Chapter 42 Two Hearts Know Each Other Before Her, the Man Before Her Lips and Tongues Revealed All Her Obscure and Clear Thoughts...
Contrary to Jiang Geyun's expectations, although Su Heng was a pampered and privileged person raised in a wealthy family, his hands had calluses.
Whether from practicing martial arts and wielding a sword or from years of writing, his fingertips and the area between his thumb and forefinger were covered with a thin layer of calluses. In addition, his finger joints were different from Jiang Geyun's cold hardness; his joints were long and distinct, concealing a powerful strength.
Cheng Xi's hands were much thinner and had no calluses.
Presumably because he was frail and sickly, there wasn't much for the delicate young master to do. Also because of his illness, his body temperature was much cooler than that of ordinary people, cold, silent, and fragile, like jade carved bamboo, and like the fragrance of medicine.
Jiang Geyun gripped Cheng Xi's hand tightly, trying to transfer some of her own warmth to him.
Cheng Xi lowered her eyes, concealing the contemplation within them.
After a moment of contemplation, Chao Wujiu looked at the two of them again. Her gaze was now serious, and she said in a deep voice, "It seems I have to go out."
As soon as he finished speaking, a subtle movement occurred in the space where the three of them were.
A sense of danger is spreading.
Before Chao Wujiu could make a move, Jiang Geyun stopped him in time, saying, "Senior, please wait! We can help you leave!"
Chao Wujiu looked up in surprise and asked in confusion, "How can you help me?"
Jiang Geyun calmly said, "Senior is not in his complete form and has many inconveniences in his movements. For such a senior, we can still be of some use. Even if senior needs to kill us, if we cooperate, senior can save some effort, right?"
“You do know quite a lot,” Chao Wujiu said, “but if you really knew who I was, how dare you presume to help me regain my position?”
Compared to the Chao Wujiu that Jiang Geyun had met before, this Chao Wujiu had a clearer mind and a calmer demeanor.
Even if it cannot be completely confirmed that this is the most useful memory that Su Heng mentioned, the fact that it can bring Chao Wujiu back to life will definitely have a significant effect on the three of them leaving the Remnant Painting.
Having grasped this key point, Jiang Geyun felt even more certain.
She said, "I do not know the full picture of you, senior, but I do know that you are trapped here because of a deep and painful regret that is enough to shake your heart. If you can return to your rightful place, we will have hope of leaving this place."
—It's not just to help you, it's also to get myself out of trouble.
Simply offering unconditional help to Chao Wujiu might only arouse her vigilance and wariness. Frankly stating your plans, giving her a greater sense of control over the situation, might be more conducive to achieving Jiang Geyun's goals.
Hearing Jiang Geyun's explanation, Chao Wujiu indeed relaxed a bit.
Chao Wujiu has no complicated past experiences, and any she has had has been abandoned by her original self. Therefore, she is quite straightforward and "simple" when facing problems.
Fortunately, her strength also allows her to be straightforward and "naive".
Chao Wujiu decisively said, "That's fine then. This matter isn't as terrible as you say. It doesn't require your lives; what it does require is for you to relax."
Relax a bit?
Jiang Geyun deliberately looked at her with a questioning gaze.
Chao Wujiu frankly said, "I need a vessel to rely on. I need your 'forms' to replenish the physical energy I lack, and your 'thoughts' to replenish the soul and spirit I lack. Only in this way can I become 'complete' and leave."
So that's how it is.
This explanation also explains the actions of the rioting puppets.
To leave, one needs not only to know the way out, but also to be "complete." Like many others like Chao Wujiu, the puppet lacks this "completeness." It's unclear how it knew the way out; does the puppet possess such ability...?
Recalling the puppet's brown clothes, Jiang Geyun couldn't help but sigh in her heart: Zhengyi's strength is truly unfathomable.
The method proposed by Chao Wujiu sounds like possession, or... body snatching?
Seeing Jiang Geyun deep in thought, Chao Wujiu added in a calm tone, "If you agree, I can retain your original form and thoughts, and let you leave after returning to your original positions; if you disagree, I will forcibly take them away, scatter your original form and thoughts, and then return you to your original positions."
...It's basically possession and body snatching!
Chao Wujiu's eyes were indifferent, and he didn't think there was anything wrong with what he had just said.
Her behavior once again confirmed Jiang Geyun's guess: the reason why this person was so frank, apart from personality factors, was simply because she was strong enough that she didn't need to hide it.
It's feasible, but this "messenger" job sounds quite risky. Who will bear this risk?
Jiang Geyun's mind raced, and she was ready to take the initiative to agree to the matter.
However, before she could speak, Cheng Xi gently squeezed her hand.
Jiang Geyun turned her head to look.
Cheng Xi's eyes were full of disapproval, and there was also a hint of disappointment, which softened her heart instantly.
Jiang Geyun hesitated for a moment and said to Cheng Xi, "I understand your intention, but you are not in the capital. Even if you are willing to take the risk, it will take time to get to Changxingfang in the capital. Why don't I go instead?"
Cheng Xi shook his head, his tone filled with uncertainty and wistful hope, but he still insisted on asking, "Could it be that it's just my wife and I here?"
Jiang Geyun paused.
There is indeed another possible option.
But choosing that option is unlikely.
She was already being closely watched by the main villain, so if she pushed him out now, wouldn't she offend him completely?
Jiang Geyun glanced at Cheng Xi and thought to herself, "My lord, you are in Lianzhou while I am still in the capital. I should wait until I am sure I can escape before doing anything that might offend people."
Ignoring all that, Chao Wujiu only asked, "Have you thought it through? If I find someone else, will he cooperate?"
Cheng Xi's tone was tinged with surprise as he pressed, "Are there really still people here?"
Chao Wujiu looked at him, seemingly puzzled, and said, "Of course."
Cheng Xi smiled and said, "Why don't you trouble yourself to ask? If that person is willing to help, that would be even better."
Chao Wujiu's gaze swept between the two of them.
Cheng Xi added, "I wish to stand with my wife through thick and thin."
“That’s not what I meant,” Chao Wujiu frowned, thought for a moment, and then said indifferently, “Never mind, I’ll go find someone as you said.”
Before Jiang Geyun could stop him, Chao Wujiu's figure disappeared with a snap of his fingers.
Jiang Geyun could only look at Cheng Xi, who was smiling gently.
The space fell silent for a moment.
Jiang Geyun opened her mouth, then bit her lip.
After thinking it over several times, she finally managed to find something to say.
She asked, "...What exactly happened to you, my lord, that led you to this place?"
Chao Wujiu had already left, and it was too late for her to do anything; she could only wait.
She had been harboring some doubts, and this was the perfect opportunity to ask them.
Simply put, she didn't quite believe that the person in front of her was a real person. The space in the painting was special, and she had personally witnessed someone being able to separate their thoughts and memories into countless individuals.
Is the Cheng Xi standing in front of me really him?
Upon hearing Jiang Geyun's question, Cheng Xi withdrew her gaze from elsewhere, seemingly finally emerging from a long period of contemplation and receiving an affirmative answer.
His usually gentle gaze became direct, even somewhat aggressive, peering straight into Jiang Geyun's eyes.
He said, "What if I tell you that I cannot tell my wife about this?"
Jiang Geyun was taken aback.
Cheng Xi's reaction was just like a real person's.
If he is an individual separated from Jiang Geyun's memory, based on Jiang Geyun's impression of him, it would be normal and not difficult for her to make up some reasons, even without any reason.
Being able to refuse, to avoid, and to react unexpectedly—that's what makes a person human.
Jiang Geyun felt relieved, thought about it carefully, and replied, "Then I won't ask anymore."
The trust Cheng Xi had placed in her in the past, she could also give to Cheng Xi. Cheng Xi had his unspeakable reasons, so she wouldn't ask. But...
Jiang Geyun added, "If you ever encounter any difficulties, please remember to tell me."
Cheng Xi smiled gently and nodded, saying, "I will."
He thought she really liked how she looked.
From Cheng Jiao and Cheng Xi to that mouse hiding behind her, their gentle and weak appearance, needing her help, was more likely to win her her attention.
Her fragility, so unaware of it all, and her desperate attempts to protect others, truly stirred something within him...
...
Jiang Geyun was completely unaware of the thoughts in the mind of the person in front of her.
She looked around at the unchanging ink color, then suddenly seemed to remember something, took down Shouzhuo, and handed it to Cheng Xi.
Cheng Xi's calm expression turned slightly surprised.
He suppressed his emotions and asked gently, "What's wrong, my wife?"
Jiang Geyun said, "My lord needs it more than I do."
Cheng Xi gently took her hand and said in a tender tone, "Is it something you're unhappy with, my wife? Or is it something you're unhappy with about the marriage contract it represents?"
In that instant, Jiang Geyun inexplicably felt a slight chill.
Was it because Shouzhuo conveyed resistance to her?
It's quite strange to sense the emotions in the dagger.
Unlike the system, although it is most likely also an inanimate object without a physical form, and a piece of annoying code, it conforms to Jiang Geyun's past understanding that programs can indeed do the things that systems do.
But a dagger...?
Shaking off the strange feeling in her mind, Jiang Geyun shook her head.
She wasn't sending it away because of its "anthropomorphic" nature; her purpose, as she stated, was that she believed Cheng Xi needed a protective shield.
“No, my husband’s situation is worse than mine, and he needs it to protect him even more. As for the marriage contract,” Jiang Geyun took a deep breath, gathered some courage, and winked at Cheng Xi, “I don’t need it to prove that my heart is with you.”
Cheng Xi lowered her eyelashes and listened quietly.
Only after Jiang Geyun finished speaking did his gaze leave Shouzhuo, the hazy gloom that had been permeating him instantly dissipating and the sky clearing up.
Cheng Xi met Jiang Geyun's gaze.
He still did not accept Shouzhuo's hand, maintaining the posture of holding Jiang Geyun's hands and keeping his smile unchanged. He said softly, "Since that's the case, I can't accept it even more."
He pushed Jiang Geyun's hand back, his movements firm and composed, and for a moment Jiang Geyun felt a familiar and irresistible force.
Before Jiang Geyun could grasp the fleeting thought in her mind, she heard the person in front of her say with a light smile, "My wife needs to take good care of herself when she is out. If she gets injured, wouldn't I have to lock her up and protect her?"
Um?
Something feels a little strange.
Are these connected?
The Cheng family has been doctors for generations, so it seems normal from the perspective of locking them up to recuperate.
Jiang Geyun convinced herself.
She suddenly remembered the pale white scar on her left hand that had not yet healed.
The next moment, she quickly withdrew her guard, along with her hand.
Jiang Geyun had just composed herself and put on her usual expression when she heard Cheng Xi, as if he were ready, say, "I will wait for my wife to return to Lianzhou."
The implication was obvious.
When Jiang Geyun said "My heart is with you," she wasn't too embarrassed. She had long been determined to take care of Su Guang's family. In addition, she had felt grateful to Cheng Xi and wanted to protect him when she was at Yunling Manor. It was just a different way of protecting him. Su Guang didn't mind, and neither did Cheng Xi. She said this with a clear conscience.
But when she actually heard the response, she blushed and her usually clear mind even went blank.
Therefore, she did not notice at first that the familiar black tide was stirring and would soon unleash a monstrous wave!
The system's voice appeared, tinged with regret: "I finally got everything ready, but why this kind of occasion..."
Jiang Geyun asked in surprise, "What have you done now?"
The system replied: "Host, please don't misunderstand. As long as it doesn't interfere with your efforts to build favorability, the system won't interfere with what you do."
There is a reason for that.
Jiang Geyun asked, "So what is this now?"
The system said matter-of-factly: "[You said you couldn't leave the room unless you did ○○? Chao Wujiu probably wanted to get you out, right? He's pretty efficient. But, hehe…]"
This black tide was different from the black hand attack that Jiang Geyun had encountered before. It was like a real tide, which swallowed the two people in the space in an instant!
The experience of being in the Kuroshio Current is similar to drowning, and Jiang Geyun held her breath.
The "tide" in front of her was pure black, and she couldn't see what was happening. With her last bit of strength, she grabbed Cheng Xi.
Jiang Geyun's swimming ability is average, so she may not be affected for the time being, but it's hard to say what will happen in the long run.
But Cheng Xi didn't seem to be good at swimming; she could vaguely hear Cheng Xi's suppressed coughing.
Yes, Cheng Xi was already in poor health.
Jiang Geyun's cheeks flushed red as she pressed the system, "So what exactly do you want me to do?! You've been censored the whole time!!!"
The system quipped: [Really? The area above the neck will be censored? Oh, I'm an all-ages system, so I'm easily pinched. Host, you get the idea.]
It's from the neck up.
Jiang Geyun had a guess, and although she calmed down... she was not at ease!
I just confirmed my feelings for you, how did I end up in this situation?
This isn't right! This is so different from what she planned! She had originally intended to do this and that first, and then take it slow!
Jiang Geyun was holding her breath, her mind racing.
Cheng Xi, however, seemed unable to hold on and began to sag.
Forget it, there's no time to think about that now.
Jiang Geyun gritted her teeth, confirmed the direction by the two people's clasped hands, and swam towards Cheng Xi.
She pulled her hand away from Cheng Xi's and instead placed it on his shoulder. In the endless darkness, she closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against his.
Then, she kissed the man's lips.
He slowly exhaled.
She could feel that the person's body trembled slightly along with hers.
The man was stunned for a moment, as if he had never encountered such a thing before, and let her breathe on him without any other reaction.
Before long, he tentatively nudged her, leaning towards her and using the momentum to gently pry open her lips and explore deeper.
Soon, it went beyond a superficial exploration; she was led to tilt her head back slightly, and he, unusually, took everything from her breath to her saliva.
Jiang Geyun pulled a few strands of thought out of her daze and tried to speak intermittently.
The person in front of her sealed away all her thoughts, both clear and obscure, with their lips and tongue.
In a moment of passion, his hand touched the back of Jiang Geyun's neck.
Jiang Geyun was panting slightly, her heart pounding. She vaguely noticed that the fingertips of the person in front of her seemed to have calluses.
Is it an illusion caused by the obstruction of the water flow?
She could barely hear the Kuroshio's voice anymore... This wasn't good...
Her breath caught in her throat for a moment, and she tentatively reached for the hand of the person in front of her along the arm.
But the person in front of her had changed position, embracing her waist and pulling her into his chest.
The lack of oxygen, coupled with the actions of the person in front of him, left his mind in a state of confusion.
Her body went completely limp, and her hand, which had been reaching for his palm, shifted its target and instead gripped his sleeve tightly.
As their lips intertwined, she heard the person in front of her murmur reassuringly, "It's alright."
fine.
He would be careful not to let her find out if she didn't like him, and he would always present himself to her in a way that she liked.
In that case, she would have no reason to leave, right?
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Author's Note: Just wanted to let everyone know that after the VIP update, as mentioned in the announcement, I will try my best to update daily (hoping to achieve perfect attendance this time), with a minimum of every other day, and a guaranteed 3,000 words. The update time is tentatively set before 9 PM. There will be some red envelopes in the comments of this chapter to thank everyone who has been following me. There will also be a giveaway later, so please feel free to participate! Hehe~
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