Her face looked a little pale, not like she had slept well. She seemed absent-minded, lost in thought, with a blank stare.

Zhou Ji didn't quite believe her when she said she was fine; she had just woken up and was probably having another nightmare.

After visiting the temple, her nightmares seemed to have subsided somewhat; perhaps it was because she was frightened while riding a horse that afternoon.

Zhou Ji reached out and touched her face. It was soft and warm to the touch. He said somewhat stiffly, "Don't be afraid."

Don't be afraid.

It's all over now.

The man's voice was deep and magnetic, with a cool, metallic quality that made him instantly convincing.

The storm in Jiang Yue's heart gradually subsided, and the chilling feeling on her back from the dream gradually dissipated. Indeed, there was nothing to be afraid of anymore.

It's much better than those people in this world who die without knowing why.

Just as she regarded Zhou Fuwei as a major threat and an enemy, fighting him to the death, Zhou Fuwei would not like her, the princess who tried to have him assassinated day and night.

He wants power.

She also wants power.

In the struggle for power, there can only be one winner.

Of course, although Jiang Yue could think things through clearly, she felt that Zhou Fuwei's subordinates' actions were perfectly justifiable.

No matter how reasonable she is, it's impossible for her to have any good feelings towards the murderer who killed her.

Even if there are extenuating circumstances.

But that didn't stop them from being enemies until death.

Coming to her senses, Jiang Yue nodded seriously: "You're right, I don't need to be afraid."

Now, more than a thousand years have passed.

Zhou Fuwei has long since died and turned to dust, but she is still alive, her soul still shining.

In that sense, Heaven has been kind to her.

They will give her a chance to be reborn, and she can even return to the Jiang Kingdom after the mission is over.

Thinking this way always made Jiang Yue feel more relaxed, and a smile returned to her face.

Zhou Ji felt that her mood was as changeable as the weather, and it was always clear what she was thinking. She would smile when she was happy and have a cold face when she was unhappy, and she was unwilling to hide it.

Zhou Ji certainly thought it was great, very cute.

He liked it very much.

He never thought he would have many emotions; he was born indifferent and ruthless, and it was difficult for him to like anyone.

But now, this fondness has grown stronger and deeper from the initial curiosity.

It seeps deep into the skin and bones, from flesh to blood.

Jiang Yue couldn't stand Zhou Ji's gaze; the man's eyes were dark, as deep as a black lake.

He looked at her like that every time.

She felt a little creeped out, always startled by the fleeting madness in the man's dark eyes.

That kind of gaze was somewhat terrifying to her.

Jiang Yue couldn't help but ask, "I only get scared when you look at me like that."

Zhou Ji quickly composed himself, almost imperceptibly, and asked with feigned nonchalance, "What was it like?"

The pure white snow lotus flower really did look convincing, and Jiang Yue almost doubted whether her earlier feeling was an illusion.

She stared at him for a long time, but the man remained expressionless.

So she gave up.

Jiang Yue got up, wearing the pajamas she had changed into earlier. Ignoring Zhou Ji, she turned and went into the walk-in closet.

After changing my clothes and coming out...

Zhou Ji was still in the bedroom. He looked at her and asked, "Are you done?"

Jiang Yue wore a dark blue long dress that was slightly revealing, showing off her slender, fair collarbones. She nodded and said, "Mm."

This outfit looks beautiful.

It won't steal the spotlight from others.

Zhou Ji took her hand and led her downstairs. The moment their fingers intertwined, Jiang Yue wanted to pull away, but after thinking about it, she didn't.

Zhou Ji's finger bones were very hard, and they felt rock hard to the touch; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were like iron clamps.

Jiang Yue didn't know what this person ate to grow up like this. His whole body seemed to be hard to the touch. When he grabbed her hand, she didn't feel restrained. But when she tried to break free, an invisible force that was hard to escape held her tightly.

The two went downstairs together, and the guests' curious gazes all fell on their tightly clasped hands. Their eyes were also unfathomable, as if they knew each other perfectly well.

Only Gu Chen felt uneasy. At first, he had a little secret feeling for Jiang Yue, and he would curse himself in the middle of the night. How did he become such a morally bankrupt old beast like Fu Qingnian?

But.

Emotions are out of control.

The more you force yourself to give up, the more intensely you think about it, feeling like you're tearing your heart out and can't let go no matter what.

I've finally gotten this opportunity, and I'm really not willing to let it all go to nothing again.

Gu Chen, the smiling tiger, could no longer laugh. He stood not far away, watching quietly. He tugged at the corners of his lips, wanting to speak several times, but swallowed his words back each time.

never mind.

He probably wasn't even a friend to Jiang Yue, so there was really nothing to be resentful about.

Once Jiang Yue arrived in the living room, she lost all interest in spending time with Zhou Ji. She looked around but still couldn't find Ning Zhi.

She was a little angry.

No matter how domineering Fu Qingnian is, he can't keep clinging to someone forever!

Just as Jiang Yue was about to fire, Fu Qingnian and Ning Zhi finally reappeared in everyone's sight.

Jiang Yue looked Ning Zhi up and down several times, and only felt relieved after confirming that she appeared to be unharmed.

She immediately shook off Zhou Ji's hand, walked to Ning Zhi's side, and ignoring Fu Qingnian's cold expression and unpredictable gaze, snatched Ning Zhi's hand from his palm.

Jiang Yue asked eagerly, "Have you learned to ride a horse yet?"

Since Fu Qingnian was so eager to act as a teacher this afternoon, he must have some skills. She wanted to know just how much real talent he actually possessed.

Ning Zhi's face flushed red, as if she had remembered something. Her ears felt so hot they were about to fall off, and she stammered in a low voice, "No...nothing."

How could anyone learn under such circumstances?

The teacher had no intention of teaching properly at all; on the spot, he...

Ning Zhi warned herself that she couldn't think about it anymore; it was too unbearable to recall. How could someone be so restless while riding a horse, liking to kiss her, especially her ears?

Jiang Yue couldn't possibly think of anything else; her mind was as pure as a blank sheet of paper. She was smugly pleased with herself, thinking that Fu Qingnian was indeed as she had imagined—his riding skills were poor!

She held Ning Zhi's hand tightly, "Next time, I'll be your teacher. Some mediocre teachers will only harm their bright students."

Ning Zhi just wanted to get past this topic as soon as possible, so she quickly nodded and agreed.

Zhou Ji watched as the two of them huddled together, their affection seemingly even stronger than that of ordinary friends.

We've only met a few times, yet we get along so well.

It must have been fate.

…

At friends' birthday parties, it's inevitable to have a few drinks.

Most of the people at the table were Zhou Ji's close friends, who couldn't stand his indifferent and unflappable demeanor no matter what.

Now that we know who his sweetheart is.

Many things that were impossible before are now easier to do.

Several people pretended to stand up and clink glasses with Jiang Yue, but as expected, Zhou Ji stopped them the next second. The man in the black turtleneck sweater looked refined and said calmly, "She can't drink."

Perhaps knowing the nature of these people—they wouldn't give up until they achieved their goal—and to save them from further roundabout probing, the man then said in a calm tone, "Come at me if you have a problem."