âYou, on the other hand, are the complete opposite. Power, family background, status, and money, you donât care about any of those. You do whatever you want and like whoever you like. But you value friendship and loyalty greatly. I canât help but fall in love with you. Nanxing, youâre my idol!â Princess Mai Qi lavished praises on me.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âIâm surprised that you would value me so greatly in your heart!â I laughed and punched her jokingly.
Mai Qi sighed, âIâm serious. I really envy you!â
I said, âWhat is there for you to envy? You have everything I have and more.â
Mai Qi shook her head. âThatâs not true. I can give up everything just for the freedom that you have.â
I looked at Mai Qi and almost blurted out the secret. But I forced it back. Even if I gave her freedom now, she wouldnât know how to use it. I should wait until the critical moment, then she would really appreciate the person who allowed her to be free.
âMai Qi, if your mother forces you to do something you donât want to do, you must tell me,â I said solemnly.
Mai Qi looked at me in confusion, âFor example? Are you going to snatch me away if she married me off to a strange man?â She then started to laugh.
I didnât join in. âDo you really think I wonât do that?â
Mai Qi stopped and hesitated. âI guess you would do that since you are Sky Cityâs Sister Xing, but whether youâd succeed, thatâs another story. You donât know anything about my mother yet.â
I looked at Mai Qi. âMai Qi, believe me. As long as it is related to your freedom, I will stop at nothing to help you! I swear on my life!â
Mai Qi jumped up in fright. âWhy are you making it sound so serious? Youâre scaring me!â
I smiled, âMai Qi, that is the only way for you to take me seriously. Remember, I guarantee youâll be free for the rest of your life. No matter what, do not sacrifice yourself. Come to me, I will help you.â
She opened her mouth. I cut her off before she could say anything. âDonât worry, I will not hurt anyone you care about, I promise you that. But you have to promise me you will not compromise your freedom to exchange for otherâs profit, not even your motherâs! Can you promise me that?â
Mai Qi nodded. There were tears in her eyes. âNanxing, having you as my friend is the luckiest thing in my life.â
I stood up and stretched. âYou know what, I agree with you, my dear princess. Anyway, Iâm hungry, what should we eat tonight?â
Mai Qi jumped up and dragged me into the kitchen. Mai Qi appeared to wear her emotions on her sleeves but I knew that she was a very intelligent girl. She kept many things to herself. She did not hold back because she had predicted her future. When she did something, she would give it 150 percent. She approached everything like a moth flying into a flame. I really empathized with her.
â¦
The next day, Mrs. Mai came to find me. This was within my expectation. I followed her people to the coffee shop not far from the university. A closed sign hung on the door of the coffee shop.
Mai Qiâs mother was very ostentatious in her style.
However, when I walked in, I was surprised because she was the only one there. I assumed Ye Qian and Gu Yan would be by her side. After all, someone needed to be there to serve the empress.
Mrs. Mai sat in the middle of the coffee shop like a true empress. I took the seat opposite hers.
Mrs. Mai frowned.
I smiled faintly, âIâm sorry, but Iâm used to looking into peopleâs eyes during conversation. I donât have the habit of standing at attention when others talk to me. Forgive me, Madam.â