bayedsolid Chapter 325 Murong Xu and Li Yue: "I like you!"
Chapter 325 Murong Xu and Li Yue: "I like you!"
Li Yue was lost in her emotions about Huan'er, reminiscing about the moments she had spent with Huan'er in the past, completely unaware that someone was approaching from behind.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?" A surprised voice suddenly rang out from behind her, and at the same time, a hand gently patted her shoulder.
Li Yue shuddered in fright, her heart leaped into her throat, and she instinctively jumped forward a step like a startled deer.
She turned around in a panic, her hands instinctively protecting her chest, her chest heaving, her eyes filled with fear. Only after recognizing Murong Xu did she breathe a slight sigh of relief, and scolded him playfully, "It's you?! What are you doing? You scared me!"
Murong Xu smiled mischievously, raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh, what are you thinking about! So lost in thought~ You didn't even know I was here! You weren't thinking about me, were you?" He then deliberately moved closer, his face full of mockery.
Li Yue's cheeks flushed slightly. She snorted softly, turned her head away, and pretended not to want to talk to him. She said irritably, "Hmph, who misses you! Narcissistic!" She turned to the side and secretly glanced at Murong Xu out of the corner of her eye. She looked just like a sulking little girl.
But in that instant, as if she had suddenly grasped some crucial information, she abruptly turned her head, her eyes fixed on Murong Xu, filled with inquiry: "This king? Wait, you said this king?! Could it be that you are..."
Murong Xu then realized he had let something slip, a hint of unease flashed across his face, his eyes darted around, and he stammered, "Uh, well..."
However, he quickly regained his composure, a wicked smile playing on his lips as he provocatively teased, "Ahem~ What is it? Tell me!"
Li Yue took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on Murong Xu, and tentatively voiced her guess: "You're a prince?!"
Murong Xu threw his head back and laughed heartily: "Hahaha! That's right!"
Upon hearing his admission, Li Yue's eyes widened instantly, her mouth involuntarily agape, her face utterly dumbfounded. She stared in disbelief at the man before her, who usually seemed like a jovial rogue and constantly pestered her, who was actually a high-ranking prince!
Seeing that Li Yue remained silent for a long time, Murong Xu's eyes flashed with panic. He quickly moved closer to her and hurriedly explained, "I didn't mean to lie to you. Although I am a prince, I am only in name." He spoke very softly, as if afraid of disturbing the person in front of him.
Li Yue frowned slightly, looked up at him, her eyes full of doubt and inquiry.
Murong Xu met her gaze, a gentle expression on his face, yet a faint sadness lingered in his eyes. He tilted his head slightly, gazing into the distance as if recalling something, and said softly, "Do you know? Although I am a member of the royal family and enjoy all the riches and honors, these are not what I truly desire. I yearn for freedom, I crave a life without constraints. Compared to this bustling yet rigidly rule-bound capital, I love the tranquil mountains and lakes even more. I long to retreat to a place of scenic beauty, waking up to birdsong and fragrant flowers each day, falling asleep to the glow of the setting sun, free and unrestrained, following my heart's desire." As he spoke, his eyes revealed boundless longing.
Li Yue listened quietly, a ripple of emotion stirring within her. The man before her, of noble birth yet possessing such unconventional thoughts, gave her a new perspective on him.
Murong Xu suddenly reached out and took Li Yue's hand, his hand warm and strong. Li Yue instinctively tried to pull away, but he held on even tighter. Murong Xu gazed into her eyes and said earnestly and affectionately, "My brother and mother arranged many marriages for me, but I refused them all. I really didn't want to be bound by this so-called royal marriage. So, in a fit of anger, I left the palace and lived outside for several years. Although I suffered a lot during those years, I was able to do what I truly wanted to do. That feeling of freedom was something I never experienced in the palace. I once swore that I would never marry until I met you."
Li Yue's eyes widened, her face filled with shock and disbelief, and even her voice trembled slightly: "Ah? Wh-what!"
Murong Xu's eyes were full of sincerity as he solemnly said again, "Miss Li, I like you!"
"Huh?! Your Highness?!" Li Yue felt that happiness had come too suddenly, making her somewhat dazed, as if she were in a dream, and everything seemed so unreal. Her cheeks instantly turned crimson, her eyes darted around in a panic, and her heart pounded wildly like a deer's.
Seeing Li Yue's incredulous expression, Murong Xu said again with utmost seriousness, "I mean it, I like you!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yue's heart pounded like a rabbit's. She pursed her lips, her cheeks flushed, and shyly lowered her head, but the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up slightly, secretly revealing a sweet smile. However, she didn't want to admit her feelings so quickly, so she muttered haughtily, "Ahem, you like me? Really?"
Looking at her adorable appearance, Murong Xu couldn't help but chuckle softly, his tone becoming even gentler: "Of course it's true! Yue'er."
Li Yue quickly raised her head and said, feigning anger, "Hey, don't call me that so affectionately! I never said I like you!" Although she retorted so forcefully, her flushed cheeks and the smile that she couldn't hide in her eyes had already revealed her true feelings.
After saying that, she turned around and continued hawking her wares, trying to hide her inner panic: "Take a look, take a look! Exquisite little trinkets!"
Seeing that she wouldn't admit it, Murong Xu shook his head helplessly, his eyes full of doting affection. As usual, he clung tightly to her side, even joining in the shouts, "Don't miss it if you're passing by!"
Li Yue was caught off guard by his sudden action and quickly said, "What are you doing!"
Murong Xu replied matter-of-factly, "I'll help you sell them!"
Li Yue feigned disdain and said, "No need! Go somewhere cool and stay there." But Murong Xu wouldn't listen and still shouted at the top of his lungs, "Hey, take a look! Exquisite little trinkets!"
Li Yue was both annoyed and amused. She glared at him with her big eyes, but there was no anger in them. Instead, there was a hint of a smile. In this way, the two of them pretended to chase him away while the other shamelessly helped. At the small stall, they were busy greeting customers and occasionally bickering.
Although no more explicit words of love were spoken, their back-and-forth interactions and the smiles in their eyes were overflowing with happiness, and the air around them seemed to be filled with a sweet scent.