Chapter 57 Holding Hands
In the time that followed, the entire world of Chi Li was given a completely new interpretation for Tang Lu.
She sat there quietly, seemingly no different from usual, but her mind was filled with the tides from the Crimson Sea of Heart.
Those chaotic thoughts no longer frightened her; instead, they unfolded slowly before her like a delicate yet turbulent painting.
When she "heard" Chi Li reviewing the memorial regarding the allocation of spirit mines on the border, she quickly and calmly weighed the pros and cons in her mind.
When she "heard" a courtier mention the migration of a certain Wood Spirit clan, Chi Li's mind instantly tensed with vigilance, and she forcibly suppressed it, turning it into a process of careful evaluation.
She could even vaguely feel the old wound on Chi Li's shoulder throbbing with a subtle yet persistent stinging pain on rainy days. Whenever this happened, Chi Li's thoughts would drift uncontrollably for a moment, passing over the violent memories of past battles that were quickly extinguished.
But all these complex thoughts will eventually return to one core, like streams flowing into the sea—her.
"...The Yunling Mist Tips delivered today have a refreshing aroma, which may suit her taste."
(A cup of spiritual tea, warmed just right by spiritual energy, was quietly pushed onto the small table in front of her.)
"...Won't the noisy pair of sparrows outside the window disturb her peace?"
(A hint of displeasure flashed across Chi Li's face as her gaze swept across the window, and the pair of chirping sparrows instantly fell silent, flapping their wings and flying away.)
"...If she were willing to turn back and look at me now..."
(This thought, buried deep within her, carried a glimmer of hope, yet struck Tang Lu's heart with a resounding thud.)
Tang Lu held the cup of warm spiritual tea, the rising steam blurring her vision.
She sipped the tea slowly, the refreshing aroma soothing her soul.
It turns out that Lili had done so much in silence.
The heavy, oppressive feeling that had been lingering in Chi Li's heart made her nose sting.
The atmosphere remained quiet during dinner.
Chi Li continued to serve her food in silence, but Tang Lu could clearly "hear" her inner deliberations in her movements:
"...This steamed lotus root is full of spiritual energy and easy to digest..."
"...Honey-glazed fire spirit dates used to be her favorite, so today...let's try one..."
"...She seems to have eaten half a spoonful more spirit rice..."
Tang Lu lowered her head, looking at the pile of food in the bowl, and tightened her grip on the spoon.
She could feel Chi Li's gaze fixed on her.
A strong impulse began to grow in her heart.
She didn't want to continue like this.
I don't want Lili to bear those heavy emotions alone anymore, and I don't want to see her wanting to get close but having to restrain herself.
She scooped up a spoonful of the honey-glazed fire spirit dates that Chi Li had just given her and put it in her mouth.
The familiar sweet taste melts on the tip of the tongue, carrying the flavor of sunshine and vitality.
Then, she did something she hadn't done in days.
She raised her head and looked at Chi Li.
Chi Li seemed not to have expected her to suddenly look up. Her hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly, and a look of surprise flashed in her crimson-gold eyes.
Tang Lu looked at her, her amber eyes no longer showing the evasiveness and fear of the past few days.
She opened her mouth, her voice very soft, breaking the silence that had lasted for days:
“Lili,” she said, “this…is delicious.”
Chi Li was completely stunned.
Looking into Tang Lu's eyes, which had finally met her gaze, and seeing her own reflection in them, she listened to her soft, affectionate words, and a surge of excitement welled up inside her.
She struggled to maintain her composure, her Adam's apple bobbing slightly before she responded in a low, husky voice:
"...Hmm, use more if you like."
Tang Lu nodded, lowered her head again, and ate the Fire Spirit Date in small bites, a slight smile curving her lips.
She "heard" it.
Hearing the ecstasy and disbelief that surged in Chi Li's heart, hearing the roar of the ice shattering, hearing the almost overflowing thrill of regaining what was lost.
It turns out that her small gesture and simple words could make the powerful Lili so happy.
That night, Tang Lu slept in the main hall as usual, lying on the inside of the bed.
With her eyes closed, she could clearly "hear" Chi Li's heartbeat beside her, which was slightly faster than usual.
Chi Li's thoughts were no longer as heavy and oppressive as they had been in the previous nights. Instead, they kept replaying the glance she had given her during dinner and the words she had spoken.
She looked at me...
She said it was delicious...
*...Are you...not so scared anymore?*
These simple thoughts, tinged with clumsy joy, echoed repeatedly in Chi Li's heart.
Tang Lu quietly pulled the blanket down a little, revealing half of her face, and secretly looked at the person beside her in the darkness.
Chi Li lay flat on her back, breathing evenly, seemingly already asleep.
But Tang Lu knew she didn't; her active thoughts and slightly accelerated heartbeat couldn't lie.
She could feel that Chi Li's hand, which was placed at her side, twitched slightly, as if it wanted to move closer to her, but at the last moment it restrained itself and returned to calm.
A mixture of bittersweet emotions spread through Tang Lu's heart.
She remembered how she had flinched out of fear, and how Chi Li's eyes always followed her, yet she could only see her back.
Now, she finally "saw" everything in those eyes.
She hesitated for a moment, then slowly moved her small hand, which was tucked to her side, toward Chi Li.
Her movements were light and slow, with a hint of probing.
Just as her fingertips were about to touch the back of Chi Li's hand placed at her side, she clearly "heard" Chi Li's breathing suddenly stop for a moment, and all the muscles in her body tensed up at that moment, as if afraid that the slightest movement would scare away this hard-won closeness.
Tang Lu's fingertips finally gently touched that slightly cool skin.
It was just a fleeting touch, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
But the next moment, Chi Li moved her hand.
She didn't reach out to grab it, but instead carefully turned her palm over so that her warm palm faced upwards.
Hearing Chi Li's heartfelt expectation, Tang Lu placed her slightly cool little hand into that warm palm.
The moment their hands clasped, Tang Lu "heard" the long-dormant volcano in Chi Li's heart erupt.
It wasn't a destructive eruption, but warm, scorching lava that drowned out all unease and anxiety, leaving only immense joy, pure and burning.
The joy was so intense that it even resonated through the soul, gently soothing all of Tang Lu's unease and grievances over the past few days.
Chi Li's hand tightened slightly, completely enveloping the small hand with gentle force.
She didn't say anything.
There was no dew either.
Tang Lu closed her eyes, feeling the warmth from Chi Li's palm, and the comforting feeling of being enveloped in warm lava in her heart.
The small body, which had been tense, relaxed at this moment and naturally curled up a little towards the heat source.
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