An Yuan'er waited for a long time, but she still didn't get the answer she wanted.
She didn't understand why he had to put so many shackles and restrictions on himself. Wouldn't it be better to just be happy with her every day?
She used to think that the biggest problem between the two of them was Yi Chenli's broken legs.
Now, his leg is recovering day by day. An Yuan'er doesn't think his leg is a big problem. Even if he can't be as flexible as a normal person after recovery, at least he can stand up, which is already a miracle.
However, An Yuan'er discovered that the legs were merely a superficial phenomenon; what Yi Chenli truly couldn't accept was his own core. His heart had never truly opened up.
An Yuan'er felt somewhat lost, unsure of what else she could do.
She put aside her shyness and sat in his lap, her arms around his neck, her bright black eyes reflecting his image.
Yi Chenli's body stiffened, and for a moment he seemed to hesitate whether to push her away.
An Yuan'er mustered her courage, lifted Yi Chenli's face, and breathed almost imperceptibly into his ear, sighing, "After all these years, Yi Chenli, do you still like me?"
Yi Chenli felt as if the blood in his body was flowing backward, and his whole body tensed up into a straight line.
This has never been a problem.
He loved her, a love etched into his very bones; a simple "I like you" would be far too superficial.
The early spring dusk still carried a chill, yet fine beads of sweat appeared on Yi Chenli's forehead. The girl's embrace was both alluring and agonizing.
Liking is unrestrained, but cuteness is always restrained.
An Yuan'er's affection carries the innocent and beautiful feelings of a young girl. She eagerly yearns for a response to her feelings, wanting him to be like her, burning with passion for each other, and wildly enjoying the present moment they have. Love is not the same as liking; love is careful and cautious protection, a joy and sorrow that touches the heart and soul.
Liking changes with time and growing up, but love doesn't; it's a deep affection etched into your bones.
Love needs to be locked in layers of shackles, but liking does not.
An Yuan'er couldn't get the answer she wanted.
He never said he liked her, never.
She longed for his response, but there was none. An Yuan'er was heartbroken. This time, she didn't even have the energy to argue with Yi Chenli. She stood up from him and silently took a few steps back.
"I'll go back to the An residence for a few days in a couple of days," An Yuan'er said with her head down, thinking to herself, "As long as you let me stay, I won't go back."
Yi Chenli glanced at An Yuan'er, unable to discern his thoughts, and finally said slowly, "You haven't been back for a while. Your father and brother probably miss you. It would be good for you to go back for a few days..."
An Yuan'er left without saying goodbye.
He certainly wouldn't try to keep her, but she, like a fool, was still dreaming.
Yi Chenli watched her departing figure and finally raised his head.
The sadness he had so well concealed poured out unrestrainedly after she left.
That was her closest family, her home, and what right did he have to keep her there?
*
An Yuan'er packed her things and returned to the An residence.
Guoguo was initially very happy, thinking that her young lady had finally come to her senses and was ready to go back. But who knew that her young lady only said that she was going back to An Mansion to stay for a few days, and that she was not really going to leave Chenyang Palace.
An Yuan'er was angry, but she never really wanted to abandon Yi Chenli.
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