“Eh? This voice… X- Xue ling…?!” Liu Muxiao’s eyes widened in shock.

“That’s right! It’s me!” The assassin roared and took her mask off, revealing the oh-so familiar face not only for Liu Muxiao but also for the three other people present in the area.

““La, Lady Xue Ling?!”” Tang Yu and Sun Lingling’s eyes widened in shock.

Clothed in a black outfit, Xue Ling was a young woman in her late teens - early twenties with a buxom figure and brown eyes.

Her most distinctive feature is her long, dark beautiful hair. Her hair also has loose bangs covering her forehead and side bangs framing her face.

A natural beauty, a girl who knows she is more beautiful without makeup.

“Hm?” Xue Ling frowned as she looked at the two women who called her name. Who are they?

“Xu, Xue Ling… what are you doing here?” Liu Muxiao asked in a dumbfounded state.

There were many people who she could think was behind this sudden attack but she never neither expected nor imagined for Xue Ling to be a part of this!

“Enough, about that! Are you just going to watch us dy-!”

Before Xue Ling could finish her words, she suddenly felt a strong gust of wind blowing and then in a blink of an eye, she was violently pulled into someone’s embrace.

“Wha-!?”

“Xue Ling.” A faint yet affectionate voice called out.

Xue Ling’s body trembled. She raised her head and looked up, only to see Allen’s moist but gentle eyes.

“Eh?” Xue Lings started struggling but no matter what she does, she just can’t get away from Allen’s embrace.

“What are you doing?! Let me go!!”

“Young lady!!” The assassins were startled at first as they immediately rushed towards Xue Ling, trying to save her. However,

“Don’t move!” they were stopped by two girls and one snake. “Move and you die!”

“Get away!”

“You can’t interfere!”

They couldn’t do anything and could only watch helplessly.

“I don’t know you! Let me go!” Xue Ling was still struggling to get away.

She looks at the direction of Liu Muxiao, “Hey Liu Muxiao! What are you doing standing there in daze?! Help me out!”

But Liu Muxiao remained unresponsive. She just stood there, watching Allen, in a daze. Her heart aches.

Allen ignored Xue Ling’s struggle and loosen up a bit. He looked directly into her eyes.

“It’s been a long time, Xue Ling. I’m so happy to see you…” Allen gently smiled.

“I don’t know you! Let go of me!  You pervert!!”

Allen had calmed down his rapid breathing. He was trying to repress his restless emotional tide by helping her to tidy up her clothes which were gotten crumbled due to his strong embraced.

When he was fixing her shoulders, he felt her body trembling. Thus, he felt a bit worried.

“I will not hurt you.” He murmured and smiled mockingly at himself. Abruptly, he let go and back a few steps away.

“You pervert! Go away from me!!” Xue Ling roared in anger while pushing Allen away.

Allen did not say anything.

What did he just do? Sexual assault?

It’s obviously clear that she doesn’t remember anything and still, he goes and did something like this. No matter how he explains this, she would never believe him.

This would only give her a wrong first impression…

Allen smiled bitterly.

He realized that he put himself in an interesting dilemma: If he tries to explain and tell her about their relationship from their past, she would never believe it and might even worsen her impression on him.

If that happened then, maybe their relationship would never return as to how it was before nor be able to progress any further.

However, if he didn’t say anything or explain his sudden action, then he would be admitting to sexual assault.

Thinking like this, Allen decided to close his eyes and not answer.

After a few minutes, Allen opened his eyes and stared at her. Affection and love were reflected inside his eyes.

“I always wanted to see you,” He spoke in a weak voice. “Even after knowing that all I can do is brought you misfortune.”

“??” Hearing her words, Xue Ling couldn’t help but frown.

“All you can do is brought me misfortune…? What are you talking about this time, you perverted monster!” Xue Ling snorted. She gripped her sword while slowly stepping back.

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She was vigilant, observing any kind of actions Allen will do.

Allen didn’t mind Xue Ling’s attitude and behavior. This ought to be… this is normal.

Even still, a stabbing pain appeared inside his heart. But he didn’t show it outside and still wore an affectionate and gentle smile.

“Back then… I couldn’t save you…” Unknowingly, a tear run through his cheek.

“People might say that I’m the one taking care of you but in fact, you are the one who always put your mind on others, taking care of me without reservation…”

??

“What happened to you, I’ve regretted it… for every one of these four years…” Allen’s expression was filled with regret.

“If time could be rewound, I would certainly do all I can to save you… or if not then, it would be better if we never met. Then at least you would not be dead…”

“Young master…” Sun Lingling and Tang Yu bit their lips. Those words, how much pain did he endure just to say those words?

Allen clenched his fists in frustration.

It’s all because I’m too weak!

Watching all of you die because of me, but I’m unable to do anything…

I don’t want it to be like this…

I want to be… one who can protect those around him!

Allen extended his hand at Xue Ling as if trying to touch her as if trying to pull her to his bosom once again. However, his hand was slapped away by Xue Ling.

“What are you saying you monster!” Xue Ling roared and raised her sword, slashing towards Allen. “Get away from me!!”

Allen didn’t do anything and just watched her.

“Young lady!!”

““Young master!!””

Peng!

But Liu Muxiao appeared in front of her and repelled her sword with hers. “Xue Ling stopped this farce in this instant!!” she roared in anger!

“Liu Muxiao! Get away from there!!”

“You! Do you know what you’re doing?!” Swinging her sword, Liu Muxiao sends Xue Ling several meters back.

“Liu Muxiao, even if he was your lover, he is still a criminal!! Why are you still protecting him?!”

When Allen heard Xue Ling’s words, he felt the world ground to a halt.

Xue Ling’s words stabbed Allen’s heart and intense heart ache surged inside of him.

“Lady Xue Ling!!”

“Lady Xue Ling, what are you saying!?”

Allen raised his hand and touched his left chest as if grabbing something, his hands trembled.

“Xue Ling you better take back those words right now!!” Liu Muxiao raised her sword.

“Or what?!”

“Xue Ling!!”

“Tang Yu, Sun Lingling, Baishe… and Muxiao.” Allen called out. But his voice is certainly weak.

The three girls stopped moving and looked at him. Allen gave them smile and then shook his head. “Let’s go…”

His voice was weak and the others could see the pain reflected on his face. This caused them feel pain as well…

“But young master…”

“Let’s go…”

Allen stared at Xue Ling while the latter glared back. He muttered, “Xue Ling, all this time, I wanted to tell you something.”

“…!?”

Don’t go! Don’t leave! Stay with me forever! Those words began to emerge from deep in his throat. But he knows that if he said those things… he knew that it would only confuse her.

 “…I’ve always wanted to apologize for the horrible things I did and for the time when you most needed me, I wasn’t there. So, so I’m sorry…”

And so, he took the words in his throat and sealed them deep in his heart instead he bowed and apologize.

“… I’m sorry that all I ever do is hurt you and I also wanted to thank you for everything!”

I can still remember the touch of your hand… when our hands first touched.

I remember the touch of your lips when our lips’ first touched…

But even still, I guess, it would still take time for us to return as to how we used to be.

Allen stared at her, gentle and yearning, “This isn’t the end. It’s not like were being separated by death. We may not have many chances to meet… but don’t worry. We’ll meet again one day.”

But I would wait, no matter how long it took. I will wait…

And when that time comes, I will certainly protect you this time…

“Okay…?” Allen had a huge smile before he turned around. A smile that could melt anyone’s heart.

A smile filled with genuineness, love, and warmth.

The people present were spell bound.

Xue Ling was left dumbfounded and her eyes turned wide. What?

What is going on?

She can't forget his smile – filled with regret, remorse, pain, concern, and most important of all, it showed his never ending love.

In all its imperfection, it is the most perfect and beautiful smile she had ever seen.

She wanted to say something but before he could, she suddenly heard his voice.

With his back facing her, Allen spoke; “I loved you… I really did…”

After that, Allen stepped forward, “Let’s go.”

Tang Yu, Sun Lingling, Madam White and Liu Muxiao immediately followed. And for some reason, the beautiful woman who was just watching quietly followed after them.

He continued to walk and disappeared from their vision. This time, he didn’t turn around.

In that place, the assassins were left standing in the daze, not knowing how to react. Although they were spared and managed to survive, that strange development really stunned them.

Just what had happened?

Xue Ling stood in a daze. Her eyes never leaving the direction where Allen went to.

Just what happened just now? Who is that black clothed youth to act like that the moment he saw her?

“I loved you… I really did…”

Why?

Why is my heart, felt desolate?

--- ---

“Wushuang.”

Walking through the forest, Liu Muxiao couldn’t help but call out to Allen.

“Hm?”

Allen turned back towards Liu Muxiao. He seemed to have momentarily forgotten his hate towards her and looked at her with a faint smile.

“What is it?”

“Wushuang… about Xue Ling, is that really okay? You know, if we just explained properly to her, she should be able to somehow understand!”

Liu Muxiao stated, after all, she just learned what her actions end up to. She was scared that Allen might follow her footsteps.

“That’s right, young master! I know Lady Xue Ling doesn’t mean what she had said. She just doesn’t remember anything….”

Tang Yu also nodded. “Young master, it must be the Snow family who ordered her. I’m certain that Lady Xue Ling is only being used! She didn’t mean whatever she had said!”

“...Thank you guys.”

The girls’ kind words warmed up Allen.

“But it’s fine. She doesn’t remember everything so being hasty would only be detrimental. Let’s do it slowly, in any case, we have plenty of time…”

“But even so, you’re just gonna leave it at that? Xue Ling already has to misunderstand towards you, if we leave this be…”

Seeing Muxiao encouraging him, Allen’s heart gradually softened up. His hate towards her slowly fading.

“You’re really an idiot. Since I already said it, why would I still trouble over it? Right? I’m not, am I?” Allen smiled at her.

“When I rush to make a decision and make a mistake, whose responsibility is it? Mine? Hers? Or someone else’s?” Allen asked.

“… That’s why this is fine. As long as she is happy, everything can be discounted for. It’s that simple.”

“But…”

“Let’s set Xue Ling aside for now. The thing we need to clear up is… you, Liu Muxiao!” Allen gradually became calmer and stared at her with his scorching eyes.

!!? Liu Muxiao jumps back in surprise. That’s right! They haven’t concluded their issues yet!

She just forgot it because of Xue Ling’s sudden appearance but now…

“Allen…” With all her might, Liu Muxiao forced herself to remain calm.

She wanted to say something but she was cut off by Allen.

“What do you want to do?” He asked. It was no longer cold and indifferent. It was soft and somewhat gentle.

“Do you want to go with me? Stay with me?”

His voice had a hint of expectation.

Allen is like that. He isn’t the type of man who easily hates someone he had loved and cared for.

Besides, if one thinks calmly about it, he had always been waiting for this day. Her, standing in front of him again, looking him eye to eye.

So what is he acting all cold for? Looking like an idiot…