Once you understand these things, everything that happened before becomes clear:
Chu Huaixu didn't actually like sweets; he rarely even touched chilled sweet soup before.
How could anyone like sugar figurines, which have no other flavor besides sweetness?
It was simply because he had seen too few good things back then, and the children he had met all liked sugar figurines, so he thought that everyone in the world liked sugar figurines just like him.
I assumed that the same would apply to Chu Huaixu.
Moreover, Chu Huaixu acted so well that he didn't notice at all.
"Yes, I guess so. You're someone I took in. I've seen your situation firsthand and felt sorry for you, so it's understandable that I treat you differently than I treat others."
"Besides, you always have a gloomy face and look lifeless, so I just want to make you happy."
Chu Huaixu's gaze fell on the sugar figurines, and the smile on his face faded unconsciously, with only a faint smile remaining at the corner of his mouth.
"Although I don't like sugar figurines, I ate them because you liked them."
What seemed like an insignificant past event deeply saddened Song Ting.
My chest, which had not yet fully healed, started hurting again, and I could faintly taste blood in my throat.
Song Ting's hands, which were resting on her lap, tightened continuously, and even her arms were trembling.
He missed out on this person too much, and he let this person down too much.
He has long since failed to repay his debts.
"Tch." Chu Huaixu chuckled at this moment, a familiar smile spreading across his face.
"Why should I tell you all this? Since there's no chilled plum juice, I'll go back and rest."
"Wait—" But Song Ting grabbed his hand, and the man pulled him into his arms tightly, burying his face in his neck.
Before Chu Huaixu could say anything, he felt scalding liquid fall onto his skin.
A massive, surging wave. Unstoppable.
Chu Huaixu felt a slight stirring in his heart, but quickly suppressed that strange emotion.
When he spoke again, it was the same familiar tone, tinged with self-loathing and contempt:
"What are you doing, sir?"
Song Ting didn't say anything, she just hugged him and cried.
He cried for a long time, which surprised even Chu Huaixu.
But he didn't say anything more, nor did he push her away, letting Song Ting hug him and cry her heart out.
When the commander finally finished crying, even his shoulders felt numb.
"Are you done crying? Can you let go now that you're done crying? I—"
His response was a kiss from Song Ting; the man suddenly and violently captured his lips.
As a result, Chu Huaixu soon tasted the bloodshed.
He was held tightly by Song Ting, unable to escape, and could only passively accept it.
For a moment, all they could hear was the sound of their breathing together and the rapid beating of someone's heart.
The domineering kiss lasted for a long time before gradually becoming gentle. Song Ting seemed mesmerized as she gently touched Chu Huaixu's lips.
Then, his warm breath brushed against Chu Huaixu's face, tickling his earlobes and collarbone.
He instinctively tried to dodge again, but Song Ting held him tightly, preventing him from moving easily.
The man reached out and brushed the hair that had fallen beside his face behind him.
Her fingertips brushed against his cheek, a barely perceptible touch, carrying a slight coolness, yet it made Chu Huaixu's heart beat even more erratically.
"It's my fault." Song Ting's kiss landed again, her voice choked with emotion.
"It's all my fault. From now on, I'll help you with whatever you want to do."
"Heh." Chu Huaixu chuckled softly, cupping half of Song Ting's face in his hands. "My lord is truly adept at saying sweet words."
"No wonder our dignified and virtuous Empress Dowager is so infatuated with you, that she even leaves her lip rouge on you."
"..." The topic had obviously circled back to the beginning. Song Ting wanted to explain, but he had more important things to promise Chu Huaixu at the moment.
"I assure you, it's not what you think."
"You are the only one in my heart. No matter who else is, I will never pay attention to them."
"Mingyu." He rubbed his face against Chu Huaixu's palm while Chu Huaixu held his face in his hands.
Both his tone and expression were almost ingratiating.
"Please believe me, even if I am a dog, I am your dog. My fangs will be aimed at anyone, but never at you."
He believed he had been sincere enough, but Chu Huaixu still didn't believe him:
"What you say is very nice, sir, but don't forget that you, a dog, followed Zhang Bingzhi's orders and wiped out my entire Duanwang Mansion."
"How dare you call yourself my dog? How dare you say your sharp teeth won't be aimed at me?"
“You know what,” Chu Huaixu said with unusual gentleness, “I’ve regretted it every single day these past few years. If only I hadn’t dismounted to buy steamed buns that day.”
"That way, I might not have met you, and I wouldn't have killed my parents and brothers, or caused so many innocent lives to be lost."
"But then I thought, even if that day never comes, you must have set other traps for me. I've been your target for a long time, haven't I?"
Song Ting's expression shifted slightly, but he did not deny it.
Chu Huaixu then smiled and released his hand.
The sudden loss of warmth made Song Ting's heart tighten, and she instinctively reached out to grab his hand, only to have it ruthlessly brushed away by him.
“Song Ting.” He stared into the man’s eyes. “I will never forgive you, not even if you die ten thousand times.”
"But you just said you'd help me no matter what I do. Will you lie to me again this time?"
"No." Song Ting closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. "I will never lie to you again."
"Very well," Chu Huaixu said. "Then I want you to kill the emperor, kill the empress dowager, I want to tear Zhang Bingzhi to pieces and grind his bones to ashes, I want that position."
“If you can help me do this, I might consider letting you stay by my side, be my dog, and atone for the sins you have committed.”
Qingfengju is a famous restaurant in the capital. It has been run by the third generation since the first manager took over.
It was lunchtime, and the building was bustling with people; business was booming.
Song Ting chose a private room, the innermost room in the second-floor corridor, where she could find some peace and quiet.
The waiter quickly wiped the table, then tossed the cloth over his shoulder and asked cheerfully:
"What would you two gentlemen like to eat?"
Song Ting didn't reply to the waiter; instead, he inquired about Chu Huaixu's meaning:
"Besides sweet fermented rice balls, is there anything else you'd like to eat?"
The lunch was light and not to Chu Huaixu's liking, so he was listless and lacked energy all afternoon.
Song Ting was worried about him, so she asked the cook to make some refreshing and appetizing snacks to coax him to eat.
Chu Huaixu, however, showed little interest, but did say he wanted to eat the fermented rice balls from Qingfengju.
Song then brought the person over.
Chu Huaixu had no interest in anything else, and lowered his eyes, saying, "Whatever."
Song Ting: "..."
He rubbed his temples and said to the waiter, "Two bowls of sweet fermented rice balls, plus a few signature dishes. Don't make the rice balls too sweet."
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