“Awake?” Her voice was slightly nasal, as if angry with someone.
Truly a contradictory and interesting woman. Every time he saw her, she was either shocked or angry.
But each time, she was also the one who came to his rescue.
Moreover, the surname Yu was uncommon, and in the entire capital, only one household could afford such high-ranking military guards…
Whether by fate or human design, she harbored secrets unknown to him.
Thoughts flashed through his mind as Ning Yin’s pale thin lips moved slightly, hoarsely saying, “You recognize me.”
It was the first time in their life that she had heard him speak, and it gave Yu Lingxi a shock.
She almost thought Ning Yin also carried memories from his previous life and had seen through her clumsy disguise.
But then, Ning Yin continued with difficulty, “Otherwise, why save me twice?”
Yu Lingxi breathed a sigh of relief. Judging by his reaction, he didn’t seem to have memories of his previous life.
Besides, shouldn’t a normal person’s first words after being rescued be a thank you? Who talks about such things?
Yu Lingxi couldn’t help but laugh from anger, and once her stubborn temper flared up, she flatly denied it: “Who saved you? I merely saw you blocking the road and found you a nuisance.”
Ning Yin looked at her without speaking, but Yu Lingxi always felt that those eyes of his could see through everything.
It was the same in her previous life. Nothing could be hidden from him, and Yu Lingxi most feared looking directly into his eyes.
She somewhat regretted sharing a carriage with him, or perhaps it would have been better if he had remained unconscious for another quarter of an hour.
Fortunately, the carriage stopped, and the guard reported, “Miss, we’ve arrived at the medical clinic.”
Yu Lingxi felt relieved and composed herself, saying, “Since you’re awake, hurry up and get out. Go back to wherever you came from.”
Ning Yin’s lips moved, his voice much lower: “I can’t go back.”
Yu Lingxi’s tangled thoughts were completely blocked. She thought to herself: Did he escape from the Realm of Desire?
“Whatever your plans are, they have nothing to do with me,” Yu Lingxi slightly raised her chin. “Get out.”
Seeing her resolute attitude, Ning Yin had no choice but to struggle to his feet, carefully folding the fragrant cloak and placing it aside before painfully and slowly standing up, supporting himself against the carriage wall.
He had a chest wound, and the action of bending to exit the carriage was nothing short of torture for him.
In just a moment, his lips turned even paler, and fine cold sweat seeped from the tip of his nose.
Yu Lingxi simply turned her head away, pretending not to see.
It was late at night, and the medical clinic was already closed.
Under the snow-covered eaves, the remaining light stretched Ning Yin’s lonely, thin shadow very long.
“Wait,” Yu Lingxi called to him impatiently.
Ning Yin turned around to find that Yu Lingxi had somehow gotten out of the carriage, holding a red plum paper umbrella in one hand and the cloak he had been covered within the other.
He blinked very slowly, revealing a confused expression.
Yu Lingxi’s heart softened, and when she spoke again, she had regained her composure: “This cloak is stained with blood. I don’t want it anymore.”
She pushed the cloak into Ning Yin’s hands.
After thinking for a moment, she also left the umbrella, gently placing it at his feet.
The umbrella opened in the vast whiteness, its painted red plums bright and vibrant.
A thought brewed and surged in his mind, finally overcoming his terrible rationality.
Ning Yin’s eyes flickered, and he almost blurted out: “Take me with you.”
Yu Lingxi stomped her foot and turned back to look at him in disbelief.
Ning Yin appeared weak but serious, his eyes unfathomable.
His Adam’s apple moved slightly as he repeated hoarsely: “Take me with you. I’m willing to do anything.”
The lantern swayed east and west in the wind, and the two stood about ten feet apart, hearing only the whimpering sound of the wind and snow passing by.
After a long while, Yu Lingxi collected her surprise, her gaze warm yet firm: “Unfortunately, I don’t need you.”
She turned toward the carriage, and Ning Yin pressed his lips together, immediately following a few steps.
Hearing the stumbling footsteps behind her, Yu Lingxi couldn’t bear it anymore and turned back, shouting: “Stop following me!”
So Ning Yin stopped, standing like a broken sword in the snow.
However, when Yu Lingxi boarded the carriage and set off toward the Yu residence, she heard the guard alertly say: “That person is still following. Could he be trying to extort us?”
Again! Was Ning Yin born in the Year of the Dog as a youth? Both crazy and stubborn?
Yu Lingxi lifted the curtain to look back and saw a red plum paper umbrella moving laboriously through the vast, confusing snowstorm in the pitch-black night.
Indeed, his madness wasn’t developed overnight—he didn’t even care about his own life.
Fine, let him be.
Yu Lingxi thought that with tonight’s unexpected encounter, she had already done what she should have, with a clear conscience.
It was very late when they returned to the Yu residence, and servants came out with lanterns to welcome them.