Chapter 22: The Soul's Dialogue (Part 1)

  I turned back in surprise, my gaze passing through the open door behind me and looking outwards.

  Under the silver moonlight, a winding corridor stood quietly at one end, with a person standing still. The moonlight spilled on his black robe, and the dark patterns of the silver silk reflected a dim light, casting a faint halo around his body. I couldn't see his face clearly, only looking at him standing coldly there, exuding a familiar yet icy aura that made me feel somewhat suffocated.

  It was quiet behind him. Were they all afraid of him? I swayed lightly and closed my eyes. I knew I should leave, if I didn't want to be too embarrassed.

  I quietly stood up, looking at them with some embarrassment and said in a low voice: "Nice to meet you. I... should go."

  They all didn't speak a word. I forced a smile and turned around to walk out.

  My legs are weak, my footsteps are floating, and my head is dizzy. I try to walk in a straight line, lift my foot over the threshold, but don't notice the stairs beneath me, and as soon as my leg gives way, I plunge downwards.

  After a dizzying spin, I didn't land on the icy stone steps as expected, but instead fell into a strong embrace.

  He picked me up, and I lifted my head dazedly to look at him. There was a flash of anger in his eyes, and my heart skipped a beat. What's going on? Is he trying to let everyone behind us know my identity? I struggled to get down, but his arm tightened, and he whispered in my ear, "Don't move."

  I was taken aback and gave up struggling, after all, I couldn't put on a show here. Shrinking into his arms, I didn't dare to look back at the people behind me, just letting him hold me like that, walking forward along the way.

  He didn't make another sound, I leaned dizzily against his shoulder, out of the wooden gate of Guiwu Courtyard, the mountain wind was strong, my head spun, the wine completely surged up, my stomach churned with nausea.

  I stretched out my hand and pressed it against his chest, saying in a confused tone: "Let me down, I'll walk by myself."

  He let out a low hum. Still not speaking. Continued walking forward. A wave of intense nausea surged up. I covered my mouth. Started struggling. He was taken aback for a moment. Gently put me down. Reached out to support me. I shook him off. Stumbled and staggered to the side. Leaning against a tree, I began vomiting violently.

  I didn't eat anything to begin with. I only vomited a few mouthfuls of sour water. But my stomach was still churning nonstop. I couldn't stop dry heaving. Tears and snot were streaming out. My temples started throbbing. My head felt swollen. Everything in front of me was blurry.

  He gently patted my back until I stopped vomiting. A handkerchief was handed to me and I took it unconsciously, wiping away tears and snot. My consciousness began to blur as if the alcohol had flooded into my brain. All my strength seemed to have been sucked out of me. I struggled to keep myself from sliding to the ground.

  A soft sigh came from beside me. I was picked up by him again. I pushed him hard and struggled, "Don't. Let me walk myself."

  He helplessly said in a low voice: "Why are you so stubborn? Can't you be gentle and obedient like an ordinary girl?"

  I'm not Gu Qingying. I only know how to obey unconditionally. You've arrested me and brought me here. Do you still want me to be gentle and obedient? The grievances and resentment in my heart are surging up. My emotions are starting to lose control. What did I do wrong? Why do I have to go through this? Tears are welling up. My heart feels suffocated. My head is throbbing. Broken sobs spill out of my mouth: "Let me go. I'm not Gu Qingying. Let me go..."

  He didn't say a word, holding me and continuing to walk forward. I was confused and hit him while crying, tears falling like broken pearls. I was confused and scolded him: "You rascal, you selfish and overbearing bastard, how dare you trap my soul, how dare you change my life? What did I do wrong to suffer such torture?"

  Tears gushed out like a burst dam, the twists and turns of my past life, the tribulations of this life... The memories of past events crashed against me like a tidal wave, all the injustices, grievances, helplessness, and sorrow tore at my consciousness, my mind was in chaos and weakness, I cried harder and harder, crying to the point of heartbreak, my whole body convulsed, as if trying to pour out the bitterness of two lifetimes all at once.

  He held me tightly in his arms, my weak fists pounding against him as I couldn't see the surroundings clearly, only feeling a splitting headache, violent sobs making the hangover worse, energy being drained bit by bit, heart-wrenching wails gradually turning into quiet whimpers, my whole body felt sore and soft, waves of dizziness washed over me, and I vaguely fell into darkness.

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  My head hurts, my whole body feels weak and sore, it's as if there are hands tearing at my brain. My consciousness slowly returns, I struggle to open my eyes, everything in front of me is blurry, all I know is that I'm lying on the bed, covered with a soft silk quilt. I've been drunk for how long? Why is everything around me still pitch black?

  There was a hazy moonlight outside the window, and I vaguely observed the situation in front of me. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered what he was doing here?

  A tall figure sat on the bed, the cold moonlight shining down on him. The familiar outline made me realize who it was at a glance. Who else could it be? I smiled to myself, wondering who would come to this room in the middle of the night.

  "Are you awake?" Ling Yi's voice was a little hoarse. I had to admit, not seeing him, not thinking about his evil deeds, just listening to this voice in the darkness, was indeed very captivating.

  He saw that I didn't respond, so he stood up and walked to the table. With a "whoosh" sound, I saw the faint glow of the lighter being lit.

  "Don't turn on the light." I hastily stopped him, I was used to this darkness, I didn't want to see his appearance.

  "Hmm." He probably guessed what I was thinking too, and gave up the idea of lighting a lamp, walking back to sit on the edge of the bed.

  "What time is it now?" I asked him dryly, recalling the situation before getting drunk.

  "It's the third watch." He paused for a moment, then continued: "You've slept for three periods."

  Yes, no wonder the moonlight is dim, it's dawn. I look at the night outside the window and calmly ask him: "What are you doing here?"

  "I'm just looking at you." He hesitated for a moment before answering me, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

  I remained silent, understanding that he wanted to see Gu Qingying, perhaps only when I was asleep could he find a glimpse of Gu Qingying's shadow on me. But at this moment, I no longer had the mood to mock and ridicule him.

  I subconsciously shrunk my body into the corner of the bed, hiding in the shadows where the moonlight couldn't reach.

  "Don't hide." He saw through my thoughts, his voice tinged with a bitter smile: "You and her are not alike. Even when you're asleep, you still have a stubborn look on your face."

  Is that so? I sneered to myself, it turns out I'm so easy to reveal my emotions, but this is also good, at least I can prove that I'm a complete person with an independent thinking soul, not a wandering spirit that's manipulated by others.

  "I'm awake now, what are you still doing here?" I was still a bit tired and weak all over, but my spirit was exceptionally good, yet I didn't want to face him until dawn.

  "I'll have someone prepare some hangover soup for you." He stood up.

  "No." I hastily stopped him, others were having a good dream, how could I disturb them at this time: "I don't need to, I'm fine now..."

  He stood still without moving, I could guess he was frowning and vaguely saw him shaking his head saying: "You got drunk so badly." Then he wanted to walk out again.

  "Just don't mess with me, okay? I said I didn't want to." I said somewhat angrily.

  He stopped in his tracks, paused for a moment, and then turned back to the bedside. Facing me in the darkness, his voice had a hint of helplessness: "Why do you always have thorns all over your body? I don't want to hurt you."

  I lost my smile and shook my head, unable to find words to respond to him. Was he indifferent to everyone except Gu Qingying? He didn't want to hurt me, huh? Did he think he hadn't hurt me?

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  Today is the second day, although it's a bit late (sweat!)

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