Zhou Ziheng looked at Xu Jinhuan seriously, knelt on one knee, and said solemnly and earnestly.
"Jin Huan, I like you. To be precise, I love you. I've loved you for many years. Even when I was Zhou Zhou, just watching you silently made me feel especially happy."
But when we were forced to separate, I could only rely on memories to alleviate the pain of separation, and my possessiveness towards you grew stronger and stronger.
I hope I can truly become the person by your side, someone who can take care of you, protect you, and be the only one in your heart.
Zhou Ziheng paused here, his eyes filled with love as he looked at Xu Jinhuan.
"But these thoughts changed after we actually met again. I started to be afraid, afraid that you would suddenly disappear again, afraid of losing you again."
So, I'm not saying all this today because I don't necessarily need an answer from you.
Right now, all I want is for you to be happy and to always be a part of my life; that's enough for me.
After hearing this, Xu Jinhuan looked down and met Zhou Ziheng's gaze, who was kneeling on one knee. Seeing the sparkling eyes in his eyes as he spoke of her, it was impossible for her not to be moved.
But where did Zhou Ziheng learn this love-obsessed mindset from?
How could he kill someone but not bury them? No, wait, how did he manage to develop such a love-struck mind right under her nose?!
If he hadn't been in love with her, he probably would have been sold off and had his heart and liver ripped out long ago.
Xu Jinhuan stood up and helped Zhou Ziheng, who was kneeling on one knee, to his feet.
Zhou Ziheng looked at the little hand that was holding his, and his eyes instantly lit up with surprise and joy. "Jinhuan, you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xu Jinhuan pulled him to the chair and shoved him down onto it.
"Don't get agitated, listen to me."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ziheng immediately shut his mouth, a fleeting look of disappointment crossing his eyes. He had indeed been overthinking things.
After taking a sip of tea, Xu Jinhuan slowly opened his mouth.
"I can assure you that I don't dislike you. As for taking things further, I've never thought about it that way, and it would be a bit awkward to suddenly change course now."
However, I can give you a chance to try pursuing me first. If I develop feelings for you during this process, I will let you know.
Xu Jinhuan finished explaining her thoughts very sincerely, and then looked at Zhou Ziheng, ready to hear his response.
At this moment, Zhou Ziheng was overwhelmed by the huge surprise before him. He had thought that Jin Huan was going to reject him based on her expression, but unexpectedly, things had taken a turn for the better.
"Okay, okay, I will definitely try my best." Zhou Ziheng clenched his fists tightly to keep himself from losing his composure in front of Xu Jinhuan.
Xu Jinhuan looked at the person in front of her with a smile. Before, she only thought that the Zombie King's face was hateful and disgusting, but now, looking closely, she thought that this person was indeed good-looking.
Zhou Ziheng felt his cheeks flush redden as his beloved looked at him so intently, but he did not flinch.
Although he sometimes disliked that his face was too eye-catching and hindered his actions, it was still somewhat useful if his beloved liked it.
Zhou Ziheng finally changed the subject when he felt his ears were as red as they could possibly be.
"Jin Huan, after killing Lei Tingjun, do you have any next plans?"
Seeing this, Xu Jinhuan also withdrew her gaze. She smiled and said, "Originally, it was just a draft in my mind, but after reuniting with you, the next step of the plan came about naturally."
Xu Jinhuan paused here, sorted out her thoughts, and continued, "Now, apart from the two of us, no one knows that Lei Tingjun is dead, so we can use a substitute."
Zhou Ziheng recalled the woman he had met on his way to the Taoist temple and asked her.
"When I went to find you, I saw a woman covered in mud. She seemed to have come from a Taoist temple as well. I hope she won't affect your plans?"
Xu Jinhuan smiled and shook his head. "When I rescued her, I had already kicked Lei Tingjun's head into a corner. Besides, her attention was on that old Taoist priest at the time, so she wouldn't be in the way."
Zhou Ziheng nodded after hearing this. "Jin Huan, do you need manpower and disguise masks? I have a fairly complete supply here."
Xu Jinhuan waved his hand upon hearing this, "No need, I've already made preparations. As for the replacement, I've also found someone, and I guarantee that no one will notice."
The mask that disguised him as Lei Tingjun was originally meant for Su Sanxi to practice with, but it unexpectedly came in handy now.
Xu Jinhuan discussed the matter of taking over with Zhou Ziheng, and after they finished discussing it, she got up and left.
Zhou Ziheng watched Xu Jinhuan's departing figure with lingering reluctance, but his heart was filled with joy. It seemed that his relationship with Jinhuan had indeed grown a little closer...
After leaving Deyilou, Xu Jinhuan went to the Fifth Prince's residence.
As soon as An Yi returned to his room, he sensed the presence of other people and instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword.
"Who is it? Show yourself!"
But in the next moment, she smiled radiantly, like spring flowers in full bloom.
"master?!"
An Yi looked at Xu Jinhuan with a mixture of surprise and delight. He had not seen his master for a long time since their last parting in the capital.
Before Xu Jinhuan could speak, he smiled and said, "Master, wait a moment, I have something good for you."
After saying that, he quickly walked to a corner and brought out a heavy wooden box.
“Master, this is all the money I’ve managed to squeeze out of Lei Tingjun these past few days. I don’t know if it’s enough for you to do your work, but it’s a token of my appreciation.”
Xu Jinhuan looked at the open wooden box, which contained both silver ingots and copper coins, suggesting that An Yi must have put a lot of effort into it.
A touch of emotion flashed through her heart, and she smiled and said, "Then I'll accept these. I'll tell the brothers where these things came from."
An Yi smiled even more broadly when he saw Xu Jinhuan accept the gifts.
"Master, have you come to the capital on business? Is there anything I can do to help?"
Xu Jinhuan nodded upon hearing this, "There really is one thing that only you can do."
Upon hearing this, An Yi exclaimed excitedly, "Only me? Master, please tell me quickly, what is it!"
Xu Jinhuan then recounted her plan to kill Lei Tingjun, saying, "An Yi, no one in the entire Prince's residence knows Lei Tingjun better than you, so only you can impersonate him."
Upon hearing this, An Yi felt an even greater weight on his shoulders. He straightened his chest and said earnestly, "Master, An Yi will definitely complete the mission perfectly!"
Xu Jinhuan nodded in satisfaction and handed the disguise mask to An Yi, "Once you put on this mask, you will be Lei Tingjun."
An Yi solemnly accepted the mask and, following Xu Jinhuan's instructions, put it on.
"Please change into this outfit later." Xu Jinhuan took out a set of luxurious casual clothes from her spatial storage and handed them to An Yi.
An Yi respectfully accepted the clothes with both hands, his eyes full of seriousness. "Master, I will definitely use this identity to help you obtain the throne!"
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