His heart pounded furiously in his chest. Instinct told Lin Hanzhi that he was already very close to the truth.
Years of pain and endurance lay hidden behind something that seemed almost within reach.
Qi Gu and Miao Yue knew everything about him, and naturally, they were excited for him now.
"Once you know the truth, you're not allowed to hide it from me." Qi Gu tightened his fingers, clasping Lin Hanzhi's hand more firmly with their fingers interlaced.
He could feel that Lin Hanzhi had never truly relaxed. Lin Hanzhi had always felt that he was a dandelion that would eventually drift away, blown into oblivion by the truth of what had happened and the adversary behind it.
But Qi Gu did not want him to be a dandelion, so he would be the glass dome around its downy seeds. He wanted to shield him from those fierce winds and driving rains and walk beside him all the way.
A hint of bewilderment and evasion flickered in Lin Hanzhi's eyes, a sign that he wanted to change the subject. But Qi Gu had never wanted ambiguous answers. His tone was grave, carrying a persistence that demanded an answer. "Answer me."
"Don't forget, we still have the Live and Die Together Talisman." Qi Gu lowered his voice, his warm breath brushing the side of Lin Hanzhi's neck.
Lin Hanzhi had not forgotten.
He did not dare forget at all.
The bewilderment in his peach-blossom eyes gradually gave way to resolve, as though he had made some solitary, courageous decision. Enunciating clearly, he answered in an equally breathy whisper, "I'll tell you. There are no secrets between us."
Then Lin Hanzhi straightened up again, but the instant his lips drew away from the side of Qi Gu's neck, he silently mouthed