Chapter 63 Extra*Stolen Childhood Sweetheart (Qu Lieshan’s POV…)

Chapter 63 Extra: The Stolen Childhood Sweetheart from Qu Lieshan's Perspective

The Xingyuan Escort Agency's latest mission ran into trouble with bandits, making for a difficult journey. However, thanks to the escort leader Qu Lieshan's formidable skills and quick wit, he not only led his eleven guards to repel over a hundred bandits but also successfully protected the cargo. For a time, he was the talk of the town. Although a few guards sustained minor injuries, they all recounted the tale with relish on their way back.

Upon returning to the agency, the tall and robust Qu Lieshan reined in his horse. The steed neighed, its iron hooves clattering. After a few soothing pats, Qu Lieshan deftly dismounted, handing the reins to an approaching stable boy.

The new, young escort's admiration for Qu Lieshan was boundless. He casually tossed his own reins aside and bounded forward: "Brother Qu! How about we go for drinks at Sikang Tavern tonight? My treat! I'm eager to hear about your heroic deeds!"

Escort Chen, chewing on a straw, walked over, grabbed the young man by the shoulder, and pulled him into a headlock, saying gruffly, "Kid! You don't have anyone waiting and worrying for you, so you can be carefree even when you're away for ten days or half a month. But our Head Escort Qu is different! He's got someone special on his mind! Don't you dare delay Brother Qu's important business!"

"Get lost!" Qu Lieshan playfully kicked out, his expression stern but with a fleeting hint of tenderness in his eyes. Escort Chen grinned and dodged.

Another older escort, Chang, approached and clapped Escort Chen on the shoulder: "You think everyone's like you! Always thinking about women!"

Escort Chen snorted defiantly: "Hey! Ask the head if he's thinking about Miss Rong Rong! Go on, ask him!"

The young escort's eyes widened in surprise: "Miss Rong Rong? Is she the Yue Rongrong who painted the divine Buddhist murals for Tiancheng Temple? I heard she's a great beauty!"

Qu Lieshan shot him a look of unconcealed pride and wariness. Escort Chen grabbed the young man again: "That's our future sister-in-law! Don't you dare get any ideas!"

The young escort quickly shook his head and waved his hands: "I wouldn't dare! I was just curious! So she's Brother Qu's sweetheart! Then I won't invite Brother Qu for drinks tonight!"

Qu Lieshan playfully smacked the back of his head: "Stop talking nonsense!"

Escort Chen widened his eyes: "No way, boss! You haven't confessed to Miss Rong Rong yet? Don't say I didn't warn you—Miss Rong Rong is like a freshly steamed meat bun in Hangzhou City, everyone's fighting over her!"

Qu Lieshan merely glanced at him with a dismissive smile.

"Oh, don't take it lightly. Even though you and Miss Rong Rong are childhood sweethearts, and your bond is incomparable, when it comes to matters of the heart, knowing someone for a long time doesn't make them yours for the taking! You need to act fast!"

Qu Lieshan's gaze faltered slightly, but he still smiled gently: "You don't understand what's between Rong Rong and me." He then turned to the young escort and said, "I won't be going tonight."

Seeing his confidence, Escort Chen decided against pouring cold water on him. He pulled the young escort along instead: "Since Brother Qu isn't free tonight, let's go drink! Your treat! Hahaha."

Escort Chang stepped forward, speaking earnestly: "Xiao Chen has a point. You're not young anymore—twenty-one, right? Rong Rong is sixteen now. Before the young lady finds someone else, you should settle things quickly." He produced two opera tickets. "Here, for tonight. Be proactive."

Qu Lieshan took the tickets, his gaze deepening. He thought of how every time he left on an escort mission, he was consumed by longing, constantly worrying about Rong Rong's well-being. As for her having feelings for someone else, he wasn't worried at all. Over the years, there had been no shortage of young gentlemen who expressed their feelings or proposed to Rong Rong—including scholars and nobles—but she never took any of them seriously. He believed Rong Rong must have feelings for him. Even though she hadn't explicitly said so, he was confident no man could surpass his place in her heart.

Thinking this, he took the rose hairpin from his waistband, smirked, strode out of the agency, mounted his horse, and headed straight for Yue Rongrong’s painting studio.

As he approached the studio, he saw a delicate figure standing at the entrance, dressed in a blue top and green skirt, graceful and slender. As he rode closer, he saw Rong Rong’s radiant beauty and couldn't help but stare, entranced.

"Brother Qu? You're back!" Rong Rong turned at the sound of hoofbeats and saw him, surprise giving way to delight. His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately dismounted, quickly walking over to her.

"Rong Rong, were you waiting for me?" His voice, usually hardened from escort missions, unconsciously softened.

Rong Rong paused, seeming somewhat flustered, her cheeks flushing. Hesitantly, she said, "I..."

This reaction greatly encouraged Qu Lieshan. He pulled out the two opera tickets in one go: "Old Chang gave them to me. Let's not waste them—let's go together."

Rong Rong looked down and smiled slightly with pleasure: "They're tickets for Nanlin Opera."

Seeing her pleased, Qu Lieshan’s heart swelled: "Let's get something to eat first."

Rong Rong still seemed hesitant and asked, "You just got back—aren't you tired?"

How could I be tired when I see you? But he only said, "I'm not tired."

He walked ahead but turned to see Rong Rong staring blankly in another direction. Puzzled, he called out, "Rong Rong?"

Rong Rong seemed to snap back to reality and followed. At the time, he didn't understand the meaning behind Rong Rong's two moments of hesitation, nor did he understand the flicker of disappointment that crossed her face as she followed him.

He never even considered that the person Rong Rong was waiting for at the studio entrance might not be him.

＊＊

As dusk slowly rose, the largest theater in the city, Wangchun Theater, was already bustling with noise. The two floors of the main hall were arranged in a "U" shape, with the second floor mostly reserved for nobles and officials, while the first-floor seats were for ordinary people. The tickets Old Chang gave them were for the first floor, and in a somewhat off-center location.

Qu Lieshan led Rong Rong through the crowd to their seats. When they sat down, he specifically took out a handkerchief to wipe Rong Rong’s seat. Rong Rong smiled beautifully: "Brother Qu can be so thoughtful too. Whoever becomes my sister-in-law in the future will be very fortunate."

Qu Lieshan’s hand paused slightly, and his smile stiffened for a moment. Soon, the music began to play, and Rong Rong quickly pulled him down to sit. As the performers gradually appeared on stage, he didn't watch them but instead glanced at Rong Rong, watching the slight smile on her cheeks, feeling utterly delighted. Even the earlier disappointment vanished.

At that moment, a wandering waiter approached their table. Qu Lieshan glanced at the snack placards on the waiter’s tray and ordered one of each, along with a pot of good tea. He turned to Rong Rong and asked, "What would you like to drink?"

Rong Rong seemed distracted, pausing for a moment before her gaze focused on him. She smiled radiantly: "Brother Qu can decide."

Qu Lieshan pushed aside his slight doubt and ordered her favorite sour plum drink. It was almost autumn, and the sour plum drink would soon be out of season. After ordering, he turned back and saw Rong Rong lower her head again. Unable to hold back, he asked softly, "Rong Rong, is something on your mind?"

Rong Rong looked up, a smile spreading across her lips: "No." Then she turned to watch the stage with keen interest, her smile matching everyone else’s in the audience.

Qu Lieshan didn’t think much of it and lowered his hand to his waistband. He thought to himself that after the opera ended, he would give the hairpin to Rong Rong and tell her his feelings of all these years. He quietly took a deep breath, filled with determination, and looked up, ready to enjoy the show. But then he felt a strong, oppressive aura behind him. Sharply turning, he saw a group of young noblemen walking steadily toward them.

The leading young nobleman was exceedingly noble and proud, his handsome, pale face seemingly coated with a layer of frost. His sharp, dark eyes were filled with icy intensity, exuding a dominance that didn’t match his age. They were heading straight for their table. Years of escorting goods north and south had sharpened Qu Lieshan’s instincts, and he immediately sensed the young nobleman’s cold hostility toward him.

Why? He knew all the young masters from noble families in Hangzhou City, but this one was unfamiliar. Especially since the three young noblemen behind him were also noble, they somehow made the leading young nobleman seem even more elevated. It seemed as if the arrogant young nobles he remembered could only bow their heads in front of this nobleman.

He suddenly grew wary. The surrounding crowd probably also sensed this cold, oppressive aura, as the lively atmosphere suddenly quieted. Rong Rong felt it too and turned to look. Her face suddenly changed.

Qu Lieshan noticed immediately and took her hand, finding it icy cold. At the same time, he felt a cold, sharp gaze fall on his hand. Without overthinking, he frowned and asked Rong Rong, "Rong Rong, why is your hand so cold?"

Rong Rong, as if touched by a spark, abruptly pulled her hand away, flustered, and turned back to face the stage, intently watching the opera: "It's nothing."

Qu Lieshan also stopped paying attention to the young noblemen and was about to turn back when he heard an extremely cold voice behind him, not loud but carrying heavy pressure: "You, move."

He turned around and saw the young nobleman lightly tapping the table next to theirs. The three commoners at that table instantly turned pale, unsure what to do.

An attendant beside the young nobleman stepped forward and tossed a thick, bulging purse onto the table with a "thud"—it clearly contained several dozen taels of silver. The attendant smiled: "Gentlemen, my young master is buying your seats. Please understand."

The commoners, already intimidated by the aura, were now delighted to receive such a large sum and happily took the purse and vacated the seats.

The young nobleman sat down in the main seat facing the stage. Qu Lieshan happened to look over and met his gaze again. The young nobleman’s eyes were ice-cold, and the three beside him also glanced at Qu Lieshan with unfriendly expressions.

Some spoiled young masters loved to pick fights relying on their status. Qu Lieshan had encountered a few before. He didn’t want to ruin his and Rong Rong’s mood because of some unrelated people, so he turned away and stopped paying attention.

He casually picked up an orange, peeled it, and offered a segment to Rong Rong. Rong Rong seemed startled and quickly refused. Qu Lieshan smiled: "Try it, it's very sweet."

Rong Rong still shook her head and pushed his hand away, looking nervous. Qu Lieshan thought she was just shy and didn’t mind, insistently extending his hand. Rong Rong had no choice but to reluctantly take the orange segment from him. At that moment, slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the hall—clear, steady, and inspiring.

Everyone looked over. Qu Lieshan saw Rong Rong’s face stiffen, and he also turned to look. It was the young nobleman, clapping as if in appreciation for the performance on stage, but his eyes held no admiration. Then they heard him coldly command: "Reward!"

The attendant immediately tossed another thick, bulging purse into the tipping basket.

It was entirely the behavior of nobility.

Now the applause thundered. As one act ended and another began, the troupe leader probably recognized this young master’s significant status and brought the female lead down to thank him. The actress was charming and coquettish, swaying her waist as she approached the young nobleman. Her voice could melt bones, and the troupe leader flattered excessively.

Qu Lieshan cast a cold glance, leaned close to Rong Rong, and whispered disdainfully: "Another spoiled young master who’s taken a fancy to the girl."

The dim lighting in the hall, meant to set the mood, prevented him from noticing Rong Rong’s suddenly pale face or the flicker of annoyance in her eyes. He only heard her lowered voice say, "Excuse me for a moment."

"Shall I accompany you?"

"No need." Rong Rong smiled briefly before leaving, her steps hurried and flustered. He stared blankly at her retreating figure, and when he came to his senses, he glanced back—only to find the young nobleman gone. The other three young men looked at him and smiled with an air of haughty disdain.

He felt a sudden chill, and he rose to follow her. He searched the rear garden for a long time before hearing a voice from within the flower garden—a voice both delicate and resentful, hard to tell if it was anger or hurt.

"Who are you to me? If you tell me to wait, must I wait? Who I watch the opera with is none of your concern! Why don't you go take care of your actress!"

It was Rong Rong’s voice! A tone he had never heard from her before, raw with emotion and defiance. Qu Lieshan’s hands and feet trembled suddenly, and he stumbled forward, rushing toward the source of the voice.

"Who am I to you?!" A low, furious voice cut off abruptly!

All sound ceased abruptly, replaced by the sound of heavy, ragged breathing. Qu Lieshan felt his blood rush to his head, his heart pounding. He froze as if struck by lightning, standing rigidly in place, watching as the young nobleman pressed Rong Rong against the wall, kissing her fiercely.