Chapter 8: You Are Truly Kind

Lin Xihe paced back and forth in the bedchamber. A-Jiu had just informed her that Yu Tingye had taken Shuangyi away for questioning. She couldn't help but wonder if Shuangyi would betray her.

As she pondered this, A-Jiu hurried in, "My lady, it is bad. Lord Tingye is coming."

Hearing this, Lin Xihe felt her legs go weak.

Before long, Yu Tingye stepped into the chamber. Upon seeing him, A-Jiu immediately went up to him and bowed.

"Get out." Yu Tingye seemed to be in a foul mood.

A-Jiu dared not delay and retreated immediately.

At this moment, Lin Xihe was lying on the bed, feigning sleep.

"Wanwan," Yu Tingye called out to her, his voice uncharacteristically gentle.

Lin Xihe thought, "Am I hallucinating?"

In the next instant, Lin Xihe was scooped up by Yu Tingye and pulled into his arms.

He produced a dagger. Instinctively, Lin Xihe snatched it away. Seeing Yu Tingye staring at her dangerously, her scalp prickled. She stammered an explanation, "No need for you to do it, I will do it myself."

With that, she pushed Yu Tingye away. Gripping the hilt, she took a deep breath and moved to stab her own thigh. But the moment the blade touched her skin, she froze. It hurt!

She simply couldn't bring herself to do it. She looked at Yu Tingye with a pathetic, pleading expression. Seeing his completely expressionless face, she had no choice but to try again. Yet, after several failed attempts, she still couldn't drive the blade in. "Forget it, you do it."

Yu Tingye took the dagger and, without a moment's hesitation, plunged it into her thigh. Lin Xihe let out a cry of pain, but her lips were immediately sealed by Yu Tingye’s kiss.

Yu Tingye pulled the dagger out. Lin Xihe’s tears flowed freely, and as he kissed her, he tasted the saltiness.

Releasing her lips, he looked at her tear-stained, haggard face, his expression complex. Was this really the Demon Venerable he knew? Could it be that, as Shuangyi had suggested, she was merely a substitute for Wanwan?

"What is your name?" Yu Tingye asked instinctively.

So, Shuangyi had betrayed her after all.

Lin Xihe clutched her thigh with both hands. "I... I am called Lin Xihe."

"Lin Xihe?"

Lin Xihe nodded, looking as docile as could be.

"When did you occupy this body?" Yu Tingye continued.

Lin Xihe replied, "It was the time Tang Xin'er tried to kill me, and you intervened. That was when I took over this body. I am a victim too; I don't know why the Demon Venerable chose me. Lord Tingye, can you let me go? I am Lin Xihe, not the Demon Venerable. I am just a common human..."

"A human?"

"Yes, yes, I am a human, just like you."

This old demoness was quite the storyteller, going to such lengths just to survive. Very well, he would let her be for now and see what tricks she had up her sleeve.

"Then, how about I call you Xixi from now on?" Yu Tingye said with a smile.

Yu Tingye was actually... actually smiling.

He looked quite handsome when he smiled, but it was a pity that the Demon Venerable Wanwan would never see it, not even in death. What a miserable person—no, what a miserable demon.

Had she known Yu Tingye was so easy to talk to, she would have told him all this sooner and saved herself so much suffering.

"Does this mean I can come and go as I please from now on?" Lin Xihe asked in a small, cautious voice.

Yu Tingye raised a finger and touched her luscious, trembling lips. "You may move freely within this Night Palace, but it is dangerous outside. I will not stop you if you wish to go, but if you soil this body, I will not forgive you."

Lin Xihe grabbed his finger and forced a smile. "I won't. I will protect myself well. Thank you, Yu Tingye. You are truly kind."

"I am truly kind?"

"Yes. Since you are so kind, I will be kind to you in the future as well."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I promise."

"Get some rest."

Yu Tingye rose and left the chamber, his expression turning cold the moment he stepped out.

Old demoness, let’s see you keep up the act.