CHAPTER 422: CHAPTER 422: XIAO JIAN IS...

"Mason, she looks a lot like you did back then." After his friend said this, he was stunned, deeply gazing at this bright and smiling face, engraving it in his heart from that moment on.

Because his thorns were caused by insecurity and fear, coming to a new environment, he was wary of everything around him, disguising himself entirely in thorns so that no one would dare to bully him.

The brighter the smile, the lonelier and more fearful the heart.

Later, he stayed near the university in M Nation for a while, and many young female students tried to converse with him, among whom, unexpectedly, was her.

Arrogant yet cautiously trying to approach him, with a determined look and bold actions, but upon seeing him, she darted away faster than a rabbit, stuffing lunch boxes and envelopes into his arms, yet never giving him a chance to speak.

So much so that he couldn’t even give her a chance to strike up a conversation.

Therefore, when he heard a friend mention a masquerade ball at the university, he unprecedentedly decided to attend.

As he expected, she was there too.

With his sharp instinct, it wasn’t difficult to pick her out among the many masked individuals in a variety of costumes; just look for the one who stared at him intently, appearing bold yet too afraid to approach—that was undoubtedly her.

More importantly, he could sense her aura.

When she came to his side, extending a trembling hand, with such fair and delicate skin that the blue veins were visible, inviting him to dance, nervously waiting for his response, he recognized her and silently decided that it was her.

Because it was her, when halfway through the dance the lights suddenly went out, and he sensed her presence suddenly closing in, rather than avoiding it, he slightly bent down, allowing her kiss to meet his lips. When she intended to deepen the kiss, he didn’t push her away, instead being "easily" opened up by her.

This silly girl really thought she was taking advantage, when in fact, he was enjoying her initiative.

From that moment on, he was enamored with her taste.

Afterward, it was unstoppable!

Unfortunately, he was assigned a mission and had to leave M Nation. Back then, he thought he would have time to return and confess his feelings to her, but who would have known the Nightshade Family affairs came out of nowhere, his discharge was unexpected, and his return was sudden, just like their reunion in Country Z... was also unexpected.

Memories swirling back, Mason gazed at Aurelia Shaw’s pale face, feeling a poignant stir, involuntarily drawing his lips closer.

Aurelia suddenly opened her eyes, glaring sharply at him, her beautiful eyes slightly squinting, observing his mischievous intent.

"I meant to ask the last time." She slowly began, "Who is Xiao Jian?"

Mason was momentarily stunned, remembering she had forgotten this name, feeling both bitter and frustrated.

"Your name."

"Nonsense! My name is..."

Aurelia’s words trailed off mid-sentence as a flash of realization shot through her mind, suddenly recalling the origin of that name!

Time had passed too long, long enough for her to want to forget that period she deemed herself unfathomably foolish, and so she had forgotten she once used the name "Xiao Jian."

Back then, she had secretly stolen a deep kiss from him, yet where would she find the face to tell him her real name? However, after such a bold act, failing to leave a name seemed a disservice to herself; Cinderella and the Prince had crystal shoes for recognition; she still needed her shoes, so in a moment of panic, she just made up a name.