Lie Yun Pi Yang glanced at Lie Yun, his heart filled with gratitudeand a little guilt. After all, he was more or less lying to her.

Miss Lie, Yun Ruoyan began. Pi Yang was initially going to hide and live out the rest of his life in peace, but after finding out that Pi Batian had plans to marry you, he was afraid that you would be tricked by the Pi family.

Dont worry, Pi Yang, Lie Yun replied sternly. Not only will I not marry Pi Batian, Ill make sure you get justice for whats been done to you.

Lie Yun, lets think this through some more, Lie Fenglan tried to interject.

Father, this concerns the rest of my life. I need to be in control of at least this, Lie Yun shot back. Ive made up my mind to reject the Pis offer.

Pi Yang noticed that Lie Fenglan seemed a little awkward and was shooting strange glances at him. Thinking momentarily, he realized what Lie Fenglan was afraid of. Uncle Lie, I know Im a cripple now, one who isnt fit for Lie Yun at all. I came here only to inform her about the matter, and Ill leave immediately afterwards.

Pi Yang, I refuse to let you go! Lie Yun shouted. Weve been betrothed, and what kind of person would I be if I annulled that betrothal just because you lost your arms?

But without my arms, Im a cripple! I cant protect you or make you happy, or Pi Yang lowered his head.

I want to marryyou, not your two arms! Lie Yun insisted. Furthermore, theres still a chance of getting your arms back, isnt there? If Pi Batian could take your arms away from you, why cant we snatch them back? Dont worry, Pi Yang. With me around, nobody will be able to bully you.

Lie Yuns impassioned words caused Pi Yang to turn away, forcing himself not to cry. In the end, on Lie Yuns insistence, Lie Fenglan was forced to leave Pi Yang with her. Lie Yun herself penned a rejection letter to Pi Batian.

Miss Lie, would you be willing to reconsider allying the Lie family with the Fengs? Yun Ruoyan asked again. It was evident how important her opinion was to Lie Fenglan, and if she could persuade Lie Yun to agree to the alliance, then Lie Fenglan wouldnt be a problem.

What Yun Ruoyan didnt know was that Lie Fenglans trust in Lie Yun wasnt just because he pampered her, but also because Lie Yun had been so talented that no decision she had set her mind on, no matter how unfavorable it seemed to Lie Fenglan, had turned out to be a mistake.

I will form an alliance with the Feng family on one condition, Lie Yun replied.

Really? What condition? Yun Ruoyan asked in surprise.

When we defeat the Pis, I shall deal with Pi Batian personally. I want to reclaim Pi Yangs arms myself, Lie Yun spat out, one word at a time.

With Lie Yuns agreement to the proposal, Yun Ruoyan and Li Mo rushed back to the Feng city to inform Feng Yanyang of the good news. Pi Yang sent both of them out of the city.

Lie Yuns a good girl, and she harbors deep feelings toward you, Yun Ruoyan told Pi Yang.

She does, doesnt she? Pi Yang sighed. Even as a kid, all I knew was that she liked to play and hunt with me, but I didnt expect her feelings toward me to be so strong. Thats why I feel so guilty about tricking her like this.

Sometimes lies are better than the truth.

In that case, do you like telling lies? Pi Yan turned to her.

Of course not. No one likes lies, but if they dont realize that its a lie Yun Ruoyan also turned to face Pi Yang. Lie Yuns worth protecting with your life.

Pi Yang pursed his lips, his eyes, directed at Yun Ruoyan, suddenly aching again. The ache quickly subsided, then extinguished itself. Youre right. The fact that theres still someone who wants me despite my being a cripple is a gift from the heavens, one that I should cherish with my life. I swear Ill protect Lie Yun.

Good. Yun Ruoyan turned away with a wan smile on her face. Were going to leave now, and you should head back to her too.

Li Mo, following behind them, strode up to Li Mo. Yun Ruoyan wasnt short, but she was still dwarfed by Li Mo. His expression was always calm, even serene; even the sky falling might not have been enough to perturb him. By his side, Yun Ruoyan smiled gently, leaning into his embrace, the two of them like a couple that had walked out of a painting.

Perhaps only a man like him is worthy of Yun Ruoyan,Pi Yan thought.

Pi Yan, take care of yourself. Ill send someone to bring Housekeeper Hu over, Yun Ruoyan said, and then she and Li Mo took to the skies.

Pi Yang glanced at their vanishing backs, his two clenched fists finally falling to his sides. Parts of his heart felt as if they had been hollowed out, but other parts seemed to have been filled up in exchange.

Yun Ruoyan and Li Mo returned to the Feng city, where they immediately reported news of the pending alliance to Feng Yanyang, leading to jubilation all around. After a few months of losses to the Pis, the tables would finally turn with the addition of the Lie family to the Feng alliance.

It was under this festive mood that the spring festival commenced in earnest. On the eve of spring, Yun Ruoyan, Li Mo, the Lin sisters, Zhuo Yifeng, and Qin Feng all gathered to celebrate the coming of a new year. A year ago, none of the gathered crowd could have anticipated that they would all be gathered in a manor in another dimension, eagerly anticipating the dawn of spring.

Lin Tianming glanced at his relatives arrayed around him, his eyes slowly brimming with tears. No longer did he have to remain in that icy, damp prison, living like a chained beast.

Uncle, please accept my toast. When Yun Ruoyan saw Lin Tianmings watery eyes, she immediately tried to divert his attention.

Lin Qingchen clicked her tongue. Uncle, you cant drink too much alcohol. Itll be bad for your legs recovery.

Its alright, Qingchen. Todays a day for celebration, and I want to have a cup with Ruoyan. Lin Tianming accepted the cup of alcohol in Yun Ruoyans hands and downed it in a single gulp. He had Yun Ruoyan refill it, then handed it to Li Mo, who sat by her side. Your Highness, I wasnt able to be present for your wedding with Ruoyan. Please accept this cup of wine as a belated blessing.

Thank you, Uncle. Li Mo smiled and downed the cup of wine.

Li Mo, Ruoyan. Qin Feng also tipped a cup of wine at both of them. I wasnt present at your wedding either, so let me give you both a toast as well.

Lin Qingxue was the only one who noticed Zhuo Yifeng, sitting alone and drinking wine despite the festive cheer all around him. Zhuo Yifeng noticed Lin Qingxues gaze, but he ignored it. Lin Qingxue was a good girl, but Zhuo Yifeng had only ever viewed her as a sister. He couldnt fall in love with her, and he didnt want to hurt her by trying.

Ah, what a pitiful and lamentable man you are! Just as Zhuo Yifeng was downing another cup of bitter wine, the voice in his head spoke up. Zhuo Yifeng ignored it and continued to drink.

The demonic spirit seemed to be particularly afraid of silence, and would often try to talk with Zhuo Yifeng about the most mundane of things. Zhuo Yifeng used to be quite patient with it, but after all this time, he had gotten far too tired of the spirits ramblings to respond.

The person you like doesnt like you back, and you dont like the person who does like you is there a more lamentable fate in this world? But if it were me, I could easily turn this fate around.

Oh?

I cant explain it verbally. Instead, give me control of your body, and Ill resolve all your troubles within a dayno, it wont even take a day!

Heh. Youre just trying to trick me, but I wont fall for your lies. Zhuo Yifeng had gulped down seven or eight cups of wine in a row, trying to combat his worsening mood, but he felt as though he was falling into even greater depression. Ive already given up on Yun Ruoyan, he emphasized. Shell never be mine, so no matter how much I like her, I wont act on it.

Is that so? The demonic spirit chuckled in malice, then stopped talking.

Despite his drunkenness, Zhuo Yifengs hearing was as clear as ever. Those words of congratulations toward Yun Ruoyan and Li Mo, as well as the blissful smile on Yun Ruoyans face, stabbed his heart like shards of ice. Out of nowhere, Zhuo Yifeng suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to claim Yun Ruoyan for himself.

In his daze, he suddenly saw Li Mos figure, smiling and chatting by her side, replaced by his own. He looked at himself exchanging knowing, blissful glances with each other, thanking those who were congratulating them.

This is what your heart desires, the malicious voice suddenly spoke, causing Zhuo Yifeng to jolt up in shock. He immediately shook his head, but Li Mos face still seemed to be Zhuo Yifengs own.

In shock and fury, Zhuo Yifeng stood up from the table so suddenly that the other guests all quieted down and looked toward him. Im sorry, Im not feeling too well I dont think I can take the night shift, and Ill be in my rooms.

Zhuo Yifeng rushed out of the garden. What trick are you trying to pull? he thundered mentally as he stumbled back to his own rooms.

Heh heh, Im just showing you your deepest desires. Face ityou wont be able to forget Yun Ruoyan, and theres nothing you want more than to replace Li Mo. In that case, go kill Li Mo and snatch Yun Ruoyan for yourself!

Kill Li Mo?

Right, kill him. Hes the one who snatched away your precious woman, after all.

Snatch Yun Ruoyan?

Of course! You need to claim your woman for yourself.

Ill certainly kill Li Moafter all, hes my enemy. But Yun Ruoyan doesnt like me at all, so whats the point of claiming her? Zhuo Yifeng laughed self-deprecatingly at himself.

Youve never confessed to Yun Ruoyan, have you? How do you know she doesnt like you back? the demonic spirit retorted anxiously.

1. This refers to Chinese New Year.