Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 455

Chapter 455: Chapter 452: A High-Five Oath_1

Bai Qingyan pressed her lips together without answering. She struggled, but he held her so tightly she stumbled, her heart beating even faster.

"You do have feelings for me. As you said, we each have heavy burdens to bear. The road ahead is fraught with uncertainties, like walking on thin ice. We can’t afford to be distracted or to let our hearts be swayed. I am not asking for anything now, but for the future!"

Xiao Rongyan’s demeanor was both firm and deeply affectionate. It was a clear strategy of retreating to advance, forcefully intending to secure a lifelong commitment.

He quietly watched Bai Qingyan, slowly lowering his head. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "Do you dare?"

Bai Qingyan felt as if her throat was being constricted, unable to make a sound.

In her heart, Bai Qingyan did have feelings for Xiao Rongyan. In her previous life, they were evenly matched rivals. At a critical moment, his men had rescued her from the Jin Army, gifting her a jade cicada to help her escape.

In this life, she felt grateful to Xiao Rongyan for past kindness and admired him. She admired how he, like Empress Ji, had transformed a barren Yan into a powerful Yan Kingdom. She admired his ambition that matched that of the Bai family for unifying the world. She admired his resourcefulness and intelligence.

Such a calm, reserved, and deeply scheming strong man was hard not to be moved by.

Surrounded by Xiao Rongyan’s scent of deep, tranquil orchids, Bai Qingyan’s hand, pressed against his chest, unconsciously gripped his clothes. Staring into his deep, dark eyes, she spoke, "I swore before my grandfather’s spirit that I would never marry in this life!"

"Once the country is at peace and Yan Kingdom is safe, and the state affairs are handed over to your brother." Xiao Rongyan slowly lowered his head, their faces getting closer. He tentatively brushed his nose against hers. His deep voice was reduced to a whisper, "If you don’t marry, I will become part of your family."

From beginning to end, Xiao Rongyan had never spoken of marriage from her side. He only spoke of them being a couple.

Her hand, gripping Xiao Rongyan’s clothes, suddenly became sweaty, and her ears felt hot. "If one day the armies of both countries clash, neither of us can show any mercy!"

"Absolutely no mercy!" Xiao Rongyan said solemnly.

Realizing that Xiao Rongyan’s arms around her waist were tightening, and he was about to kiss her, Bai Qingyan held her breath, pushing against his chest, "A gentleman’s promise, sealed with a clap."

Taking advantage of the moment he let go, Bai Qingyan stepped back, raising her hand to clap with him.

There was a restrained, faint smile in Xiao Rongyan’s eyes. He lightly clapped with Bai Qingyan, "A gentleman’s promise, sealed with a clap!"

"Let’s go..." Bai Qingyan turned and stepped ahead, her hand, which had just clapped, clenched tightly, still feeling a bit unreal.

She had never imagined that one day she would make a lifelong commitment to a man. She had never even thought such romantic feelings would be part of her life.

Walking side by side, Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan fell into silence.

"This morning, I received news that Doctor Hong should enter the city by evening." Xiao Rongyan’s voice now gentle and composed, no longer as forceful as before. "Doctor Hong is indeed loyal to the Bai family. Worried about Mrs. Qin’s delivery, he rushed back without rest."