Ci Jinzhi

 If I call you Qingxiao, you will find out that I like you.

The girl's whisper was as light as a feather, but it struck He Qingxiao's heart like thunder, breaking his heart into countless pieces.

Is it an illusion?

He raised his hand and put it on his heart, feeling the rapid heartbeat, but it still felt unreal. He stretched out his hand and moved closer to the girl's lips.

Her lips were warm due to fever, and her hot breath sprayed on the man's slender and strong fingers, really.

 Ayou...like him?

 He Qingxiao couldn't believe what he heard with his own ears.

 What do you like about him?

From an early age, I have lost my father and mother. I am so lucky that I have a noble identity but has no corresponding family background.

 What is it about him like this that Ayou likes?

The flames rolled around the branches, making a slight crackling sound, and also illuminated the man's face.

His face is as white as cold jade, and his eyes are cold. If you look closely, there is a fire dancing in the cold eyes.

 The bonfire on the side came into his eyes, and the fire in his heart broke through the cage, leaving him at a loss as to what to do.

 “Congratulations to Qingxiao.”

"I...here." He Qingxiao held the girl's hand.

 “It’s really dark.”

"Well, it's night, and it will be bright when the day comes." Although he knew that she was talking nonsense because of the fever, he answered patiently.

 “Congratulations to Qingxiao.”

"I am here."

 “I think... you like Ayou too.”

　　This time, the answer was a little long and the voice was a little low: "Yes, I like Ah You too."

 He is not a tree, a tree, or a stone. How could he not like such a smart, tough, and kind-hearted girl?

“It’s a pity that we met in the capital—”

He Qingxiao heard that she had not finished her words and waited quietly for her to continue.

The girl with slightly closed eyes raised her lips and said softly: "If we had met before, I would want you to be my husband..."

He Qingxiao was stunned.

 As sharp as he is, how can he not understand the meaning of these words?

He stared at her face, feeling relieved, more of an empty feeling.

 It was as if there was a hole in his heart, and the cold wind that made him wake up was poured in.

 There is no if in this world.

They met in the capital. She was a golden girl who lost her mother and wanted to take revenge. He was a lonely minister with a sensitive life experience who accompanied the emperor. She had no intention of wanting him, and he couldn't protect her under his wings.

 “Congratulations to Qingxiao.”

"Um."

 “I’m actually a little sad…”

He Qingxiao waited quietly for a long time before Xin You could continue. Her breathing became long and she fell into a deep sleep.

 He soaked the veil in water again and put a cold compress on her forehead.

It was late at night, and the sound of wind mixed with the howling of wolves entered the cave, but it was insignificant under the warmth of the bonfire.

He Qingxiao stared at the sleeping girl intently.

She frowned, obviously feeling uncomfortable.

 He thought that she had said half of what she said.

 Ayou is sad that they are not destined to become husband and wife?

 After a while, He Qingxiao carefully lay down next to Xin You.

He thought, this is how it would be when a husband and wife sleep together in the same bed.

　　The night was very long, but also very short. The bonfire was quietly extinguished, and the morning light poured in from the entrance of the cave.

Xin You had a splitting headache and felt the coolness coming from his lips.

 “Ayou, drink some water, let’s set off.” A man’s voice came to his ears.

Xin You suddenly opened his eyes and stared blankly at the face above him: "...Master He?" He Qingxiao was so familiar with the title, but He Qingxiao was stunned for a moment, and then asked with a smile: "Do you feel better?"

Xin You struggled to sit up, and He Qingxiao hurriedly helped her up.

 “I’ve been asleep until now?”

“Well, you have a fever and it hasn’t gone down yet. Let’s set off as early as possible and try to get out of this mountain before dark.”

Xin You looked suspiciously at the man who spoke calmly: "Master He just called me... Ah You?"

 “Miss Xin heard wrongly.”

"No, I heard it." Xin You said firmly.

 She slept all night, and although her brain was still a little unclear, there was no problem with her hearing.

 Why did Mr. He suddenly sound so...affectionate?

Xin You shook his groggy head slightly, his face changing slightly.

 Could it be that she was confused and said something random?

 She quietly glanced at He Qingxiao's expression.

 He looked normal, nothing unusual.

No, no, no, she knows Master He well after being in contact with him for so long, so she can’t just take him at face value.

“Did I ask Mr. He to call him that?”

As soon as Xin You said these words, it was obvious that He Qingxiao tensed up instantly.

The memory of kissing him emerged. She raised her hand to touch her forehead and lost the courage to ask any more questions.

  She was sure that she was talking nonsense.

By this time, He Qingxiao was sure that Xin You didn't remember those words. He couldn't tell whether he was happy or disappointed. He couldn't bear her random thoughts and calmly explained: "Miss Xin felt that only the late empress would call you Ayou, so I took it upon myself to call you Ayou." , I hope you don’t mind.”

Xin You lowered her eyes slightly, then raised her eyes for a while to look into those clean eyes: "Is that so?"

 In order not to embarrass her, Mr. He was really considerate and considerate.

"Well. Let's eat something first. Only when you are full can you have energy." He Qingxiao changed the subject.

Xinyou smelled the fragrance belatedly: "Grilled fish?"

There are two fatty fish roasted to golden brown on the bonfire nearby. You can tell at a glance that the fire is just right and the taste is good.

Xin You always had an inexplicable admiration for people who were good at cooking, and her eyes suddenly brightened when she looked at He Qingxiao.

 He Qingxiao carefully picked out the fish meat and handed it to her lips.

Xin You was weak and unpretentious. He opened his mouth and ate the fish meat, frowning.

He Qingxiao apologized upon seeing this: "There is no salt, the taste is a bit worse."

"No." Xin You smiled bitterly, "My throat hurts."

Even so, she knew that she had to eat more to regain her strength. She endured the discomfort and ate a fish, drank water, and even had two sweet and sour wild fruits to relieve her tiredness.

On the way out, Xin You lay on He Qingxiao’s back and asked, “Did Mr. He stay up all night?”

To take care of her who had a fever, she also brought fish, picked wild fruits, and made bamboo tubes to collect water.

"Don't worry, my body can handle it. In the past, when I went to Beijing on business, it was common to eat and sleep in the open."

Xin You calmed down and rested her head on He Qingxiao's shoulder, quietly watching the beads of sweat fall from his forehead and disappear into his clothes along his neck.

 The memory of the accident is restored little by little.

 “Thank you, Mr. He, for saving me.”

“Miss Xin doesn’t need to take it to heart about her responsibilities.”

“Even if it’s my duty, Mr. He shouldn’t just jump off with me. What if something happens to you too?” Xin You’s heart felt heavy when she thought of the scene where he jumped off without hesitation.

 “Don’t worry, Miss Xin, I’m sensible.”

Xinyou pursed her lips.

If he hadn’t remembered everything, listening to his flat tone, he would have concealed it.

 Yes, she remembered.

 He said that he also likes Ayou.

Xinyou closed her eyes and listened to her own heartbeat.

 He responded to all her nonsense.