Later, when Lou's family found Lou Xue, Lou Xue had already died a horrible death.
When the coroner examined the corpse, he said that she had suffered inhuman violation and torture before she died.
To evade the capture of the Chu City Magistrate, Qin Shi had fled from Chu City to Lan City and came to this village.
He hated those girls who were similar to Lou Xue. He wanted to destroy them!
After getting engaged to Lou Xue, he had always abided by propriety and would never do anything offensive to Lou Xue before the marriage.
But who would have thought that Lou Xue had already privately associated with the magistrate's son and was no longer a virgin.
He felt so ridiculous. The dissatisfaction and distortion in his heart, his deformed sense of inferiority and disgust, as well as the blow of his family's destruction, turned him into a deranged serial killer who sought vengeance on women.
His targets had always been those unmarried young ladies from distinguished families who were skilled in musical instruments, chess, calligraphy and painting, just like Lou Xue.
If the girl was still a virgin before marriage, Qin Shi would violate her and then give her a quick death. But if Qin Shi found out that the girl was no longer a virgin before marriage, he would certainly torture her to death.
However, Yu Jiaojiao was not actually his target.
The reason why he captured Yu Jiaojiao was naturally because Yu Jiaojiao had unintentionally witnessed Qin Shi's deeds.
...
After listening to Hua Wuyou's brief account, everyone fell silent for a while.
It was indeed not without reason that a normal person became a psychologically twisted serial killer.
"I sympathize with Qin Shi's previous experience, but that cannot justify his brutal killing of innocent women," said Xia Miaomiao.
"That's right. After taking his revenge, he shouldn't have gone on to kill those innocent girls," Sang Li added.
"Yu Jiaojiao is awake!" Xiao Han's voice came over.
"Sister!" Yu Yifan immediately held Yu Jiaojiao's hand and asked anxiously, "Sister, how are you?"
Yu Jiaojiao slowly opened her eyes, her voice a little weak, "Yifan..."
Yu Yifan choked up, her eyes reddening, "That's great, sister, you finally woke up!"
Yu Jiaojiao looked around at the people standing around. "Where am I?"
"In Qin Shi's house," replied Yu Yifan.
Hearing the name Qin Shi, Yu Jiaojiao's body visibly shuddered, but her face did not show any fear.
Her eyes stared blankly at the ceiling as tears slid down the corners and disappeared into the pillow.
There was no fear or joy at being rescued, just deadened despair.
"Sister, don't be afraid. My master and the others have already captured Qin Shi!" Yu Yifan said immediately.
Yu Jiaojiao was silent for a long time.
"Let's take her back to rest first. She probably needs time to process what happened with Qin Shi," said Sang Li.
When leaving, Xia Miaomiao and the others bid farewell to the old man who sold masks.
To this day, the old man still refused to believe that Qin Shi could be that kind of person. He had always been so nice to the villagers, so why would he do something so cruel?
"Ah..." The old man heaved a deep sigh. If Qin Shi had not gone through those misfortunes, perhaps he could have grown into an ambitious and aspiring young man!
By the time they returned to Qinglin Academy, it was very late.
With the arrival of Yu Jiaojiao and Hua Wuyou, there were no more rooms available at Qinglin Academy.
After some coordination, they arranged a room for Yu Jiaojiao first.
Gu Zhi and Sang Li were married, so they shared a room.
Xiao Han still roomed with Xia Miaomiao. Wu Ying and Su Mo each got their own room. Finally, Hua Wuyou was arranged to room with Yu Yifan.
"..."
"Why does he get a room to himself?" Hua Wuyou pointed at Wu Ying, his tone dissatisfied.
Wu Ying glanced at him and deliberately said, "You can share a room with me too."
This would give him a good chance to look for the treasure map.
"Hmph..." Hua Wuyou snorted sarcastically. "In your dreams! Don't think I don't know what you're up to! How about this - you let me take Qin Shi away now, and I won't bother you guys anymore! Anyway, you've already found the person you were looking for!"
When Xia Miaomiao heard that Hua Wuyou was leaving, she instinctively looked at him.
"It's so late and dark outside. Even if you want to leave, do it tomorrow..."
The sisters were somewhat surprised to see Xia Miaomiao's reaction.
Xia Miaomiao lowered her head sheepishly and explained in a small voice, "After all, he did save my life..."
Seeing Xia Miaomiao's manner, Hua Wuyou couldn't help but smile. "Since the little bunny wants me to stay, I'll stay! But..."
Hua Wuyou pointed at Wu Ying and Yu Yifan. "Can they share a room instead?"
Wu Ying's expression was impassive as he replied, "Sure..."
Wu Ying paused. Before Hua Wuyou could get happy, he added, "Unless you can beat me in a fight."
"..."
"Keep blabbering and I won't let you room with me either! You can sleep in the yard! Hmph!" Yu Yifan harrumphed and went back to her room first.
"..."
Wu Ying glanced at Hua Wuyou before leaving as well, with Su Mo following behind.
Gu Zhi also pulled Sang Li away.
"Miaomiao, let's go too!" Xiao Han yawned. "I'm so tired."
"Xiao Han, you go back first."
Xiao Han looked at Xia Miaomiao, then Hua Wuyou, and let go of Xia Miaomiao's arm. "Alright, don't chat for too long. Have him help you back later!"
After Xiao Han left, Xia Miaomiao finally looked up at Hua Wuyou.
"I'm sorry, we really don't have that many rooms left. Just bear with it for now, okay?"
Hua Wuyou sat down casually next to Xia Miaomiao, not answering her words.
"Is your foot better?"
Xia Miaomiao lowered her eyes. "Much better..."
At that moment, the moon emerged from the clouds, bathing the entire yard in soft light.
"Let me see."
Xia Miaomiao hesitated, then stretched her foot out.
Hua Wuyou grasped her ankle and rested it on his knee, taking off her shoe.
The swelling had gone down significantly after applying the medicine.
"Hmm, it's much better. Should be even more improved tomorrow."
Hua Wuyou put her shoe back on, but suddenly noticed Xia Miaomiao staring at him, lost in thought.
Hua Wuyou waved his hand in front of her eyes. "Little bunny?"
"Oh, oh, oh." Xia Miaomiao immediately reacted. "I know..."
Hua Wuyou chuckled at her flustered manner. "Little bunny, don't tell me... you've fallen for me? What, ready to agree to be my eleventh wife?"
Xia Miaomiao flushed red at his words. "I don't want to!"
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
"I just... simply think you're good-looking." Xia Miaomiao stammered out an explanation.
Su Mo said that liking handsome guys is a woman's nature. Su Mo was right!
Hua Wuyou's eyes darkened. He used to really dislike people looking at his eyes, because he always felt discrimination in their gazes. But he saw no discrimination in Xia Miaomiao's eyes, only a hint of appreciation.
Hua Wuyou suddenly moved closer to her and looked into her eyes teasingly. "How good-looking?"
Hua Wuyou's sudden closeness made Xia Miaomiao's heart seem to skip a beat. She stared blankly into his light blue eyes, as if mesmerized.
"Very... very good-looking..." Xia Miaomiao stuttered out.
"Since you think I'm so good-looking, why don't you want to be my wife?" Hua Wuyou teased her.
"I..." Xia Miaomiao came to her senses and immediately slid away from Hua Wuyou, putting some distance between them.
She lowered her eyes again, a flash of gloom in them. "You have so many wives already."
Even if she felt some liking for Hua Wuyou, she would never really agree to be his wife.
As a modern woman, she of course could not accept him having so many women.
"It's late, you should rest early. Leave tomorrow!" Xia Miaomiao stood up, grabbing her crutch.
Seeing this, Hua Wuyou moved to help her, but Xia Miaomiao dodged his hand. "No need, I can walk myself."
Hua Wuyou felt confused. Was the little bunny angry?
Women really change so quickly! One moment one way, the next moment another!
Xia Miaomiao took two steps, then suddenly stopped. With her back to him, she said softly, "Hua Wuyou, thank you for saving me yesterday and taking care of me. I know you're not a bad person, but... I still want to tell you, you shouldn't have married so many wives. It's unfair to them..."
Having said that, Xia Miaomiao left, supporting herself on the crutch.
Hua Wuyou watched her back until she disappeared from sight.
He looked up at the moon in the sky and couldn't help but smile. "Little bunny, so naive!"
He had sworn before that he would never marry in this life. How could he possibly have ten wives?
However... it was quite fun to tease the little bunny.