If you were cold and aloof in your past life, why are you crying in this one?

Their lips met, and desire surged in Wang Jue's eyes. His fingertips tightened slightly as he lowered his head to deepen the kiss.

Xi Lingxian mustered all her strength and pushed him away forcefully.

Wang Jue was pushed backward, and Xi Lingxian took the opportunity to step back a little. "Are you addicted to taking advantage of others?"

Wang Jue wasn't angry at all. It was strange that this man, who was always successful, suddenly lost his temper and airs.

He wouldn't let her dodge, gripping her waist with both hands. He lowered his head, burying his face deep in her neck, his nose lightly brushing against hers, greedily inhaling her sweet fragrance.

That aura was like a unique remedy for him, able to soothe all the anxiety in his heart.

It gradually alleviates the unease and deep longing that are buried deep in our bones and blood, and that we could not let go of even after a lifetime of trying.

The regret in the dead of night, the despair of wanting but never getting it, and the bitter obsession of the long years all broke through the cage he had built for himself with his will and forbearance at this moment, and ran rampantly through every corner of his body, only able to be slightly calmed by this familiar scent.

Xi Lingxian pushed him, but he was like an impenetrable wall, and no matter how hard she tried, he wouldn't budge.

Feeling both angry and annoyed, she decided to bite him hard on the shoulder.

The sudden pain gradually intensified, and Wang Jue paused slightly, tightening his arms around her even more.

He slightly raised his head, revealing the smooth lines of his neck. "Biting here hurts more."

Xi Lingxian gritted her teeth, "Wouldn't biting that be a reward for you? Don't think I don't know what you're up to."

The man, who had been smiling, suddenly fell silent upon hearing this.

He released his grip on her waist, took her wrist, and gently pressed his palm against his face.

The emotions surging in his eyes were so intense they were almost impossible to dissipate.

"What will it take for you to give me another chance?"

He surrendered; what about arrogance and integrity, what about being superior?

Nothing is more important than having a living, breathing person by your side.

The man, who was always upright and aloof, suddenly bowed his proud head, his humility tinged with sincerity, which was very touching.

A lump formed in Xi Lingxian's throat. She shook her head, her voice choked with emotion and confusion: "I don't know, I really don't know..."

Now that Yu and Xi Yao have reaped what they sowed and received their due retribution, the resentment that had been building up in her heart for many years has long since dissipated.

But every time I face him, I feel a tearing pain in my chest.

The time that has been missed will eventually leave only a heart full of wounds.

Even though the hatred had dissipated, the resentment, anger, and grievance that had been etched in her heart lingered, making her afraid and unable to easily turn back.

Tears silently slid down her cheeks, one drop, two drops, landing on Wang Jue's clothes, leaving faint damp marks.

She hadn't cried in front of him for a long time; in their past life, during their fiercest arguments, when he felt she was being the most unreasonable, he had ignored her tears.

He later regretted it countless times.

Husbands and wives shouldn't be so calculating. If you marry her, you should accept both her good and bad qualities.

They were both too young when they got married, and they hadn't even sorted out the responsibilities on their shoulders before hastily becoming husband and wife.

That love, which never had a chance to take root and grow, was defeated by youthful recklessness and the heavy burdens of life.

Love doesn't happen overnight; it requires a gradual, persistent effort and the support of those who weather the storms together.

At the beginning of his marriage, Wang Jue was burdened by the century-old glory of the Langya Wang clan and the turbulent political situation that made it difficult for him to move forward. He was under extreme pressure and tension every day, and he had no time to spare for this romantic relationship.

He moved too fast and too hastily, focused on supporting his family and seizing power, forgetting to look back at his wife behind him.

He overlooked the fact that her world was very small, so small that it consisted only of him from beginning to end, and all her joys and sorrows were tied to him.

He rushed off to fulfill his mission, leaving her all alone, letting her wither and fade away in endless waiting and neglect.

By the time he finally dispelled the fog of court intrigue, sorted out all the mess, and seized power, with nothing left to bind him, the girl who had always loved him had already left him completely over the long years.

This was a regret he could never let go of, even after a lifetime of regret.

After the mourning period in his previous life, countless people around him advised him to remarry.

The Langya Wang clan held immense power in the court, and with his status and position, marrying a suitable wife would have been a piece of cake.

Even without him saying a word, countless people rushed to make arrangements for him.

But he refused, preferring to be adopted rather than stay.

He didn't want another woman to take her place and tarnish the last remaining bond between them.

He already owes her too much. If he can't even protect her, how can he face her when he goes to the underworld a hundred years from now?

Past events pass like smoke, flashing before my eyes like a revolving lantern.

My heart suddenly felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and a dull, persistent pain spread through me.

His hand, hanging by his side, trembled slightly as he gently wiped away the tears on her face with his fingertips.

"It was my fault before."

"It was my stupidity that made me love everything about you, yet I insisted on using scheming to cover up my true feelings. I never realized my feelings for you, nor did I ever respect your sacrifices."

He held her hand and pressed it to his heart, letting her feel the steady yet burning heartbeat in his chest, and said firmly, "You're so smart, you must have felt it. During those three years, I never made a single false promise to you. I, I was sincere."

The bitterness in her heart was still churning. Xi Lingxian sniffed her reddened nose and subconsciously stepped back to avoid this suffocating feeling of deep regret.

The moment she moved, Wang Jue gripped her wrist tightly again. He lowered his eyes, his gaze unwavering and resolute. "Don't go. Let's settle everything today."

Xi Lingxian was held captive and unable to move. She glared at him and said, "Fine, I'll say it! Who's afraid of who!"

She paused, pursed her lips, suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, and looked directly at him. "Since you want to be honest, then tell me, what happened after I left in my past life? What did you do?"

As soon as she asked the question, she didn't even realize that her fingertips were clenching slightly. In truth, she had been curious all this time about what kind of life the man who had been so indifferent to her had led in the years after she closed her eyes. A sense of curiosity had always lingered in her heart.

Wang Jue's hand holding her wrist stiffened, his brows furrowed, and his thin lips pressed into a straight line, clearly unwilling to recall that time.

Seeing his strange expression, Xi Lingxian's heart tightened, and her eyes showed a hint of doubt and annoyance. "Why aren't you saying anything? Could it be... that you did something to betray me after I left?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Jue suddenly snapped back to reality, quickly shook his head, and said in a hoarse voice, "No, absolutely not."

He closed his eyes briefly. "Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you everything, word for word, without holding anything back."