Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I wandered aimlessly through the streets of the capital, trying to find Xie Shanyu.

But I found nothing.

The capital was far too large.

I felt as small as a single drop of water here.

Suddenly, it began to rain, and everyone hurried to find cover.

I sat alone on the bluestone steps, staring blankly into space.

Soon, I was soaked to the bone.

Fang Jingheng’s past words drifted back into my mind.

Actually, his attitude toward me had changed as we grew older.

He was always snapping at me, scolding me for being stupid and as dull as a block of wood.

When the village children said he would marry me one day, his face would darken as he retorted, “I would never marry a fool!”

“Besides, I never asked her to save me back then. It was all her own wishful thinking.”

…

How strange.

I never used to remember things like this.

It was because my mother had given me special instructions before she passed away.

She said, “Zhaozhao, you have a simple heart. If you keep dwelling on the bad things, you’ll never be happy in this life.”

I held her words close to my heart.

That was why I only ever remembered the kindness others showed me.

But now, I thought of Xie Shanyu.

He had never actually agreed to marry into my family.

Could the idea of marrying him also be… just my own wishful thinking?

“Ye Zhao.”

A voice suddenly rang out.

It was incredibly pleasant to the ear.

It pierced through the hazy curtain of rain, sounding like celadon suddenly shattering before me.

I snapped my head up.

A few paces away, Xie Shanyu was standing there.

He lifted a corner of his veiled hat, revealing most of his handsome face.

Perhaps because of the rain between us, his expression seemed somewhat blurred.

I jumped up in joy and rushed toward him. “Thank goodness! I thought the people from the Southern Breeze Pavilion had taken you away!”

Xie Shanyu didn’t respond immediately.

He looked down at me, his gaze filled with a thousand complexities.

I didn’t notice and continued to ramble.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I’m so glad you’re okay…”

The rest of my words were cut off.

My mouth was blocked by Xie Shanyu’s.

My eyes widened in shock.

“Y-you… what are you doing?”

He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against mine. One hand cupped my face while the other lowered the veil of his hat, shielding both our faces.

The wind and rain raged outside.

But inside the hat, the sound of his breathing was crystal clear.

“…I’m sorry.”

Xie Shanyu said, “I’m kissing you. We are married, and this is what husbands and wives are supposed to do.”

“Zhaozhao, take me home.”