TheLazyDreamer
patreon
23. The Confession
🕑 Added 2025-04-08 17:35:40 +0000 UTCMadam An, feeling reassured by Su Kang's promise, eventually excused herself, leaving the two of them alone.
A brief silence stretched between them before Bai Yunxi spoke, her voice soft and tender.
"Su Kang… I don't know how to thank you," she said, lowering her head.
"You reunited me with my mother… and now, you've even found my father's remains. I can never repay your kindness."
Su Kang leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"You don't have to repay me," he said quietly. "Just smile a little more—that's enough for me."
Bai Yunxi blinked, momentarily stunned by his gentle words. Her heart stirred at the warmth behind them.
"Has the burden on your heart lightened?" Su Kang asked, his voice calm yet filled with meaning.
She looked at him, truly looked at him, her gaze lingering in his deep, dark eyes.
Then, without warning, a smile bloomed across her lips—soft, genuine—and a light laugh followed.
"Yes," she said, her voice carrying a hint of brightness. "It's much lighter now."
Her laughter surprised Su Kang. He had never seen her like this before—a fleeting glimpse of unguarded joy.
"Then my efforts weren't in vain," he murmured, his eyes still on her.
Without saying anything more, he quietly finished his tea.
A calm silence settled between them. He didn't speak, didn't move—his gaze simply lingered on her, warm and steady.
Bai Yunxi lowered her eyes, a soft flush creeping across her cheeks.
Su Kang smiled at her reaction and spoke in a light tone.
"One week has passed."
Her heart stirred with unease. She wasn't sure why, but a nervous flutter rose in her chest.
He stood up, his gaze drifting to her lowered face, then toward her hands, clenched together in her lap.
"I'm going to Rift Valley City. Would you like to come with me?"
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded with quiet determination.
"I will inform my mother first."
She rose and made her way to her mother's room. Inside, Madam An was seated beside the clothe that held her husband's remains.
"Mother, I'm going to Rift Valley City with Su Kang," she said softly, feeling slightly embarrassed.
Madam An glanced at her daughter's pink cheeks and smiled with quiet understanding.
"Good. No matter what happens, your parents will always bless you."
After Bai Yunxi left, Madam An looked at the urn and exhaled deeply.
"Husband, look at our daughter. She might truly find happiness this time."
Outside, Su Kang was waiting. Once Bai Yunxi returned, the two departed the village together.
Su Kang carried her through the sky, supported by his qi. They glided smoothly in the air, their figures drifting in silence.
For Bai Yunxi, it was the first time flying like this. The sensation left her breathless, her heart pounding as the vast world stretched beneath them.
One day, I will fly on my own. Father, just wait a little longer.
Her eyes gleamed with determination. She clenched her fists as the wind rushed around her, feeding her will to break through her current limits.
The sun had dipped below the horizon, but golden light still kissed the clouds far away. The sky had softened into tones of orange and fading blue.
"The world is beautiful because it holds every shade of color," Su Kang murmured.
Bai Yunxi turned her head, expecting him to admire the scenery.
Instead, she found his eyes locked on her.
The breeze tugged at her dark hair, lifting it like silk strands. Her sky-blue robes shifted gently in the wind, outlining her figure with grace.
"Don't you agree?" he asked.
She nodded slowly, unsure if he was speaking about the sky—or about her.
After that, they flew in silence. Yet something subtle passed between them, unspoken and undeniable.
Once in the city, Bai Yunxi busied herself selecting small gifts for the children and Old Man He. She wanted to show her gratitude for how they had supported her mother.
Su Kang helped her with the shopping, offering calm advice and carrying the bundles.
Later, he brought up something else.
"Your mother's wooden leg is too crude. It must cause her pain."
He paused before continuing.
"A spiritually crafted prosthetic would be more comfortable. Let's get one made."
Bai Yunxi agreed. They found a craftsman skilled in spiritual tools. The prosthetic would take a few days to finish.
As night deepened, they left the bustling streets behind. The city lights faded behind them, replaced by moonlight blanketing the quiet hills.
Just before they reached the village, Su Kang stopped.
"Bai Yunxi."
He spoke her name gently, almost like a whisper.
She turned toward him, her heart skipping as a sudden nervousness bloomed inside her chest.
They descended into a clearing touched by moonlight. She landed beside him, the soft grass brushing against her feet.
For a while, he simply looked at her. His face calm, yet filled with quiet emotion. The way his gaze lingered made her chest tighten.
"At first, I was curious about you. Maybe I even pitied you," he said with a casual tone.
Bai Yunxi’s heart sank for a moment. She thought her fears were coming true—that he only felt sorry for her.
"But the more I saw you," he continued, stepping closer, "the more you pulled me deeper."
His voice lost its casual tone, becoming firm, sincere.
"You are someone I genuinely like."
Her heart stumbling in her chest, she felt relieved hearing this.
"I want to see you happy. I want to show you this world, with all its beauty and complexity."
"You've carried too much for too long. You don't have to do that anymore."
His words were peeling her open. Layer by layer. Gently, but relentlessly.
"Li Fang is safe. He's growing up to become a strong person. There's no more danger looming."
She bit her lower lip, emotions swirling violently inside her.
He looked into her eyes, steady and clear.
"Let me carry your burdens now. Let me give you the happiness you deserve."
His voice dropped, turning softer.
"Please, give me this chance. Because Bai Yunxi…"
"I love you."
There was no drama in his tone, no grand gesture.
Just the quiet, unwavering truth that cracked her like a fragile shell.
Bai Yunxi stood frozen, her heart hammering against her ribs. Tears welled in her eyes as emotions surged like waves in a storm, threatening to overflow.
"I…" She swallowed, her voice trembling like a leaf in the wind.
"I've thought about this before… but my situation, it always held me back. I was afraid."
Her hands trembled as they clenched at her robes. She closed her eyes.
"But after reuniting with my mother, I realized something important."
Her eyes opened, shimmering under the moonlight.
"You would do anything to make me happy… even things I didn't have the courage to ask for."
Her voice cracked with the weight of that truth.
"I don't know what good karma I've done to deserve someone like you."
Su Kang took a step closer, his presence warm and grounding.
"You don't know it… but you are a blessing to me," he said, voice low and steady.
Her lips parted, but her voice faltered.
“But… I’m already married. I had a child. You know what that means. People will laugh at you, insult you…”
“No one would dare. They don’t have the courage yet,” he said firmly, his eyes flashing with quiet dominance.
"My family is different from the rest. You don’t know everything yet, but just trust me."
"And… what if Li Fang resents me? Or you?" Her voice wavered as tears finally slipped down her cheeks.
Doubt, fear, guilt—still clung to her heart.
Su Kang stepped forward and gently wiped away her tears, his fingers warm against her skin.
"He loves you more than anything. You're his only parent," he said, voice thick with conviction.
"He's seen how much you've suffered. He'll understand—I'll make sure he does. Your son will never hate you."
Now standing just a breath away, Su Kang cupped her face with both hands. The moonlight bathed her delicate features as he looked into her eyes—eyes full of pain and hope.
She looked into his eyes, filled with only sincerity and unwavering resolve.
"You don't have to be alone anymore," he whispered. "Let me be by your side."
