Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

"Mr. You, now that you’ve seen your senior sister, are you patient enough to continue the conversation?"

You Su responded in silence, offering the nearest seat to Wangshu, and sat down together with his senior sister.

"You’re going to use my senior sister."

You Su’s demeanor was solemn, his voice cold as ice.

"Indeed, Fairy Wangshu unmasking herself would be one of the most eye-catching news across the Five Continents, and Wangshu would become the spokesperson of our Qianhua Pavilion. Ten of the most experienced artists from Konghua Studio will take turns painting her. All eyes will be on this face, and with Fairy Wangshu’s momentum, our Qianhua Pavilion will thrive even more." Mr. Qianhua was indifferent, "This is a mutually beneficial matter, how can you call it exploitation?"

"Are you so afraid of Bihua Pavilion?"

You Su, even when seated, continued holding Fairy Wangshu’s hand without hesitation.

Mr. Qianhua shook his head, "Don’t be so presumptuous. Rather than saying I’m afraid of your Bihua Pavilion, it’s more like... Fairy Wangshu is willing to help our Qianhua Pavilion, which in return gives me the opportunity to spare your Bihua Pavilion."

You Su looked at Fairy Wangshu in surprise, able to clearly see his senior sister’s expression, a mix of guilt, panic, and a hint of anticipation.

"As for you, it’s merely the result of Fairy Wangshu’s request. She hopes you can stay and work with us at Qianhua Pavilion, which is why I’m willing to give you this chance."

Mr. Qianhua crossed his legs, contemptuously tapping his foot, "Because of Fairy Wangshu’s contribution, I’ll let Bihua Pavilion go. You can continue selling your cheap stockings, indulging in your make-believe games. But that’s it; as long as you don’t meddle in other categories, I’ll turn a blind eye. Is that satisfactory to you, Mr. You?"

Wangshu gently turned her body, covering You Su’s hand with both of hers, timidly asking:

"Does my junior brother agree?"

Staring at this discordantly beautiful face, You Su tightened his grip on his senior sister’s hand:

"Senior sister, don’t worry about Bihua Pavilion failing. Trust your junior brother, let’s go home. We shouldn’t get involved in these messy affairs anymore."

With that, he intended to rise and pull his senior sister along, but Wangshu remained unmoving in her seat, showing no intention of leaving.

"No."

You Su turned back in surprise, this was the first time his senior sister had so resolutely refused him.

"Senior sister, let’s talk at home. Once we talk it through, we can decide together what to do."

You Su tried again to pull the girl’s hand, but this time, Fairy Wangshu simply let go of You Su’s hand, which left You Su feeling a sudden heartache.

"Junior brother, go home first. I need to stay at Qianhua Pavilion... Once I’ve finished helping Mr. Qianhua, I’ll return."

Fairy Wangshu kept her head down, not looking directly into You Su’s eyes.

The once vibrant and unparalleled face now showed no sign of expectation, only a shadow of desolation.

"Senior sister, the Third Elder will be heartbroken..."

Mr. Qianhua watched the two with interest, resting his chin in his hand.

Wangshu bowed her head in silence, while You Su continued to try persuading his senior sister to change her mind.

"Senior sister, did you forget that your junior sister promised to help you make a fortune? There are many sisters waiting for you back at Bihua Peak. They’ve made many new stockings but haven’t worn them because they believe you are the one who looks best in stockings..."

You Su’s words were heartfelt, "Don’t you want to work hard with them? Even if we fail, it doesn’t matter... To protect Bihua Pavilion, you joined Qianhua Pavilion, but if they see you at Qianhua Pavilion, do you think they’ll be happy?"

The more emotionally You Su spoke, Wangshu gradually raised her head, her delicate brows furrowed, shaking her head like a child who made a mistake yet stubbornly refused to admit it.

Seeing his senior sister’s expression, You Su seemed to realize something, hesitantly saying:

"So... the reason you refuse to leave Qianhua Pavilion isn’t really to protect Bihua Pavilion?"

This statement seemed to hit a sore spot for Fairy Wangshu, causing her flawless face to knit tightly, revealing a hint of pain.

Mr. Qianhua finally showed a reaction, hastily putting down his foot, pleading, "Mr. You, since your senior sister is unwilling to leave, and you’re unwilling to stay with her, leave on your own, don’t lose your composure."

"She is my senior sister! How could I possibly leave her alone?"

You Su turned to glare at the noble woman who claimed to control everything, showing no sign of fear.

Fairy Wangshu, hearing this, even began to cover her face, the sense of painful struggle seeming almost tangible.

"Fairy Wangshu, you should rest! Let me try to persuade Mr. You."

Mr. Qianhua made a gesture to support Wangshu, who was now tearing at her face under the guise of covering.

"Fairy Wangshu, no!"

Mr. Qianhua hastily utilized Qi Movement to restrain Wangshu’s hands, but still, Wangshu fought to tear at her face desperately.

"Mr. Qianhua... Wangshu doesn’t want it..."

The girl spoke for the first time with a sob in her voice.

"But you have no way to turn back now!"

Mr. Qianhua, rarely agitated, also showed distress, a noblewoman losing her composure.

You Su felt a pang of guilt, but the next moment his eyes widened in disbelief.

Fairy Wangshu raised her head, tears streaming down her face. Where she clawed, there were black streaks, squid-like tentacles writhing in the gap, and her tiny lips began to crack, revealing wet, sharp teeth.

Her entire face twisted and grotesque, beauty shattered, only leaving behind a terrifying sight to behold.

"Senior sister... you..."

You Su could hardly believe his eyes, how could the senior sister he cherished become this way?

Noticing the change in You Su’s expression, Wangshu seemed to realize something, hurriedly covering her face again, frantically rubbing as if to close the cracks.

But to mend the fence after the sheep have been lost was too late; the more anxious her hands, the more holes appeared on her face.

"Stop! Don’t move! You’ll ruin it completely!"

Mr. Qianhua swiftly extended two strands of silk from her wrist, binding Wangshu’s hands, forcibly calming Fairy Wangshu down.

"Senior sister... do you want to end up like this?"

You Su looked with pity at Fairy Wangshu, the once obedient and understanding senior sister completely transformed.

Wangshu’s entire face had collapsed, as if covered by the hide of a ferocious mottled fish, those two confused blue eyes on this face appeared extremely jarring.

"Stop talking!"

Mr. Qianhua shouted in rage, "Do you intend to destroy my masterpiece?"

You Su, however, ignored her, reaching out to gently touch the girl’s face, with no sign of disgust.

But Wangshu leaned back slightly, avoiding You Su’s touch.

You Su detected the emotion in the girl’s eyes, it was fear.

She feared his touch, feared facing him.

And just then, You Su suddenly felt darkness envelop his eyes, bound by a silk band. Instantly a fragrant scent invaded his nostrils, his body growing heavy, fainting into Wangshu’s embrace.

Mr. Qianhua glared furiously, her chest heaving before calming down, "Is it worth it for one person?"

Wangshu dumbfoundedly gazed at You Su, providing no answer.

"Isn’t it you who wanted a flawless face? You’ve been rubbing it, and now years of my hard work are on the brink of destruction!"

"But... but junior brother doesn’t like it..."

Wangshu hung her head, drowning in overwhelming confusion.

"Even if he doesn’t like it, you can’t go back on it! Once the Thousand-Faced Spot attaches, it cannot be removed!" Mr. Qianhua’s emotion was somewhat stirred, "You said it yourself, using your master’s facial bones, your junior sister’s eyebrows, and Mr. Bihua’s nose and mouth, you decided this face would be something your junior brother would like!"

Wangshu shook her head incessantly, "But junior brother prefers me wearing a mask..."

Seeing the girl’s sorrowful state, Mr. Qianhua couldn’t help but feel some compassion, she slightly leaned over, gently patting the girl’s back to comfort her:

"Don’t be silly, that’s because your junior brother couldn’t see before. But who would want to remain blind forever? He couldn’t help but want to know what you really look like. Your spectral illusion is perfect for letting him see since he can see spectres... He’s upset, he just needs time to accept it..."

Wangshu raised her head dreamily, "Really?"

"Women beautify themselves for themselves, even if your junior brother truly is a gentleman who doesn’t care for looks, only inwardness, what about others? Didn’t you say you wanted to always be with your junior brother? What will people think seeing that you’re always masked beside him? Will they claim your junior brother is blind for being with a strange woman who never takes off her mask?"

Her words stirred the girl’s emotions, and the confusion in Wangshu’s eyes gradually settled, while simultaneously, the cracks on her face surprisingly began to heal, showing no trace of fierceness.

"A wife’s beauty is her husband’s pride... Now be good, when he wakes, he’ll accept you..."

Wangshu caressed You Su’s face, nodding heavily.