Chapter 552 - 546_1
Lin Yue no longer made much effort to hide her true identity in front of Zhao Erhu, revealing too many hints. Zhao Erhu seemed to have sensed something but never questioned her. Instead, he covered for her and protected her in front of others. Lin Yue had been waiting for Zhao Erhu to voice his suspicions but never got the chance until she couldn’t help herself one day and asked, "Zhao Erhu, I was just a daughter of a farmer from the mountains. I shouldn’t know these things. Aren’t you curious where I learned them from? Haven’t you ever doubted me?"
"Silly wife, doubt what? No matter what, you are my wife. It’s not important what you know. Everyone has some secrets they can’t talk about. If you want to tell me, naturally you will. If you don’t want to say, then just keep them hidden in your heart. As long as you don’t leave me, I’ll be satisfied. Just be careful. It’s okay in front of me, but you must not expose yourself in front of others; that would bring disaster upon you. I’m afraid I won’t be able to protect you then." Zhao Erhu’s greatest worry was just this, and that was why he worked so hard trying to make something of himself, fearing he couldn’t protect his wife. This thought had been hidden in his heart and had not been spoken until now when Lin Yue broached the subject, prompting him to reveal his feelings.
Lin Yue looked at Zhao Erhu with tearful eyes, deeply touched. She hadn’t expected that her inadvertent slip-ups would make Zhao Erhu worry about her in secret. Perhaps he had already done much for her safety that she was not aware of. No one had ever questioned how she had acquired her knowledge, which she was ready to explain, but surprisingly no one asked. She had thought they were just slow to catch on but realized it was actually Zhao Erhu who had shielded her from it all.
Lin Yue opened her mouth, intending to reveal her true identity and extraordinary experiences but hesitated, fearing Zhao Erhu couldn’t accept them. Right now, he might only have some speculations about her past, but he would never think of something so inconceivable. If he knew she was just a wandering soul attached to this body, he would probably be frightened, and it might alienate her. In the end, Lin Yue couldn’t bring herself to speak, unsure if it was a lack of confidence in Zhao Erhu or in herself. Yet she felt somewhat guilty for not reciprocating Zhao Erhu’s trust and protection, torn inside and struggling to resolve her emotions outwardly.
Zhao Erhu noticed his wife’s inner turmoil and struggle. Even though he was unclear about what his little wife was keeping inside, he didn’t want her to feel distressed. He did want to know, but if she didn’t want to talk about it, then it was alright; no point in forcing her. No matter what, his little wife was now his, and would be for a lifetime. Nothing else mattered.
"Wife, you don’t have to be troubled. If you don’t want to say, then don’t. I don’t need to know. Let’s just live our lives well. As long as you don’t leave me, anything is fine. If there’s something you can’t explain in the future, just put the blame on me, your husband. Though I can’t share the secrets in your heart, I can still bear others’ suspicions. And with my experience of going to sea, an experience that broadens one’s horizons, it won’t be easy for people to suspect anything, so you will be safe." Zhao Erhu embraced his wife’s delicate body and spoke considerately, full of understanding and tolerance for Lin Yue, moving her immensely.
"Zhao Erhu, it’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just that what happened to me is so bizarre. I, I don’t know..." Lin Yue was about to spill everything when Zhao Erhu covered her mouth.
"Wife, let’s not talk about it anymore. If you don’t want to say it, then we won’t say it," Zhao Erhu said, though curious, he didn’t want his wife to be coerced into speaking.