Chapter 170: The Support
The whole bedchamber fell into silence after Wang Gege’s words.
"Is that the reason you moved across the country? Far away from me?"
Xie Rong’s eyes were already furrowed with sadness, as though he had only just begun to understand how much distance she had deliberately placed between them after their separation.
Wang Gege remained quiet for a moment before slowly shaking her head.
"Not entirely."
She lowered her gaze toward the blanket, her fingers lightly tracing its edge.
"I moved because I wanted to get away from everything that reminded me of being me."
Xie Rong’s expression tightened.
"But I love everything about you..." His voice softened, his gaze lingering on her. "And perhaps that is the reason I fell in love with you again after coming here."
Wang Gege’s eyes flickered.
"I—I need to rest..." she stammered, clearly caught off guard by the words she had never expected to hear from him.
Xie Rong stared at her for a moment before a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Then rest." He did not tease her or try to continue the conversation, which somehow made Wang Gege even more uncomfortable.
She slowly pulled the blanket over her body and settled herself against the pillow, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
But after a moment, she could not help glancing at him again. "You..."
"Hmm?"
"Don’t say things like that so suddenly."
Xie Rong’s expression softened. "Why?"
"Because..." She hesitated, her cheeks warming slightly. "I don’t know how to respond."
For a moment, Xie Rong simply looked at her.
Then he quietly nodded. "Then you don’t have to respond."
He paused for a moment, his gaze softening as he looked at her.
"And, Gege..." He took a slow breath before continuing, "This one will wait until you are willing to forgive me."
His voice was gentle, without the slightest hint of pressure.
"And please... just be yourself. Whatever you want to be here, whatever you want to do, this one will support you."
Wang Gege’s eyes flickered.
"You don’t have to change yourself for me anymore." He lowered his gaze toward their hands.
"Whether you want to stay here, whether you want to pursue something you never had the chance to pursue before, or whether you simply want to live peacefully without having to worry about anyone’s expectations..."
He looked back at her. "This one will support you."
Wang Gege stared at him quietly. For some reason, those words felt heavier than his confession. Because he wasn’t asking her to return his feelings. He wasn’t asking her to forgive him.
He was simply telling her that, for once, she was allowed to choose what she wanted for herself.
Xie Rong smiled at her stunned expression, "I’ll sleep on the long wooden chair in the front chamber. If you need anything, call for this one."
Wang Gege blinked, finally snapping out of her thoughts. "Why?"
Xie Rong tilted his head slightly, seemingly confused by the question. "Why?"
"I mean..." Wang Gege swallowed lightly. "You can sleep here. I was unconscious anyway..."
"Ah..." Xie Rong seemed to understand what she meant. "I did sleep there these past two days. But now that you are awake, I thought you might feel uncomfortable having me stay here."
Wang Gege stared at him for a moment.
She had expected him to say something else, but instead, he had actually considered her feelings before making the decision. "You really are planning to sleep on that chair?"
"Hmm." Xie Rong nodded lightly.
"But I hurt my neck and waist when I slept there before."
She said it honestly, remembering how uncomfortable that long wooden chair had been the last time she was forced to sleep on it. It also reminded her of the ridiculous incident when she had deliberately wet the bed just to make him sleep somewhere else, only for him to turn the tables and make her sleep on that very chair instead.
Xie Rong’s lips twitched slightly as though he had remembered the same thing. "You still remember that?"
"Of course I do!" Wang Gege immediately frowned. "How could I forget?"
A faint smile finally appeared on his face. "That is rather adorable..."
His sudden compliment caused Wang Gege to blink, completely caught off guard.
Xie Rong looked at her for a moment before asking in a calm voice, "Then... may this one sleep beside you tonight?"
Another unexpected question caused Wang Gege’s cheeks to heat instantly.
"Uh... ahem..." She cleared her throat, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Sure... the bed is large enough for both of us. Since we are only sleeping..."
Xie Rong’s lips curved slightly. "Naturally. This one has no other intentions."
Wang Gege immediately glanced at him suspiciously. "You’d better."
He gave a soft chuckle. "Rest assured, this one shall not trouble you."
He carefully moved toward the other side of the bed, leaving enough distance between them that he would not disturb her injured neck.
Wang Gege watched him settle down before slowly turning her gaze away.
After a moment, Xie Rong spoke again, his voice quieter. "Gege, you need not be so wary of me."
She glanced at him. "I know."
"Then rest well." He paused before adding softly, "This time, I shall simply remain by your side. Rest well, and may you have pleasant dreams."
Wang Gege looked at him for a moment, slightly surprised by the gentleness in his voice. "Pleasant dreams?"
A faint smile appeared on Xie Rong’s lips. "Is that strange?"
"Coming from you? A little." He chuckled softly. "Then perhaps I should say nothing more."
Wang Gege’s lips curved faintly despite herself. "Good night."
Xie Rong’s expression softened. "Good night, Gege."
But the peaceful good night they had expected did not seem destined to last, for a frantic knock suddenly sounded from the entrance chamber.
"Young Master... Young Master!" Qing’er’s panicked voice followed almost immediately.
Xie Rong’s expression changed.
He quickly sat up and looked toward the entrance, "What happened?"
"Young Master, please come out!" Qing’er’s voice trembled with urgency. "There has been an incident!"
Wang Gege’s faint smile disappeared. She instinctively tried to sit up, but Xie Rong immediately turned toward her.
"Don’t move."
"But what happened?" She was immediately worried.
"I will find out." He carefully pulled the blanket higher around her before getting out of bed. "Stay here. Get some more rest."
Wang Gege watched him walk toward the entrance, her brows still faintly furrowed.
She had only just woken up.
Yet somehow, it seemed the trouble in the Xie Residence had already found its way back to her.