Chapter 57 Xuan Zhi’s Love

“Zhi.” Hearing Ruxin’s call, Xuan Zhi immediately returned. While he still felt somewhat awkward, she went to hug him as usual which made Xuan Zhi relaxed. He was really afraid that Ruxin would turn her back to him because of the kiss. Ruxin didn’t think so much. Leaning in Xuan Zhi’s arms had become her habit and also her greatest comfort. Feeling the warmth from his chest, she continued, “Zhi, let’s just do the old trick! Give him some aphrodisiacs and a prostitute.” “Give whom?” Xuan Zhi was still a bit overwhelmed by his own thoughts. “Who else can it be? Yun Hai!” “Okay, I see. Ruxin, are you sure?” Xuan Zhi asked Ruxin again. He was still a little uncertain. After all, Yun Hai looked like Kong Yue a lot. “Yes, I’m sure. Lord Yi isn’t Yue. He is my enemy. I will lie next to him tomorrow morning, just like what I did before.” “Okay, Ruxin. But no matter what, don’t push yourself too hard.” “I won’t.” Ruxin clenched the hairpin in her hand even harder. Knowing that the man with a similar face to Yue’s would hug another woman, she still felt a bit heartbroken. Yet, she had made up her mind. The elusive intimacy between her and Yun Hai must be destroyed. Xuan Zhi opened her little fist, took out the pearl hairpin, and put it back on her bun. Deep down, he had always known that Kong Yue would be the wall between them. “Good,” kissing the red mark on her palm, Xuan Zhi gently said. Ruxin did not withdraw her hand. If it weren’t for Xuan Zhi, she might have already lost her mind. Just like that, she let him kiss her until her palm became warm. Then she took back her hand and fell into his arms again. Now only there could Ruxin truly relax. She was clear that he would protect her forever and let her live without any worry. Her trust in this man was probably the only weakness she had. In his warm arms, Ruxin slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep. Xuan Zhi lifted her up, put her on the bed, pushed the door out, and called in a confidential guard. He would complete whatever mission she assigned to him, but he wouldn’t let her watch it. This was the only thing he could do for her now. Everything prepared, Xuan Zhi went back to the room, holding the slender body on the bed and falling asleep, too. Dozing off that afternoon, Ruxin had a dream. In her dream, Kong Yue did not die in that hunt. Right before Yun Su was trying to rape her, he knocked him out and saved her. Yue was still that naughty, talking nonsense with a serious face. But he also spoiled her with the greatest care. By his side, she could always be an innocent little girl. Together, they fled the country, away from all the feuds and conspiracies, to a place where no one knew them. They lived a happy life, raising up a boy and a girl. Then they had their grandchildren. On their death bed, she and Yue held each other’s hands tightly, slowly closing their eyes... Suddenly, Ruxin woke up with tears forming in her eyes. Her heart was still filled with the happiness she felt in the dream, but she knew it was just a dream. Shining into the room, the sun slowly set, warm but meant to disappear like Ruxin’s lover. Holding her in his arms, Xuan Zhi sensed that she was up. He didn’t move but kept being her special pillow. Gradually, the moon rose. It quietly glowed in the dark, spreading warmth onto Ruxin, just like the man who held her tight. A bitter smile appeared on Ruxin’s face. She wished that life was as simple as it was in the dream. Taking off the hairpin, she rubbed the pearl on it gently. She knew her love was gone. Even though it was fake, that dream did give her comfort, which she would treasure as a real memory. Never would she ever forget Yue’s death, but finally, as long as it is not something that particularly stimulates her, she could manage to accept it. “Zhi, I had a dream.” “What did you dream about?” “Yue.” “Kong Yue?” “Yeah. In my dream, we had a happy life together.” “That’s very nice.” “Yeah, it was. Zhi, I want to go for a walk.” “Okay, Ruxin.” “Call me Yinzhu tonight. I just realized we haven’t taken a good look around Feng City so far. Let’s have some fun tonight, just the two of us.” “Alright, Yinzhu.” Xuan Zhi was delighted that Ruxin finally put aside her revenge plan for a second and wanted to go out. However, over the years, the once talkative young boy had become less playful and more mature. Xuan Zhi carried the white-clothed woman in his arms and walked towards the door, but Ruxin stopped him. Smiling sweetly, Ruxin told him to turn around. She hadn’t appeared so light-hearted for a very long time. When Xuan Zhi turned back, the beautiful girl dressed up in a local costume stood in front of him. For the first time, she wanted to forget everything and just lived as an ordinary woman for a while. In Feng City, women wore dresses in bright colors and silver accessories with various patterns. After getting all dressed up, Ruxin didn’t look like a fairy anymore, but an exotic traveler full of life. However, she still kept that pearl hairpin among all the silver pieces of jewelry. And it did match the rest of her outfit. Inspired by Ruxin, Xuan Zhi also changed to a local outfit before leaving. He was a handsome and righteous man who had practiced martial arts for many years, and the costume just set off his face and muscular figure. The garment was really made for him! Unlike Huaiyang City, where shops were everywhere, Feng City only had residential houses on either side of its streets. Yet, it was still very lively at night. Here young men and women did not have the habit of going to bed early. They gathered in a large square at the end of the main street. In the center of the square, a large bonfire was burning. Around the fire, people were dancing and singing. Multiple small fires were set up in the open space outside the crowd, where beef and lamb were roasted and fine wine was served. Residents of Feng City didn’t follow all those formalities, nor did they have the concept of a hierarchy. They cheered by the fires, having fun together. Fascinated by the lively scene, Ruxin dragged Xuan Zhi to join in and play with them together. Everyone held hands around the largest fire in the middle, dancing in two circles. All the men were dancing in the outer circle while women danced in the inner one. After getting tired, they just sat on the ground and began to sing love songs. In Feng City, people were not shy about what they wanted or who they liked. It was pretty simple. Any man or woman could go directly to the one he or she was into and sing a love song. If the other person felt the same, they could sing it back. Otherwise, they could just reject it or ignore the invitation. A lot of girls and guys had already started their songs. While some unfortunately failed, most of them did win the heart of their loved ones and went to sit with them. Unexpectedly, there were quite many pursuers after Xuan Zhi and Ruxin, who just joined tonight. Never realizing Xuan Zhi’s popularity with women, Ruxin felt kind of bitter with jealousy. Watching Xuan Zhi surrounded by girls, she changed her attitude towards those young men after her. Instead of saying no to them straight away, she slowed her pace down deliberately, smiling charmingly at them. Attracted by her glamour, the guys immediately sat around her, hoping to get her attention. But now Ruxin saw nothing but Xuan Zhi all the way there. Trying hard to be noticed by him, this was the first time she had been so childish in many years. Unsurprisingly, Xuan Zhi, who had always kept an eye on Ruxin, couldn’t stand it. Regardless of all the girls around, he walked to the crowd of men sitting beside Ruxin and reached his hand towards her. “Yinzhu, come here.” Still upset, Ruxin deliberately ignored him and even continued to chat and laugh with the men sitting around. Xuan Zhi always gave her what she wanted, but this time, without asking, he just pulled her up from her pursuers into his arms. “Stop it, Zhi.” “No, I don’t want to see you flirting with other men.” “Don’t you have a bunch of girls around? Why do you even care?” Xuan Zhi did not answer. He just held her tighter, though she kept hitting him on his chest. From the perspective of the locals, they were a perfect match for each other. They were quarreling like a couple, and it seemed that no one could meddle in their relationship. The crowd started cheering. People shouted at them, saying Ruxin and Xuan Zhi should be together, asking them to sing love songs. Some even told Xuan Zhi to act like a real man and express his love to win her heart. This was also something unique about Feng City. It was true that people were open about what they wanted, but they wouldn’t force it. If a person was turned down, they would give their best wishes rather than keep pursuing. “Sing a song to her.” “Hold the wedding ceremony tonight.” “Why hadn’t you married her yet? The earlier, the better! Otherwise, someone may steal your beautiful girl.” “Be together. Be together!” ... Ruxin blushed. She wanted to escape from Xuan Zhi’s embrace, but she couldn’t push him anyway. Surprisingly, just like the young men at the scene, Xuan Zhi really started singing, “What is round upon the sky? What is round in your eyes?” His voice was deep and charming, full of love for the girl he was looking at. But Ruxin couldn’t sing it back no matter how. “Zhi, you hurt me,” she whispered to Xuan Zhi. As soon as he let her go, she gave him a push and ran away. What kind of response was that? Xuan Zhi didn’t expect her to act like that. Ruxin didn’t sing it back, but nor did she refuse him. He didn’t know how to react until people around told him to go after her. In a quiet field of flowers, under the moonlight, Xuan Zhi finally found Ruxin. He went to hold her in his arms. “Yinzhu, can I kiss you?” This time, Xuan Zhi didn’t wait for permission. He directly put his lips against those of the girl he had loved for many years.