Chapter 196 - A wish had been granted (1/2)

The moon shone brightly against the dark sky.

The Xiong Mansion was standing majestically in its place. It has a big garden on all its sides and to each wing of the mansion.

Two shadows were walking towards the east wing.

The breeze was cold but not freezing. It was such a good night after watching an emotional play.

Xiong Zhi and Linfeng were the only people who were present in the huge garden. The two were walking side by side. They were both quiet. The other was still happy from the huge success of their play while the other was seriously thinking of something.

Finally, Linfeng broke out the silence.

”Zhi'er.”

Xiong Zhi turned to him. She still had the shadow of a smile on her lips.

”You told me earlier that you have realized something important. Do you want to share it with me?”

Xiong Zhi was a bit stunned. It was not usual for Linfeng to ask her things like these. He usually avoided her love confession or any talk about their personal feelings. It seemed Linfeng was taking the initiative to talk about these kinds of things with her.

Xiong Zhi smiled with this progress.

”Alright. ”

Xiong Zhi glanced at the moon and spoke.

”When I was playing Princess Ariana, I felt that what she had done is purely the commands of her heart. Except for the last thing she had done before she died. She said to Prince Ethan that if she had given a second chance, she would not fall to his tricks again.”

Linfeng continued to listen as they slowly walk with the help of moonlight.

”But do you think what she said was what she truly meant? I think Princess Ariana truly wanted to be was that she would have become wiser. If she had truly love Prince Ethan, she should have seen through those cold smiles that Prince Ethan gave her. Or those conflicting stare directed at her. Or those sleepless nights that Prince Ethan suffered alone. ”

Linfeng was a bit taken aback.

”You..you don't blame Prince Ethan at all?”

Xiong Zhi looked up at the dark sky. She was like Princess Ariana before. They were both a fool and fall into the tricks of someone. But the difference between them was Princess Ariana knew what she clearly felt yet she didn't thought deeply about the man she loves. What does Prince Ethan felt? Was he comfortable? Was he confused? Was he tortured by something that he had always end up with dark circles under his eyes?

Xiong Zhi shook her head.

”If I were Princess Ariana, I have the right to be angry at him, be mad at him or to not even forgive him. But I can't blame him. Because I am at fault as well. I did not understand what's he had been going through. Or what suffering he had to suffer every night.” Xiong Zhi spoke her heart out.

This time, since she had come to understand her feelings towards Linfeng. She had become aware of him. His dislikes, what he likes, what bothers him, and what he wants. She gave attention to all those details. Because she understands what it truly means to love someone.

It was understanding them, minding them, and patiently wait for them to realize your love for them.

Linfeng stared at Xiong Zhi. The weigh that was on his chest since the play was slowly dissolving. She..Xiong Zhi..understood him.

Linfeng couldn't say any words as he closed their distance and hugged her.

Xiong Zhi was taken aback. It was really unusual that Linfeng acted this intimate. But she did not push him.

Linfeng's hug was tight and warm.

”..Thank you..” He murmured.

”For what?” Xiong Zhi sincerely asked this. Her face was still on Linfeng's shoulders. Did she say something to be thankful for?

Linfeng eyes glistened. He now understands why Xiong Zhi told him that she doesn't need answers. That she only needs him by her side. That's all she wants. Linfeng was moved. The hands that covering Xiong Zhi's back was slightly shaking. His heart felt so full.

”Thank you for understanding me, for being patient, for being wise, and for...”

Linfeng had so much emotion in his eyes that even he doesn't know he could manifest in that mere seconds.

”..for liking me..”

Xiong Zhi was about to get out of his hug to see his face. She wants to see his face. But Linfeng's tight hug prevented her.

”Please, let us just stay like this for a minute.” Linfeng slightly shaking voice brought Xiong Zhi to a halt.

”I still have more to say.”

Xiong Zhi stayed quiet to let Linfeng speak.

”I think I like you too.”

”...”

Xiong Zhi was taken aback. Her eyes were a bit wide. This was the first time she heard Linfeng say these words in both lifetimes.

'He...likes me?' Xiong Zhi had turned blank. But Linfeng next words woke her up.

”But it's not the 'like' a man should have felt to a woman. ” Xiong Zhi remembered her confession. Where she made it clear to Linfeng what her 'like' truly meant. That's a bit embarrassing, thinking of it now.

”It's more like...a 'like' of...” Linfeng thought his next words. What was best to describe his feelings right now?

”..a 'like' of..falling in love to another person.” Linfeng said as he described what he was feeling.

”....” Xiong Zhi was stunned. Was it just the same as hers?! Same as the 'like' between a man and a woman!

But Xiong Zhi let it passed and suggested words that she had learned with Song Xuantin.

”Do you mean crush?”

Linfeng was stunned for a moment. Does he have a crush on her? 'No its more than that.'