Free Web NovelChapter 167: Chapter 167: A Quiet Promise
The night air remained cold and heavy, but this time Yue Yue did not argue back.
The sharp reply that almost left her lips was swallowed quietly.
She looked at Xing Luoye’s red eyes, at the tears he tried so hard to hide, and slowly pressed down her temper.
There was no point fighting a drunk man.
More importantly... she had a mission.
She took a slow breath and softened her voice.
"Alright," she said gently. "You’re a prince. I won’t touch you."
Xing Luoye blinked, clearly not expecting that answer.
"But princes also get sick," she continued calmly. "And princes also drink too much and make themselves miserable."
He frowned slightly, as if trying to understand her words through the fog in his head.
Xing Luoguang glanced at her briefly.
Yue Yue crouched down so she was at eye level with Luoye, keeping a small distance so he would not feel threatened.
"You said it hurts," she said quietly. "Where does it hurt?"
Luoye laughed weakly. "You wouldn’t understand."
"Then explain it," she replied softly. "I’m listening."
There was no mockery in her voice.
Only steady patience. The graveyard was silent except for the rustling leaves.
Luoye stared at her for a long moment. Then his shoulders slowly slumped.
"It hurts here," he muttered, pressing his fist against his chest. "Everything feels unfair."
Xing Luoguang’s grip tightened slightly, but he remained silent.
Yue Yue nodded.
"It is unfair," she agreed calmly.
Both brothers looked at her.
She continued, "Losing someone important is unfair. Feeling left behind is unfair. Thinking you are alone is unfair."
Luoye’s breathing grew uneven.
"But drinking here alone won’t make it fair," she added gently. "It will only make you sick."
He looked down at the ground.
"I didn’t want to come back," he murmured. "If I stay here, it feels like Father is still listening."
Yue Yue’s heart softened. She glanced at the simple gravestone.
The lonely silence suddenly felt heavier.
"Then talk to him," she said quietly. "You don’t need to be drunk to do that."
Luoye’s lips trembled.
"You think he would listen?" he asked in a small voice.
"Yes," she answered without hesitation. "If he cared about you before, he still does."
The wind moved softly between them. For the first time, Luoye did not push her away. He just sat there, eyes wet but no longer defensive.
After a few minutes, Xing Luoguang finally spoke.
"We are going back."
Luoye tried to protest, but his body was too weak.
This time, when Yue Yue reached out to support him, he did not slap her hand away.
He only muttered faintly, "I can walk."
"You can barely stand," she replied calmly. Together, the two of them helped him up.
Xing Luoguang supported most of his weight, but Yue Yue stayed close, steadying him whenever he swayed.
The journey back was slow. The city lights seemed dimmer now.
Luoye remained quiet, his head slightly lowered.
When they reached the mansion, the servants were already asleep, so they quietly brought him inside without drawing attention.
In his room, Yue Yue immediately ordered warm water.
Xing Luoguang looked at her in surprise but said nothing.
She removed Luoye’s outer robe carefully and helped him sit on the bed.
"Drink this," she said, handing him warm water.
He frowned. "It tastes bad." fгeewebnovёl.com
"It’s just water."
"It still tastes bad."
"Drink."
For once, he obediently took a few sips. Xing Luoguang stood near the bed, watching silently.
Yue Yue dampened a cloth and gently wiped Luoye’s face.
This time, he did not stop her. His eyes were half closed, his breathing gradually calming.
"Why," he murmured weakly, "why are you being nice?"
Yue Yue paused.
"Because you look pitiful," she answered honestly.
He let out a faint sound that might have been a laugh.
"Don’t pity me."
"Then don’t make yourself look pitiful," she replied lightly.
He went quiet.
After a while, he whispered, "I thought you would hate me."
"I do get annoyed at you," she admitted calmly. "But that doesn’t mean I want you to suffer."
Luoye slowly lay down on the bed.
His eyelids grew heavy. Before sleep took him, he muttered softly, "Don’t let him leave me too."
Yue Yue glanced at Xing Luoguang. She understood. He was not just talking about tonight.
He was afraid of losing the only family he had left.
"I won’t," she said quietly.
Within minutes, Luoye finally fell asleep. His breathing became steady.
The redness in his face slowly faded.
Yue Yue carefully pulled the blanket over him and adjusted the pillow. Only when she was sure he was comfortable did she stand up.
The room was quiet.
Xing Luoguang had not moved the entire time. His gaze was fixed on her. freēwebnovel.com
"You didn’t argue with him," he said softly.
"There was no need," she replied. "He wasn’t thinking clearly."
"You took care of him."
"He’s your brother."
Xing Luoguang’s eyes darkened slightly.
"Yes, but he is not your responsibility. Why take care of him like that?"
"Like I said, he is your brother."
Xing Luoguang’s eyes widened.
Yue Yue turned slightly to leave and suddenly...
A familiar mechanical voice sounded in her mind.
[Mission Completed.]
[Villain No.2 has sobered up emotionally.]
[Emotional Support Provided Successfully.]
Yue Yue blinked.
Completed?
She glanced at the sleeping figure on the bed. His face looked peaceful now. The tightness between his brows was gone.
It seemed the man got the promise he wanted, that she would not take his brother away from him. Yue Yue pressed her lips tightly.
Why did he think she would take his only family away from him? She had never done anything like that, right? Why was he so sensitive?
She lifted her eyes and met the intense gaze of Xing Luoguang, and her heart fluttered wildly with panic. Did she overdo it? Was he doubting her?
On the other hand, Xing Luoguang could not understand. He had never met such a gentle female who was actually willing to take care of a male. And surprisingly, she was very good at it.
There was no disgust or anger in her eyes even though his brother had shown countless tantrums in front of her.
He felt his chest flutter just by looking at her. His heart was literally screaming that this was her, the real one. How could such a pure gaze hide maliciousness? He refused to believe that she was the same as the other females from the empire.
"Thank you," Xing Luoguang murmured, looking directly into her eyes.
A smile appeared in Yue Yue’s eyes. "No worries. Just take good care of him. I think he misses his father too much."
"I will," Xing Luoguang nodded.
