Chapter 4: Rescued by a Handsome Man

The woman approached Xia Tingning, her eyes staring intently at the hairpin in her hair as she marveled, "What a beautiful hairpin."

Xia Tingning felt the other woman's actions were somewhat abrupt. Before she could even react, the woman's left hand reached out unceremoniously, attempting to pluck the hairpin from her hair.

Xia Tingning had not expected such a move; she hurriedly took a step back, narrowly avoiding the hand. She felt a surge of irritation: this woman was far too rude, not even bothering to ask before reaching out directly to take her hairpin. Did she take her for a dead person?

Wanyu, standing to the side, was about to speak up, but Xia Tingning stopped her. Wanyu could only obediently shut her mouth, glaring resentfully at the ill-mannered woman before them.

Xia Tingning looked at her coldly: "Miss, has no one ever taught you that 'taking without asking' is theft?"

Seeing Xia Tingning dodge her and causing her hand to grasp empty air, Wang Yujiao's expression already showed some dissatisfaction.

Now, hearing Xia Tingning say this, her face grew even more unsightly: "It's just a hairpin. Just name your price; I'll take it." The moment she had ascended the stairs, she had noticed the woman and the hairpin tucked in her hair.

Although this woman was exceptionally beautiful, it was the exquisite hairpin that attracted her. Not only was the craftsmanship delicate, but the style was also unique, unlike anything she had seen before. What moved her even more was how the hairpin shimmered with every movement of the woman, making her appear even more graceful and captivating.

Wang Yujiao frequently visited jewelry shops every month; she had seen no fewer than eight hundred or a thousand pieces of gold and silver jewelry. Yet, she had never seen a hairpin as beautiful as this one, making her long to possess it immediately.

Xia Tingning knitted her brows slightly. "Did I say I was selling it to you?" This hairpin was something she had personally designed according to her own tastes. She was not lacking in money, so why should she sell it to someone else? Furthermore, since it belonged to her, how could she allow another to lay hands on it?

Wang Yujiao's tone became exceptionally displeased: "What, are you afraid I can't afford it? Let me tell you, this young lady is Wang Yujiao. This Zuixiang Restaurant is owned by my family. Just name how much silver you want."

As she spoke, her face grew increasingly smug. The Wang family was considered a prominent and influential family in this capital. There was nothing Wang Yujiao couldn't have, and she was determined to have this hairpin as well.

Xia Tingning sneered inwardly. Wang Yujiao? What a vulgar name. Looking at her nouveau riche attire, it was as if she were terrified people wouldn't know her family was wealthy.

Could it be that everyone from the Wang family possessed such character? That was truly disappointing.

Glancing briefly at Wang Yujiao, Xia Tingning casually dropped two words: "Not selling." She had no time to bicker with her, so she stepped forward, intending to walk around her.

Seeing that Xia Tingning didn't seem to care for her at all, Wang Yujiao was so angry she nearly breathed smoke. She had always been the pampered daughter of her household; everyone else scrambled to please her, so when had she ever received such treatment?

Instantly, she took several strides at once, charging forward to block Xia Tingning's path, and gave her a vicious shove back: "If you don't leave the hairpin behind today, don't even think about leaving!"

Caught off guard, Xia Tingning lost her balance. The shove sent her entire body crashing toward the side door.

"Miss!" Wanyu cried out loudly, reaching out her hand, but she was still too late to catch her.

Just as Xia Tingning was about to hit the doorframe, the side door opened, and a pair of slender hands caught her from behind just in time.

The expected pain did not come. Xia Tingning felt herself falling into a warm embrace, with a faint, refreshing fragrance lingering at the tip of her nose. Feeling the warm sensation against her back, she felt safe and instinctively opened her eyes.

What met her eyes were the snow-white sleeves of a man, with a ring of intricate patterns embroidered in gold thread at the cuffs. Xia Tingning turned her head to look behind her, only to meet a pair of eyes as dark and translucent as agate.

His eye shape was beautiful, his skin was like white porcelain, and the color of his lips was a very lovely pale pink.

This jade-like man held Xia Tingning steadily. Only after ensuring she was standing firmly did he release his grip, his expression natural yet carrying a hint of apology: "That was sudden; please forgive my rudeness, Miss."

Xia Tingning shook her head slightly to indicate it was fine: "You are too polite, Sir. It was an accident; please do not mind it."

She was not a woman of this dynasty and thus held the boundaries between men and women in high regard. However, facing him directly, Xia Tingning could see him even more clearly than before.

The man wore a set of high-quality snow-white satin robes, with the collar and cuffs adorned with gold silk embroidery, making him look both simple and noble.

Standing there calmly, he appeared even more elegant and otherworldly. With just one glance, she knew this man's background was certainly not simple.

Beside them, Wanyu, having just recovered from her fright, hurried over. She stared at Xia Tingning nervously from head to toe, terrified that something might be wrong, until she was certain her mistress was unharmed and uninjured.

Only then did she let out a great sigh of relief and bowed gratefully to the elegant and noble man who had saved her mistress: "Thank you, Sir, for stepping in to save my mistress."

Baili Rongjin nodded faintly. "It was merely a small favor."

Wanyu breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. Fortunately, nothing happened to her mistress, otherwise, what would they have done?

Then, remembering that the culprit who had almost caused her mistress harm was still standing right there, she turned around in a fit of rage and said, "How can you be so malicious? You can't just push my mistress like that!"

If someone hadn't stepped in just now, her mistress would likely have hit her head and bled.

Hearing this, Wang Yujiao's brows furrowed in fury. As the eldest young lady of the prestigious Wang family, she was actually being scolded to her face by a lowly maid. If this were spread around, she would be the laughingstock of the city.

Her eyes widened, and her voice grew even shriller: "What kind of thing are you to dare speak to me like that? You're nothing but a lowly maid; watch out, or this young lady will have your skin peeled off. So what if I pushed her? She couldn't stand steady herself; what does that have to do with me?"

Even if she did fall, it was her own fault for not handing over the hairpin.

"You..." Wanyu was choked with anger. This person was simply shameless; she never imagined such a woman existed.

Xia Tingning took a few steps forward to shield Wanyu behind her. "Wang Yujiao, listen well. I am not selling this hairpin. If you are sensible, go home quietly right now. Otherwise, do not blame me for being merciless. This second floor is quite high. Tell me, if you were to fall from here, I wonder how many bones would break and how long you would be bedridden."

The more Wang Yujiao listened, the more terrified she became. Frightened by Xia Tingning's piercing gaze, she took several steps back and shouted angrily, "How dare you!"

Xia Tingning let out a cold, mocking laugh, looking at her with disdain: "What is there that I wouldn't dare? Has your father not taught you: 'the common people do not fight with officials'? You are merely the daughter of a merchant; do you truly think this is your Wang family's private garden? Even if I did push you down, your Wang family could do nothing to me. If you dare to continue being unreasonable, I will make sure you enter through the front door and leave in a coffin."

She paused, then continued: "And while I'm at it, I'll spread word of what you did today. Being difficult, rude, and even attempting to snatch a customer's belongings in a restaurant. Once such a reputation spreads, I'd love to see which young master in this capital would ever dare come to your door to ask for your hand in marriage."

Wang Yujiao was both angry and anxious, her hands tightly wringing her handkerchief. She hadn't expected that Xia Tingning's few words would strike her weakest point.

She knew that although her family was wealthy, her father still had to flatter and curry favor with high-ranking officials. Now, he was even counting on her to secure a good marriage in the future so that the Wang family could thrive even more in the business world.

This was also the reason she came to wander around her family's restaurant so often—hoping to meet more powerful and talented young men.

If today's incident were truly spread, her reputation would be ruined, and she would be branded as fierce and unruly. Then, she could never hope to marry into a good family.

At this thought, Wang Yujiao felt even more rage and fear. She could only stomp her feet violently and leave in a fit of resentment, accompanied by her four maids.

Baili Rongjin had been looking at Xia Tingning with a faint smile. This woman was very clever; with just a few words, she had completely handled her opponent. Her intelligent and lively demeanor was quite different from that of an ordinary lady from a great family.

It was the first time he had met such a woman; she was neither arrogant nor impetuous, which naturally inspired a sense of goodwill.

Amidst his faint smile, the graceful figure before him began to blur. He felt wave after wave of dizziness rushing toward him.