Feng Yexuan knew she was approaching but simply didn't want to acknowledge her.
His heart ached deeply.
He didn't know if his Li'er was still alive, and even if she was, he had no idea where she was.
Was she injured? Was she being tortured?
He wanted to kill that woman!
But now, to glean even a shred of news about Li'er from her, he couldn't lay a hand on her!
He could only watch, as she, wearing Li'er's face, lingered in his sight!
His heart truly hurt!
He felt utter despair!
Xiao Yao sat down opposite him, wanting to say something but unsure what to say.
Why did he have such sorrowful eyes?
What she couldn't understand the most was, despite her strong dislike for this dog prince, why did her own heart ache when she saw him so heartbroken and distressed?
What was she thinking?
Feng Yexuan picked up the wine pot, poured a cup, and pushed it towards her.
"I don't..." Xiao Yao lowered her head, looking at the cup of wine.
The words she was about to speak lingered on her lips as he withdrew his gaze.
He clearly didn't want to pay her any attention.
He was in a terrible mood, withdrawn and unlike the usual overbearing Prince Xuan.
He seemed listless, and seeing him like this made her feel a pang of sorrow, even a touch of heartache.
She felt an urge to cry!
She raised her hand, wiping at the corner of her eye, and to her surprise, a single tear escaped.
Xiao Yao stared at the tear on the back of her hand, stunned!
She, who rarely cried, was shedding tears because of the sadness of a man she even disliked.
But why did he look so, so pained...
"You're crying?" Feng Yexuan asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
His heart had been heavy, thinking of his Li'er, wherever she might be in this world, suffering, while he could do nothing but wait for news.
This sense of powerlessness made him feel as if his heart was being torn apart.
But at this moment, he also saw the tear on Xiao Yao's hand.
This single tear inexplicably ignited a fire within him.
He looked at her again, her face still unfamiliar, he couldn't connect with it.
But her slightly moist eyes instantly captivated him.
Li'er's eyes... Is she Li'er? Is she?
The person he was searching for was right before him, wasn't she?
Feng Yexuan's heart tightened, and he suddenly pulled her towards him, placing her on his lap.
He lowered his head, his gaze fixed on her eyes.
These eyes were still wet, shimmering with a watery light.
"You are Li'er, aren't you? You are Li'er!"
It must be her! It must be her!
Even if her figure was smaller than Li'er's, even if her face didn't resemble Li'er at all, even if she didn't have the Qiankun Chain!
Even if she resembled nothing, possessed nothing.
She had a pair of eyes identical to Li'er's!
"Tell me, you are Li'er! Stop playing games with me, Li'er, I... Here! It hurts so much here, it really hurts!"
Feng Yexuan took her hand and pressed it firmly against his chest.
"It hurts so much, so much! Li'er, tell me what hardships you've endured? Have you forgotten me? Tell me! You are Li'er!"
Xiao Yao opened her mouth.
She wanted to say that she truly wasn't.
In her memories, he didn't exist at all.
But at this very moment, looking into the man's eyes filled with extreme pain, she couldn't speak.
Not a single word could escape her lips.
As her mouth opened, two more tears rolled down.
Her heart ached too, a profound ache...