“Zhao Qiang, stop deceiving yourself. Once she leaves the Seventh Prince’s residence, you have no ability to protect her. What has become of her in just one month?” Xin Ran’s words became increasingly ruthless: “She only has a few days left to live. Please, have the greatest kindness and let her go.”
"No, it's not like that." Zhao Qiang took a step back abruptly, frantically rummaging through his clothes and pulling out several bottles from his bag: "Look, these are all the medicines she prepared for me. She's so capable, how could she be like what you said? Look at her, she doesn't seem to be acting any differently."
As Zhao Qiang spoke, his voice grew softer and softer, and details he had never noticed before flashed through his mind little by little.
He had always thought this woman was too delicate, and would often mutter a few words, hoping that he would get better soon so that he could help her move those heavy things. Later, he discovered that it wasn't just heavy things; she was even too lazy to touch the light table in the room and always had to call him.
He always thought this woman had terrible taste. Who would wear a silk scarf tightly around their neck in such hot weather? But she said in a serious tone that the scarf looked beautiful and suited her best. He just didn't know how to appreciate things.
He overheard the villagers chatting, saying that his younger sister's complexion was abnormally pale, probably because she wasn't getting enough sunlight. They suggested she shouldn't stay indoors all day and should come out and get some sun. He wholeheartedly agreed and pulled her out of the house to sunbathe. She didn't refuse, and each time she would smile and half-lie beside him in the yard. Only when her face felt hot from the glaring sunlight would they laugh and go back together to apply ointment.
Looking back now, it's really funny. Even the villagers were the first to notice that her complexion was abnormal.
How little he cares about her that he can't even notice something so obvious?
"No, she's perfectly healthy. She was making me snacks yesterday at noon, and she even told me we were going to catch fish in the river behind the mountain this afternoon." Zhao Qiang shouted at Xin Ran with red eyes, looking down for his sword, seemingly trying to convince Xin Ran or himself.
Even if she was injured, so what? This woman said she was willing to stay by his side forever, and even if she died, she could only die in his arms.
"So what? She's lying here now, her fate unknown." Xin Ran waved her hand, and a rough bowl on the bedside table shattered with a crack.
Zhao Qiang's movement of bending down to pick up the sword suddenly froze.
"But don't worry, I've already fed her the small piece of ginseng we found under her bed." Xin Ran's cool voice seemed to freeze Zhao Qiang's heart as well: "Such a big ginseng, and there's only this little bit left. I don't need to tell you what that means, do I? Tsk tsk, is it that her acting is too good, or that your heart is too hard?"
"Shut up!" Zhao Qiang roared, quickly grabbing his sword from the ground. With a swift swing, the sound of the sword cutting through the air rang out, and the cold tip of the sword pointed directly at Xin Ran: "Give her to me, or I'll take my men and leave, or we'll fight to the death."
Xinran was surprised that Zhao Qiang was still fixated on this point even at this point.
"Why force it? Why insist on taking her away? You still have a bunch of messes to deal with. Besides, would the Seventh Prince even allow someone like her to exist?" Xin Ran's gaze fell on that beautiful face.
"That's none of your business. I'm taking my men away now. You're going to let them go or not." Zhao Qiang stepped forward, sword in hand, the tip gleaming coldly, exuding a chilling killing intent.
Xin Ran was naturally not intimidated by this small show of force. She ignored Zhao Qiang and stared directly at Hua Cai's face: "If you want to take someone away, at least you should ask for her opinion, right?"
Did you ask her opinion?
Zhao Qiang was stunned, a sudden surge of joy causing his sword-wielding hand to tremble slightly: "She—"
Before he finished speaking, Xin Ran put two fingers together and tapped Hua Cai's body twice.
Hua Cai felt a sense of relief, moved her intact left hand, and opened her eyes to look in Zhao Qiang's direction.
Recalling everything she had just heard, Hua Cai sighed inwardly at the viciousness of Xin Ran's words, each one a stab to Zhao Qiang's heart.
The moment I opened my eyes.
"Ding—Zhao Qiang's favorability has increased by 20 points, currently at 57."
"Ding—Zhao Qiang's favorability has increased by 20 points, currently at 77."
"Ding—Zhao Qiang's favorability has increased by 14 points, currently at 91."
Hua Cai froze, the words that were on the tip of her tongue instantly stuck in her throat.
What's going on with this three-consecutive-increase in favorability rating?
"Baozi, quickly check the favorability rating!" Hua Cai exclaimed excitedly.
It's been a long time since I've felt soaring to new heights.
"Boss, calm down." The system quickly reminded Hua Cai, as there were two other shrewd people here, staring at her intently.
Taking a deep breath, he struggled to suppress the excitement in his heart. However, ever since he came to this mission world, the favorability of the mission targets had been declining and declining, and he had never seen it rise again. This sudden rise was like a return of his principal with interest.
She's working herself to the bone on this mission, all for this little bit of goodwill. How could she not be excited?
"Cough cough, brother, you're here." Hua Cai's voice seemed even hoarser. As soon as she spoke, blood flowed uncontrollably from the corner of her mouth, but the joy in her eyes was exceptionally bright.
Clang—
The longsword in Zhao Qiang's hand fell to the ground, but no one paid any attention to it. Even Zhao Qiang didn't glance at the sword on the ground. His gaze was fixed on that familiar smiling face. A wave of overwhelming joy at having found what he had lost washed over him, and tears welled up in his eyes.
The familiar, husky voice sounded like heavenly music to him; there was no sound more beautiful in the world.
She was smiling, she was still smiling at him, even though he was covered in wounds, she was still so happy to see him.
Men don't easily shed tears. Zhao Qiang, who was raised as an heir since childhood, had never shed a tear since he was old enough to understand things. But now, it was as if he was out of control and couldn't stop it no matter what he did.
"Xiao Xiang, come home with me." Zhao Qiang grinned, took two steps forward with a mix of crying and laughing, and reached out his hand towards Hua Cai.
Hearing the system's exaggerated exclamation that Zhao Qiang could actually shed tears, Hua Cai struggled to restrain her restless hand from swatting it away. Instead, she smiled at Zhao Qiang with one big eye.
"Brother, I'm not leaving. You go back to Dadu. Don't worry about me." Whether it was a final burst of energy before death or the ginseng Xinran fed her had taken effect, a blush rose on Hua Cai's pale face, and she looked much more energetic.
Zhao Qiang stared at Hua Cai's face in disbelief, wondering if he had misheard.
“Yes, I’m not leaving. Life here is great, I like it very much. Dadu needs you. Take the pillow with you too. It likes the feed from the Seven Star Horse Ranch in Dadu, which I can’t provide here.”
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