Everything is Heading Towards Inevitable Destruction (Part 2)
Whether it was due to Jiu Ge not having an answer or not knowing how to, Ye Yexin lowered her head. Her face gradually went bright red before she asked, “Do you think… the view from the sea was nice?”
“Hmm?” Jiu Ge never felt one way or another about scenery. Luckily, he never forgot what he saw, so after a brief refresh, he nodded. “Probably.”
“There aren’t many places I can take him… I don’t know many places, either. If he’s willing to marry me… and doesn’t mind, I’d be more than willing to show him around every day.”
Silence followed more silence. Jiu Ge had no idea how to deal with the situation at hand. Despite knowing what was on her mind, he did not know what to say.
“I heard that a lady has a lot to learn when she gets married, but I don’t know how to do anything. Jiu Ge, do you think I’ll learn in time?”
“You will… You’re clever and learn fast.”
Ye Yexin bobbed her head. “I think so, too. I’ve never tried cooking, though. Would he get angry if I don’t cook well?”
Jiu Ge paused to think before shaking his head. “He’s a generous person, so no.”
“Would we make a good couple?”
“… Yeah. You’re both nice people… but…”
“But he hasn’t agreed to actually marry me, correct?” Her eyes were clear; perhaps more beautiful than any ocean, pure and devoid of any ulterior motives. “I know that he won’t marry me if he doesn’t genuinely like me.”
“He…”
“Jiu Ge, can you ask if he likes me?”
Jiu Ge sighed. “Sure.”
***
Gazing at the clouds, Bai Zhiqing saw the image of the mysterious maiden whom he surmised he would unlikely ever meet again. He was probably never even going to meet someone similar again. He was determined to tell Shang Bieshi how he truly felt irrespective of the risks involved.
“Why don’t you just tell me now?”
Bai Zhiqing looked over his shoulder as if he sensed an assailant, never expecting to see someone who he thought never left home.
Why did he come out from there?!
“You three went to Crane-wave Path, didn’t you? I had a glance just before. Based on Yexin’s demeanour, you’ve obtained Lord of the Near Sea’s core, haven’t you?” Shang Bieshi asked with a smile.
“Y-yeah, she wanted to give it to you as a gift.”
Shang Bieshi looked comforted. “But you don’t want to marry her?”
As confronting as the question was, Shang Bieshi did not ooze a scary vibe. That said, Bai Zhiqing knew the weight of every word that came out of Shang Bieshi’s mouth.
“… I was never sure. However, I’m now certain it’s not love. No matter how much I cherish her, it will only be in the same capacity you cherish her. I truly value her as a friend, so I don’t want to use marriage as a token to exchange for my freedom. I just cannot do it. If you truly cherish her, you would know that this is not the best choice for her, either.”
“You think I will acquiesce?”
“I do not know, but love is love and to not love is to not love. It is a simple black and white matter. I cannot bring myself to lie to others, and I cannot fool myself.”
Shang Bieshi’s reaction was not among any of the reactions Bai Zhiqing predicted.
With his brows together, Shang Bieshi questioned, “You went through something on this trip that changed your mind, didn’t you?”
Bai Zhiqing weakly nodded, not out of fear but owing to the fact that Shang Bieshi did not react in the way he expected.
Shang Bieshi’s gaze gave the impression that he was able to see beyond the horizon that Bai Zhiqing could see.
“… You have feelings for someone else? This shouldn’t have happened… Why did it happen? Who did you meet?”
Bai Zhiqing was not sure if he was meant to answer the questions as Shang Bieshi seemed to be speaking to himself rather than seeking an answer.
“You met her? How? You shouldn’t have met.” For once, Shang Bieshi showed he was contemplating deeply. “How did this happen? Mount Lu… Mount Lu has dispatched… Brilliant Broadsworder is coming from the east… Has everything been pushed forwards?”
Bai Zhiqing did not expect to hear his eldest brother mentioned, although it explained Shang Bieshi’s reaction. With that said, he could not figure out how Shang Bieshi knew that when nobody had reported in.
“Wait… How…” Shang Bieshi vigorously raised his head. “There’s a third person? How come?”
Bai Zhiqing could not recall Shang Bieshi ever appearing as tense as though he needed to act immediately or risk dying. He never thought Shang Bieshi felt threatened.
Shang Bieshi looked to Bai Zhiqing and said, “You don’t need to return to Fiends’ Genesis anymore.”
“Huh?”
“But Ye Yexin must return, or she’ll be in danger.” By the time Shang Bieshi cast his gaze towards the carriage, he had already vanished.
“Eh? Mr. Shang, wait a second!” By the time he realised Shang Bieshi had taken off, the confused Bai Zhiqing could no longer catch up.
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