Hibiscus as a Painting

Chapter 117

Zi Jin felt the chill in the air and quickly hugged Xiao Bai's waist in a pleading manner: "I'll sleep, I'll sleep, don't be angry. But you can't leave me. If you leave while I'm asleep, then I'll... I'll... I'll die for you."

"Go to sleep, I'm not leaving."

Zi Jin clearly sensed the laughter in Xiao Bai's words, and only then did she dare to relax her whole body, lean against Xiao Bai's chest, and fall into a deep sleep.

Early morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Xiao Bai quietly got up, her movements careful so as not to disturb Zi Jin. Zi Jin groaned softly, not quite at ease, and Xiao Bai quickly bent down and patted her gently a few times. Once she was sound asleep, Xiao Bai quietly got out of bed, carefully tucked Zi Jin in, and walked quietly towards the door.

After he closed the door, Zi Jin slowly opened her eyes, a hint of self-mockery flashing in them... In the end, she still left.

I woke up last night to find my beloved Xiaobai, whom I always slept with, sleeping so far away. I immediately knew that person wasn't Xiaobai. No… that person was the awakened Xiaobai. Though I was unwilling, I finally accepted the truth: Xiaobai wasn't originally mine. He was lost, just lost. He met me while lost, and we stayed together. But a lost person will eventually find their way back. When he finds the right direction and the right path, he will disappear from my sight again.

It's cruel, but it's the truth. I tried my best, didn't I? Last night's humble pleas and desperate pleas couldn't stop him from leaving, could they?

Xiaobai, I really won't lie to you this time. I will really treat you well. I really like you. Do you believe me? You still won't believe me?

Little White… I only have you left, I only have you left. Now… what should I do? Where should I go? Where should I go back to? Where do I belong? What else is there? What else can I find warmth in?

Zi Jin hid herself under the covers, letting the tears slowly slide down her cheeks. She clutched her chest tightly, trying to stop the suffocating pain. But the pain only grew and raged on, making it even harder to breathe and causing her sobs to become choked.

The blanket was suddenly pulled back a corner, and Zi Jin stared blankly at the person who had pulled back the blanket, her heart instantly filled with the joy of having it back: "You... didn't leave?"

Xiao Bai frowned, put down the bowl in her hand, and reached out to wipe away Zi Jin's tear-streaked face: "Why are you crying?"

Zi Jin lowered her head hesitantly: "I thought... you were gone."

Xiao Bai's already cold face grew even icy: "Since you knew I was leaving, why didn't you call me back?"

Zi Jin lowered her head even further, her eyelashes concealing her emotions: "I..." What right do I have?

Xiao Bai raised her hand and gently stroked Zi Jin's forehead, then frowned again: "Why are you still burning up? Drink your medicine."

Zi Jin stared wide-eyed at Xiao Bai, who was blowing on the medicine in the spoon, and almost mechanically opened her mouth to drink the pitch-black medicine.

Seeing that Zi Jin obediently finished drinking the medicine, Xiao Bai's face showed a long-lost smile, and he took out a few bright red wild fruits from his pocket: "I picked these while I was gathering herbs, they are very sweet."

Zi Jinmu took the wild fruit, put it in her mouth and chewed it slowly, her eyes reddening slightly: "Mmm. It's very sweet."

Xiao Bai helped Zi Jin lie down, her dark, warm eyes filled with a gentle warmth: "Lie down a bit longer, then get up and have some porridge later."

Zi Jin had a dazed smile on her lips when she suddenly grabbed Xiao Bai's hand, who was about to leave: "I will never let you go again."

Xiao Bai lowered her eyes slightly, her feather-like eyelashes concealing her emotions: "I'll go get the porridge."

Zi Jin slowly released her hand, her face beaming with bright happiness and deep satisfaction.

Whether awake or not, Xiaobai is still the same Xiaobai. Isn't this a dream? If it is a dream, I hope I never wake up.

Xiaobai, she didn't know how to treat you well before, she didn't know how to cherish you before, she didn't know how good you were to her before. How about I make up for it from now on? Although I am not her, I know your grievances, your sadness, and your abandonment. How about I make up for it from now on?

After having breakfast together, Zi Jin lay on the bed, slowly observing the person sitting opposite her reading a book, as if she had never seen him before. His skin was as transparent as ice crystals, his long, silvery-white hair reached his knees like silk, his eyelashes were like feathers, and his eyes were as warm and gentle as ink jade. Although the innocence in his eyes was gone, his brows radiated composure and maturity, and his every move exuded an elegant and refined grace. Xiao Bai seemed to have grown ten years overnight, and his thoughtful glances now held an air of unparalleled brilliance, as if he held the world in his grasp.

Feeling uneasy under Zi Jin's gaze, Xiao Bai slightly raised her head: "I've seen enough."

"Not enough, I could never get enough of looking at Xiaobai. He's handsome no matter what." Zi Jin tilted her head and smiled gently.

Xiao Bai shook her head helplessly, got up and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to gently stroke Zi Jin's forehead: "Why is it still so hot?"

A glint of light flashed in Zi Jin's eyes as she reached out and pulled Xiao Bai: "I'm cold, the blanket is too thin, can you warm me up?"

Xiao Bai's hand stiffened slightly: "I'll go find another quilt."

Zi Jin held onto Xiao Bai's hand tightly, refusing to let go: "My stomach still hurts."

Xiao Bai lowered her eyes, slowly removed her slightly dirty outer robe, and gently lay down inside, rubbing Zi Jin's waist as she did yesterday.

Soon, the blankets were warm and cozy, and Zi Jin was soothed by the comfortable feeling that she became drowsy. She slowly hugged Xiao Bai, ignoring his stiffness, and leaned against his chest: "Xiao Bai, I know many places, let's go see the scenery."

Where to?

"At the border of the three kingdoms, the climate is hot, and there is a treasure mountain called Immortal Mountain. The temperature difference on this mountain is huge, allowing one to experience all four seasons in a single day. It can be described as 'four seasons on one mountain, different weather every ten miles.' It's a good place to live in seclusion... Let's find a place there where we can enjoy the scenery every day, connect a hot spring, and build a small house, just enough to live in... You paint, I play the zither. Although I can't compose poetry, I can understand what you recite. My cooking skills aren't great, but the food I make is at least edible. If we get tired of this monotony from being together every day, we can travel the world together, wandering the rivers and lakes. We can go back whenever we've had enough fun, okay?" Zi Jin whispered, burying her face in Xiao Bai's chest.

A faint smile appeared on Xiaobai's lips, and a hint of tenderness flashed in her eyes: "Everything will be alright once you're better."

Zi Jin mustered her courage, raised her head, and quickly kissed Xiao Bai's lips before he noticed: "Let's stamp our agreement on the big seal, so you won't forget it later. My illness will be cured soon."

Xiao Bai stared blankly at Zi Jin, who was grinning mischievously in his arms, but his face couldn't fall into a sullen expression; in fact, a faint joy welled up inside him. He raised his hand and gently patted Zi Jin's back: "Don't be silly."

Zi Jin nestled sweetly against Xiao Bai's chest: "Xiao Bai, Xiao Bai, Xiao Bai... I will never let you go again. I will hold onto you and never let you run away again. I will treat you very, very, very, very well. You have to believe me, you must believe me... I will never let her hurt you again."

Xiao Bai lowered her head slightly, staring intently at Zi Jin, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Go to sleep."

Zi Jin's eyelids felt incredibly heavy, and she was drowsy, but she never let go of Xiao Bai's hand: "Xiao Bai, you're so good... You're in my dreams... Do you know that..."

Seeing that Zi Jin was fast asleep, Xiao Bai hesitated for a moment before slowly reaching out to carefully trace Zi Jin's eyebrows and eyes. The deep warmth in her dark eyes could not be concealed as it flowed out...

A lifetime of love and hate, hard to understand, reincarnation begins again. The bamboo grows without heart, how long can a reflection in a mirror or the moon in the water last? (Part 5)

How long can a mirage last? (Part 5) The windows and doors of the room were wide open, and the courtyard was filled with the fragrance of herbs. The early summer morning sun was not too strong, but warm and gentle.

Zi Jin lay lazily under the eaves, playing with the jade pendant at her waist. Her eyebrows curved as she looked at the person sitting by the well washing dishes in the distance. Although he was dressed in coarse cloth, he somehow managed to make himself look somewhat otherworldly. His long silver hair fell to the ground, stained with a few specks of dirt.

Zi Jin got up and quietly walked to Xiao Bai's side, gently picking up the silver hair that was scattered on the ground: "Xiao Bai, let me wash it."

Xiao Bai glanced sideways and smiled faintly: "The water's cold, go lie down."