Someone once said to me in the past, "A person falls in love with a creek because he has never seen the sea." Now I can finally say, "I have seen the Milky Way, but I still only love you as a star."
-Inscription.
*
After Lin Bao came back from the Prime Minister's Mansion, he immediately told Xiahou Jinnian about Nian Ruyan's whereabouts, and Xiahou Jinnian also hurried to the capital. Unfortunately, he searched the entire city and could not find Nian Ruyan. Smoke shadow.
The people who guarded the city revealed that on the third day of their search, there was indeed a woman who looked as young as smoke and left with the two men.
As for the direction of departure, the people guarding the city couldn't remember clearly, so Xiahou Jinnian had to lead his people to look for her separately. In the blink of an eye, a year had passed, and the news about her disappeared again.
Looking at the invitations on the table, Xiahou Jinnian rubbed his forehead irritably, sighed softly, and looked up at Bai Xu beside him, "How long is it until the conference?"
"There are still ten days. If we rush now, it's still too late. But, Master, are you really not going?"
Bai Xu couldn't help but ask.
In the past few years, she has been with Xiahou Jinnian, and she knows a little bit about his personal affairs. Now, the martial arts competition that is held every ten years is approaching. The disciples in the sect have been training hard for so many years. If they don't go, wouldn't it be too bad? Not a good deal
Although there must be people more powerful than them in this martial arts tournament, if they go, they have at least a 70% chance of winning. If they don't go, they will lose even a 10% chance of winning!
Xiahou Jinnian naturally thought of this, but now he has received news that he saw Nian Ruyan in Nandu not long ago. If he rushes now, he may still meet him, but at this price...
Shaoqing, he sighed and said, "That's it, let's set off tomorrow."
"The leader is wise!"
Bai Xu curled her lips, held the sword and left happily.
In the huge study room, Xiahou Jinnian looked at the golden hairpin on the table, his eyes were indescribably deep.
This golden hairpin was something she had left in the Nian Mansion before, and it was also the only thing he gave her. Originally, he gave her this golden hairpin just to mock her for being a tigress, but now that she thinks about it, at that time He is so stupid.
To this day, he still remembers the fights between him and her, and the scenes of her occasionally acting coquettishly. What he remembers most deeply is the scene of him carrying her on the palace road many years ago.
It would have been great if he had realized his feelings for her earlier.
Unfortunately, he understood it too late.
After thinking about it, he lowered his eyes and murmured: "Ruyan..."
*
Ten days later, the martial arts conference was officially held, and the competition mode started that day, and the atmosphere quickly reached a climax.
The time soon reached noon. After lunch, Xiahou Jinnian absently looked at the battle list in his hand and listened to Bai Xu mutter: "... Oh, by the way, Sect Leader, I also heard that the son of the leader of the martial arts alliance will soon... He is about to make an appearance, and rumors say that he will announce his fiancée in the afternoon!"
"Fiancée? Didn't Feng Yibei say that he would never marry?"
Xiahou Jinnian said lightly that since he took over the Nanshan Sect, he has gradually learned about many trivial matters in the martial arts world, and the one he remembers most deeply is about Feng Yibei, the only son of the Feng family.
It was rumored that when Feng Yibei was eighteen years old, he married Qi Shuangshuang, the most beautiful woman in the world. Just when everyone was congratulating her, Qi Shuangshuang was found to be three months pregnant. At that time, she and Feng Yibei had only been married for a month. .
Under the pressure of the Feng family, Qi Shuangshuang confessed the fact that she had been raped by the bully in the city as early as three months ago. Knowing that his newlywed wife had been treated like this, Feng Yibei became angry and prepared to divorce despite the objections of the Qi family. Qi Shuangshuang.
The day before the divorce letter was issued, Qi Shuangshuang eloped with Feng Beibei's personal guard.
Since then, Feng Yibei has announced that he will never marry.
However, Xiahou Jinnian didn't have much interest in Feng Yibei. He originally participated in this martial arts conference just to give face to the martial arts leader and to test the strength of his disciples.
In fact, even if they win, they will not seize the position of leader of the martial arts alliance. This is because the first leader of the Nanshan Sect has set a rule that the Nanshan Sect can only compete and not seize the position. Otherwise, it will definitely affect the Nanshan Sect. Style.
After thinking about it, Xiahou Jinnian rubbed his forehead again. He didn't know what was going on. Ever since he arrived at the conference, his eyelids had been twitching, as if it was foreshadowing something.
Hearing this, Bai Xu rolled his eyes, "Well, I don't know about that, but Master, you'd better attend this afternoon, so that the senior brothers will be motivated, right? Besides, I heard that Feng Yibei's fiancée is... What a beauty!”
"Well, I have my own sense of discretion."
He responded calmly, the premonition in his heart getting stronger.
In the afternoon, Xiahou Jinnian realized why he had such a premonition.
- "Today I, Feng Yibei, am here to announce that a few years ago, I said that I would never marry, but that doesn't count. Now I have a sweetheart, and my father has also agreed to this marriage. I hope you guys will come and drink with me when the time comes. Miss Yan’s wedding wine!”
As soon as the voice fell, Feng Youbei, who was standing on the high platform, leaned over and kissed the frosty woman beside him.
Seeing this, many people started cheering and applauded.
Compared to everyone's enthusiasm, Xiahou Jinnian seemed much calmer. Looking at the shy woman on the stage, his eyes were full of disbelief, and a sweetness instantly surged into his throat.
"Cough cough cough—"
"Zhang, Zhang, why are you coughing up blood!"
Bai Xu helped him up in panic. This exclamation successfully attracted the attention of everyone present.
Seeing Xia Hou Jinnian leaning over and covering his mouth with one hand, with blood seeping out from between his fingers, Feng Yibei frowned, and suddenly remembered that Nian Ruyan seemed to have medical skills, so he pulled her and coaxed in a low voice: "Ruyan , How about you go and show it to Head Xiahou?"
Xiahou... the leader
Nian Ruyan pursed her lips and was about to refuse, but Feng Yibei took it upon herself to pull him off the stage. Before she could speak, she just heard him say: "Well, Ruyan has great medical skills, why not let her see it. "
As soon as everyone heard this, they hurriedly behaved and turned aside to let Nian Ruyan take Xiahou Jinnian's pulse.
In full view of everyone, Nian Ruyan couldn't refuse, so she leaned over and put her slender jade hand on his wrist, feeling his pulse carefully.
It seemed that her hands were too cold. Xiahou Jinnian shuddered and stared at her with wide eyes. He even forgot to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth. It took him a long time before he heard her say: "Please, Master Xiahou, please take care of this." Give it to Ruyan to look at."
Hearing her voice, Xiahou Jinnian reached out his hand. He didn't care that it was still stained with blood, he directly grabbed her thin hand and said hurriedly: "Ruyan-"
As if expecting what he would say, Nian Ruyan reached out and gently pushed his hand away, smiled distantly and politely, and said: "Head Xiahou, don't worry, your reaction must be due to your recent overwork. , just pay attention to rest in the future, it will not affect your performance.”
Everyone on the side looked at the two of them like this, and they all secretly thought - they must be having an affair!
However, it seems that Xiahou Jinnian is stalking him.
Feng Yibei frowned in displeasure when he heard everyone's whispers. Originally, he just wanted to show off her medical skills in front of everyone, but who knew that such a farce would actually happen!
Just when he was having doubts, Nian Ruyan turned around, held his hand, smiled apologetically at everyone, and said, "I'm really sorry, Abei and I have important things to do, so I won't disturb you all. "
After saying that, she looked towards Feng Yibei with a smile, her brows and eyes full of gentleness, "Abei, let's go -"
"… Um."
No matter how doubtful he was, Feng Yibei still left with her, leaving Xiahou Jinnian coughing violently behind her.
Seeing the intimate figures of the two of them, everyone started talking: "Tsk, tsk, tsk, it seems that Miss Ruyan likes Mr. Feng very much. Otherwise, judging from the situation just now, I'm afraid Feng Yibei would have fallen out with her long ago. "
"No, I heard that their marriage is scheduled for the end of the year. It will only last three months. I hope Miss Ruyan treats him sincerely."
"In my opinion, Miss Ruyan must be sincere, otherwise she usually acts like she doesn't want to be near strangers. Why is she only smiling at Feng Yibei now?"
"That's true."
…
Listening to these discussions, Xiahou Jinnian's heart ached. When he raised his eyes to look forward, his vision had become blurred. Before he could react, his vision went black and he lost consciousness.
*
When Ruyan received the note from Xiahou Jinnian, it was the night after she returned from having dinner in the north of Hefeng. There was not much content on the note, only this line -
"I'll wait for you in the woods behind the mountain."
After hesitating for a while, Nian Ruyan changed her clothes and went. Although she didn't want to see him, it was better to make it clear if she had any questions.
When Shi Qinggong arrived at the back mountain in a hurry, Xiahou Jinnian was leaning on a tree, and the bonfire burning at his feet illuminated his haggard face.
Pursing her lips slightly, she stood next to the bonfire and raised her eyes to look at him, "I wonder what the head of Xiahou wants to do with Ruyan?"
Those words were full of alienation and coldness, which made his heart suffocate.
Sighing softly, he straightened up and stared at her across the bonfire, "After all these years, are you... okay?"
Hearing this, Nian Ruyan frowned slightly, "Is this what you came to talk to me about?"
It took a long time after he finished speaking, but Xiahou Jinnian didn't reply. He just looked at her infatuatedly, and his greedy eyes almost sucked her into his belly.
Perhaps she felt uncomfortable being stared at by him. Nian Ruyan quickly averted his gaze, gritted her teeth, and then handed him the wedding invitation hidden in her sleeve. The warm flames warmed the back of her hand, "This is mine. I chose it with Abei, whether you come or not, I hope you can accept it."
Wedding invitation
It was clear that there were still three months until the wedding, but they actually chose the wedding invitations so quickly? !