Chapter 582: 519 no follow-up
"Be cautious, to tell you the truth, the current internal and external crises in our country probably stemmed from many people working against us behind the scenes."
Zhongli Wuzhi said.
Wen Nian nodded, "I will look into this matter."
Zhongli Wuzhi yawned, "Okay, I have said everything important, I will leave now."
"Stay for dinner."
Wen Nian offered.
Zhongli Wuzhi waved his hand, "Forget it, seeing your harmonious family only makes me envious."
"Envious?" Wen Nian curved his lips,
"So, your proposal didn’t go well?"
"..."
Zhongli Wuzhi gave a self-deprecating laugh, "No need to remind me of my pain."
"Ah..."
Wen Nian touched his chin, "So, there’s no follow-up with Lu Xiaoer?"
"I’ve already told your wife, Song Lili, and now I am telling you once more—do not bring up Lu Xiaoer in front of me again or we can’t be friends."
"That serious?"
Wen Nian said seriously, but his tone was far from solemn.
"Just remember it."
Wen Nian leaned on the sofa and nodded in understanding,
"Don’t worry; unless you ask, I will never bring it up."
"And please discuss this properly with your wife. I do not want her stepping into minefields."
Zhongli Wuzhi stated.
He stood up, about to leave, when Chinian came downstairs looking upset.
Wen turned to the sound, catching sight of Chinian descending the stairs,
"Princess."
Snow Ball, who had been sleeping in the living room, immediately wagged its tail and approached Chinian.
Chinian smiled faintly at Wen Nian, then bowed her head and crouched down to lift Snow Ball into her arms.
She deliberately avoided the gazes of both Zhongli Wuzhi and Wen Nian, but...
Wen Nian was always observant—the Princess Chinian... had been crying.
Zhongli Wuzhi was not as attentive as Wen Nian; besides, his mind was not on Chinian,
"Ah Nian, I’m leaving now."
"Princess, are you feeling unwell?"
Wen Nian suddenly asked, making Zhongli Wuzhi pause and stare at Chinian, "What’s with your swollen eyes?"
"..."
Chinian was about to take Snow Ball for a walk in the garden but was stopped by Zhongli Wuzhi before she could leave the living room,
"Chinian?"
Chinian stopped, standing in place.
"What’s wrong?" Zhongli Wuzhi asked, but he didn’t approach her.
Chinian swallowed and then shook her head.
She couldn’t speak... and he was so far away... how could she respond to him?
Zhongli Wuzhi knew.
But... he couldn’t take that step forward.
Wen Nian watched the awkward air between the two, and after a moment, finally said,
"Ah Zhi, you go ahead."
Zhongli Wuzhi mouthed to Wen Nian, signaling him to take good care of Chinian.
However, Wen Nian didn’t pay much attention to Zhongli Wuzhi, simply waving his hand, urging him to leave faster.
"..."
Zhongli Wuzhi didn’t linger any longer and left immediately.
Princess Chinian felt her heart sink to the bottom of the valley.
She hung her head, her lips tightly pressed.
The light twinkling in her gray eyes slowly dimmed.
She listened intently until Zhongli Wuzhi had left the porch and there was no more sound.
She glanced at Snow Ball, who was sitting beside her feet, looking up at her with round, shiny black eyes.
Princess Chinian smiled softly, then prepared to take Snow Ball out.
"Seventh Princess."
Just then, Wen Nian suddenly called out to her.
Princess Chinian turned around, looking somewhat bewildered at Wen Nian.
Wen Nian patted the space beside him, "Seventh Princess, come sit for a while. Have a cup of tea."
"..."
Princess Chinian pursed her lips and nodded, then sat down. Sitting upright, Snow Ball desperately snuggled into her, and unable to resist Snow Ball’s cute coquetry, she cuddled him in her arms.
Snow Ball lay in Princess Chinian’s lap and did not move again.
Wen Nian saw everything and couldn’t help saying,
"Seventh Princess is truly compassionate."
Princess Chinian just smiled faintly.
"When I first met Seventh Princess, I thought she was very shy and easily embarrassed, unable to look directly at people, but her timidity made one feel protective."
"..."
"Zhongli doesn’t have a bad nature, but indeed, he can’t resist pretty girls."
"..."
"Zhongli’s feelings towards you, Seventh Princess, are not what you imagine..."
Princess Chinian looked down. She was about to type on her phone when Wen Nian raised his hand,
"You can sign. I understand sign language."
After Wen Nian spoke calmly, it visibly surprised Princess Chinian a bit, though the surprised look was fleeting.
— I understand your point, Mr. President. It was presumptuous of me.
"It’s not that you were presumptuous, Princess Chinian. Zhongli is my friend, and I know the issue lies with him. Moreover, there have been some issues between him and his girlfriend recently, so he didn’t handle the relationship with you properly."
— Mr. President, you and Zhongli Wuzhi are really close indeed.
"If Zhongli Wuzhi has caused you any hurt, I apologize on his behalf and hope you can be forgiving and not hold it against him."
— Mr. President, for you to welcome me, a princess from M country, to stay in President Mansion and not mind me disturbing your life, and for the President’s wife who has always been caring toward me, my fondness for Zhongli Wuzhi is my own issue. How could I possibly be angry because of Zhongli?
"Seventh Princess is magnanimous and gentle in her dealings with others."
Wen Nian smiled.
Princess Chinian just slightly curved her lips, not saying much more.
"However... these days, there are some aspects of Seventh Princess that quite surprise me."
Both of Princess Chinian’s eyebrows rose.
"I always thought Seventh Princess was shy and timid, but I didn’t expect her to be so... bold and brave with Zhongli."
Princess Chinian smiled,
— My brother often tells me that in this world, you can miss anything but not the person you love.
"Oh? Chiluo actually said that to you?"
Princess Chinian nodded.
"I thought Chiluo was the type entirely focused on national affairs, not one to dwell on romantic sentiments."
— My brother is very compassionate.
"Anyway, I am relieved knowing you’ve come to terms with it. After all, I promised your brother that I would take good care of you during your stay in G country."
— Mr. President, you and the President’s wife have indeed done so, and I am deeply grateful.
Wen Nian looked at Princess Chinian and raised his eyebrows slightly,
"So... would you mind telling me why you were crying?"
Princess Chinian’s facade of strength suddenly collapsed.