CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 103: ARE WE TRULY IN LOVE?

"Xie Jiuxiao? How did you grow up so fast? Just a second ago, you were a cute little boy, and now you’ve grown up, not cute at all."

Yu Nianzhao couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful, Xie Jiuxiao was much easier to deceive when he was younger.

"A second ago?" Xie Jiuxiao raised an eyebrow, a spark igniting in his dark eyes, "You clearly disappeared for ten years, yet you tell me it was just a few seconds for you?"

"Uh... are you angry?"

"What else? Should I be happy?"

"tsk, shouldn’t you be happy seeing the fairy sister? Really, you’ve become sharp-tongued as you grew up, your little mouth should be smeared with honey to be likable."

"Hmph, you said you would take me away, but then you vanished right before my eyes, and I haven’t stopped looking for you in ten years. How do you think I should feel?"

"You’ve been looking for me all this time?" Yu Nianzhao pointed to herself, whispered, "Jiu’s dream is a bit too realistic, searching for me in a dream for ten years, that’s some dedication."

"Yes, I’ve been looking for you." Xie Jiuxiao lowered his gaze, the disappointment in his tone was heartrending.

"I really didn’t mean to, Xie Jiuxiao, this is just a dream. We are all on the Underworld Road, I need to take you away from here, otherwise, you will die."

Yu Nianzhao felt her head spinning for a moment, a peculiar sense of reality.

"Dream?"

Xie Jiuxiao mockingly curled his lips, "Everything here feels so real, yet you tell me it’s a dream. Do you think I will believe it? Or is this another of your lies?"

"I’m really not lying to you, you need to wake up a bit."

Yu Nianzhao glanced at the reddening sky, gritted her teeth, and directly pounced onto Xie Jiuxiao, vigorously patting his cheek.

Xie Jiuxiao’s entire body tensed, instinctively catching Yu Nianzhao’s body, awkwardly holding her slim waist, while letting her slap his cheek.

"Hiss..."

The spectators gasped, it was their first time seeing someone touch Prince Su, let alone dare to slap his face, this was beyond bold, it was practically suicidal!

"You better behave!"

Xie Jiuxiao squeezed the words through his teeth, his deep eyes swirling with intense danger.

"I’m very well-behaved, truly, I’m telling you something that concerns your life, hurry up and wake up, leave this dream quickly."

Yu Nianzhao realized that in this dream, the sensation in her hands was frighteningly real.

No wonder Xie Jiuxiao was so absorbed in it, in his heart, it was a repeated memory without her.

"I am very awake!" Xie Jiuxiao took a deep breath, pinching her soft hand, "This time, you absolutely cannot escape from me!"

Thus, under the watchful eyes of many, Yu Nianzhao was bound and taken away by Xie Jiuxiao.

"Ms Jiang, I want some Longjing shrimp, sweet and sour ribs, and the tofu soup you make yourself." Familiar with Prince Su Mansion, Yu Nianzhao sat directly on a chair with her legs crossed, rattling off a list before Ms Jiang could approach her eagerly.

Ms Jiang was stunned, belatedly responded, "Okay, okay, old slave will cook right away."

The flamboyant Dongfang Chenyuan seemed much younger now, shaking his fan with an ambiguous smile, was about to speak when Yu Nianzhao interrupted.

"Put away that sleazy smile, and clean out the rubbish in your mind! How did the Dongfang Family end up with someone who only imagines things like you, move aside!"

"Prince, I haven’t even said anything yet."

Dongfang Chenyuan was baffled, aggrievedly complained to Xie Jiuxiao.

Xie Jiuxiao ignored him, his eyes firmly fixed on Yu Nianzhao.

"Xie Jiuxiao, I’ve already told you, this is just a dream. I came to pull you out, I will live in Prince Su Mansion in the future, so I know everyone and everything here. If you don’t believe me, I can tell you more."

Yu Nianzhao ignited a Fire Talisman, burning off the ropes binding her.

Rubbing her wrist, Yu Nianzhao walked over and patted his shoulder, "Do you believe I’m a fairy, or do you believe this is just a dream?"

"...Neither." Xie Jiuxiao looked at her for a long time before suppressing his voice to answer.

"tsk, then don’t blame me for being rude."

The dark red sky was getting stronger, clearly not a good sign, Yu Nianzhao stopped talking, slapped a talisman onto Xie Jiuxiao, the Soul Separation Talisman’s effect made his soul nearly leave his body, the pain of Evil Qi penetrated deeply, causing him to kneel on one knee.

"What did you do to the Prince?" Mu Hongxuan drew his sword and charged at Yu Nianzhao.

Yu Nianzhao showed no intention to dodge, Xie Jiuxiao suddenly stood up, grasping the blade with one hand, blood dripping onto the ground.

Mu Hongxuan’s face turned pale, "Prince, you are injured."

"Step down!"

"This..."

"I don’t like to say it twice!"

"Yes!"

Once everyone retreated, Xie Jiuxiao raised his hand, looking at his wound, saying, "Is this instinct?"

"What?" Yu Nianzhao asked, puzzled by his meaning.

"Protecting you seems like an instinct of mine." Xie Jiuxiao pressed his thin lips, "So, is this truly my dream?"

"It certainly is."

"In reality, who are you to me?"

"Your future wife!" Yu Nianzhao blurted, "Your future Princess Consort Su."

"Are we truly in love?" Xie Jiuxiao stared at her, bluntly asked.

Yu Nianzhao had a peculiar expression, "Not really..."

Xie Jiuxiao lowered his gaze, laughed self-mockingly, "I see, I’m injured now and you seem indifferent, indeed not like true love. Are we engaged?"

"No, we’re not engaged, more like... mutually beneficial."

"But what I feel for you isn’t just mutual benefit." Xie Jiuxiao tore a piece of clothing to simply wrap his injured hand, "At least, I would never take a sword for a stranger."

Yu Nianzhao blinked her beautiful eyes, grabbed Xie Jiuxiao’s hand, "So, do you like me?"

Xie Jiuxiao froze, he hadn’t expected Yu Nianzhao to ask so directly.

"I... won’t tell you." Faced with her clear and pure eyes, devoid of love, Xie Jiuxiao felt stifled, pursed his thin lips, refusing to answer her, stubbornly.

Yu Nianzhao didn’t press him further.

She was the young King of Hell, loved all beings, clear in affection and aversion!

The old King Yan had taught her about great love, but never little love.

"If you won’t say it, so be it. Love is a double-edged sword, I’ve seen too many examples. Even if someone wants to try, it’s alright to seek out someone and experience it, just quickly detach when needed." Yu Nianzhao shrugged, her words shocking.

A nameless anger rose in Xie Jiuxiao’s heart, he pinched her waist, gritted his teeth, "Don’t you dare!"