Chapter 27: The Marriage Proposal

The white dragon clearly understood my words and nodded lightly at me. After I carefully tended to its wounds, I finally left with an easy heart.

Early the next morning, I got up at dawn, asked Granny Wan for a few cat bone jars, changed into white clothes, and took a taxi to the “Dragon Head Canal.”

Arriving at the canal, I was instantly filled with excitement. I had never seen such a grand spectacle. Both banks of the Dragon Head Canal were packed with people eager to witness the commotion. Numerous reporters, carrying all manner of cameras, stood outside the cordoned area, snapping photos of the stranded freighter on the canal.

Seeing such a scene, I turned back and fashioned myself half a black mask. To appear mysterious, I wrote the character “Wan” on the mask. Having seen the power of internet sleuths, I had no desire to expose myself before so many eyes.

The matchmaking event had a special passageway for geomancers to board the ship, which was also the most heavily guarded area.

I handed the matchmaking invitation that Bai Xiaoli had given me to the security guard. After checking it, he nodded and led me onto the freighter.

At that moment, many people were already gathered atop the enormous vessel. Each was dressed oddly, shrouded in mystery—it was impossible to tell how many among them were true geomancers with real skill.

Bai Ranhe stood at the prow, his face clouded with worry as he gazed at the ships halted behind him, lost in thought. Perhaps he was regretting forcing me to break off the engagement?

Chen Yetian stood beside Bai Ranhe, and behind him stood another figure, hidden entirely within a black cloak, only a pair of pitch-black eyes visible. The man wore enormous boots, his feet strikingly large—boots I had seen somewhere before.

The room!

The size of those feet matched exactly the footprints I had found in my room that day. I glanced at the man a few more times. He seemed to sense my scrutiny, and his dark eyes swept coldly over me.

This one has some skill.

I quickly averted my gaze, avoiding eye contact, and looked toward Bai Xiaoli instead.

Today, Bai Xiaoli remained bare-faced. It wasn’t that she disliked makeup, but rather she refused to wear it for those she didn’t care for. Dressed in a red skirt, her clever eyes darted back and forth among the geomancers on deck, as if searching for someone.

When her gaze landed on me, she paused for a moment, but noticing the “Wan” character on my mask, the light in her eyes quickly dimmed again. She must have thought I was just someone surnamed Wan.

Chen Yetian, believing Bai Xiaoli was worried about the stranded freighter, tried to comfort her: “Xiaoli, don’t worry. Whatever concerns the Bai family concerns the Chen family as well. With Qiang’er here, we’ll surely move the ship today.”

Bai Xiaoli forced a smile at Chen Yetian but did not reply.

“Uncle Bai, it’s about time. Shall we begin?” Chen Zhiqiang, wearing a confident, victorious smile, reminded the still-dazed Bai Ranhe.

Bai Ranhe nodded, turned toward the crowds lining the banks of the Yellow River, and addressed them: “A few days ago, a Bai family freighter ran aground, blocking the mouth of the Yellow River. Though it was a natural disaster, it has affected canal shipping. On behalf of the Bai family, I sincerely apologize to you all.” With that, Bai Ranhe bowed deeply to the cameras, his entire company following suit.

A cascade of camera shutters echoed along the banks. Once the photographers were satisfied, Bai Ranhe turned to us geomancers and said, “I thank all you masters for coming to help remove the freighter and restore order to the river. Here and now, I swear: whoever can move this vessel and restore traffic, I will give my only daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Bai Ranhe was indeed a consummate businessman. With a few words, he neatly shifted all blame to fate, treating the grounding as an accident. In inviting geomancers to move the ship, he framed it as an act not for himself, but for the good of the city.

After he finished speaking, many geomancers seemed eager to try, but none spoke. Instead, all eyes turned to Chen Yetian at Bai Ranhe’s side—it was clear he commanded the most respect here.

Chen Yetian cleared his throat, glanced at the position of the sun, calculated something on his fingers, and after waiting a moment, finally announced, “The auspicious hour has arrived. We may begin.” With that, he instructed Bai Ranhe and Bai Xiaoli to retreat into the cabin for safety.

Bai Xiaoli’s gaze grew distant. She cast one last glance at the now-empty passage below, disappointment written across her face.

“Xiaoli, let’s go. It’s safer inside the cabin,” Bai Ranhe said, thinking she was reluctant to leave. He gently pulled her hand, and only then did she follow him inside.