Translator: 549690339
It must be love.
Song Zhizhi mulled over these five words in her head. She didn’t even know how she escaped the swarm of journalists. When she finally snapped out of it, she found herself in a car. Ji Baijian sat next to her, Luo Xiaolang was in the front passenger seat, Song Zhidao was driving, and Wen Tian had left.
The car was very quiet.
Coming back to her senses, Song Zhizhi loudly asked, “Why did you come?!”
“Didn’t you want me to come?” Ji Baijian raised an eyebrow, speaking in a soft, calm voice, “Besides, you’ve already signaled your feelings.” “Signaled?” Song Zhizhi was confused.
What had she signaled?
Before she could react, Ji Baijian said, “The evidence has been collected. I’m not afraid of someone noticing me now.”
So, there was no need for restraint!
“So soon?” Song Zhizhi was surprised.
She was warned the night before that the evidence wasn’t available, and now it was.
“I couldn’t let you carry the blame forever.”
Song Zhizhi just stared at Ji Baijian.
This man always spoke in such a nonchalant manner.
She could see his obvious dark circles. He had done much for her case, hadn’t he?
Song Zhizhi reached out and touched Ji Baijian’s cheek.
At that moment, she thought he had lost weight.
Ji Baijian seemed uncomfortable with her touch, turning his face away to avoid it.
Song Zhizhi lowered her hand and murmured, “Ji Baij ian, you’ve fallen in love with me, haven’t you?”
“Quite confident, aren’t you?” Ji Baijian was smiling, though, it was hard to discern any particular emotion from his expression, let alone whether he liked her or not.
Song Zhizhi took a deep breath, saying seriously, “You knew I was convicted and would be harassed by reporters, so you came to help me out. You’ve always been unwilling to publicly disclose your health condition. I don’t know why, but for my sake, you made it clear to the reporters…”
“I’ve said that I only chose not to clarify because I felt it wasn’t necessary and didn’t want to waste energy.”
“Then why is it necessary now?” Song Zhizhi asked, then answered, “It must be because of me!” For a moment, Ji Baijian didn’t respond.
Song Zhizhi continued, “Just now, you said I sent signals. I thought about it and finally realized. You were referring to my confession of love to the reporters this morning, weren’t you?”
Ji Baijian remained silent.
Song Zhizhi said, “Because of that confession, you came. Don’t deny it, you care about me because you have never done so much for anyone else. Plus, there are bloodshot lines in your eyes and you have dark circles beneath them. Even if it’s just to clear my name for the sake of our shared interests, you wouldn’t have overworked yourself like this. You know that the re-evaluation request has to be made within fifteen days…
“I just don’t want to let things drag on.” Ji Baijian responded in a muted tone. So, he admitted that he had spent sleepless nights dealing with her case because of her. “Ji Baijian.” Song Zhizhi reached out again, putting her index finger on his enticing lips.
Ji Baijian looked down at her finger.
Song Zhizhi said, “Don’t speak. As long as you don’t speak, I’ll assume you love me.”
Ji Baijian pursed his lips.
That subtle movement felt as if he was kissing her finger.
Her heart skipped a beat.
This feeling, it must be love.
She could barely believe that she had fallen in love with another man so quickly.
After falling into Yi Wenhan’s trap, she thought her heart would be guarded for years to come.
She speculated that it must have been Ji Baijian’s charm.
The allure was too strong; she couldn’t resist it.
She gazed deep into his eyes, her voice filled with affection, “I love you, Ji Baijian.”
It seemed Ji Baijian’s throat bobbed slightly.
“The fact that I love you is real.” Song Zhizhi repeated.
The corners of Ji Baijian’s mouth seemed to curve upwards. His long, nimble fingers threaded through her hair, pulling her hand away. Leaning in, he whispered in her ear, “I know, kid.” His voice was entrancing.
That smooth term of endearment, “kid”, felt strangely familiar for a moment.
But on second thought, she couldn’t remember why.
The car traveled smoothly, pulling up to the Song Family’s secondary house.
Everyone got out of the car.
Song Zhidao looked at Ji Baijian, grumbling, “Are you planning on following us inside?”
“Do you have a problem with that?” Ji Baijian asked.
“Listening to you both prattle over your romance the entire journey was nauseating. Even if you disregard me, a newly adult college student, you should have at least considered that there’s a nun here!” Song Zhidao was displeased.
There was an unmistakable sour undertone to his words, as if his sister had been stolen from him.
“There’s no need to consider me. I don’t understand, anyway.” Luo Xiaolang chimed in.
Song Zhidao was rendered speechless.
This little nun was seriously boring.
Song Zhizhi laughed at that, linking her arm with Ji Baijian’s, “Let’s go. Best not to go home tonight.” With that, she dragged Ji Baijian inside before Song Zhidao could protest.
Watching their retreating figures, Song Zhidao grumbled, “You throw away water when you throw away an old wife – she’s already someone else’s water even before she’s ‘thrown away’!”
‘What are you looking at? Even if I explain, you won’t understand.” Annoyed, Song Zhidao stormed off inside.
Luo Xiaolang shrugged.
Indeed, she didn’t understand.
All she knew was when she left the Martial Art World, her master warned her not to let emotions interfere, lest she be hurt; a pain worse than a knife wound. She had experienced knife wounds, and they were painful indeed.
So she always heeded her master’s words.
Meanwhile, inside the secondary house,
Ji Baijian had gathered all the evidence for the case. Once sorted, he asked, “When will you apply for re-evaluation?”
“The day after I receive the verdict.”
“But for the application to be accepted, you need to provide valid evidence.”
“Are you worried that the evidence will be leaked once I submit it?” asked Song Zhizhi.
“Yes. We still don’t know how powerful Nie Wenzhi’s connections are. Plus, haven’t you mentioned you suspect Nie Wenzhi has ties with Song Wen? We have to be cautious!”
“You’re right.” Song Zhizhi nodded,” I certainly can’t submit the evidence right away. I’ll ask my father to use his influence for an urgent re-evaluation. Even if Nie Wenzhi suspects something, he won’t be prepared without knowing what evidence I have.”
“That can work.” Ji Baijian said with a nod of approval..