Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

"I'm not a bad person?"

Xie Xiaoyi's heart sank, but I've done my fair share of bad things...

"By the way, you kept calling your little sister Weiwei, and you did it so affectionately!"

Murong Shishi saw a fleeting melancholy in his eyes, an expression that was so handsome it was unbelievable.

Remembering that he was her sister's savior, her previous wariness dissipated considerably, and a slight smile appeared on her lips:

"Her original name was Murong Weiwei. Back then, she insisted on going to the Kunlun Heavenly Sword Sect to learn swordsmanship because she thought the name Weiwei was too pretentious."

She changed her name to the single character "Wei," and outsiders called her Murong Wei, but her family still called her Weiwei.

Vivi?

Murong Wei?

I wonder how that "Rooftop Goddess of War" is doing now?

Xie Xiaoyi added two more thick branches to the campfire: "I see, it seems she really does have a personality."

Murong Shishi gripped her collar tightly with one hand and tucked a stray hair behind her ear with the other.

"She's been stubborn since she was little, but she worked really hard to learn swordsmanship. She still has a small scar on her lower back from learning the move 'Flying Bird Returns to the Forest'."

Xie Xiaoyi nodded subconsciously and said, "So that's how she got that scar on her back?"

Murong Shishi was startled and immediately frowned: "How did you know about the scar on her back?"

Oops, I accidentally let it slip.

How would I know?

Because I interviewed her in the dilapidated temple, that was a real close encounter.

No, no!

It should be negative distance contact... at least negative half a foot!

Faced with Murong Shishi's questioning gaze, Xie Xiaoyi quickly dodged the question, saying, "I just said it without thinking!"

Murong Shishi stared at him, her face full of doubt: "But the tone you used just now didn't sound like you were listening to me at all; it sounded like you had seen it with your own eyes!"

Xie Xiaoyi, without batting an eye, wore a sly grin: "Look at what you're saying, talking about a small scar on your lower back..."

Even a fool would know it was behind her back. Did I force her, or did I witness it with my own eyes?

Murong Shishi nodded secretly.

What he said made sense, but something just felt off, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Fearing she would pry, Xie Xiaoyi quickly changed the subject, smelling her fresh scent, and jokingly teased her:

"Enough about your sister, let's talk about you. If I'm not mistaken, even though you're married, you're still a virgin, aren't you?"

"boom--"

Murong Shishi looked like she'd been struck by lightning, completely stunned.

How did he know?

I'm afraid no one knows about this except Su Muqing and me.

"How...how did you know?"

Holy crap?

Xie Xiaoyi felt like he had discovered a new continent. His heart skipped a beat. It was just a casual joke, but it actually came true?

His nose, which could recognize a woman by her scent, had already detected the delicate, virginal fragrance emanating from her.

I initially thought it was a mistake; since she was already married, it was impossible for her to still retain that aura. I just assumed it was an illusion.

But looking at her panicked and speechless appearance at this moment, it was really true!

However, while "knowing a woman by her scent" isn't a secret that must be kept, it's a bit perverse to say that you can tell a woman's physical secrets by smelling her.

Let's just make it up!

"Because I have a natural talent for reading faces!"

Murong Shishi looked on in surprise and asked him without thinking:

"You can even tell that? What kind of physiognomy is this, capable of predicting...such private matters?"

Xie Xiaoyi lowered his eyelids, striking a pose of superiority, with a deliberately profound and indifferent expression.

"It's natural that you can tell. Physiognomy emphasizes the correspondence between form and energy, and the unity of spirit and form. You can know the reason just by looking at your face."

Your forehead is clear and free of impurities, and your eyes and brows are focused and pure; this is a sign that your physical essence is not yet broken.

Looking at your marital palace, it's smooth and without wrinkles; your lips are bright and lustrous; your energy and spirit are concentrated and not scattered.

This aligns with the Taoist saying, "When the Qi is pure, the body is clean," so how could this be the appearance of an ordinary married woman?

Murong Shishi trembled, speechless for a moment. Remembering her previous grievances, she silently turned away, hugged her knees, and lowered her head...

Xie Xiaoyi was at a loss, and after a long pause, he finally spoke:

"Stop sobbing. Don't worry, I'll keep this secret for you. I won't tell a word of it."

"I...I didn't cry!"

"So what I said was—stop sobbing, okay?"

"Isn't it the same? What's the difference?"

Xie Xiaoyi raised an eyebrow and explained seriously, "You don't understand. Anyone who cries, with tears and sound, is crying."

"To weep silently is called 'weeping,' while to wail is called 'wailing.' What you're doing is at most weeping, not crying."

Murong Shishi's eyes were still a little wet. She was taken aback by his words and said reproachfully, "You really know a lot."

Xie Xiaoyi smiled with narrowed eyes and turned around.

He casually poked at the fire with a dry twig in his hand, sparks dancing and shattering the tranquility of the night.

As night fell, the sky was dotted with sparse stars, and the pale moonlight, thin as gauze, gently enveloped the mountains and fields.

The summer night breeze gently caressed the air, carrying the faint fragrance of grass and trees. The dry branches crackled softly in the fire, making the night all the more tranquil and gentle.

The firelight illuminated Murong Shishi's profile as she gazed at the flickering flames and spoke softly:

"Ever since I married Su Muqing, he has treated me very well, and he has done everything in the household to my liking."

But... but he absolutely refuses to get involved in anything between husband and wife.

Living under the same roof, let alone being close, even if their fingertips accidentally touch, he will subtly avoid it.

This kind of mutual respect, as cold as ice, may seem considerate, but it actually leaves one feeling more empty inside than when ordinary couples quarrel.

Murong Shishi spoke at length, and the pent-up frustration that had been building up in her chest for two or three years dissipated considerably, even making her breathing feel lighter.

Those grievances and confusions buried deep in their hearts, never daring to confide in those around them...

Yet, saying it to this complete stranger felt strangely comforting.

She herself was bewildered, not understanding why she would confide these private thoughts to a complete stranger.

Is it simply because he is good-looking?

Xie Xiaoyi gazed at her, his eyes fixed on her face, which rivaled Murong Wei's. A thought struck him, and he asked in a deep voice, "Then... are you content?"

"What can you do if you're unwilling? That's just how the world is; women are born without control over their own lives."

Once you're married, you belong to your husband's family, so why would you feel resentful?

I can't say these things to my family, I can't say them to anyone in the manor, and I especially can't mention them to Su Muqing...

But to you, a complete stranger, I inexplicably vomited.

But it's better to speak out; it makes me feel better than keeping it bottled up inside, letting it fester and eventually be buried in the ground.

Finally buried in the ground?

Why do these words sound so melancholy and desolate?

Xie Xiaoyi pondered those words repeatedly, his gaze falling once more on her slender figure and beautiful face. A thought stirred within him, and he felt a sudden urge to soothe her sorrow.

"Do you need my help?"