Chapter 98: Taking You Back

Ji Tianxin pressed her lips together and blinked twice, as if being caught in her thoughts had made her a little embarrassed.

She never lied, so she did not lie now. She was simply a little shy at having her mind seen through.

Mm. Wanting Yan to stay with her did, in fact, have a reason behind it. Just a little one. Only a little.

But if he was unwilling, she would not force him.

Ah. As expected, there was plenty of food in the world, but a good cook was rare indeed.

Seeing her disappointed, a faint shadow seemed to gather in the depths of Sikou Yan's dark eyes. Then he said, “I still have many things to do. If someday...” The middle of his sentence seemed to vanish on its own, and he went on, “perhaps I can.”

The instant he said it, even he was startled.

But by the time he realized it, the words were already out. It was too late to take them back.

Though, in truth, he had no desire to take them back anyway.

The disappointment in Ji Tianxin's eyes brightened at once, and she smiled. “All right.”

In that moment, it was as though the whole sky had been lit by the stars flickering in her eyes.

Seeing her rare smile, Sikou Yan smiled as well. The words he had just spoken had been worth it.

Duan Zi did not know what the two of them were talking about, but she could tell that the atmosphere between them was especially harmonious at that moment.

She did not even dare breathe too loudly, afraid she might disturb the beauty flowing before her.

Sikou Yan did not ask what the two people had meant to do earlier. Instead, he asked, “Were they giving you trouble?”

Ji Tianxin nodded and answered directly, “Mm. They wanted the little glutton, but I wouldn't give it.”

The little glutton?

Sikou Yan thought for a moment. There was no such person in the Ji family.

The glutton...

His mind immediately flashed to that little beast.

It was that one?

Sikou Yan understood at once, and a faint chill also stirred in his eyes.

Ji Tianxin looked around, as if searching for something.

“What are you looking for?” Sikou Yan naturally noticed her movement.

Ji Tianxin answered briefly, “The way.”

She had gotten lost, and she did not know which direction Suqing was in.

Sikou Yan: “...You got lost?”

Ji Tianxin gave a soft “Mm” while still looking around.

Sikou Yan held out a hand, smiling with a hint of amusement. “I’ll take you back.”

Ji Tianxin looked at him, then naturally stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Sikou Yan lifted her with one arm.

She was so small that, held in a single arm, most of her body fit neatly against his chest.

And just then, she was only seven years old.

Her steps were small, she disliked walking, and she had gotten lost. Having a moving sedan chair was not bad at all.

“Suqing just went to the latrine. She should still be waiting where I left her.” Ji Tianxin asked, “Do you know where the latrine is?”

Sikou Yan was silent for a moment. Beneath his mask, he seemed slightly ill at ease. Only then did he say, “I’ll take you to the area nearby.”

“All right.”

As their voices faded into the distance, Ji Yuanruo, who had been hiding on the other side and had not shown himself for a long while, finally stepped out from behind the tree.

In truth, the moment those two had been about to lay hands on Ji Tianxin, he had already been preparing to come out. Only, that man had beaten him to it.

He frowned tightly. Just how strong was she, exactly?

He had felt that invisible pressure from before, too.

The word terrifying was nowhere near enough to describe that dread, that fear that seemed to rise from the soul itself.

If he had not seen her take action with his own eyes, he would probably have thought it was just an illusion as well.