Capítulo 426: Chapter 426: Like a Dream, Like a Fantasy
"Are you cold?" Lin Fan asked, surprised, as he found the weather quite pleasant and felt no chill at all.
"It's cold," Han Xiaoxiao replied, clinging to Lin Fan's arm, pressing close against him, trying to make sure he felt her warmth.
Lin Fan said, "Then let's head back."
"No, I still want to fish," Han Xiaoxiao said, pouting playfully, still clinging to his arm and pressing up close as if she feared he'd miss the warmth.
Nearby, the maids exchanged glances, worried for their master.
Our dear master, do you really not understand? Or are you just pretending not to? She's being so clear with her feelings—don't you have any reaction at all?
The women, as fellow women, envied Xiaoxiao for her beauty.
She was truly lovely.
But their master acted as though he couldn't see her beauty, remaining entirely unmoved, showing not the slightest reaction.
Gently, Lin Fan patted Xiaoxiao's head, indulgent, and said, "You're so playful. Even though it's cold, you still want to fish. I'll go grab you a coat to keep you warm so it won't be so chilly."
"No! Fishing with a coat on isn't fun at all. Can I just stay in your arms?" Han Xiaoxiao had given up waiting for Brother Lin to make a move on his own. Now, she decided to take the initiative, fully resolved not to let him slip away.
Lin Fan responded, "Xiaoxiao, you're grown up now. You can't lie in my arms anymore—it's not appropriate."
"But I want to stay in Brother Lin's arms. I'm still a baby, alright?" Han Xiaoxiao said, pouting and gazing at Lin Fan with a hint of pleading. She made it clear she just wanted to be held.
Ah!
Oh my goodness.
The maids watching this scene felt their hearts melt.
Master, what are you made of? Even solid steel wouldn't be this hard-hearted! Look at Xiaoxiao's adorable face—anyone would want to hold her close and smother her with affection.
"Alright, alright, but after this, you can't do this anymore. You're already an adult," Lin Fan said helplessly, finally giving in and holding Han Xiaoxiao close, shielding her from the wind.
"Xiaoxiao, stop squirming. Focus on your fishing."
He noticed that she was like a little worm wriggling around.
"But I'm uncomfortable," Han Xiaoxiao said.
Lin Fan asked with concern, "Where does it feel uncomfortable?"
"Everywhere."
"Then let's go back."
"No! I want to stay in your arms."
In the past, Han Xiaoxiao had been a shy young girl, always plotting with her sister to win over Brother Lin. She would tell her sister she didn't care, trying to convince her, all while secretly spending time with Lin Fan, trying to be a step ahead of her sister.
Her logic was simple.
Her sister was older than her, so she thought her sister wouldn't be as much of a rival. But she hadn't counted on her sister growing into a refined beauty, exuding a maturity she herself wanted.
If she had to put it into words…
As the younger sister, every time she saw her older sister, her first glance went to her figure.
Jealousy, envy.
Her sister hadn't been as well-rounded before, but now her figure was shapely, even more prominent.
So frustrating.
In the end, Han Xiaoxiao shed her shyness and took the initiative, launching an all-out offensive to win over Brother Lin. Over time, her eagerness grew, so urgent that she could hardly wait.
She just wanted to be with Brother Lin.
Although they were already together, it wasn't the way she wanted. She wanted to be really together, intimately together.
Yes, that kind of togetherness.
Whenever she thought about it, her cheeks would redden in embarrassment.
Far away…
Han Yan leaned against a red pillar, gazing into the distance, feeling a pang of pain in her heart.
She saw her younger sister becoming more and more enamored with Lin Fan.
This was not a good sign.
Once, her sister had told her she had seen through Lin Fan's true nature, and she'd foolishly believed her sister was perceptive. But over time, she realized her sister's words had been lies, crafted only to deceive her.
"Sister, how can I save you?" Han Yan, mature and alluring, thought.
She wanted to take her sister's place, but Lin Fan, that devil, just kept toying with her. She had even undressed in front of him twice, and he'd shown no reaction, looking at her with a strange, unreadable expression.
It was an unforgettable look.
Mockery?
Contempt?
She wasn't sure, but perhaps both.
She couldn't understand Lin Fan's intentions. She'd once thought he wanted treasure and power. When he assassinated the emperor, she'd thought it meant he would finally make his move.
But instead…
Lin Fan had done nothing at all.
It was all so frustrating.
Night fell.
Han Yan stood outside her sister's door, knocking.
"Sister, I need to talk to you."
She had thought long and hard, knowing things couldn't continue as they were, or her sister would suffer for it.
Han Xiaoxiao opened the door.
"Big Sister."
Inside the room.
Han Yan held her sister's hand, gently patting it, and smiled. "Sister, tonight I want to talk to you about some things. You're grown now, with your own ideas, but I've thought about it, and I think it's best if we have this conversation."
"Sis, go on, I'm listening," Han Xiaoxiao said, feeling a sense of unease. Her sister's serious expression made her wonder what she wanted to say.
But she suspected it wouldn't be anything pleasant.
She was certain it would be about Brother Lin.
Han Yan said gently, "Since birth, we've been on the run, targeted because we're descendants of the previous royal family, and because we carry their treasure. Father wanted us to restore the dynasty, but we're both women, so that dream is impossible. My biggest hope is that you live happily, safe and healthy."
"Do you understand?"
As an older sister, she was responsible.
In response, Han Xiaoxiao turned the tables, flipping her sister's hand over to hold it. "Sis, I understand all that. I know how good you've been to me, how much you've sacrificed for me."
"Big Sis, aren't you getting on in years now?"
She addressed the heart of the matter directly.
Her message was clear.
Sis, you should be aware of your age. I'm still young and suitable for Brother Lin, but you're not. Knowing when to step aside would be for the best.
"It's so sweet of you to think about me," Han Yan said, deeply touched. Her sister was really becoming more considerate, though she still wished her sister could see through Lin Fan's nature.
Han Xiaoxiao said, "Sis, you don't have to keep sacrificing for me. You should pursue happiness. I know you want to go out and find a partner. Go ahead, I can take care of myself here."
She was still leading the conversation, subtly steering her sister toward her own ideas, creating a new topic of discussion.
Han Yan was taken aback.
She hadn't expected this.
"Sis, why do you keep bringing this up?"
Han Yan was puzzled, feeling something was off.
Of course, Han Xiaoxiao wouldn't admit she was trying to stop her sister from competing with her for Brother Lin's affection. That felt too harsh. Her sister had done so much for her, and if she, as the younger sister, were to ask her to step aside, she knew her sister would agree out of love.
But it would hurt her.
She couldn't do that.
Nor did she want to see it happen.
She'd already made up her mind: whoever won Brother Lin's heart would do so based on their own merits. If the outcome wasn't what she wanted, she wouldn't resent it.
"I'm just concerned about you," Han Xiaoxiao said.
Her innocent lie was convincing.
Han Yan had no doubts, feeling genuinely moved by her sister's care. Having a sister like her was a true blessing.
"Sis, I'm tired. I'll go to bed now, and you should rest early too," Han Xiaoxiao said, gently seeing her sister out before closing the door.
Click!
A cold breeze swept through.
Han Yan shivered, jolting awake. What had she been doing just now? She hadn't meant to talk about herself. How had the conversation veered so far off course?
She gazed at the closed door.
"Sister?"
From inside came the soft response.
"I'm going to sleep."
Han Yan sighed. She'd been outmaneuvered entirely, left feeling helpless.
Winter arrived.
Snow fell in thick, fluffy flakes, covering Purple Mountain in a blanket of white. Everything looked pure and beautiful, and the air was crisp and fresh.
Inside her room, Han Xiaoxiao was slowly knitting a scarf, pricking her finger now and then as she worked—a skill she'd just learned from the maids.
"Ouch, that hurt!"
But she kept going, a pink scarf symbolizing her youthful heart. She embroidered a pair of mandarin ducks on it, a little oddly shaped, but on closer look, they could be recognized.
Stitching away, she lost herself in a daydream.
In her mind, Han Xiaoxiao imagined Lin wrapped in the pink scarf she had knitted for him, the scene so warm and beautiful. Then, a group of children would run over…
"Mom, we want scarves like Dad's too!"
And she would reply…
"This one's special, made by Mom for your dad—it's filled with my love. If you want scarves, go find wives of your own to make them!"
Hehe!
Thinking of this, Han Xiaoxiao's face lit up with a mischievous grin, as if it were all real.
So dreamlike, so surreal.
The fantasy dissolved.
With a sigh, Han Xiaoxiao longed for a day like that, just wanting to be with Lin, peacefully and safely spending their lives together. If the heavens were kind, maybe they could even be together in the next life—that would be perfect.
Half a month later…
In the snowy landscape…
The pond's surface was frozen over. With hands hidden behind her back, Han Xiaoxiao shyly approached Lin Fan and softly said, "Lin, close your eyes. I have something for you."
Lin Fan, who was about to slide across the ice, heard her and smiled.
"Alright."
He closed his eyes.
Swoosh, swoosh!
Moments later…
"All done." Han Xiaoxiao lowered her head, her toes kicking up snow as she looked at him hopefully, asking, "Do you like it? I made it just for you. Isn't it beautiful? Isn't it great? Doesn't it show how well I take care of you?"
Lin Fan looked down at the scarf around his neck.
He was silent for a moment.
"It's… a bit ugly."
"Huh…"
"But it's wonderful. I really like it."
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