Blossom in Adversity

C77. Liking.

Chapter 77: Liking

In the adjacent room, the window was wide open, allowing the wind, carrying snow, to whistle in. The man sitting on the windowsill let his clothes billow in the wind, unmoved as if he didn't feel any chill.

Gu Yanxi wasn't sure what he was thinking, but regardless of his thoughts, the image that lingered in his mind was always those eyes—either calm or puzzled, sharp or resolute—revealing the true nature concealed by their owner.

He had seen too many women, most of whom were full of scheming. The kind ones always ended up not surviving till the end, as they either willingly or involuntarily tainted themselves, striving to become the ultimate victor.

He couldn't help but wonder what Hua Zhi would do in such a situation. Would she assimilate to survive, or be smarter than those people to reach the top?

But their interactions along the way made him realize he was wrong. If it were Hua Zhi, she probably wouldn't bother with those things and would have thought of an escape plan early on. Even high walls and grand estates couldn't confine her unless she willingly stayed, just like she had willingly lived in the Hua family's inner courtyard before.

He had never known he would come to appreciate a woman one day, and this admiration only grew by the day.

He was well aware of what being so interested in a woman meant. This feeling was so refreshing; after living for twenty-four years, it was the first time he found a woman so admirable and pleasing in every way. If he missed out on her, who knows if he would ever be lucky enough to meet someone like her again, as luck never seemed to be on his side.

With a wry smile, Gu Yanxi caught a snowflake with his fingertip, watching it melt into water and moisten his fingers. It seemed as though his luck had improved slightly. It wasn't easy to come across a woman who wasn't afraid of him, and even more so, one who got along so well with Shao Yao.

A knock at the door revealed the identity of the guest just by the rhythm of the knock. Without turning his head, Gu Yanxi said, “Come in.”

Shao Yao poked her head in first, scanned the room, closed the door, and then approached, fidgeting and hesitant.

“What did Hua Zhi say?” he asked.

Shocked, Shaoyao exclaimed, “You eavesdropped, Yan-ge!”

“If I eavesdropped, I wouldn't need to ask you what she said.” Gu Yanxi looked at the slightly plumper Shao Yao with calm eyes.

Facing the Shizi in such a manner, Shao Yao felt reassured. She understood that the Shizi she knew was never as gentle and agreeable in front of Hua Zhi.

Thinking about Hua Zhi, Shao Yao’s heart sank a little, and she sat down against the wall, “Yan-ge, I can't help but remember the past.”

Gu Yanxi lowered his gaze to look at her.

"Sometimes at night, I dream of things that happened many years ago when I was still very young," Shao Yao gestured with her hands. "I had my hair tied up in a bun, liked chasing after a little boy who treated me well, hugged me, gave me delicious food. In my dreams, there was always a stunningly beautiful woman who smiled at me, brushed my hair, and said that when I grew up, she would marry me off nearby, and if my husband's family dared to mistreat me, the little boy would go and stand up for me."

Shao Yao met Gu Yanxi's gaze and smiled purely. "I know the little boy is you, Yan-ge. Is that woman our mother, right?"

Gu Yanxi neither nodded nor shook his head. The past was too heavy; it was enough for him to remember. Since Shao Yao chose to forget, it was best that she never knew.

Shao Yao didn't mind either way; in her heart, she was certain that Chen Qing had been with Yan-ge for many years, and she could tell that his attitude towards her was different from how he treated others.

She didn't want to know what had happened in the past; it must have been unpleasant, judging by his expression. She only needed to know that Yan-ge was her brother.

“I hope more than anyone that Huahua becomes my sister-in-law. She's so good; she must be unable to bear even a slight criticism about me. But, Yan-ge, that's not the life Hua Hua wants. Anything like being the Shizi's wife is not as pleasing to her as a carefree life," Shao Yao leaned against the wall, looking at the unremarkable inn. "Earlier, Huahua asked if you had a wife. I thought she had feelings for you, but she was only concerned that if you already had a wife, it would be improper to travel together. She said she has no intention of marrying and will find a delicate little house to live in when the time is right, watching the sun rise and set, living leisurely. Yan-ge, she was saying this for you."

Gu Yanxi listened without any surprise. He had crossed a line, and such a clever woman couldn't possibly fail to see it. She wasn't pretending to be clueless or seeking a support, but rather confident that she could carry the burden of the Hua family on her own.

Just like this journey to the northern region, it would still have gone smoothly without him tagging along, albeit a bit more exhausting and challenging.

No one knew just how resilient she truly was.

Without waiting for the Shizi's response, Shao Yao couldn't resist but to ask directly, “Yan-ge, do you like Huazhi?”

Gu Yanxi looked at Shao Yao with an expression that said 'you're stating the obvious.'

Realizing she had asked a redundant question, even Yan-ge had never been so attentive to the empress, not to mention a woman, “If it's not liking, then what is it? So, to what extent do you like her?”

Gu Yanxi thought seriously for a moment, “I want to bring Hua Zhi's family back and not let her endure harsh winters and hot summers in the northern region. How does that measure on the scale of 'liking'?"

Shao Yao pondered for a moment, unable to grasp the depth of his feelings, so she asked directly, "Then do you want to marry her?"

"With the weight of the Hua family on her shoulders, do you think she would marry? Can you imagine what would happen to the Hua family without her?"

"It would crumble!" Shao Yao nodded, fully understanding. Given her knowledge of Hua Zhi, Shao Yao knew that Hua Zhi wasn't just saying she wouldn't marry.

"Yan-ge, you wouldn't force her, would you?"

"I want to marry a wife, not make an enemy," Gu Yanxi said, recalling that rainy night. A smile played on his lips. "If I were to force her, how could I sleep peacefully?"

Shao Yao nodded in agreement. "Huahua would definitely go to any lengths to prevent that."

Gu Yanxi looked out the window at the wind whipping the snow into a frenzy. He admired the courageous and determined Hua Zhi who, with just a few people, dared to venture to the far north. Even her occasional fierceness seemed endearing to him. But that didn't mean he wanted to be the target of her wrath.

How deep was his love?

He wanted to share her worries, follow her path, understand her thoughts, protect her, stand side by side with her, see her smile, shield her from harm, and be the first person she thought of in times of trouble...

What level of love was this?

Perhaps it was the desire to be the only one in her heart.

"You can ride my horse with her today."

Shao Yao blinked. "Yan Ge, don't you remember when your horse kicked me and I fell flat on my face?"

"Not today."

Shao Yao understood. In the past, the horse would kick her because Yan Ge had the horse do it!