Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
People often say that the things we least want to happen at critical moments are the ones that are most likely to occur.
I looked at Jian Rou across from me. Her slender figure seemed somewhat fragile under the sunlight, and the black ends of her hair danced lightly. Her clear eyes were wide open, staring ahead, and even from a distance, I could see the trembling in her hands as she held the tray.
The shock of this unexpected meeting was overwhelming because I hadn’t prepared myself for it.
With a sudden "thud," the tray slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground. The sound wasn't particularly loud, but in the eerie silence of the moment, it felt painfully sharp.
I opened my mouth, thinking how much better it would be if Shizui were here right now. At least Jian Rou's brother, Molin, would still be alive in this world instead of having fallen into the underworld.
But things don’t go as we wish. I shifted slightly, preparing to stand up, when I heard a sound beside me—it was Molin.
He had been staring at Jian Rou, but his gaze had shifted from disbelief to a kind of restrained indifference. "How much better would it have been if we had never met!"
A light laugh spread from my lips, but in the next moment, that dark figure turned away. His tall and slender back appeared somewhat aloof as sunlight pierced through the boundaries of his form, making everything crystal clear.
"Mo—"
Just as I uttered his name, he quickly moved forward and vanished in an instant.
I slightly bent my arms and let out a powerless sigh that spread from my heart. What more could be said at this point? Perhaps silence was best! But often we find ourselves unable to ignore such matters.
Shizui looked at Jian Rou before him, his mouth slightly agape. The shock in his eyes transformed into a gentle joy. In an instant, he appeared right in front of Jian Rou, his hand reaching out from beneath his azure robe but hesitating mid-air, trembling slightly without descending.
"Rou Er, is it really you?"
The voice trembled with emotion, making one's heart quiver in response.
Shizui had always been strong, but even the strongest man could feel a sense of vulnerability when faced with the right person.
Jian Rou withdrew her gaze, lingering on the one she had longed for. The tears that had been held back in shock now flowed freely, like a dam that had burst, unstoppable.
“It’s me, Shizui, it’s me.”
She repeated those words, wanting to say so much more, yet when they finally met again, not a single word escaped her lips. Instead, she collapsed into his embrace, surrounded by the familiar feelings of the past, which brought her the greatest comfort.
Even a heart that trembled with anxiety could find tranquility in that moment. All the turmoil was just to keep him close, holding on tightly without letting go.
With a soft sound, a tear fell onto her hand. She stared blankly at the droplet—round and crystal clear—before reaching up to wipe it away from her face. Her cheeks were already wet with tears, but she didn’t know for whom they were shed.
Their reunion brought her joy.
Yet watching others reunite filled her with sorrow. Where was her beloved at this very moment?
“Hey there! Why haven’t you come over yet? I came all this way to see this scene; can someone explain it to me?”
A casual voice drifted from afar and quickly approached her side. Before she could even move after standing up, she was enveloped in an icy embrace.
The King of Hell wore a bright yellow embroidered robe, exuding elegance despite his somewhat pale complexion. He smiled down at her as he wrapped one arm around her shoulders, his long fingers caressing her chin as if he were petting a little dog. “Care to explain?”
She shot him a glare. Did he really need an explanation for this? He had orchestrated it all; how could he not know?
From Jian Rou's appearance to Shizui's entry into the palace, and then the recent changes involving Qin Ling and Molin —such significant events! If he was unaware of them, he would truly be foolish. Yet sometimes he enjoyed playing dumb for appearances' sake.
The seemingly innocent person may appear cute, but his cunning runs deep, and his malicious thoughts are heavy, which is why he is a bad person.
Over there, Shizui heard the voice of the King of Hell and released Jian Rou, yet still kept one arm wrapped around her slender waist. Jian Rou struggled a bit, and Shizui shook his head, signaling her not to move.
Without paying any respects to the King of Hell, he directly said, "This woman is my wife, Jian Rou. I thank the King for allowing us to meet today."
"The first Rakshasa of our realm once bound a Ghost Marriage with a woman of both talent and virtue. Is this the soul that has been lingering at the boundary between the underworld and the human world?"
Shizui's eyes flickered slightly. I blinked at him to confirm that the King's words were indeed correct.
Shizui tightened his grip around Jian Rou's waist. At that moment, he realized it was indeed Jian Rou's aura he sensed; he just hadn't thought about it before. If he had turned back then, perhaps everything would not have unfolded in this direction.
But things rarely go as planned; many events proceed contrary to expectations, and people often fail to achieve their desired goals.
"Your Majesty, Rong Zhi has an unreasonable request and hopes you can return Rou Er to me."
"You are the first Rakshasa of the underworld; even I must give you some face. Such a small request—if I refuse, wouldn't that be unkind? Moreover—" He moved his hand from my chin to my cheek, affectionately pinching it. "If I don't comply, Anxin will be upset! Wouldn't you agree?"
"I—" Before I could finish my sentence, I felt a cold softness against my cheek. My eyes widened in an instant as I stared at the face so close to mine, my heart momentarily stopping.
Shizui's gaze darkened but did not stop him. The King of Hell smiled brightly as he looked at Shizui. "But this way, Anxin will have one less caring person looking after her. You are aware of her current physical changes; typically, ghost maids are not reliable."
His words were quite clear. He was willing to give me up, but whether or not he would actually do so was another matter entirely.
Using me to threaten them was a ruthless tactic.
I couldn't guess what Shizui would do next, but I was certain that Jian Rou would remain.
As soon as the thought flickered in my mind, Jian Rou's voice rang out, "Your Majesty, I will not leave Miss Anxin. I will take good care of her. As for my relationship with Rong Zhi, though we are married, meeting him now fulfills a wish I have held for many years. There will be plenty of time in the future; we will meet again. I thank you for granting me this opportunity."
I sighed lightly. Her words gave the King a very good leverage over her. Jian Rou’s staying here meant that only Molin would be left behind. At this moment, the last thing I wanted was for Jian Rou to learn how to save Molin.
The King smiled slightly, his fingers playing with the ends of my hair, twisting and releasing it, clearly enjoying himself. His eyes sparkled with delight, showing no hint of displeasure.
"You are so understanding; compared to some, you are like heaven and earth." I glared at him and stepped on his foot hard. "Who are you talking about?"
"Of course, it's you."
I felt awkward under the King's smile as he looked down at me, his gaze reminiscent of a charming smile that could captivate a hundred hearts. There was no pretense; it was a genuine smile, laced with a familiar playfulness.
My heart trembled slightly, and I turned my eyes away, choosing not to speak further.
The King narrowed his eyes, concealing any excess emotion, making the darkness around him even more intense.
"Since that's the case, let Jian Rou stay. Rong Zhi, if you wish to see her, just come to the palace more often. What I have told you has always been true; as long as you say the word, I will give you anything."
Shizui's gaze flickered momentarily but he said nothing more. He clasped his hands in a bow and replied, "Rong Zhi understands. Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
The King waved his hand dismissively. "Since this is your first meeting as husband and wife, I won't keep you from playing chess today. Go on!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Shizui wrapped an arm around Jian Rou and glanced at me. In that moment, I felt he had something important to convey to me but was hindered by the King's presence. He could only communicate through his eyes before turning with Jian Rou to leave.
"You're all leaving and still holding on?" I said irritably. "You keep Jian Rou here just to manipulate Shizui and deal with Molin! Jun Rui, how can you be so despicable? Do you really need to toy with others like this?"
"Since you've already said that, it would seem pretentious for me to explain further. However—"
He dragged out the last word, then withdrew his hand, placing one behind his back. His proud posture radiated the unique authority of a ruler. His handsome features bore a striking resemblance to that person, both possessing extraordinary beauty. Yet, under the refracted light, there was a fleeting glimpse of panic that sent my heart plummeting. In the blink of an eye, he had returned to his fox-like cunning.
"However, Molin cannot wait any longer. If you don't make a choice, it will only be Jian Rou. Anxin, I know your heart is soft; you cannot bear the thought of others dying, especially those close to you. But in this matter, a decision must be made; among the three of you, there must be a sacrifice."
He gazed ahead with deep, inky black eyes. When he spoke these words, a smile curved at the corners of his mouth, but I sensed no laughter in his eyes—no emotion at all.
"Jun Rui, I won't say things like I won't let you succeed because I understand that many times we are not in control of our circumstances. Sometimes sacrifice is the only way to forge a path forward."
Saying such cruel words with such calmness pushed me to my limits, yet this patience had to exist.
My hands hovered between clenching and relaxing for a long time before I finally smiled and shook my head, drawing the attention of the King of Hell.
"Though I resent the unfairness of fate, I am but a mortal bound by life; one day it will all be taken back. Perhaps at that time, I will feel that this journey is filled with surprises and challenges and will gain profound insights. But at this moment, faced with this merciless choice, all I can do is endure."
"And if endurance becomes impossible?"
My eyelashes fluttered slightly, like a bird preparing to take flight—a hint of trepidation—but ultimately transformed into courage.
"Destruction."
Comment 0 Comment Count