She spoke harsh words of determination.

Yet, the man wore a lonely, faint smile, as if everything was inconsequential and he didn’t care about anything anymore.

Dong Huiying pressed her lips together.

"I’m not threatening you, but if anything happens to them, I won’t be able to survive. By then, I’ll die before you do!"

She grasped Qinghe’s weak spot. He could not care about the lives of others, or even his own.

However, she compelled him with her life, using her safety as leverage.

Originally a carefree and indifferent man, he gradually turned dangerous.

"You really do... care about them a lot."

He gave her a deep look, then immediately turned away.

"Ah Lian, let’s go."

"Stop!"

She stepped forward, but just then, dozens of black-clad figures suddenly emerged from the shadows, secretly protecting Qinghe.

However, after these people appeared, suddenly another group emerged, wearing silver masks and crescent colored cheongsams. They walked out from hiding, presenting an opposition, ready for battle at any moment.

About to get into the carriage, Qinghe paused slightly, a rare hint of astonishment crossed the man’s eyes.

He looked at those with silver masks and crescent cheongsams, suddenly pondering.

Then, he looked again at Dong Huiying.

"Do you know, this is like seeking skin from a tiger?"

Dong Huiying was stunned, unable to understand Qinghe’s implication.

Qinghe’s brows furrowed tightly, "There are things you shouldn’t meddle with. As long as you live, I have some hope that perhaps someday you’ll remember the old you, remember the past we shared, but if..."

If she died, everything would become a vain wish.

In that moment, Qinghe seemed to understand something.

"For them, you really are willing to sacrifice."

And this ’willingness to sacrifice’ used to belong to him in the past.

Qinghe let out a heavy sigh, then withdrew his gaze, the man took the carriage, disappearing into the distance forlornly.

Dong Huiying: "..."

Confusion filled her expression.

After the black-clad men on Qinghe’s side retreated, the Silver Moon Crescent also disappeared without a trace.

Her heart was full of confusion.

What exactly did Qinghe’s pointed words mean?

What does seeking skin from a tiger mean?

And these Silver Moon Crescent, could they possibly have a complex background?

But weren’t these people her own Hidden Guard?

Secretly protecting her, sent by the Liang Family Brothers to watch over her.

Her heart suddenly ached sharply for a moment.

Then, drip, a clear tear suddenly shattered upon her lapel.

"Huh?"

Dong Huiying suddenly dumbly raised her hand, wiped her face, and felt the wet tears.

It was beyond her comprehension.

"Why am I crying?"

What is she crying about?

This is really strange.

...

"Yingying, look!"

Liang Yuening ran towards Dong Huiying holding two slingshots. At that moment, Dong Huiying was sitting by the pond.

Seeing the girl’s bright eyes moist and her eye rims slightly red, Yuening’s smile gradually faded.

"Yingying?"

He moved closer to Dong Huiying, looking at her with concern.

"It’s nothing."

She shook her head but frowned, still full of confusion.

"Yuening."

"Hmm?"

"Where exactly did those Hidden Guards following us come from?"

Seeking skin from a tiger is usually used to describe a collaboration where the other party is a big tiger with ill intentions, and cooperation represents high danger, easily threatening one’s own side.

Qinghe’s words forced her to think deeply.