Beth nodded in agreement and went out, returning shortly after: "The Hall Master has agreed, you can go down now. He’s already had the nanny take Xiaoxiao downstairs."

Liang Anya sighed in relief. After Beth left, she changed into a roomy trench coat, putting all the things that Fei Han gave her into the inner pocket, and then headed downstairs.

***********************

As soon as Liang Anya stepped out, she saw Si Yuheng picking Xiaoxiao up from the stroller, standing on the lawn.

The father and daughter were leisurely basking in the sun.

Faint golden sunlight poured over his slender figure, regal as an emperor.

She hadn’t expected him to come downstairs too, which was different from what she had anticipated, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Seeing her approach, Si Yuheng lifted Xiaoxiao’s chubby lotus-like hand lazily in greeting.

Xiaoxiao babbled and waved her chubby arms as well.

Liang Anya snapped out of it, walked over with a forced smile: "Why did you come down too?"

"The weather’s nice; I’ll spend the afternoon with you both." He lifted his chin as if granting an imperial favor.

"Huh?" Her heart tightened at the thought of him staying by her and Xiaoxiao’s side all afternoon?

He caught the flicker in her eyes: "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. Well... let’s be together then." She hid her guilt, moved forward to take Xiaoxiao and put her in the stroller.

But he continued to gaze at her: "You’re wearing a bit much today."

She tensed like a cat with bristled fur, quickly coughing twice with clenched fists: "Probably got a bit of wind on the balcony yesterday, coughing a bit today."

He looked at her expressionlessly, said nothing, stepped closer, and raised his hand.

She was so nervous she was nearly suffocating, palms sweating. Did he notice something? Was he thinking of searching her clothes?

If he found those identity documents, or even the Browning pistol, then what...

Cold sweat dripped down. Her body trembled, but she froze as a large hand rested on her forehead.

"No fever." Si Yuheng frowned slightly.

A feeling stirred within her, but she breathed a big sigh of relief; "Hmm, just a cold. It’s fine."

He held her hand in his, the other hand pushing the stroller: "Sunny day, you’ll get better quicker."

She responded with an ’um’, obediently staying by his side, strolling together on the lawn.

Afternoon sunlight poured down, shining on the three of them.

Her hand curled in his palm but occasionally stole glances toward the western gate of the forest’s private entrance, appearing a bit distracted.

"Were the things you said last night sincere?" He broke the silence suddenly.

She was completely absorbed in thinking how to get him to allow her a moment alone with Xiaoxiao, jumping at his unexpected voice, not catching it clearly: "Huh?"

Fortunately, Si Yuheng seemed in good spirits today, not angry at her distraction: "Last night, your comfort to me. You said receiving gifts is the happiest thing for humans, told me not to refuse gifts, and promised to prepare birthday gifts every year."

She came to her senses: "Hmm..."

"Would you lie to me?" He frowned, like a child struggling to trust others.

"No..." she bit her lip.

"So, you’ll stay by my side, right."

"...Yes." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Make a vow, a deadly vow!"

Liang Anya helplessly raised her fingers, deciding not to worry since she didn’t believe in such things. Just as she was about to speak, Si Yuheng lowered her hand impatiently: "Forget it."

"Weren’t you asking for a deadly vow?" If this could please him, she was willing to take a vow, after all... it might be the last moment with him.

"No need, it’s meaningless!" His cheeks puffed slightly.

Suddenly, she realized he was afraid she might fulfill such a deadly vow?

Impossible, how could it be...

This man is so ruthless and cold-hearted to everyone. How could it be true that he’d care so much about her taking a deadly vow?

Seeing him continue pushing Xiaoxiao ahead, she blurted out: "Si Yuheng!"

He stopped and turned to look at her.

"Why, why did you treat your fiancée that way..."

This was the knot in her heart she couldn’t untangle, and one of the key reasons she couldn’t get along with him.

Like an invisible wall, separating her from him.

Of course, she didn’t know this Xueli, no time to pity a woman not met.

Just thought this man was too ruthless, if she gave her heart, would she end up like Xueli one day?

Being with a man like him is too dangerous.

Once she mentioned Xueli, that time it was just to mock him using Xueli, Si Yuheng exploded with anger.

Since then, she didn’t dare mention it again.

But now, close to possibly leaving, she couldn’t resist.

Vaguely recalling his angry rebuke: "What the hell do you know?"

Could there really be some hidden truth?

His eyes darkened, the warm atmosphere turned cold instantly.

Even Xiaoxiao seemed to sense the chill emanating from her dad, no longer babbling.

She thought he wouldn’t say more, even prepared herself for a storm, when she heard his voice: "Do you think I’m a beast who killed his fiancée, is that it?"

She clenched her palm tightly, judging by his usual behavior, of course she’d believe it.

What she wanted to know now was what actually happened, what made him deal the deadly blow.

"In this generation of Beiming Hall, there are several children about my age. Xueli and Vivi are alike, with fathers who are also elders of Beiming Hall, we were the same age, childhood friends, growing up together. The legal marriage age in A Country is seventeen, many marry early, so I got engaged to her as soon as we turned fifteen, people around thought we were a perfect match, we accepted naturally, thought it was normal... if life had continued peacefully. Unfortunately, you know, sometimes life won’t let you be calm. One day, she said to me, REX, I’m sorry, I want to break the engagement."

He spoke gently, as if narrating someone else’s story, but Liang Anya felt a heavy thud in her heart.

Si Yuheng continued: "...I asked why, guess what she replied?"

The biggest reason a woman wouldn’t want to marry a man is—

Liang Anya gasped: "She fell in love with someone else?"

Given this man’s arrogant and domineering nature, seeing his fiancée fall for another, he might rage from humiliation.

Si Yuheng said nothing, implied confirmation.

Her voice trembled: "So, just because of that, you felt embarrassed? In a fit of anger, you killed... her?"

He stared at her: "If I say I didn’t, would you believe me?"

She gasped, he finally responded directly to the question for the first time.

But—he didn’t kill Xueli?

Then how did Xueli die?