Chapter 29: I Like You

Truth be told, Liu Fuying was nervous too.

She had never kissed a man like this before, not even the husband she had been married to for two years.

To say she wasn’t trembling at all would be a lie.

However, this nervousness was soon replaced by excitement that leaped from her throat.

After months of maneuvering, she had finally tasted Pei Zhouwu’s lips!

But this wasn’t enough—this fleeting, shallow taste was far from enough.

As for Pei Zhouwu.

His lightly trembling eyelashes betrayed his helplessness, and his pupils held a myriad of emotions. For a moment, he couldn’t discern which feeling was stronger, only knowing he didn’t dislike it. Though his fists were clenched, he made no move to push her away.

The face of the person before him was so close that he could clearly see each of her delicate lashes.

Her breath carried a hint of sweetness.

The fragrant sweetness lingered at the tip of his nose, silently seeping into his body with the air, brushing over his shattered, scarred heart.

And then she suddenly pulled away, instantly withdrawing that healing breeze.

He immediately felt uneasy, dazed and unable to react.

Liu Fuying straightened up, masking the glee in her eyes with a flustered and awkward expression. She feigned regret for her impulsive action, forcing an embarrassed smile, and extended her hand to offer the pancake she held in her palm.

Unexpectedly, she forgot that her palm had been scraped raw from gripping the carriage reins earlier, leaving behind faint traces of blood.

She quickly withdrew her hand and turned to fetch a clean one.

A sturdy hand followed closely, grabbing her wrist to stop her.

“Miss Su…”

Pei Zhouwu spoke up, only to realize he didn’t know what to say next.

“I’m sorry.” Liu Fuying pretended not to dare to turn and face him, adding, “I was too impulsive just now… I offended the Imperial Uncle. I truly deserve to die, I…”

“What, are you going to run off like the wind again?”

“No!”

Liu Fuying hurriedly turned back, meeting Pei Zhouwu’s teasing gaze.

“Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t leave?” he added.

Liu Fuying pretended not to catch his jest, replying with utmost sincerity, “Yes, I won’t leave.”

This amused him, causing the corners of his eyes to curve slightly as he patted the side of the bed.

“Then sit with me for a while.”

Liu Fuying hesitated for a moment before stepping over and obediently sitting down beside him.

They sat in silence for a long while, neither speaking.

Pei Zhouwu broke the silence, asking softly, “Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“…I.”

Liu Fuying was no fool. She knew what Pei Zhouwu wanted to say, yet she deliberately hesitated, perfectly embodying a girl’s shyness, and only replied, “I don’t know what to say.”

“Alright.” Pei Zhouwu nodded, taking the initiative to ask again, “Do you like me?”

That kiss just now—if it wasn’t born of romantic affection, it wouldn’t have been so easily given.

It far surpassed the gestures of friendship or gratitude for saving a life.

Liu Fuying played her nervousness to the fullest, nearly crushing the pancake in her hand.

After hesitating for a while, she slowly spoke, “Yes, I like you.”

As if this wasn’t enough to express her true feelings, she firmly repeated it once more.

“I like you!”

Pei Zhouwu’s fists, which had just relaxed, clenched tightly again, and he, too, found himself growing nervous.

“I know many people admire Marquis Pei. You are the dream of nearly half the young women in Shangjing, with countless noble daughters vowing to marry no one but you. In comparison, my affection seems especially insignificant, yet…”

She paused, her voice trembling as if on the verge of tears.

“But I can’t help it. I have no way to restrain these feelings. Ever since you first saved me, you’ve been in my heart—I couldn’t dig you out even if I tried.”

Pei Zhouwu exhaled deeply, easing his complex emotions.

It was true—many admired him, and plenty had sworn to marry him alone.

But since his misfortune, countless who once professed their affection had vanished just as abruptly.

It wasn’t that he lamented the fickleness of the world, nor did he regret losing followers.

Rather, he felt increasingly that Su Yueying was foolish in a way that tugged at his heart.

She risked her life every time to come find him—truly, utterly foolish.

“I truly, truly like you,” Liu Fuying emphasized once more, to affirm her sincerity.

Pei Zhouwu lowered his gaze without replying, yet a glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes, the corners lifting slightly with a stirring arc. Though he spoke not a word, it was as if a silent response conversed with Liu Fuying.

As if saying: I think I might like you a little too.

When he finally opened his mouth, the words that came out were simply, “Thank you.”

Yet his gratitude was equally sincere.

Those around him had expressed thanks to him as her savior many times, but only now did he realize—it wasn’t he who saved her, but heaven, pitying him, who sent her to his side. He was the one who had been saved.

Injured gravely the night before and forcing himself to meet several groups of people today, Pei Zhouwu was already on the verge of collapse.

His pale face held no trace of color, yet it still outlined a beauty that could topple cities—broken yet utterly captivating.

He rose, dragging his chains to the table.

When he returned, he held a porcelain-white medicine bottle in his hand.

Sitting back beside Liu Fuying, he faced her and gently took her injured hand. Removing the meat pie from her palm, he used his own clean white sleeve to softly wipe away the crumbs left behind.

His own injuries were far more severe than hers; even a simple movement or breath now likely tugged at his wounds, causing pain.

Yet his actions were so gentle, so careful.

As if afraid that the slightest extra force might hurt her.

Liu Fuying did not feign resistance. With half-lowered eyes, she watched Pei Zhouwu intently—his breath, his movements, his tenderness, everything about him was so captivating that she truly couldn’t look away.

At the same time, her heart swelled with joy.

Such great progress—it was truly thrilling.

Thinking of someday undressing and sharing a bed with him, she felt an itch in her heart, wishing she could push him down right then.

After applying the medicine, Pei Zhouwu lifted his head.

The moment their eyes met, Liu Fuying finally feigned shyness and looked away.

The corners of Pei Zhouwu’s lips twitched, revealing a faint smile.

He turned and sat upright, the porcelain bottle held in his palm, his thumb lightly stroking its smooth surface, lost in thought.

Hearing no sound from him for a while, Liu Fuying was about to turn back to look at him.

Unexpectedly, the porcelain-white medicine bottle suddenly rolled from his hand to the floor, clattering away into the distance.

Immediately after, she felt a heavy weight on her shoulder.

It turned out Pei Zhouwu couldn’t withstand his weakness and tilted his head to collapse.

Liu Fuying stiffened her body, unsure whether to move or not, only fearing she couldn’t hold on much longer herself.

“Pei… Pei Zhouwu?”

She tentatively called his name, but received no response.