Chapter 16 The First Time I Saw Myself

If that were the case, wouldn’t she have just escaped one danger only to fall into another? He might kill her soon enough and then take all her dowry!

This wasn’t Gu Youyou’s fault; in her past life, she was schemed against and killed because of her family’s wealth. The mere mention of money made her extremely sensitive!

Jin Zijing didn’t say anything. After covering Gu Youyou with the quilt, he went back into the room without even glancing at her.

Gu Youyou’s eyes followed Jin Zijing, trying to read his expression, but whether it was his stubble or something else, she couldn’t discern any emotion—he was practically expressionless!
Fine, expressionless!

Gu Youyou basked in the sun, feeling inexplicably comfortable.
Well, even if Jin Zijing wanted her dowry, he wouldn’t kill her so soon. It would take at least six months, otherwise, as an outsider, he’d be killed by her two uncles.

“Trying to swindle a stingy person out of their dowry? It’s not that easy!”

A moment later, Jin Zijin came out of the room, carrying a wooden basin and a cloth draped over its rim. It seemed he was there to help her wash her face.

Feeling a little embarrassed to have such a rough man help her wash her face, Gu Youyou pouted and said, “Put it down, I’ll do it myself.”

This was the first time Gu Youyou had spoken to Jin Zijin since yesterday.
Her voice was soft, yet incredibly pleasant. Jin Zijin was slightly taken aback.

He paused for a moment, but said nothing. He then brought out a stool, placed the basin on it, and sat down beside her.

Gu Youyou grinned at him to express her gratitude. She noticed that Jin Zijin’s expression was somewhat strange, as if he was trying his best to endure something. Gu Youyou didn’t think much of it and lowered her head to wash her face.
“Ah…” A heart-wrenching scream exhausted all of Gu Youyou’s strength.

What had she just seen?
Realizing that the woman reflected in the water was herself, Gu Youyou was completely flustered, and it took her a while to calm down.

No wonder Jin Zijing had that expression earlier; with that face smiling at him, it was a miracle he didn’t scream.

Jin Zijing’s face was flushed red, and Gu Youyou knew he wanted to laugh but was afraid of hurting her, so he was desperately trying to hold it in.

Okay, at least you have some compassion!

After a while, Jin Zijing still wrung out the cloth for her and personally helped her wash her face.

The cool water refreshed Gu Youyou considerably. Seeing Jin Zijing about to take the wooden basin away, she quickly said, “Wait!”
Jin Zijing was slightly taken aback and asked, “Want to wash again?”
“No, I… I’ll check again!”

Understanding what she was going to do, Jin Zijing hesitated.

Gu Youyou was a little embarrassed and whispered, “Don’t worry, I won’t scare you anymore.”

Jin Zijing: “…”

He let her be and went into the house.

Gu Youyou leaned her head in again, this time much better. Although she was still startled, she didn’t scream.

The woman’s hair, reflected in the clear water, was dry and yellow, something she had expected. It was just so sparse; she hadn’t anticipated it was almost as thick as Qiu Qianchi’s head of straw.
And she was so thin; Gu Youyou had touched her face, which was all bone. Her eyes were large, her face devoid of flesh, just skin and bones. Looking at her, she resembled an alien creature—something Gu Youyou hadn’t expected.