Chapter 1329: Life is Rarely About Being Muddled

Even if the two of them didn't need to say anything in particular, they could still know what the other was thinking.

Just like now, Liu Xin'ai knew that Xu Xiaoxiao was changing the subject...

Liu Xin'ai didn't point it out either, just looked at Xu Xiaoxiao with a smile.

That smile, however, made Xu Xiaoxiao feel a bit guilty.

She picked up her tea and took another sip.

At this moment, Xiao'an brought over the refreshments.

Xu Xiaoxiao stared at the cocoa cake roll on the tray and praised, "This dessert really looks great!"

"This was made personally by Old Madam, so it must be delicious in every way."

Hearing someone mention Chi Rong, Xu Xiaoxiao's expression paused for a moment.

On the other side, Liu Xin'ai had already picked up a fork and started eating.

Noticing that Xu Xiaoxiao was sitting there like a statue, she asked, "Why aren't you eating?"

"This was prepared for you, you should eat more."

"I can't finish it all by myself, you eat some too."

As Liu Xin'ai said this, she poked a piece and stuffed it into Xu Xiaoxiao's mouth.

Mmm...

It was delicious.

The cake was soft, sweet but not cloying, making one want to keep eating after the first bite.

But Xu Xiaoxiao seemed to have no appetite at all.

She knew that people who love making gourmet food all hope that what they make will be tasted by the people they like.

But Xu Xiaoxiao and Chi Rong...

Their relationship was awkward, and Chi Rong might not necessarily welcome Xu Xiaoxiao.

Under these circumstances, Xu Xiaoxiao should avoid suspicion.

But she only kept coming over time and again, thick-skinned, in order to spend more time with Liu Xin'ai.

Fortunately, in the few times she had come, she hadn't run into Chi Rong.

She didn't know if it was a coincidence, or if Chi Rong was also avoiding her.

Xu Xiaoxiao's thoughts turned over and over.

The moment she raised her eyes, she found that Liu Xin'ai was tilting her head and observing her.

Liu Xin'ai could feel that Xu Xiaoxiao was heavy-hearted.

Hoping she could help her friend, she said, "If you trust me, you can tell me what's troubling you."

This...

The entanglement between Xu Xiaoxiao and Chi Rong was no secret.

But to say it again would be the same as losing face again.

Xu Xiaoxiao felt... very embarrassed.

Liu Xin'ai saw Xu Xiaoxiao's dilemma and took the initiative to say, "You can refuse things you don't want to talk about; there's no need to be so cautious, I'm not that fragile."

Although Liu Xin'ai felt a little disappointed deep down, she hoped even more that her friend could be open and honest with her.

But in everyone's eyes, Liu Xin'ai was indeed fragile.

She had previously suffered too many hardships, which was why the taut string in her mind had snapped.

The current peace was hard-won, so everyone couldn't help but want to carefully protect it.

But until this moment...

Xu Xiaoxiao realized that everyone's caution... seemed to be something Liu Xin'ai didn't like.

Lowering her eyes to think for a while, Xu Xiaoxiao smiled at Liu Xin'ai and said, "I know."

Liu Xin'ai looked closely at Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes, not knowing if she truly understood her feelings.

For a time, the two didn't speak again, and they quietly enjoyed the dessert.

Until the refreshments were all eaten up.

Seeing that the two had eaten quickly, Xiao'an asked, "Do you need me to prepare another portion?"

"No need, it's time for me to go back."

Xu Xiaoxiao stood up, and she found that looking down at Liu Xin'ai from above, that hairpin looked even better.

Because of her memory loss, Liu Xin'ai's personality had also changed.

The hairpin that didn't suit her before now added to her gentle temperament.

Thinking of something, Xu Xiaoxiao made a suggestion to Liu Xin'ai: "Next time, I'll take you to pick out some hairpins you like!"

"Okay!"

Since Liu Xin'ai woke up, she hadn't been out to shop yet.

So Xu Xiaoxiao's suggestion struck a chord in Liu Xin'ai's heart, and a faint look of anticipation appeared on her face.

Xu Xiaoxiao saw Liu Xin'ai's anticipation, smiled slightly, and prepared to arrange a time as soon as she got back to put this shopping trip on the schedule.

However, what Xu Xiaoxiao didn't expect was that she ran into Chi Rong when she was leaving the Qin Family.

Once the two met, both were stunned for a moment.

But compared to Xu Xiaoxiao's awkwardness, Chi Rong was quite calm.

She even took the initiative to ask, "Was the dessert good?"

Xu Xiaoxiao nodded hurriedly.

In her lowered gaze, there was also a hint of nervousness mixed in.

But just at this moment, Xu Xiaoxiao noticed Chi Rong handing over a box.

The box was very exquisite, and Xu Xiaoxiao subconsciously reached out to take it.

Then she asked, "This is..."

"I prepared some snacks for you, eat them slowly when you get back."

Xu Xiaoxiao hurriedly refused, saying, "There's no need."

"Take it. You young people, once you get busy, you don't take care of yourselves. These snacks can at least help you fill your stomach when you're busy."

Chi Rong's attitude was very gentle, yet her request carried an air of being beyond question.

Xu Xiaoxiao only hesitated for a moment before changing her mind and saying, "Thank you."

"It is I who should thank you. It is you who made the smiles on Xin'ai's face increase, and also... thank you for supporting Xin'ai in staying."

Xu Xiaoxiao felt she could not live up to this thanks and hurriedly said, "You don't need to thank me. After all, our goal is the same; we both hope Xin'ai can be happy."

"Since the goal is the same, in the future when you come again, don't be so cautious, fearing you might run into me."

Xu Xiaoxiao was stunned; she had not expected that Chi Rong knew everything.

Seeing Xu Xiaoxiao lower her eyes without speaking, Chi Rong took the initiative to hold her hand: "I have said it before, the past is in the past. I no longer take it to heart, and I hope you can let it go as well."

What was there for Xu Xiaoxiao to let go of? She... only felt she had failed Chi Rong.

The better Chi Rong treated her, the stronger this feeling became.

Moreover, after Liu Xin'ai lost her memory, it was as if she had also relived those unhappy past events all over again.

The guilt and shame of the past all resurfaced.

Chi Rong looked at Xu Xiaoxiao quietly, and after a moment, she sighed melancholily.

Then she said, "Only after experiencing much do I realize that being a little muddled isn't necessarily a bad thing. Therefore, I can very much understand your concealment back then, and now, I also hope that Xin'ai's muddled days... can last a little longer."

Even if they could last a little longer, it was not a long-term solution.

Both of them knew this point and could not help but sigh in unison.

Hearing these sighs, they looked at each other.

With this exchange of glances, the two curved their lips and smiled.

The awkward atmosphere also slowly dissipated.

Xu Xiaoxiao felt it was very magical.

How could a mutual smile suddenly dissipate so much of the misgivings in her heart?

But it didn't matter if she couldn't figure it out.

After all, in life, it is rare to be muddled.

Ever since Liu Xin'ai regained consciousness, Qin Yiyan had been accompanying her every day.

But recently, he had suddenly become very busy.

He would leave early every morning and only return when Liu Xin'ai was about to sleep.

As soon as Qin Yiyan left, Liu Xin'ai would lean against the window, watching him drive away with longing eyes.

Even until she could see nothing, she was still reluctant to pull her gaze back.

Although friends would occasionally come to keep her company during the day, Liu Xin'ai just felt empty inside.

Seeing Liu Xin'ai feeling depressed, Chi Rong comforted her: "Yiyan is just very busy sometimes. Once he is done with this period, he will be able to accompany you more."