Sharing Dreams with My Bestie’s Cousin

Chapter 83: Our relationship Chapter 83: Our relationship Wen Zhi hesitated for a few seconds before pulling her hand back, “There’s no need to hold hands once we’re off the mountain. You can use the flashlight, and I’ll use my phone. We can walk one in front of the other; I’ll make sure to keep up closely.”

Shang Hexing looked at her intently, “What kind of explanation would you like?”

The light from the flashlight cast sideways, allowing them to see each other’s faces, though the view wasn’t very clear.

Wen Zhi shook her head, “You misunderstand, I don’t want any explanation; it’s just that you…”

“Xun An was promoted by my grandfather,” Shang Hexing suddenly said.

Wen Zhi was taken aback.

Shang Hexing continued, “He is loyal to me, as well as to the Han Family. Earlier, Xun An was looking at you to remember you. Within a day, your relationship with me will probably reach my grandfather’s ears.”

Wen Zhi was startled, and when she spoke, she stammered, “What, what kind of relationship do we have?”

Shang Hexing chuckled softly, “What do you think our relationship is?”

Wen Zhi shook her head in panic, “None.”

Shang Hexing, “Then there is none, for now you decide.”

Wen Zhi was confused, what did he mean by ‘for now she decides’?

As she covertly pondered in her heart and her doubts became unbearable, Wen Zhi had no choice but to ask him, “Mr. Shang, will your grandfather think… that I’ve influenced you in some way?”

Shang Hexing countered, “What do you think you’ve influenced me in?”

Wen Zhi replied without thinking, “Future prospects?”

Shang Hexing, “Do you think you have that much influence?”

“No,” Wen Zhi shook her head.

Shang Hexing chuckled softly, “What are you worried about?”

Wen Zhi took a deep breath, “I thought it over carefully, and it seemed that Secretary Xun saw me walking too close to you. If this gets to your grandfather, it might not be good news.”

Even though she hadn’t done anything.

While she was thinking about this, Shang Hexing raised his hand and lightly tapped the center of her forehead, “You’re overthinking it.”

Wen Zhi looked up at him, “Mr. Shang, you…”

“We’re off the mountain, Wen Zhi.”

“Oh.” She closed her mouth.

“Can you still walk on your foot?”

“…Ah?” she didn’t catch on immediately.

His tone was very natural, “You twisted your ankle in the morning.”

Without mentioning it, she had nearly forgotten; she had been talking to him all along, and her focus had been on him, completely forgetting about the injury on her foot.

But it was no big deal, she could still walk.

She said, “It doesn’t affect me.”

“Then give me your hand,” he gestured.

Wen Zhi hesitated momentarily but ultimately placed her hand in his palm.

He held it, his fingertip touching the middle of her palm. The dryness and warmth were not conflicting, and Wen Zhi felt a little itchy at heart.

The walk down the mountain went very smoothly.

They did not encounter any monkeys on the way.

Chen Jinhai and Secretary Xun had already gone down ahead of time, and the two were waiting beside the Magnolia tree.

“Mr. Shang.”

“Miss Wen.”

Chen Jinhai immediately approached with a look of concern, “Did either of you get hurt?”

Wen Zhi shook her head and flashed a faint smile at Chen Jinhai, “Chen Zhu, we’re fine, all good.”

Chen Jinhai finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had heard from Xun An that they were alright, he didn’t quite believe it until he saw them with his own eyes.

Next, Shang Hexing had things to instruct, and Wen Zhi, out of courtesy, did not eavesdrop and left first.

When she returned to the Dormitory House, she found Kong Ci standing in the courtyard, eagerly waiting for her.

“Amitabha, you’re finally back,” Kong Ci said.

Wen Zhi strolled over and asked, “Little Master, why haven’t you started meditating?”

Kong Ci scrutinized Wen Zhi to make sure she was alright, “Since you are staying in the temple, if something happened to you, the temple would not be at peace. I was waiting for you to return, to fulfill my duty.”

Wen Zhi felt very apologetic, “I went to the back mountain to look for someone.”

Kong Ci asked, “Did you find that person?”

Wen Zhi nodded.

“Then that’s good.” Kong Ci could finally sit in meditation with peace of mind.

Wen Zhi watched Kong Ci leave, but she did not enter the house. Instead, she waited outside for Shang Hexing to return.

After about five or six minutes, she finally saw Shang Hexing’s figure.

He entered the courtyard, and his eyes fell on her standing there. His steps paused slightly, “Why haven’t you rested yet?”

Wen Zhi stood there dumbly, looking at him, “I thought you might leave tonight.”

Shang Hexing approached her, “So you didn’t go back to your room because you wanted to make sure whether I would come back tonight or not?”

Wen Zhi nodded, then quickly shook her head, denying her first reaction, “No, no, I just couldn’t sleep and wanted to watch the moon for a bit.”

Shang Hexing smiled, “I’m afraid the moonlight might disappoint you tonight; it’s not very good.”

Wen Zhi looked up at the sky.

Then, “…”

The moon was obscured by clouds, with only a few sparse stars visible. The weather might not be particularly good tomorrow.

That’s when she heard his voice, “You could have just asked me directly if I was coming back. But it’s also my fault I didn’t tell you, causing you to wait for a long time.”

Wen Zhi gave a wry smile, “Why are you taking the blame on yourself?”

Shang Hexing gave a slight lift of his chin, gesturing to her, “Let’s go inside. You’ve had a tiring day, get some rest early.”

Wen Zhi nodded and turned to enter the house.

At the doorway, she looked back and saw Shang Hexing standing in the courtyard looking at her.

A very peculiar scene.

It felt like a separation, yet also seemed closer than before.

She didn’t rush to close the door and stood there, asking him, “Are you leaving tomorrow?”

Shang Hexing answered, “I’m not leaving.”

Wen Zhi was inexplicably happy to hear this answer. It seemed that this was the answer she was waiting for, rather than him saying ‘I’m leaving’ or ‘I’m not sure’.

But when the next day came.

Wen Zhi got up and found that there was no one in the Dormitory House opposite again.

The neatly made bed and the luggage that had never appeared before were as if he hadn’t stayed there at all last night.

Wen Zhi couldn’t help but wonder if he hadn’t stayed in the Dormitory House not only last night but also the night before?

Forget it.

After eating, she went to sweep the leaves—it seemed the courtyard was once again covered with leaves she had just swept the night before. When she grew tired, she sat down to rest and took out her phone to check it.

Usually, she didn’t carry her phone with her.

Today, she brought it to facilitate contact with him, or in case he needed to find her.

But she didn’t receive a single call from him.

A large pile of leaves had been swept together.

Wen Zhi went to get a bag for the leaves, and as she was bending down, busy with her work, a pair of shoes appeared beside her.

They were white sneakers but from a very expensive brand.

Before Wen Zhi could lift her head, she heard the voice of the owner of the white shoes—
“It really is you, Wen Zhi.”

The teasing voice of Liang Yin came through.

Wen Zhi looked up at him, “Liang Yin, what are you doing here?”

Liang Yin was dressed in understated but expensive casual wear; he stood above Wen Zhi at her side, telling her, “I came to offer incense and pray to Buddha.”

Wen Zhi slowly got to her feet, “I thought you didn’t believe in Buddha.”

Liang Yin, “That was before.”

Wen Zhi glanced at him, “So now you believe because things aren’t going smoothly?”

Liang Yin clenched his back teeth and forced a smile, “When you need something from me, can’t you say something pleasant?”

Wen Zhi spoke the truth, “Last time it wasn’t me who needed help from you.”

Liang Yin scoffed lightly, “Ungrateful.”

Wen Zhi didn’t want to bother with him and turned to pick up the broom.

Liang Yin thought she was leaving and grabbed her wrist, “I have something to ask you, don’t go yet.”