Chapter 619: Chapter 214 Unintentional_2
He said, "What’s the matter, you are bold enough to kill, but why do you become timid when I reveal my feelings to you? Could it be because..."
"...you feel guilty and have a bit of liking for me in your heart?"
Lu Tong stiffened.
Pei Yunmeng stared intently at her, those dark, bright eyes under the lamplight were dazzling and magnificent, refusing to miss any of her expressions.
It was as if on a cold, dark rainy night, someone appeared with a lantern, took your hand, draped a dry and warm cloak over you, and then handed you a cup of warm honey water.
Apparently indifferent, yet always able to warm the lonelier souls.
She liked this warmth, coveted it, but could not indulge herself to draw near; she had to restrain herself, to stay away.
Even though she couldn’t deny it.
Her fingertips dug deeper, yet she lifted her head and said indifferently, "I don’t like you."
The words were resolute and clear-cut.
Pei Yunmeng was taken aback.
His expression grew somber as he stared at her and said, "I don’t believe you."
Lu Tong remained silent.
"I’m not a fool. If you think you can fob me off with such an excuse, it’s too feeble."
He closed in, lowering his head to look into her eyes, "Sometimes, the way you look at me, it’s obviously infatuated."
A flicker ran through Lu Tong’s heart.
He was a favored son of heaven, with a good family and looks, raised amidst the adoration of crowds. She had understood since the first time she met Pei Yunmeng that politeness and gentleness were part of his manners and upbringing, but he was innately too proud to bow his head, and he had made exceptions for her again and again.
Her own feigned calmness couldn’t deceive him.
People can never betray their own hearts.
Yet she couldn’t tolerate herself sinking into these enticing "exceptions."
Even though she was well aware that she was someone who feared owing favors the most, keeping clear and distinct accounts of obligations with everyone, she had never given anything in return specifically to him.
Deception, sharp retorts, rightfully enjoying the warmth of a moment from him, and then mercilessly pushing him away.
She was just that selfish.
Selfish, and indifferent.
"Lord Pei is perhaps too full of himself," Lu Tong spoke coldly.
"Just because Lord Pei is accomplished and captivating, should everyone in the world like you?"
"Just because you are noble and handsome, with an extraordinary family background, should everyone love you?"
Lu Tong scornfully laughed, "I am not a daughter of the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion; Lord Pei should not think too highly of himself and not too little of others."
The lamp burned quietly, a cold breeze blew in from outside the window, brushing against the face with a hint of chill.
The young man’s smiling face gradually faded as he stared at her intently.
"Then why did you stand up for me when Jin Xianrong was speaking ill of my mother behind my back?"
"It was just a common acupuncture treatment; the Marshal shouldn’t overthink it."
"When Yan Xu of the Privy Council spoke with threats, why did you invoke the law to defend me?"
"I was afraid the Marshal would be implicated because of me."
"On Qiqiao Tower during Lanye, we once won a comb together."
Lu Tong: "I’ve thrown away that comb."
His expression wavered momentarily.
"Lu Tong," Pei Yunmeng stepped closer, unwilling to let her go, and slowly asked, "From beginning to end, are you really so forthright, with not a shred of personal interest towards me?"
Lu Tong clenched her fist.
The young man stood under the lamp, its dim light illuminating his youthful and clean face, those dark and sparkling eyes glimmering softly, deep like a still pond.
For a moment, it seemed as though she saw the splendid, rosy blossoms of Luomei Peak, dark clouds rolling tempestuously over the grassland, and Lady Yun holding a bowl of medicine emerging from the cottage, shushing her with a "hush."
"Little Shiqi."
The woman curved her eyes and earnestly cautioned her, "Make sure to hide what you like well. Otherwise, it will end up like this."
It will end up like this.
Her eyes felt warm, but Lu Tong simply looked up calmly at the person before her and said, "No."
No.
The light of the lamp seemed to freeze for a moment, the chill of the rainy night finally spreading over everything at this instant, drop by drop the autumn rain fell like tears, tracing down the eaves in streams.
Lu Tong picked up an umbrella, pushed him out of the door, and as she passed by him, Pei Yunmeng attempted to hold on to her. The cold edge of her sleeve slipped through his hands like a wisp of elusive breeze, quietly slipping away.
He stood there, momentarily stunned. After a while, he came to his senses and hastened his steps to follow, "I’ll take you."
Lu Tong walked on with the umbrella, "No need."
"Lu Tong," he called out.
Lu Tong stopped, but he didn’t approach any further.
Rain kept pouring down from the heavens incessantly, and that crimson figure in the darkness was no longer as bright and striking as before, becoming somber, becoming disheveled.
In the vast drizzle, one ahead and one behind, within arm’s length, yet unapproachable.
After a moment, he lowered his eyes, "I’ll send someone to take you."