“The Xie Mingzhu I used to know was bold and vibrant—not this lifeless, listless person you’ve become!”
Huo Xuan’s dark, intense eyes locked steadily on hers, a hint of sharp anger glinting in his gaze.
The corners of Xie Mingzhu’s lips lifted in a bitter, self‑mocking smile. In her past life, it was precisely because she had been too unrestrained, too proud, and overly confident in herself that she had been deceived and left with nothing. What right did she have now to be bold and free‑spirited again?
“Xie Mingzhu.”
At the sound of his voice, she lifted her head once more to meet his eyes.
“You’ve been given a second chance. Don’t keep dwelling on the past—you have the opportunity to rewrite your life.”
Hearing his words, a sudden surge of restlessness rose inside her. She cried out hoarsely, “What do you know? Do you realize that everyone I cared about died because of me?!”
As she spoke, tears began to stream down her face, and she sobbed about her own foolishness and blindness to the truth.
Without further hesitation, Huo Xuan stepped forward and pulled her gently into his arms.
“Mingzhu, the people who love you are still here beside you now. Stop clinging to what’s gone and live well in the days ahead,” he murmured, stroking the top of her head. “This second chance didn’t come easily. If you keep getting lost in the past, won’t you just be wasting it?”
If only she could live a good life, then all his efforts to secure this fresh start for her would not have been in vain.
Deep down, Xie Mingzhu knew exactly what he meant. Even though her previous life had ended in tragedy, everyone she loved was still alive and with her now. So she nodded, her voice trembling as she replied, “You’re right, Huo Xuan. You’re absolutely right.”
Huo Xuan rested his chin lightly on her hair, then said softly, “Mingzhu, all anyone wants is to see you happy and well.”
Xie Mingzhu nodded again.
Only when her breathing steadied and her emotions calmed did Huo Xuan slowly loosen his hold. They looked into each other’s eyes. Seeing her tear‑stained face, Huo Xuan couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle.
Catching the playful glint in his eyes, Xie Mingzhu felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. “Don’t you dare laugh! And forget everything that happened today!” she warned, trying to sound fierce.
Huo Xuan grinned. “Got it. Though I promise I won’t forget it anytime soon.”
Xie Mingzhu shot him an annoyed look. “Huo Xuan, if you keep this up, I’ll hit you!”
Seeing her mood lighten, Huo Xuan finally relaxed. “Go wash up and get some rest early.”
With that, he turned and walked out.
Once he was gone, Xie Mingzhu went through her evening routine. Just as she picked up the foot‑washing basin to carry it outside, she heard Huo Xuan’s voice call from the yard: “All done?”
She answered, and a moment later Huo Xuan pushed open the door, took the basin from her hands, and said, “Let me do this. You go rest.”
Xie Mingzhu stared at his retreating back, a flicker of emotion crossing her eyes.
Back in bed, the throbbing pain in her back kept her awake. Just as she was about to get up to go to the outhouse, she heard the sound of splashing water from the yard—Huo Xuan was taking a bath.
It was still May. In the countryside, the weather was pleasant enough; the days grew warm under the sun, but the nights turned noticeably cool. She hadn’t expected him to wash himself out in the open yard like that, without worrying about catching a chill.
When the sounds stopped, she struggled to push herself up from the bed and slowly made her way toward the door. As soon as she pulled it open, she froze—there stood Huo Xuan in the yard, bare‑chested.
He had just finished washing, and water still dripped from the ends of his hair, rolling down his broad, muscular chest, tracing lines over his defined abs, and continuing lower.
Xie Mingzhu had never imagined Huo Xuan’s physique was so well‑built. She tried to look away, but her gaze seemed to have a mind of its own, following every drop until it disappeared beneath his waist.
Huo Xuan had not expected her to come out. He paused for a split second, but when he saw her staring blankly at him, he didn’t panic. Calmly, he picked up a towel nearby, dried his body, then reached for the shirt draped over a chair and slipped it on.
“Still not asleep?” he asked in a low, slightly husky voice while wiping his damp hair.
Xie Mingzhu snapped back to reality, cleared her throat, and quickly shifted her gaze away. “I’m… going to the outhouse.”
Even as she spoke, her eyes darted involuntarily over the muscles visible beneath his thin white shirt. She swore silently—she really couldn’t control her own eyes!
Huo Xuan stepped aside gently. “Go ahead. Be careful.”
Xie Mingzhu felt her face burn hot. She hurried forward, so fast that she momentarily forgot the pain in her injured back. But just as she passed him, Huo Xuan suddenly reached out and pulled her firmly into his embrace.
Taken completely by surprise, Xie Mingzhu’s eyes went wide. She tilted her head up to look at him, while instinctively bending her arms to push him away. As her forearms pressed against his damp skin, her heart began to race wildly, her mind going completely blank—all she could feel was the cool, wet warmth of his body.
“Huo Xuan! Don’t be ridiculous!” she gasped, her voice urgent.
Huo Xuan lowered his head until his face was very close to hers. Only then did she notice his own rapid, shallow breathing—fast enough to make her pulse race even faster.
“Huo Xuan, stop fooling around,” she said again, though deep inside she was screaming: Don’t tempt me like this!
Seeing how flustered she was, Huo Xuan suddenly burst into laughter. He loosened his grip and stepped back, grinning. “Weren’t you going to the outhouse? Then go.”
Xie Mingzhu blinked, and it took a second for his words to sink in. Seeing the amusement written all over his face, she felt a surge of irritation. “Huo Xuan! Don’t act like a shameless rogue!”
“Me? A rogue?” he countered, turning the tables playfully. “You were the one who walked out while I was bathing and stared at me the whole time! My innocence has been compromised—you have to take responsibility for that!”
Xie Mingzhu rolled her eyes. “You’re twisting everything!”
With that retort, she turned to head back toward her room. After only two steps, Huo Xuan called out again: “I thought you were going to the outhouse?”
Realizing her mistake, Xie Mingzhu shot him a sharp glare before turning back and walking toward the outhouse, her posture radiating clear embarrassment.
Huo Xuan watched her go and laughed—a bright, cheerful sound.
When Xie Mingzhu returned, Huo Xuan was no longer in the yard. She let out a quiet sigh of relief and hastened toward her room. But no sooner had she made a sound than Huo Xuan stepped out from his own room.
He was wearing a shirt that had originally been bought by his foster mother for Qin Haoyu. Qin Haoyu was naturally lean and slender—nothing like Huo Xuan’s sturdy build—so the sleeves and torso looked noticeably tight, as if he had squeezed into a size too small, giving him a slightly comical appearance.