Bing Zhi was startled, thinking he meant Yun Qi but saw Ai Xue being restrained instead, her heart sinking completely.
“Release her,” Ning Fei looked at Ai Xue expressionlessly, his eyes devoid of emotion.
Is this the person she had always loved? Ai Xue walked closer to Ning Fei, looking at his familiar face in the firelight, but why were his eyes so cold?
Ning Fei approached Bing Zhi, crouched down, and spoke in a voice only she could hear: “I’ve suddenly changed my plan! This Ao Long Manor has been declining for years. Instead of wasting time here, I’d rather find a shortcut. Everyone here, except myself, will die, blown to pieces by gunpowder! And…”
Ning Fei moved even closer to Bing Zhi’s ear, lowering his voice. As he slowly backed away, Bing Zhi’s expression was horrified, seemingly trembling, with fists clenched tightly. Ning Fei’s target was to take over Luo Xia Palace! First, make the Yun family without an heir, then seize the opportunity to replace them.
“Bing Zhi!” When she heard Yun Qi’s voice, she almost collapsed.
But Ning Fei quickly turned and pulled out the dagger from Ai Xue’s chest, pressing it against Bing Zhi’s neck, instantly causing her to feel a sharp pain.
“Don’t come closer!” Ning Fei shouted, stopping Yun Qi. “Put down the sword, quickly!”
“Okay, don’t hurt her, we can discuss anything,” Yun Qi replied, putting down the sword and kicking it aside. He had rushed to check the bright lights here, only to find Bing Zhi in trouble.
Ning Fei signaled Ning Hui, who had people surround Yun Qi. “Young Master Yun, I didn’t want to do this, but you kept pushing me until I had no choice. Don’t blame anyone else!”
“Ning Fei, if you dare hurt her, I’ll destroy your Ao Long Manor!” Yun Qi’s voice echoed through the entire manor, causing Ning Fei’s people to hesitate.
Ning Fei sneered and ordered, “Give me the torch!”
A servant handed over the torch without hesitation.
“No! There’s gunpowder here! Quickly extinguish the fire!” Bing Zhi shouted. “Yun Qi, run! He’s gone mad and will do anything!”
Bing Zhi remembered the dagger Ai Xue had given her and, during Ning Fei’s momentary distraction, quickly drew the dagger and stabbed at Ning Fei.
Ning Fei clearly hadn’t expected Bing Zhi to have a weapon and was caught off guard, taking a direct hit.
Ning Fei, in pain, raised a palm and struck Bing Zhi’s shoulder, dropping the torch and covering his bleeding wound. He cursed, “Damn girl! You’re quite bold!”
“Are you scared?” Xiao Jin asked calmly, taking Bing Zhi to a temporarily safe corner.
In the firelight, Bing Zhi’s eyes softly turned, revealing a gentle smile, “Not scared.” At this moment, Bing Zhi clearly knew she could entrust her life to the man before her without hesitation. As long as he was here, even if the mountains collapsed and the earth cracked, even if the world turned upside down, she would be fearless!
Xiao Jin laughed loudly, his eyes filled with deep affection and pride, “Good! This is the woman I, Xiao Jin, want!”
Bing Zhi just looked at Xiao Jin, saying nothing, quietly leaning in his arms, listening to his heartbeat. The long-missed breath, broad embrace, and deep gaze made Bing Zhi intoxicated, as if the explosives and flames could no longer threaten her life, and the surrounding chaos gradually sank into the sea, vanishing without a trace. At this moment, she realized the world could be as small as just a comforting embrace.
“Promise me one thing, okay?” Xiao Jin’s lips curved slightly, brushing Bing Zhi’s delicate eyebrows, using a smile to cover the hint of weariness in his eyes.
Bing Zhi suddenly realized something was different in Xiao Jin’s words, “What’s wrong? Jin?
“She slightly struggled free from Xiao Jin’s embrace, sitting up and anxiously looking at him.
Xiao Jin did not answer: “Promise me.”
Despite his efforts to conceal it, his body seemed unable to support itself, using one hand to prop himself up on the ground. A thought flashed through Bing Zhi’s mind, her voice trembling, “Just now, that wooden beam… did you block it for me?”
Xiao Jin just smiled, waves surging in his eyes.
“Say something! Jin, what’s wrong with you? Where are you hurt? Say something!” Bing Zhi burst into tears, her hands afraid to touch Xiao Jin, fearing she might touch his wounds.
“Don’t worry, it’s not serious…” Xiao Jin seemed to use great effort just to raise his hand, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed, gently wiping away Bing Zhi’s tears, “Just promise me one thing.”
“Okay, I promise you. As long as we can leave alive together, I’ll agree to anything!” Bing Zhi spoke urgently, as if afraid Xiao Jin would say something more.
“No, promise me now.” Xiao Jin was resolute, again embracing Bing Zhi, resting his chin on her hair, “Promise me that when we get out, we’ll both survive and laugh, okay?”
“Okay!” Hearing Xiao Jin’s “we”, Bing Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she had overthought things. How could Xiao Jin be someone who would give up easily?
“That’s good.” Xiao Jin smiled contentedly, his gaze deep. Hearing the explosion sounds temporarily weakening, he knew it was time.”
“I hope we can always look at each other like this.” Xiao Jin carefully examined Bing Zhi’s face.
“Jin?” Unease rose in Bing Zhi’s heart again. She tried to see clearly Xiao Jin’s gaze, but that gaze enveloped her like stars across the sky.
Xiao Jin made his decision, choosing the right moment. With a clear whistle, he used his inner power to create a protective layer around Bing Zhi.
Bing Zhi heard Xiao Jin tremble. She turned back and pleaded with Yun Qi: “Please let me go inside. I don’t want him to die because of me. We can’t leave him behind. Let me save him, okay?”
In the firelight, Bing Zhi’s face was covered in tears, her eyes full of begging. Yun Qi couldn’t bear to look and turned away, “No, even if we go in, it’s useless. I can tell that Xiao Jin is not only seriously injured but also has lost his power.”
“You’re talking nonsense!” Bing Zhi began trying to break free from Yun Qi, shouting into the fire, “Xin, come out, okay? Let’s leave together! I beg you not to give up like this!”
With a “boom”, another house collapsed. It turned out that Ning Fei had planted explosives.
Once the fire spread, the entire mountain villa would be reduced to ashes!
Chapter 1: Life and Death (3)
“Bing Zhi! If we don’t leave now, we’ll be buried here too! Come with me quickly! Otherwise, wouldn’t Xiao Jin’s efforts be in vain!” No matter how Yun Qi persuaded her, Bing Zhi remained unresponsive, determined to rush into the fire.
In a moment of urgency, Yun Qi hardened her heart, reached out to seal Bing Zhi’s acupoint, picked her up, and leaped towards the back mountain.
“Qi, I beg you, let me save him! He saved me. How can I be ungrateful!” Bing Zhi was both shocked and anxious, never expecting Yun Qi to seal her acupoint. Was she going to watch Xiao Jin die?
Yun Qi avoided Bing Zhi’s questioning gaze. She simply said, “Don’t worry, once I take you to a safe place, I’ll go back to save him.” This was a promise made with life. In such a complex fire scene, how many could be sure of escaping unscathed? So, she would rather go herself than let Bing Zhi take the risk!
Bing Zhi was stunned for a moment, her mind filled with every word Xiao Jin and Yun Qi had spoken to her tonight. Looking at Yun Qi’s side profile, soft yet resolute, she felt a pain in her heart. What was she doing? Had she hurt Yun Qi? His eyes clearly bore wounds!
Yun Qi was confused. Thinking this, Yun Qi gathered her spirits and began to listen carefully.
Xun Luoxia seemed to hesitate, pausing before asking, “Did you and Zhi’er consummate your marriage on your wedding night?” She waited anxiously for Yun Qi’s response.
Yun Qi frowned and replied truthfully, “Not yet.”
