◎Everyone can love you, except me◎

Hearing Xie Heng’s words, Luo Wanqing was startled, then realized that Xie Heng seemed to be waiting for her. Only then did she finally remember what she had forgotten.

When Xie Heng left today, he seemed to have told her to come back for dinner later.

Remembering this, Luo Wanqing felt somewhat guilty, but thinking of urgent matters, she immediately said respectfully: “Young master, today this subordinate discovered…”

“Xuanshan.”

Xie Heng called out, interrupting Luo Wanqing’s words. Hearing the call, Xuanshan immediately entered from outside and said respectfully, “Young master.”

“Prepare a meal.”

Hearing this, Xuanshan acknowledged and left. Only then did Xie Heng look up at Luo Wanqing and say calmly, “It’s cold outside. Come in first.”

Being interrupted like this, Luo Wanqing momentarily lost the excitement she had felt when arriving. Since Xie Heng wasn’t urgent, she also calmed down. Knowing that Xie Heng didn’t want to discuss official business now, she didn’t anger him and remained quietly silent.

She stepped into the room and knelt beside Xie Heng. Xie Heng said nothing, only lowering his head to write documents. The room was filled with the soft sound of brush on paper. After Luo Wanqing sat for a moment, Xuanshan entered with people, bringing in the food and placing it on the desk.

Then Xuanshan rose and withdrew, retreating to outside the courtyard.

“Eat first.”

Smelling the aroma of food, Xie Heng put down his brush and sat at the dining table with Luo Wanqing.

The food was prepared long ago, just reheated and served. Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but glance at Xie Heng and asked tentatively: “Has young master been waiting until now?”

“Has Xiniang been busy until now?”

Xie Heng didn’t answer, only asked her in return.

Luo Wanqing sensed his displeasure and dared not say more, only giving a vague response.

Seeing her unnatural expression, Xie Heng’s movements paused slightly. He seemed to endure for a moment before deliberately restraining his aura and casually seeking a topic Luo Wanqing would respond to: “Xiniang was busy all day today. Did you obtain some clues?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but look at Xie Heng more closely.

She knew Xie Heng should be angry. Anyone who waited for someone to eat for a whole day would be angry, let alone someone with Xie Heng’s temperament.

He had always had a bad temper. She had already noticed this when he was Cui Heng, and as for Xie Heng, his bad temper was even more well-known.

Yet at this moment, he not only didn’t blame her but even deliberately made conversation with her. She wasn’t quite sure why, but since Xie Heng was willing to discuss official business, she didn’t beat around the bush and immediately said: “Today I obtained another character and roughly guessed what these three characters are.”

Speaking thus, Luo Wanqing explained the process of how she discovered and speculated, except she didn’t mention why she suddenly thought to search the cloth strips wound around the tree.

Xie Heng listened quietly. When she finished, he continued asking: “So what exactly are these three characters?”

Luo Wanqing immediately said, “I guess they are 甲 (Jia), 辛 (Xin), 癸 (Gui).”

Hearing this, Xie Heng nodded as if it was expected, only asking: “What do you think the order of these three characters should be?”

This question made Luo Wanqing fall silent. After hesitating for a moment, she pondered: “I want to try them in chronological order once.”

“Jia, Xin, Gui?”

Xie Heng understood her meaning. Luo Wanqing nodded, but before she could suggest trying it, she saw Xie Heng shake his head: “That’s not it.”

“How do you know?”

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised. Xie Heng smiled and said, “I already tried it.”

“You already tried it?” Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but speak out: “When? When did you know?”

“When I returned today.” Xie Heng picked up a cup of clear tea from the side and said slowly: “The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are not only about time but also contain additional meanings like directions and the five elements. You’re not skilled in formations, so you’re not very sensitive to these things. Otherwise, you should have realized when you saw the character ‘辛’ today that Xin represents the eighth day and also represents the west and belongs to metal.”

As soon as Xie Heng mentioned directions, Luo Wanqing immediately understood: “Mingcui Tower is in the west, so it uses both direction and time as two conditions to determine one character.”

“Correct. The Matchmaker Temple is in the east, the first day – both correspond to 甲 (Jia). Kaiyuan Gambling House is in the north, the tenth day – both correspond to 癸 (Gui). The answer is obvious, so I specifically returned to try it.”

“Then why didn’t young master tell me?”

Thinking about how busy she had been for so long, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but feel somewhat frustrated: “If young master had told me…”

“This password is wrong.” Xie Heng looked up at her and patiently explained: “So we need new clues to determine whether the characters are wrong or the order is wrong.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing understood. Xie Heng had had suspicions early on, but he wasn’t certain. After returning to try it, if it succeeded, he would notify her to stop; if it failed, he wouldn’t interfere with her to see if she had discoveries or ideas.

The Xuantian Box only had three chances for error. Now they had used one, and each remaining chance needed to be especially cherished.

Thinking there were only two chances left, Luo Wanqing’s heart sank slightly.

Seeing her worry, Xie Heng gently comforted her: “But you don’t need to overthink it. If we can’t open it, so be it. Since I learned this was the Xuantian Box, I’ve already had people start making replicas. If there’s no way, we’ll use a fake to deal with it.”

Hearing Xie Heng speak so casually, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but say: “But what if His Majesty discovers…”

“Didn’t this thing pass through Ji Ruifang’s hands?” Xie Heng spoke righteously, obviously having already thought of his excuse: “I’ll help His Majesty investigate the people behind Ji Ruifang and retrieve the real Xuantian Box.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was momentarily shocked by Xie Heng’s ability to muddy the waters.

Ji Ruifang hadn’t even touched this thing, but because the item had made a trip to Jirui Palace, Ji Ruifang could never explain it clearly.

But even with all this, Li Zong might still not feel at ease with Xie Heng and would always regard his words with suspicion.

But having a backup plan made Luo Wanqing feel much more relieved. Her whole body instantly relaxed, and fatigue surged up.

The two remained quietly silent. After a long silence, Xie Heng suddenly said, “Why did you suddenly think to search the cloth strips on the tree?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t expect Xie Heng to ask this, but she didn’t intend to deliberately hide it, so she answered truthfully: “Li Guiyu and I originally tied one there. I couldn’t find it today, which I found strange.”

Xie Heng said nothing, only turned to look at the withered branches outside the window, picked up his teacup, and took another sip.

Seeing that he didn’t speak even when hearing ‘Li Guiyu’, Luo Wanqing felt even more uneasy and carefully said: “Young master, are you angry?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng turned his head and chuckled: “How could I be?”

Speaking thus, he softened his voice: “It’s all in the past. I don’t mind. Let’s eat.”

Seeing his expression was normal, Luo Wanqing finally felt relieved and began eating seriously.

Xie Heng should have already eaten, but as if to accompany her, he still occasionally picked at some dishes.

The two ate quietly. Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but look up at the person sitting across from her, eating, and belatedly felt a warmth welling up.

She suddenly discovered that she didn’t ask for much.

Having someone wait for her to come home, having someone eat with her, and this person wasn’t like Cui Heng whom she couldn’t grasp – she knew his name, knew his identity, knew he would be angry if she came home late, knew he would wait for her return.

Just this small, real tenderness was enough to overwhelm her entirely.

The two quietly finished their meal. Just as Luo Wanqing put down her chopsticks, she heard Xie Heng ask: “Do you want to wash up?”

Luo Wanqing nodded puzzledly, somewhat unclear about Xie Heng’s meaning. Then she heard Xie Heng lower his head to sip tea and say: “The secret chamber below has hot spring water. It’s inconvenient to call for water now, so you can go there.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was startled. Xie Heng lowered his eyes and said, “Your room doesn’t have charcoal prepared. After bathing, the night will be cold, so you can also stay here overnight.”

Hearing these words, Luo Wanqing dared not speak, her mind somewhat confused.

Seeing her silence, Xie Heng took it as consent. He rose and went to the wardrobe nearby, took out clothes and a towel, and handed them to Luo Wanqing: “Go ahead.”

Luo Wanqing was completely unable to think, only nodding with feigned composure, taking the clothes and walking toward the secret chamber.

She remembered the method to enter the secret chamber. Following the sequence from earlier in the day, she walked in and descended the dark long staircase.

She didn’t know where the candles were and was too lazy to light them, only listening to the sound of water and heading in the direction from memory.

This bathing pool wasn’t deep, using hot spring water that flowed continuously. The sound of trickling water echoed in the quiet, dark room, emphasizing the emptiness.

Fragrant bath tablets were placed beside the pool – the scent Xie Heng always carried.

Cui Heng commonly used bamboo fragrance, while Xie Heng used the deeper pine wood fragrance. These two scents weren’t incompatible, and switching between them wasn’t too abrupt. She had never noticed in the past, but thinking back now, she felt Xie Heng was indeed meticulous, able to attend to even these details every time he saw her.

The deep pine wood fragrance surrounded her nostrils. Whether due to the water temperature or something else, she finally noticed that her heartbeat seemed to gradually quicken.

Steam rose on her face. With most of her body submerged in water, in this quiet, leisurely moment, she finally had the energy to recall everything from today.

This was the second day since Xie Heng awoke.

The second day, she faced Xie Heng.

For Xie Heng, being with her was all natural because, in his eyes, it had always been Luo Wanqing.

However, for Luo Wanqing, he seemed like a completely new person – both strange and familiar.

If today had been Cui Heng, then waiting for her, eating with her, letting her bathe – none of this would have seemed unusual. But thinking this was Xie Heng gave her a subtle sense of strangeness.

This strangeness made her feel both fresh and uneasy, even finding it difficult to face him.

She began to wonder what he wanted to do by having her stay overnight.

Thinking about what he might do made her recall that night in the cave.

Memories of that night’s pain and pleasure intertwined, with all senses reaching their extreme, surged up. Just thinking about it made Luo Wanqing somewhat nervous.

She couldn’t say where this nervousness came from, but she instinctively both longed for and resisted it.

She washed herself while thinking chaotically for a while, then heard Xie Heng’s somewhat concerned voice from above: “Xiniang?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing realized she had been washing for too long.

She quickly responded: “I’m fine.”

The other party acknowledged and didn’t ask more.

Luo Wanqing quickly finished washing, dried herself in the dark, and then changed into the clothes Xie Heng had given her.

After changing, she realized these weren’t her clothes but Xie Heng’s.

The clothes were somewhat loose. She tried folding them several times before reaching an appropriate length, then climbed the stairs and exited the secret chamber.

As soon as she left the room, bright light momentarily blinded her. She stood in place, waiting for her eyes to slowly adjust to the light, watching as the light and Xie Heng’s figure gradually became clear.

He seemed to have also just bathed, with his hair loose and still carrying some moisture. The dining table behind him had been cleared – Xuanshan must have come by. In Xuanshan’s eyes, she should have already returned to her room to rest.

Thinking of this, Luo Wanqing felt somewhat guilty and stood in place restlessly. She saw Xie Heng glance lightly over her before turning around and saying, “Come here, let me dry your hair.”

Luo Wanqing stiffly walked to sit in front of Xie Heng. Xie Heng stood behind her, took an absorbent towel, and dried her hair.

He was very close to her. Whether due to Xie Heng’s clothes being too large or something else, every inch of her skin became exceptionally sensitive. She felt his warmth, felt water dripping from above, sliding from her neck into her garment.

This gave her a sense of intimate secrecy, making her feel somewhat feverish.

She dared not raise her head, only feeling Xie Heng’s slender fingers threading through her wet hair, drying it for her. She looked down at her hands, wanting her hair to dry quickly so she could leave this somewhat strange atmosphere.

But the room’s temperature kept climbing. She felt increasingly hot with a dry mouth and tongue.

After a long time, unable to bear it anymore, she finally spoke: “Young master.”

As soon as she spoke, she discovered that perhaps from staying silent so long, her voice had become somewhat hoarse.

Xie Heng’s movements of drying her hair stopped, as if he had deliberately stopped to listen to her speak.

Luo Wanqing lowered her head, feeling her face burning, and said softly: “The room is a bit hot. Shall we open a window?”

Hearing her speak, Xie Heng’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. He feigned composure and resumed drying her hair, reminding her hoarsely: “The window is open.”

This statement startled Luo Wanqing, who then realized what she had said. She felt somewhat embarrassed and prayed Xie Heng wouldn’t notice her abnormality.

Xie Heng also dared not think wildly. He feared misunderstanding Luo Wanqing’s meaning and only assumed the charcoal fire was too hot.

The two silently finished drying her hair. Only then did Xie Heng rise and step back, turning to Luo Wanqing: “Go lie on the bed.”

Speaking thus, he went to extinguish one of the charcoal braziers.

Luo Wanqing watched him busy himself, then withdrew her gaze and walked to Xie Heng’s bedside, drew back the bed curtains, and lay down on the inner side.

Men from aristocratic families like Xie Heng, when sleeping with women, usually slept on the inner side to facilitate the woman’s service. But when she was with Cui Heng, she always slept on the inner side. Now that it was Xie Heng, she didn’t find it inappropriate.

After Xie Heng extinguished the charcoal and lights, when he returned and drew back the bed curtains, he saw Luo Wanqing lying properly on the inner side.

She lay completely straight, muscles tense, hands placed over her navel, quite resembling an obedient appearance when meeting a teacher.

Xie Heng couldn’t help but smile. He removed his shoes and got on the bed. Taking a cotton quilt from the side, he covered her with it, leaning down to look at her in the darkness and said gently: “What are you nervous about?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t dare speak. She only felt Xie Heng’s hair falling on her, making her somewhat itchy.

Seeing she didn’t even dare speak, Xie Heng found her especially adorable. He wanted to reach out and pinch her face but feared that touching her would make things uncontrollable. He could only tuck the quilt tighter and say gently: “Sleep now.”

Speaking thus, Xie Heng lay down.

Luo Wanqing felt Xie Heng lying beside her and couldn’t help but look over.

There was only one quilt prepared on his bed, which he had now given entirely to her. He wore only a single garment, curled up beside her, using only his forehead to touch her shoulder while keeping other parts of his body far from her.

After hesitating for a moment, Luo Wanqing moved closer to him and lifted her hand to share half the quilt with him. Under Xie Heng’s puzzled gaze, she feigned composure and said: “The night is cold. If this causes young master to sleep poorly, I should return to my room.”

The quilt carried her fragrance and warmth. Hearing her words and looking at the girl before him who was face-to-face with him and still somewhat embarrassed, Xie Heng could only say: “Since the Inspector puts it this way, how could I dare refuse? But sharing a quilt with the Inspector,” Xie Heng couldn’t help but lower his voice, wanting to tease her, “I fear I might become a bad person.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing buried half her face in the quilt from the heat and softly acknowledged: “Mm.”

This simple permission made Xie Heng stiffen. Those suppressed thoughts instantly grew wildly. He stared at the person before him, unconsciously gripping the quilt tighter.

Sensing his gaze, Luo Wanqing also became nervous. She clearly heard his breathing change and prepared herself, but after a long time, she only heard Xie Heng chuckle softly, his fingertip brushing across her cheek, bringing a tingling sensation before landing on the quilt, tucking it tight on both sides of her as he said hoarsely: “Sleep well.”

Speaking thus, he turned his back to her and lay down.

Luo Wanqing remained stunned in place for a long time before realizing that Xie Heng truly only wanted to “sleep” with her for one night. What he said the previous night about not doing anything, just wanting to talk with her and be together, hadn’t been a lie.

But his gentle touch just now seemed carved into her skin, the sensation lingering even now, disturbing Luo Wanqing’s peace of mind.

She dared not look at Xie Heng anymore and turned her back to him, beginning to silently recite the heart-clearing scripture Xie Heng had taught her.

However, for some reason, the more she recited this scripture, the more restless her thoughts became. Though she was so tired her eyes couldn’t stay open, she simply couldn’t fall asleep.

She couldn’t sleep, and Xie Heng clearly wasn’t doing much better.

She heard his breathing remain controlled throughout, knowing he wasn’t asleep either.

After a long standoff, Luo Wanqing finally couldn’t endure it anymore and deliberately used her toe to lightly touch Xie Heng’s calf.

The toe, with its hard nail and soft pad, brushed against Xie Heng, making his whole body tremble. Luo Wanqing was too nervous to speak, while the other party remained motionless.

Confirming that Xie Heng truly had no intention, Luo Wanqing finally gave up hope. All distracting thoughts disappeared, and she drifted off to sleep in confusion.

But this sleep was truly shallow, hardly counting as sleep at all. She vaguely felt as if she was sleeping yet also felt awake.

After an unknown amount of time, in her drowsy state, Luo Wanqing suddenly felt Xie Heng approaching her.

His breath fell on her nape, seeming somewhat heavy. She was both tired and exhausted, so she didn’t pay attention to his thoughts, only closed her eyes and continued her light sleep. However, before long, she felt Xie Heng reaching toward her, carefully and with struggle, accompanied by increasingly heavy breathing, extending his hand to touch her.

Luo Wanqing almost immediately woke up, but she didn’t know how to react.

Xie Heng’s movements were very gentle, obviously thinking she was asleep and afraid of waking her. Hearing rustling sounds behind her, Luo Wanqing vaguely knew what he was doing but dared not guess wildly.

Luo Wanqing dared not move, only feeling that the darkness made everything especially sensitive. She closed her eyes, suppressed her breathing, pretending to know nothing.

But people always push their luck, and even Xie Heng couldn’t avoid this tendency.

Seeing she had no reaction, he probably thought she was asleep and became bolder.

When everything ended, Xie Heng buried himself in her neck and shoulder. After a long time, Xie Heng finally spoke hoarsely: “When did you wake up?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t want to answer this question and pretended not to hear.

Seeing she didn’t answer, Xie Heng assumed she was displeased. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke again: “I’m sorry.”

Luo Wanqing was startled, then heard Xie Heng say softly: “I didn’t intend to disturb you, but you…”

“Enough!”

Realizing what he was about to say, Luo Wanqing quickly said: “I need to wash up. Young master, you…”

Luo Wanqing found it difficult to say, but Xie Heng didn’t move. Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but push him: “Young master?”

Xie Heng chuckled softly. His chest rumbled against her chest, infecting her with his laughter. Luo Wanqing clearly knew he was in a good mood at this moment and relaxed her movements. Then she felt him reach out to hold her hand, leisurely propping himself up to look down at her.

He had just broken out in a sweat, carrying some moist vapor. His garment was half-open, his eyes tinged with red – a rare sultry and beautiful appearance that Luo Wanqing seldom saw.

“Let me rest a bit more.”

Xie Heng spoke softly, comforting her: “I took medicine.”

This statement startled Luo Wanqing, who finally realized that Xie Heng had been taking contraceptive pills.

Male contraceptive pills indeed didn’t cause much harm to people, but taking them for long periods made it easy to become infertile.

Realizing this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but say: “Young master, you shouldn’t…”

“Shh.”

Xie Heng lowered his head, raised a finger to press against Luo Wanqing’s lips, and said gently: “Don’t say things that spoil the mood. Come, tell me,” Xie Heng looked at her quite seriously, “how was this time compared to Cui Guanlan?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was startled, then realized he was responding to her deliberately provoking words in the cave last time.

Luo Wanqing turned her head away in embarrassment, not daring to respond. But Xie Heng persisted in asking: “Did it hurt? When did you wake up? Why did you deliberately not make a sound? Can I still improve…”

“Stop talking!”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t bear it anymore and said with a red face: “I want to sleep now.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng knew the answer. He chuckled and stepped back. Luo Wanqing immediately got up from bed and was about to go to the secret chamber when she heard Xie Heng say: “This room also has running water. I was afraid it would be inconvenient for you earlier.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately went to the washing room in this chamber.

Xie Heng was quite honest and didn’t say anything more. After they took turns cleaning up and returned to bed, it was already past the fifth hour.

When Xie Heng returned from his bath this time, he had no more reservations. As soon as he got on the bed, he pulled her into his arms and said softly: “Sleep.”

Hearing his voice, Luo Wanqing thought about the time and couldn’t help but ask: “When does young master usually get up?”

“No one dares knock on my door while I’m sleeping.”

Luo Wanqing immediately understood his meaning. He gently patted her back and said warmly: “Sleep until you’re rested.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing felt relieved. She lay in Xie Heng’s arms, and though she was exhausted to the extreme, she still couldn’t help asking the question she’d been thinking about all night: “Young master, why must you wait until I’m asleep to make a move?”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. Luo Wanqing propped herself up from his arms to look at him: “Young master?”

Xie Heng was rendered speechless by her question. After a moment of silence, he finally answered truthfully: “I hoped you would know that even just seeing you, talking with you, lying in the same bed, would make me very happy.”

Speaking thus, Xie Heng’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and he said somewhat unnaturally: “After all, you and I should just be beginning. I also felt it was presumptuous.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but want to laugh.

Actually, their earlier interaction had also made her feel awkward and nervous, but seeing Xie Heng like this suddenly relaxed her.

She turned to look at the bed curtains, lying there talking to Xie Heng. She suddenly felt she was the more composed and generous one, gently advising: “Actually, young master needn’t overthink it. The harmony of yin and yang is the natural way of human relationships. I’ve studied medicine since childhood and entered the Supervision Department, so I don’t value reputation much. Young master can be natural about such matters.”

“I used to think that way too.” Hearing her words, Xie Heng turned on his side to look at her, his usually somewhat cold eyes gazing at her tenderly: “Xiniang, actually speaking of being natural and following the dao, I should be more familiar with it than you from childhood learning. But with you, I can’t do it.”

Luo Wanqing looked at him somewhat puzzled, then saw Xie Heng smile: “I always want Xiniang to see my best side.”

“Actually, it’s not necessary.” Luo Wanqing hadn’t expected Xie Heng to have such thoughts. After thinking, she advised: “No one is perfect. When you like someone, even their flaws become endearing.”

Xie Heng said nothing, only smiled as he looked at her.

Luo Wanqing turned to look at him: “You don’t believe it?”

Xie Heng didn’t answer her directly, only saying softly after thinking for a moment: “Perhaps it’s indeed so, but I still hope Xiniang only sees my best side. I hope Xiniang will love me,” Xie Heng raised his eyes and said quite seriously, “as you loved Cui Guanlan.”

This statement startled Luo Wanqing. Xie Heng’s eyes held expectation. For a moment, Luo Wanqing didn’t understand why he seemed to treat Cui Heng as another person, wanting her to love him as she had loved Cui Heng.

But thinking about it, she suddenly realized Xie Heng’s deep-seated disgust and inferiority.

In the past when he was Cui Heng, she hadn’t noticed, but now recalling Cui Heng’s evaluation of Xie Heng and remembering how Xie Heng had repeatedly confirmed with her whether she would accept him, she realized the source of today’s strange behavior.

Why could Xie Heng wait for her all day and still be so gentle?

Why was he clearly angry yet still enduring?

Why did he want her so much yet still let go?

Because he wanted to maintain his best appearance before her, just like Cui Heng’s appearance in the past.

So he would suppress all his negative emotions, hide his wounds, wanting only to present his best self to her.

Cui Heng was his truth, but also his mask. He used all his goodness to build Cui Heng’s existence. When the lie collapsed, he was more uneasy than she had guessed.

The two remained silent in the darkness. Seeing Luo Wanqing not responding, Xie Heng couldn’t help but feel nervous.

He chuckled to ease the awkwardness, turned to lie flat, closed his eyes and said: “Alright, let’s sleep.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t speak. She quietly looked at the mosquito net, unable to stop thinking.

If Xie Heng always hid all his true emotions about her from her, what was he really thinking?

Between them, would he also feel sad and melancholy, anxious and uneasy?

Actually, since becoming aware of his true identity, she had always wondered what she meant to Xie Heng.

He was very good to her. His thoughtfulness, consideration, gifts, and help – she remembered every bit. She had always been grateful, but when she realized this was Xie Heng, she couldn’t help but think that these things were too easy for Xie Heng.

Even saving her, taking the mother-child gu for her – this series of actions – she couldn’t be certain whether it was because Xie Heng loved her, or if his personality was naturally so decisive that he would do this for anyone slightly important to him.

However, the moment she realized how restrained and careful he was, she suddenly felt that she was still so far from truly knowing him.

She was only fantasizing about a Xie Heng, imagining him as omnipotent, thinking he controlled everything. That’s why when she acknowledged loving such a person, she felt so wronged and unwilling.

She couldn’t get the fairness she wanted, yet couldn’t help pitying and loving him.

But did he really control everything? Was she really the only one feeling anxious and uneasy in this relationship?

Luo Wanqing lay there thinking wildly for a long time, then suddenly thought of a possibility: “So… that marriage ribbon between Li Guiyu and me, did you tie it up there?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng stiffened. Luo Wanqing thoughtfully raised her hand, pulling up the marriage token at her chest and looking at it in the darkness.

“That marriage ribbon was newly tied by him and me last year,” Luo Wanqing recalled as Xie Heng’s expression became somewhat colder. He glanced at her coolly, listening as Luo Wanqing speculated: “Unless someone had ulterior motives, who would hide it for no reason? When I mentioned this marriage ribbon today, your expression showed no abnormality. With your petty and jealous nature, it’s impossible you’d have no reaction. And you’ve been to the Matchmaker Temple…”

Luo Wanqing reasoned while turning to look at Xie Heng, having already reached a conclusion. She couldn’t help but wonder: “Since you saw it, why hide it instead of directly destroying it?”

Xie Heng couldn’t speak. He instinctively wanted to cover it up, but seeing Luo Wanqing’s clear, moist eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to lie.

He had lied to her many times. He knew she minded, and he couldn’t lie to her again.

Xie Heng restrained his desire to lie and cover up. He turned his head away, no longer pretending, his voice becoming cold: “That was something between you and him after all. No matter how much I disliked it, I had no right to destroy it without permission. Let it hang there – it existed in the past anyway, and it’s not like destroying one marriage ribbon would change anything.”

“Then why hide it?”

Luo Wanqing found it strange. Xie Heng, being pressed for answers, felt embarrassed but knowing Luo Wanqing’s personality, could only say with a cold face: “I couldn’t destroy it, and it was an eyesore. Can’t I at least hide it?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but want to laugh, but she didn’t dare laugh in front of Xie Heng. She looked at him, softened her voice, and continued asking: “What other things have made you sad, upset, or angry that you haven’t told me about?”

Xie Heng remained silent. Luo Wanqing thought carefully: “Today when I suspected you of poisoning Zhang Yiran, were you angry?”

Xie Heng hadn’t expected Luo Wanqing to remember these things. He looked up at her as Luo Wanqing continued: “Today you actually wanted to find an excuse to spend more time with me, but I kept trying to send you away. Were you angry about that too?”

Xie Heng’s throat moved slightly as he spoke somewhat hoarsely: “Xiniang, actually…”

“And I came back late and forgot what you said. You should have been angry about that too.”

Luo Wanqing recalled, looking at Xie Heng: “What other things made you sad? Tell me.”

Xie Heng remained silent. Actually, he knew he shouldn’t say these things.

She liked Cui Heng, people like Zhang Yiran.

He should be gentle, magnanimous, modest, upright, kind, always thinking of her. Only such a Xie Heng could possibly earn her affection.

Don’t believe her when she says she loves his true self. People are all like this – they think they can handle it, but actually they can’t.

He had seen too many people and understood human nature too well.

But at this moment, when she gently asked him “what other things made you sad,” he suddenly couldn’t help but want to try.

He raised his eyes to look at the woman watching him and finally said: “Actually, these are all small matters.”

Luo Wanqing waited for his words, then saw him raise his hand to stroke her eyebrows and eyes, saying softly: “Xiniang, heaven allowing me to meet you – I already feel very fortunate. So these small matters, I haven’t truly taken them to heart. There’s only one thing that would make me truly sad.”

Speaking thus, Xie Heng raised his hand to gently brush the marriage token at her neck.

“Everyone in this world can have countless connections with you. They can hang their names with yours on this marriage tree, can be betrothed to you, can announce it to the world,” Xie Heng said, his voice pausing for a long moment before becoming somewhat hoarse: “Only Xie Heng cannot.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Xie Heng: “Xiniang, heaven allowing me to meet you, I’m already very grateful. So these small matters, I haven’t truly taken them to heart.”

Zhang Yiran: “Haven’t taken them to heart, yet you keep confronting me?”

Li Guiyu: “Haven’t taken them to heart, yet you still hid my marriage ribbon?”

Cui Heng: “Haven’t taken them to heart, yet you always threaten to throw me in the water if I get close?”

Xie Heng: “I indeed haven’t taken them to heart. If I had taken them to heart, I would have killed you all. Still hiding marriage ribbons? I would have burned that tree bald!”