By the time Qiu Nian returned to Liyue Harbor, the sun was already setting.
The evening glow spread across the sky as the last rays of sunlight bathed the streets in warm colors. People strolled in small groups along the road, enjoying the calm of dusk. A gentle breeze carried the faint fragrance of flowers and trees through the air, refreshing the spirit.
When Qiu Nian arrived at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he pushed open the door and walked inside.
"Consultant Qiu Nian, where did you wander off to this time?"
Hu Tao stood up and spread her hands as she asked.
At the moment, she was the only one inside the parlor; the rest of the employees were all out working.
"Around Lingju Pass."
Qiu Nian replied.
"Lingju Pass… no wonder."
"But you came back at the perfect time. The parlor is quite busy today."
"An elderly man from Qingce Village passed away last night. A very wealthy family."
"They've chosen our most luxurious service package."
Hu Tao nodded as she explained.
"The most luxurious service…"
"If that's the case, having Mr. Zhongli handle it should be enough."
Qiu Nian said thoughtfully, one hand resting under his chin.
"But that's not the matter I'm talking about."
"Someone came looking for you about a wedding."
Hu Tao sighed and walked closer.
"A wedding?"
Qiu Nian paused, confused.
"Yeah… it's a little complicated. You should head over to Xinyue Pavilion right now."
"Someone there arranged a banquet specifically to invite you. They insisted on asking for your help by name."
Hu Tao explained.
Qiu Nian blinked in surprise.
Why would someone preparing for a wedding come to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
"I can see the confusion on your face."
"You're wondering why someone planning a happy occasion would come to a funeral parlor, right?"
"That request is her personal one. It has nothing to do with the parlor."
Hu Tao said with a mischievous smile, hands on her hips.
"I see."
Qiu Nian nodded. That made more sense.
"Hey… Consultant Qiu Nian."
"That lady who came looking for you is clearly from a wealthy family."
"You know so many things, so I already accepted the request for you."
"This is a rare opportunity! Free Mora if you don't take it!"
Hu Tao tiptoed closer and whispered.
"Haha…"
"Alright. I'll go take a look."
Qiu Nian chuckled.
"Then off you go."
Hu Tao waved him away happily.
Qiu Nian nodded and left the parlor, heading toward Xinyue Pavilion.
When he arrived—
"Welcome back, Mr. Qiu Nian."
"Miss Qinglan has been waiting for quite some time. Please come inside."
A refined middle-aged man wearing glasses greeted him politely.
Just hearing the name tells me she must come from a powerful family…
Qiu Nian thought to himself.
"May I ask how long Miss Qinglan has been waiting?"
"About one hour."
The man replied.
Qiu Nian looked slightly surprised.
Soon, a young maid named Yueshu guided him into the pavilion.
They entered a private room.
Inside the elegant room stood a young woman with long black hair.
She appeared to be about twenty-one or twenty-two years old.
She wore a white dress and had a Cryo Vision hanging at her waist.
Her appearance was gentle and graceful, like a noble lady raised in a prestigious household.
When she noticed him, she closed the book in her hands.
"Good evening, Mr. Qiu Nian."
Her voice was soft and refined.
Qiu Nian nodded and took a seat.
"This handsome gentleman sits very upright, with perfect posture. Very natural… it shows he has excellent manners."
Yueshu smiled as she quietly observed him.
Strange…
Uncle never arranged any marriage for Miss Qinglan.
And there isn't even any such fiancé…
So why has she been saying lately that she's getting married soon?
After Qiu Nian sat down, Yueshu poured him a cup of tea.
"Hm…"
"I wonder which lucky young man will end up marrying Miss Qinglan."
Qiu Nian casually said after taking a sip.
But as he looked up—
he noticed Qinglan staring at him.
Qiu Nian frowned slightly.
She said "good evening again"…
Have we met somewhere before?
"Miss…"
After pouring Qiu Nian's tea, Yueshu poured another cup for Qinglan.
Qiu Nian looked puzzled.
"Mr. Qiu Nian must be wondering why Yueshu addresses me as 'Miss.'"
Qinglan smiled faintly.
"In truth… Xinyue Pavilion belongs to my father."
"I see."
Qiu Nian nodded.
"So about this matter related to the wedding—could Miss Qinglan explain it in more detail?"
Although his expression remained calm, Qiu Nian was quite surprised inside.
Good heavens…
The owner of Xinyue Pavilion is her father?
After all, Xinyue Pavilion was Liyue Harbor's most prestigious restaurant.
They only accepted a few tables per day during specific hours.
Sometimes reservations had to be made three months in advance.
Most of the guests were high-ranking officials and nobles.
She's basically the daughter of one of Liyue's wealthiest families.
Qinglan gestured for Yueshu to leave.
The maid nodded, stepped outside, and closed the door behind her.
Then Qinglan began explaining.
"Mr. Qiu Nian… this happened when I was very young."
"I once had a childhood companion. We grew up playing together."
"So our parents arranged a marriage between us."
"A few months ago, my father said the time would soon come for me to marry him."
"But… it has been many years since I last saw that person."
"Time changes people."
"I feel I should at least meet him once and see what kind of man he has become."
"But my father…"
Qinglan spoke slowly, telling the story.
After hearing everything, Qiu Nian roughly understood the situation.
Her father insisted on a marriage between families of equal status.
Since Qinglan's family had long been nobles and officials, their traditions were old-fashioned.
They believed the bride and groom should not meet before the wedding.
Qinglan had secretly tried to investigate the other family.
But they deliberately concealed information, leaving her with no clues.
Her father treated her very well and deeply cherished her.
Yet on this matter—
he refused to change his mind.
Quite a dramatic story…
Qiu Nian thought.
Because he could see a person's past—
he already knew something.
The events Qinglan described…
had never actually happened.
Her memories contained no childhood companion at all.
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