eyes rolled around. "Whether you're a matchmaker isn't important. Is he here for a marriage meeting?"
Li Chu looked utterly bewildered. "Of course not."
"Uh." Without another word, Miss Ge fainted.
"Darling! Darling!" Master Ge hurriedly patted her cheeks and pinched her philtrum, saying at the same time, "Little Daoist Priest Li, my daughter is very frail right now. Please speak as gently as possible and don't provoke her."
"My apologies."
After a great deal of fussing, they finally woke Miss Ge again.
Miss Ge looked weakly at Li Chu. "You... aren't here for a marriage meeting?"
Master Ge immediately looked nervously at Li Chu.
Li Chu pondered for a moment, then said, "To put it gently, absolutely not."
Miss Ge's vision went dark, and she nearly fainted again.
Fortunately, Li Xinyi slapped her across the face, bringing her back to consciousness on the spot.
Covering her burning cheek, she looked blankly at the others.
Li Xinyi jerked her chin toward Li Chu, indicating that he had done it.
A blissful smile immediately bloomed across Miss Ge's face, and the burning pain on her cheek turned into a secret, pleasurable thrill.
Ah.
Li Chu said solemnly, "Miss Ge, your situation is extremely dangerous. We came here to save you."
"Ah?" Miss Ge instantly put on a terrified expression. "Really?"
"Mm." Li Chu nodded. "You have most likely been beguiled by a nightmare demon. It has been stealing your Yang Energy. If this continues, you may die within three days."
"It's far too wicked! What should I do?" Miss Ge stared at Li Chu with her big eyes, looking fragile and helpless.
Li Chu said, "Tonight, meet with it as usual. I will try to see whether I can destroy that ghost."
"Alright, Young Daoist, you must save me." Miss Ge took the chance to seize Li Chu's hand. "I'm only nineteen. I don't want to die yet."
"Please rest assured, Miss Ge. We will certainly do everything in our power."
Without changing his expression, Li Chu withdrew his arm. His upper body smoothly executed a tactical lean backward, widening the distance between himself and Miss Ge.
"Then... can you sleep with me tonight? I'm scared—" Miss Ge asked, her lashes fluttering.
"Hmm?" Li Chu and Master Ge both froze at once.
Li Xinyi hurriedly said, "We will remain in the outer chamber of the bedroom and monitor the inner room at all times. Miss Ge can rest assured; we absolutely will not leave you alone."
"That's exactly what I meant." Miss Ge blushed and spoke with bashful timidity.
"..." Li Xinyi was speechless.
Her eyes widened like bronze bells. She had long seen through Miss Ge's little trick, and could not help sneering inwardly.
You may be an untouched maiden in reality, but in your dreams, torrential rain has been falling for so many days. What purity are you pretending at?
The Purple-Clad Guard of Facing Heaven Pavilion gave a cold snort. "But Miss Ge, don't let your Zhang Lang bewitch you again and leave you muddleheaded with passion. If you cannot keep yourself under control, then we cannot save you either."
"Zhang Lang?"
Miss Ge was stunned. Her lashes fluttered incessantly, her face plainly saying, "Who is that?"
Even Li Xinyi could not help being impressed.
Not bad. Ruthless enough.
You really were something, Ge Cuihua.
Thanks to "Big Bell Loves Watermelon" for the five hundred reward, thanks to "Ten-Year Meow Demon King" for the three hundred reward, and thanks to "Jackson Hannah" for the hundred reward.
Uploads to the backend have been incredibly slow at night lately. It's not that I'm not updating—I've been targeted.
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