Chapter 13: Being Manipulated

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Generally speaking, when Qiao Ruyi asked like this, the other party would apologize for their recklessness out of courtesy.

But Xing Lin did not.

He acted as if he hadn’t heard her question and kept staring at her, his gaze growing stranger by the moment. Yet from the tight line of his lips, it was clear he was displeased.

Qiao Ruyi couldn’t fathom his reaction.

Thinking deeper, his words were full of oddity. Upon hearing that her fiancé had disappeared in Guyang City, he didn’t ask why he went there, nor how he vanished. The usual logic of questioning and concern was completely absent.

Since Xing Lin didn’t ask, Qiao Ruyi summarized the matter briefly: “My fiancé went to Guyang City a year ago, and then disappeared.”

Xing Lin stared at her. “You only thought to look for him after a year?”

“No.” Qiao Ruyi found his tone rather rude. “I’ve been searching for a year. Only recently did I confirm that he disappeared after entering Guyang City.”

During that year, she had followed his trail across the vast lands, north and south, and locking down Guyang City was no easy feat.

Xing Lin’s face turned cold. “I won’t take you into Guyang City, nor will I let you go in.”

Qiao Ruyi frowned.

The meaning was crystal clear: she was forbidden from entering Guyang City.

Understanding this, Qiao Ruyi laughed angrily. “What? Boss Xing, what right do you have to stop me?”

Xing Lin said nothing, his gaze heavy. After a long silence he said, “He’s been missing for a year. He’s long gone, especially since it’s in Guyang City.”

Qiao Ruyi repeated his words slowly, “You want to see the living or the dead.”

“Is he really that important to you?” Xing Lin frowned. “In this weather, going into Guyang City is a death trap. Are you willing to risk your life?”

Qiao Ruyi stared at him. “Of course I cherish my life, which is exactly why I want you to take me into Guyang City.”

“Give it up.” Xing Lin’s frown deepened. “I won’t take you in to look for him.”

Qiao Ruyi fixed him with a gaze, a flicker of fire igniting deep within her eyes. But she quickly suppressed it, sneering coldly, “Boss Xing, you don’t seem to have a choice.”

She gestured downward. “Your friend fired a gun for you, and at worst, that handsome face of yours got scarred because of you. What, you don’t want to take responsibility?”

“Besides, I may have a good temper, but that doesn’t mean anyone can trample over me. That debt with your friend isn’t settled, and as long as that grudge remains, I won’t be at ease. I plan to find trouble for him in the long run.”

Qiao Ruyi leaned slightly forward, locking eyes with Xing Lin. “I said it before: for the rest of his life, he won’t have it easy.”

Xing Lin was silent. In his eyes locked with hers, there was restraint and an inscrutable shadow.

Qiao Ruyi leaned back against the chair and continued, “I am straightforward with Boss Xing—no deception, no hiding. But Boss Xing, you’re the one being evasive. Your way of dealing with people leaves much to be desired.”

Xing Lin’s gaze fell to the bullet on the table. After a long moment, he picked it up and toyed with it. “If Miss Qiao insists on being aggressive, then so be it.”

Qiao Ruyi chuckled lowly. This meant he was ready to spar with her. Raising her eyelids slightly, a faint smile curved her lips. “Aggressive, huh... I’m afraid Boss Xing is all show and no power.”

“Looks like Miss Qiao has a backup plan.” Xing Lin’s tone was calm.

“The Western Regions Hundred Performances Scroll.” Qiao Ruyi said suddenly.

A flash of surprise flickered in Xing Lin’s eyes, then he composed himself. “What hundred performances scroll?”

Caught off guard, Qiao Ruyi pressed on, “When I first came to ‘May All Wishes Come True’, I told Boss Xing I was looking for ancient murals. Boss Xing didn’t seem curious about what murals might exist in Guyang City; I suspect he already knew about this particular mural.”

Xing Lin didn’t deny it. “Guyang City has always been a key fortress in the northwest; it’s no surprise there are murals.”

“Then let me tell Boss Xing why the Western Regions Hundred Performances Scroll is special.” Qiao Ruyi was unfazed by his dismissive reply, smiling mockingly.

“Guyang City was once a major ancient city at a crucial point on the Silk Road, occupying an important position along the Hexi Corridor. It’s said that even now Guyang City preserves the most intact ancient military defense system and traditional agricultural irrigation system. It thrived during peaceful times, with frequent trade caravans coming and going. So a Tang Dynasty mural called the ‘Western Regions Hundred Performances Scroll’ records the commerce and customs of that era. Moreover, the mural unexpectedly depicts a mysterious place…”

She paused, eyes fixed on Xing Lin. “Rumor has it that within Guyang City there’s a shop called ‘Nine O’Clock Market’, usually hidden in the bustling city and unseen. But on the ninth day of the lunar month, at nine o’clock at night, when the camel bells ring nine times, the Nine O’Clock Market appears deep in Guyang City. Anyone chosen by the market has the chance to have a wish granted. The scroll not only depicts the Nine O’Clock Market but also records how to enter it. Over time, this mural has been coveted by archaeologists and antiquities experts alike.”

Xing Lin leaned back in his chair. Though casual in appearance, the slight tension in his muscles betrayed his effort to control his emotions. “Miss Qiao, do you believe in rumors?”

“I didn’t at first.” Qiao Ruyi calmly took something from her bag and placed it on the table.

She reached out, her pale fingers lightly tapping the object twice. “Boss Xing, you must be familiar with this, right?”

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It was a gold medallion.

Cast in ancient style, small in size, one side bore a roof ridge pattern faintly visible against the vast desert, the other inscribed in clerical script with the words ‘May All Wishes Come True.’

Qiao Ruyi gently stroked the medallion. “My fiancé—”

“Just say his name.” Xing Lin interrupted unexpectedly.

This surprised Qiao Ruyi but she didn’t dwell on it. “His name is Jiang Cheng’an. He was passionate about collecting ancient murals. The Western Regions Hundred Performances Scroll was a mural he had sought for many years. When he learned it was hidden in Guyang City, he came to Guaxian.”

Xing Lin narrowed his eyes. He came to Guaxian?

“His last clue was in Boss Xing’s shop.” Qiao Ruyi toyed with the medallion. “I heard Boss Xing not only refused to take him into Guyang City but also threw him out with his money. In the end, he went into Guyang City alone.”

Xing Lin thought for a long time, finally recalling something.

“Hmph.” He sneered. “That idiot.”

Qiao Ruyi frowned slightly.

“So the rumor about the Nine O’Clock Market came from him? His real purpose in going to Guyang City was the Nine O’Clock Market?” Xing Lin mocked.

Qiao Ruyi didn’t follow his lead. She placed the medallion down. “This is proof the Nine O’Clock Market exists.”

“Proof, huh?” Xing Lin laughed. “Is it so hard to make a gold medallion like this?”

Qiao Ruyi met his gaze without flinching. “But Uncle Ge’s family mysteriously died and disappeared after the Black Sandstorm, and the medallion was found in a human-shaped groove. You can’t just call that a ‘coincidence’.”

She picked up the medallion. “Boss Xing says forging such a medallion isn’t difficult, but this isn’t modern casting technique. I’m a rubbing artist—when an object is placed before me, I can tell its age, whether it’s old or new.”

“Besides,” Qiao Ruyi shifted, smiling at Xing Lin with certainty, “Boss Xing must have gone into Guyang City, and it had to be during the Black Sandstorm.”

Xing Lin: “So sure?”

“Do you think Uncle Ge’s family’s case was easy to close? Over a dozen family members died or disappeared, just like last year. Weren’t those people found by Boss Xing? As a suspect, to get away in one night—what else could Boss Xing have been tasked with?”

Qiao Ruyi spoke leisurely but every word was precise. “I once asked Zhou Bie to pass a message, but Boss Xing would rather enter Guyang City again than let me testify for you. What is Boss Xing afraid of? That I might accidentally expose your murder?”

Xing Lin showed no surprise, confirming Qiao Ruyi’s suspicion that their confrontation had been a tacit understanding masked by feigned ignorance.

“Murder?” His gaze burned. “Even eyewitnesses need evidence. Where’s your evidence?”

Qiao Ruyi smiled. “I have no evidence, but as a customer in the café attacked by figures during the Black Sandstorm, Boss Xing bravely slew the attacker with a hunting knife to protect me. If that story got out, wouldn’t the ‘May All Wishes Come True’ café become even more popular?”

She added a soft “Oh,” “I was there; I can vividly describe the scene, including the sudden changes inside the café.”

“Even if it’s a fabrication, it would attract public interest.” She added lightly.

Xing Lin pressed his lips, silent.

So far, Qiao Ruyi clearly held the upper hand in this negotiation. Or perhaps she was merely waiting for an opening, which Shen Que’s unexpected arrival had now provided, leaving Xing Lin momentarily powerless to respond.

Qiao Ruyi reached for the medallion, but Xing Lin’s hand covered hers.

As their skin touched, a current seemed to shoot from her fingertips straight to her heart, unexpectedly causing her to shiver.

The sensation was sudden and intense, even her numb little finger felt it.

Qiao Ruyi tried to pull back, but Xing Lin gripped her wrist firmly.

This time, the contact was stronger—the man’s large hand was cool and powerful, the web between thumb and forefinger calloused yet controlling.

“Miss Qiao, you’re quite cunning.” Xing Lin showed no intention of letting go. His eyes held a hint of challenge. “I’m curious—are you looking for a person, or the Nine O’Clock Market?”

“Both.” Qiao Ruyi met his gaze. “Cheng’an’s ultimate goal was the Nine O’Clock Market. If he truly met misfortune, I’ll help fulfill his last wish.”

Hearing this, Xing Lin’s eyes darkened. “Do you think Guyang City is a walk in the park? Forget the sandstorms—on a clear day, there’s still a risk of death. It’s hidden deep in the desert, a no-man’s land where even birds won’t fly. With extreme weather and complex terrain, once you lose your way and supplies, you’re as good as dead.”

Qiao Ruyi said calmly, “I trust your ability, Boss Xing.”

There was no softness in his eyes. After a long moment, he released her hand. “One question.”

Qiao Ruyi raised her hand in invitation.

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“What exactly do you rub with your bone rubbing technique?” Xing Lin cut straight to the point.

Qiao Ruyi’s eyes shimmered, her beauty captivating. “My bone rubbing is different. I never rub paintings. Instead,”

Her smile deepened, each word deliberate, “I rub a person’s memories.”

Xing Lin was secretly surprised but masked it well. “So?”

“So I saw Uncle Ge’s memories as he died.” Qiao Ruyi held the medallion, gently spinning it on the table. “They’re connected to the Nine O’Clock Market.”

—

Regarding Shen Que’s actions, Xing Lin offered an excuse that hardly sounded like one—

“Shen Que meant no harm, just has a fiery temper. He knew you were going into Guyang City and thought you were causing trouble.”

Qiao Ruyi was no fool and replied bluntly, “Boss Xing, I’m not pursuing it just because we reached an agreement. That doesn’t mean I don’t think. Besides, even an excuse must be well-crafted, or it’s disrespectful.”

Zhou Bie didn’t know what Xing Lin and Qiao Ruyi had been discussing upstairs for so long, but seeing Xing Lin’s expression, he felt his boss was clearly being outmaneuvered by Qiao Ruyi.

Qiao Ruyi remained as carefree as ever, not only pointing out that Xing Lin should make the coffee himself but also insisting on trying the café’s trendy pastries.

Xing Lin didn’t refuse.

The coffee beans were ground fine, the pastries carefully molded, making Zhou Bie think they might open to the public soon.

But Xing Lin’s response to outsiders surprised Zhou Bie.

The next day, just after noon, two young women came in, phones in hand with a review app open, clearly intending to check in.

Seeing Xing Lin making coffee, they whispered excitedly, cheeks flushed.

Zhou Bie was about to greet them when Xing Lin said without looking up, “Sorry, the shop’s closed.”

The two girls were disappointed. One pointed to Qiao Ruyi by the window and asked, “If you’re closed, why is there a customer?”

“She’s not a customer,” Xing Lin replied.

Qiao Ruyi, holding her coffee cup, glanced at Xing Lin. He wore the café’s black apron over a black short-sleeve T-shirt, his tall, lean figure, with exposed strong arms and prominent veins, exuded wild power.

His tone was plain and serious, yet carried an irresistible masculine charm.

He didn’t look at Qiao Ruyi but added, “She’s staff.”

The two girls looked even more disappointed. One boldly stepped forward. “Boss, can we take a photo with you?”

Only then did Xing Lin look up. “Sorry, I don’t like photos.”

His refusal was curt and decisive.

Qiao Ruyi sipped her coffee, enjoying the scene, thinking that if this man became someone’s boyfriend, she would feel at ease.

After sending the admirers away, Xing Lin told Zhou Bie the café would be closed for the next month.

Zhou Bie was stunned. Was the Black Sandstorm really going to last a whole month?

He had never heard of such a long sandstorm.

Xing Lin gave no further explanation and left once the pastries were ready.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Zhou Bie asked Qiao Ruyi, sensing she must know more.

Qiao Ruyi smiled. “Your boss plans to be a righteous hero.”