Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
As Qin Huailing spoke, he turned and looked at Yun Bixue. He asked, “Miss Yun, does that mean that a lot of things in this world are fated?”
Yun Bixue lowered her head and glanced at Qin Huailing’s legs. “Are you going to acknowledge your fate just like that?”
Qin Huailing scoffed at himself. “What can I do even if I don’t acknowledge it?” He could change any other aspect, but he was helpless when it comes to his legs. This casted a shadow in his heart—the one that hurt him the most.
Yun Bixue didn’t know how to answer him. She could say a few words of comfort and sympathy, but she couldn’t get them out of her mouth. If anyone else were to be in Qin Huailing’s shoes, that person would also be unable to come to terms with it. They might feel strong, but they would still feel inferior deep inside.
Qin Huailing looked at Yun Bixue, who remained silent, and said, “Let’s go in. No one has been here for years.”
When they stepped inside, Qin Huailing was taken aback. He muttered under his breath, “Could she have been here?”
Yun Bixue thought that she had been hearing things. Nonetheless, judging from Qin Huailing’s expression, she probably wasn’t mistaken. “Who did you say came here?”
Qin Huailing’s clear gaze turned sinister in an instant. “It’s someone I got to know many years ago. She’s just a stranger!”
The place was cold and a bit damp due to its high altitude. Moreover, it was closer to the north. Despite the fact that it was spring, it was still rather chilly. The kitchen was also empty. Fortunately, everyone had brought some field rations. After having their fill, they began to gather coal from the kitchen. They then lit a fire to warm themselves up.
“This place is still rather well-stocked.” Yun Bixue intentionally started a conversation. She appeared composed, but in reality, perilous waves had long been crashing through her heart. Could this be the villa that Chu Fei’er had visited before?
Qin Huailing mentioned that no one had been here in many years. However, it was clear that Qin Huailing was suspicious the moment they had stepped inside. That meant that someone had been here in recent years.
“These coal aren’t old at all!”
“Qin Huailing, who is this person? How could she come here? She’s so thoughtful and prepared a lot of things. We won’t run out of supplies even if we stay here for a few days.”
“Qin Huailing, there’s a towel and soap here. The colors and scent are very sophisticated and feminine, aren’t they?”
…
Yun Bixue spoke a lot. In the end, Qin Huailing calmly answered, “If you’re curious, then listen to my story.” It had been so many years. He had always kept it buried in his heart to the point that it already made his heart ache.
Yun Bixue was stunned, but she still approached the stove and sat down. She stoked the coals and kept the fire burning as she listened intently.
“Before I turned seventeen years old, I had always been the most outstanding figure in my family. During that time, I met this lady. Her surname was Yuan. She was a daughter from the Yuan family in Tian Jing City…”
As she listened to Qin Huailing’s story, Yun Bixue finally realized that he had also had a secret love story during his younger days. He had spent a wonderful time with Miss Yuan from Tian Jing City. They had always been together and had loved each other. Qin Huailing had once believed that she would be his future wife. He had also thought that he would do everything for her.
He only knew that he had to undergo the trainings that were required by his family. He worked hard to learn and pick up new knowledge. He wanted to be the most outstanding person ever. That way, he could match up to this lady, who was a direct descendant of the Yuan family.
Back then, he only had two thoughts in his head: He wanted to expand and strengthen his household, and to treat Miss Yuan well.
He possessed a determined heart during his youth. Once he made up his mind, he wouldn’t think about changing it. Unfortunately, he didn’t understand the schemes and tricks within his family, nor how a person’s heart could change.
Therefore, when the setbacks had hit him, and when his legs got injured, everyone turned their backs on him. Except for his parents, everyone changed and became like a stranger to him, including Miss Yuan.
Qin Huailing had also isolated himself for a very long time. It was only after some time that his condition slowly improved. After he became better, the Qin family was still there, but its members were no longer the same as before. Behind closed doors, he could only build up his own strength in secret.
