Fifth Record, The Cycle of Wind and Moon

Yun Yi smiled as she led him into the shadows at the edge of the dance floor, delivering each word with precision, "Not everyone can play the role of a hero saving a beauty. To be my benefactor, you are still lacking in capability."

Yun Yi curled her lips, her gaze sweeping past the White Russian beauty beside him. "Is that so? Since the women of your country are so steadfast, I imagine that the men of the Yamato nation must be even more virtuous, and would not easily become infatuated with foreign women like that officer in the play."

Upon hearing this, Yun Yi felt a weight lift from her heart. She wanted to give further instructions, but then she heard someone behind her respectfully say: "Miss Yun, the Fourth Young Master requests your presence"

"Mr. Cheng, please come with me; your brother is already waiting in the car." The man smiled, not young in age, yet his face showed no signs of wrinkles, meticulously groomed with neatly combed hair at the temples, and his sharp, thin voice conveyed an indescribable peculiarity

Yun Yi glanced at him and said, "When the Fourth Young Master was studying abroad in the East, did he ever encounter your Qiao Qiao-san?"

Yun Yi lowered her gaze in silence, yet her heart was only haunted by the words 'wind, moon, and meal', as if struck by a whip on her back

"These words are truly heartbreaking." Xue Jinming held Yunyi's hand against his chest, looking at her with a smile that was not quite a smile.

I thought this bowl of romantic meal would always be somewhat different She coldly raised her head and said In the past, to win over Xue Jinming, I had to refrain from attracting other patrons, but now that it has changed to Huo Zhongheng, I am wholeheartedly approaching that General Huo! As for Young Master Xue on this side, I fear he may not be well attended to

Xue Jinming's expression changed dramatically upon meeting her piercing gaze, and his face felt as if it had been slapped hard.

He reached out his hand as if to caress her face, but she forcefully pushed him away, biting her lip as she turned and left.

Who are you again? Yun Yi was as cold as ice.

Yun Yi took a moment to compose herself, secretly calming her mind. By the time she turned around, she had already regained her usual languid demeanor

Yun Yi withdrew her hand and smiled softly, "So the Fourth Young Master also has feelings."

Cheng Yizhe took a step back, gazing at her with deep emotion, "Nianqing, I have truly misjudged you"

"Did you have fun tonight?" Lord Qin smiled as he observed her, his gaze piercing like a awl, leaving Yun Yi feeling tight in her throat and at a loss for words

This retort was delivered flawlessly, and all the foreigners present understood Chinese. Upon hearing it, they couldn't help but chuckle, while Nagatani's expression changed subtly, yet he maintained his composure and said with a smile: "Miss Yunyi is indeed exceptionally intelligent"

"Is it worth offending the Fourth Young Master over such a trivial matter?" Master Pei Wuye smirked at Yun Yi, clicking his tongue and shaking his head. "No wonder Master Qin said that Miss Yun has become increasingly dull lately." Yun Yi looked at him coldly, saying, "Master Wuye is overthinking it. Please kindly convey my regards to Mr. Cheng; there is no need for Master Qin to worry about the Fourth Young Master."

Lord Qin also smiled, "Quite interesting"

Although Puccini may not fully understand the true beauty of Japanese women, he has nonetheless portrayed the deep affection of Cio-Cio-San in a profoundly moving manner. Xue Jinming smiled leisurely, casually easing the deadlock and providing a way out for Hasegawa.

The attendants were caught off guard as the tall and refined man made his way directly to the VIP seats at the front of the stage

Hasegawa, however, changed the subject and, with a smile laced with sarcasm, remarked: "However, I believe that Mr. Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly' is not a good play. He does not understand our women. The women of the Yamato nation are very steadfast and would not be frivolous and cowardly like Cio-Cio-San, relying on their beauty to please foreign men"

Cheng Yizhe became stiff, his feet feeling unsteady as he stepped on the hem of her skirt. The two of them stumbled together, appearing from a distance as if they were tightly embracing each other

Yun Yi walked up to Master Xue Si and the Japanese man, paused with a smile, and said, "Mr. Hasegawa, thank you for your support, but unfortunately, you missed a rose." In front of everyone, she raised her hand to pluck the black rose from her hair, took a sniff at its tip, scanned the crowd with her gaze, and then tossed the flower at Cheng Yizhe's feet. Xue Jinming was taken aback, and then his expression changed, exclaiming, "Yun Yi!"

Ah! Yun Yi opened her eyes, smiling like a spring breeze. "Do those with a bit of wealth consider themselves saviors?"

Cheng Yizhe suddenly grasped her hand tightly, his palm sweating profusely, and he lost his voice, "Then it's settled, I will marry you!"

She stepped into the background, the curtain behind her blocking the view from outside. Yun Yi wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes, sweeping away the sorrowful expression, leaving only a pale indifference.

With the few overcoming the many, I choose this brave adventurer. Yun Yi smiled and turned, making a wonderful gesture towards the band

A virtuous woman has fallen into the depths of depravity, waiting only for a lovesick young master to come to her rescue She curled the corners of her lips, her voice filled with sorrowful modulation, as if reciting a dramatic script

Yun Yi pulled her skirt and withdrew from Cheng Yizhe's embrace

Two individuals gracefully glided into the center of the dance floor, followed by four other couples who began to dance. In an instant, the vibrant lights and intoxicating atmosphere transformed the scene, dissipating the earlier tension into nothingness. Young Master Xue stood with his hands clasped behind his back, illuminated by the shifting and colorful lights, a chilling aura of lethal intent flickering across his elegant features.

"You girl, you truly are not cut out for this line of work!" Lord Qin smiled kindly, showing no concern for her rebellious attitude. "Well, I, Qin Jiu, will naturally keep my promises. Once the matter with Huo Zhongheng is settled, you may go far away as you wish. The benefits that are due to you will be given in full."

It was the first time he touched her, so close, wrapping his arms around her slender waist, holding her icy hand; it was also the first time she faced him with composure, without the obstruction of black-framed glasses, without the concealment of her thick long hair, presenting a completely transformed Shen Nianqing before his eyes

Bai Muhua rushed forward and shouted, "Yizhe, stop messing around!"

The silent and dimly lit Nianqing, the charming and beautiful Yunyi, which one is the true her

A few foreign women in the front row screamed sharply, causing a commotion throughout the venue, and Yun Yi and Young Master Xue Si also turned their gaze in this direction

Ichiro Hasegawa politely greeted Yunyi, seemingly unconcerned about the previous cold reception, and praised Yunyi's singing voice as heavenly, delivering a classic piece with soul-stirring interpretation. Yunyi smiled in gratitude

Xue Jinming's gaze extended far beyond the dance floor, never leaving the figures of these two individuals for a moment, capturing the entire scene in his eyes

"Lord Qin." Yun Yi closed the door with a swift motion, leaning against it, her face growing increasingly pale

Xue Jinming was most fond of her cold yet charming demeanor, and for a moment, his heart softened, making him reluctant to scold her. He could only tease, "You are the heartless one." However, Yunyi became increasingly angry, shaking off his hand and coldly retorting, "Is it heartless of me to dance with others? What about you giving me to the Japanese?" In the dance hall, figures intertwined, and some turned to look upon hearing the commotion. Xue Jinming quickly pulled her close, laughing and exclaiming, "You are the one who complains first without even asking for the context."

The familiar voice echoed in his ears, soft and enchanting, yet revealing an underlying coldness. Cheng Yizhe felt a jolt in his heart, as if splashed with icy water, staring blankly at that familiar yet strange face, unable to utter a word... Bai Muhua had already rushed forward, grabbing Cheng Yizhe and repeatedly saying, "He is drunk, please forgive us, forgive us!"

Master Pei Wu gazed thoughtfully, and ultimately let out a cold snort, "Very well, I shall grant you this favor."

A misty layer of tears also welled up in Yun Yi's eyes as she gazed at him, filled with profound sorrow

Master Qin turned his wheelchair and faced us, his black silk shirt embroidered with clusters of the character for fortune, reflecting his plump yet unremarkable appearance, resembling an ordinary businessman with no distinguishing features, save for the brilliance in his eyes that captivated all.

"Is Mr. Cheng satisfied with this surprise?" She tilted her face slightly, her brows and eyes filled with a playful smile, a hint of mockery like a thorn, pricking at Cheng Yizhe's heart with a sharp pain. After a long pause, he finally managed to speak with difficulty, "Why do you demean yourself like this?"

Yun Yi! Xue Jinming chased to the backstage entrance, only to see a figure in a blue robe emerge, as Pei Wu humbly blocked his path.

"Who is that?" he whispered softly in her ear

Young Master Xue Si gracefully rose, nodding with a smile to those present, and took Yun Yi's hand as they stepped into the dance floor

She strode straight in, casually tossing her gloves to the maid following closely behind, and arrived at the entrance of her private dressing room. As Yun Yi pushed the door open, she found that someone was already waiting for her in front of the crimson velvet curtains.

"Girl, words are dead, but people are alive. Although I said that the matter concerning Young Master Xue Si is settled, I never said that you can offend him from now on." Master Qin chuckled, his eyes gleaming with brilliance, "There are rules in this line of work; if you enjoy a day of indulgence, you must pay with a day of smiles. Not to mention the highly sought-after Xue Jinming, you cannot offend any of the patrons."

Thank you, Master Qin. Yun Yi's face gradually regained some color, yet her expression remained indifferent

A tall, slender figure emerged from the shadows of the colonnade, approached Cheng Yizhe from behind, and placed a hand on his shoulder, saying, "Young Master Cheng has had too much to drink."

Yun Yi's expression changed slightly, and Cheng Yizhe turned around to brush aside his arm, unleashing a torrent of anger towards this person. However, that individual seemed to be like a shadow, with slender fingers once again reaching out, causing half of his body to suddenly feel numb and weak

Yun Yi broke free from his embrace, turned, and walked straight out of the dance floor towards the backstage. Xue Jinming caught up with her, pulled her, and forced her against the column, leaning close to her face and letting out a low sigh, "Little one, you only know how to torment me"

Cheng Yizhe got up, but was seized by two attendants. In a desperate struggle, he suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice: "Nianqing, come with me!"

The person sat in a wheelchair, facing away from the door, leisurely smoking a cigar

This sound startled the audience, and everyone's gaze turned towards Yun Yi. Under the dim light, she slightly raised her face, her dark brows arched, her expression seemingly a mix of joy and displeasure, "Did you call me?"

"Be my wife, and let me love you for a lifetime, never allowing you to suffer even the slightest grievance!" He held her tightly, his gaze fiery, and the words escaped his trembling lips. The two danced step by step, the flickering lights behind him transforming into flowing brilliance, while the enchanting music was overshadowed by this vow. ... Yun Yi closed her eyes, as if a distant scene swept through her heart ... ... Once, a young man knelt in the sea of flowers in May, softly saying: "Marry me, I will give you happiness, and you and your mother will no longer have to endure grievances." Yun Yi closed her eyes, as if a distant scene swept through her heart ... ... Once, a young man knelt in the sea of flowers in May, softly saying: "Marry me, I will give you happiness, and you and your mother will no longer have to endure grievances."

The Fourth Young Master bestowing such honor is already a tremendous grace; no matter how I am treated, how could I dare to utter a word of dissent? Yun Yi raised her face, the corners of her lips curling into a faint, almost imperceptible sneer, "But if you were to use a woman to curry favor with the Japanese, Fourth Young Master, forgive me for saying that I do not know you!"

"If mocking me brings you joy, I am willing to endure a thousand cuts." Cheng Yizhe laughed bitterly, immersed in a one-sided sorrow.

"Master Qin, you mentioned that the matter regarding Young Master Xue was settled, yet you did not mention anything about the Japanese. " Yun Yi decided to be straightforward, forcing a stubborn expression, "I remember very clearly the promises you made back then."

Yun Yi's dance came to a halt, her face remaining expressionless, while her long and thick eyelashes cast two shadows, concealing the emotions hidden in her eyes

Yun Yi's face turned cold, and she said nothing. Xue Jinming also remained silent, only lowering his head to gaze at her, his hand wrapped around her waist gradually tightening, forcing her to press closely against him. The light was dim, illuminating her snow-white neck, long and jade-like, with a strand of hair falling at her temple, gently swaying, as if softly teasing the heart. Xue Jinming leaned close to her ear, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, faintly catching the scent of a woman, mingled with the aroma of tobacco and perfume from his body, becoming increasingly enchanting.

His affectionate care had once made her feel a sense of gratitude, yet tonight's actions, along with the abrupt proposal, left her unable to feel grateful any longer. This handsome face, seen before her, only added to the sense of weakness and absurdity.

Indeed, they are a talented man and a beautiful woman. Hasegawa Ichirou spoke leisurely, articulating fluent Beijing dialect Chinese, as he raised his champagne glass and exchanged smiles with Young Master Xue. Xue Jinming took a delicate sip of his wine, his long, jade-like fingers lightly tapping the rim of the glass, while the exquisite wine within shimmered with a crystalline luster

At this moment, the dance music begins again, the lights dim, and the band plays a lingering and exquisite melody that captivates the heart and mind

"Fifth Master has arrived just in time," Yun Yi stepped forward, smiling as she looked directly at the man, "Young Master Cheng is quite intoxicated, and it seems we must trouble Fifth Master to personally escort him home, ensuring that Young Master Cheng arrives safely." Cheng Yizhe noticed that she had deliberately emphasized the word 'safely,' and he felt both guilty and warmed. Without caring about anything else, he forcefully pushed aside the person behind him and grabbed Yun Yi, saying, "Come with me..."

The VIP section was filled with dignitaries and wealthy individuals. Upon sensing that something was amiss, several bodyguards at the table stood up. Before Cheng Yizhe could approach, two tall attendants in black suddenly emerged silently, flanking him on either side. Cheng Yizhe swung his fist violently at one of the attendants, but the attendant sidestepped and struck him with an elbow to his ribs, sending him flying.

Before a single word of "go" could escape, Master Pei Wu swiftly struck the back of his neck with a palm like a blade, extending his arm to catch his limp body

Young Master Xue Si gazed at Yun Yi, his smile gentle, "The exotic charm is indeed unique, yet I am solely enamored with the beauty before me"

The splendid melody of the "Masquerade Waltz" resonated at the right moment, as the lights in the dance floor shifted. Four beautiful ladies lifted their long skirts and slightly curtsied to the gentlemen they had chosen, gracefully stepping into the dance floor with their partners. Yun Yi elegantly approached Cheng Yizhe, raised her arm, and the taffeta gown produced a cool and pleasant rustling sound. He absentmindedly took hold of her, feeling the chill of her fingertips through the black lace gloves.

Yun Yi leaned against the door with a faint smile, her bright eyes half-closed, the smile carrying a sense of languor, "It sounds rather interesting"

At this moment, the first dance piece has concluded, and the lights have dimly brightened. Yun Yi gracefully strides through the dance floor and stands proudly. Xue Jinming rises with a smile and pulls out a chair for her. Without even glancing at him, Yun Yi sits down in an empty chair next to a foreigner. The foreigner quickly bows in greeting and attentively pours her a drink. Xue Jinming, with a half-smile, does not show any annoyance and gently introduces each person present to her. Yun Yi merely nods and smiles faintly. When it comes to Hasegawa, Xue Jinming pauses for a moment, omitting lengthy titles and positions, and simply states, "This is Hasegawa Ichiro, Doctor's degree from the Imperial University of Tokyo."

"Nianqing, are you Nianqing?" Cheng Yizhe gazed at her with infatuation, and she smiled without answering, her enchanting eyes slowly shifting over him, effortlessly shattering his last glimmer of hope with just a glance. The entire venue fell silent, the orchestra frozen in the pit, uncertain whether to begin the dance music, while the four lead dancers at the table anxiously looked towards Yunyi... The Japanese man intervened to seize love, Young Master Xue graciously yielded beauty, and then a refined gentleman emerged from nowhere. There was no more thrilling spectacle than this, as everyone eagerly awaited to see how this romantic farce would conclude.

The gaze of Yunyi swept across, her voice exuding a deep languor, "If you have come for Yunyi, there should surely be a branch of flowers."

The white Russian waitress in a fiery red cheongsam personally approached Hasegawa to pour wine. As she leaned forward, she intentionally or unintentionally revealed her cleavage, her ample bosom nearly brushing against Hasegawa's shoulder. Xue Jinming cast a glance at her, and upon turning his head, he noticed a tall, slender figure in a gray-blue long gown hidden behind a column, slightly bowing in this direction. The white Russian beauty had already nestled into Hasegawa's embrace, her long, firm thigh pressed against his side, and she glanced back, sending a flirtatious look towards Young Master Xue. Xue Jinming smiled knowingly and lazily beckoned with his finger behind him, prompting a servant to immediately lean in, waiting for his instructions.

Lord Qin retracted his smile and spoke solemnly, "Do not thank too early, for I have something to say first. Although General Huo is known for his charm and appreciation of beauty, he is by no means comparable to the likes of Young Master Xue, who is a romantic. This man is deeply calculating and ruthless in his methods, as you may have heard... If you are unable to handle him properly and fall into his hands, do not blame Qin Jiu for being incapable"