Huang Xuemei's expression shifted slightly, her brows furrowing. "Why?"
"First, regardless of anything, to Xiao Lin, you're still a stranger right now. He has a home he cherishes. If you suddenly reveal yourself to him, burdened with such an unexpected hatred, he might struggle to accept it all at once. It's better to take it slow, build a bond first, and then reveal the truth."
Li Daoqiang spoke earnestly, pausing briefly before his tone grew grave. "More importantly, once the truth comes out, your relationship will leak. Even with my protection, Xiao Lin can't stay in Black Dragon Village forever. The moment he steps out, he'll be targeted by all sorts of schemes. Those enemies of ours, the ones after the Demon Zither, and the mastermind behind it all—they'll try every trick on him. So the best way to protect him is to keep his identity hidden. We can tell him after we've trained him into a grandmaster. There's no rush."
Huang Xuemei fell silent, wrestling briefly with her thoughts before making a swift decision. Her furrowed brows slowly relaxed. She nodded slightly, her voice low. "You're right. Before the great revenge is fulfilled, it's best not to tell Xiao Lin. Let him live in peace and happiness."
*I'll bear all the hatred myself.* She added silently, keeping it to herself.
Li Daoqiang smiled and nodded, stepping forward. Under Huang Xuemei's slightly wary gaze, he reached for her hand. She instinctively moved to pull away, but Li Daoqiang was prepared, catching her slender, jade-like hand firmly. Huang Xuemei's eyes cooled, and she grew a bit uneasy, but she didn't forcefully shake him off. She turned her head slightly, avoiding looking at Li Daoqiang, who was now close.
Li Daoqiang inhaled the faint, cool fragrance, gazing at Huang Xuemei's exquisite, painting-like face, and said candidly, "Xuemei, I've already fulfilled most of what I promised you. You should believe in my sincerity by now, shouldn't you? Become my true wife, okay?"
Huang Xuemei's whole body tensed, unable to speak. She was at a loss for how to face this situation—visibly nervous and guarded.
Li Daoqiang waited a couple of breaths. Seeing no strong reaction, he slowly leaned toward her snow-white skin under the moonlight. Just before his lips touched hers, Huang Xuemei's expression shifted, and she moved to dodge. But Li Daoqiang held her hand tightly, preventing her escape. Huang Xuemei frowned, clearly displeased and resistant.
Li Daoqiang acted as if he hadn't noticed, then suddenly smiled. "Xuemei, give me some peace of mind, will you?"
Huang Xuemei bit her lip, her gaze drifting elsewhere, and said in a low voice, "Wait until the wedding."
"I can't wait."
Li Daoqiang spoke bluntly, his tone firm.
Huang Xuemei's expression darkened, growing more displeased and guarded.
Li Daoqiang pretended not to see it, speaking calmly. "Xuemei, do you know why I'd risk offending so many people, even face death, to marry you?"
At this, the coldness in Huang Xuemei's brow lessened slightly. Regardless, Li Daoqiang had saved her, helped her find Xiao Lin, and taken enormous risks. She had naturally pondered that question—beauty and strength, nothing more. But now, hearing his words, it seemed there might be more to it. Could there be a deeper reason? Even with her temperament, she felt a flicker of curiosity about the question. Still, she said nothing, remaining silent.
Li Daoqiang didn't mind, having expected it. A hint of pride rose in his expression. "I'm not boasting, but if I wanted, there aren't many beauties in this world I couldn't have. But so what if I did? If it's just about looks, would that be enough to win my heart?"
His tone shifted, a trace of tenderness appearing as he looked at Huang Xuemei. He sighed softly. "But you're different, Xuemei. The first time I saw you, I felt like I'd found a kindred spirit—that's the word, 'kindred.' After learning who you were, I knew I wanted to marry you."
"Maybe you don't know, Xuemei, but in this world, I've been alone, feeling an endless loneliness. Living in a bandit stronghold, I've never been able to trust anyone. But when I saw you, I knew I'd met my match. You're just as lonely, like a plum blossom in the snow. I understood you were someone I could trust, someone to walk with me. In that moment, I had one thought: marry you. I wanted to believe in you, to try if two lonely souls could warm each other. I didn't want to keep living a life where I couldn't trust a single person. That kind of loneliness and coldness—I didn't want it anymore."
His low, slightly chilly voice made Huang Xuemei's heart tremble. The coldness in her gaze unconsciously faded. Out of the corner of her eye, she looked at Li Daoqiang and could feel he was telling the truth. He really was lonely. Having been lonely herself for sixteen years, she couldn't mistake it. That terrible loneliness wasn't an act. Her resistance softened considerably.
Li Daoqiang paused, his expression growing heavier. "The scariest thing in this world isn't death—it's loneliness. So once I decided to marry you, I pursued it recklessly. First, I made a deal with Zhu Yuyan—ha, that was just a disguise to protect you. Seven million taels of silver? Even killing her wouldn't make her produce that on the spot. But only that way could I naturally approach you, Xuemei, under the guise of lust, and seal the deal. Of course, I won't deny it—I'm greedy for wealth and beauty. But with you, Xuemei, it's different."
Li Daoqiang's face turned serious, his gaze frank as he looked at Huang Xuemei, making her turn away again. "What I really wanted was a kindred spirit, someone I could trust, someone to share warmth with, so I wouldn't be so alone. Otherwise, I don't even want the Demon Zither. Why would I risk offending so many people, even clashing with peerless experts, just to marry you? If it were only for your beauty, would I be crazy?"
His open, honest words radiated sincerity. Huang Xuemei's expression softened. She believed him. For a moment, her resolve wavered. An uncontrollable hope began to rise within her. If two lonely people came together, would they truly no longer be alone?
Suddenly, she recalled the scenes of Li Daoqiang taking her away, protecting her, and eating with her. A trace of confusion flickered in her cool eyes. Her tense body relaxed.
Li Daoqiang, watching her closely, felt a quiet joy and said frankly, "I could have held back and waited until the wedding, let things happen naturally. But that mastermind could show up anytime, and I can't be sure of the outcome of that fight. If I die and you're not yet my true wife, I'd die with regret."
His final words were resolute, making Huang Xuemei's brows twitch. She found it fitting for Li Daoqiang to say such a thing. Her heart softened, a pang of guilt stirring. After a moment, she spoke. "If someone has to die, I'll die before you."
"Then I'd regret it even more—how could I let my not-yet-won wife die?" Li Daoqiang pulled her into his arms, catching her off guard. Huang Xuemei immediately struggled, but Li Daoqiang held firm, saying gently, "Xuemei, don't push me away. I want you to be my true wife."
Huang Xuemei couldn't find the words to argue. Her body tensed again, but her struggles weakened. After a long silence, as if resigned, she closed her eyes. *Fine, let him have me. He's...* She whispered, "I want to bow to heaven and earth first—get married."
"Good." Li Daoqiang's eyes sparkled with a smile as he agreed readily. "Let's do it now. Xiao Lin's right in the room—he can witness it. He's the only family we both have."
Huang Xuemei opened her eyes, glancing toward the room, but said nothing.
Without delay, Li Daoqiang pulled her into the ceremony. Huang Xuemei didn't resist; instead, she grew more serious, performing each step meticulously. Li Daoqiang finally breathed a sigh of relief inside. *Done.*
One bow to heaven, two to earth, three bows between husband and wife. After the simple ritual, Li Daoqiang noticed a change in Huang Xuemei's gaze as she looked at him—a hint of shyness, making her seem more like a living, breathing woman. He filed that away, took her hand, and said tenderly, "Xuemei, don't worry. I'll throw you a grand wedding feast someday."
Huang Xuemei's cool eyes suddenly lifted, meeting his gaze directly. She said seriously, "I don't care about that. I just need you to promise me two things."
"Name them." Li Daoqiang didn't hesitate.
"Protect Xiao Lin. Second, never betray me." She spoke each word deliberately, a deep insecurity and tension hidden in her eyes.
"From now on, Xiao Lin is my own brother. As long as you don't leave me, Xuemei, I'll never let anyone bully you." Li Daoqiang said solemnly.
Huang Xuemei stared at him for a long moment, then lowered her head, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
Li Daoqiang's smile widened. Suppressing the rising desire, he spoke without any hint of it. "Xuemei, will you promise me one thing too?"
"Name it." Her voice was soft, far gentler than before.
Li Daoqiang hesitated, then chuckled. "Let's save it for later. First, let's consummate the marriage."
Huang Xuemei clenched her hands, head bowed, saying nothing.
Li Daoqiang understood. He scooped her up and vanished from the spot.
In an instant, they were in a room, falling onto the bed.
Suddenly, Huang Xuemei pressed her jade hand against Li Daoqiang's chest, saying seriously, "If you betray me, I will kill you."
A flicker of guilt passed through Li Daoqiang's heart, but he quickly straightened up, declaring, "I'll love you for a lifetime."
Huang Xuemei nervously released her hand and closed her eyes.
Li Daoqiang's burning desire erupted fully.
Indescribable events unfolded in that room.
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Over an hour later, when all was calm, Li Daoqiang lay in bed, holding Huang Xuemei's soft, fragrant body, a deep satisfaction filling him.
*Finally won.*
(Please support, thank you.)
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