Chapter 67: Dressed in Splendor, Riding with Passion—A Couple’s Matching Outfits

February 2nd, Luocheng.

As soon as they stepped off the high-speed train, they were surrounded by promotional photos of the ancient city, exuding a classical charm, and a huge banner reading, “Welcome to Luocheng.” The atmosphere was steeped in tourism from the start.

Finally, the long-awaited day had arrived. No sooner had they reached the station than a group of friends began cheering excitedly.

The first order of business: drop off their luggage at the hotel.

Qiao Zhen was rooming with Zhang Yu’s younger sister, Zhang Ning.

She’d known beforehand that a third-grade little sister would be joining them, so Qiao Zhen had specially prepared beautiful hair clips, cute plushies, and some cookies—everything was ready!

Zhang Ning was instantly won over, hugging Qiao Zhen without hesitation and planting a kiss on her cheek. “Sister, I love you!!!”

Petite and lively, she hopped along with her My Little Pony backpack, practically glued to Qiao Zhen’s side. Each call of “Sister” was as sweet as honey.

Qin Yichi watched the two of them with a languid gaze, hands in his pockets, reluctant to look away.

Niu Yifeng’s heart melted at the little girl’s cuteness. Half-joking, he said, “Oh, Brother Octopus, if you were as adorable as your sister, that would be something! If you were a girl, I’d marry you for sure!”

Zhang Yu gritted his teeth and glared at him. “...Ha, well, since today’s your birthday, I’ll let it slide.”

Their first stop was the old city. One out of every three people on the street wore Hanfu, the air thick with history and culture, as if they’d stepped into the past.

After enjoying the local hotpot, they headed to a Hanfu boutique they’d booked in advance for a makeover.

Qiao Zhen chose a crimson Hanfu embroidered with golden koi.

While the makeup artist applied her makeup, Qiao Zhen explicitly asked for something understated, not the trendy influencer look—a soft, natural touch would do. The makeup artist flashed an “OK” sign, smoothed on foundation and concealer, then drew a red lotus between Qiao Zhen’s brows, adorning it with a tiny pearl, and finished with a swipe of vermillion lip gloss.

Qiao Zhen pursed her lips, checking herself repeatedly in the mirror, feeling as though she was meeting a different version of herself.

She couldn’t help but wonder what Qin Yichi would choose to wear.

Zhang Ning changed into a teal Hanfu, her hair styled in two little buns. Excited, she shook her head, sending the tassels on her hairpin swaying, bouncing along as she exclaimed, “I really, really love Hanfu!!!”

Her face was still round with childish innocence, her eyes pure and bright.

Qiao Zhen wrapped herself in a thick red cloak for warmth, took Zhang Ning’s hand, and gazed around at the crowd.

Niu Yifeng was the first to make his entrance, resplendent in golden imperial robes, puffing out his chest with pride. “I—no, We are here!”

He thumped his chest, laughing. “Today, I am the Emperor!”

Qiao Zhen blinked, then pointed ahead and quietly remarked, “The Emperor… is everywhere now.”

Niu Yifeng turned to look. Sure enough, a large group of men had also chosen the dragon robes, these “Emperors” standing together, giving him a thumbs-up.

Recognition from fellow sovereigns.

Niu Yifeng: “...”

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu was dressed as a black-clad guard, complete with a prop sword. When Niu Yifeng suggested making him a personal bodyguard, he immediately unsheathed his sword, ready to seize power.

Qiao Zhen eyed the pair and couldn’t help rising on tiptoe, asking curiously, “Where’s Qin Yichi? What’s he wearing?”

“Brother Chi? He was the last to go in,” Zhang Yu replied with a meaningful smile. “You’ll see soon enough.”

There was something in his tone that made Qiao Zhen’s curiosity burn all the hotter.

The next moment, a figure in red suddenly entered her field of vision, and Qiao Zhen’s pupils contracted instinctively.

Qin Yichi appeared in the attire of a general, the robe a blazing red with golden clouds embroidered at the cuffs. He looked like a flame, wild and proud, the very image of a young, gallant general from an ancient painting.

The vivid scarlet made for a striking impression—he was nothing short of stunning.

He strode toward her, sword-browed and star-eyed, his nose straight, arms casually folded as a sly, almost mocking smile played on his lips, exuding a rebellious charm.

Confident, spirited, and dashing—a hero in fine clothes, straight out of history.

He was tall, his voice low and resonant. “So? How do I look?”

Under Qin Yichi’s scorching gaze, Qiao Zhen’s breath caught, the word slipping out before she realized, “Great.”

More than great.

Qin Yichi was incredible. Too incredible.

It was the first time she’d seen him in such a bold red, and it suited him perfectly—one hundred percent.

In her mind, a tiny version of herself was shrieking uncontrollably: Help! All lights on! Heartthrob guest—lights blazing! (Bang, bang, crashing into walls.)

Beside her, Zhang Ning’s eyes lit up. She clapped and announced, “Big Brother Chi and Sister Zhen are wearing couple outfits!”

As soon as she spoke, the boys’ knowing glances drifted over.

“?” Qiao Zhen slowly formed a question mark in her mind.

She stared for a few seconds, looked up at Qin Yichi, then down at herself.

She couldn’t deny it. At first glance, they really did look like a matching pair.

Even the koi sachet at Qin Yichi’s waist matched the little koi on her dress perfectly.

All the way, Qiao Zhen’s mind was in turmoil. She deliberately walked at the back of the group, quietly pulling out her phone to aim the camera at Qin Yichi.

It was a strange, sudden, uncontrollable urge—to capture his handsome figure and set it as the background for their chat.

She took a deep breath, outwardly calm and composed, but her hands trembled ever so slightly.

It was her first time doing this—no wonder she was nervous.

She pressed the shutter and glanced down at the first photo.

Because her hand shook, the shot was terribly blurry.

It didn’t capture even a tenth of his real charm.

Once inside the scenic area, Qiao Zhen trailed quietly behind him, feigning composure.

While the boys were joking around, she seized the moment and took several shots from the side.

But just as she pressed the button, she had the strange feeling—

Qin Yichi seemed to glance back at her, a faint smile curving his lips, his gaze inexplicably gentle and warm.

…An illusion. It must be an illusion.

Qiao Zhen, feeling guilty, quickly put her phone away, her heart pounding wildly, her whole body restless.

She wondered if she was being too nervous.

When she finally looked up at Qin Yichi’s relaxed posture, she sighed in relief, convincing herself she hadn’t been caught.

But when she checked her gallery, she found that an old man had wandered into the frame, completely blocking Qin Yichi.

She kept scrolling, gradually becoming absorbed.

There was one photo that could just barely serve as a chat background:

The young man stood tall, spirited, a hint of youthful arrogance between his brows, hormones radiating off the screen.

He wore red, lips faintly upturned, the beauty mark beneath his eye even more bewitching and provocative than usual.

Suddenly—

A shadow fell precisely over Qiao Zhen.

Her phone was gently taken, the screen freezing on that very photo.

“Let me see how you did,” he said.

No one knew when Qin Yichi had slipped up beside her, closing the distance between them, bringing with him a faint scent of mint and fresh grass.

He didn’t scroll through her phone—just looked at the candid shot, a low chuckle rumbling from his chest, his voice husky:

“Not bad, just a bit blurry.”

!!!

Disaster—caught in the act…

Qiao Zhen’s eyes widened in shock, frozen on the spot, her face instantly flushed red. It took a while before she could lower her head.

Heavens, to be caught taking candid photos by the subject himself—she was so mortified she wanted to disappear.

She stammered, “I… I was just snapping a candid. Photos taken by accident are always the most natural.”

Her gaze darted everywhere, hand instinctively touching her nose as she tried to sound nonchalant: “Definitely not sneaking photos~”

Out of nervousness, her voice rose, and she repeated, “Definitely not!”

She might as well have had “guilty as charged” written across her face.

Qin Yichi’s eyes softened with a trace of helpless amusement. Following her lead, he replied, “Mm, I know it’s not.”

He chuckled quietly, not exposing her lie. Instead, he reached up and brushed a yellow leaf from her hair, his fingers grazing her locks as he gently ruffled her head.

How could anyone be so endearing, even when lying?