Chapter 35: Each Young Lady Has Her Own Unusual Troubles

The girl standing before him was none other than Qin Zhihua.

She wore a flowing white dress, her long hair cascading down her back, exuding a sense of ethereal beauty. Yet Yun Xuan couldn’t shake the feeling that something about her was insincere.

“May I speak with you alone?” Qin Zhihua smiled.

“I’ll go over to Xue’er.” Yun Xun’er said with a gentle laugh.

“Senior Qin Zhihua, to be honest, your behavior is making me uncomfortable.” Yun Xuan scrutinized Qin Zhihua closely, speaking earnestly.

“Is… is that so? Ahem, Yun Xuan, tell me—do you think I’m beautiful?” Qin Zhihua’s smile faltered as she forced her question out.

“Senior Qin Zhihua, are you by any chance about to confess that you like me?” Yun Xuan took a step back as if faced with some great calamity.

“What kind of reaction is that?” Qin Zhihua bit her silver teeth together in frustration.

“I’m more used to your usual self. Just say what you want. If it has to do with cooking, then say no more.” Yun Xuan waved his hand dismissively. Seeing Qin Zhihua acting like a lovesick girl was somehow irritating and almost theatrical in its falseness.

“Actually, I want to hold an art exhibition… but I…” Qin Zhihua hesitated before speaking.

“Oh, so you want me to fund your exhibition? Tell me, Senior Qin Zhihua, where does your confidence come from?” Yun Xuan’s eyes lit up in sudden understanding.

Qin Zhihua’s true passion was clearly to become a professional painter. The Qin family would never allow her to dabble in something as trivial as comics. She had already taken the first step—becoming a professional artist—but without an exhibition, something only true professionals had, her status wasn’t enough.

“I’ll split half the proceeds from the exhibition’s auction with you.” Qin Zhihua said through clenched teeth.

“Senior Qin Zhihua, do you realize that if you weren’t from the Qin family, a beautiful young artist like you organizing an exhibition would be nothing but a pipe dream?” Yun Xuan raised his hand and smiled faintly.

Her interest in art was genuine, but the Qin family was in decline. Even Qin Yun had to admit it. Qin Yue, too, had once been a pawn for marriage alliances, and if not for a certain event that changed her, the family wouldn’t have let her go. Unlike Qin Yue, Qin Zhihua’s predicament had become urgent.

From Yun Xuan’s very first victory, she had been stunned—then came the money from the Dongfang family, the culinary academy, and Krista; all told, more than fourteen million. The Dongfang family alone was paying five million a year for the adaptation of a single dish. Just a tenth of that would be enough to fund her exhibition. Invite a few important people, let her paintings be seen by the right eyes—then she could become a professional artist and force the Qin family to take her seriously.

“All that you say, I understand. But tell me, what is freedom to you? If you leave the Qin family, can you survive on your own? No, you only want to prove your worth to the Qin family, to raise your value and reach out to the prince you fancy.” Yun Xuan sneered.

“You…” Qin Zhihua was stunned. Deep inside, she knew he was right. She had never truly considered severing ties with the Qin family.

“Freedom is in your own hands. If your heart doesn’t crave it, it doesn’t exist. I can lend you the money—but if you leave the Qin family, will you be able to repay it? If you weren’t a Qin, how much would your paintings really sell for? An art exhibition? If the Qin family told people not to attend, you’d be finished. Don’t be foolish—just give up and go to sleep.” Yun Xuan’s sarcasm was undisguised.

“I…” Qin Zhihua lowered her head, tears falling uncontrollably as her mind descended into chaos.

“Goodbye, Senior Qin Zhihua. If you need to borrow money, fine—be my maid for a year, and I’ll lend you a million. Sign the contract, effective after your exhibition.” Yun Xuan walked past her, voice indifferent.

Qin Zhihua’s body trembled. She clenched her fists, lifted her head, and ran off.

…

Yun Xuan sighed, took out his phone, and dialed a number.

“You asked me to help your daughter, but I didn’t expect you meant this sort of thing,” Yun Xuan said with a wry smile.

“Zhihua and Yue’er are both good children, Yun Xuan. They need someone to guide them, and you’re a good choice. Zhihua and Yue’er used to be close, but now they pretend to be distant. In truth, Zhihua agreed to the family’s condition only to plead for Yue’er not to be married off. If she doesn’t achieve something before entering university, she’ll become a tool for a marriage alliance.” Qin Yun’s voice sounded on the other end.

“My personal abilities are limited. I’m not sure I can persuade your daughter,” Yun Xuan replied, scratching his head.

“No, you can. I’ve heard about what you did at the Culinary Academy. Congratulations—I’m even more certain now that you’re up to the task,” Qin Yun said with a laugh.

“Any method will do?” Yun Xuan asked.

“Yes, any method. I have no standing in the family now. Zhihua’s father passed away early, so she’s become rather forceful. Please try to understand her.” Qin Yun’s tone was tinged with worry.

“Alright, I’ll give it a try my way. I’ll hang up now,” Yun Xuan said, glancing around.

“Thank you, Yun Xuan.” Qin Yun breathed a sigh of relief.

After ending the call, Yun Xuan looked around and walked off in a certain direction.

“Why isn’t this sort of troublesome thing a mission?” Yun Xuan muttered.

Passing several shops, Yun Xuan found Qin Zhihua beside a circular fountain.

Qin Zhihua had her knees drawn up, sobbing softly.

“Why… I just want a carefree life. I don’t want a life I can’t control. I… I want freedom. I don’t want to be married off to a stranger,” Qin Zhihua murmured.

Yun Xuan reached out his hand, but had not yet touched her.

“Ding-dong!” Suddenly, the cat-eared girl Miaomiao appeared before him.

“Special mission: Help Qin Zhihua break off her engagement. Mission reward: Advanced Painting. Failure: transformed into a cute girl for a month.” The prompt chimed.

“…” Yun Xuan was speechless.

(P.S. There are conditions for triggering solo special missions. As for what they are? That’s a secret. Please vote for a recommendation…)