623 A good listener
Lin Jiao smiled upon hearing the confession of Ye Xin and wondered if she should leave the two alone. She quietly took backward steps and soon left their sights.
âXiwan, you donât need to find any match for yourself. I-I like you,â Ye Xin said while fidgeting with her fingers.
Xiwan was still in shock and didnât know how to respond to her.
âDid I make you feel uncomfortable? You can take your time and think about it. I will wait for your answer,â Ye Xin asserted.
âSure.â Xiwan couldnât give her any answer. In fact, he had no answer. It was his first time when a woman confessed her feelings for him.
âThen, I should leave. I will see you later,â Ye Xin said as she slightly raised her hand to wave at him.
She turned her right and found Lin Jiao wasnât there. Ye Xin looked around but didnât find her. âWhere did she leave?â Ye Xin murmured.
âShould we search for Miss Lin?â Xiwan asked her as he found a panicked look on Ye Xinâs face.
âIt is fine. She must be around. Please donât be disturbed because ofââ
.....
She could not finish her sentence as Xiwan interrupted her, âI wonât be disturbed. Soon, Miss Lin will be the wife of the Fourth Prince, who is my close friend. I should not neglect this and help you in searching for her.â Xiwan had heard from Mingquan that Lin Jiao was a troublemaker and more enthusiastic in everything than others.
âOkay,â Ye Xin agreed to her and they looked for Lin Jiao.
When after searching for more than fifteen minutes, they didnât find Lin Jiao, Ye Xin told Xiwan that they must stop.
âWhy?â She asked.
âBecause she isnât here,â Ye Xin stated. She realized that Lin Jiao wanted to give her alone time with Xiwan, and thatâs why she disappeared.
âThen, where did Miss Lin leave?â Xiwan muttered.
âShe must be at her favorite restaurant, eating dumplings,â Ye Xin replied.
âOh.â Xiwan smiled a little and Ye Xin found it cuter. She smiled along with him and asked him if he would like to eat those dumplings.
Xiwan was a little startled when Ye Xin said, âIf only you are free. The Fourth Prince has told me that you are usually busy with work.â
âI am free. I am not into work these days. I walk, eat, and sleep these days,â Xiwan stated.
âThatâs great. Letâs go then,â Ye Xin said as a smile carved on her lips.
~~~~~~~
Mingquan was writing something on the paper when he heard the footsteps. He and his assistant raised their heads to look when found Lin Jiao in front of them.
âIs the Fourth Prince working?â Lin Jiao asked him and stood in front of his desk. She leaned forward and looked at the paper while Mingquan gestured to his assistant to leave them alone.
âYes. I was,â Mingquan said and put the brush down. He clasped his fingers and rested his hands on the table.
âYou prepared the answer very early,â Mingquan said and asked her to take the seat.
âNo. I am here to inform you of something else,â Lin Jiao said and passed him a wide smile.
âInform me what?â Mingquan was curious to know.
âYe Xin confessed her feelings to Xiwan. I left those two alone,â Lin Jiao said and started giggling before taking a seat.
âYour friend is good at taking decisions,â Mingquan remarked.
âYes. Prince Mingquan, what do you think will happen? Will Xiwan say yes to Ye Xin?â Lin Jiao asked him and leaned forward on the desk.
âI donât want my friend to get rejected. She is a very nice person. Letâs help them bring them closer,â Lin Jiao suggested to him.
âLin Jiao, Xiwan is looking for a match for himself. I think he will not reject your friend. You do not have to worry,â Mingquan stated. Those words came as an assurance and she felt relieved. âShouldnât you be like your friend? Quick in taking such decisions,â He muttered.
âBut a decision should be taken after careful contemplation,â Lin Jiao said.
âYou are finding excuses to push me away and bury your feelings deep inside yourself,â Mingquan affirmed.
âYour Highness, I am not pushing away my feelings,â Lin Jiao stated.
âAre you scared of marriage?â Mingquan suddenly asked her which made her stop blinking for a few seconds before she lowered her gaze.
âTell me. I am ready to listen to you. How will you find me trustworthy if you do not share things? I am good at keeping secrets. I am a good listener,â Mingquan pronounced. He waited for her to reply to him, but it was so difficult for him to make her speak.
âI will send someone with you to escort you home,â Mingquan said.
Lin Jiao looked at him. âWhy is the Fourth Prince getting angry?â She murmured.
âI thought you wanted to leave for home,â Mingquan said.
âI donât want to go home on this bright day,â She stated.
âThen, why donât you go to the palace with me?â Mingquan opined. âMy two elder brothers are getting married today. My mother will be happy to see you,â he said with a smile.
âCan I really go with the Fourth Prince?â She was interested to be a part of the royal marriage.
âYes. Thatâs why I suggested that,â Mingquan said.
âOkay.â Lin Jiao readily agreed to it. âWhy didnât His Highness tell me earlier? I am not in a good outfit. Now, I have to go home first to get changed into a better dress,â she complained.
âGet your dress changed in the palace,â Mingquan said.
âWonât it be weird?â She asked him.
âNo. Why will it be weird?â He questioned back. âTwo days ago I bought a dress for you. I wanted to present it to you. You can wear that dress,â Mingquan suggested to her.
Lin Jiao nodded at him. âIt will be fun to be a part of the royal marriage,â she excitedly said.