TSFLIP Chapter 64

Feng Guang asked, “So, Your Highness, have you figured out what they look like?”

“Unfortunately,” Qi Mu shook his head, regret evident in his tone, “no matter how many times I try, I still can’t conjure their images in my mind.”

“Then, Your Highness, have you ever tried sensing something else, like… people?”

Qi Mu chuckled lightly. “I’d like to, but people are far too troublesome.”

“Did you bring me here because I am also considered one of the most beautiful?” Feng Guang stepped closer to him, her voice soft and melodious.

He lowered his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “What answer would you like to hear?”

“I don’t know. But, I wonder, does Your Highness want to ‘see’ what I look like?”

“Of course, I do.”

Her cool hand grasped his, and the slight temperature difference spread through her body, sending a shiver through her heart. She guided his hand to her cheek. “Why don’t you try and see if you can ‘see’ my face?”

He gladly accepted. “Alright.”

His touch was gentle and slow like he was caressing something fragile. His slender fingers traced the contours of her eyebrows and eyes, then her small nose. When he reached her lips, his fingers lingered for a few seconds longer. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and after a moment, he withdrew his hand.

But Feng Guang caught his hand in mid-air. “Your Highness?”

“I’m sorry, Miss Xia, I still can’t picture your appearance in my mind,” he said with a faint smile. “Since I can remember, my world has always been darkness, so whether it’s animals or people, I have no concept of them.”

Even when people speak of colors—what red is, for instance—he would never understand. The world said that the Crown Prince of the Xiao household favored the color purple, but that was only because purple symbolized the elegance and nobility of royalty. As for what purple looked like, he couldn’t say.

Feng Guang’s voice did not hold disappointment. “I’m not Your Highness, so I can’t claim to understand. But spring blossoms, autumn moons, life is fleeting like a dream. Even though many can see, they don’t always see clearly.”

“Miss Xia.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you know what the most frustrating thing about you is?”

His sudden question left her momentarily bewildered. “What does Your Highness mean?”

“I was thinking of making you my first female ‘collection,’ but I worry that once you become one of my specimens, you might stop being interesting to me.” His tone was regretful, revealing how much this inner conflict troubled him.

Feng Guang: “…”

She hadn’t expected him to consider turning her into a taxidermy specimen!

“But, I’ve thought of a better idea now.”

She couldn’t help but shiver. “What idea?”

He spoke gently, “I’ll break your legs and keep you here.”

“No,” she boldly refused, trembling but still holding his hand firmly. “You can’t do that, because I’m afraid of pain.”

He had expected her to be terrified, but he didn’t anticipate such a straightforward response. Qi Mu was unexpectedly amused, letting out a low laugh. “I have several painkillers here.”

“That still won’t do.”

“Why not?”

“If my legs are broken, I won’t be able to take care of you.”

Her words were so unguarded that his graceful, composed expression froze. He didn’t know how to react at first but soon found his voice again. “What did you just say?”

“I said…” Her face flushed, and she repeated quietly, “If my legs are broken, I won’t be able to take care of you.”

Qi Mu remained silent for a long time. Some inexplicable emotion churned in his chest, nearly breaking free and spiraling out of control, but it was held back by an even more inexplicable uncertainty. “How would you take care of me?”

“I want to… take care of you for a lifetime.”

Her barely audible words, like the soft chime of silver bells, echoed in the quiet room, tugging at his heartstrings.