He abruptly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again a second later, those extremely gloomy and vicious emotions were well suppressed deep within him.

She was still weak, and he couldn't frighten her.

An eerie silence descended once more, and neither of them knew how to start a conversation again.

After Xie Fu placed her hand under the covers, he slowly got up and said, "You get some rest. I'm going to the study."

Shu Yun responded.

As Xie Fu turned to walk away, he heard Shu Yunqing's melodious voice behind him.

"Xie Fu, did anything happen to you while I was unconscious?" She paused. "I mean, did something happen that caused a misunderstanding between us?"

"If so, let's have a proper talk." Don't leave me guessing; I can't figure out what you're thinking.

There shouldn't be this barrier between us; I want to be with you.

Xie Fu stopped and gave a self-deprecating smile with his back to Shu Yun.

Misunderstand……

He heard her, with tears streaming down her face, using another person's name, and in such a sorrowful and tender tone, express her feelings for that person.

What reasons should he use, and how should he convince himself? Perhaps it's a misunderstanding.

Should he act like a jealous and petty woman, questioning her about a name she inadvertently revealed?

Xie Fu didn't turn around. He shook his head and said in a normal voice, "Nothing happened to me. Don't overthink it. Take good care of yourself."

Having said that, he walked straight out of the house without giving Shu Yun a chance to ask any further questions.

His slender and upright figure was hidden behind layers of dark green gauze curtains. Shu Yun looked at his back, as if looking at flowers through the fog, blurry and indistinct.

After Xie Fu walked out of Shu Yun's sight, he stopped by the door.

The arrogant and haughty young master of Xiliang, who had always been arrogant and aloof since birth, was now slightly hunched over, his back bent, and looking down at the ground.

His slender, pale hand braced against the door, the arrogance that had once made him look down on everyone vanished, replaced by exhaustion and helplessness.

He knew Shu Yun was right. He was honest with her, and it might be better for them to talk things out.

The Xie family's young master, who was decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, felt somewhat weak for the first time when he stood behind those layers of gauze curtains.

He knew perfectly well that he was afraid.

He was terrified of hearing from her that she had had romantic relationships with other men; he feared he would go insane if he did.

What she fears even more is that the lover she truly hides in her heart is actually the man she calls out for in her dreams.

He was afraid she would tell him the truth, yet he was also afraid she would be evasive and conceal the facts.

In recent days, he has been constantly recalling the scene of their first meeting.

He was puzzled then. He had never seen her before, so why did she look at him with such tenderness and affection, like a swamp that made him involuntarily sink into her deep affection?

The door was opened, and Xiaoshu, carrying a newly delivered charcoal brazier, saw the young master standing in front of her.

She was so frightened that she quickly took a step back.

"Young Master..."

Xie Fu walked very fast, and after a few turns, he disappeared into the swirling snow.

Xiaoshu blinked, wondering if she had misread it.

She had just felt that the arrogant and haughty young master seemed somewhat vulnerable, with his back hunched over, the moment she opened the door.