Chapter 378: A Recluse Life (1/2)

Nan Xun stared at Jun Huang, unblinking. Almost timidly, he reached out to feel her breathing, his fingers trembling against his will. He finally let go of the breath he'd been holding when he made sure Jun Huang was still alive. What came next was an overwhelming sense of sorrow and rage.

He howled.

The tall, strongly built fighter was rendered into a bawling mess. He cursed at the G.o.ds for being unfair and at the world for being blind. Someone like Jun Huang shouldn't be hurt again and again.

Jun Hao and Yin Yun stared at him, caught off guard. Jun Hao wanted to get close to Jun Huang, but Nan Xun pushed him away.

Like a feral beast protecting its mate, he glared at Jun Hao and growled, “It's your fault!”

He wasn't thinking clearly. His mouth spouted off cruel words on its own accord.

“If not for you, Jun Huang wouldn't have been like this. She got in danger for you again and again. I wish you'd stay away from her.”

“People say she brought misfortune to everyone around her, but no, you do. You're the bane of her existence.”

“I know you're upset, Nan Xun, but how do you think the prince is feeling? You've crossed a line!” Yin Yun yanked Nan Xun up and threw a punch at him.

Nan Xun stared dumbly at Jun Huang's p.r.o.ne form. He only realized then what nonsense he'd said. Before he could apologise, Jun Hao tugged at Yin Yun's sleeve and shook his head. They walked away, leaving Nan Xun alone with Jun Huang.

After a long, long while, he knelt down and pulled Jun Huang into his arms. “How can you be so cruel, Jun Huang? Does our promise mean nothing to you?”

“I want to be with you until our hair turn grey. I want to see the world and the most stunning scenery with you. How can you leave me behind?”

“I will give up everything to be with you. Everything… I'm begging you, Jun Huang. Please wake up. I'll do anything you want me to do. Just don't leave me behind.”

He was beside himself. He tightened his fists, averting his gaze from her pale, lifeless face. His heart squeezed painfully.

Jun Huang was the most important thing in his life. He couldn't bear losing her. He'd gladly trade everything he had for a lifetime with her.

He could give up his ambition. He could throw away his reputation. He could live without any power. He could be the most boring, mediocre man with no achievement under his belt. The one thing he couldn't live without was Jun Huang.

A man who didn't cry was a man who hadn't loved. When he was a young prince shedding his blood on battlefields, he'd never antic.i.p.ated that one day, he'd love someone so deeply that he shed tears.

Jun Huang felt as if she'd entered a world of infinite emptiness. There was nothing and no one in her sight. She was rooted to the spot and couldn't take any steps. Then, suddenly, she heard someone crying.

The sound made her heart ache, but she couldn't remember who it could be. It was so close, and yet she couldn't see the man who was crying for her. She opened her mouth to offer comfort, but no sound came out. The man was still bawling. She struggled to look at him.

Finally, when Nan Xun was still muttering into Jun Huang's ear, she opened her eyes. The tears on his face were still fresh. With her heart throbbing, she gently wiped the tears away.

Nan Xun was both startled and overjoyed. He didn't know what he should do to express this overwhelming feeling.

“You don't have to do this,” said Jun Huang. “If I die, find someone else to love. Don't cry for me anymore. It's not worth it.”

He'd wanted to tell her how much he loved her, and yet she doused the fire in his heart with those cutting words. He stilled.

Jun Huang looked away. She didn't want to see the hurt look on Nan Xun's face. She worried that she would change her mind and instead tell Nan Xun to stay forever alone for her.

Nan Xun was furious. He'd given her his heart, but she didn't want it. He knew it wasn't because she didn't love him.

Overwhelmed by a myriad of emotions he couldn't sort through, he bit Jun Huang in the shoulder.

Jun Huang winced, but didn't push him away. Nan Xun let go of her quickly and rubbed at where he'd bitten, worried that he'd hurt her. After a long pause, he asked bitterly, “Are you really willing to push me into another woman's arms?”

His pained voice hit Jun Huang hard. She met his gaze, and all the selfless words she'd come up with got stuck in her throat. She shook her head.

“No, I don't want you to be with anyone else. My heart hurts whenever I think about you showing another person the same love you've shown me. But that's selfish.”