In the pavilion, Tang Xiaowan laughed heartily.
Leng Lingxiao often turned sideways due to the pain of his wound, his brows slightly furrowed, yet he didn’t want Tang Xiaowan to notice.
He feared she would worry, and even more, he wanted to maintain his image of bravery and resilience.
Just like that outing three years ago.
"Huahua, are you out of your mind? That was so dangerous just now, you scared me to death, how could you fight them barehanded?"
"It’s fine, nothing happened!"
"You’re still laughing, you’re bleeding! Let’s go, we need to head to the hospital now."
"A real man in pain, going to the hospital for such a little injury, that’s embarrassing. Just help me apply some medicine, no need for the hospital."
Everything seemed like it happened yesterday.
By the end of September, Jin City had already turned a bit chilly, bursts of fresh breeze passed by, roses swaying gently.
Leng Lingxiao immensely enjoyed this beauty.
The two of them ate and chatted, not needing to think about anything, as if the swords and shadows outside, along with the covert fights, had nothing to do with them.
"Tangtang, it’s really nice here at your place, flowers and grass everywhere, it’s very comforting to look at."
"Of course, it’s a geomantic treasure spot."
In fact, all the flowers and grass here were prearranged by Zhao Renjie as per Leng Lingxiao’s instructions, including the small flower room on the roof, designed according to Tang Xiaowan’s preferences.
Solid wood frame, glass skylight.
"Right, indeed, good choice, if there’s another house this cheap... creak, I’ll buy it too."
"You’re buying another one? You already have so many!"
"Ah, can’t help it, just have too much money, it bothers me if I don’t spend some."
"That’s disgusting, not humble at all."
"Just envying your yard, hey, how about we swap?"
Tang Xiaowan pouted, glanced sideways at the surroundings of the pavilion, and suddenly felt it was not perfect, as if something was missing.
What could it be? Something winding, a vine that can grow freely upwards.
She thought of her home in Qingcheng, Mei Garden.
Built according to the mountains’ layout, with varying heights and many types of flowers, plus the geographical advantage, it boasted a view of blooming flowers in all four seasons.
By comparison, Jin City was a bit colder.
This made Tang Xiaowan unable to wear her favorite dresses every day, having to check the weather and add clothing like everyone else.
"Tangtang, what are you thinking about? Don’t worry, I was just teasing you, we’re not swapping."
"I was thinking of the Lingxiao Flower in front of the window at Mei Garden... You planted it, didn’t you? It looks so big, it would be perfect if we had one here too, it would look super beautiful with the breeze."
Leng Lingxiao suddenly felt a warm sensation upon hearing this.
"Why are you not saying anything, wasn’t it you who planted it?" Tang Xiaowan thought she guessed wrong and hurriedly inquired.
"It was you and I who planted it together when you graduated from middle school. I dug the hole, you filled the soil, including the one next to the rockery, they were all done the same day."
"Wow, that’s been five or six years!"
"Lingxiao flowers can live over a hundred years. My family also has one, planted when I was born... My mom planted it, it’s also grown quite a bit now, and in summer, it indeed provides beautiful shade."
"It must be hoping you... live a long and high-flying life, how wonderful!"
"Yes, that’s the idea."
"It’s just a pity I don’t have a mom, otherwise..."
Tang Xiaowan choked up as she spoke, her face with a smile, yet her eyes filled with tears.
She also yearned to have such a mom, who would plant a Lingxiao Flower for her to wish her a long life, but unfortunately, she didn’t even know what her mom looked like or her name, always having her sore spots inadvertently poked .
Leng Lingxiao suddenly came to his senses, feeling incredibly guilty.
"Tangtang, actually those two Lingxiao Flowers are also my blessing to you, hoping you live a long life, forever..."
"It’s okay, it’s okay, I know, thank you Huahua, actually at school, whenever asked what my parents do, I always say, they’re in business, very busy, hahaha."
Tang Xiaowan spoke lightly, although she was smiling, it made Leng Lingxiao even more heartbroken.
"Tangtang, come to my house during the holiday?"
It was an invitation, but also a longtime longing.
He wanted to give Tang Xiaowan a home but dared not say it outright.
"I don’t want to go, I’m going back to Mei Garden, maybe grandma will... hehe, you know, I definitely need to go back, just stay quietly at home."
Halfway through her sentence, Tang Xiaowan hurriedly stopped and switched topics, afraid of being overheard again.
Ever since she learned the secret of her grandma’s staged death, she felt life was filled with hope, even if the night attackers returned, she wasn’t scared.
"I’ll go too, to wait with you."
"Great, saves me from getting excited all by myself, with no one to share it."
Leng Lingxiao didn’t expect Tang Xiaowan to agree so readily. He was still pondering what excuse he could make up to get approval, and he burst into laughter, forgetting all about his injury.
"What’s wrong, does the wound hurt?"
"It’s nothing, not a big deal." Leng Lingxiao said with a laugh, trying to appear very relaxed.
"Alright, alright, stop pretending you’re strong, how can such a deep wound not hurt? That hunting knife is mine, do you think I don’t know how long it is?"
"Tangtang, actually, that knife is..."
Just as he was speaking, the phone rang, but Leng Lingxiao didn’t want to answer it; he wanted to finish his sentence, so he looked at Tang Xiaowan with tender eyes: "Actually, that hunting knife was a gift I gave you two years ago, when you graduated high school, holding your acceptance letter... showing off to me."
"High school graduation? You’re not worried about me... encountering perverts in college, are you?"
Tang Xiaowan laughed heartily.
Leng Lingxiao just quietly watched.
Even as their eyes met, they didn’t feel awkward; rather, they were quite open.
"Pretty much." Leng Lingxiao said with a smile.
"Wow, really? I was just kidding, too funny. How could any pervert dare hassle me, unless he doesn’t want to live, I’d kick him flying with one foot!"
Leng Lingxiao nodded, "I know, those moves are still from me..."
At that moment, the phone rang again.
"Come on, pick it up, why not? Is there some secret... you’re afraid I’ll hear?" Tang Xiaowan looked at Leng Lingxiao teasingly.
"Nonsense, I don’t have any secrets."
While talking, Leng Lingxiao took out his phone, looked at it, and just laughed.
"Laughing? Your wound doesn’t hurt anymore?"
"It’s Wang Jinhui’s."
Hearing that, Tang Xiaowan quickly scooted closer: "Is it ready?"
Leng Lingxiao nodded and pressed the answer button.
Sure enough, Wang Jinhui’s deep voice came through the phone, albeit with some smugness and friendly teasing. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel{f}ire.net
"Taking so long to pick up the phone, have you been making a fortune somewhere?"
"Stop messing around, is it the knife you fixed?"
"Oh, not convenient, huh? Hahaha, alright, won’t tease you anymore, it’s ready. If you’re free tomorrow, bring that girl over to pick it up, and remember to bring a bottle of liquor—liquor in one hand, knife in the other."
"Of course, the usual place, can’t exactly go to my house, it’s too far, hahaha."
"Alright, thanks, see you tomorrow."