Jiang Shouzhong could see that the woman was deliberately avoiding a certain topic, and he did not dare to inquire further, so he went along with her conversation, lightening the atmosphere a bit.
In fact, their behavior at that mont was no different from that of a normal married couple.
It was as if a serene wife lovingly leaned against her husband’s warm and solid chest, whispering sweet nothings, sharing intimate endearnts only aningful to each other.
The air was filled with a faint warmth and tenderness, as if ti itself had paused.
Yet, neither of them pierced that layer of window paper.
"Actually, from childhood to adulthood, I didn’t have any friends. I didn’t have any in the Sect either, so I am very happy to have such a sister with whom I can share my heart."
Ran Qingchen smiled gently, recalling the ti Qu Hongling had co to find her late at night, and softly said, "Her identity might be sensitive, but I don’t mind."
Jiang Shouzhong laughed, "What is truly precious is having a close friend; at least you won’t be lonely."
Given Ran Qingchen’s cold and proud nature, finding a friend was indeed rare.
Jiang Shouzhong was genuinely happy for her.
"Jiang Mo, my sworn sister said..."
Ran Qingchen’s lips parted slightly, but then she hesitated.
Jiang Shouzhong knew she was about to touch on the main topic and quietly waited for her to speak.
Ran Qingchen, oh Ran Qingchen, what is there to fear, just say it. You had agreed so well in front of your sworn sister, how co you are so timid now... the woman secretly encouraged herself.
But emotions brew for a while, and Ran Qingchen still didn’t dare to reveal her feelings directly, only hinting:
"My sworn sister said, one should try to explore their feelings, even if it ends in failure, it’s better than missing out... what do you think?"
The chronically sunless shadows lightly dappled upon the woman’s delicate and graceful face, softly filtered through the sparse branches, tenderly slicing open layers of delicate emotions hidden at the very depths of her heart.
The woman nervously clenched her dress, avoiding his gaze.
"She’s right."
Jiang Shouzhong’s fingers gently brushed through her smooth, cool strands of hair, smiling as he spoke.
The man’s response greatly disappointed the woman.
She was afraid to take that step, so she was hoping he would take the initiative.
But what she didn’t know was that because of past inconsistencies, Jiang Shouzhong also dared not take that step lightly.
Both were waiting.
Both were afraid that taking the initiative would result in re false hopes.
Silence.
Another long silence.
Ran Qingchen took a deep breath, looked up with a piercing gaze at the man’s face, and decided to take the first step, "So I think, I..."
Suddenly, a sharp, heart-wrenching pain surged in her chest, as if fine threads were wrapping around her heart, gently twisting, pain reaching her bones.
Ran Qingchen involuntarily frowned and gasped in cold sweat.
"What’s wrong?"
Jiang Shouzhong’s expression changed, he quickly asked with concern.
Ran Qingchen felt her heart pounding severely, like ice cracking, a hidden pain spreading throughout her body.
Fortunately, the pain slowly subsided after a while.
Ran Qingchen rembered what the silver-haired woman had said, and once again, fear surged within her.
"Has the injury worsened?"
Jiang Shouzhong asked.
Ran Qingchen, trembling, grabbed Jiang Shouzhong’s robe, about to say sothing, when suddenly a shout ca from the other side of the tree hole: "Jiang Mo!"
Hearing this shout, not knowing from where strength ca, Ran Qingchen broke free from the man’s embrace.
Standing aside.
But the mont she broke free, she regretted it.
This was a perfect opportunity; she should have let Li Nanshuang see it.
She instinctively leaned forward, wanting to fall back into the man’s arms again, but her modesty made her hesitate several tis, and ultimately she did not dare, awkwardly adjusting her hair at her ear.
The woman was annoyed and angry, mostly at herself.
Li Nanshuang climbed out of the cave and imdiately saw the two.
Seeing Ran Qingchen safe and sound, Li Nanshuang ran up and hugged her: "Silly Mugua, I thought you were dead, I even cried for you."
"You cried for ?"
Ran Qingchen rolled her eyes, though her heart felt warm.
Li Nanshuang was a straightforward person, unable to hide too many emotions; she could feel that this woman truly cared about her.
"If you don’t believe , ask Asking Dao."
Li Nanshuang pouted, but then stood with hands on hips, "Never mind, I wouldn’t cry anyway."
Ran Qingchen smiled and playfully flicked the girl’s rosy cheek: "You were always a crybaby as a child."
"You’re the crybaby!"
Li Nanshuang snorted coldly and turned to to Jiang Shouzhong with a concerned inquiry, "Asking Dao, you weren’t hurt, were you?"
Jiang Shouzhong was still concerned about Ran Qingchen’s condition, but seeing that she had regained strength to stand, his hanging heart slightly settled, he shook his head and said, "I’m fine, it’s just that Qingchen’s injuries are quite severe. Boss, how did you find your way here?"
"Don’t even ntion, that broken path I chose really screwed over."
Li Nanshuang complained, "After going in, it was a huge maze, I almost got trapped and couldn’t get out. Nothing but walls and doors, twisting and turning endlessly."
"Then how did you get out?" Jiang Shouzhong curiously asked.
Li Nanshuang scratched her head with a puzzled expression:
"I don’t know, just wandered aimlessly, and sohow strangely made my way out. I saw you hadn’t co out, so I ca looking for you. Oh right..."
Li Nanshuang took out a brass lamp and handed it to Jiang Shouzhong, "I picked this thing up in the maze; I don’t know if it’s a treasure since nothing unusual was observed, so I’m giving it to you."
Jiang Shouzhong accepted the brass lamp.
This lamp was much smaller than the usual lamp, lacking both oil and wick, with a piece missing from the bottom.
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