Chapter 5: The Envelope In The Carriage.

Xingyu’s brain was spinning. Bride? Pookie wooie? This stunning demon in red had just ruined his sleeves, insulted his clothes, and now—

The man burst out laughing.

“Pffffft—!” he snorted, waving a hand in front of his face like he was wiping away fake tears. “Oh stars, you should see your face right now! Hahaha—oh, don’t worry, cutie, I’m just kidding about the bride thing.”

Xingyu’s mouth hung open.

“…What.”

The demon gave a charming wink. “Sorry, sorry. Couldn’t resist. It’s fun messing with my brother’s little… pet projects.”

“Pet what?”

The demon fluttered his fingers, and the white-and-red butterfly from earlier circled his head before disappearing in a shimmer of light. “He used that to find you. He always uses those little tricks. Never comes directly himself. So dramatic.”

Xingyu blinked. “Wait—your brother?”

The demon stepped back with a playful bow, sweeping one leg behind him like a prince in a fairy tale. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Qiran — proud older brother of the moody, mysterious, pain-in-the-neck demon lord who sent that butterfly to stalk you.”

He smirked. “And don’t worry. He’s way better than me. Elegant, strict, and unbearably stubborn — but at least he won’t call you pookie wooie.”

Xingyu stood there like a stunned potato, still trying to recover his dignity.

“Oh!” Qiran said suddenly, reaching up and tugging at his head. With a soft shff, the blond hair came right off — revealing sleek, glossy black hair cascading down to his back.

Xingyu gasped.

“That was a wig?!”

Qiran twirled the golden wig on his finger like it was a toy. “What? You think I’d ruin my real hair for drama? Please. Wigs are fashion, sweetheart.”

He tossed it aside casually. “Anyway, don’t take it too seriously. I just came to say hi before the main act arrives.”

He leaned in close again, voice dropping to a mischievous whisper.

“You’ll know him when you see him. Tall. Dark. Intense. Looks like he wants to murder everyone but might secretly want to hold your hand.”

And with that, Qiran stepped back, gave Xingyu a two-finger salute, and vanished into thin air with a poof!

Xingyu sigh and just lie down on his mothers lap and falls asleep.

Morning sunlight spilled through the curtains of the carriage, brushing against Xingyu’s cheeks and gently waking him. He blinked slowly, the soft hum of the wheels still rolling in the background.

His mother was already up, combing her hair and humming an old tune. The moment she noticed Xingyu stirring, she smiled.

"Did you sleep well?"

Xingyu nodded, still thinking about the demon with the wig and the butterfly. “Mother… I saw a demon—”

But before he could finish, she cut him off sharply. “Don’t talk to demons. They’re not nice, okay? If you see one again, hit it in the head.”

He blinked. “But what if—”

“No buts! Demons are dangerous. You’re too soft-hearted, Xingyu.” She tapped his nose with a stern finger.

Soon after, the carriage came to a halt outside a quiet inn nestled between trees. Breakfast was being served inside, and his mother got down with her parasol in hand.

“I’ll go in first. You can catch up after freshening up,” she said.

Xingyu gave a lazy nod, still half in dreamland. Alone in the carriage, he stretched and yawned—until his eyes caught something.

A soft white envelope lay on the velvet seat across from him.

Curious, he leaned forward and picked it up. His name was written in flowing calligraphy:

Dearest Sister,

I see you’re on the move again. Ever restless, ever paranoid…

Still pretending you’re above our kind, and yet—

you’ve kept my little gift so close to your side.

Do not forget this—

I was the one who created him, not you.

My dearest sister.

Do not worry—

I remember our agreement well.

But you, as always, walk the line of betrayal like it’s a dance.

Be careful not to miss a step, dear sister…

He’s growing—more quickly than you think.

Refined, curious, and perhaps a bit too much like me.

You should be proud… though I wouldn’t dress him like a spring pastry again.

It’s unbecoming.

With all due elegance,

Your dear brother, Li Huaiyan.

To be continued

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