Liu Xiaomei’s mouth fell open as she stared at Juhua in astonishment. ’Just a moment ago, we ate a few pieces of that crispy rice! It wasn’t mixed with corn, just pure rice, and it was so fragrant. Why would Juhua say that?’

Yun Ying looked at the nonchalant Juhua, utterly speechless. It was obvious from her demeanor that she didn’t want to give her anything, yet she denied it so naturally.

’How could this girl be so stingy?’

’Didn’t Senior Brother say the people in this village were very hospitable? He’d praised Juhua’s family in particular, over and over again.’

’And another thing, she got angry the moment I said "country folk." Her tone held no shame about her origins. In fact, she seemed proud of it, as if she were declaring "we of the Royal Family" or "we government officials."’

After a long moment of restraint, she finally said, "If there’s nothing, then there’s nothing. It wasn’t essential anyway."

Juhua had nothing to send back with her for Qin Feng. This should have made Yun Ying happy, but it didn’t. She felt like she was being led around by the nose by Juhua, and because of that, she suddenly no longer wanted to hand over the beauty cream and Clear Condensing Dew.

In truth, this all stemmed from her own conflicted feelings. As the saying goes, a guilty conscience needs no accuser. Her own guilt made her exceptionally sensitive. At the same time, Juhua’s own wariness led her to be suspicious, and so she treated Yun Ying without genuine warmth.

After a round of talking past each other, the two fell silent again, as if locked in a contest of wills.

As time dragged on, Yun Ying couldn’t stand it any longer. She had already resolved not to give the black-and-red box to Juhua, but now she’d impulsively decided not to give her the beauty cream either. Her heart was a tangled mess as a fierce internal battle raged within her.

’Even if Senior Brother sees that Juhua’s face hasn’t healed, it’ll be easy enough to explain. This medicine isn’t some miracle cure; deep scars can’t be completely removed. Besides, I’ll make absolutely sure Senior Brother never has a chance to come to Qingnan Village again.’

’If he really does come and the truth gets out, then we’ll just have to see whose story Senior Brother believes.’

Having never done anything to trouble her conscience before, Yun Ying felt awful after making her decision. The feeling was like a treasured item, kept pristine for years, had suddenly been marred by a flaw, no longer perfect.

Her expression turned cold. She stood up and said to Juhua, "Since Miss Juhua has nothing for Qin Feng, I’ll take my leave. My apologies for the intrusion."

Juhua, meanwhile, was doing her own calculations. ’There’s definitely something off about this person, but I can’t put my finger on what it is. What am I supposed to do, detain and interrogate her?’

Just as she was trying to come up with a plan, she heard Yun Ying announce her departure and was taken aback. ’She’s leaving already?’

She had planned to remain steady and counter whatever move the girl made, but who would have thought she’d suddenly up and leave without saying or doing anything else? It was maddening to be left so utterly bewildered.

So, she strode in front of her, smiled faintly, and said, "Miss, what’s the hurry? Since you’ve come to see me on Doctor Qin’s behalf, won’t you at least tell me your name? And are you sure you have nothing else to say to me?"

She was a head shorter than Yun Ying, and had to tilt her head up to look at her.

But to Yun Ying, it felt as if Juhua was looking down on her. That scrutinizing gaze, those probing eyes, they all seemed to scream, "You’re hiding something!"

Yun Ying was, after all, only a girl of sixteen or seventeen. She had been tormented throughout her journey and was mentally exhausted. Now, having made a shameful decision, she was in agony. Being questioned by Juhua like this pushed her to the brink of flying into a rage born of humiliation.

She replied coldly, "You never asked, did you, Miss Juhua? I came on someone else’s behalf. Having seen you is enough to fulfill my purpose. Besides, you wouldn’t even part with a piece of crispy rice while you interrogate me so coldly. Is that any way to treat a guest?"

Seeing her anger, Juhua chuckled. "You didn’t even offer a proper greeting. Is that any way to visit someone? Didn’t Doctor Qin ask you to send his regards? Or did he perhaps have you bring something?"

She couldn’t pinpoint the reason for Yun Ying’s erratic behavior, so she was just probing randomly with her words.

If Yun Ying had merely felt guilty and upset before, now she was utterly enraged. Her composure shattered completely. She felt as if she had been stripped bare for Juhua to scrutinize, and a tide of shame, humiliation, and fury washed over her. "What would he bring for you? What do you *want* him to bring for you? If you want something that badly, go find him yourself!"

Juhua was stunned by her hysterical outburst. In the next instant, her own gaze turned icy. She blocked Yun Ying’s path and demanded in a frigid voice, "Who exactly are you? There’s a saying: ’If you don’t want anyone to know, don’t do it in the first place.’ Whatever you’re hiding, whatever you’re planning, I advise you to pull back from the brink before you ruin your life."