7
The Bastard
Forget it, it didn’t matter. The important thing was that Xiao Heng wasn’t dead—she hadn’t seen a ghost or encountered a reanimated corpse.
Heaven knew she had been so terrified that her limbs had gone completely stiff.
Once she confirmed Xiao Heng was alive and regained her composure, Lin Qingran remembered the act she needed to put on.
[My beloved is still alive—I should be crying tears of joy.]
Xiao Heng’s fingers, resting on the inner side of the bed, lightly tapped the quilt, his expression unreadable.
Beloved?
Lin Qingran didn’t notice this. She realized she couldn’t cry on command now, and it was too late to rub onion juice on her eyes. Heaven really wasn’t on her side.
[Whatever, I’ll just keep acting.]
With that, Lin Qingran ruthlessly pinched her thigh, hard. The pain brought tears to her eyes, and she nearly couldn’t hold back a grimace. As her vision blurred with tears, she quickly threw herself toward the bed.
She put all her strength into it, using every ounce of energy she had to ensure her “deeply in love with Xiao Heng” persona didn’t crumble.
As Lin Qingran flung herself toward Xiao Heng’s bedside, Xiao Che had no choice but to stand up. Trembling, she reached out a hand as if to touch Xiao Heng but didn’t dare actually make contact. Instead, she covered her face with her hands, wiping at her tears haphazardly.
“Am I dreaming? Crown Prince gege! You… you’re really alive, not dead! I knew you wouldn’t leave me. When I heard the news, I was so devastated, thinking I’d never see you again. Wuwuwu…”
[Oh my god, I’ve finally come back to life. So Xiao Heng really faked his death—no wonder everything felt so strange. After all, later…]
[Xiao Che is here too? He must be up to no good, wishing Xiao Heng would die sooner.]
[I never expected Xiao Heng to still be alive—it nearly scared me to death.]
Xiao Che’s mouth fell slightly open. Lin Qingran’s words left him stunned for a long moment. Since when had he been “up to no good” or “wishing his elder brother would die sooner”?
Thankfully, his elder brother couldn’t hear her, or this misunderstanding would be disastrous.
Xiao Heng stared at Lin Qingran’s lips, then suddenly raised a hand to rub his temples, wondering if his injuries were causing hallucinations.
It was the same as before—Lin Qingran was “speaking,” but her lips weren’t moving. Could it really be her inner thoughts?
At this moment, Lin Qingran’s voice was hoarse and mournful, as if someone were choking her. Her tone lacked its usual stiffness, instead carrying a light, almost playful lilt—though it was far too noisy.
[What’s going on? Why aren’t either of them saying anything?]
[It’s weird that Xiao Che isn’t taking this chance to say more.]
[And Xiao Heng isn’t speaking either. Is he too moved? Moved by how sincere and devoted I am to him?]
However, the visual impact on Xiao Heng was undoubtedly the strongest. Lin Qingran’s face showed delight, but she was also crying uncontrollably. Her “tears of joy” were nothing like the delicate, graceful weeping of a refined young lady. And she was the closest to him.
Moreover, her face was deathly pale, even more ghastly than Xiao Heng’s, who had nearly died. She looked like a hanged ghost.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Che subtly took two steps back.
Of course, the most surprising thing was what Lin Qingran didn’t say aloud. It seemed the words coming out of her mouth didn’t quite match what she was thinking.
The next moment, Xiao Che glanced at Xiao Heng and suddenly wanted to take back what he’d said earlier.
Was their father’s arranged marriage really such a good idea after all?
“Ahem, Miss Lin, my elder brother faked his death and returned to the palace to uncover the mastermind behind the plot. It’s unfortunate that it caused you such distress. However, it’s fortunate that your genuine display of grief yesterday convinced the mastermind, allowing my brother to uncover quite a bit of information.” Xiao Che quickly interjected, not wanting Lin Qingran to think he wished for his brother’s death.
[So it was intentional. No wonder there hasn’t been any news about the Crown Prince’s survival, and no wonder Mu Feng wasn’t grieving. Even the Emperor and Empress didn’t seem overly distressed—at least, I haven’t heard of any great sorrow. That makes sense now.]
[Right, when Mu Feng saw me yesterday, he probably didn’t trust me and suspected I might know something. But he realized I truly had no idea about Xiao Heng’s situation.]
Xiao Heng calmly averted his gaze, forming a few conjectures in his mind, though he felt no inner turmoil.
Even with the unclear circumstances, Xiao Heng wouldn’t ask any questions in front of Xiao Che.
“Be quiet.”
A magnetic voice rang out, and Lin Qingran immediately covered her mouth, her face a mask of fear and anxiety, as if terrified of disturbing Xiao Heng and angering him.
[I have to say, Xiao Heng’s voice is really captivating—it has that aura of a forbidden, god-like man.]
[He’s so handsome, it’s just a pity he ended up in such a state. He’s basically starting his downfall now, isn’t he? But what can you expect from a major villain?]
“Wahh, I’m sorry, did I disturb you, Crown Prince gege? But I’m just so overjoyed. I never thought you were really alive. I thought we’d never see each other again in this lifetime, but it turns out heaven has been kind to me, granting me a future with you, Crown Prince gege.” Lin Qingran suddenly reached out and tightly grasped Xiao Heng’s hand, her eyes filled with deep affection. “Crown Prince gege, you’re so badly injured. Let Ranran take care of you, okay?”
If it were the original host seeing Xiao Heng severely wounded, she would definitely offer to care for him—Lin Qingran was certain of that.
After all, a love-brain always puts the other person above everything and everyone else, treating them as the most important existence.
[Xiao Heng definitely won’t agree, but I still have to say it, hehehe.]
[When I cry heartbrokenly later, it’s bound to win the male lead’s favor. With the male lead’s halo protection, icy lakes and such surely won’t catch up to me.]
Xiao Heng stared fixedly at Lin Qingran, then suddenly extended his index finger and thumb, lightly pinching the sleeve of her garment to lift and remove her hand.
As if disgusted by her clinging to his arm, he pressed his thin lips tightly together, fearing her tears and snot might smear onto him.
After releasing Lin Qingran, he took out a silk handkerchief from beside him and gently wiped the two fingers he had used, as if they had touched something filthy.
Though the action seemed somewhat effeminate at a glance, when performed by Xiao Heng, every movement exuded an air of noble elegance.
[What does he mean by that? Is he disgusted by me for being dirty? What the hell!I haven’t even blamed him for faking his death and deceiving me, and he dares to look down on me for being dirty?]
[That dog of a man!]
Lin Qingran put on a pitiful expression. “Crown Prince gege, you haven’t answered me yet. Will you let me take care of you? I may not be very good at caring for others, but I’m willing to learn for your sake.”
“Audacious! You—” Xiao Heng scolded, but the words caught in his throat.
Lin Qingran hadn’t spoken aloud, so how could he accuse her of calling him… dog something?
【Yes, be fiercer, reject me, quickly reject me. Since you dislike me so much, I don’t want to force myself on you either.】
【I’m not a professional anyway, so it’s not my place to serve you. One must know their limits.】
【Strange, why is the male lead staring at me too? I haven’t done anything.】
Xiao Che stared at Lin Qingran in astonishment, completely taken aback by the stark contrast between her spoken words and her inner thoughts.
Could it be that her previous infatuation with his elder brother was all an act?
(End of Chapter)