The Eighth Record: A Match Against a Worthy Opponent

Madam Fang thought resentfully, what is most infuriating is that after being trampled on, one still has to smile as if nothing happened

There is no student named Shen Nianqiao at the school; there is only a Song Nianqiao, who withdrew from school two days ago. No one knows Nianqiao's whereabouts, not even her female classmates who usually got along with her. The nun in charge of student affairs mentioned that the person who came to handle the withdrawal procedures for Song Nianqiao was her aunt. When Cheng Yizhe inquired about the appearance of that person, the nun said it was a well-dressed plump woman with a round face and permed hair, speaking with a foreign accent

Everyone, including Huo Zhongheng, stood in a daze, their hearts shaken by the sound of the zither

Such an elegant and solemn scene was first disrupted when Xue Jinming appeared with Yunyi.

Fang Luoli wore a pink satin qipao embroidered with roses, her thick black hair tied at the top with a pale yellow satin ribbon, forming a playful bow at the side. Her youthful face openly displayed her anger and disappointment. In stark contrast stood Madam Fang beside her, whose well-maintained face revealed not a hint of emotion.

This visage caused Huo Zhongheng to momentarily lose his senses, and he soon heard her speak in a voice so soft and low that only the two of them could hear, "Do you like this gift?"

Xue Jinming was both amused and perplexed, "How old are you this year, still playing hide and seek? What about Yunyi?"

Cheng Yizhe rushed up to the second floor, searching every room, almost prying open the walls and floorboards, yet he could not find a single strand of her fallen hair, nor any trace to prove that she had ever existed. She had vanished just like that, along with the mysterious butler and servants, disappearing without a trace overnight... He distinctly remembered seeing the light on in her room the previous night, and behind the open long window in the living room on the first floor, he could vaguely see the busy figure of the butler through the white lace curtains.

Yun Yi gazed at her palm, a dry smile emerging—change, have the changes she has experienced been few?

Yun Yi smiled faintly, her fingers lightly tapping on his arm, "Do not rejoice too soon, quickly put on your gentlemanly facade."

Standing in the empty living room, the phrase "Things are like a spring dream, leaving no trace" suddenly surfaced in Cheng Yizhe's mind. In such a context, it seemed like a remarkable irony. Cheng Yizhe burst into loud laughter, bending over with laughter, until his throat felt sore.

The final segment of the music is even more powerful, akin to offering the most fervent praise to heroes in a triumphant song of victory

In an instant, thunderous applause erupted, and from behind the black Steinway piano, a graceful figure rose elegantly.

In fact, Madam Fang is so desperate that she wishes to find a crack in the ground to hide in, wanting to avoid seeing anyone.

"Alright, do you need me to accompany you?" Xue Jinming could not fathom her thoughts, but understood her capricious temperament; the latter statement was merely a polite formality.

As the lights dimmed, Huo Zhongheng smiled and bowed to Madam Fang, inviting her to dance together

Chen Tai did not dare to meet her gaze directly, forcing a smile as he said, "It's about time; let's have the driver prepare to set off."

Two words, a glance, have already conveyed an intangible pressure, causing Xue Jinming to feel an unpleasant sense of oppression

Miss Yun?" Mr. Chen, seeing her standing in a daze by the window, could not help but call out to her

In front of the grand banquet hall, the wide and winding driveway is lined with the vehicles of dignitaries and celebrities. Inside the banquet hall, resplendent with gold and brilliance, figures move about as soft music flows like water. It is neither too early nor too late for entry, and guests are entering through the main door, greeting familiar friends. The enormous crystal chandelier hanging from the dome is a gift specially commissioned from Florence by a mysterious wealthy individual for Prince Chun, which was later presented to the British envoy by the prince and has been hanging here ever since. The intricate branches of the chandelier number over three thousand, and they are only fully illuminated during the grandest celebrations. To welcome Huo Zhongheng, all three thousand lights are lit once again, illuminating the spacious circular hall as bright as day, with everything in the play of light and shadow appearing dreamlike and indistinct, extravagantly unreal.

Xue Jinming's reputation is notorious, and even though Madam Fang lives a secluded life, she has heard of his scandalous affairs with that courtesan. It is regrettable that Fang Jijiao is so intent on ingratiating himself with the powerful, forcibly linking Lori with that flamboyant young man. They even say that youth without romance is a waste, corrupting Lori, this ungrateful girl, who is solely fixated on the surname Xue. Now, it is evident that he does not regard you, Fang Jijiao, at all, brazenly bringing his mistress to public events, trampling the dignity of the provincial governor in front of the city's elite.

In that fleeting moment, everyone even forgot her identity, overlooking the peculiarity and inappropriateness of her presence alongside Xue Jinming in such a setting. Of course, it was merely a momentary oversight. Once they regained their composure, the virtuous ladies hurriedly retreated to the back or opened their fans to cover their faces. However, the men could approach Young Master Xue, engaging in casual greetings while naturally admiring his female companion. Xue Jinming, accompanied by Yunyi, gracefully traversed the hall, completely indifferent to the gazes around him, and instead thoroughly enjoyed this amusement.

The exquisite courtyard and the new residence, in the words of Mr. Qin, would not be a disgrace even for an Arab princess to reside in

It is all. Yun Yi sighed with a smile, feeling a slight tightness in her chest

The surrounding discussions among the bureaucrats remained dull and uninteresting. Xue Jinming, distracted, perfunctorily engaged in banter, his gaze wandering around, yet he did not see the two individuals appear. Just as he was puzzled, he heard someone behind him call out his name in a crisp voice, "Xue Jinming!"

Yun Yi only allowed Xue Jinming to pick her up at Medusa, and it took some time to take a detour from the new residence to Medusa. The driver remained silent throughout the journey, while Yun Yi was lost in thought, staring blankly at the lines on her palm. That day, when she sent Nian Qiao to school, she suddenly shouted that she wanted to show Nian Qing her palmistry, a trick she must have learned from somewhere. After babbling nonsensically for a while, she suddenly exclaimed: "Sister, there is a huge fork in your fate line, and you will meet someone important in the future who will change your life."

Xue Jinming was dragged to a corner by her, and Fang Luoli suddenly stopped and turned around, her face devoid of any smile. Xue Jinming felt quite embarrassed and hurriedly said: "Miss, what is this all about?"

The two have been gone for quite a while, and the guests in the hall have all arrived. It seems that the main characters of the evening will be arriving soon.

Many people later spoke highly of the exceptionally beautiful couple they had never seen before

Huo Zhongheng has finally arrived

Fang Luoli was taken aback for a moment, and then she realized that she was being provoked in a manner that sought to gain more and more ground

At first glance, Xue Jinming was greatly surprised to see Huo Zhongheng. This person had an impressive demeanor and appearance, completely contrary to the brutish and overbearing image he had anticipated. Tonight was not a formal occasion, and Huo Zhongheng did not attend in military dress; instead, he wore a black tuxedo, resembling an ordinary gentleman. The crowd parted to create a passage in the middle, bowing slightly. Huo Zhongheng removed his top hat and walked into the hall with composure, shaking hands with Fang Jiqiao, who approached him with a smile, displaying no signs of arrogance or ostentation, only a hint of a casual smile at the corner of his lips revealing a sense of pride.

The last remaining clue is Nian Qiao

At present, the fashion among ladies features short, shoulder-length wavy hair, yet she has gathered all her thick black hair into an elegant updo, with two dangling jade earrings swaying by her ears. The silver qipao is tailored gracefully, with the hem embroidered with a cluster of peacock feathers. The rich green contrasts beautifully with her snow-white skin and radiant silver sheen, resembling a siren emerging from the sea

"No need." Yun Yi smiled and turned around, ignoring others, but glanced at Fang Luoli and said, "Miss Fang, are you not afraid of being bored? Would you like to join me?"

"She has hidden away," Loli said, crossing her arms and blinking innocently. "The game has already begun, you better hurry and find her, there isn't much time left"

The elegantly dressed ladies with their cloud-like hair gathered in a corner, whispering and laughing softly. In such an occasion, each one appeared dignified and virtuous. Among them were many fair-haired, blue-eyed faces; the foreign ladies swayed their skirts, graciously smiling and greeting strangers beside their male companions. Handsome attendants busily moved between the hall and the foyer, each wearing a perfectly tied bow tie, bowing and smiling as they presented silver trays with high-stemmed wine glasses to the haughty guests

"Lori, stop messing around, do you know what occasion this is!" Xue Jinming frowned

On the sixth and seventh of Ming Mountain Road, the doors and windows were tightly locked for two consecutive days, with no one seen entering or exiting. Cheng Yizhe finally sensed that something was amiss. After he climbed into the backyard and smashed open the dining room window to enter the house, he was greeted by a blinding expanse of white—snow-white curtains, a snow-white ceiling, and all the furniture covered with snow-white cloths. The floor was spotless, clearly reflecting his solitary shadow.

"There is no need to pretend to be a gentleman, as it brings such benefits." He leaned closer and whispered with a chuckle in Yun Yi's ear

The sound of the piano abruptly ceased, and the entire venue fell silent for a moment. The first applause broke out, led by Huo Zhongheng who was the first to clap.

If appearances can be mistaken, this voice cannot be misheard

Medusa has not seen Miss Yun Yi take the stage for several consecutive days. The manager personally came out to explain, stating only that Miss Yun is on leave for health reasons and has temporarily left the stage

The musicians in the orchestra opened their scores, preparing to perform the customary opening piece. Suddenly, the exhilarating and lively sound of the piano erupted, a cascade of notes splashing forth, revealing a rendition of Chopin's Polish Dance "Heroic".

I forgot to tell you, just now I had a small wager with Miss Yun. If you cannot find her, it means I win; if you do find her, it means I lose. The time limit is until the ball begins, and the stake is you!" Fang Luoli shrugged with a smile and turned to leave. Xue Jinming was stunned, just about to chase after her for clarification, when he heard the military band at the entrance playing the welcoming tune. Everyone in the hall rushed towards the door, and Fang Jiao led a group of officials hurriedly through the hall.

This is truly a frustrating night

Fang Jijiao is indeed a person who has long navigated the complexities of the officialdom. Although he is well aware that Xue Jinming is deliberately trying to embarrass him, he feigns ignorance of Yunyi and continues to engage in polite conversation with Xue Jinming as usual. A few people around them also join in, discussing trivial matters of the official circle, mostly gossiping about who has lost power and who has made a fool of themselves. The others have tactfully withdrawn, and Fang Jijiao understands that after tonight, he will likely become the subject of ridicule in their conversations.

Fang Luoli walked through the crowd and approached Xue Jinming, raising her head with a smile, "I have won"

Nianqing deceived her by saying that their mother's inheritance had finally been transferred to their names, allowing Nianqiao to attend the best school. Initially, Nianqiao was unwilling, unable to let go of her grievances against her mother, but she was ultimately persuaded by Nianqing. After all, the Allentown Girls' School was the place she had always dreamed of, and she aspired to stand out and join the ranks of true ladies, hoping that one day she could look down upon others. Although Nianqiao never voiced it, Nianqing understood that even the most patient and humble girl harbors a magnificent dream. After all, the Allentown Girls' School was the place she had always dreamed of, and she aspired to stand out and join the ranks of true ladies, hoping that one day she could look down upon others. Although Nianqiao never voiced it, Nianqing understood that even the most patient and humble girl harbors a magnificent dream.

Xue Jinming followed her gaze and turned to look back. Several foreign ministers and government officials had gathered at the bottom of the grand staircase, forming a small center of attention. Fang Jiqiao had already noticed them, his smile still present but now quite stiff. The tall and striking young woman beside him, however, did not hide her emotions, glaring fiercely at them.

"I was just thinking about where you all went." Xue Jinming turned back with a smile, only to find Fang Luoli behind him, with no sign of Yun Yi. In front of everyone, Fang Luoli unceremoniously linked her arm with Xue Jinming's, tilting her head with a smile, "I apologize, the Fourth Young Master will be temporarily unavailable!"

Madam Fang coughed heavily, greatly angered by Lori's lack of resolve, yet could only watch helplessly as she dragged Xue Jinming away

After that day, Shen Nianqing never appeared at the newspaper office again, only sending a resignation letter to Ye Qixian, and she did not come to collect her personal belongings left at the office. After Amei sorted through her things, she handed them over to Cheng Yizhe, which included only an English edition of Mrs. Browning's sonnets, a small comb, and a new pair of black-framed glasses. The small comb had two strands of hair wrapped around it, and when held in hand, it felt unusual; it was not real hair—only then did she realize that her usually thick and voluminous hairstyle was actually a wig, and that new pair of glasses was likely a spare disguise.

Yun Yi's unrestrained gaze pierced through her, igniting her fury like a blazing fire, her cheeks flushed red, and she retorted without hesitation: "Alright!"

Cheng Yizhe found the church girls' school, only to learn of another unexpected event

Very well, perhaps many things will change after tonight, or perhaps only she will be changed

There is no need to look back to know that it must be Fang Luoli

Yun Yi has indeed gone missing, and despite searching the entire venue, there is no sign of her; Fang Luoli has dropped a baffling game and has also avoided him; Huo Zhongheng has become the focal point surrounded by many, while Fang Jiao, who spoke so defiantly that day, now wears a humble smile in front of him... After Governor Fang delivered a lengthy welcome speech, General Huo's remarks consisted of only a few concise words of thanks— the more composed he appeared, the more it highlighted the sycophantic behavior of others. Is it true that power lies solely in the barrel of a gun? Xue Jinming sneered, quietly withdrawing from the crowd, holding his wine glass and observing coldly, feeling increasingly restless within.

Only Shen Nianqing is the exception; Shen Nianqing has no dreams, and Shen Nianqing has never had the time to dream

No one can wear a simple yet exquisite black evening gown better than he does, as such attire requires an innate nobility to complement it, exuding elegance and grace. It is both carefree and devoid of ostentation, embodying the demeanor of a distinguished family. However, when he stands beside Yun Yi, this remarkable charm appears diminished, seemingly overshadowed by her striking brilliance.

The musicians were taken aback, raising their bows and exchanging glances. After hearing the gradually intensifying prelude, they transitioned into the incredibly brilliant heroic theme, with the notes filled with confidence and strength; a series of magnificent modulations surged and fell, as if one could hear the urgent sound of hooves before the battle, with thousands of troops charging forward, vividly presenting a breathtaking battle before everyone.

The two women gracefully departed together, their tall and elegant figures passing through the side door of the hall, disappearing amidst the various gazes.

The applause, like a tide, suddenly came to a halt

Could it be that these two women have truly formed an alliance, using him as a trivial wager... At that moment, Xue Jinming weaved through the crowd, contemplating where Yunyi might be hiding. Just then, the lights in the hall changed, and a sound of a bell rang from the orchestra pit, signaling the start of the ball

When he smiles, a line extends from his resolute jawline, exuding an indescribable charm

My gift?" Huo Zhongheng gazed at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "Is it a piece of music, or a person?"

She walked straight through the gazes of the crowd, directly approaching Huo Zhongheng, lifted her face, and broke into a radiant smile

Fang Jijiao introduced the officials present one by one. When it came to Xue Jinming, Huo Zhongheng glanced at him lightly and simply said, "I have long admired you"

Yun Yi turned her head, and the faint mist in her eyes immediately dissipated, replaced once again by a sharp and charming expression, like a cat lurking in the shadows

Madam Fang wanted to intervene, but was stopped by Fang Jiao with a glance. He understood his daughter's fiery temperament and was not worried about her being bullied; he only hoped that his impatient wife would not cause further trouble. With a moment of emptiness around him, Xue Jinming instead smiled contentedly, his face beaming with spring-like ease—when the two sisters competed, the ultimate winner would inevitably be him

"Lori!" This exclamation was simultaneously uttered by Fang Jiqiao and his wife to stop her. However, Fang Lori was a rebellious and stubborn character; the more they worried that Yun Yi harbored ill intentions, the more she wanted to see what tricks that woman could pull. Before Mrs. Fang could speak, Fang Lori had already walked up to Xue Jinming, gave him a cold glance, and then turned to Yun Yi with a proud smile, "Just in time, I was just thinking of going out for a walk"

It was as if overnight, everyone in the house had vanished without a trace

Cheng Yizhe suddenly came to his senses, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. He hurriedly drove to the house where the sisters lived, and indeed found it empty... After inquiring with the neighbors, he learned that they had moved out just the day before, on the same day as No. 7, Chunshen Road.

Yun Yi smiled silently, recalling the small window in the attic, and the continuous gray-tiled rooftops outside, along with the fearless white doves... Now that Nian Qiao has moved into a closed-off aristocratic girls' school, one wonders if she misses their little dwelling.

Looking at Xue Jinming's charming and flamboyant smile, Fang Luoli secretly felt a chill in her hands and feet. Even more infuriating was the woman beside him, who resembled a vixen, yet that woman actually smiled at her! The upbringing she had received since childhood compelled her to immediately turn her head away, refusing to glance at that woman even once, as speaking to her would be a source of shame. However, that woman suddenly said in a delicate voice: "Fourth Young Master, I would like to go outside for some fresh air"

Yun Yi smiled faintly

Fang Luoli hummed and said, "Let’s play a little trick, how about hide and seek?"

Yunyi stood quietly by the window, her back facing the door. The beige transparent lace curtain fluttered gently beside her, while the setting sun streamed through the courtyard, illuminating her graceful silhouette with a golden halo as it poured in through the tall windows behind her. The tassels of the heavy curtains brushed against the hem of her satin dress, producing a pleasant rustling sound.

"Miss Yun, rest assured, everything has been taken care of according to Master Qin's instructions," Chen Tai squinted his eyes and smiled, his feigned flattery laced with a harsh accent from another region, which sounded to the ears like having taken a bite of undercooked rice.