Chapter 46

He couldn't catch up for a while.

It wasn't until dawn that he found Zhong Ling by the Canglan River.

Gu Hanyuan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Zhong Ling's figure.

Unknowingly, this cute girl, Zhong Ling, still occupied quite a bit of space in Gu Hanyuan's heart.

Although he wouldn't be soft-hearted when causing trouble, he couldn't help but feel some worry afterward.

While searching before, he had been worried about whether she would have an accident.

And she had run so far in one breath; just thinking about it made him feel angry.

He saw Zhong Ling sitting on a huge reef by the river; he didn't know how she had climbed up.

At this moment, she was hugging her knees with both hands, holding small stones she had picked up from somewhere, throwing one into the river from time to time.

Every time she threw a stone, she muttered something.

"Bastard, bad guy, big bad guy..."

The face that should have been innocent and romantic was now full of grievances.

Gu Hanyuan sighed secretly.

Just like when they first met, he landed silently beside Zhong Ling and then placed his hand on the hair on top of her head, stroking it lightly.

"Why did you run so far?"

Zhong Ling acted as if she had long known Gu Hanyuan would come looking for her; she didn't show any expression of surprise.

She just threw all the small stones in her hand into the river and buried her face in her arms, speaking in a muffled voice.

"Why did you come looking for me? Why don't you go accompany your woman?"

"Woman? Just a plaything."

Gu Hanyuan chuckled.

"A plaything? Then am I also your plaything?"

Zhong Ling looked up, on the verge of tears.

Gu Hanyuan reached out and stroked her smooth face.

"You are different."

Zhong Ling didn't resist.

"How am I different?"

"I like you."

Gu Hanyuan didn't continue the tug-of-war and threw a straight pitch.

Zhong Ling's face turned bright red instantly, stammering:

"Really?"

"Really."

"Ling'er likes you too."

Zhong Ling looked bravely into the profound eyes revealed on the mask.

"Won't you be afraid?"

"No."

"Even if I do many bad things in the future?"

"I'm not afraid. You were a big bad guy to begin with."

"Even if it's something you can't accept?"

"Ling'er will try hard to accept it."

"Then what are you afraid of?"

"Afraid that you won't want Ling'er anymore."

Looking at Zhong Ling's expression, as if she would cry immediately if Gu Hanyuan said he didn't want her, he sighed long.

He reached out and took off the mask.

"My surname is Gu, and my name is Gu Hanyuan. I am a bad guy."

Zhong Ling looked dumbly at Gu Hanyuan, who had revealed his appearance.

His handsome face was full of gentle smiles.

His eyes were filled with a gentleness rarely seen.

"Ling'er seems to have profited..."

Zhong Ling seemed unable to take her eyes off him, murmuring softly.

Gu Hanyuan looked amusedly at Zhong Ling, who had a blank look on her face, and stroked the lower lip she had bitten herself with his thumb.

"Why did you bite your lip?"

"Hmm, did I? I don't remember."

"I'll help you disinfect it, Ling'er."

"What is disinfecting? Ling'er isn't poisoned."

"It's like this."

Gu Hanyuan lowered his head, and the figures of the two began to overlap.

It was just sunrise.

Half of the orange-red sun appeared on the river surface.

The soft morning sunlight shone on the two of them.

It was as beautiful as a painting.

He didn't know how much time had passed before Zhong Ling pushed Gu Hanyuan away, leaning in his arms and panting lightly.

"Does your lip still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore."

Zhong Ling shook her head.

Her hair brushed against Gu Hanyuan's chest, making him feel a bit itchy.

"Can Ling'er call you Brother Gu in the future?"

"You can when there are no outsiders."

Although it didn't matter if Gu Hanyuan was called that now, his two identities would both have great reputations in the future, so it was better to try not to let people make associations.

"Why doesn't Brother Gu want people to know your identity?"

Zhong Ling had long been curious, but she hadn't asked before.

"I am a Wudang disciple."

Since he had let Zhong Ling know his name and appearance, there was nothing to hide about his identity as a Wudang disciple.

"Ah."

Zhong Ling opened her small mouth in surprise, not expecting to get such an answer.

But she immediately understood.

Clearly a Wudang disciple, yet doing the things of a bad guy; no wonder he had to hide his identity.

Zhong Ling felt sweet in her heart because of Gu Hanyuan's frankness, feeling that identity or whatever didn't matter at all.

"Then does Brother Gu have anything to do now?"

"Go find Duan Yu."

"Find Brother Duan? Why?"

"Hmm?"

Gu Hanyuan stared into Zhong Ling's eyes, not speaking, just looking at her like that.

Although Zhong Ling didn't know why, she inexplicably felt a bit guilty.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration appeared in her mind.

"Oh, no. Why are you looking for Duan Yu, Brother Gu?"

Zhong Ling laughed secretly in her heart, feeling that Gu Hanyuan was sometimes really cute.

"It's quite troublesome to explain; in short, I want to plot something on him."

Gu Hanyuan didn't notice Zhong Ling's thoughts; otherwise, he would have had to "cherish" her properly.

Zhong Ling didn't care either, feeling that if Gu Hanyuan was willing to say it, she was willing to listen.

If he wasn't willing to say it, she would just obediently follow him.