They all want to change my future.

Chapter 47 Phoenix Seeks Its Mate

Of course, we should play it.

Now that we've come this far, what's there to hesitate about?

Qu Hongxiao smiled sweetly, turned and walked towards the zither platform, her red dress trailing on the ground, her bare feet stepping across the soft carpet:

"Young master, wouldn't you like to hear me play the zither? Please listen."

She placed her delicate hand on the strings and plucked a string with her fingertips.

The clear and melodious sound of the zither flowed out, like a raging fire or a red silk ribbon, instantly filling the room, penetrating the doors and windows, and spreading outwards to the noisy hall downstairs and the silent night outside.

Downstairs, Xie Shiyi was feeling rather bored.

The manager just announced that the master musician will not be performing tonight. Several musicians were replaced on stage to warm up the audience. Although the tunes were pleasant, it just felt like something was missing.

These people's skills are still far inferior to those of the great musicians.

Suddenly, the sound of a piano poured down from the third floor.

Xie Shiyi was taken aback and looked up. Although he couldn't see anyone, he could feel the power and energy of the music.

Who else could it be but Qu Hongxiao?

"This..." he murmured, "Could it be that this was played just for Brother Li?"

A sense of envy arose in my heart, but I also had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

Something sounds off about this piece of music.

He wasn't the only one who noticed it.

The noise in the hall gradually subsided, and many people looked at each other with surprise and doubt in their eyes.

Someone hummed the tune softly, then suddenly realized: "A beautiful woman... This, this is 'The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate'?!"

The room erupted in uproar.

The sound of the zither, like waves, pushed aside the darkness of the night, layer by layer.

The notes played by Qu Hongxiao's fingers became increasingly tender and lingering.

Even she herself, with eyes as shimmering as spring water and a voice blending into the melody, each word clear and distinct:

"After tonight, the whole city will know."

"I, Qu Hongxiao, am in love with you, Li Zhi."

As the music ended, the melody stopped abruptly, leaving a lingering resonance, and Li Zhi began to speak.

"What kind of man do you think Phoenix would like?"

Qu Hongxiao, who had stopped, was somewhat satisfied upon hearing this question, knowing that it was time to get down to business. After a brief thought, and putting herself in the other person's shoes, she said directly:

"He is an extraordinary man, upright and magnanimous, with lofty aspirations."

As she spoke, she glanced at Li Zhi and scoffed, "In any case, it certainly won't be like you."

"That means someone like a great hero."

Li Zhi dismissed it and summarized, then continued, "Your thoughts are the same as mine."

How come they're the same?

Qu Hongxiao was somewhat puzzled, but then she heard Li Zhi say, "Just now, didn't I say that the method to attract Ji Baizhi is through battle?"

"Didn't you just say it was based on talent and ability?"

Li Zhi remained unfazed: "Is there a problem with demonstrating strength and charisma through combat?"

"You really are a bit shameless."

Qu Hongxiao said softly, but she still reluctantly nodded in agreement with Li Zhi's statement: "Go on."

"So, for the next three challenges, I not only want to win, but I want to win spectacularly and make a splash."

Li Zhi picked up the three visiting cards.

"That makes sense." Qu Hongxiao nodded and added, "Winning isn't enough. You have to fight gracefully, in a way that impresses everyone, and in a way that makes the whole capital remember your name."

She spoke with great enthusiasm, but in her heart she felt something was amiss. It seemed to make sense, though: wasn't it all planned out that she would offer advice and help him pursue Ji Baizhi?

Seeing the confusion on Qu Hongxiao's face, Li Zhi respectfully asked, "Please teach me."

Qu Hongxiao was pleased with these words and the tone of the voice. Oh well, considering he's now my subordinate.

I'll teach him then.

"What was the name of the sword technique you used earlier?"

"The Gentleman's Sword Technique," Li Zhi said frankly.

Qu Hongxiao could naturally tell that Li Zhi wasn't lying. She thought to herself, "So it really is a very niche sword technique, which is why I couldn't find it."

But why did he suddenly become so obedient?

Oh well, it doesn't matter. Considering his honesty, I'll give him some benefits.

"Never heard of it." Qu Hongxiao frowned. "I'll find you a few powerful martial arts techniques tomorrow, and you can choose one to practice."

"Then I thank you."

Li Zhi cupped his hands in greeting, but then saw Qu Hongxiao reach out her hand to him: "Let me see those three visiting cards, and I'll help you analyze them."

"please."

Li Zhi handed it out.

Qu Hongxiao took the book and began to look through it, while simultaneously searching through the list of various cultivation techniques collected in the Star Gazing Tower in her mind, looking for a solution.

She quickly took out one of the visiting cards and handed it to Li Zhi: "Send this first."

Li Zhi took it and looked at the name on the sticker: "Lu Jiu? What's the explanation?"

"I recognize him," Qu Hongxiao said calmly. "I happen to know the martial arts techniques passed down by the Lu family, and I happen to have a very good method for it."

"It seems you have an idea."

"That's right," Qu Hongxiao said with a slight smile, "Defeating an enemy in one move is certainly elegant, but if you want to win beautifully and with a story to tell, there are always some tricks to it."

When it comes to manipulating reputations and winning people's hearts, Qu Hongxiao is an expert.

"What should I do?"

"I'll tell you then." Qu Hongxiao was somewhat mysterious and also very proud: "Anyway, if you win using my method, outsiders will definitely think you have the demeanor of a grandmaster and the style of a great man, which will attract that phoenix even more."

Li Zhi looked at her and suddenly laughed: "Are you that sure?"

Qu Hongxiao felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, but still raised her head and said, "Of course."

Because this method was her own idea, just thinking about it filled her with longing. If she felt this way, the phoenix would surely feel the same way.

"Alright." Li Zhi didn't mind. He looked at the visiting card again and calculated the time:

"In three days, you'll invite me over. When do you plan to teach me?"

"Tomorrow afternoon," Qu Hongxiao nodded and said, "at Tongfu Teahouse, in the top-tier private room."

"Okay." Li Zhi nodded and then extended his hand to Qu Hongxiao.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Give me the money," Li Zhi said with a smile. "You need funds to win over Ji Baizhi, right? Here's all my money for you."

Qu Hongxiao was somewhat amused and annoyed. "What do you mean by this? You're asking me for money?"

Seeing this, Li Zhi knew he had to change his approach. He said sincerely, "I'm doing this for you, sir. Please think it over carefully."

Qu Hongxiao felt she was being manipulated, but the words were still pleasant to hear, so she tossed the brocade purse back to him:

"Take it back, and I hope you really spend the money on Ji Baizhi."

"Don't worry." Li Zhi took the purse, weighed it in his hand, and said very honestly, "I might use this money on Ji Baizhi."

Qu Hongxiao's eyelids twitched.

Why does that sound so awkward?

But she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong, so she just waved her hand and said, "Fine, then I'll wait and see how you try to win her over. I hope you can bring me some good news."

"Then I'll take my leave."

Li Zhi turned around and pushed open the door. Before he could even step out of the door after successfully getting something for free, he heard Qu Hongxiao's voice.

"Wait a minute."

Li Zhi was taken aback. Had he failed to get his way and been discovered?