"Ningning, I've been waiting for you to speak." The stone in his hand remained unplayed as Qing Qianxue turned to look earnestly at Chu Youning. "If you're willing to open your heart, I'm willing to listen. If you aren't, I'll simply stay here with you and let the time pass peacefully."
"Oh."
Chu Youning got up, picked up a pot of tea, and walked over to the stone table.
When she saw the game Qing Qianxue had spent so long playing, Chu Youning froze.
On the board, black stones surrounded white ones, which formed the character for "Ning."
So he hadn't been playing a game. He had been arranging her name.
Her heart skipped another beat. Looking at the board, Chu Youning slowly spoke. "I belatedly realized something very important. At first, I was furious. Now, my feelings are complicated."
Qing Qianxue gazed steadily at Chu Youning for several seconds.
Ever since they had met up, he hadn't heard the little lass's thoughts. Presumably...
This was what had upset her.
Not long ago, he had barely managed to convince himself that if Ningning's thoughts kept spilling out forever, so be it. He had no way to warn her anyway.
All he could do was wait until they were together someday. If the little lass accidentally broadcast something from their bedroom, he would play deaf and dumb and work on thickening his skin.
But if her thoughts could actually fall silent, then naturally, he ought to be delighted.
Then he spoke gently.
"Ningning, you don't need to overthink it. Everyone likes you for who you truly are. No outside force will change that."
"Besides, who knows? Once everyone realizes certain things have disappeared, they might treat you even better."
He couldn't say the word "thoughts," but now that Ningning knew, she