Chapter 146: I Like You (Part Five)
Chapter 146: I Like You (Part Five)
The moon, which was still shining brightly in the night sky until not too long ago, was now hidden behind the clouds that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The wind was still blowing strongly and the weather outside turned slightly cold as deeper hours of the night arrived.
Yet, the atmosphere inside Xiang Ling’s private bedchamber was completely opposite from the outside. It was filled with warmth, passion, and the smell of sex as the two of them finished the third round for the night and finally settled down into the soft sheets as exhaustion took over them.
Silence filled the room for the next couple of minutes and the only sounds that could be heard were that of their breathing and the wind blowing outside. Only a single lantern was still glowing and it filled the room with a dim brightness.
It was Xiang Ling who broke the silence first. Snuggling closer in Li Xian’s arms, she perched her chin on his chest and stared at his face as she spoke, "You do know that there is no going back for you now, right?"
Her question forced the man to open his eyes and he turned his gaze to look at her. "Why do you keep thinking that I will want to change my decision? Because I have no such plans, Ah Ling. You might have already forgotten it but I just confessed tonight that I like you... I have fallen for you."
Xiang Ling took in a deep breath as her ears once again registered the familiar confession. She remained silent for a while as she just stared into his eyes before finally whispering, "I like you too."
A smile made its way to Li Xian’s lips before he pulled her into a sweet kiss that lasted for an entire minute.
"We should sleep now." Xiang Ling whispered against his lips and felt him nodding his head in agreement. With one last peck on his lips, she placed her head on his shoulder and relaxed into his arms. It didn’t take too long before both of them lost themselves in the world of dreams.
* * *
That same day during the early evening hours in the County Magistrate Office’s back courtyard -
"What nonsense are you suddenly spouting? You want to return to that house just because you think that your wicked sister has finally turned sane all of a sudden. Ridiculous!" County Magistrate Chen didn’t hold back his anger as soon as he heard his eldest son talking nonsense.
"Master, don’t get so angry. You will affect your health." Madam Sheng tried to calm her husband but it wasn’t to any use because Hao Ran chose that very moment to defend his sister.
"Father, I know that it’s hard to believe but I’m indeed telling the truth. I wasn’t even able to recognize her when I saw her today-"
"When has she been recognizable ever since she started dressing like a walking ghost with all that makeup and jewelry? I haven’t been able to recognize her for years now!" County Magistrate Chen showed no mercy on his daughter at all.
"Father, that’s not what I meant." Hao Ran once again tried to make his father listen, but soon realized that it was easier thought than done.
"I don’t care about what you mean. You just can’t return to that manor. Returning there means you will give her further hope to keep being mischievous. I will arrange a house for you tomorrow. You can settle down there." County Magistrate Chen declared.
Not left with any other option, Hao Ran shifted his gaze toward his mother and silently requested her to provide aid. Madam Sheng let out a sigh before she once again turned her attention toward her stubborn husband. "Master, at least let Hao Ran speak first. Do you think he’s not sensible enough to know the consequences of returning to the manor? I’m sure that if he has taken this decision, there must be a proper reason behind it."
County Magistrate Chen was ready to deny Hao Ran any opportunity to discuss this topic any further but one intense glare from his wife made him change his mind way too quickly.
Hao Ran realized that his only chance was there and immediately launched into telling everyone about everything that happened when he encountered Xiang Ling in the restaurant. He told them how she looked nothing like her previous self - the change in her dressing sense, change in her tone, change in her demeanor, and change in the way she behaved in general. He also told them all about the incident of her losing her memory that Fu Xiao told him.
"Lost her memories?" Madam Sheng looked horrified as she heard about her precious daughter getting into such a serious accident.
"What memory loss? I’m sure she is once again playing a new game or something to deceive everyone." Concubine Yu finally broke her silence and it was clear from her tone that she didn’t believe even a single word that Hao Ran just spoke about Xiang Ling.
"Even if it has been a play of hers, do you think she’s capable of changing to this extent? You weren’t there today father and mother, but trust me when I say this, she looked like a noble young lady of some high official’s family instead of the wayward young woman we all used to know. And it has been two months since that incident. Do you think she will act for two long months and even do such generous acts as going to other villages to help the needy people there just for some kind of scheme?"
Hao Ran’s questions left everyone thinking about the possibilities. Everyone was silent for a while before his wife broke the silence and asked, "Master, what are you planning to do exactly?"
Hao Ran let out a sigh before he answered, "We need to find out exactly what is going on with her and also within the walls of Chen Manor. At least, one of us needs to be there with her to know what she’s up to. To find out whether she has really changed or not."