WNST - 127

When Xie Queshan and Song Muchuan arrived at the street, the fight between Xie Sui’an and the woman had already ended. 

The woman’s face was scratched, her hair disheveled, and her fine clothes torn. As for Xie Sui’an, her face was bruised and swollen—she didn’t look much better. 

To think, a close guard of the new king, a daughter raised in a prestigious family, had gotten into a street brawl with a common woman. And she hadn’t even used martial arts to overpower her opponent; instead, they had clawed at each other’s hair and slapped faces like ordinary brawlers. It was hard to tell whether she was acting nobly or shamefully.

The woman clearly hadn’t gained the upper hand. Though she had been pulled away, she still pointed at Xie Sui’an’s nose and cursed loudly: “I’d like to see which family would dare marry such a shrew! A wretch with a mother to birth you but none to raise you!” 

“Does it have anything to do with you? I’m not marrying into your family anyway! Keep your filthy mouth shut! If I hear another word of slander from you, I’ll rip your lips off!” 

At this moment, Xie Sui’an was like a lit firecracker—ready to explode at the slightest touch. 

Her maidservants dragged her away forcefully. Just then, they collided head-on with Xie Queshan. Song Muchuan was behind them, playing the peacemaker, using his most practiced methods to calm the crowd of women down. 

Xie Sui’an glanced at Xie Queshan out of the corner of her eye. Her fiery demeanor visibly weakened, but she still ignored him, pretending to stride off confidently. 

“What happened?” Xie Queshan asked the maid quietly. 

It turned out that after parting ways with Madam Gantang on bad terms, Xie Sui’an had gone out onto the streets to clear her mind when she overheard some gossiping women talking about Xie Queshan. 

The common folk still thought of him as a traitor. The Qi army had been completely annihilated, yet they heard he was alive and well. The insults were harsh. 

“...I say someone like him deserves to be torn apart by five horses or slowly sliced to death—it’s the only way to quench our anger!” 

But Xie Sui’an had lost her temper and couldn’t be stopped. She charged forward to confront them. 

“What kind of person is he? Have you even seen him? What do you know?! Spouting nonsense here and ruining people’s reputations!” 

“How do I not know! Isn’t he that infamous traitor who betrayed countless soldiers? How dare he still live? And who are you, defending him? Could you be his lover?!” 

“You better watch your mouth!” 

And just like that, an argument broke out, escalating into a full-blown street brawl within moments. 

Xie Queshan was utterly dumbfounded. 

Xie Xiao Liu ignored him and gave him no friendly looks. He assumed she, like those others, wished he’d just die already. 

What he never expected was that she would fight someone in the street for his meager reputation—clumsy, awkward, yet fiercely protective. 

Seeing Xie Queshan standing there stunned, Song Muchuan gave him a push. 

“Hurry up and go comfort Xiao Liu.” 

Xie Queshan quickly caught up with Xiao Liu. Though she had walked ahead long ago, her pace was slow and deliberate, full of stubbornness. 

Xie Queshan didn’t know what to say. He hesitantly followed behind her. Suddenly, overcome with both anger and gratitude, he reached out and gently pressed down on her head. 

Xie Sui’an immediately flared up again, turning around angrily to glare at Xie Queshan. 

“Don’t think I’ve forgiven you! I’m not easy to please!” 

Her tone was fierce, but her voice carried a muffled sob. 

“Who said I was trying to please you? Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Xie Queshan teased with a smile. 

--- 

The two siblings returned home, where the banquet was already set in the dining hall. 

Xie Jun and Grandmother Xie were both present—it had been a long time since the entire family had gathered like this. 

Eight rare delicacies adorned the table, steaming hot. 

It felt as if everyone was standing in a thick fog, their faces blurred, while noise swirled all around them. 

“Oh my goodness, Miss! Where on earth did you roll around to get so muddy? What kind of lady behaves like this?” 

“Auntie, Sixth Sister must’ve gone out and gotten into a fight. You can’t beat her anymore, so save your breath.” 

“Exactly—I want the braised pork knuckle here. It’s been months since I’ve had a proper feast. Those vegetarian days weren’t fit for humans!” 

“Little Six, don’t disrespect the Buddha.” 

Xie Sui’an stuck out her tongue and slipped into a seat next to Nanyi. 

“Third Brother, sit down too.” 

“Chaoyun, come here.” Xie Jun waved at Xie Queshan. 

The room suddenly fell silent as everyone turned to look at Xie Queshan, who still stood stiffly. 

Xie Queshan felt dazed. What day was this? The fog thickened, and through the crowd, he saw Nanyi’s face—she sat aloof, distant. 

She was the only guest in the room, yet she looked at him with eyes full of warmth and devotion. 

It was a gaze of unconditional love, like a clear, warm spring that silently enveloped him. 

That look gave him immense courage—he was someone worthy of being loved. 

No more running, no more pretending. This was his home. 

Only now did he realize that everyone’s gazes toward him were warm. For a fleeting moment, he had felt estranged, but soon his smile became natural again. Deep-seated memories stirred within him, surging through every corner of his body. 

There might still be lingering grievances, hard to erase upon reflection, but tonight, they could all be temporarily forgotten. 

He slowly walked over and took his seat. 

The table came alive again with laughter and chatter, a lively gathering. 

Xie Jun, who had abstained from alcohol for years, broke his vow tonight and drank several cups in succession. He probably wanted to say something to Xie Queshan, but the words stuck in his throat—he simply couldn’t bring himself to soften his stubborn pride. 

Xie Queshan took the initiative, raising his cup: “Father, let me drink with you.” 

Xie Jun was surprised and somewhat flustered as he clinked his glass against Xie Queshan’s. 

Still unsure of what to say, he tipped his head back and drained the cup. 

When he set it down, he noticed his bowl was already piled high with dishes everyone had placed there for him. 

Though slightly forced, it felt more like an act of penance. Everyone was subtly conveying their feelings without making a fuss. 

“Sister-in-law, why are you crying?” Xie Sui’an suddenly exclaimed, drawing everyone’s attention to Nanyi, who had buried her face in her bowl as if focused on eating. Yet her shoulders trembled violently. 

Watching Xie Queshan happily seated among his family, surrounded and cherished, tears streamed down Nanyi’s face uncontrollably. 

There was no dramatic reconciliation, no tearful forgiveness—just the simple truth that sitting together made them family. 

Nanyi’s heart ached for the suffering he had endured, but she was genuinely happy for the warmth and joy he now possessed. 

Finally, his hardships had ended, and sweetness had begun. This was the best thing in the world.

She knew it was embarrassing to cry at the dinner table, but she couldn’t help herself. Thinking no one had noticed, Xie Xiao Liu suddenly called her out. 

She had no choice but to lift her head from her bowl, trying to feign that she wasn’t crying, but her trembling voice betrayed her emotions the moment she opened her mouth. 

The more she tried to hold back, the harder she cried. Finally, choking on her sobs, she grabbed Xiao Liu’s hand and said, “I’m just sad… You got into a fight, and what if your face scars? Wouldn’t that ruin your looks? You’re so young—you can’t afford to be scarred…” 

And with that, she burst into loud, uncontrollable tears. 

Xie Queshan choked on his water and began coughing violently, covering his mouth as he hacked. 

Xie Xiao Liu froze, both touched and guilty, stammering an explanation: “I… I’m fine, just minor wounds. They’ll heal in a few days.” 

Nanyi sniffled and nodded, wiping her tears. “I lost my composure… I’ll go back to my room to freshen up. Sorry.” 

With that, she prepared to leave. But before departing, she quickly finished the food in her bowl, then fled the scene under everyone’s astonished gazes. 

She didn’t dare look at Xie Queshan even once. 

--- 

Escaping to the garden, Nanyi splashed cold water on her face by the water’s edge. Gazing at her blurred reflection in the rippling surface, she suddenly found the situation absurdly funny. 

How had she ended up crying in front of so many people? 

All the elders were present—surely no one would notice anything unusual, right? 

Though she was no longer a member of the Xie family, if anyone were to find out about her entanglement with Xie Queshan, it would still be awkward. 

But at the thought of Xie Queshan, tears welled up in her eyes again, this time from overwhelming joy. 

He had finally emerged from the depths of despair into the light, and she was happier than anyone. He was an unapologetic villain who had lured her into his life, dragging her into a muddy swamp. His shadow had always loomed over her; only when he found brightness could she truly feel whole. 

And now, everything was good. The future would surely be even better. 

Finally calming down, Nanyi wiped her face. Realizing it might be impolite to leave the banquet early, she decided to return to the main hall. 

Just as she turned the corner of the corridor, a force pulled her aside. Someone in the darkness embraced her, warmth enveloping her completely. 

Nanyi stiffened, catching a faint whiff of alcohol. She felt as if she were about to melt into this embrace. 

“Originally, I thought I’d never let you cry for me again. But seeing your tears tonight… strangely, I felt a little glad,” he murmured softly into her ear. 

“You… are you actually reveling in my misfortune?” Her voice was muffled against his chest, half teasing, half pouting. 

He chuckled but didn’t respond, simply holding her tightly as if they could stay like this until the end of time. 

After a long while, Nanyi grew nervous, guiltily tugging at his sleeve. 

“Xie Queshan, people pass through here. What if someone sees us?” 

“Let them see.” 

Nanyi was startled. “Are you mad?” 

“Do you not want this?” 

Nanyi paused, sensing hidden meaning in his words. Want what? This statement seemed layered with implications. 

Though her mind instinctively shied away, Xie Queshan didn’t give her space to dwell in silence. His palm gently cupped her jaw, his gaze lingering hungrily over her face. 

“Come to me. I won’t let go this time.” 

Under the sparse moonlight, Nanyi looked up in astonishment, thinking she must have misheard. 

Could it be… was he asking her to stay? 

He had never spoken with such certainty before. Every time they had drawn close, every intimate moment, had been restrained, driven by instinct or fleeting pleasure without thoughts of tomorrow. 

But the intensity in his eyes now revealed an unmasked yearning—a promise tied to the future. 

He wanted to fight for himself this time. 

Life itself was an immense gift. Whether selfish or faithless, he wanted to be the villain who clung tightly to this warmth. 

Having tasted it once, even for just a moment, he no longer wanted to return to the cold. 

Tears threatened to spill again as she trembled, reaching up to touch his hand, desperate to feel the reality of the moment with every sense. Though her heart swirled with uncertainty—how could they face the Xie family, how could they face Zhang Yuehui—the problems remained unsolved. Yet in this shared gaze, it all seemed to dissolve effortlessly. 

“Will we never part again?” She sought to confirm something intangible. 

“Never,” he answered firmly.