After being reborn, all I want to do is run away.

Chapter 520 Not Knowing How to Refuse

In the early morning, Shen Xu rubbed his somewhat groggy head and sat up with a pained expression.

He felt as if he had been completely drained.

And this was indeed not his imagination; the vital energy in his dantian had inexplicably decreased significantly, causing him to feel a long-lost sense of weakness.

On the contrary, he felt that his soul seemed to have become more solidified. If he hadn't been exceptionally sensitive to changes in his soul, he might not have been able to detect this change in his drowsy state.

Shen Xu tried hard to recall what Li Linghui had done to him, but to no avail.

But he was certain that this was not the scene he wanted to see.

Thinking of this, Shen Xu stretched out his palm and made a few loose clenching motions, then immediately banished the irrelevant thoughts from his mind.

This woman is too terrifying. He absolutely cannot continue to associate with her in the future... unless he can find an antidote for the love flower.

Shaking his head, Shen Xu got up and walked out of Li Linghui's boudoir, only to bump into Qing Ning, who was carrying a plate.

The moment Qing Ning saw Shen Xu walk out of Li Linghui's room, her eyes immediately lost their light, and the porcelain plate in her hand slipped and fell to the ground with a crisp shattering sound.

Shen Xu's expression also changed, and he hurriedly said, "Qing Ning, don't misunderstand, let me explain!"

Qing Ning's eyes instantly filled with tears, and then she began to sob softly, the tears condensing into crystalline droplets that slid down her cheeks.

"You...you...you said you were leaving."

"No! You've really misunderstood..." Shen Xu wanted to explain, but didn't know how.

If he denies his relationship with Li Linghui, what if he can't find the antidote for the love flower? Besides, he's probably already touched Li Linghui quite thoroughly.

"I was unconscious last night, and your sister treated me," Shen Xu explained, forcing a smile.

"You're lying! Why didn't you get treated in your room? You had to get treated in your sister's room. You must have been bullying her."

"She's the one bullying me," Shen Xu sighed inwardly.

"You should ask your sister about that. I was unconscious and didn't know anything. Maybe she had some kind of magic medicine in her room, which is why she sent me there."

But I can assure you that I absolutely did not bully your sister, in any way. Shen Xu looked sincerely into Qing Ning's eyes.

Sometimes, even though everything said is true, when put together, it becomes an undeniably true lie.

"really?"

“You can ask your sister. I absolutely did not do anything to her. I was unconscious at the time and really do not know anything.”

"What about what you said about leaving? Are you really leaving?" Qing Ning couldn't help but look at him.

"What, you're reluctant to part with me?"

"Get out! Who would miss a bastard like you?"

"Okay! Actually, I'm leaving today, this morning," Shen Xu said, sounding slightly sad.

"So fast! Weren't we supposed to stay until the Hundred Flowers Festival was over?" Qing Ning couldn't help but feel a little flustered.

"Life is full of helplessness, maybe I'll come back!" Shen Xu smiled bitterly.

"It's best not to come back! My sister and I are living happily and don't need your interference at all." Qing Ning turned her head away, deliberately avoiding looking at him.

"Could you get me some water? My head is still a little dizzy."

"Go pour yourself if you want a drink. I never want to see you again." Qing Ning squatted down, picked up the broken pieces from the ground, and stormed off without looking back.

Shen Xu sighed as he watched Qing Ning's retreating figure. Separation is a normal part of life, and perhaps he would never see this somewhat temperamental girl again after today.

"Qing Ning doesn't want you to leave." Li Linghui's voice rang in his ears at that moment.

As Shen Xu watched Li Linghui walk over from the side, looking radiant, his eyes flickered slightly. For some reason, he felt that the connection between him and Li Linghui had become even closer.

"This girl is too easy to fool. I was just joking with her. When she finds out I'm still around in a couple of days, she'll probably start to dislike me again," Shen Xu laughed.

“Shen Lang, you don’t need to hide it from me. I know that after the Hundred Flowers Festival, the Young Palace Master will take you back to the sect.” Li Linghui looked into his eyes.

“Linghui, you are indeed very perceptive. Xueyi does have this plan.”

"And what are your thoughts, Shen Lang?"

"I...I prefer freedom, but unfortunately, no one is destined to have absolute freedom. There will always be all sorts of people and things that bind you, making it increasingly difficult for you to breathe."

"Does that kind of constraint include me?"

"The Li Linghui I know wouldn't ask that question?" Shen Xu said quietly, lifting Li Linghui's chin with his hand.

"What did you want for breakfast? I'm a little hungry," Shen Xu asked with a smile as he released Li Linghui.

Li Linghui stared blankly at the young man in front of her, as if she were seeing him for the first time.

"Qingning has made some tea and snacks; I think Shen Lang will like them."

……

When Shen Xu arrived at the front hall, he found Shang Xueyi sitting quietly at the table, savoring the tea and snacks in her hands.

Qing Ning stood respectfully beside her, holding a tea tray. The moment she saw him, she snorted coldly and turned her head away.

Shen Xu chuckled awkwardly and sat down opposite Shang Xueyi. Just as he was about to pick up the tea and snacks on the table to try them, he felt two cold gazes directed at him.

"Tch! Fine, I won't eat then. I'm not going to starve." Shen Xu withdrew his hand.

"The little sister you took in is quite nice." Shang Xueyi looked at Li Linghui to the side.

"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Shang. Qing Ning has always been very talented and insightful."

"Sister, please don't praise me anymore, I'm getting embarrassed." Qing Ning scratched her head.

"If Miss Shang likes Qing Ning's pastries, you can take her back and have her train your family's chef."

Taking advantage of the fact that the three people were not paying attention to him, Shen Xu secretly reached out his hand towards the tea and snacks on the table.

However, an invisible light curtain enveloped the tea tray. After several unsuccessful attempts, Shen Xu clenched his fist and withdrew his hand.

"Your injury seems to be healing very well."

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Shang. However, when traveling, it's always good to have some better medicine on hand. After Shen Lang applied it to my wounds on the bed, they seem to heal much faster."

Upon hearing this, Qing Ning immediately looked at Shen Xu, her eyes brimming with anger.

Shen Xu looked at Li Linghui with a shocked expression.

He really couldn't understand what benefit Li Linghui would get from fabricating facts to anger Shang Xueyi. Wasn't she afraid that Shang Xueyi would attack her again in a fit of rage?

"Do you have anything to say?" Shang Xueyi looked at Shen Xu with a smile.

But in Shen Xu's eyes, that smile seemed somewhat terrifying.

"Xueyi, don't misunderstand, Linghui's statement has some problems..." Shen Xu's brain was working at a rapid pace, trying to find a suitable explanation for yesterday's events.

"Take your time thinking, I'm not in a hurry." Shang Xueyi picked up her teacup, covered her face with her sleeve, and took a small sip.

“Shen Xu only fed me some medicine; he didn’t do anything else to me,” Li Linghui said, not wanting to see Shen Xu in a difficult position.

Just because he doesn't do anything to you doesn't mean you won't do anything to him.

And this guy just happens to be a man who doesn't know how to refuse.

Am I right, Shen Lang?