Chapter 217 (1/2)

Chapter 217: a.s.sa.s.sination Attempt

Jun Huang turned to Nan Xun in surprise. ”How did you find this place?”

Nan Xun relaxed when he saw her eyes light up. With a smile, he tucked a strand of her hair to the back of her ear. They were close enough to hear each other's breathing. The faint moonlight illuminated their faces.

Jun Huang lowered her eyes when she noticed Nan Xun's gaze. What was he trying to do? She was both nervous and excited. In the end, she took a step back instead of facing him.

That hurt a little for Nan Xun, but he quickly pushed it aside. He took a deep breath and whispered, ”Stay here and close your eyes.”

His earnest tone prompted Jun Huang to close her eyes without hesitation. Her eyelashes trembled in the wind, and her sleeves fluttered. She could hear the cacophony of sounds surrounding her, including the faint chitters of toads and cicadas.

Nan Xun's footsteps went away from her. It was unsettling to keep her eyes close, but she trusted Nan Xun. She tightened her hands around her sleeves and relaxed them slowly.

Nan Xun didn't let her wait for long. After about the time for a pot of tea to brew, she heard him say, ”Open your eyes.”

Jun Huang's eyes fluttered open. She gaped at the item in Nan Xun's hand. It was the jade tree! She looked up to meet Nan Xun's gaze. With a smile, he pointed at the jade tree and said, ”I got it back for you.”

Jun Huang felt a sting in her eyes. Her heated gaze fixed on the glittering jade tree and her hands reached out to take it. She lowered her head to look at the tree before meeting Nan Xun's eyes. She was too overwhelmed to say anything.

”It's all thanks to you, Nan Xun,” Jun Huang suppressed her emotions enough to said. ”If not for you, this will be in other people's hands, and I'll never get to see it again.”

Nan Xun smiled without a word and wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes. Jun Huang only realized then that she was crying. Her embarra.s.sment was short-lived before she regained her composure.

She hummed. ”I couldn't have done this without you. I had wrongfully blamed you for not letting me take the jade tree at the market, but you were right to be careful. I don't know what I can do to repay you. I can't just take this without giving you something in return.”

Nan Xun's breath hitched. There was a whole new world within Jun Huang's eyes. She looked even more captivating under the moonlight. He barely stopped himself from getting closer. He didn't want to stay as her friend. He wanted her to accept his love.

”I don't need anything material from you. You may as well pay me back with yourself.” Nan Xun's tone was light and teasing. He didn't want to pressure Jun Huang. She was free to take his words as a mere jest, and they could be like they'd always been.

Jun Huang met his eyes. He was waiting for her answer. Before she could say anything, Nan Xun heard a suspicious sound from a distance. Jun Huang straightened her back and held tight to the jade tree before looking around warily.

A group of men dressed in black came out of the waist tall gra.s.s with long swords in their hands. Their faces were masked, revealing only their sharp eyes.

”Be careful,” said Nan Xun. ”We must eliminate all of them, or troubles may follow.”

Jun Huang agreed with him. She unsheathed her sword. The jade tree felt awkward in her other hand. She found a spot to lay it down.

Nan Xun nodded in approval, silently telling her to not get distracted. He would keep an eye on the jade tree.

The men in black didn't give them much time to communicate. They charged at them with weapons raised. Jun Huang stood her ground and blocked the attack with her sword. Her hand shuddered when the blades clashed. The man was strong. Jun Huang was pushed back by the sheer force he'd put into this attack. Nan Xun's eyes turned cold. He leapt toward them and kicked the man away. The man's sword dropped at their feet.

Nan Xun frowned. ”You good?”