jdhmnovel Chapter 268 Choi Ji-ho's Request
Chapter 268 Choi Ji-ho's Request
Just as everyone was extremely anxious, Cui Zhihao was slowly carried in a sedan chair by servants. His face was slightly pale, but his eyes revealed a hint of tenderness and expectation.
That night, he couldn't help but think about Shi Wanxia, even though he was still injured and couldn't stop worrying about her.
Yesterday he had just endured fifty lashes as punishment under family law. Each lash felt like a sharp blade cutting into his body, the pain penetrating to the bone.
Fortunately, his eldest uncle and third uncle couldn't bear it and used the best Jade Bone Ointment to treat his injuries, which made the external wounds heal quickly and reduced the pain a lot.
Cui Zhihao gestured to the servant to put him down. With the servant's help, he endured the excruciating pain from his wound and slowly made his way to Miss Shi's door.
He coughed a few times to clear his throat, then called out softly, "Miss Shi, it's getting late, are you up yet?"
Her voice was gentle and concerned, as if it possessed a magic that could penetrate the doorway.
In her sleep, Shi Wanxia vaguely heard Brother Cui calling her. The voice was like a gentle breeze in spring, softly brushing past her ear.
She slowly opened her eyes, still half asleep. She was stunned for a moment, then realized she had overslept and quickly got up.
In a panic, she hurriedly dressed, quickly tidied her hair, and then walked briskly to the door and opened it.
The moment the door opened, she saw Cui Zhihao standing in the doorway. Sunlight shone on him, outlining his tall and slender figure. Although his face still looked a little haggard, the concern in his eyes warmed Shi Wanxia's heart.
Her face flushed instantly, as if dyed by the morning glow on the horizon. She lowered her head somewhat shyly, just about to speak.
Cui Zhihao, however, preemptively ordered someone to bring in the toiletries and dressing case that had been prepared beforehand. He smiled and said to Shi Wanxia, "Miss Shi, please wash and dress up first. Don't rush."
The maids filed in, quickly preparing everything for Shi Wanxia. Shi Wanxia sat in front of the dressing table, looking at her slightly disheveled hair and flushed cheeks in the mirror, her heart filled with ripples.
She secretly glanced at Choi Ji-ho in the mirror and saw him standing to the side, quietly watching her with eyes full of doting affection. His gentle gaze seemed to melt her heart.
Looking at Shi Wanxia's shy expression, Cui Zhihao felt a surge of joy. He recalled every moment they had shared since they first met, from their initial encounter to their growing understanding of each other; each instant was like a dazzling star, shining brightly in his heart.
Although their feelings for each other had not yet been made public, he knew that his heart had already been captured by this intelligent and kind woman.
"Miss Shi, did you sleep well last night?"
Cui Zhihao asked softly, breaking the silence in the room. Shi Wanxia nodded slightly and replied softly, "Yes, thank you for your concern, Brother Cui."
Her voice was like a nightingale singing in a valley, clear and melodious, carrying a trace of lingering sleepiness, making it sound even softer and more touching.
After finishing her makeup, Shi Wanxia got up and walked to Cui Zhihao, carefully examining him with worry in her eyes: "Brother Cui, your injury..."
Cui Zhihao shook his head slightly and comforted her with a smile, "It's alright, I'm much better now, don't worry, young lady."
The two looked at each other and smiled. For a moment, the whole room was filled with a warm and sweet atmosphere, as if all the troubles of the world had nothing to do with them.
However, they were unaware that in a corner not far away, a pair of eyes were silently watching them, their gaze filled with jealousy and resentment...
As dawn broke through the thin clouds, it fell softly into the courtyard of the Prime Minister's residence. Despite the excruciating pain from his wounds, Cui Zhihao smiled gently and said softly, "Let's go have breakfast!"
That smile seemed to hold endless tenderness and doting affection, warming the heart of anyone who saw it.
As he spoke, he slowly pulled out a thick stack of silver notes and a house deed from his pocket, and placed them into Shi Wanxia's hands with trembling hands.
Shi Wanxia was stunned. Her eyes widened as she looked at Cui Zhihao, completely bewildered by his sudden action. Why was he giving her silver notes out of the blue?
"Brother Cui, what's wrong...?"
Shi Wanxia's voice carried a hint of surprise and confusion as she carefully examined Cui Zhihao's face, trying to find the answer in his expression.
Cui Zhihao gazed intently at Shi Wanxia, his eyes clear and firm, like a clear spring, and a smile as warm as the spring sun bloomed on his face.
The deep affection in his gaze made Shi Wanxia's heart tremble. For a moment, she was at a loss for words, and her cheeks unconsciously flushed red. That touch of shyness was as beautiful and charming as the clouds on the horizon.
“Miss Shi, the ancestral hall will be opened today, and I… I’m afraid I’ll be expelled from the family.”
Cui Zhihao's voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of undisguised bitterness and helplessness, but his eyes never left Guo Shiwanxia.
“This is all my personal wealth. Once I am evicted from my home, I will be homeless. I beg Miss Shi to take me in. I still have a private residence in the capital. Although it is not big, it is enough for me to stay.”
He paused, a barely perceptible glint of expectation flashing in his eyes, his heart churning with complex emotions.
He knew he had ulterior motives for doing this. From the first moment he saw Shi Wanxia, his heart was involuntarily drawn to her. All he wanted was to have the opportunity to spend more time with her during this difficult time, and to live under the same roof with her. For him, that would be the greatest satisfaction.
Hearing Cui Zhihao's words, Shi Wanxia felt a ripple in her heart. She never thought things would develop to this point. Seeing Cui Zhihao's injured but still trying to remain calm, she felt a pang of heartache.
However, she didn't think much of it; she just instinctively felt that she couldn't accept these things.
Although she was a woman, she had accumulated considerable wealth through business in Xinyang, so supporting Brother Cui was not difficult for her.
“Brother Cui, what are you saying? I’m not a heartless person. After you sign the papers, we’ll go buy the house. You should keep your money safe. If you don’t have money, how will you start a family and build a career in the future?”
Shi Wanxia quickly refused, her eyes sincere and earnest. She gently pushed the banknotes and house deed back into Cui Zhihao's hands. The moment their hands touched, it felt as if an electric current passed between them, making their hearts beat faster.
Cui Zhihao was slightly taken aback. Looking at Shi Wanxia's determined expression, he felt both moved and somewhat disappointed.
He knew that Shi Wanxia was a kind-hearted, independent, and strong woman, but he still couldn't help but hope to do something for her and to have a place in her life.
“Miss Shi, I… I just didn’t want to trouble you. Besides, as a man, how could I let you spend so much money…”
Cui Zhihao's words carried a hint of stubbornness and resentment, but more than anything, they showed respect and care for Shi Wanxia.
Shi Wanxia gently shook her head and said with a smile, "Brother Cui, you're being too polite. We've known each other for a long time, and now that you're in such a predicament, how could I stand idly by? Besides, these are just material things; what do they matter compared to our friendship?"
Her voice was soft yet powerful, like a gentle breeze in spring, lightly brushing against Cui Zhihao's heart, gradually dispelling the gloom in his heart.
The two stood in the courtyard, gazing at each other, momentarily lost in thought.
The sunlight shone on them, creating a beautiful scene, as if all the troubles of the world had nothing to do with them.