Blossom in Adversity

C148. Affection.

Chapter 148: Affection

As twilight descended, lanterns illuminated the main hall and the west wing. The east wing, however, remained shrouded in darkness, a result of Hua Zhi's strict order to keep everyone away.

Emerging from her room, Gu Yanxi paused, his gaze drawn to Hua Zhi's blurred figure in the dim light.

Sensing his presence, Hua Zhi turned. Their eyes met, and she lowered her head in a deep curtsy, more formal and respectful than their usual greetings. It was the most proper bow he had ever seen her perform.

A shadow crossed Gu Yanxi's face. He remained silent for a long moment as Hua Zhi held her position.

He offered a bitter smile and stepped forward to help her up. "Are you blaming me, Miss Hua Zhi?"

"I dare not," she replied, her gaze meeting his sorrowful eyes. "It has always been I who have benefited from Mr. Lu's kindness. Yet, you have never done anything to harm the Hua Zhi family. It is I who have been greedy, holding you to a secret identity. How could I possibly blame you?"

Gu Yanxi's eyes gradually lit up as he looked at Hua Zhi. He almost revealed his true feelings on this corridor, but his last bit of rationality narrowly held him back. It was not the right time yet; he knew it was not the right time now, even if he did confess, the most likely response would be rejection.

Until the Hua family was back on solid ground, Hua Zhi would not consider her own lifelong affairs. No, that wasn't it. Gu Yanxi looked at the gentle woman before him, remembering that Shao Yao had once said she had decided never to remarry.

Hua Zhi suddenly raised her head, meeting Gu Yanxi's gaze head-on. "Mr. Lu has something to say?"

"My name is Gu Yanxi," he replied.

The Gu family name was a prominent one. Hearing it, Hua Zhi felt as if the other shoe had dropped. She was about to perform a formal greeting, but her arm was firmly held by someone.

"But in the Hua family, I am just Mr. Lu. My identity as the Hua family's Martial Instructor will not change," he explained.

"The Hua family..." Hua Zhi began.

"The Hua family can afford it." Gu Yanxi interrupted her. "I am very willing to earn the Hua family's money."

Hua Zhi was not foolish; she was often very smart. So, she could see the affection in Gu Yanxi's eyes, and she understood the rarity of this affection, but... she could not accept it.

She could follow her parents' orders, marry as advised, become a virtuous wife who would take concubines for her husband's sake. But she could not fall in love with a man in this foreign land. They were not just from different countries; they were from completely different worlds, with different educations, values, and beliefs.

How could two such people fall in love?

In the end, they would only end up hurting each other, and it would be better to never cross paths again.

Why bother?

"Mr. Lu, I have no intention of leaving the Hua family in this lifetime," she stated firmly.

"A lifetime is long; we can discuss this matter later," he replied.

Hua Zhi furrowed her brows slightly, realizing that this stubbornness was only due to being denied what she wanted. Over time, her feelings would naturally fade. If he had to obtain her at all costs, it was not a big deal for her.

"You don't have to worry," Gu Yanxi resisted the impulse to touch her hair affectionately, his eyes filled with a smile. "I won't force you with my status, nor will I use the Hua family to pressure you. I hope you treat me as you did before, as I believe others cannot do it, but I know you can."