RPAGF Chapter 33 Arrival in Xinzheng
Chapter 33 Arrival in Xinzheng
The group exchanged glances and followed him into the house.
……
(The afternoon sun shines brightly in Xinzheng City.)
……
late at night.
Moonlight streamed through the window and fell on the stone table in the courtyard.
Zi Nu, Jing Ni, Xue Nu, and Yan Ling Ji sat around the table.
Li Wu had already put Xia Yan to bed, and Xia Yufang was also resting in the room.
Xia Bing isn't here—he said he was going out for some fresh air, but nobody knows where he went.
"He's always like this," Zi Nu said softly, her gaze fixed on the direction Xia Bing had left in.
"What?" the Snow Woman asked.
"Always protecting others," Zi Nu said, "but never saying what she needs herself."
The women fell silent.
Jingni leaned back in her chair, her gaze deep and unfathomable.
"I checked," she suddenly said. "He never sleeps soundly."
"Never feeling secure?" Yan Lingji frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I have nightmares," Jingni said softly. "I shout things that are hard to understand."
Sometimes... I'll call out a name.
"What's your name?" the Snow Woman asked.
Jingni shook her head: "I can't hear him clearly. But every time I shout, he wakes up with a start."
The women fell silent again.
"What's hidden in his heart?" Zi Nu whispered. "We don't know."
"What is he running away from?" Yan Lingji said. "Or... is he reminiscing about something?"
"So what do we do?"
The snow woman suddenly spoke.
This question silenced everyone.
A night breeze blew by, carrying away a few fallen leaves.
Under the moonlight, the four women all wore the same expression—worry, confusion, and a hint of something else that was hard to define.
They didn't know the answer.
……
(Some people became family from that moment on.)
into the night.
After everyone left, Zi Nu stayed behind.
"Miss Zi Nu?" Xia Bing was somewhat surprised. "Why aren't you leaving yet?"
"I have something to tell you," Zi Nu said, looking at him. "Let's talk privately."
Xia Bing looked at her and nodded.
"Let's go sit in the yard."
The two entered the courtyard, where the moonlight shone on the ground, making it feel exceptionally cold and serene.
"Sit down." Xia Bing sat down on the stone bench. "What is it?"
Zi Nu sat down next to him and remained silent for a while.
"Xia Bing," she suddenly spoke, "what do you think of me?"
"What, how is it?"
"Well..." Zi Nu looked at him, "what do you think of me?"
Xia Bing glanced at her.
Under the moonlight, Zi Nu's profile was beautiful.
Her purple hair swayed gently in the night breeze, making her look exceptionally alluring.
"You're very good," he said. "Smart, capable, and beautiful."
"That's all?"
"And also..." Xia Bing thought for a moment, "deeply calculating and scheming."
Zi Nu was stunned for a moment.
Can't you say something good about me?
"These are all good things," Xia Bing smiled. "In this world, being smart and shrewd is an advantage."
Zi Nu fell silent.
She looked down at her hands, lost in thought.
"Miss Zi Nu," Xia Bing spoke, "is there something you want to say?"
"...Yes." Zi Nu nodded, "but I don't know how to say it."
"Say what you want to say," Xia Bing said. "I don't mind listening."
Zi Nu raised her head and looked at him.
"Xia Bing, I have a question for you."
"ask."
Do you... have me in your heart?
Xia Bing was stunned for a moment.
"Miss Zi Nu, what do you mean by that?"
"You know what I mean," Zi Nu looked at him, "I want to know how you feel about me."
Xia Bing fell silent.
He has been avoiding this question.
Because he knew that Zi Nu had feelings for him.
He could tell from their very first meeting.
But he has not given a direct response.
"Miss Zi Nu," he began, "I don't want to lie to you."
"Then tell the truth."
"Okay." Xia Bing took a deep breath. "I...have feelings for you."
"Feelings for him?"
"Mmm." Xia Bing nodded. "You're very beautiful and intelligent. It's very comfortable chatting with you."
"but……"
"But what?"
"But feelings of affection are just feelings of affection," Xia Bing said, looking at her. "I can't make you any promises."
Why?
"Because..." Xia Bing smiled bitterly, "I already have enough women around me."
"If we add another one, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it."
Zi Nu looked at him with a complicated expression.
"Are you really that direct?"
"I don't like beating around the bush," Xia Bing said. "Lying to you is not something I want to do."
Zi Nu fell silent.
She lowered her head, lost in thought.
"Xia Bing," she suddenly said.
"Um?"
Do you know why I stayed at Zilan Pavilion?
Why?
"Because..." Zi Nu raised her head and looked at him, "I was waiting for you."
Xia Bing was stunned.
"wait for me?"
"Yes." Zi Nu nodded. "From the first time we met, I knew you weren't an ordinary person."
"I want to see how far you'll go."
"And then..." she smiled bitterly, "and then I got hooked."
"Miss Purple Maiden..."
"Stop talking," Zi Nu interrupted him. "I know what you want to say."
"You have too many women around you, you can't spare any time for me."
"Is it right?"
Xia Bing was speechless.
Because what Zi Nu said was indeed his idea.
"But I don't regret it." Zi Nu suddenly smiled.
"What?" Xia Bing was somewhat surprised.
"I said, I don't regret it." Zi Nu looked at him. "Liking you was my own choice."
Even if you can't give me a promise, I won't regret it.
Xia Bing looked at her.
Under the moonlight, Zi Nu's eyes shone brightly.
Her smile was tinged with melancholy, but more so with composure.
"Miss Purple Maiden..."
"Just call me Zi Nu," Zi Nu interrupted him. "Don't call me 'Miss,' it sounds too formal."
"Okay." Xia Bing nodded. "Zi Nu."
"Um."
The two stared at each other for a moment, the atmosphere somewhat awkward.
"Xia Bing," Zi Nu suddenly spoke.
"Um?"