Read Chapter 21: — XIAOXI’S ANSWER

Tang Zheng had spent days avoiding the subject of his lie.

Su Xiaoxi did not allow him to avoid it forever.

They walked along the repaired embankment at sunset. Work crews were removing the last remains of the river-god altar. Children had already turned the discarded bamboo poles into fishing rods.

“I believed you because I wanted to,” Xiaoxi said.

Tang winced.

“That somehow feels worse.”

“It should.”

“I did not lie about everything.”

“No. You were really annoying.”

“That part was extremely sincere.”

She stopped walking.

“When you said you would save my brother, did you mean it?”

“Yes.”

“When you stepped in front of Li Sheng’s blade?”

“Yes.”

“When you said you liked me?”

Tang opened his mouth, then closed it.

For once the answer did not need decoration.

“Yes.”

Xiaoxi looked at him for a long moment.

“I still don’t trust you completely.”

“That seems fair.”

“But I believe that answer.”

Tang’s expression brightened.

She immediately added, “Do not become unbearable.”

“Too late.”

She shoved him toward the river.

He recovered his balance at the last second.

“Violence again.”

“Adaptation.”

This time they both laughed.