Chapter 2318 — Chapter 2318 Sun Rouxi's Feelings(2)

"Haa…" Jing Ruye released a deep sigh a moment later when Sun Rouxi refused to elaborate after her outburst.

"You're really cruel, Rouxi. Why are you forbidding me from approaching Tian Yang when you don't even have any feelings for him? You're no different from a child not sharing a piece of candy that doesn't even belong to you."

"Who said I don't have any feelings for him?! I have had my eyes on him since the Immortal Monastery!" Sun Rouxi immediately replied.

However, she'd subconsciously spoken, and when she realized what she had just said, her entire face flushed with redness.

"W-Wait a second… That's not—" Sun Rouxi stopped midway when she couldn't think of an excuse.

Jing Ruye touched the smug-looking smile on her face with a finger and teased, "Now that wasn't so bad, was it? Telling the truth, that is. I bet you feel like a mountain has been lifted off your shoulders now, especially when you've held such feelings in for so long."

Sun Rouxi opened her mouth, but no words came out. Then, her face flushed even redder when she realized that she really felt lighter.

"Now you just need to say that straight to Tian Yang himself," Jing Ruye continued.

"Impossible!" Sun Rouxi exclaimed.

Jing Ruye sighed, "Listen here, Rouxi. Your feelings will remain nonexistent until you actually tell him."

Sun Rouxi rubbed her eyes and sighed, "Although you've been with the Sun Family for many years, there are still a lot of things you aren't aware of about my family—my bloodline. Even if I wish to embrace Tian Yang, my bloodline forbids me from doing so."

"That… doesn't make any sense at all." Jing Ruye said with raised eyebrows.

"Sorry, but this is something that I cannot share, even if it's with you."

"I…" Sun Rouxi fell silent after a single word.

"Let's end this here. I'm tired."

Sun Rouxi didn't give Jing Ruye a chance to object and quickly disappeared into her room.

A few months later, Tian Yang and Sun Rouxi got together for another study session.

"Is there something on my face?" Tian Yang asked when he noticed Sun Rouxi staring at his face with a weird expression.

"H-Huh? Your face? N-No…"

"..."

Tian Yang noticed that something was off about her but decided not to stick his nose into her business. He figured that if she wanted to tell him, she would.

"Then let's begin."

"..."

Despite her best efforts, Sun Rouxi couldn't relax when in Tian Yang's presence.

'Damn it! It's all Ruye's fault! If she hadn't tricked me into saying all those weird things, I wouldn't be like this! I can barely look at him in the eyes without blushing!' she cried inwardly.

For the next several days, Sun Rouxi struggled to remain concentrated on improving the soul cultivation technique, as Tian Yang's presence constantly occupied her mind.

From his scent to his handsome face, her mind would constantly wander to a weird place she'd never experienced before.

'What the hell am I doing? I need to get rid of these useless thoughts!' Eventually, Tian Yang could no longer remain oblivious and sighed, "Do you want to stop here? If anything is troubling you, I am willing to listen…"

Tian Yang's calm voice snapped Sun Rouxi back to reality.

'Even though I am supposed to be the mature one…' she sighed inwardly.

"Sorry, it's nothing. Let's continue."

Sun Rouxi managed to remain focused for the last several days.

"Thanks for your time." Tian Yang said to her at the end of their session.

"I have nothing but time," she calmly replied.

"...How long do you intend to stay here? Until I improve the technique? That could take thousands of years."

"I don't care how long it takes. Even if it takes a million years, I am going to see this through until the very end. After all, this might be the last time that I will have any true freedom," she revealed with a heavy sigh.

Tian Yang frowned at her ominous words.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's family matters."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Tian Yang spoke, "Are your parents forcing you into a marriage?"

Since this was a common problem within influential families, Tian Yang figured this might be the cause of Sun Rouxi's concern. After all, she belonged to one of the top backgrounds in the world.

"What?"

However, Sun Rouxi looked at him with a dumbfounded face.

"Of course not. What even gave you such thoughts?"

"I mean… isn't that a common trend among women from influential backgrounds?" Tian Yang asked.

Sun Rouxi sighed. "That's true—but do you know where I come from? The Three Pillars of Heaven. There's no background more influential than ours, and arranged marriages are usually nothing more than political tools or ways to strengthen alliances."

"That being said, it's not like I have no pressure at all, especially these days, where the Three Pillars of Heaven are trying to spread their influence. I wouldn't be surprised if they are considering it. However, I'd rather die than be forced to live with someone I don't even like, and my family is very aware of that."

"Then…"

"It's because I ran away from home again, and this time it's much longer than before. Once I return, I'll definitely be grounded for a very, very long time."

"Is that so…"

Sun Rouxi then teased, "What would you do if I were forced into an arranged marriage? Would you try to stop it?"

Tian Yang fell silent for a bit before responding with a smile, "If you ask for my help, I'll do everything in my power to stop it."

Sun Rouxi's eyes widened, her gaze flickering with delight at his response.

"I see…" she muttered before standing up. "Then I'll see you again next time."

However, instead of returning to her residence, Sun Rouxi went to find Ren Xia.

"Sorry for bothering you, but can we talk for a bit?" Sun Rouxi asked Ren Xia after she answered the door.