CHAPTER 296: CHAPTER 293 RESPONSE

Song Xian felt as though all the blood in his body suddenly surged into his chest, the whole person pulled by an unexpected joy, a feeling he had never experienced before, leaving him in a daze.

He could hear nothing else, think of nothing, as if all his spirit was focused on one point.

Listening to her talk, watching every subtle expression of hers.

After the initial joy, he suddenly felt a little scared, scared she would explain this "difference".

After all, when one hopes too much for something, there is a risk of misunderstanding.

She might say that because she owed him, things were different, or she might say that being the main general of the Western campaign naturally made him different from others.

Thinking of this, Song Xian almost couldn’t breathe; he stood there stiffly, waiting, letting time pass by little by little.

Seeing her press her lips together, not speaking further, hesitating for a moment, but keeping her eyes on his face.

She didn’t explain.

"I’ve given you time," Song Xian’s voice was even hoarser than before.

Xie Liangchen nodded, her silhouette softer than usual, but there was no dodging or timidity.

The wind rustled the leaves, like something jumping in the silent night.

Xie Liangchen did not want to explain anymore, nor find excuses. The worry along the way, the urgency upon hearing of his injury, the heartache seeing him in the military tent, could not deceive anyone.

At some point, she took it to heart, unable to ignore it any longer.

Xie Liangchen wanted to relax a bit, but she had to admit, Song Xian had great timing, asking relentless questions just when she was anxious, leaving her no retreat.

Song Xian watched the subtle blush on her cheeks, wanting to disregard everything, letting go of all considerations.

He struggled to restrain himself, to maintain clarity; she finally spoke, after all, how could he give her a chance to shrink back?

Song Xian asked, "I’ll ask again, did you come to the West Pass for me or someone else?"

He wanted a definite answer.

She obviously still had many concerns; his future and the future she envisioned did not actually align, but when ripples spread across the lake of the heart, how could one not be moved by them?

Xie Liangchen replied, "You."

For you, though not entirely, but they all knew this was the answer he wanted.

Xie Liangchen heard Song Xian’s gentle voice beside her ear, "Liangchen, can I hold you?"

She neither nodded nor refused, and then she was enveloped in a warm embrace.

The heartbeat that did not belong to her sounded.

Flustered yet grounded.

Rationality was absent, and everything gradually faded away, leaving only the rhythm of heartbeats and the lingering thrill.

His hand encircled her back, the palm pressed hot against her as if it could set her aflame.

The unfamiliar scent of pine lingers near her cheeks, yet she didn’t resist; it seemed as if her heart sighed longingly, realizing that letting someone slowly get close wasn’t as difficult as she imagined.

Not as nerve-wracking or worrying as she expected, instead, she felt small, needing such companionship and protection.

Being swayed by emotions was not a good thing, leading to weakness, and what she needed least was that. But at this moment, reason and prudence were all gone.

Let it be!

In past lifetimes, she hadn’t walked this path; the hardships, setbacks, and even tribulations she might face along the way were all concocted by her imagination. Perhaps she could make it to the end? Perhaps see a different view.

Xie Liangchen closed her eyes, reaching out to gently grasp the corner of Song Xian’s clothing.

In her ears, their heartbeats gradually synchronized.

Song Xian only felt that the person in his embrace was so soft. He knew this softness was hard-earned; no matter how gentle she was in front of others, it was because she was needed—caring for Old Mrs. Chen, Chen Zigeng, the people of the Chen Family Village, even becoming Sister Chen of all Zhenzhou. She knew how to care for others, help them through crises.

But her heart wasn’t as soft as it appeared; on the contrary, she was like the winter’s ice and snow, permitting no one to come closer, her bone-chilling coldness making others tremble.

Now she was finally in his arms, slowly melting, drip by drip becoming a flowing stream that gently coursed through his heart, immersing him within.

Indeed, what the storybooks say about an eternity in a moment is true.

The time is timeless, yet the heart has boundaries; upon meeting that person, here it ends.

Song Xian wanted to laugh, to hell with calmness and composure. There was only joy and delight.

No wonder people fear death, for the world is so breathtakingly wonderful, making the journey worthwhile.

Not knowing how long had passed, Xie Liangchen lifted her head from Song Xian’s embrace.

"Are you okay?" Xie Liangchen asked, "You haven’t yet recovered from your fever, and you still have injuries; lie down and rest now."

Reluctantly, Song Xian released his embrace, lowering his head to look at her.

Her eyes were bright, sparkling with fragmented light, like a clear bright moon.

Song Xian lay down, yet his gaze remained fixed on her, his hand still clasping hers unwilling to let go.

Xie Liangchen met his gaze, unsure what to say, and after a moment, said, "The knife wound by your ribs is serious, you’ll need to recuperate for some days."

Song Xian agreed, "Alright."

Xie Liangchen continued, "I’m afraid your inner organs suffered some damage too. Does your chest hurt when you breathe?"

Song Xian said, "It hurt before... now I don’t know."

What do you mean you don’t know now?

Before Xie Liangchen could ask, Song Xian explained, "I can’t feel it." Can only feel the heart racing, blood surging, nothing else.

Xie Liangchen caught his meaning, coughing slightly and lowering her gaze, "General Cheng said that Han Wei still has thousands of troops outside. He’ll take people to fight them, so you don’t need to lead with your injuries for the next few days."

Song Xian said, "Call him Cheng Er."

"Hmm?" Xie Liangchen was puzzled.

Song Xian said, "You call him General Cheng, he wouldn’t dare acknowledge it."

Xie Liangchen’s gaze swept over Song Xian’s face, "Is that all you heard? I was saying..."

Song Xian laughed, "I know."

While speaking, his hand tightened a bit, his thumb gently rubbing the back of hers.

Song Xian said, "Are you tired? Coming all the way from Zhenzhou to Xinzhou, and then rushing here to see me, you look thinner, but now that I’m awake, you can go rest a while."

The one who’s thinner isn’t her, and besides... Xie Liangchen now realized that Song Xian revealed his true nature after drinking.

Truly thick-skinned.

How did it become that she rushed from Xinzhou to see him?

"Not tired," Xie Liangchen said, "I’ll leave once your fever is gone."

The battle is crucial, and Song Xian still needs to lead troops into battle. Thinking about it, he wouldn’t be able to rest for long. His wounds can’t heal in a few days, but he must get rid of the fever; otherwise, going into battle with an illness is far too dangerous.

Not knowing what the situation was when Song Xian attacked the eight states in the previous life, whether...

Song Xian said, "I was injured too, hastily bandaging up, and then went back to battle. At Xianzhou, I captured Han Wei. Although nothing happened then, after the court’s reinforcements arrived, I was sick for over a month. In comparison, the situation now is better."

"Especially with you by my side."