Chapter 141
Xi Ning sighed and finally spoke: "He and Cheng Bai went hunting. They said they want to hunt a very nutritious and tasty fierce beast for you."
"A fierce beast?!"
Wang Jin was taken aback. When he was ill back in the Danmu tribe, Yuan Heng had never gone out hunting. Furthermore, here in Ning'an City, provisions were plentiful, so why would he choose to go now of all times?
"Is the beast truly that ferocious? Could he be in danger? And why would he go with Cheng Bai of all people?" Knowing the two men were usually at odds, Wang Jin keenly sensed something wasn't right.
Xi Ning's expression tightened for a fleeting moment before smoothing over. He lifted the medicine bowl, gently blowing on it to cool it. "Not very ferocious. It's just a bit far, so they need to look out for each other. It just so happens they both went to find that beast for you, so they went together. They'll be back in ten days or so." Explaining, Xi Ning handed the medicine to Wang Jin. "Here, drink your medicine."
"Mm..." Wang Jin obediently took it, furrowing his brow as he drank the medicine, but he still felt something was amiss.
He was just about to ask for more details, but Xi Ning spoke first, cutting off his inquiry.
"Yao'er, the healer said your memory has recovered seventy or eighty percent. Then, do you remember that you once liked Cheng Bai?"
Wang Jin paused. Countless images of the original owner relentlessly pursuing Cheng Bai flashed through his mind. Finally, with a complicated look in his eyes, he nodded.
Seeing this, Xi Ning looked up and gazed directly at Wang Jin, asking seriously, "In that case... do you still wish to break off the engagement?"
"Of course!" Wang Jin replied urgently, seemingly afraid he would be married off to Cheng Bai.
Xi Ning's eyebrows rose slightly, his eyes full of surprise. Wang Jin's heart jumped, suddenly realizing that if he had remembered everything, he would possess the original owner's feelings of liking Cheng Bai. Even if he didn't love him now, those feelings had once been sincere, deep, and passionate. His answer was too hasty and matter-of-fact.
If he were truly the original owner, even letting go of past feelings would require time...
Wang Jin's thoughts whirled. He lowered his gaze, pretending to ponder deeply... After a moment, he softened his voice and replied, "Brother, I admit I really liked Cheng Bai before. I was always following behind him..."
He let his shoulders slump, adopting a wounded expression as he continued, "But back then... he wanted nothing to do with me. He constantly avoided me, and even let me continue misunderstanding that the person I was to marry was his elder brother. He even tried to matchmake me with his elder brother..."
"He even tried to matchmake you and Cheng Li?" Xi Ning asked with a frown.
Wang Jin nodded with a heartbroken expression.
Xi Ning's frown deepened.
Wang Jin paused, then said quietly, "Let's leave the past where it belongs, brother. Since he rejected me back then, it's clear our connection was never meant to be."
"......" Xi Ning fell silent upon hearing this, not speaking for a long time.
Wang Jin's heart churned with anxiety. Fearing his eyes would reveal his complete lack of feeling for Cheng Bai, he kept his gaze firmly lowered throughout the entire conversation. His fingers twisted together nervously, and his voice was faint, unsteady, and devoid of conviction.
He had no idea if Xi Ning had been convinced by his words, or if he accepted his conclusion that their bond was broken.
The person sitting on the bed before him kept his eyes lowered, the emotions within them unclear. But his downturned mouth and increasingly soft speech let Xi Ning know his spirits were low, even despondent.
Looking down, Xi Ning saw the joints of his fingers hooked together, rubbing slightly, all ten fingers tangled together, like tangled thoughts knotted up and buried deep in his heart... not easily undone...
"Yuan Heng... is a good man." Xi Ning said with a sigh. His fingertips brushed over the iron ring he was wearing. After a moment, he took it off and held it out to Wang Jin. "This thing was made by Yuan Heng as a gift for me. This kind of craftsmanship isn't even found in Ning'an City, yet he made it. That's enough to see he is very clever. Ancient beastmen have always been powerful. This Yuan Heng is powerful, clever, and good to you... he truly is a good match to settle down with."
As Xi Ning spoke, his brows remained furrowed, not looking as satisfied as his words suggested. Wang Jin saw this and, though he wanted to speak up for Yuan Heng, didn't dare reply carelessly. He lowered his head, his gaze shifting to the object Xi Ning mentioned.
After just one glance, Wang Jin happily took the iron ring. "Brother Heng actually made it."
Seeing Wang Jin's delighted expression, Xi Ning asked curiously, "Didn't he tell you after he made it? He also said you designed it... that it was a gift from the two of you."
A gift from both of them?
Wang Jin thought to himself: Why is Brother Heng so honest? He should have claimed he prepared the gift entirely on his own—that would have made Brother value him even more.
Thinking this, Wang Jin slipped the ring back onto Xi Ning's wrist, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes. "Brother, how could this be a gift from both of us? It was clearly Brother Heng's idea alone to prepare for you. I wasn't involved at all. Otherwise, how could I not know he had already finished making it?"
Hearing this, Xi Ning looked at Wang Jin with disbelief. Knowing he couldn't hide it, Wang Jin relented: "I... I might have offered a tiny idea at most. The important part is that Brother Heng is clever and capable."
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