With less resistance and a clearer view, Wanwan saw the familiar light red color again. With a "splash," Wanwan carried Xiao Qi and broke through the water.
The two had already moved far away from the accident area and were swept to a great distance by the current.
Wanwan dragged the unconscious Xiao Qi to the shore and made him lean against one side. His wet hair draped over his shoulder and clung to his face. Clear water droplets rolled down his face and disappeared onto his clothes.
His white clothes were completely soaked, and his black cloak had been rubbed off at some point. His clothes clung tightly to his skin, outlining smooth and powerful muscle lines.
There were some small wounds on her face, and the tiny traces of blood that had seeped out had been washed away. Her lips were pale, giving her a fragile beauty.
Wanwan shook her head to clear her mind, then channeled her spiritual energy into her fingertips and gently touched Xiao Qi's chest.
A surge of red spiritual energy spread out from the point of contact like a warm current, reaching Xiao Qi's heart. He coughed twice, closed his eyes, and spat out a mouthful of water. Then he leaned back against the tree trunk, panting softly, his chest rising and falling. After resting for a while, his long eyelashes trembled slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes.
The Taiwanese man's makeup had been washed away by the river, leaving only his hair styled in a high bun, giving him a more youthful and lively appearance than usual.
Xiao Qi frowned, and after seeing Wanwan's face clearly, his eyes flickered. He reached out and covered his chest, saying vaguely, "Thank you for saving me, young master."
The wind has reached Wanwan.
At this point, are you still going to pretend?
A surge of anger rose in Wanwan's head, and she punched Xiao Qi in the chest without hesitation. The latter immediately coughed violently, but Wanwan ignored him and said angrily, "Xiao Qi, is there something wrong with you? Are you still going to pretend you're blind even though things have come to this point?"
Xiao Qi didn't answer. After his cough stopped, a blush crept onto his cheeks. Wanwan was a little worried. He had just escaped death. Had she been too rough with him?
Are you alright?
Wanwan squatted down beside him, tilted her head and asked him. Seeing that he was silent, she took out the wooden hairpin from her hair and stroked it while advising him in a heartfelt tone: "Brother Xiao, I know you don't want to be a burden to me, but letting me stay by your side is not a burden. On the contrary, if you keep pushing me away, I will keep coming to you. Brother Xiao has never let me put myself in danger. Now that Wanwan has grown up, she also wants to protect Brother Xiao."
Xiao Qi's breathing gradually subsided. He tilted his head and remained quiet. Wanwan had no idea what he was thinking.
After a long pause, Xiao Qi finally spoke in a nonchalant tone, "Aren't you going to marry Cao Chengye? Then why are you still keeping the hairpin I gave you?"
Upon hearing this, a surge of excitement immediately welled up in Wanwan's heart. He acknowledged his identity and realized he had a chance!
"I did this on purpose to annoy you." Wanwan smiled mischievously, flipped her wrist and put the hairpin back on. "Wanwan only likes Brother Xiao."
Xiao Qi's gaze froze for a moment, and he subconsciously turned to look at her. Their eyes met, and Xiao Qi was met with her gentle, crescent-shaped gaze.
Four years have passed, and Wanwan is now a sixteen-year-old girl. She has long since passed the coming-of-age ceremony and is in the prime of her youth.
The little dumpling of the past has gained a bit of girlish cunning and sentimentality. Her straightforwardness completely overwhelmed Xiao Qi, and the two of them stared at each other in silence.
"What about Brother Xiao? Does Brother Xiao like Wanwan?" Wanwan was still as straightforward as ever.
"I..." Xiao Qi hesitated, wondering if answering would mean agreeing to let her stay by his side.
"Lord Shen!" Chu Ying's charming voice interrupted the two of them loudly.
The two immediately looked away, turning their heads slightly away in slight embarrassment.
Chu Ying, leading a group of people, quickly approached the two men, squatted down, and grabbed Xiao Qi's arm. Her beautiful fox-like eyes were filled with worry. "Lord Shen, are you alright? I was so worried. Are you not injured?"
Xiao Qi had just escaped danger, and hearing her so noisy made him feel annoyed. He forcefully shook off her hand and subconsciously leaned towards Wanwan.
"It's alright, we can continue."
Chu Ying was still not convinced and pressed him for more information: "Did you find anyone suspicious, sir?"
As she asked, her gaze swept over Wanwan, a fleeting, cold glint of murderous intent flashing in her eyes before she immediately put on a bright, cheerful face. "It must be this young lady who saved Lord Shen, right? You're quite capable, young lady. So many of us have been searching for Lord Shen for so long, and we never expected you to save him so easily. I'm afraid it's not..."
Chu Ying's eyes slyly scanned Wanwan from head to toe, as if determined to find some flaws in her.
Remembering that Wanwan was a mermaid who could control water, Xiao Qi had no choice but to step aside to block Chu Ying's view in order to prevent her from being captured as a demon. He said coldly, "It was indeed this young lady who saved me. From now on, she is my savior. She is also going to Jiangnan, and she will go with us from now on."
"My lord!" Chu Ying said anxiously, "Your lord just encountered danger and was rescued by someone so coincidentally. I'm afraid someone deliberately caused trouble and took the opportunity to infiltrate our group."
Wanwan was speechless. She was still standing there, and this person was openly talking badly about her.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qi turned to look at her, a layer of icy frost gradually rising between his brows, his gaze becoming increasingly fierce, and when he spoke again, it carried a hint of interrogation, "Are you doubting my savior?"
Chu Ying was startled by his behavior and hurriedly apologized, "Ying'er wouldn't dare! Ying'er was only doing this for your own good!"
"If you want what's best for me, then don't offend Miss Baili with your words anymore." Xiao Qi stood up abruptly, and Chu Ying immediately knelt down.
"It's getting late." Xiao Qi seemed not to see the panicked Chu Ying, and reached out his hand to Wanwan, who was still squatting on the ground. "We still have a long way to go. Miss Baili, if you don't mind, please come with me on this boat."
Their eyes met, and they were both immersed in each other's indulgence, warm and tender. The awkward stone in Wanwan's heart seemed to melt away instantly. Although he hadn't directly addressed the question from earlier, Wanwan already knew the answer.
"Then I will be eternally grateful." Wanwan happily reached out her hand, and Xiao Qi gently took her hand and pulled her up with a little force.
The two stood side by side, their arms hanging down, hidden in their loose sleeves. Xiao Qi's thumb accidentally brushed against the back of her curved hand, and he hurriedly let go as if afraid she would misunderstand.
"The rest of you, hurry up and follow." Xiao Qi casually placed his hands behind his back, and his subordinates immediately made way for him, following him out of the crowd.
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