Chapter 455 - 452: A High-Five Oath_1
Bai Qingyan pressed her lips together without answering. She struggled, but he held her so tightly she stumbled, her heart beating even faster. "You do have feelings for me. As you said, we each have heavy burdens to bear. The road ahead is fraught with uncertainties, like walking on thin ice. We can’t afford to be distracted or to let our hearts be swayed. I am not asking for anything now, but for the future!"
Xiao Rongyan’s demeanor was both firm and deeply affectionate. It was a clear strategy of retreating to advance, forcefully intending to secure a lifelong commitment.
He quietly watched Bai Qingyan, slowly lowering his head. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "Do you dare?"
Bai Qingyan felt as if her throat was being constricted, unable to make a sound.
In her heart, Bai Qingyan did have feelings for Xiao Rongyan. In her previous life, they were evenly matched rivals. At a critical moment, his men had rescued her from the Jin Army, gifting her a jade cicada to help her escape.
In this life, she felt grateful to Xiao Rongyan for past kindness and admired him. She admired how he, like Empress Ji, had transformed a barren Yan into a powerful Yan Kingdom. She admired his ambition that matched that of the Bai family for unifying the world. She admired his resourcefulness and intelligence.
Such a calm, reserved, and deeply scheming strong man was hard not to be moved by.
Surrounded by Xiao Rongyan’s scent of deep, tranquil orchids, Bai Qingyan’s hand, pressed against his chest, unconsciously gripped his clothes. Staring into his deep, dark eyes, she spoke, "I swore before my grandfather’s spirit that I would never marry in this life!"
"Once the country is at peace and Yan Kingdom is safe, and the state affairs are handed over to your brother." Xiao Rongyan slowly lowered his head, their faces getting closer. He tentatively brushed his nose against hers. His deep voice was reduced to a whisper, "If you don’t marry, I will become part of your family."