The group quickly dismounted from the carriage, with Yang Ming and Xiaoxiao rushing ahead, eager to return to their quarters; it seemed as if they had some urgent matters to attend to, leaving Chu Lian and Wang Xiangxiang speechless in their wake.
Seeing Xiaoxiao following Yang Ming into his room, Wang Xiangxiang realized she likely wouldn’t be able to spend the night with her and thus returned to her own room. Just as she was about to close the door, she heard Chu Lian’s voice, "Xiangxiang, I have something to say to you."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiangxiang’s heart pounded fiercely. He had called her ’Xiangxiang’ several times that evening. Not just tonight, but he had frequently done so over the past few days, and he had taken great care of her. What exactly did he want to say to her?
Her hand, poised to shut the door, stopped in its tracks, uncertain what to do.
On the other side of the door, Chu Lian’s heartbeat quickened. It was the dead of night, hardly an appropriate time, and he knew she must be tired and in need of rest. However, he couldn’t suppress the turmoil in his heart any longer; he couldn’t wait another moment. He wanted to tell her that he liked her.
Seeing that Xiangxiang made no move or response, Chu Lian pushed the door open and then closed it after entering.
Suddenly with Chu Lian inside, Wang Xiangxiang felt at a loss, stepping back as she nervously fiddled with her fingers. "What do you want to say to me?" she asked.
Chu Lian quickly stepped forward and reached out to grab her arm, turning the back-facing Wang Xiangxiang towards him.
As they looked at each other, Wang Xiangxiang was incredibly nervous; she was terrified.
Chu Lian, somewhat excited, held onto Wang Xiangxiang’s arms as he finally expressed the thoughts he’d been harboring, "Xiangxiang, I want to tell you that I like you, and I want to marry you."
At those words, Wang Xiangxiang’s mind buzzed. What had he just said? Was she hallucinating? Chu Lian was confessing his feelings for her, saying he wanted to marry her.
Seeing no reaction from Wang Xiangxiang, Chu Lian grew anxious. He shook her arms slightly and repeated, "Xiangxiang, Xiangxiang, did you hear what I said? I said I like you, and I want to marry you."
Wang Xiangxiang’s eyes widened in shock. This wasn’t a hallucination; he had truly said it. She could hardly believe it; did he really like her? Speaking nervously, her voice trembled slightly, "But didn’t you like Xiaoxiao? How can this be?"
As soon as she mentioned Xiaoxiao, Chu Lian grew even more agitated, fearing a misunderstanding, and he hurriedly denied it, "I don’t like her, I only like you."
Wang Xiangxiang’s heart raced wildly, because the man she liked was now professing his love for her. Yet it all felt so unreal to her, something she had longed for but never thought feasible, especially after what had transpired. Shaking her head frantically, she growled lowly, "No, I don’t believe it."
Seeing Wang Xiangxiang’s current reaction, Chu Lian’s heart ached, "Xiangxiang, please calm down and listen to me."
Wang Xiangxiang then fell quiet, listening as Chu Lian continued, "You may not believe it, but it’s the truth. I’ve never liked anyone before and didn’t know what it meant to like someone. After meeting Xiaoxiao, I found her to be unique and thought that was what liking someone meant."
"But since I met you, my heart has been constantly swayed by you, even my temper has been influenced by you. Although I never admitted it, you are the one I think about when I open and close my eyes, the one in my dreams. I am absolutely certain now; my feelings for you are the affection between a man and a woman."