vstars Chapter 21
Chapter 21
She was born cautious and prudent, and her environment instilled in her a high degree of sensitivity, forcing her to be wary of everyone around her and to find the truth from the slightest clues.
She had feelings for Liu Qishan, so she valued him highly and tried to trust him, trusting this gentle yet resilient man.
That's why she reacted so strongly when Liu Qishan said those words to test her. She didn't want the first person she wanted to trust to betray her. How could he?!
She didn't want them to end up never seeing each other again!
Liu Qishan seemed to be frightened, his body began to tremble slightly. He tilted his head back, his fair neck was long and delicate, and his pale lips were tightly pursed, as if he was suppressing something.
But why would Liu Qishan be afraid?
Why was he trembling?
Nalan Jingwen's eyes were cold and deep. He squatted down and gently pulled him into his arms.
The body in her arms trembled uncontrollably, her hands clenched into fists and braced against the ground, her eyes red.
Nalan Jingwen seemed oblivious, lovingly stroking his cascading black hair, her voice low and seductive, yet tinged with a hint of ruthlessness.
It was whispered in Liu Qishan's ear, as if coaxing him.
"Listen to me, and never betray me, okay?"
The person in his arms did not answer, his body still trembling. Nalan Jingwen patted his thin back again and again to comfort him, the deep look in his eyes disappearing in an instant.
Liu Qishan cautiously reached out, his arms trembling, but he wrapped his arms around the woman's slender waist, gripping her clothes tightly with an unusually strong force, as if he were suppressing something.
Nalan Jingwen was not in a hurry and waited for him to calm down.
She said those words on purpose, hoping that Liu Qishan would not do something he knew was impossible, and that he would not do something that both of them would regret. It was a warning and a reprimand.
After all, she genuinely wanted to be with him and spend her life with him.
Mortals live for no more than a hundred years, and they cannot choose whether they live or die, but she wanted him to be with her for the rest of her life.
Liu Qishan remained silent, while Nalan Jingwen quietly embraced him. The sun had risen in the east, and its golden rays shone on the two of them, casting a warm glow upon them. But this warmth could not penetrate Liu Qishan's heart.
After an unknown amount of time, the sun was high in the sky, casting overlapping shadows that resembled lovers whispering sweet nothings to each other, full of tenderness.
"……it is good."
After saying that, as if all her strength had been drained, she leaned against Nalan Jingwen's chest, giving herself completely to her.
He slowly closed his eyes, but a tear fell unseen, sliding down into their tight embrace and disappearing silently.
Nalan Jingwen led Liu Qishan on a journey that lasted for several days, stopping frequently to rest. When they were hungry, they hunted wild game in the mountains; when they were thirsty, they drank from crystal-clear streams; and when they were tired, they rested wherever they could find shelter.
Neither of them mentioned that incident, and things were the same as before. The difference was that after that argument, Liu Qishan took the initiative, specifically by holding Nalan Jingwen's hand and interlocking their fingers.
This was also manifested in the fact that when he fell asleep at night, he would snuggle into Nalan Jingwen's arms and sleep in her embrace.
Nalan Jingwen did not refuse and naturally hugged him tightly, afraid that the mountain wind would disturb him. Even though he knew that Nalan Jingwen was a skilled doctor, he still did not want to see him suffering from illness.
Their relationship, without anyone noticing, began to grow increasingly intimate.
The bright moon hangs high in the sky, dotted with countless stars. The vast night sky is obscured by layers of branches, scattering a carpet of shattered silver.
The large cloak was almost completely draped over Liu Qishan by Nalan Jingwen, wrapping him up tightly. The night wind was cold, but back then, in the dilapidated temple, at least he could be sheltered from the wind and rain, and there was a fire to keep warm. So Liu Qishan, wearing only clothes, naturally wouldn't get sick.
But now it is truly a desolate wilderness, with no dilapidated temple to shelter from the wind and rain, only a thick cloak.
Nalan Jingwen lowered his eyes slightly, looking at the person who was nestled in his arms but had his back to him, leaving him with only the back of his head. A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes, and then he lowered his head to kiss his hair.
"It will be soon. We will be able to leave the mountain tomorrow, and then you can get some rest."
The body in his arms stiffened slightly, then he turned to face her, their breaths mingling, so close they were almost touching.
A gentle smile played on Liu Qishan's lips, and his eyes shone exceptionally brightly and captivatingly in the night.
"I'm sorry for making you suffer because of me."
Nalan Jingwen kissed those eyes gently, carefully, and tenderly.
Liu Qishan almost instinctively closed his eyes. The soft touch on his eyelids was so fleeting, and his long, distinct black eyelashes trembled. Feeling the preciousness in that kiss, he almost shed tears.
No, she shouldn't apologize. All of this was the path he chose himself. Even amidst hardship and displacement, he still knelt to thank God for his blessings.
Noticing the obvious change in Liu Qishan's emotions, Nalan Jingwen looked down to examine him, but was stunned when he met Liu's clear, moist eyes.
Liu Qishan took her hand and pressed it against his cheek. The warmth unique to Nalan Jingwen spread through his palm and heart, covering the bittersweet feeling.
He smiled gently and asked, "Do you feel like you owe me something?"
Nalan Jingwen gazed at his face under the moonlight, but did not answer.
He didn't mind, and rubbed his cheek against her palm.
"You promised to marry me, so it's not a debt you owe me."
It is voluntary.
She never owed him anything; she was just powerless to do anything. He didn't blame her; he just felt sorry for her.
Nalan Jingwen couldn't understand his expression, nor did he know why he was suddenly sad. It seemed that he was reminiscing about painful memories, but if it was painful, why did he still reminisce?
She didn't quite understand it at first.
"Liu Qishan, don't we know each other before?"
She asked the question again.
But this time Liu Qishan did not deny it. He held the hand that was covering his cheek tightly, with his usual gentle and firm smile.
"Who knows? Maybe you owed me something in your past life, and I'm here to collect the debt in this life."
This sounded like a joke, and no one would care, but Nalan Jingwen fell silent.
Past lives and present lives?
Yes, she probably is, otherwise what would she be now?
She said, "Then I'm afraid I owe you a debt of love. I've come to repay that debt by bringing us together in this life."
If it weren't for a karmic debt of love, how could she have seen Liu Qishan the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes? And how could she have, for the first time, considered spending a hundred years with someone?
"So how do you plan to pay off your debts?"
Liu Qishan asked with a smile.
Nalan Jingwen embraced him, pressing his head against her heart. Liu Qishan didn't struggle, but instead wrapped his arms around her waist, inhaling the faint fragrance emanating from her body.
"Then I will marry you and search for renowned doctors to cure your eyes."
She loved his eyes. How stunning it would be if his eyes could regain their sparkle. She didn't want him to be trapped in darkness for the rest of his life. She wanted him to see the gentle mountains and rivers, the vast universe, the rising stars, and all the beautiful scenery in the world.
Liu Qishan tightened his grip on her waist.
What if it can't be cured?
"trust me."
Liu Qishan looked up at her from her embrace.
Nalan Jingwen pursed his lips, raised his eyes and peered through the layers of treetops to catch a glimpse of the hidden stars, and sighed softly.
"Then I will be your eyes, and see all the splendor of the world for you."
Liu Qishan smiled, but did not loosen his arms around her even slightly.
"It's a word."
No matter what happens in the future, as long as he has her words in this moment, he will have no regrets, regardless of whether they can be fulfilled.