The two continued their peaceful life as usual, with casual flirts here and there. It tends to go down the path of Yu Jian initiating, Rui not understanding, and him giving up with a helpless smile.

It was simply the tranquility of life—until they had to go on the move once again.

Sadly, she had to say goodbye to their broken but cosy shelter. Rui never asked Yu Jian why they're always on the move, but it worked in her favor. She cannot forget that father is still out there looking for her. The scars on her body are the very reminders of that.

Her eyes frosted with ice, making them cold and hateful. Memories from the past invaded her mind like an open floodgate.

Her father threw down a porcelain tea cup, making Rui jump in fright, "You ungrateful little piece of shit! I raised you with so much effort, yet this is how you act filial? You're the same as your mother: stubborn, disobedient, and deserved to die."

Like the porcelain cup, her heart shattered into pieces of shards. Her doll eyes reddened with tears brimming at the edge as her red lips quivered.

"Father, how could you..." she choked on her tears.

'How could you say that about Mother?'

"Stop talking. Just seeing you make me feel sick, much less hear. Go back to your room and reflect on your mistakes. You will obey and you will marry, Xin Rui." He concluded in a cold, distant voice as he disdainfully stared down at her like she was the scum under his shoes.

Bringing herself back to the present, Rui shut her eyes tightly and struggled to breathe evenly. She steadied herself on a nearby tree.

"Rui-er?" A soft, refined voice broke her free from such memories. She inhaled sharply and whipped her head towards Yu Jian.

His usual empty gaze soften when he saw her teary eyes. He slowly walked towards her and silently took her hand before pulling her in for a gentle hug.

Her body stiffened. Her hands clutched his robe, ready to push him away.

"Rui-er..." he called out faintly, halting her hands. Slowly, she released his robe and hesitantly wrapped her arms around his slim waist, snuggling closer to his warm chest.

Ah, when was the last time she let her guard down like this?

Another memory flashed before her.

"Zhi-gege! Please, Rui begs you to help!" She cried as big tears rolled down her cheeks like a waterfall, "I'm not willing! I'm not willing to marry that old man!"

Cai Zhi stiffened as Rui grabbed ahold of his arm. His phoenix eyes gazed down at her with worry and his long eyebrows pulled together.

"Rui...I don't know what to do. I can't marry—"

"Zhi-gege, you already know of my feelings for you! Don't you love me too?" Rui confessed, baring her heart out in the open.

His eyes revealed hesitation, breaking reality to her. He steadied her staggering body, "Rui, we've been childhood friends since we were young...I always saw you as a little sister."

A little sister, huh? Rui removed herself from Yu Jian's embrace and smiled thankfully at him before walking away.

However, Yu Jian was not assured by the smile that did not reach her eyes. Nevertheless, he didn't push it. The two continued their journey in silence.

Suddenly, there was a loud battle cry from the distance. "Bandits?" Yu Jian questioned with furrowed eyebrows, "Rui, hide."

Yu Jian pulled her behind a large bush and proceeded to peer at the edge with caution. From a distance, they could see several bandits attacking a carriage. At least a dozen men were present at the scene, each one attacking another. Initially, it seems like the travelers were at a disadvantage. However, their martial skills surpasses the bandits, pushing them back and slaying one down after another. Just like that, the bandits' corpses sprinkled the soil.

Despite the large gang, one particular man stood out from the crowd. He was dressed in a refined white robe, tied with an elegant sash with intricate designs. Clearly, he was a nobleman traveling. However, that was not what caught Rui's eye.

Rui slowly stood up and her feet guided her towards the man subconsciously, like some sort of spell that was casted on her. Yu Jian widened his eyes and his hand reached out to stop her, but it was too late. She began to run towards the gang, slipping away from his grasp.

"Rui!" he harshly whispered.

Before she could reach the man, the guards blocked her passage with their sharp blades.

"Halt! Are you with these bandits?" one of the men shouted, catching the nobleman's attention. He did a double-take before speed walking towards her.

"Rui? Release your weapons at once! Can you not see that you've frighten her?" he reprimanded his men. At once, they put away their weapons.

Rui swallowed a few times, attempting to soothe her dry throat. Her eyes blinked rapidly, as if she couldn't believe that this was reality. Before she knew it, she ran into the arms of the nobleman.

"Rui, Rui, you're alive. Thank god, you're alive." He sighed in relief as he tightened his hold on her petite frame. However, his body suddenly tensed and he shifted into a protective stance, shielding Rui away from danger. He called out with alertness, "Who are you?"

Rui turned her head to peek. There, Yu Jian stood like a solid brick, emitting a cold, aloof aura. His eyes no longer held the same gentleness and his lips pulled into a thin line.

Yu Jian looked...lonely.

Rui wiggled her way out of the man's embrace and jogged towards Yu Jian. However, a tight grasp yanked her behind a strong back. She let out a small cry as the nobleman hissed at her, "Rui, what are you doing? He's dangerous."

Dangerous?

"Yu Jian is not dangerous! He's a good person and my savior." Rui quickly defended as she stepped out of his protection. The man was a little surprised, so she easily broke away from his grip, but his eyes still glared at Yu Jian with suspicion.

"Yu Jian-ah!" she called as she walked towards him, "This is Cai Zhi, my childhood friend."

The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees colder and Yu Jian did not look any friendlier. In fact, his usual, velvety voice was dripping with an eerie iciness, laced with hostility, "Ho? It is the famous Gentleman Cai."

Rui widened her eyes at his bitter tone. Of course, Cai Zhi did not miss the venom in his voice. He knitted his eyebrows together and he cupped his hands together into a fist, "I apologize for the misunderstanding. I simply want the best for Rui, thus Gentleman Yu Jian must not mind my precautions."

"Aye, don't worry. Why the animosity between us?" Rui nervously laughed as she attempted to cool down the tension, "Ah, that's right. Zhi-gege, what are you doing in the deep forest?"

Instantly, Cai Zhi's bright eyes darkened and his face grew serious, "I came to find you."