In Xi Yao's memories, during his time in the jungle, he suffered immense mental torment, feeling particularly lonely. Although the healer's examination concluded the memory loss was due to a physical ailment, Wang Jin believed it was more likely Xi Yao's own subconscious desire, coupled with his frail condition, that had caused him to erase the past so completely.
He probably thought that by forgetting, he wouldn't hurt anymore. Pity... even after losing his memory, he didn't receive kind treatment because of it.
Thinking of this, Wang Jin felt some heartache, and his tone lost its earlier gentleness. Pressing his lips together, he continued, "From the moment I forgot everything, you and I were already finished. That heart of mine, which had once burned so passionately for you, had already turned cold. It would never beat for you again. This has nothing to do with Brother Heng. It was simply that I became too disappointed, and I gave up."
"!" Cheng Bai's fingers curled so tight they turned white, and even his faint lip color faded.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say he was wrong, that he regretted it, but the words wouldn't come out.
He no longer had the face, nor the right, to say those words.
Back when Xi Yao had first gone missing, he had actually been overjoyed, thinking he was finally free from the arranged marriage. Only when the city lord and his elder brother pressured him into joining the search did he go, and even then, he was unwilling. He dragged his feet through the jungle, never searching with any real urgency... That was why it had taken so long to find him, not until the beast horde came...
It was precisely because of this that Xi Yao forgot him, gave up on him. He was the one who pushed him away with his own hands.
Cheng Bai's brows and eyes were filled with remorse and pain. The earlier stubbornness gradually dissipated. Wang Jin knew he understood...
He looked at the person before him. That person, who always sat with proper posture, was now hunched over, appearing somewhat desolate.
Wang Jin's heart ached. He sighed again. After a long silence, he propped his chin and said calmly, "Cheng Bai, actually, things are quite good as they are now. Don't dwell on the past. Look to the future. As for me, Brother Heng treats me very well indeed."
As if thinking of the man, Wang Jin's expression softened considerably. "Do you know? Back when I was in Danmu Tribe, I was actually a madman, a fool. People in the tribe either feared me or bullied me; everyone disliked me. Besides A-Mu who took care of me, only Brother Heng valued me."
"The leader didn't like him, that's why he paired everyone's despised 'me' with him. On my first day arriving at his home, I smashed the food he cooked, ordered him around like a servant. I didn't treat him well at all in the beginning, yet he never once treated me with anything less than kindness."
This was the biggest difference between that man and Cheng Bai.
Even when facing Yue ger, whom he didn't like, that man only kept a respectful distance in his refusal, never thought to hurt him, and tried his best to avoid hurting him.
When dealing with the ger who was forced on him by the leader, he never transferred his dissatisfaction and anger towards the leader onto him.
Even though everyone called him a lunatic, and that man also often called him 'little lunatic' at first, Wang Jin actually knew that person had already started treating him like a normal ger.
Later, as affection grew between them, the man became even more devoted, attending to his every wish without complaint.
Yuan Heng was the only, unique good man in this world, belonging solely to him, Wang Jin.
When the little delicate one spoke of the man, it was as if he was glowing, his entire spirit and appearance revitalized...
Cheng Bai watched silently, his eyes growing dimmer. Wang Jin said, "Cheng Bai, I am very happy now. I also hope you can find happiness."
Cheng Bai didn't answer, but he was no longer as stubborn as at the beginning. Seeing this, Wang Jin stood up and said, "Alright, then I'll head back. You eat properly, and absolutely must not do anything again to make others worry."
"..." Cheng Bai gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Wang Jin felt relieved. Only then did he leave, taking a beastman guard with him.
This guard was one he brought from the pavilion, at Yuan Heng's request. No matter where he went, he had to have a guard to prevent danger.
Zhao Qi waited outside. Seeing Wang Jin come out, he escorted him to the gate, then trotted into the room.
Cheng Bai sat at the table. Although his face was pale, at least he didn't seem as dazed as before.
Zhao Qi breathed a sigh of relief, pretending to be relaxed as he stepped forward. "The young master still has a way with him, huh."
Cheng Bai moved slightly, raised his eyes, and looked at Zhao Qi, somewhat strangely asking, "Aren't you going to see him off?"
"?" Zhao Qi was taken aback.
Cheng Bai explained, "Pan Shulin is still missing now. He hates that little deli... Xi Yao to the core and will definitely look for a chance to harm him. You brought him out, why aren't you escorting him back?"
Zhao Qi's eyebrow twitched. "It was an oversight on my part. I saw he had a beastman guard and let him leave. I'll go now."
With that, he stood up. Seeing this, Cheng Bai also rose. "I'll go with you."
"Don't," Zhao Qi refused. "Look at you, your face is frighteningly pale. You should rest. I'll go. He has a guard, and Pan Shulin is a ger. With me along as well, there definitely won't be any trouble. Don't worry."
Cheng Bai was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "Let's go together."
With that, not waiting for Zhao Qi's agreement, he walked out the door first. Zhao Qi had no choice but to follow.
Cheng Bai's residence wasn't actually far from the pavilion. Wang Jin, with the beastman guard, was walking back. A ger's walking speed is slow. Cheng Bai and Zhao Qi caught up to him soon.
Just... around that person, there was actually a circle of beastman soldiers transformed into beast form in attack stance. Counting them, there were about a dozen or more.
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