Bu Shulin’s body stiffened, her mind buzzing with chaos. Her eyes widened in panic. She had learned from Shen Xihe that Cui Jinbai had developed feelings for her—feelings that arose without knowing she was a woman—and she found it utterly unbelievable.
She trusted Shen Xihe’s words implicitly, so she couldn’t help but feel guilty, thinking she had driven a fine young man to such a state. Moreover, as a woman, she could never reveal her true identity to Cui Jinbai. With no certainty of ever gaining freedom in this lifetime, how could she make a promise so lightly? How could she let such an outstanding man waste his life waiting for her indefinitely?
Thus, she chose to comply with him, to distance herself, to avoid provoking him. They acted as if they had never crossed paths.
Yet fate played its tricks. On the Lantern Festival, he was the first to rush to her aid. In such a crowded situation, even Moyu, sent by Shen Xihe who had spotted her first, struggled to push through. This could only mean Cui Jinbai hadn’t appeared by chance.
He must have been following her all along to rescue her so promptly.
These thoughts alone were enough to make Bu Shulin evade deeper reflection. She never imagined he would actually confess his feelings to someone he believed to be a man!
“Have you lost your mind?” Bu Shulin ignored her wound, using her Inner Strength to break free from Cui Jinbai. A sharp pain shot through her chest, causing her face to pale. She frowned, clutching her chest.
“Your injury—” Cui Jinbai hurried forward anxiously.
Bu Shulin quickly stepped back, holding out a hand to stop him. “Don’t come any closer.Cui Jinbai froze in place, at a loss, his eyes filled with worry and guilt. He wanted to approach but didn’t dare.
After a long moment, Bu Shulin finally felt the pain subside slightly. “Have you considered society’s judgment? This isn’t like our previous ambiguous games. When I pestered you, when I acted recklessly, people were half-convinced, half-skeptical, treating it as entertainment. But if we were truly... your career would be ruined!”
“I don’t care.” Cui Jinbai took a small step forward, gazing at her tenderly. “I know you can’t abandon Shu Nan right now. It’s alright. I can wait for you, until the situation stabilizes. Then we can retreat to the mountains, just you and me, far from worldly troubles and gossip. If you find the deep mountains too dull, we can travel the jianghu together, never staying in one place long enough for others to look at you strangely.”
Bu Shulin’s face turned even paler than from the pain. This man... he must have been pondering this all along. He had thought everything through. Clenching her fists, she dug her nails into her palms to force herself to stay calm. “Your Cui family is vast and flourishing, while my Bu family has only me as the sole heir. I cannot do this... Please calm down. I apologize for having used you before—”
“I don’t want your apology.” Cui Jinbai’s expression suddenly turned detached as he looked at Bu Shulin. “You said you took the Hidden Weapon for me because you didn’t want to owe me. You’re lying. Don’t forget, I’m the Deputy Chief of the Dali Temple. I’ve interrogated countless criminals; I understand what people’s actions in critical moments mean. You have feelings for me too. I won’t force you to accept me now, but I’m not deluding myself. You can never escape me in this lifetime.”
Having said that, Cui Jinbai placed the food box on the table, his earlier intensity fading as he spoke gently, “Eat while it’s warm. I have official duties to attend to and will check on you later.”
He opened the food box and began calmly arranging the dishes inside.His proprietorial attitude infuriated Bu Shulin so much that, were she not injured, she would have stamped her feet in rage: "Get this straight—this is my residence. You're a scion of a noble family—where are your manners?"
"Manners are for outsiders." After arranging the items, Cui Jinbai gazed at her with indulgent eyes. "You told Yinshan that I am the mistress of your household, that you personally vowed to marry me."
Bu Shulin was so startled by Cui Jinbai's brazen declaration of being the mistress and wanting to be married that she involuntarily retreated two steps: "Have you... have you been possessed by some unclean entity?"
This person was utterly abnormal, too bizarre—what man would willingly marry into another family? Willingly be treated as a woman?
"I'm not possessed; I've had my soul stolen by you." Cui Jinbai's smile grew even more indulgent and tender.
"Get out, leave right now!" Terrified, Bu Shulin could only cling to the nearby pillar, eyeing Cui Jinbai with wariness.
Yet Cui Jinbai approached her with that harmless, exceedingly gentle smile: "Aren't these the very words you said to me that day? Since you spoke them, making me haunted by thoughts of you, it seems you were pleased. Then I'll say more to you in the future, so you too may soon yearn for me deeply, hmm?"
Bu Shulin's eyes nearly popped out of her head, but Cui Jinbai greatly adored her innocent, helpless expression, like a lost deer in the forest.
His broad hand patted her head, and he softly instructed once more: "Remember to eat."
Then, with a slight smile at her, he strode away in high spirits.
Long after Cui Jinbai had left, Bu Shulin remained in the same position, dazedly pressed against the pillar.
Thoroughly frightened by Cui Jinbai, she dared not touch the food he had brought. She rushed out of Bu Manor and hurried to Princess Manor. Shen Xihe had just returned with Xue Jinqiao after buying some flowers and plants, intending to personally prepare rouge and powder for Xue Jinqiao.
"Youyou, Youyou, you have to save me." Bu Shulin reached out to grab Shen Xihe's wrist, but Xue Jinqiao chopped down with a hand strike.
She couldn't understand why this libertine Bu Shulin had no sense of propriety, always laying hands on her elder sister without regard for the distinction between men and women.
Of course, Shen Xihe never resisted Bu Shulin's closeness, which Xue Jinqiao interpreted as Shen Xihe's delicacy and lack of quick reflexes, allowing Bu Shulin to take advantage. As for Shen Xihe's servants, they were constrained by Bu Shulin's status as a noble heir. In any case, she had her own interpretation.
"Little devil, I don't want to fight with you today, don't provoke me." Bu Shulin was troubled; usually, she would tease Xue Jinqiao and occasionally exchange blows, with Shen Xihe never intervening. The scene was all too familiar—it was just like at home.
"You are not allowed to touch Elder Sister casually." Xue Jinqiao stood protectively in front of Shen Xihe.
Seeing the deep worry etched on Bu Shulin's brow, Shen Xihe patted Xue Jinqiao's shoulder and waited for her to step aside before asking, "What happened to you? Why are so panicked?"
"I—" Bu Shulin started to speak but swallowed her words upon seeing Xue Jinqiao.
Shen Xihe had to turn to Xue Jinqiao and say, "Qiao Qiao, I'll invite you to the manor to choose another day after I've finished making them."
Xue Jinqiao wasn't upset about being sent away; everyone had secrets. Just as Shen Xihe wouldn't disclose her illness to others, Bu Shulin might also have matters she couldn't share.She nodded, then glared fiercely at Bu Shulin: "Behave yourself, or I'll set Diandian on you!"
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