Chapter 451 - 322: Lin Ruoxi’s Independence

In the dead of night, the sky gradually cleared, and the moon hung high above.

Lin Ruoxi slept peacefully, nestled in Xue Rui’s arms, but her brow grew increasingly furrowed, as if she were having a nightmare.

"Rui." Lin Ruoxi’s eyes snapped open. Seeing Xue Rui sleeping beside her, she quickly covered her mouth and looked up at the bright, clear moon outside the window.

’The moon is so full. The Mid-Autumn Festival is in a couple of days. I was already planning to go home and bring gifts for Xue Rui’s parents...’

Lin Ruoxi stared blankly as she thought about her plans. She tried to even her breathing, to calm herself down. She had just had a nightmare that Xue Rui left and never came back...

’It must be true that what you think about by day, you dream about by night. I was so scared when Xue Rui took off my collar earlier...’

’I know I’m very clingy. The way he acted then... it was as if he was letting me go...’

’Just like when I took off Da Huang’s collar and "abandoned" him.’

She glanced at the time on her phone. It was already four in the morning. The sun would be up in a few hours, and Xue Rui would probably have to head back to Hedong.

Waking up in the middle of the night, a familiar sense of loneliness enveloped her heart. As a child, she’d had countless nightmares, and every time she woke up, she would cry secretly for a long time.

But now, Xue Rui was right beside her. All she needed was to hug him, and she would feel better.

Hmm... In Xue Rui’s words, she’d be "fully revived."

She tiptoed over and opened her laptop. She located her phone’s position—it was at Gu Muxue’s house. Gu Muxue had also sent her a message.

[Lin Ruoxi, I’m sorry, I took the wrong phone. I’ll be back in Chang’an in a few days and will give it to you then.]

Lin Ruoxi: It’s okay. I’ll come find you today to pick it up.

Holding Gu Muxue’s phone, she wanted to see the pictures of Xue Rui on it. Gu Muxue had suggested they look at each other’s photo albums before. ’This doesn’t count as snooping, right?’

She had pestered Xue Rui to play with her for a long time last night. Now, the floor was littered with torn stockings...

She had done it on purpose. Although she was exhausted too, this would make Xue Rui wake up late. As long as she drew the curtains, he would sleep until at least nine.

’For these four or five hours, Xue Rui won’t go anywhere. He’ll be so, so good...’

She put the laptop down and gently moved closer to Xue Rui. She loved to watch him while he slept; it always filled her with a secret delight...

Soft moonlight spilled into the room. She leaned in close to Xue Rui, wanting to kiss him. She finally understood why lovers kissed—sometimes, she really couldn’t control herself...

"Muxue..."

A faint murmur reached Lin Ruoxi’s ears, making her freeze.

Xue Rui was talking in his sleep. She knew he had misunderstood Gu Muxue and must have a lot he wanted to explain to her.

’But... but I’m still a little unhappy.’

"Xixi, you don’t have to be like this..."

Lin Ruoxi’s ears perked up instantly. She hurriedly pressed her ear close to Xue Rui’s lips, trying to hear more clearly.

Unfortunately, his sleep-talking was fragmented. She didn’t know what he was dreaming about, but... ’as long as he said my name, it’s fine.’

She got up, drew the curtains, and fell back asleep in Xue Rui’s arms.

In her dream, she once again saw the image of Xue Rui unclasping her collar, his eyes filled with both heartache and pity...

When she woke up again, the sky was bright, and Xue Rui was still sleeping soundly beside her.

Lin Ruoxi rubbed her sore, swollen eyes. When she touched her pillow, she found a large wet patch. ’What’s wrong with me? Why have I been crying so much lately?’

Gu Muxue had promised to step aside and let her have Xue Rui.

But she wasn’t happy at all right now. She would rather openly share Xue Rui with Gu Muxue than have him thinking about someone else while in her bed.

In her dream, Xue Rui wanted to drive her away. It left her feeling deeply unsettled, yet she was powerless to do anything about it.

Even though it was just a nightmare, it was the first time she had felt angry at Xue Rui. ’What would a girl normally do in a situation like this?’

’If it were Gu Muxue, she would definitely give Xue Rui a pinch.’

She hesitated for a moment, then pouted and secretly gave Xue Rui’s cheek a gentle pinch. She immediately snatched her hand back as if electrocuted and quickly hugged his head, nuzzling against him.

’I just can’t bring myself to hurt him.’

Lin Ruoxi thought for a long time. She didn’t think Xue Rui was at fault; she must be the one who was wrong.

She didn’t know what other tricks she could use to keep Xue Rui. Last night, she had dressed up in a maid outfit to "play" with him—a little trick she had learned online.

’But a person’s threshold for excitement keeps getting higher.’

’It’s like how I used to love chocolate pies, but now I’m sick of them.’

’What if Xue Rui gets sick of me, too?’

She didn’t know what to do. She just wanted Xue Rui to look at her more...

’But why is it so hard?’

She recalled the advice her elders had given her—her grandmother, Aunt Ren, and even Gu Muxue...

Everyone’s advice seemed to be that she shouldn’t spoil Xue Rui, or else he would be the one who takes her for granted...

’Was I wrong to do what I did?’

’Yes, I was. My life revolves around Xue Rui, just like Da Huang’s eyes only see me.’

Lin Ruoxi felt she had "abandoned" Da Huang because she knew there would be no consequences. The next time Da Huang saw her, he would still happily pester her to play...

’Am I Xue Rui’s "Da Huang"?’

The corners of Lin Ruoxi’s mouth drooped unconsciously. She bullied Da Huang and was afraid of Xue Rui. It turned out she was also a bad woman who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

She hugged Xue Rui’s head, murmuring as she stared at the crack of light from the window. ’Should I change?’

’Just look at Gu Muxue. Xue Rui got nothing from her, but he still thinks about her all the time...’