Kiyomi Tsuki and His Fox

Chapter 101

Qingfeng slowly exhaled a long breath, her expression gradually returning to normal. She took a few steps away from her and said coldly, "Why are you telling me all this? And what is your purpose?"

He Yunya sensed the doubt and distrust in his tone, and her heart felt as if it were being gnawed by a thousand tiny insects, causing her immense pain. She said softly, "Young Master Qingfeng really doesn't remember me."

Qingfeng exclaimed in surprise, "Have we met before? A beauty as stunning as you would be unforgettable even with just a fleeting glimpse. How could I have no recollection of you?"

He Yunya laughed brightly and happily, "I'll forgive you this time because of these sweet words. It's understandable that you don't remember me. Liu Mei hurt you so deeply that you're disgusted even by looking at other women. How could you possibly notice me hiding behind the curtain?"

Qingfeng's heart began to pound.

He Yunya's deep, bright eyes shone with a burning love, so open and so unwavering. "In Hangzhou, at Master Zhou's birthday banquet, I watched you from afar through the curtain. So many people surrounded you, flattering and fawning over you, yet you seemed utterly alone. Your loneliness was like a mournful wind sweeping through my heart; your sorrow was like a lash of melancholy rain lashing at my soul. How I longed to go to you, to tell you, 'She doesn't love you, but I love you; she doesn't want you, but I do.' Please, Qingfeng, please, don't be sad anymore."

Qingfeng felt a powerful emotion surge forth, like a wild horse breaking free of its reins, rushing out recklessly and without regard for the consequences. His whole body felt like it was on fire, his heart was pounding wildly, and he could barely speak. He stared blankly at He Yunya as if he had lost his soul, his expression unreadable, neither crying nor laughing.

A tear, like a pearl, slid down He Yunya's face, which was as pink as a peach blossom.

Qingfeng's hand trembled as he touched her face. "Why are you crying?"

"Because you're unhappy," He Yunya replied.

Qingfeng longed to hold her tightly, but his fear of being hurt again made him hesitate and stopped him. He Yunya saw through it, gave a sad and sorrowful smile, suddenly turned around, tilted her head to the side, and a fragrance wafted from her flowing black hair.

"It's late, I really should go back. If my brother catches me, he'll nag me to death."

Her smile pierced Qingfeng's heart like a lightning bolt. Qingfeng seemed to hear the crisp sound of ice shattering.

"Yes, it's very late. I'll take you home. Your brother must be very worried about you getting home so late."

Qingfeng suddenly longed to keep her, but he knew he couldn't act impulsively. There were simply too many mysteries surrounding the woman before him. Yet, how he wished he could spend more time with her, even though it was dangerous.

"Yes, he'll definitely give me a good scolding and never let me leave the house again."

Even the smallest act of kindness made He Yunya beam with joy. Her happiness infected Qingfeng, who temporarily cast aside all his doubts, fears, and distrust, and also smiled easily.

"Your brother loves you very much."

He Yunya nodded with a smile, "He treats me like a younger sister, and I am very grateful to him. He doesn't care about my status at all and still treats me like a younger sister. I don't know what to say. Sometimes, I really wonder if he really doesn't know or is just pretending not to know."

Qingfeng praised, "Your brother is the truly wise and insightful one. I am merely relying on a little cleverness. I am not as good as him."

He Yunya looked at him with a sweet smile.

"What are you laughing at?" Qingfeng asked.

He Yunya smiled and said, "I have imagined countless times that I could talk to you so intimately. Although it is not as good as I imagined, I am already very satisfied. I am very happy."

In that instant, a thousand feelings surged through Qingfeng's heart. He was speechless, gazing at her greedily, as if trying to etch her smile deeply into his heart and remember it forever.

After ruthlessly driving Liu Mei and her servant out of the peony garden, Lü Ying and Zhou Lan staggered back. Zhou Lan skipped back and forth, grumbling, "That wretched woman! She wasn't satisfied with just causing trouble for our young master, she's trying to pester him again!" Lü Ying said angrily, "I told you long ago not to see that woman, but the young master wouldn't listen. Now look at him, he's made me so angry again." Zhou Lan exclaimed, "If it were me, I would have kicked that woman out of Lu Family Fortress long ago! I don't know what the young master is thinking, he's really infuriating!"

Just as the two were grumbling about their young master's faults, Qingfeng helped He Yunya downstairs, startling Lü Ying and Zhou Lan so much that their eyes almost popped out of their sockets into the thick snow.

"What, what, what's going on?" Zhou Lan stammered. "Why, why did Liu Mei leave, and then He, He Yunya came?"

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Avoiding You

It snowed all night. At dawn, the wind had died down, but the swirling snowflakes continued to dance like goose feathers, showing no sign of stopping. Kiyomi Tsuki, dressed in his warm and beautiful new clothes, took the white fox with him, and their laughter echoed in the snow-covered world. He ran swiftly, leaping and bounding happily like a fawn. The white fox followed suit, how blissful! The wound no longer hurt, and he could once again frolic and play with his master. However, joy often turns to sorrow. Suddenly, Kiyomi Tsuki tripped and fell flat on his face. The white fox jumped in fright.

"Oh."

Three cries of "Ah!" came from the front and back. The first "Ah!" came from Yang Xueli, who was being rushed over by her husband. The other two "Ah!" came from Guo Guo and Mao Ying, who had been working hard to catch up with her.

Yang Xueli asked with concern, "Jianyue, did you hurt yourself? It must hurt a lot. Brother Xiang, what are you standing there for? Quickly help Jianyue up."

"Young master, are you alright?" Guo Guo and Mao Ying arrived breathless.

Kiyomi Tsuki jumped up nimbly, raised her face which looked like it was covered in a snow-white beard, and blinked comically, "Brother Lei, when did you get back?"

Lei Yongxiang said with a forced smile, "I rushed back this morning just to accompany Xue Li to see your cat-like face."

Kiyomi Tsuki raised his hand to scratch his head, his eyes narrowing into adorable crescent moons, and burst into laughter. Along with his joyful laughter, a warm, radiant light emanated from him. Lei Yongxiang and his wife joined in the laughter, as did Guo Guo and Mao Ying. His laughter attracted the attention of the patrolling guards in the distance.

"Young Master Jianyue, the Lord of the Fortress invites you to dine in the flower hall." Zhang Zhichun's respectful voice came from behind.

Kiyomi Tsuki almost choked on his own laughter. He frowned, his face covered in snowflakes, and his dark crystal eyes flashed with displeasure. "I don't want to have breakfast yet." After saying that, he ran up and started jumping around a pine tree covered in snowflakes. The white fox chased after him, grinning and jumping along with him.

Zhang Zhichun had no choice but to chase after him, saying anxiously, "Breakfast has already been set out."

"In that case, go and inform the lord of the fortress and invite him to have breakfast first."

Kiyomi Tsuki casually waved his hand, meaning, "Stop bothering me, I want to keep playing." He stomped his new boots hard, leaving footprints in the thick snow. He was a person who was never bored; he always found something interesting and fun to do, keeping himself happy at all times.

Zhang Zhichun persisted in persuading him, "Young master, stop playing around. You know the lord's temper; if he says he'll wait for you, he'll wait for you no matter what."

Kiyoshi stopped abruptly, glaring at Zhang Zhichun with obvious displeasure. Zhang Zhichun stared back at him expressionlessly, as if he wouldn't let the matter rest until he was taken back. Just as they were glaring at each other, Mao Ying's flustered voice broke the tense atmosphere between them.

"Young master, the lord of the fortress has arrived."

Lu Qingcheng walked over from a distance, followed by Huang Chong and Zhang Lang. Dressed entirely in black, he stood out starkly against the white backdrop. Guo Guo, Mao Ying, and the guards who had been watching the commotion from a distance all bowed in respect. Lu Qingcheng smiled and said, "You naughty fellow, what's gotten into you that you've forgotten to eat?"

A forced smile appeared on Qing Jianyue's face. "Lord of the Fortress, what brings you here?"

"Young Master Jianyue, please have your breakfast." Lu Qingcheng took his hand and held it, her gentle voice like that of someone coaxing a child. "Have breakfast before you play. If it gets cold, we'll have to trouble the kitchen to make it again."

Kiyomi Tsuki sighed inwardly. The more she tried to avoid him, the more she couldn't shake him off.

Lu Qingcheng's gaze fell on Lei Yongxiang and his wife, and she smiled, "Brother Yongxiang is back. Where are you taking your wife so early in the morning?"

Lei Yongxiang smiled and said, "I returned this morning. I originally planned to send my wife to the Cai residence and then go to the Shuxiang Academy to pay my respects to you."