Qi Yuan noticed.
She frowned and pulled her hand back, speaking in a low voice: “It’s just a small thing, nothing serious. It’ll heal on its own in a few days.”
So that’s how she thought, no matter how badly hurt she was, she always believed it was nothing, and that she’d get better in a few days.
Lai Chenglong suddenly felt angry.
But he knew his anger was irrational.
What was Miss Qi to him, really?
At best, she was a partner. A benefactor.
Still, his heart didn’t listen to reason.
When had it started, this attachment to her?
Lai Chenglong thought for a long time, but couldn’t pinpoint the moment. What he did remember clearly was that night, the night Qi Yuan went to assassinate Princess Baorong.
He’d already taken care of Huailiang Qin Wang’s affairs, but still deliberately detoured to the cliffside, standing there silently for a long time, staring at the steep walls and vines.
He couldn’t see her. Had no idea if she was even up there.
But for some reason, just waiting down below gave him a strange sense of peace.
Now, when Qi Yuan withdrew her hand, he paused, then softly said: “Miss Qi, I…”
He and His Highness were good friends.
But when it comes to love, why should friendship mean surrender? Whether or not he had a chance, whether or not it worked out, he had a right to express his feelings.
He paused, then continued: “Miss Qi, I really like you.”
…
Before Qi Yuan could respond, Liu Jin, panting hard, ran in after settling Qi Changting.
Thank heavens he was fast!
Otherwise, wouldn’t His Highness’s future wife have been snatched away by now?
So sneaky, so bad!
Liu Jin puffed up angrily and glared at Lai Chenglong: “Lord Lai, you’re too late! Don’t you know? Miss Qi already accepted our Highness’ feelings!”
Ah, if only Babao were here, he’d be even bolder in chasing people away.
Liu Jin looked mournfully at Old Zhao—useless!
Old Zhao just rolled his eyes at the sky, couldn’t be bothered to intervene.
Liu Jin, like an angry hen guarding her chick, stood firmly in Lai Chenglong’s way.
Lai Chenglong calmly placed a hand on Liu Jin’s head and firmly shoved him aside.
Liu Jin was instantly moved out of the way.
Old Zhao coughed.
Lord Lai had been brawling with Qi Wang since they were boys. Liu Jin really didn’t know what kind of people he was messing with.
After tossing Liu Jin aside, Lai Chenglong took a breath and smiled faintly at Qi Yuan: “Miss Qi, I know my feelings might seem laughable, but—”
“No. I don’t find them laughable.” Qi Yuan cut him off directly, shaking her head. “Everyone’s sincerity is precious. There’s nothing funny about it. But I still can’t accept it. Your liking me is your choice but I don’t like you.”
She raised her hand, wrapped in the bandage he gave her, and smiled: “Thank you for helping with the bandage, Lord Lai. But true feelings should be given to someone who returns them. I’m not that person, so don’t waste your time.”
Liu Jin was dumbfounded.
You could… say it like that?!
Weren’t girls supposed to take pride in being pursued? The more suitors, the better, right?
Why didn’t Miss Qi act like that at all?
After saying this, Qi Yuan turned and left.
The narrow path known as Thread of Sky cast a sliver of light across Lai Chenglong’s face, his expression was full of bitter disappointment.
Even Liu Jin felt a little bad seeing it.
Miss Qi was really…
Ah, what a tragedy.
Of all the people to fall for, it had to be Miss Qi?
Back then, when their Highness liked her, he’d also suffered a lot, okay?
Liu Jin scratched his head and offered comfort: “Don’t be too sad, Lord Lai. Miss Qi not liking you isn’t the end of the world.”
Miss Qi… what kind of person was she?
She had sharp eyes. She saw things others didn’t.
Liu Jin strutted off proudly like a rooster who’d just won a fight.
Leaving Lai Chenglong standing there alone.
After a long moment, he slowly opened his tightly clenched fist.
If she doesn’t like him, so be it.
That’s her choice.
**But liking her—**that was his choice.
His feelings were real. And he hadn’t confessed because he expected anything in return.
With that thought, he let out a long breath and smiled again.
Then he looked down at Xu Fengqiao’s corpse, and his face instantly darkened. He hoisted her body onto his back and walked out.
Meanwhile, Qi Yuan exited Thread of Sky and headed straight for the meditation hall.
Liu Jin had already sent Qi Changting back.
Right now, Second Madam Qi was sobbing so hard her eyes were swollen. When she saw Qi Yuan, she clutched her hand: “Yuanyuan, what do we do? What do we do?! The doctor said… Changting’s leg is broken, and it’ll never heal!”
For a mother, it was a devastating blow.
One moment she wanted to die; the next she thought, “If I die, won’t Changting suffer even more?”
She was utterly wrecked.
Qi Yuan calmly grasped her hand and firmly promised: “He’ll be fine. Aunt, listen to me. While I’m here, I won’t let anything happen to Changting.”
Second Uncle Qi could no longer hold back: “What good is it if you’re here?”
Even though everyone usually doted on Qi Yuan, and even Second Uncle liked her—
People lose reason when they’re worried.
His son’s leg was broken!
He choked back tears and said: “Are you a doctor? Can you treat legs? If you hadn’t agreed to that marriage meeting with the Fengs, none of this would’ve happened!”
This was his son. The son he’d raised with his own hands.
Second Madam Qi, still grieving, suddenly slapped her husband with all her might: “Shut up! What does this have to do with Yuanyuan?!”
Second Uncle was stunned.
His wife had always been gentle and proper. When had she ever acted like this? And in front of all these people, too!
He covered his face and instinctively moved to strike back.
Only for Qi Yuan to grab his arm mid-air.
Her voice was calm and cold: “Uncle, blaming me won’t change anything. Don’t worry, I swear Changting’s leg will be fine.”
“How can you guarantee that?!” Second Uncle sneered. “What if it can’t be healed, what will you do then?”
Qi Yuan raised her eyes to him: “If his leg can’t be healed, then mine won’t be needed either.”
“Is that enough to satisfy you, Uncle?”
Second Madam Qi rushed to shake her head: “Yuanyuan, don’t say that! This has nothing to do with you! If you hadn’t shown up in time, Changting would’ve died!”
She really wanted to slap her husband again.
Before this disaster, wasn’t he smiling and chatting away with Feng Yuzhang like old pals? Wasn’t he the one happiest about the arranged match?
