"Wait a moment, Cai Qing, I have something I want to say to you."
Lu Shi called out quickly as Cai Qing was about to leave.
"What is it?" Cai Qing turned around upon hearing the voice, her gaze falling on Lu Shi as she looked him over, very curious about what Lu Shi would say to her next.
"You... you sit down first." After hesitating for a long time, Lu Shi finally uttered these words.
"Oh..." Cai Qing nodded blankly, not understanding what Lu Shi was up to. She simply sat by the bed and quietly waited for Lu Shi to say something to her.
Lu Shi awkwardly scratched the back of his head. The words he had been brewing for so long were on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't know how to say them. After much hesitation, he stammered, "Cai Qing, actually... actually, there's something I... I've wanted to say to you for a long time..."
Cai Qing's eyes widened as she stared at Lu Shi. After a long time, Lu Shi still hadn't conveyed the main point. Cai Qing looked at his hesitant demeanor, feeling even more anxious. How could it be so difficult for him to say a word? It was as if his lips were glued shut.
"I... I... actually, I've always... always liked... liked you..."
He had used all his strength to say this one sentence. After finishing, his breathing became rapid, and he panted, staring at Cai Qing's face, his heart pounding in his throat.
Cai Qing was clearly not expecting Lu Shi to say something like this to her. She was completely unprepared and was momentarily stunned.
A long silence fell upon the air, and even their breathing seemed to be filled with emotion.
Lu Shi grew even more nervous. Had he sounded too rash when he said those words? But if he didn't say them now, he worried he would never have the chance to.
This assassination attempt, where he was on the brink of death, had made him clearly realize how insignificant life was in the face of death. Especially for someone like him, who often walked on the edge of a knife, life was even more fragile. He couldn't keep these words bottled up anymore. Taking this opportunity, he could finally clarify things with Cai Qing.
He didn't have to keep this matter suppressed in his heart anymore. Having said what he needed to say, he felt a lot lighter.
Cai Qing coughed softly and quickly turned her face away, hiding her embarrassment. However, her pounding heart completely exposed her nervous state.
After a pause, Cai Qing still said nothing, which made Lu Shi anxious. He quickly said, "Did I say that too rashly? But... but I was worried that if I didn't say it today, I wouldn't have another chance. If there's anything that made you uncomfortable, then... then please bear with me..."
"No... it's just that you said it rather suddenly, and I... I wasn't prepared..."
Cai Qing said softly, lowering her head at the end, a fleeting blush on her face.
She had seen Lu Shi too timid to even speak to her before. For him to suddenly bring this up today, she naturally felt surprised, and it was understandable that she didn't react immediately.
Lu Shi chuckled sheepishly and reached to scratch the back of his head, "Then... then you... you feel about me... is..."
Having said those words already made him embarrassed enough, and he really didn't know how to ask Cai Qing about her feelings towards him.
Sensing Lu Shi's intention, Cai Qing blushed and quickly lowered her head, coughing softly, "I... I feel the same as you."
Lu Shi was instantly overjoyed, and words couldn't describe how excited he was at that moment. His mouth stretched into a wide grin, and it didn't close for a long time. He just stared at Cai Qing's face and smiled foolishly. This was probably the happiest day of his life.
Cai Qing was amused by his foolishness. She covered her mouth and giggled, giving Lu Shi a playfully chiding look. She quickly stood up, "Then you should rest well. I'll be going back now."
As soon as she finished speaking, Cai Qing stood up in a hurry and walked out quickly.
Until the door closed again and Cai Qing was no longer in the room, Lu Shi was still sitting there, smiling foolishly.
Cai Qing closed the door and leaned her back against a pillar, reaching up to pat her pounding heart and calm herself. She touched her flushed, hot cheeks, and Lu Shi's words from earlier couldn't help but flood her mind, her smile widening uncontrollably.
She looked up at the moon, and as she lowered her gaze, a coy smile played on her lips. She walked back towards her room. Upon returning to her room, Cai Qing's mind was still a bit muddled, and she felt that what had happened tonight was somewhat unreal.
"Sister Cai Qing, did something good happen to you? You're smiling so much you can't close your mouth."
Chu Qing immediately noticed Cai Qing's unusual behavior. Something great must have happened, otherwise, she wouldn't be so happy.
She pulled over a chair and sat next to Cai Qing, wanting to join in the fun and share in the good fortune, perhaps hoping some good luck would befall her too.
"You little chatterbox, you're so young and already learned to pry."
Cai Qing was in a great mood, and her tone when speaking to Chu Qing was very gentle.
"You look like you're in high spirits because of some good news. Sister Cai Qing, please tell me, so I can be happy with you too."
Chu Qing became even more certain that something good had happened and was even more curious. She hugged Cai Qing's arm and shook it, begging Cai Qing to tell her.
Unable to resist Chu Qing's persistence, Cai Qing leaned into Chu Qing's ear and told her about what had happened with Lu Shi that day.
"You mean Lord Lu told you himself that he likes you?"
Chu Qing's surprised voice echoed throughout the room. Cai Qing's little face turned even redder. She reached out and covered Chu Qing's mouth, saying shyly, "Speak softly, don't let others hear."
If anyone else heard this, she would be utterly embarrassed. Cai Qing couldn't help but caution Chu Qing a few times. After ensuring Chu Qing wouldn't blab, she took her hand away from Chu Qing's mouth.
"I didn't expect Lord Lu to be so enlightened this time. After so long, he finally knows how to confess to you. Sister Cai Qing, you've finally seen the light after the clouds."
Chu Qing teased Cai Qing openly. It seemed Lu Shi had managed to make Sister Cai Qing very happy this time. Look at her smile, which hadn't faded since she returned. It seemed a happy event was imminent for the two of them.