Chu Lingzhi's cheeks burned like fire. Recalling the prolonged cries that had lasted over half an hour, she wished she could just die. Lying beside him now, with him staring at her like this, did he have any idea how awkward she felt? When he heard her screams, that guy must have been fantasizing about all sorts of things with her.
"Enjoying the view for so long—have you had enough?" Chu Lingzhi asked, displeased.
"Not enough."
"Then how long will it take for you to have enough?" How annoying. Just get it over with so she could close her eyes and sleep.
"How long?" Nangong Yehen raised an eyebrow. "How long exactly—I don't know either."
She was stunning at first glance, and the more he looked, the more captivating she became. He had no idea when he'd ever tire of gazing at her. He grew fonder of having her by his side, feeling a strange sense of closeness and trust. He was a king, well aware that many wished him harm. He never easily entangled himself with women. Sometimes, the more beautiful a woman, the more poisonous she could be. But she was different—he felt a sense of trust toward her.
To keep Gong Liye from suspecting his injury and from noticing her, she dressed as a maid. Even if she didn't admit she did it for his sake, he was still delighted. A young master flirting with a pretty maid—no one would think twice about it. Though they hadn't known each other long, her character and conduct had earned his respect. Perhaps, looking at her like this, a lifetime wouldn't be enough.
A lifetime?
Nangong Yehen suddenly laughed out loud.
A lifetime—too distant—
"What are you laughing at?" Chu Lingzhi frowned slightly, puzzled as she looked at him.
"Nothing."
"Silly." Chu Lingzhi muttered.
Nangong Yehen raised an eyebrow: "Silly?"
Did he look silly? He was the brilliant Young Master Nangong!
Chu Lingzhi rolled her eyes, truly unable to imagine that the wise King of Nangong City could have such an adorable and vulnerable side. In truth, she didn't know that he only showed this vulnerable and cute side to her; in front of others, even if injured to the point of coughing blood, he would tough it out. When she rolled her eyes, she looked incredibly playful.
Nangong Yehen's eyes flickered, his gaze settling on her face. Seeing her lying beside him, he suddenly felt grateful. Grateful that the great fire hadn't taken her away, grateful to the heavens for letting her live. He suddenly reached out and gently stroked her exquisite face.
"..." Chu Lingzhi was stunned by his gesture. She stared blankly at him—why were his eyes so tender? She suddenly thought of Ouyang Ruobing. Was this guy mistaking her for Ouyang Ruobing again? They say first love is the hardest to forget. Even if you no longer love them, even if you're with the woman you cherish most, going to places you once visited with your first love inevitably brings back memories. Seeing her lying beside him, was he recalling times when Ouyang Ruobing lay next to him? And then unconsciously mistaking her for Ouyang Ruobing?
"Chu Lingzhi, for this lifetime, you belong to this young master." The man's voice was deep and low, exceptionally pleasant to hear.
"..."
He wasn't mistaking her for Ouyang Ruobing?!
"For this lifetime, you can only think of one man—me."
"..." A lifetime was too long. Twenty years from now, her son would grow into a man.
He kept stroking her face, his movements and gaze exceptionally gentle, making Chu Lingzhi extremely uncomfortable.
"Young Master Nangong, have you fallen for me?" Could it be that because she saved him, cared for him, and looked after him, he was moved and fell in love with her?