Rushing over, I found Jing Haobo had fallen, his foot caught on the doorstep. It was just like a melodramatic scene on TV—the male lead tells the female lead “I love you, but we can’t be together” and then trips and falls. How ridiculous.
I helped Jing Haobo up, wiping away his nosebleed. He smiled, uttered “Fate’s will,” and then passed out.
My heart relaxed with a sweet and sour joy. Though his words were unclear, I understood. He was accepting me. Fate had made him fall at the moment of rejection—heaven kept him by my side.
I unexpectedly heard a hearty laugh: “Long time no see, Flower Sect Master. How have you been?”
“Tie Shuzhi?” I was surprised. If he hadn’t arrived, I would have forgotten about going to Cold Family Fortress—I’ve missed our half-month appointment! No wonder they came looking for me.
Jumping down from the carriage in shame, I glanced at him and screamed: “Master Tie, your hand—” I saw Tie Shuzhi’s entire left sleeve was empty from the shoulder, swaying gently in the breeze, mirroring the melancholy in my heart.
“You wretch! It’s all your fault!
The hot-tempered big man from before was now furious, glaring at me as if he wanted to devour me whole.
Tie Shuzhi raised his right hand: “What’s past cannot be changed, but the future can be pursued. Let bygones be bygones.”
“Does it… still hurt?” I felt terrible, knowing this elder had been punished because of me. It was my negligence to forget our previous appointment.
“Not painful anymore,” Tie Shuzhi laughed heartily. “I can even save some fabric making clothes now.”
Though it was a joke, I felt distressed, choking with emotion. I was too self-centered, always acting impulsively without considering the consequences for others.
Seeing my silence, the big man shouted: “Hua Xiaoxin! Hand over Jing Haobai! Cold Family Fortress might still spare your life!”
I ignored him. With my carriage full of companions, though I couldn’t fight an entire army, swatting away a few hundred would be manageable. His threats meant nothing to me. I looked at Tie Shuzhi, realizing the debt of gratitude I owed was far too large to be repaid with mere words or treasures.
