"You, do you like me?"
He pretended to be calm, but in reality, he was nervous. His words added a touch of tenderness to this picturesque scene.
The wind blew, the willow branches swayed, the lake rippled, and the beauty was restless.
Ling Tian Xiang gathered her courage and finally said the words she had been hiding in her heart for a long time. Before Ling Xian left, she wanted to get to the bottom of this.
Like him, or not.
If she liked him, then no matter how long, no matter how hard, she was willing to wait. If she didn't like him, then no matter how far, no matter how hard, she was willing to wait.
What was supposed to come had finally come.
Ling Xian let out a long sigh. He could hear the anxiety in her voice, and he knew he shouldn't have rejected her. But he couldn't go against his own heart, and he couldn't lie to this woman who loved him so much.
He liked her, but he didn't love her.
After a moment of silence, Ling Xian softly uttered, "I'm sorry."
Suddenly, the sky darkened, the air cooled, and his heart broke.
Ling Tian Xiang's face was pale. Her heart was sinking, and her body was shaking. She seemed to have lost the strength to stand.
Ling Xian took a step forward and arrived beside her. He wrapped his arms around her body and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"
"No, I'm fine." Ling Tian Xiang's eyes dimmed. She found herself in Ling Xian's arms. Suddenly, she screamed, "I don't want you to care about me! Let me go! Let me go!"
Ling Tian Xiang was emotional. She punched Ling Xian's chest with her fists. But after a while, her fists fell limply. She cried, "Ling Xian, I like you so much. Why, why don't you like me …"
"I …" Ling Xian froze. His arms tightened around her slender waist, but he couldn't say anything.
If a person loves another person, then the other person must love this person.
Love, after all, cannot be forced.
Seeing her lover's silence, Ling Tian Xiang's heart grew colder. She struggled out of Ling Xian's arms and stared at him with her red, swollen eyes. She said coldly, "Go, go as far away as you can. I don't want to see you again."
Ling Xian sighed softly. Then, with a thought, a Jade Hairpin appeared in front of him. It was the Jade Phoenix Hairpin that could block an attack from a cultivator in the early stages of the foundational level.
This item was a top-grade eighth-grade magic treasure, and it could be said to be a rare and precious treasure.
The moment Ling Xian saw this hairpin, he had already decided to give it to Ling Tian Xiang. Even though it was not a good time to give a gift, if he missed this opportunity, he would never have the chance to see her again.
"This item is called the Jade Phoenix Hairpin. As long as you inject enough mana into it, you can activate a defensive barrier that can withstand a full force attack from a cultivator below the early stage of Foundation Establishment. In times of danger, it can save your life. You must always carry it with you and treasure it well." Ling Xian waved his sleeve. The hairpin turned into a ray of light and inserted itself into Ling Tian Xiang's long hair, adding to her beauty.
Ling Tian Xiang's heart skipped a beat. She caressed the hairpin and her face softened. But in the next second, her face turned cold again. She threw the hairpin on the ground and said, "Ling Xian, I don't want it from you. Go, and don't let me see you again."
"You … take care." Ling Xian's eyes darkened. Looking at Ling Tian Xiang's pale face, he sighed softly. Picking up the jade doll, he turned around and left the place.
At this moment, if he couldn't accept it, then turning around was the best way to deal with it. At least he wouldn't drag his feet and hurt her again in the future.
Ling Tian Xiang's face was pale. Her body trembled. Watching Ling Xian's back, she couldn't hold back her tears.
In reality, she knew very well that Ling Xian most likely did not like her. But love is a complicated emotion. She knew it clearly, but she did not give up. She knew that if she asked, she would be consigned to eternal damnation. But she still asked. She would rather be devastated and fall into a bottomless abyss. She wanted to get to the bottom of it.
However, when Ling Xian gave his answer, Ling Tian Xiang realized that she couldn't bear the heart-wrenching pain. Her world seemed to be collapsing.
After standing like that for a long time, Ling Tian Xiang recovered from her daze. Her empty eyes began to regain some color. She looked at the jade hairpin on the ground and suddenly, a bright smile bloomed on her face.
Picking up the hairpin carefully, Ling Tian Xiang used her sleeve to wipe away the dust on it. Then, she stuck the hairpin into her hair. Looking at the direction Ling Xian disappeared in, she clenched her fists and muttered, "Ling Xian, I will not give up this life to the next. Just you wait. When I appear before you again, I will make you fall for me."
…
On the way to Ling Hu's house, Ling Xian's emotions were complicated.
There was love for Ling Tian Xiang, there was worry for her, and there was hatred for himself. However, there was no regret.
He knew very well that he only liked Ling Tian Xiang. He liked her kindness and her gentleness. But it was not love. In the hundred years he spent in the Lost Territory, the only time he fell in love was with Yu Wu Xiu, who would do anything to get what she wanted.
He couldn't explain his feelings. Maybe it was because people were cheap. They didn't know how to cherish the people they loved, yet they were heartbroken over someone who wasn't worth it.
"The people I love and the people I love …" Ling Xian shook his head and sighed. He forced himself to stop thinking about this truth that he would never understand even if he spent the rest of his life. He walked towards Ling Hu's house in big strides.
At this moment, Ling Hu's mother was frowning. Looking at her quiet son, she asked, "Ling Hu, you really like that girl?"
Ling Hu's head drooped. Hearing his mother's words, he forced himself to stay awake and said, "Mother, I don't like her. You don't have to worry about me."
"You don't like her?"
Ling Hu's mother was amused. Even though she knew her son was sensible and didn't want her to worry about him, seeing how troubled Ling Hu was, she couldn't help but feel angry. She scolded, "If I don't like you, why are you acting like this? Look at your current state. You've actually become so despondent because of a woman. Are you still a man? You don't have a future. "
Ling Hu was in low spirits. If this was any other time, he would have argued back. But right now, he was not in the mood. All he could think about was the girl who was like a fairy.
Just half a year ago, he met a cute, lively, and kind-hearted girl named Ling Rou. She was also a collateral descendant of the Ling Family. After spending some time together, Ling Hu could not help but fall in love with her. Fortunately, this girl also liked him very much, and the two of them made a promise that they would only marry each other in this life.
However, the girl's family background was not ordinary. Her father was a deacon of the Ling Clan, named Ling Tian Nan. Because of his outstanding performance in the war, he won the favor of the second elder, Ling Tian Ao. Since then, he has risen through the ranks like a rocket. Today, he is the manager of all the deacons, second only to the elders.
But what did Ling Hu have?
He had no looks, no cultivation, and no family background. He was at the bottom of the Ling Clan. Why would Ling Tian Nan marry his daughter to such an insignificant person?
It was not that he was trying to curry favor, but that Ling Hu had everything he wanted. Ling Tian Nan did not believe that his daughter could have a good future with him.
Therefore, he imprisoned his daughter and forbade her from seeing Ling Hu. But after the war, Ling Hu could not help but miss his daughter. He secretly went to visit Ling Rou, only to be discovered by Ling Tian Nan.
Originally, he wanted to beat Ling Hu up, but after his daughter begged him, his heart softened. He told Ling Hu to bring ten thousand spiritual stones to propose. If he did not, then he should go as far as he could and never bother Ling Rou again for the rest of his life.
Thus, this scene unfolded.
Ling Hu scowled. Ling Hu's mother was distraught.
Ten thousand Spirit Stones was not a small number. For example, Ling Hu would need to work continuously for thirty years to earn this amount of Spirit Stones.
Thirty years!
By the time he had earned that much, Ling Rou would have been married and her children would be old enough to buy soy sauce.
Cough cough …
How could Ling Hu not worry about such a large sum of money?
Of course, the one who felt the most pressure was still Hu Zi's mother. As a mother, she was unable to satisfy her son's wishes and provide him with any help. This made her face full of worry and helplessness.
"Ling Hu, tell me the truth. Do you really have to marry her?" Ling Hu's mother asked in a low voice.
Ling Hu lowered his head, hesitation flashed across his dark face. He wanted to say no, but when the words came to his mouth, they became a simple word.
"Yes."
Hearing this, Ling Hu's mother sighed. She gritted her teeth and said, "If that's the case, then even if I have to give up my old face, I will fulfill your wish."
"Mother, do you have a way?" Ling Hu's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Aye, I have no way. But your brother definitely has a way. I will have to give up my pride and beg your brother." Hu Zi's mother sighed heavily. She was a strong-willed woman and did not want to owe anyone anything. But seeing her son in such a depressed state, her heart ached. She had no choice but to go against her principles and ask Ling Xian for help.
However, just as she was about to bring Ling Hu to Ling Xian's home, she heard a soft sigh.
"Aunty, if you need anything, just tell Ling Hu to tell me. We are a family, so don't ask for help."
In the next second, Ling Xian slowly walked into the room. Looking at the worried mother and son, he couldn't help but frown, "Ling Hu, what happened? Why are you and aunty so worried? "
Ling Hu stood up immediately. Originally, when he saw Ling Xian, he was full of joy. But after hearing Ling Xian's question, his eyes dimmed. He opened his mouth but did not say anything.
Seeing his silence, Ling Xian narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice, "What happened? Tell me! "
"Let aunty tell me." Ling Hu's mother was ready to risk everything. For her son's wish, she would rather go against her principles. Sighing, she told Ling Xian everything that happened.
Ling Xian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He teased, "And here I thought something big happened. So it's because you've fallen in love with her, but father-in-law doesn't agree."
"Brother …"
Seeing that Ling Xian was making fun of him, Ling Hu smiled sheepishly. "He didn't say he didn't agree. He just wanted me to propose with 10,000 spiritual stones."
"That's because he knows you can't afford such a large sum of money. He's purposely making things difficult for you. It looks like he's giving you a glimmer of hope, but in reality, he's pushing you deeper into despair." Ling Xian's eyes narrowed as he sneered, "Not only did you not hurt your own daughter's heart, but you also managed to shut the mouths of the public. Ling Tian Nan, you sure have a good plan."
A hundred years in the Lost Territory had allowed Ling Xian to experience all the ugliness of the world and see through all the darkness. He was used to thinking the worst of people.
In reality, Ling Tian Nan was purposely making things difficult for Ling Hu. However, he was not a bad person, not as bad as Ling Xian made him out to be. It was just that, as a father, he did not want his daughter to marry a cultivator with no background.
Ling Xian stared at Ling Hu and asked in a serious tone, "Let me ask you, do you really love that girl?"
"Yes, brother, I love her very much." Ling Hu's expression was solemn as he replied seriously.
"What does a 14-year-old kid know about love?" Ling Xian chuckled, but it was not a joke. He could tell that Ling Hu did not hesitate when he spoke. It was obvious that he really liked the girl. Even if it wasn't love, even if it was only for a moment, it was worth Ling Xian helping him.
People in the Taoism community matured early, both mentally and physically. Therefore, it was not uncommon to see a 14-year-old getting married.
"Brother, aren't you only one year older than me?" Ling Hu retorted in a small voice.
"I'm only one year older than you, but I'm not like you, yearning for a woman at such a young age." Ling Xian smiled and patted his head. "Alright, I'll help you with this. Lead the way."
However, Ling Hu hesitated. He glanced at his mother and said, "Brother, you've helped me enough, I …"
"What are you talking about? Why are you being so polite? " Ling Xian glared at him, then turned to Ling Hu's mother. "Aunty, don't think too much about it. You know what kind of person I am. I'm not the kind of person who forgets his roots. If you need anything in the future, just come find me."
Ling Hu's mother smiled lovingly. "Yes, I know. Ling Hu, since Ling Xian said so, just lead the way. Don't you want to get married?"
Hearing his mother's words, Ling Hu's tanned face blossomed into a smile. His eyes brightened up as well.
"You little bastard."
Ling Xian shook his head helplessly. "Let's go, I'll take you to propose a marriage. I want to see how powerful his family is. They don't even respect my brother."
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