Duft erhebt sich zum Tanz

Kapitel 29

"Only you can hurt her." He hurriedly followed her to the backyard.

After much comforting and reassurance that it was all an act, Wuxia finally stopped crying. Huan'er hugged her and whispered in her ear what Wuxia was going to do next, which startled Wuxia so much that she couldn't speak for a long time, her pretty face turning bright red.

"No, sister-in-law! No!" she pleaded.

"Sure! It'll definitely work! I guarantee it." Huan'er then used her silver tongue to persuade him. It seemed like a ruthless tactic.

Leng Gang's room faced Wu Xia across a small courtyard filled with plum blossoms. The night was cool and still, the late autumn air particularly desolate. A chill permeated the air, the temperature difference between day and night quite distinct. A sliver of moonlight, tinged with a touch of coldness, was faintly reflected in the pond, scattering dappled fireflies. The darkness was hazy and mysterious, holding a sense of something waiting to happen.

It was a bit cold, but Wuxia, still dressed in only a thin garment, stepped into the moonlight. Gazing intently at the cold stars of the deep night, she lost track of time, oblivious to the westward shift of the moon's shadow. A deep, palpable presence emanated from behind her, causing her to tremble involuntarily. He had appeared, silently, yet she knew he was standing behind her.

"Don't marry him," he said in a low, hoarse voice. Wuji had indicated that he wanted to marry Wuxia to Ma Shengwen, something he had always resented.

"Why?" She leaned against the plum tree, still not turning around.

"He's no good! He doesn't deserve you."

"But he wants me, he values me, he'll protect me. A year or two of his favor is enough; it's better than no one loving me. Besides, I'm too old to wait." She turned to face him, trying to look into the depths of his eyes. But Leng Gang avoided her gaze… So awkward, so heartless! Her sister-in-law had misjudged this time. Leng Gang had no interest in her; otherwise, why hadn't he shown any interest? Tears fell weakly, and she ran into the room, sobbing softly. In the corridor, she was pulled into a warm embrace by a pair of strong arms, feeling the rise and fall of that chest.

"Wuxia! Don't torture me." Leng Gang's voice was no longer flat and cold; each word came from the depths of his soul, painfully expressing his helplessness.

Wuxia turned to face him and whispered:

"It's you who tormented me! It's you, it's all your fault! You don't care about me at all, you don't care if I live or die, you don't care if I'm doing well or not, you always avoid me, you never see me! You've been gone for years..." She choked up and couldn't speak, burying herself in his arms and pouring out the emotional wounds she had suffered for so many years.

Leng Gang held her helplessly, not knowing what to do.

"Go away, don't try to comfort me, I don't want your pity." Seeing that he was unmoved, she had no time to struggle. But unexpectedly, Leng Gang held her even tighter, as if afraid she would disappear.

"Miss!"

His lips were touched by her flawless little hand, and she lifted her tear-streaked face to whisper:

"I want you to call my name! Call it! I don't want to be some kind of prostitute. If you want me, marry me, take me away, we can wander the world together. If you don't care about me at all, let me go, don't stop me from getting married. I don't have the strength to wait any longer, how much longer are you going to torture me?" Tears had already soaked his clothes.

"You...you're so foolish." He took out his hand and gently wiped away her tears. "What am I supposed to do with you? I've kept my distance, thinking that by not seeing you, by leaving you, I can sever all my delusions about you. But it's so hard. You're so beautiful, so innocent and pure; you were never meant for me to even dream of. I...have nothing. A wooden cabin deep in the mountains, simple meals, coarse clothes—that's all I can give you. There's nothing better than that. How can someone like me deserve you?"

He finally confessed his feelings after so many years. He had loved her for as long as she had, and she held him tightly around the waist.

"Leng Gang! Leng Gang! I don't care, as long as you love me, that's enough." Her heart was overwhelmed with joy, and she boldly expressed her hope.

"No! I can't! I can't make you any promises, we shouldn't be together at all!..." He realized he had said too many things he shouldn't have. He tried to run away, but Wuxia held him tightly!

Wuxia bit her lower lip and kissed Leng Gang without warning. The sweet, blissful moment extinguished the reason in the hearts of the two lovers. They were destined for each other; otherwise, they wouldn't be so compatible. Dazzled and entranced, Wuxia resolved even more to cling to Leng Gang…

The bright moonlight spilled down the corridor, illuminating the intertwined shadows inside the room in a tender, lingering light...