Explanation

Chapter 24: Explanation

Chu Xiaotian's embrace was a simple act, but he seemed to have forgotten that he was in the prime of his youth. Holding a stunning woman he admired, and in a state of "total candor" no less, the stimulation of that soft, fragrant warmth caused his body to react involuntarily.

"You pervert! Let me go!" Xia Xue could feel the change in Chu Xiaotian's body, and tears could no longer be held back, streaming down her cheeks. She felt she had truly misjudged him. This person who had seemed so different before had finally revealed his true colors—a face she found utterly impossible to accept.

Chu Xiaotian's face flushed bright red instantly. The situation was simply too awkward; he didn't know whether to let go or hold on, and for a moment, he remained frozen in place, unable to react.

Slap... A crisp sound rang out. While Chu Xiaotian was stunned, Xia Xue broke free from his arms, raised her hand, and struck him hard across the face. She then bolted from the pool, grabbed her clothes from the bank in a flurry, and ran toward her room.

Only then did Chu Xiaotian snap out of his daze. With no more thoughts of bathing or sleeping, he lunged out of the pool, threw on his clothes, and chased after Xia Xue.

"Xiaoxue, wait! Listen to my explanation—it really isn't what you think!" Chu Xiaotian felt more wronged than Dou E herself. If he couldn't explain things clearly to Xia Xue now, he had no idea what kind of trouble might erupt. But at this moment, Xia Xue had no intention of listening. She rushed into her room and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

"Stop right there! If you come any closer, I won't be polite!" By the time Chu Xiaotian reached her door, Xia Xue had already emerged, brandishing her long sword and shouting at him sternly.

"Xiaoxue, I'm not lying to you. This really was an accident. Please, just listen to me." Chu Xiaotian stood before her, his heart trembling as he looked at the lovely woman, her cheeks stained with tears and her eyes filled with Baleful Intent. He could empathize with her pain; no woman would feel good after encountering such a situation. Xia Xue's reaction was actually quite restrained; anyone else might have already killed him with their sword.

"Go away! I don't want to see you again, and I don't want to hear your explanations!" Xia Xue waved her sword, screaming at Chu Xiaotian until she was hoarse.

"Fine, Xiaoxue. Since you don't believe me, I will prove it to you. I truly haven't lied." Chu Xiaotian knew his unintentional mistake was grave. He had severely violated a young woman's purity, and if he couldn't make her listen, he would never forgive himself. With those words, he immediately drew a dagger he had bought earlier for skinning beasts and plunged it into his own chest.

Pfft... With a soft sound, the dagger sank into his chest up to the hilt. Blood gushed from the wound, and the intense pain made it impossible for him to stand. He dropped to one knee, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Xia Xue.

"Xiaoxue, I really didn't lie to you. This was absolutely an accident. I can prove it with my life. If you still don't believe me, strike me with your sword right here. I will use my life to restore your purity." Chu Xiaotian pointed to his heart, looking at Xia Xue as he spoke in a slow, deep voice. He hadn't aimed the dagger directly at his heart, but if she still didn't believe him, he wouldn't mind letting her finish him off.

Though he had never said it aloud, Xia Xue held significant weight in his heart. He didn't want her to suffer the slightest grievance, especially not from him. Therefore, if she still doubted him, he would absolutely follow through on his words.

Clang. Xia Xue's sword dropped to the ground. She rushed to his side, looking at the dagger in his chest and the blood flowing from the wound, completely at a loss. She had truly loathed him moments ago, even wishing to kill him. After all, her purity had been ruined at his hands. But seeing him like this, her resentment vanished.

Everything Chu Xiaotian was doing now proved that it had indeed been a misunderstanding. She didn't doubt that he was acting. If he were as despicable as she had thought, he could have simply walked away instead of proving his innocence with his life. Furthermore, upon reflection, she realized she might have been too emotional. After all, he had been holding her tightly; if he had truly wanted to do something to her, she would never have had the chance to escape. In reality, aside from a physical reaction, he hadn't done anything else, which proved he had no lecherous intentions. It really had been a mistake.

At this thought, Xia Xue was filled with regret. She regretted not calming down to listen to his explanation, causing him to suffer such a grievous injury. If anything were to happen to him, she would never forgive herself for the rest of her life.

"Brother Chu, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have blamed you. You must not be okay! Let me help you inside; I have medicinal pills for healing, you'll get better soon." Xia Xue threw herself before him, her face full of self-reproach and streaming with tears. She tried to lift him up to take him into her room to treat his wound. She was terrified he might succumb to his injuries, fearing she would spend the rest of her life in remorse. After all, a dagger buried to the hilt in one's chest was a fatal wound for most, especially since she viewed him as an ordinary person with little cultivation.

"Xiaoxue, don't worry, I'll be fine. Listen to my explanation first, then I'll go inside for treatment. If you don't listen, I won't go in." The massive blood loss made Chu Xiaotian's face pale. He looked at the remorseful Xia Xue, reached out to wipe the tears from her face, and offered a faint, yet incredibly firm smile.

"Okay, okay, okay! I'm listening, I'm listening! Please, just speak!" Xia Xue grabbed his hand and pressed it tightly against her cheek, urging him to hurry. With his current injuries, the longer they waited, the more dangerous it became. Yet, she knew that if she didn't listen, he would never go inside to be treated.