"I’ve forgotten what I just said." Gu Qingheng’s hand resting on his knee clenched and then released, repeating the action again and again. This girl always spoke so close to him—this was the real test of his self-control, "Could you remind me?"
"You..." Yang Ruxin was at a loss for words.
"Since you’ve also forgotten... then..." Gu Qingheng smiled faintly, "Let’s start learning now." As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and picked up the "Three-Character Classic" from the table next to him, "Repeat after me: People at their birth..."
Yang Ruxin took a deep breath, made a face at Gu Qingheng, and then nodded her head with slight disappointment: "Fine, have it your way." Then she began to recite, "People at their birth are naturally good..."
Gu Yao, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, let out a sigh of relief. He had noticed that earlier this woman was staring at his older brother with eyes that seemed too much like Yang Baihe’s when she used to gaze at Prince Eight—terrifying. Now that things were better, his older brother was finally safe.
As both of them had calmed down, the following time of teaching should have become very cozy, yet Yang Ruxin found herself entirely unable to settle down. Gu Qingheng’s handsome face flickered before her eyes, and his voice, tinged with a huskiness due to restraint, echoed in her mind, making her unable to pay attention to what he was actually reading.
"Focus." Gu Qingheng suddenly lifted his hand, tapping Yang Ruxin’s head accurately.
Yang Ruxin jumped, rubbing her head with a sense of grievance, then suddenly stood up: "Gu Qingheng, I must ask you a question, or I simply can’t concentrate."
Gu Qingheng raised his eyebrows slightly, then nodded.
"I want to ask you..." Yang Ruxin bit her lip, "Do you like me?" She was not one to play games; she felt that if there was something, it needed to be said. Otherwise, what if she missed the chance? Although she had never married in her previous life, she had liked someone, but before she could confess, she fell into a storm drain and became Yang Dani. Previously, it had all been said in jest, but at this moment, she suddenly wanted to clear the air.
Gu Qingheng’s face inevitably flushed: "Why do you ask that?"
"Because I think you like me." Yang Ruxin raised an eyebrow, "Otherwise, why do you blush every time you talk to me? Is it not because you’re shy?"
"I..." Gu Qingheng truly felt embarrassed.
"Come on, say it." Yang Ruxin asked and had decided she wanted an answer, her heart filled with anticipation, yet also nervous.
"I..." Gu Qingheng sighed slightly, "I do indeed like you, just like I like Gu Yao..."
"Gu... Gu Yao?" Yang Ruxin frowned, "You’re comparing me with Gu Yao?"
Gu Qingheng looked down silently, not saying a word. In his heart, he yearned to express his true feelings. He had confessed before under the guise of joking, but now, when the topic was brought up seriously, he still chickened out, because his current situation was such that... he did not want to be a burden to her.
But if Dao Xuzi, the senior, examined him and even said there was a half chance of recovery, he would confess. But for now...
He sighed inwardly, deciding to wait a bit longer.
Yang Ruxin stood with her hands on her hip, staring at the man before her. Finally, after a long while, she exhaled: "Alright then."
"So..." Gu Qingheng hesitated for a moment, "Do you like me?" After he asked, he felt his heart start pounding wildly.