The Story of Dusk 218 THE FIRST SMILE

After that short encounter with Qi Xunyi and his little gift, there would be various bunches of flowers twice a day at Qianru's window sill until her room filled with the sweet smell of those flowers that Qi Xunyi had brought for her.

Jinse had many time reminded her mistress about Qi Xunyi's wrong affection, but like how Qianru reacted to other information, she didn't say a word about it and ignored even Jinse's existence completely.

As a servant, Jinse of course wouldn't be brave enough for having an argumentation with Qi Xunyi, let alone to point out his wrongdoing, even so, the last prince of Xinghe should have known that what he had done until now was not an appropriate act.

Meanwhile, Lin Xinyang also didn't dare to speak to him. They were not that close and moreover, she was struggling with her own matter.

The scar on her face made her became a very self- conscious person, she was barely stepped out of her room and met people around the village, if it wasn't something urgent and needed her help, she would do nothing about it either.

In the other hand, Ye Xiu and Ye Bai were not around as both of them were always busy, they went down the mountain to collect the necessary issues.

Thus, it left Qi Xunyi in charge for the whole village.

This condition gave Qi Xunyi advantage to meet Qianru, or at least he would be around whenever he has free time.

Day by day the number of the flowers that filled Qianru's room grew, her room now was akin to a small garden with fresh flower that bloomed beautifully.

This kind of affection was very clear to see what was in Qi Xunyi's mind and since no one could stop him, he went all the way as he pleased.

Today was another day when he put his bucket of flower on Qianru's window sill. Usually, Qianru would leave the windows the moment she saw Qi Xunyi, showing her disinterested toward his action, though it wasn't enough to stop him.

However, today Qianru was sitting on her chair near the window, not like usual, the moment Qi Xunyi came with faint smile on his lips, she didn't leave her spot, instead Qianru stared at him with impassive eyes that held a bit curiosity.

Seeing Qianru didn't leave, Qi Xunyi's smile widened. He raised a book on his other hand and showed it to her.

"This book is very interesting, I think you will like it too." Qi Xunyi put down the book and the flowers in front of Qianru through the window.

Qianru didn't give him reaction as she looked at the book in front of her and Qi Xunyi didn't want to rush her as he was standing there patiently.

Only a few minute later Qianru reached the book, took it and left the flower and Qi Xunyi like usual.

The only different thing now was, Qi Xunyi more than happy to see Qianru, finally, gave him some reaction and accepted his offer.

Then, every two or three days, except of flowers, there would be another new book on the table near the window sill after Qianru returned the previous one.

"Want to go out with me?" Qi Xunyi asked when he put the third book and the flowers. "The weather is good, lets walk around the village, shall we?"

Qi Xunyi only asked this on a whim, so he didn't mind if Qianru turned down his offer, but she didn't and it startled him.

Qianru nodded her head as she replied in low voice. "Alright." And walked inside her room.

At first Qi Xunyi thought he heard and saw a wrong reaction, but then hurriedly he ran around the house and waited patiently out of her door.

If she didn't come out after long time, Qi Xunyi would assume he was seeing thing, and would only laugh at himself for his hallucination, but to his surprised, Qianru came out after a while with blue cloak draped on her shoulder.

Her face was still pale and her expression devoid from any emotion as if there was nothing could change it forever.

"We can go now?" Qi Xunyi asked in amazement and his smile widened when he saw Qianru nodded her head once again.

The sun was almost down when they strolled in the village, leaving an orange hue to their surrounding, extending the shadow behind them.

Most of the villagers were the remaining of the Xinghe Kingdom's people who was able to escape Xiao Zi's guard or managed to be saved.

There were many of them as they built their own house in this flat ground on this mountain and created this small village.

Because of his blood, many people from the village would treat Qi Xunyi with the utmost respect as if he was still a prince with a nation to lead. At least he has been leading them all this time and cared for them.

Along the long walked, Qianru didn't say anything neither Qi Xunyi. Both of them appreciated the other silent company.

Only when the sun had set and all the torches along the road had been lightened up, Qi Xunyi led Qianru back to the house that she had been occupying these past weeks.

Like a gentleman he was, Qi Xunyi kept her accompany until her room door.

Only then both of them stopped to walk and face each other.

"Alright, you are here now…" Qi Xunyi said softly. "If you like, I can take you to meadow next time we take a stroll again."

He stood there with a sincere smile that never left his lips while she was standing there with the same emotionless expression.

And like before, Qi Xunyi didn't rush her nor he felt offended by her silence. He thought Qianru would not answer him, so he was about to leave when a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"I would love to go." This was her first smile after such long time.

Chapter end

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