Spoiled Eldest Miss x Two-faced Madman

CHAPTER 62: “Can I Still Trust You?”

　　Six days after their mysterious disappearance, He Ziqing and Lin Qingyan suddenly reappeared.

　　No one knew how they’d tracked them down—anyway, when An Jiu woke up, she ran right into the two of them in the courtyard.

　　The moment He Ziqing saw her, he visibly let out a breath of relief. “An Jiu, thank goodness you’re safe! I knew it. Brother Pei would definitely take good care of you.”

　　Back then, He Ziqing had promised to bring her along and protect her. He considered her his responsibility. Though he should’ve still been resting and recovering, he’d rushed back early because he couldn’t stop worrying about her.

　　Hearing him speak, An Jiu instinctively glanced at Lin Qingyan.

　　Sure enough, the young girl in green robes looked at her with a faint trace of grievance in her eyes.

　　An Jiu: “…”

　　Why hasn’t the male lead realized his feelings yet?! I really don’t want to be the female lead’s love rival.

　　She quickly gave a dry laugh and said, “Yes, I ran into some danger that day, and Doctor Pei even took an arrow for me. I don’t even know how to thank him.”

　　The moment she said this, Lin Qingyan’s expression changed. She looked worried and asked nervously, “Pei Ji was injured? Was it serious?”

　　Before An Jiu could answer, a warm and gentle male voice sounded beside them: “Just a minor injury. It’s nothing. What about you two? Where have you been all this time?”

　　They all turned to see a refined and handsome young man with jet-black hair in white robes, sitting in a wheelchair and being slowly pushed out by Ah Qi.

　　His skin was pale as jade, and his face bore a gentle, tranquil smile. In his well-defined hand was a smooth, white folding fan. At first glance, he gave the impression of a spring breeze.

　　“Brother Pei.” He Ziqing greeted him. Seeing his calm demeanor, he relaxed and smiled. “We found Shen Suan Wuming. I’ve already asked him to divine the whereabouts of the person we’re searching for. Next, we’re planning to head there. What does Brother Pei think?”

　　He Ziqing was determined to find that person. It was his master’s dying wish—no matter what, he had to fulfill it.

　　But the journey ahead would likely involve travel over rough terrain and nights exposed to the elements. For Pei Ji and An Jiu, who had no martial arts skills, it would be a hard and grueling trip.

　　He Ziqing had originally thought it best to leave the two of them here, while he and Lin Qingyan went on ahead.

　　Unexpectedly, Pei Ji asked, “Where is the person you’re looking for?”

　　He Ziqing replied, “Shen Suan Wuming said he couldn’t pinpoint the exact location, but he divined that the person is near Wudeng Peak on the Guangyang Road. If we go there, we’re sure to find him.”

　　Pei Ji paused in thought before speaking. “If I recall correctly, Wudeng Peak isn’t far from Wuyin Temple, is it?”

　　Everyone was a bit taken aback, unsure why he suddenly brought up Wuyin Temple.

　　Lin Qingyan thought for a moment, then nodded. “I remember now—Wudeng Peak is indeed less than a hundred li from Wuyin Temple. Both are in the southeast direction.”

　　Pei Ji’s brows lifted slightly, a gentle smile forming on his lips. “In that case, it looks like we’ll be traveling together. A couple of days ago, I received a letter from Wuyin Temple. The temple’s abbot, Master Zhenyi, who has been in seclusion for many years, is about to exit his retreat. They asked me to come and check his pulse.”

　　Lin Qingyan looked surprised. “Master Zhenyi is coming out of seclusion?”

　　Master Zhenyi was quite famous in the martial world. Thirty years ago, he had severely injured the previous demonic sect leader, the Ghost Mask, which dealt a devastating blow to the sect. Since then, the sect had lain low for decades.

　　Unfortunately, Master Zhenyi had also been injured in that same battle and had gone into seclusion to recuperate, never returning to the public eye.

　　Wuyin Temple, where Master Zhenyi resided, was a reclusive sanctuary. It rarely involved itself in worldly affairs—not even sending a representative to the grand gathering at Jinshe Villa. That alone showed how low-key they were.

　　Originally, it had been Pei Ji’s father, Pei Zhou, who was to examine Master Zhenyi. But since Pei Zhou had passed away, the task now fell to Pei Ji.

　　Pei Ji gave a small smile. “Master Zhenyi was once close friends with my father. Naturally, I must go. This trip is unavoidable.”

　　Lin Qingyan nodded in agreement. “Indeed. If word gets out that Master Zhenyi has emerged, the martial world is sure to be abuzz again.”

　　The two of them chatted intently, while He Ziqing and An Jiu stood to the side, mostly confused.

　　Neither of them had any idea who this Master Zhenyi was.

　　He Ziqing scratched his head and said, “So, what you’re saying is—Brother Pei, you’ll be heading to Wuyin Temple next, which happens to be on the way to Wudeng Peak?”

　　Pei Ji nodded. “That’s right.”

　　He Ziqing didn’t dwell on it and straightforwardly suggested, “Then let’s head out tomorrow.”

　　And just like that, their travel plans were set.

　　No one asked for An Jiu’s opinion—after all, she was just a background character in the main cast. Other than tagging along, she really didn’t have a choice.

　　On the last night before their departure, An Jiu received a letter delivered by an owl.

　　It was the first time ‘Fei Yi’ had ever taken the initiative to send her a message.

　　Until now, she had always been the one to reach out to him, and he would merely reply. He had never once contacted her first.

　　When An Jiu opened the letter, she found that he was asking her to meet up in person.

　　Damn, if this were a modern online chat, it’d be a textbook case of online dating—a guy who’s never messaged first suddenly reaches out, and it’s to ask for an in-person meetup? So bold, it’s basically screaming “I’m up to no good.”

　　She knew he was up to no good.

　　But was she still going?

　　Of course… she was going!

　　—

　　The moon hung over the willow’s tip, and the promised meeting came at dusk.

　　An Jiu quietly slipped out of the house. Jinshe Town wasn’t as lively as before, but the streets were still fairly crowded.

　　She walked along the familiar road, stopping at the stall where she once bought sweet cakes.

　　Though the lantern festival had long passed, the elderly lady selling them was still there. When she spotted An Jiu, she greeted her with a warm smile. “Here to buy some sweet cakes, young lady?”

　　Seeing her alone, she added with concern, “Where’s your husband? There’re lots of wandering martial men around town. You’re a beauty—it’s not safe to be out at night by yourself.”

　　An Jiu’s eyes curved as she smiled. “I’m not afraid. He’ll be here soon.”

　　She bought a bag of sweet cakes, and just as she turned after paying, she saw him.

　　Not far behind stood a tall man dressed in black, upright and elegant.

　　This time, he wasn’t wearing a mask. His face, honest and proper, was fully exposed, and his dark eyes quietly watched her.

　　Night was falling, and the lanterns lining the streethouses flickered on, casting a warm yellow glow on his inky-black robes, adding a hint of loneliness to his silhouette.

　　An Jiu froze mid-step, then slowly walked toward him.

　　She stopped in front of him and looked up.

　　“Fei Yi, you came looking for me—what did you want to say?”

　　Her expression held none of the joy she used to show when they met. Only calm silence remained.

　　Her gaze was steady—neither disappointed nor sad. She simply stared at him, as if waiting for an answer.

　　But whether that answer was good or bad, she seemed not to care anymore.

　　That realization made his heart clench. His fingers curled into tight fists at his side.

　　“I…”

　　He had just opened his mouth when she suddenly cut him off.

　　“Not here. Let’s go somewhere quiet.”

　　And with that, she turned and walked away quickly.

　　Her pace was fast, her head bowed low. She looked at the streets, the ground, the buildings—everywhere but at him.

　　He said nothing, only followed closely behind.

　　He knew she was angry. When a young lady gets upset, you have to coax her, let her vent. She’d calm down after that.

　　“Here is fine,” she said suddenly, stopping beneath a large willow tree.

　　The tree stood by the riverbank. The streethouses were a distance away, and at night, no one wandered near the water. All that surrounded them now were the gentle flow of the river and the constant chirping of insects and frogs.

　　Darkness cloaked them both. Their figures blurred into the night, and they could no longer see each other’s expressions clearly.

　　Leaning on the railing by the river, her head hung low as she spoke softly, “You can talk now.”

　　Pei Ji remained silent. He didn’t know where to begin.

　　As if sensing his hesitation, the girl asked again, “Do you want me to ask you instead?”

　　Before he could respond, she continued, “Fei Yi—is that really your name? Are you truly a Xuan Yi Wei Guard? You said you were being hunted, but I asked around. No one’s ever heard of someone named Fei Yi.”

　　Her voice suddenly rose, sharp and piercing in the still night: 

　　“I just want to know—who are you? Everything you told me—how much of it was true, and how much was a lie?”

　　She hadn’t been looking at him until now, but suddenly, she raised her face and stared straight into his eyes.

　　Those dark, clear eyes shimmered with tears, about to fall.

　　“So it was all a lie… wasn’t it?”

　　Her red lips opened and closed, broken and choked with emotion.

　　She didn’t cry, but her eyes brimmed with tears, blurring her vision.

　　Her gaze looked like shattered glass—each shard reflecting a weeping girl, all of them asking him the same question.

　　“You never liked me at all… did you?”

　　Her face remained expressionless, yet Pei Ji felt it—she was more heartbroken now than he had ever seen her.

　　It felt like someone had grabbed his heart and squeezed it hard, making it hard to breathe.

　　His eyes flickered.

　　Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed her slender wrist.

　　He pulled her into his arms, wrapping her tightly against him.

　　She instinctively struggled for a second or two, but then fell still as his embrace tightened around her.

　　Only when he had her fully in his arms did that sudden, suffocating fear begin to ease.

　　Just a moment ago, Pei Ji had felt it—that she was far, far away from him.

　　So far that she might fly away at any second.

　　His Adam’s apple bobbed.

　　In a low voice, he said: “I did lie to you about some things… but one thing is true.”

　　The girl looked up at him from within his arms, her teary eyes searching.

　　“What is it?”

　　He lowered his gaze to meet hers, lips parting slightly to whisper four words:

　　“…I like you.”

　　He had always been terrible at saying sweet things. Every time he stood before her, his tongue would tie itself in knots.

　　But this time, those words came out so naturally—effortlessly.

　　And once he said it, a wave of embarrassment hit him. He pressed his lips together, his lashes trembling, ears burning hot.

　　His chest felt oddly warm too.

　　But the girl didn’t smile.

　　Her eyes still shimmered with tears as she bit her lip and asked softly:

　　“Can I still trust you?”

　　His eyes were deep and dark as a tranquil pond. He looked at her and answered firmly:

　　“You can trust me—forever.”

　　Only then did the girl curve her eyes slightly, showing the faintest trace of a smile—but she still didn’t look truly happy.

　　Pei Ji couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

　　He assumed she still harbored doubts about him.

　　Trust was easy to break and hard to rebuild.

　　He knew he’d have to put in the effort to win her back.

　　Then, the girl asked, “Fei Yi, can you tell me your real identity?”

　　Pei Ji hesitated. He hadn’t yet decided whether or not to reveal the name Xian Wuming, but before he could make up his mind, she suddenly shook her head.

　　“Forget it—better if you don’t.”

　　Seeing his puzzled look, she gave a wry smile.

　　“If you told me, I wouldn’t be able to keep pretending I didn’t know.”

　　She paused for a beat, then looked up at him and asked softly,

　　“I only ask one thing of you. Please—don’t harm my friends. Can you promise me that?”

　　Her expression was uneasy, her eyes filled with a quiet plea.

　　She was afraid he would refuse.

　　The man stayed silent for a moment.

　　Then, slowly, he nodded and agreed: “Alright. I promise.”

　　Only then did she break into a bright smile.

　　She held his hand and placed the bag of sweet rice cakes into his palm.

　　The soft scent of sugar and cake lingered in the air.

　　With a gentle voice, she said, “Thank you, Fei Yi. I hope you’ll keep your word. If you don’t… I’ll never forgive you.”

　　

　　

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