Hibiscus as a Painting - Chapter 113
Xiao Bai looked up and casually replied, "It's been lost for a long time, but I just found it not long ago."
Zi Jin asked, "Lost for a long time? How long has it been lost?"
Xiao Bai's lips curled slightly as he skillfully fiddled with the ring, saying nonchalantly, "It's been years. Le'er said it can be found."
"When...when was this ring found?"
Xiao Bai lowered her eyes and stole a glance at Zi Jin: "It wasn't lost, it's always been with Nan'er... When Nan'er comes back, the ring comes back too."
"This ring has been missing for four years? It was only found three months ago?" Zi Jin asked calmly.
"Hmm? Xiao Zi knows? Nan'er is back, two months." Xiao Bai secretly glanced at Zi Jin, seemingly sensing Zi Jin's unease, and dared not say anything more.
This ring was lost after I left the Moon Kingdom's palace, more than three months ago. It only came into Xiao Bai's hands two months ago, meaning that after Nan'er stole the ring, she went straight to Chen Kingdom and handed it over to Xiao Bai. But why does Xiao Bai say that the ring has always been in Nan'er's possession? He clearly didn't see who took the ring, so how can he be so certain about its origin?
Zi Jin reached out and took the ring from Xiao Bai's hand, rubbed it carefully for a while, and then said, "This ring is bright yellow when it is in the light, but it is iridescent in the dark, right?"
A glint of light flashed in Xiao Bai's gentle, jade-like eyes: "Xiao Zi knows. This is a family heirloom, it's very powerful."
"Why haven't I seen you wear it before?" Zi Jin asked casually, fiddling with the ring.
Xiao Bai lowered her eyes, her long, feathery eyelashes concealing the emotions within them, and pursed her lips slightly: "Nan'er doesn't like it. If she sees it, I'll put it away so she won't see it."
Zi Jin stared at Xiao Bai thoughtfully, then suddenly sneered: "Xiao Bai, do you still remember how and where you lost this ring?"
Xiao Bai's ears turned bright red, and her head drooped lower and lower: "Lost...lost in Chen Kingdom, no...accidentally."
Zi Jin leaned closer mischievously and whispered in Xiao Bai's ear, "Xiao Bai, have you forgotten why you lost it? If you've forgotten, why is your face still so red? Look, even the medicine can't cover it up. Did you do something wrong?"
Xiao Bai covered her face in panic: "No...no, I...I'm poisoned, Nan...Nan'er, save me, the ring is a keepsake."
Zi Jin narrowed her eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing in them: "Later, Nan'er came to find Xiao Bai with the ring, and Xiao Bai became convinced that she was the one who saved you, right? So... that's why Xiao Bai is so devoted to Nan'er, is that right?"
Xiao Bai quietly raised her eyes, carefully reached out, and pried the ring out of Zi Jin's hand. She quickly hid it in her bosom and whispered in her defense, "Nan'er is fine."
A dangerous glint flashed in Zi Jin's eyes, her face already icy cold: "Did you see with your own eyes Nan'er take your ring?" Her voice was completely flat.
"I... but... I remember the taste." Xiaobai's voice grew softer and softer.
Zi Jin's previously concealed anger surged, and she could no longer suppress it. Seeing his certainty, she knew that even if she said the ring had originally been in her possession, he probably wouldn't believe her. But even if he did believe her, what difference would it make? He and Nan'er were not only deeply in love, but he was also hopelessly infatuated.
What are his feelings towards himself?
If you are heartless, how could you be willing to abandon wealth and glory and wander with me?
If we're talking about feelings, what about Nan'er? It's clear that in Xiaobai's heart, Nan'er is far more important than herself.
Fate is cruel. That farce four years ago has put me in such a predicament. I only wanted to play with Jun Lin back then, but I never expected that this farce would play me so badly. Is this retribution?
"Little Purple?" Little White carefully tugged at Zi Jin's sleeve.
Startled from her deep thoughts by Xiaobai, Zi Jin angrily pulled back her sleeve, grabbed Xiaobai's hand, dragged her outside, shoved her out, and then bolted the door shut behind her.
"Little Purple Little Purple...I...I...Was I wrong? Open the door, I won't pull on your sleeve anymore, I don't want the ring anymore, open the door, open the door...Don't be angry, don't be angry...Open the door, open the door..." Little White pounded on the door, her dark, warm eyes filled with anxiety and panic.
Zi Jin silently walked to the bedside, wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, and shivered.
So many memories have faded away unnoticed; things that were once vivid are now blurred. Sometimes I suddenly lose all hearing, or for a moment my vision goes completely black. All food, no matter how much salt I add, tastes bland, and I can't even smell its proper flavor. I'm scared, truly scared. I've checked my pulse again and again, and each time it's normal compared to others. Why is this happening? Why is this happening?
Zi Jin suddenly burst into tears, burying her face in the quilt, unable to bear looking at anything, unable to think about her future. She was afraid, truly afraid. What would be left if Xiao Bai was gone? What could possibly be left?
"Little Purple, Little Purple, open the door... Don't cry, don't cry... I'll give you the ring, okay? Just tell me what you want, I'll go find it, I'll go find it. Don't cry... It hurts." Little White's eyes were red as she pounded on the door.
"Get out! Get out! I don't want to see you again! I don't want to see you again!" Zi Jin shouted hysterically.
Xiao Bai took out the ring from her bosom, stood timidly outside the door, and tears streamed down her face: "Xiao Zi, I'm too scared, I won't steal it anymore, you can have the ring, okay? I don't want it anymore, okay?"
"Go away! Go away! I don't want to see you! I don't want to see you!" The shouts mixed with sobs shattered the tranquility of the morning.
Xiao Bai suddenly took two steps back, tossed the glass ring aside, and ran towards the gate without looking back.
Zi Jin choked back a sob, and as she heard Xiao Bai's footsteps gradually fade into the distance, she finally fell silent and burst into tears again.
That's it. This time, there's really nothing left.
Zi Jin sat up, laughing through her tears: "It's good that it's gone. It's gone, so I don't have to be afraid anymore, so I don't have to be afraid anymore."
Why does my heart feel so empty? Zi Jin leans weakly against the headboard. Where does it hurt? Where does it hurt? Why does it hurt so much? The pain makes me dizzy, it makes me unable to breathe. What's blocking my chest? What's pressing on my chest?
Where's Xiaobai? Where's Xiaobai?
Zi Jin suddenly stood up and quickly opened the door. The area outside was empty, except for the dusty glass ring that gleamed eerily in the morning light. Zi Jin walked forward step by step, picked up the discarded glass ring, and gently rubbed it.
He lost it... he lost it... he lost the ring, he lost the ring for her.
"Xiao Bai!" Zi Jin rushed out the door and shouted loudly.
Zi Jin looked around aimlessly, running without stopping her tears. She didn't know how long she had been running. She clutched her chest tightly, breathing heavily, feeling a chill seeping into a broken part of her heart.
A familiar figure in a blue robe high above made her look up abruptly, staring blankly at the height. An overwhelming fear enveloped her.
"Don't move!"
Xiao Bai stood on a high rock beside the waterfall, reaching for something. Hearing the sound, she looked up at Zi Jin. Her previously gloomy face softened with a faint smile upon hearing the call: "Xiao Zi..."
"Stand there and don't move, wait for me to come over." Zi Jin nimbly climbed up the high slope, her palms full of sweat, and carefully moved towards the large rock in the center along the moss-covered stones.
The morning light bathed Xiaobai's figure in a thin layer of gold. He glanced sideways and smiled gently, quietly watching Zi Jin walk towards him little by little, his dark eyes filled with joy and anticipation.