Chapter 153: Transmigratorss
"Young Madam..."
Qing’er instantly rushed toward Wang Gege the moment she was released, but remembering her boundaries, she stopped right in front of them, looking toward Xie Rong, who was already facing his Furen and gently caressing her cheek.
"Is it still hurting?" Xie Rong asked softly.
Wang Gege’s eyes remained lowered. She did not answer, her eyes still teary and reddened.
"Qing’er..." Xie Rong turned toward her, facing Qing’er. "Go and fetch a clean cloth and soak it in cool water."
"Yes, Young Master."
After Qing’er left, Xie Rong looked back at Wang Gege’s reddened cheek, his fingers gently brushing the skin beside the mark. "It must hurt."
Wang Gege remained silent, her eyes still lowered.
Xie Rong’s hand slowly fell to his side.
"This husband apologises for being such a useless husband." He gulped slightly, his voice carrying a trace of guilt. "This husband should have protected Furen better..."
Wang Gege finally raised her head and met the eyes hidden beneath his blindfold.
"Have you ever heard about the fate of someone following them even after they are being born again?"
Xie Rong’s expression changed slightly. For a moment, he did not answer, as though he was carefully considering what she truly meant by those words.
"Furen..." His voice became softer. "Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Wang Gege lowered her gaze again, her fingers slowly curling against her sleeve.
"This wife was merely wondering..." She paused, taking a quiet breath.
"If someone was given another chance at life, but the things that happened in their previous life continued to follow them..." Her voice became quieter. "Would that person still be able to call this new life their own?"
Xie Rong stood completely still. Those words struck somewhere far deeper than she could have known because he understood them.
Perhaps more than anyone else in this courtyard ever could.
"Furen..." Xie Rong softly asked, "would you care to let out what is in your heart?" He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice gentle. "Perhaps this husband could help ease some of the burden you have been carrying."
Wang Gege shook her head slowly, a bitter smile appearing on her lips.
"Husband..." She paused, as though the words that followed were not easy for her to admit.
"Although this wife has taken a liking to you..." Her smile became even more bitter. "This wife has realised that she can never truly rely on anyone other than herself."
Xie Rong’s expression stiffened beneath the blindfold.
Before he could say anything, Wang Gege had already turned around.
"So, Husband..." she murmured, her voice becoming softer as she walked toward the chamber, "there is no need to worry about this wife."
She did not wait for his answer before stepping inside.
Xie Rong remained standing where he was, his hand slowly falling back to his side. For some reason, those words left a heavier feeling in his chest than he expected.
She liked him, yet even after admitting that, she still did not trust him enough to rely on him. And somehow, that hurt more than he wanted to admit.
Xie Rong followed her inside without saying anything further.
Not long after, Qing’er returned with a clean cloth soaked in cool water, carefully wringing out the excess water before bringing it over.
"Young Madam, this servant has brought it."
"Give it here," Xie Rong said.
Qing’er obediently handed the cloth to him before stepping back.
Xie Rong turned toward Wang Gege and slowly leaned closer, intending to gently dab the cool cloth against her reddened cheek.
However, the moment his hand came near her face, Wang Gege instinctively pulled herself backward.
The sudden movement caught both Xie Rong and Qing’er by surprise.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Qing’er glanced between the two before immediately sensing the awkwardness.
"This servant suddenly remembers that there are still some matters outside that need to be attended to."
Before either of them could respond, she quickly turned and left the chamber.
Wang Gege watched her leave before forcing an awkward smile.
"Oh—" She lightly touched her cheek. "It was merely a reflex. This wife suddenly remembered that this wife has not taken a bath yet, and this wife is sweaty all over."
The explanation sounded plausible enough but Xie Rong frowned. He remained standing in front of her, the cool cloth still in his hand.
"Is this about how this husband pulled away when Furen hugged this husband earlier?" He paused, waiting for her answer, but she merely shook her head.
"No?"
"No," Wang Gege repeated shortly.
"Furen..." Xie Rong called softly, a strange tightness suddenly forming in his chest. "Please do tell this husband everything. This husband is willing to listen, and will do everything this husband can to help you solve it..."
He paused, his brows tightening slightly. "It is just... this husband does not know why, but seeing Furen acting like this somehow makes this husband’s heart ache."
Wang Gege stared blankly at him.
"How?" she asked quietly. "Acting like this... how?"
Xie Rong suddenly found himself at a loss for words. He simply stood there, gazing down at her.
"Can I ask you something...?" Wang Gege suddenly raised her gaze, and the emptiness in her expression made Xie Rong’s heart tighten.
He felt a chill, not because he was frightened, but because of the emotions in her eyes. They were unlike anything he had seen from her since the first day they met.
"What is it, Furen?" Xie Rong slowly crouched down in front of her, bringing himself closer to her eye level. "Ask away. This husband is listening..."
Wang Gege swallowed silently. She remained quiet for a few seconds, as though carefully arranging the words in her mind before finally speaking. "How long have you been here?"
Xie Rong frowned slightly.
"How long?" He tilted his head, clearly confused. "This husband does not understand... What does Furen mean by that?"
Wang Gege stared at him without answering. For a few seconds, the chamber remained completely silent.
Then, with the same calm expression that had been on her face since she asked the question, she finally spoke.
"How long have you been transmigrated here?"