I was startled to realize that Jing Yuan had been standing right behind me all along.
I was a little flustered, my eyes wide with surprise, my voice stammering:
"Jing... Jing Yuan, when did you arrive?"
In my mind, I thought, "Why didn't I hear his footsteps... could he be a ghost?"
Jing Yuan merely raised an eyebrow, his voice low, cold, carrying a familiar yet unsettling feeling:
"Oh, really... I returned while you were happily seeing that person off... you were so busy chatting and laughing that you didn't notice when I arrived."
Each word he spoke was calm, but I felt he was mocking me. I froze, my hand tightening slightly, my eyes reflexively looking up at him. In Jing Yuan's eyes, there was no ripple, but deep within was something dark and unreadable.
I felt a pang of unease. Wu Shen's words echoed in my head: "Don't act so timid and weak, Yun Xiang. If you keep acting like that, people will only keep taking advantage of you and bullying you..."
Thinking this, I swallowed my embarrassment, trying to remain calm, and said, "No...it's none of your business," then I walked past him as if nothing had happened.
But in an instant, Jing Yuan's strong hand grabbed my wrist. The pull was strong; before I could react, I was drawn into his arms.
Jing Yuan's warm breath brushed against my ear, making me stiffen, a little surprised and embarrassed. His voice was low, hoarse, and tinged with an unnameable resentment:
"Young master...why don't you answer me? Do you hate me now?"
His eyes were deep and sad, making me feel a sudden unease. The distance was so close I could feel his heartbeat. I panicked, my face flushing as I hastily explained,
"No… no, not at all! I don't hate you… don't overthink it!"
Kình Uyên looked at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes, yet he maintained a resentful expression, slowly saying,
"Is that so… I thought the young master really hated me."
I became even more flustered, quickly explaining, not noticing the subtle curve of his lips. As soon as I finished speaking, he let out a soft sigh, gently saying,
"Alright. I… I'll believe you for now."
I was stunned. He turned away, his demeanor cold and calm, as if nothing had happened.
It took me a few seconds to realize he had just teased me. My embarrassment instantly turned into anger. I gritted my teeth and called after him,
"Kình Uyên! Stop right there!"
But he didn't bother to turn around. Slowly walking away, his tall figure gradually disappearing into the hallway lights. I was so angry my face turned red, my cheeks puffed out, I stomped my feet, then turned and stormed back to my room in a fit of rage, my lips tightly pressed together, ignoring everything.
In Jing Yuan's room, as the door closed, the indifferent expression on the outside vanished. His eyes darkened, sharp as a sword. His voice echoed softly in the silent room:
"Yan Xue, come out."
From the shadows in the corner of the room, a graceful figure emerged. It was Shen Yan Xue, her red lips slightly curved, her voice sweet, her eyes filled with fervent admiration as she spoke to Jing Yuan:
"I didn't expect the young master to discover me so soon…"
Jing Yuan looked up, his eyes like ice:
"Next time, don't enter my room without permission. You know the consequences."
The menacing tone in his words made Nhan Tuyet flinch and tremble slightly. She bowed her head, forcing a weak smile, but deep down, she was captivated by Jing Yuan's imposing presence:
"Yes… young master."
Jing Yuan didn't reply. He sat down, crossed his legs, and his eyes were half-closed. The light reflected in his deep black pupils, as if filled with hidden currents. After a moment, he whispered, seemingly to himself:
"Tell me… why does a person's personality suddenly change completely?"
Nhan Tuyet was somewhat confused, but replied slowly:
"It could be due to enlightenment, or perhaps they are no longer that person in the first place…"
She looked up, her voice filled with doubt:
"Young master, are you asking that… is there something wrong?"
Jing Yuan smiled faintly, a chilling smile:
"Nothing…"
He opened his eyes, his gaze dark and deep like an abyss:
"It's just… the Gu Yunxiang of the past and the Gu Yunxiang of the present seem… two completely different people."
Outside the window, the night breeze blew gently, carrying a hint of coldness, as if foreshadowing something changing, silently and unnoticed.