Upon seeing Luo Zhiheng's alluring charm, Old Tong shook his head and left, as if mocking himself. But the feeling from that brief moment still lingered in his mind; it was so familiar, as if he had experienced it before, yet he couldn't recall when.
Luo Zhiheng watched as Elder Tong left the courtyard before returning to her room. On the other side of the courtyard, Mu Yunhe's tall figure slowly emerged, his gaze equally deep and turbulent as he watched Luo Zhiheng's departing back. A storm raged within his eyes, and no one could fathom what he was thinking.
Silently returning to protect Luo Zhiwu's side, Luo Zhiheng gently wiped Luo Zhiwu's fingers, murmuring softly, "Brother, I don't know if you can hear me, but I still want to talk to you. Don't you love me very much? But I'm right here beside you, can you feel it? I have so much to say, so much suffering, but I can't express it. The man I love still hasn't recognized me, and because of my selfishness, I can't acknowledge him."
“Actually, when I first came back, I wanted to acknowledge him. Although I was angry that he couldn’t tell that she was a fake and stayed by her side for three years, I thought about that despicable person’s disguise and how she actually cut off a piece of her own flesh for this conspiracy. She was so good at pretending that she wouldn’t be easily discovered. I understood that he was deceived.”
“But when I came back, we just passed each other by. He only thought I looked familiar, but he still didn’t realize that I was Ah Heng. Brother, do you know how I felt at that time? I hated it so much! I hated it so much that I fell in love with someone who didn’t even recognize me. At that time, I didn’t want to acknowledge him anymore. I wanted to see him suffer too, to let him know how I crawled out of hell step by step all these years.”
"But later, when I learned about his situation, I was so sad. My Yunhe was no longer alive. No, he was just incomplete. Brother, that day I felt like my world had collapsed! I never knew that Mu Yunhe was so important to me. The importance I always thought he was was not as important as what I experienced that day."
“I have to endure Luo Ningshuang’s arrogance in front of me every day. How can I let Luo Ningshuang suffer a crushing defeat and be in unbearable pain if I don’t endure it? I want Luo Ningshuang to see how I snatched Yunhe back from her. I want to see her terrified and helpless. I want to make her fall from heaven to hell. I will take away all the wealth and glory she wants! Until then, I will not acknowledge Mu Yunhe.”
"Actually, this is also a test. I am still unwilling to accept it. I am unwilling to accept that Mu Yunhe really doesn't recognize me. I always feel that if he doesn't recognize me, it means he doesn't love me anymore. Brother, do you think I'm being too extreme? But I can't help it. I can't control my love for him, and I can't control that hatred either."
"I want Luo Ningshuang dead! And I want Mu Yunhe to fall in love with me again! No matter what I am like, I want everyone to understand that Mu Yunhe only loves me. Brother, do you think my love is too selfish and crazy? I'm digging a game where I defeat myself, making Mu Yunhe not love me, betray me, and fall in love with another me. Isn't that chaotic and ridiculous?"
"Brother, please hold on. You haven't even had a proper look at me yet, you can't just leave me like this. I remember all the times you played with me when I was little, all the kindness you showed me. You're such a good brother, and I'm so happy to have the love of both you and Dad. I haven't had a chance to properly repay you, brother. I want to stay happy with you, Dad, and our whole family."
“Brother, I’ve told you all my secrets. Won’t you wake up? Your beloved sister has suffered so much injustice and hardship. Can you bear to just watch me like this? Open your eyes and look at me. I’ve changed so much. I’m no longer the Luo Zhiheng you remember. I’m afraid you wouldn’t even recognize me if you walked right across from me.”
"Brother, please help me get revenge, okay? I'm so tired, so stressed, and so helpless all by myself. I need your comfort, encouragement, and companionship, just like when I was little. When I got into trouble, you would pat my head and say it was okay, and then you would clean up the mess for me. When I got into a fight, you would fight alongside me. You never cared if people said you were bullying me. When I was naughty, you would just watch over me and make sure I didn't fall and get hurt. You would take me hunting, teach me many things I like, and bring me back gifts from your trips."
“Brother says I’m a sweet little cotton-padded jacket. Other people’s sweet little cotton-padded jackets are gentle, sensible, and well-behaved. You say your and Dad’s sweet little cotton-padded jackets are mischievous and naughty. But you love this vibrant Heng’er, don’t you? Brother, Heng’er’s childhood was so colorful and happy because of you and Dad. Heng’er remembers everything, everything.”
"But now that Heng'er is back, is brother going to leave Heng'er? Don't leave Heng'er behind, Heng'er really can't bear to part with brother..."
"Please, brother, wake up, just look at me..."
Luo Zhiheng lay on Luo Zhiwu's chest, her weak heartbeat growing weaker day by day. She couldn't grasp the feeling of her heartbeat and life slipping away, a disorienting and panicked sensation. Unconsciously, she searched through the fragmented images in her mind, and the images became clear. She recreated those happy and joyful scenes from her childhood, but tears were already streaming down her face.
475 The Poison Saint is here! That scoundrel gets humiliated again!
Updated: 2013-12-03 14:16:54 Word Count: 8132
Luo Zhiheng lay on Luo Zhiwu's body, crying and talking, until she gradually fell asleep. She didn't see the pain gradually appearing on the innocent face of her brother, whom she had been calling out to, his tightly furrowed brows etched with broken sorrow.
When Mu Yunhe returned home, the sky was already dark, just like his somber expression. He pondered the situation the whole way home. What was wrong with him? Why, when he saw the barbarian chieftain's back, did he so desperately want to comfort her? Why did he care so much about her feelings? Why was he worried that she might be sad?
He lingered in front of Luo Zhiwu's courtyard for a long time, hesitating, before finally leaving.
He told himself he couldn't go on like this. He couldn't betray Luo Zhiheng, he couldn't betray Mu Yunhe's love. He couldn't keep letting his gaze linger on other women. The worst thing he could do was to continue indulging in this inexplicable feeling.
He couldn't resist the barbarian chieftain. He was gradually betraying Mu Yunhe's love for Luo Zhiheng. He knew that feeling was terrible. He had to redeem himself, Mu Yunhe, and Luo Zhiheng, which meant he had to resist and stay away from the barbarian chieftain.
So he returned, eager to see Luo Zhiheng in order to calm his current volatile emotions. But what did he see? Luo Zhiheng was slapping a young maid across the face, verbally abusing her mercilessly. Everyone in the room was trembling with fear, not daring to retaliate, while Luo Zhiheng was terrifyingly enraged.
That expression was something Mu Yunhe had never seen before. At least, Luo Zhiheng had never shown such an expression.
Mu Yunhe's face instantly darkened, and his irritation spread in an instant. He said in a low voice, "What are you doing?"
Startled by the low shout, Luo Ningshuang's hand trembled, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes. She quickly concealed it and said in a tearful voice, "Yunhe! You're finally back! If you hadn't come back, they would have bullied me to death. Although I was in a coma for three years, I still have my senses. They actually ignored my feelings and talked about me behind my back. They said my hand was completely ruined."
The servants naturally dared not refute Luo Ningshuang's words, but their expressions were not good, with the wet nurse's expression being the worst.
A hint of impatience flashed in Mu Yunhe's eyes: "It's just a few words, when did you become so petty?"
Luo Ningshuang was startled, secretly resenting Luo Zhiheng's past magnanimity. She said weakly, "It's my fault. I'm just in a bad mood. My hand really hurts, Yunhe. What if my hand is left with a scar?"
"No, I will have the imperial physician do his best. Even if it leaves a scar, I will not despise you." Mu Yunhe would never despise Luo Zhiheng, never.
A hint of a smile flashed in Luo Ningshuang's eyes, and she said shyly, "You're still the best to me."
Mu Yunhe suddenly fell silent. Was he really good to Luo Zhiheng? In the past three years, although he had taken care of and waited for Luo Zhiheng, he had not truly fulfilled the responsibilities of a husband towards the woman in front of him. Now his eyes were always on other women. Was this really a good thing?
For a moment, Mu Yunhe didn't know how to face her, so he could only nod coldly and prepare to leave.
Luo Ningshuang suddenly said, "Yunhe, I'm all better now. There must have been a lot of changes in the past three years. Would you like to come shopping with me tomorrow?"
Mu Yunhe looked up and saw her looking at him expectantly. He couldn't refuse, so he nodded. But he felt increasingly dissatisfied with her. Wasn't her hand already burned? Wasn't she afraid of scarring? How could she still be in the mood to go shopping? And the person lying in the Luo family's bed was her own brother. Just as Ruilin said, how come there wasn't a trace of anxiety, worry, or concern on Luo Zhiheng's face?
The next day was a bright and hopeful one for Luo Zhiheng, because the Poison Saint, whom she hadn't seen for three years, suddenly appeared.
She stared blankly at the Poison Saint, who was even more handsome than three years ago. The surprise in her eyes gradually surfaced, and her affection for the Poison Saint was genuine.
The Poison Saint's attitude towards strangers was even more hateful than it had been three years ago. He arrogantly and coldly ignored Luo Zhiheng, as if even glancing at her would tarnish his captivating eyes.
"How come one of them gets better and another one falls down? Did I owe you Luo siblings something in my past life?" Poison Saint snorted irritably, but his movements were extremely fast as he came to Luo Zhiwu's bedside and examined him swiftly. The results were similar to what Luo Zhiheng had said.
"This kid is incredibly lucky. He's been poisoned to the core and he's still alive. Tsk tsk, he's really tough." The Poison Saint said sarcastically.
"You can definitely heal him, right? Please save him quickly." Luo Zhiheng couldn't help but grab the Poison Saint's arm in her excitement.
Poison Saint's eyes widened and he screamed, forcefully shoving Luo Zhiheng away and glaring angrily, "What are you? How dare you touch me! Are you looking for death!"
Luo Zhiheng's lips twitched. Why did she see an expression on the Poison Saint's face that resembled blushing, shyness, fear, and disgust? What was this old man trying to do? Did he think everyone was as stubborn and blind as the World King?
However, Luo Zhiheng was still very happy to see her old friend, so she didn't hold it against him and said with a smile, "Seeing how relaxed you are, I know you can definitely cure his poison, right?"
The Poison Saint gave a haughty snort, the answer being self-evident.
That's just how some things are. What seems incredibly difficult to you is actually a piece of cake for others.
The Poison Saint was able to rush back because he had also found a medicine that could cure unconscious people. He rushed back to try it on the 'unconscious' 'Luo Zhiheng'. He had searched for three years to find such a thing, and the Poison Saint's anxiety was indescribable. However, upon returning, he learned that Luo Zhiheng had already woken up. The Poison Saint was both unhappy that he hadn't been able to test the medicine's power and happy that the girl had finally recovered.
But then Luo Zhiwu ran into trouble again. He rushed over, examined her, and confirmed it was a poison he could cure. The Poison Saint was relieved and no longer worried about Luo Zhiwu. He finally glanced at the woman who had been in his way, feeling a strange sense of familiarity about her. The feeling was particularly strong when she smiled at him; although he couldn't see her face, the warmth was undeniable.
"Have we met somewhere before?" Poison Saint asked, squinting.
Luo Zhiheng remained calm and said with great charm, "As a man as handsome as you, I naturally hope to have met you somewhere before. I can't remember either. How about this, let's have a late-night chat by candlelight and get to know each other better. Maybe then we'll find out where we met before."
The Poison Saint's handsome, unbelievable face instantly turned bright red. He exclaimed in shock and anger, "What nonsense are you spouting! Who wants to have a deep, intimate conversation with you by candlelight? You shameless woman!"
When the Poison Saint said these words, his eyes darted around nervously, as if he was afraid that someone would overhear Luo Zhiheng's words. His worried and anxious appearance finally swept away the heavy mood that Luo Zhiheng had been feeling for many days.
She teased him casually, half-jokingly, "Why are you shy? Are you afraid your lover will leave you if he hears what I say? Don't worry, if your lover doesn't want you, then I will. I'll take you back to the wilderness to be his wife."
Upon hearing Luo Zhiheng's words, the Poison Saint felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Ten thousand red bulls roared past him, leaving him utterly bewildered.
Lover... Bandit's Wife...
Is his fate truly so tragic? Why are all the women who see him so fierce, savage, and arrogant? Why do they always try to treat him like a woman? That bastard, the King, was like that, and this one before me is the same. And this one before me is even more hateful than the King!
At most, the king would force him or tease him. But this man dared to insult his dignity!
"I'm a man, what lover nonsense! You can't say anything nice!" Poison Saint roared furiously, his handsome face turning red with anger. He grabbed a cup from the side and threw it at Luo Zhiheng's head.
Luo Zhiheng let out an exaggerated scream, jumping back as she did so, shouting dramatically, "Help! Murder!"
She could easily dodge the cup, but suddenly a force came from behind and pulled her into an embrace. Luo Zhiheng felt the wind whistling past her ears as she was spun around in someone's arms. The cup hit the person and finally crashed to the ground and shattered.
Luo Zhiheng suddenly looked up, a smile spreading across her eyes and lips. It was the first time she had shown such genuine ease and joy since she returned.
That smile and that soft, cunning gaze were like dazzling fireworks, blooming in Mu Yunhe's deep eyes, inch by inch, extremely brilliant!
"Why are you here?" she asked in a way that sounded so familiar and natural, but her beautiful, mysterious eyes seemed so unfamiliar.
Mu Yunhe felt as if his heart was being pierced by needles, a dense, sharp pain spreading throughout. His face was somewhat pale, but he remained elegant and composed: "I heard that the Poison Saint has returned, so I came to take a look."
"Mu Yunhe! Why did you save that brat? She bullied and insulted me! Kill her right now!" The Poison Saint's angry voice rang out from behind.
Luo Zhiheng laughed wildly and arrogantly, sticking her little head out from Mu Yunhe's arms. She said to the Poison Saint with an air of arrogance, "Don't waste your energy. Even if you shout until you're hoarse, he won't help you kill me."
"Why?" Poison Saint asked instinctively.
Luo Zhiheng looked up at Mu Yunhe's serious and somewhat rigid face, a smile blooming on her lips, her confidence almost insane: "Because he can't bear to part with it."
Mu Yunhe's arm, which was supporting her soft waist, suddenly stiffened. He then released her and said with a stern face, "Don't talk nonsense."
"Is she lying? I don't think so. Mu Yunhe, you're actually holding a woman other than Luo Zhiheng? Am I dreaming? Are you really Mu Yunhe? Oh dear, Luo Zhiheng has already woken up, hasn't she? How dare you still flirt with other women? Be careful that shrew Luo Zhiheng doesn't eat you alive." Poison Saint mocked gloatingly.
No sooner had the Poison Saint finished speaking than Luo Ning Shuang's furious voice rang out: "Mu Yun He, you've come here again!"
As soon as she entered, she saw Mu Yunhe and Luo Zhiheng standing so close together, with an air of ambiguity about them. Her pretty face instantly turned green, and she rushed over through gritted teeth, trying to push Luo Zhiheng away. However, Luo Zhiheng dodged and tripped Luo Ningshuang, causing her to fall forward.
Luo Zhiheng waited to see the excitement, but Mu Yunhe grabbed Luo Ningshuang and helped her up.
Luo Zhiheng said sarcastically, "You're really lucky you didn't fall flat on your face."
"Ruilin, you've gone too far!" Luo Ningshuang shrieked at Luo Zhiheng as soon as she regained her footing.
"Ahem, Luo Zhiheng, didn't you see me?" Poison Saint's eardrums hurt from Luo Ningshuang's shout, so he had to speak up.
Luo Ningshuang turned around, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes, but she immediately remembered that the person in front of her was the man who followed the Prince Shi. She immediately thought of the Prince Shi, her aunt, and Luo Ningshuang became wary.
What's he doing here? Could it be that the King has come too?
"It's you, Heng'er greets Senior." Luo Ningshuang said cautiously, with a humble smile on her face, and performed a proper bow like a young lady from a respectable family.
In an instant, both Mu Yunhe and the Poison Saint frowned. Luo Zhiheng would never bow so formally to anyone, not even her own grandmother. Moreover, Luo Zhiheng and the Poison Saint were always at odds, constantly fighting or arguing whenever they met. It wasn't that Luo Zhiheng disrespected the Poison Saint, but rather that their personalities were both unconventional and carefree. Luo Ningshuang's bow now seemed distant and inappropriate.
Poison Saint touched his nose, looking displeased, and said, "What's with the formalities? It's too polite. You've been sleeping for three years, how come you're still acting so polite? Hypocritical."
Poison Saint's words were simply in line with his personality, which is quite normal. Moreover, the hypocrisy he expressed was definitely not meant to insult Luo Ning Shuang, but merely to convey his dissatisfaction with Luo Ning Shuang's politeness.
Luo Ning Shuang, however, was unfamiliar with the Poison Saint's character and personality. Upon hearing this, she was shocked, then furious. She felt this man was incredibly ungrateful, and considering he was merely one of the King's male favorites, she decided there was no need to be polite to him. The contempt in her eyes became undisguised, and her voice turned cold: "Is the Poison Saint blaming me for being too polite? Since the Poison Saint calls my politeness hypocritical, then I won't be polite to the Poison Saint anymore."
Although the Poison Saint had a vicious tongue, he was actually a bit of a simpleton, honest and kind. He sensed Luo Ning Shuang's dissatisfaction and panicked for a moment: "Are you angry? How come you've become so petty after three years? I wasn't really saying you were hypocritical."
Seeing the Poison Saint's reaction, Luo Ningshuang assumed he was afraid of her and became even more arrogant, saying, "Hmph, whether I'm hypocritical or not is not for you to decide."
Poison Saint looked at Luo Ning Shuang with an embarrassed and bewildered expression, his eyes reddening, and he lowered his head, looking at a loss.
If the King were to see this, he would surely want to kill everyone who had caused him distress.
Seeing that Poison Saint had been harmed by Luo Ning Shuang, Luo Zhiheng's anger flared up instantly. She stood in front of Poison Saint and said coldly, "I have never seen a more despicable woman than you. Do you have any conscience at all? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs? I, a barbarian, have heard about what you have gone through these past three years. You have been in a coma for three years and you are still alive because of the unwavering support of your relatives and friends. It is because they did not abandon you and went everywhere to find treasures that can make you better. It can be said that you are still standing here today not because you are lucky, but because of the help of these people!"
"But look at what you're doing! Not only are you ungrateful and ungrateful, you ignore them, despise them, and even hurt them! What gives you the right? Do you have any conscience left? You're so cold-hearted towards your brother, lying here and you don't care. You're so disdainful of your benefactors and friends who have been working hard to find medicine for you for three years. Who do you think you are? Whose feelings can you, a heartless beast, squander like this?"
Luo Ningshuang's face flushed red from Luo Zhiheng's scolding. Her eyes widened in defiance, making her beautiful face look somewhat ferocious and eerie, losing all its beauty.
"What right do you have to criticize me? This is my business. How I treat others is none of your concern!" Luo Ningshuang said angrily, her neck stiff.
"Ha! Mu Yunhe, did you see that? This is the woman you've protected for three years! So vulgar, so vile, so shameless and inhuman! How could you possibly protect her for three years? If I were you, I would have killed this bastard long ago." Luo Zhiheng never shied away from using harsh words, and Mu Yunhe surprisingly didn't reprimand her for her disrespect towards 'Luo Zhiheng'.
Luo Ningshuang realized this, and her heart sank. If it were the old Luo Zhiheng, Mu Yunhe would have dealt that person a terrible blow if anyone dared to say a word against her.