Chapter 4, The Wind Rises

I closed my eyes, merely pretending to sleep

I face the pale sky, also with a silent smile. Yet I will never express that, in truth, I too feel very lonely and fear losing the only friend in this world

"Su Ying, are we still friends?" Lin Qiu Xiao asked me after a long time while we were looking at the clear maple together

After a moment of silence, Lin Qiuxiao's voice came through, seemingly calm, yet carrying a strong tremor of suppressed excitement at the end: "Su Ying, I was drunk just now and said some nonsense. I apologize. I hope we can still be... friends"

I am at a loss for words, only aware that I have endured seven years of waiting, seemingly having become accustomed to waiting.

After a while, the footsteps slowly approached the door, yet they were much heavier than usual

Another leaf of the phoenix tree drifts down, brushing gently against my temple

So, how much longer do I have to wait? When I finally see him, what should I do then

After thinking for a long time, I finally realized that it referred to Liu Qin, and my heart seemed to become numb. For a while, I was just in a daze, or perhaps I had waited too long, and I could no longer feel even the surprise.

Lin Qiuxiao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and smiled, saying, "That's good."

He only said to wait for him, and it was a promise made seven years ago. However, perhaps I am the only one who took his words as a promise. After such a long time, I have begun to doubt whether he still remembers that there is someone like me in existence

Young Master Liu

On such days, practicing martial arts has also become a tedious task for people

This person has placed you together with the assassins of the Marquis's residence for a specific purpose. If you are not utilized by the Marquis, you will certainly be used by this individual. Lin Qiuxiao seemed to be murmuring to herself, as if speaking to me.

Memories before the age of ten are blank, and the path ahead is also a blank slate. I no longer know whether it will be me or Liu Qin who will paint it in vibrant or dull colors.

I lazily reclined on the couch, listening to the intertwining sounds of the wind and rain, while the horse's hooves rang out crisply beneath the eaves. At that moment, it seemed as though I heard a little song calling to me

Upon opening my eyes, I saw Xiao Ge standing in front of me, her face filled with surprise, exclaiming: "Young Master, Liu Gongzi has arrived and is currently with the Prince, saying he wishes to see you."

He is my only friend, and Liu Qin is my only family member

If you find Liu Qin, will you leave with him? After a moment, Lin Qiuxiao asked again, with a hint of melancholy in her tone

However, many waits are not as fruitless as I had imagined, and the arrival of results is often so sudden that it leaves one at a loss for words

On the morning of the second day, I stood silently by the wall, watching a branch of green maple cast its shadow. Unaccountably, myriad sorrows accompanied the gentle golden breeze, swaying in the desolate courtyard, as Lin Qiuxiao slowly approached.

What does it matter if Liu Qin has been found

I furrowed my brows and then gave him a faint smile: "When have we not been friends?"

On that day, the wind suddenly arose, and the rain fell fiercely

I stared blankly at the increasingly thick layer of fallen leaves beneath my feet and said, "I do not know."

In the span of a single night, he seemed to have aged considerably, his dark and bright eyes concealing a certain lingering affection and regret, quietly fixed upon me. His tightly pressed lips deeply etched the lines at the corners of his mouth, profound and sorrowful, completely devoid of the usual carefree elegance.

Should I follow his arrangements, or go along with him? Or should I continue to stay in this vast and deep marquisate, hiding away forever?

A sudden sense of daze enveloped my mind