But the visitor did not respond to her, but continued to walk slowly towards her.
Without saying a word, he continued to walk towards where he was. Qiao Yumian, who was unable to see, became a little nervous and stood up by feeling the stone.
Soon, the footsteps were almost in front of her. Based on her hearing experience accumulated from years of living in the dark, the two were only five or six steps apart.
"Who are you?" she asked again, with some caution in her voice.
At first she thought the footsteps sounded like Cui Lang, but Cui Lang would not fail to respond to her.
He was a person who liked to play tricks on people, but he probably knew that she was timid and never played tricks on her.
Even though the person coming was not Cui Lang, the footsteps were clearly that of a man. Could it be a student? "...Miss Qiao?"
The visitor finally spoke, his voice sounding a little surprised as if he had just come to his senses.
Qiao Yumian was stunned for a moment, then breathed a sigh of relief: "So it's you again."
The tension in her body dissipated, and she even sat back on the stone very naturally. The life of a blind person is very different from that of an ordinary person. This is a state of relaxation that she rarely has in front of outsiders. Perhaps she herself did not realize it at this moment.
She asked in confusion, "Why didn't you say anything when I called you just now?"
"Did you call me?" Cui Lang smiled apologetically: "Sorry, I don't think I heard you."
Because I kept my head down while walking, I couldn't see her.
I quickly asked her, "Is it not frightening you?"
"A little bit." Qiao Yumian said honestly, "Just a little bit."
After all, we are not in an unfamiliar environment, but in our own yard. I don't think any dangerous people can come here.
"I didn't expect you to be here. I will pay more attention next time!" Cui Lang assured her seriously.
"Cui Liulang... why did you come here alone?" Qiao Yumian asked, "The banquet should have just ended, right? Why didn't you stay in the front hall and talk to Song Huiyuan and the others?"
Isn't he always the one who loves fun?
"I came out for some fresh air." Although he knew she still couldn't see him, Cui Lang always smiled when he talked to her, even if he didn't want to laugh at the moment: "I don't know how I got here."
Qiao Yumian inexplicably thought of that day last year when she came here alone crying and he chased her to comfort her. He also said that the green lotus in this pond was different from anything he had ever seen in his life.
She asked what the difference was, and he told her mysteriously that when her eyes recovered, she would know the answer by seeing it with her own eyes.
She just smiled at that time and didn't think she had this chance.
But now... in the near future, she might really be able to see the difference of this pool of green lotus with her own eyes.
But at this moment, her attention was on Cui Lang in front of her. She first asked, "Did Cui Liulang drink a lot of wine?"
“Not much, just two or three!” Cui Lang subconsciously took two steps back and quickly waved his sleeves behind him: “But did the smell of alcohol bother you?”
Qiao Yumian shook her head slightly: "No."
She "looked" at him and tried to ask softly, "Are you worried about anything these days?"
Cui Lang was stunned by her question.
Without hearing his answer, Qiao Yumian said softly, "It's okay if you don't want to say it."
She was not a nosy person. On the contrary, because she had been blind for many years, she developed the habit of locking herself in a small room. Except for her family, she hardly contacted or communicated with outsiders.
The reason why she took the initiative to ask Cui Lang at this moment was because in her eyes, he was already different from those outsiders.
He was a well-known dandy, and was carefree and carefree on weekdays. However, when he was trying to make her happy, he would always be careful not to disturb her or make her feel panic-stricken.
She also knew that many times, he would quietly walk behind her, protecting her and blocking the chaotic crowd for her.
She had only felt such patience and meticulousness in her brother, brother Sui'an, and Ningning.
However, Cui Lang gave her a very different feeling.
All in all, except for the first meeting at Dayun Temple and the second meeting at Imperial College, the two of them got along very well.
So she also wanted to care about his mood if he was willing to share it with her.
"Miss Qiao...how did you know that?" Cui Lang asked before answering, hesitantly and with a hint of depression between his brows, like a dog who had been noticed to be wronged.
He looked at the girl sitting on the stone. She was wearing a lilac skirt, with moon-white gauze covering her eyes. She had fair skin and a slender figure, even cleaner and more elegant than the green lotus leaves that were just beginning to unfold behind her.
Although her eyes cannot be seen, her face still gives people a serious look: "My eyes may not see, but my heart can see."
Cui Lang looked at her, his mouth moved, and then slowly pursed.
"I noticed it a few days ago. At that time, I just thought that we were all worried about Ningning, so I didn't ask you specifically." Qiao Yumian said: "Until yesterday when Ningning's news came back, everything has been settled, but it seems that you still haven't let go of your worries..."
She knew his character and knew that he would never take ordinary things to heart for so long. She thought that this matter must be something important.
Cui Lang's eyes gradually turned red as he pursed his lips.
After a moment, he walked towards Qiao Yumian, knelt down on the grass next to the boulder where she was sitting, lowered his head, and said in a hoarse voice: "He is my eldest brother..."
His voice was low: "It is very likely that something happened to him."
Qiao Yumian was slightly surprised: "General Cui?"
Cui Lang uttered “hmm” in a hoarse voice.
"Is it in the northern border?" Qiao Yumian grabbed the handkerchief in her hand and said, "Is there a war in the northern border too?"
"No, my elder brother had been ordered by a secret order to rush to Luoyang to lead troops to resist Xu Zhengye, but he was assassinated on the way... The news sent back from various places all said that my elder brother had been in trouble..."
The news from Anbei Protectorate was the most detailed. It said that my eldest brother fell into the icy lake after being seriously injured. In that situation, it was difficult for him to recover...
Thinking of this, Cui Lang grabbed his hair behind his head, rested his head on his knees, and tears came to his eyes.
Although Qiao Yumian felt reluctant, she still asked him for details.
When she learned that the body was missing, she said, "In that case, we don't know what the outcome will be... Commander Cui is extraordinary and will surely turn danger into safety."
"I am looking forward to it too..." Cui Lang almost cried, "But if my elder brother is alright, he will definitely send a message back home."
"Perhaps he is still in danger and dares not act rashly? Or perhaps the letter is already on the way and will be delivered to the capital soon?"
The girl's tone was not one of empty comfort, but one of serious analysis of the possibility.
"Just like no one believed Ning Ning could kill Xu Zhengye at the beginning..." Qiao Yumian said with a firm belief: "In my opinion, General Cui is just like Ning Ning. They can always do many things that we can't even think of. This time, it must be the same."
Cui Lang was really moved by her words and looked up at her: "Are you serious?"
Qiao Yumian rarely showed confidence and nodded affirmatively.
Cui Lang forced out a rather unpleasant smile: "Then I'll borrow Miss Qiao's good words."
Qiao Yumian smiled and handed him the handkerchief.
Cui Lang hesitated for a moment before he dared to take it.
The two of them sat like this, one on a stone and the other on the grass, and started talking.
Cui Lang's tears had just dried when they came out again.
"...Since I was a child, I wanted to get close to my eldest brother, but my father didn't allow me, and I didn't dare...I felt that my eldest brother must dislike me and look down on me."
"When I was still a child, my eldest brother secretly left home and went to the military camp... Every time he came back, I could only watch him secretly."
"From what I remember, my eldest brother seemed to be kneeling in the ancestral hall most of the time at home... I was very confused at first. Why did my eldest brother have to disobey the clan, disobey his grandfather and father, and insist on fighting on the battlefield..."
"Later, one day, I overheard my father asking my eldest brother in the ancestral hall what he was up to. My eldest brother replied, "For myself and for the people."
"My father was even angrier. He accused my eldest brother of being hypocritical and disloyal, and of being unworthy of being a son of the Cui family." Cui Lang said indignantly, "I think my father is full of selfishness and prejudice. He is not worthy of being my eldest brother's father."
Qiao Yumian was a little surprised: "You really rushed forward and said that?"
"I said it." Cui Lang paused, "I said it in my heart."
After saying this, he did not forget to clear his name: "If I had said it right then and there, I would not be sitting here alive right now. Only those who know the current situation are heroes..."
As expected, Qiao Yumian smiled, sighed, and nodded.
Cui Lang went on to say: "In fact, I know that no matter how dissatisfied those tribesmen are with my eldest brother, they still value him the most. Over the years, Cui's family has also gained a lot of advantages in secret by relying on my eldest brother..."
"My elder brother was able to successfully take charge of the Xuan Ce Army in the first place, partly because of his status as a member of the Cui family. However, this status also brought him a lot of trouble. Even... the Saint did not trust my elder brother as much as he seemed to, also because of my elder brother's last name, Cui."
"What father said is nonsense. My elder brother never owed the Cui family anything, especially not my father." Cui Lang looked at the other side of the lotus pond, and then at the clear blue sky. "In the eyes of the clan members, my elder brother is always out of place and a rebellious person... But in my opinion, it's because my elder brother was not born to belong to the Cui family. The Cui family tried to imprison him, and my father tried to restrain him with family rules and filial piety, but my elder brother never compromised."
The eldest brother's persistence has always been silent but unshakable.
"People like my eldest brother were not born to belong to the Cui family, but to the world."
"It is a blessing for the world that my elder brother has escaped from that cage." Cui Lang's eyes were slightly red, and his expression was rarely serious: "My elder brother is really amazing."
Such an extraordinary elder brother, who had hidden his identity and fought in the military camp since he was twelve years old, should never have met with such an accident.
"I have been burning incense every morning and evening recently..." Cui Lang choked up and said, "If I can exchange one life for another, I would rather let my elder brother live and I die."
Then he said in frustration, "But a worthless waste like me is not worthy of being exchanged for my eldest brother. God will not agree to such a bloody deal."
He no longer called God "God" because he found that God did not treat him as a grandson at all - if his elder brother really got into trouble! Cui Lang looked up at the sky, secretly threatening to unilaterally sever the "grandfather-grandson" relationship with God.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Commander Cui will be safe and sound. You don't need to risk your life for it." Qiao Yumian said disapprovingly, "Besides, who said you have no merits?"
She said seriously, "I don't know what Cui Liulang was like in the past, and I don't know him, so I won't judge him. But the Cui Liulang I know is warm and sincere to others, open-minded and generous, not fussy about details but also knows how to take care of other people's feelings. He is really a very good person."
Cui Lang was stunned for a while before he asked expectantly, "...Anything else?"
Qiao Yumian thought for a moment before saying, "He is also very good at arguing with others..."
Cui Lang exclaimed, “Ah?” Is this a good thing?
"I've never heard of those fancy ways of cursing." Qiao Yumian sighed softly, "I'm just not very good at it. No matter how angry I am, I can't say anything. I can only worry in my heart."
Cui Lang straightened his chest immediately: "Then I will teach you later!"
Qiao Yumian didn't have much confidence: "But I'm afraid I can't learn it..."
Cui Lang then said: "Then if anyone bullies you and makes you unhappy in the future, I will help you scold them back!"
Qiao Yumian smiled and nodded.
Cui Lang smiled, and couldn't help but move closer to her, looking up at her, and asked persistently: "Besides these, do I have any other advantages?"
Maybe they were too close. Qiao Yunmian's cheeks were slightly hot. She looked at the lotus pond uncomfortably for a while before she whispered, "I... I heard from Xiaoqiu and the others that you like to wear light red, and there are very few men who can match light red... They all said that you are very beautiful."
After hearing this, Cui Lang raised his hand to touch his face and coughed lightly: "It's not bad..."
The corners of his mouth curled up, and he was rarely modest: "But in this generation of our Cui family, the most handsome one is still the eldest brother."
It’s just that the eldest brother doesn’t like to dress up as much as he does.
Qiao Yumian curled the corners of her mouth. She was not curious about how handsome General Cui, who belonged to the whole world, was. She was most curious about the appearance of the person next to him.
The spring breeze blows around, carrying with it the sweetness of flowers, the bitterness of grass, and the fishy smell of pond water, which mix in the air and create the freshness and vigor of spring.
After a while, Qiao Yumian spoke again: "Actually, you don't have to remind yourself that you are not as good as General Cui in every sentence."
"Just as I am not as good as Ningning in every aspect, this is a fact, but not being as good as Ningning does not mean that I am bad."
She said: "In this world, there is the light of the sun and the moon, as well as the brightness of fireflies. As long as they are willing, everyone can shine their own light."
Cui Lang looked at the girl in a daze, her eyes clearly glowing in his eyes.
"I have given up on myself before. A long time ago, I even had thoughts of committing suicide... Even a few days ago, I thought, Ningning is so capable, but I am mediocre all day long. What is the meaning of a person like me walking in this world? If my eyes can really be healed, what will I do next? Get married and have children? But this answer does not make me happy and satisfied."
Cui Lang was about to reply when she continued, "If that's the case, I feel like I've failed these eyes that I've lost and found again..."
"These few days, I know what I want." She said: "No matter what the future holds, no matter where I am or what I do, I want to at least have a skill that can help me shine."
"Even if I can't be like Ningning, at least I can be more independent and no longer be a burden relying on others for my whole life."
"You have never been a burden." Cui Lang looked at her seriously, "But it's remarkable that you have such an idea."
Qiao Yumian smiled: "I just hope you don't laugh at me."
"Only an idiot would laugh at such a great idea!" Cui Lang seemed to be suddenly excited. He stood up and clenched his fists and said, "I also want to be like you, have a skill and shine like a firefly!"
He is so stupid. All along, he only knows that he is not as good as his elder brother. He can only look up to his elder brother from afar and yearn for everything his elder brother has. But why doesn't he choose to do something?
but……
"...What can I do?" Cui Lang was quickly stumped at the first step. He scratched his head, but could not think of a decent and serious skill.
"Don't worry, we can think about it together slowly." Qiao Yumian smiled and said, "I haven't really thought it through yet."
But she had a general idea, but she didn't know yet whether she was cut out for it.
"Yes, think about it slowly!" Cui Lang smiled and looked at the person in front of him. He suddenly felt lucky and positive. He could feel that he was on the road to success.
He never thought that he would meet such a person.
Cui Lang's heart surged and he clenched his fingers again, one of his hands still holding her handkerchief.
His face flushed with nervousness, and he mustered up the courage to speak: "Mianmian, actually I..."
Qiao Yumian was shocked by his name. She sat there motionless, her breathing stagnant for a moment: "Wha...what?"
"I..." Cui Lang had never been so speechless. Just when he was about to speak, he suddenly heard Yihu's shout.
"My dear!"
Yihu came over quickly with a happy look on his face.
Cui Lang really wanted to kick him.
But the next words from Yihu immediately made him lose his anger.
"…My dear, my dear, he is safe and sound! Madam asked you to come back home quickly to read the letter!"
The news of Cui Jing's accident had been kept secret, and at this moment Yihu was talking into Cui Lang's ear.
Cui Lang jumped up: "Really? My elder brother is really fine!"
Yihu nodded repeatedly: "A letter from Mr. Dalang himself!"
"That's great!" Cui Lang was so happy that he suddenly turned around and held Qiao Yumian's shoulders: "Mianmian, your words really work. You are really my lucky star!"
Qiao Yumian's face flushed for a moment: "As long as Commander Cui is safe..."
"Then I'll go back home first!"
Qiao Yumian nodded.
Cui Lang left happily.
After making sure that he was far away, Qiao Yumian raised her hand, gently fanned her burning cheeks, and exhaled a breath of hot air.
At this time Xiaoqiu turned back and was shocked to see her hot face. She hurried to check her forehead temperature and did not allow her to drink the wine she had brought. She kept nagging and helped her back.
Qiao Yumian was like a puppet, being led by Xiaoqiu, her mind in a mess.
She seemed to be able to guess what Cui Lang hadn’t finished saying.
…
Cui Lang returned home and went to look for his mother, his feet felt like they were flying.
Halfway through, the yellow dog at home came up to him, wagging its tail. He bent down, picked up the dog's head, and gave it a big kiss: "...Good yellow dog!"
The yellow dog was flattered and followed Cui Lang, wagging its tail. Cui Lang walked in front, picking the dog hair on his mouth as he walked.
"Mother, where is my eldest brother's letter?"
As soon as Cui Lang stepped onto the stone steps, he shouted towards the hall.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, he saw a slightly frowning face in the hall. Cui Lang immediately shrank his neck, restrained his demeanor, and bowed politely: "My son greets my father and mother."
Guess what skill Mianmian wants to have?
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