But Xia Rou was actually not just worried about Cao Yang's wound.
She thought everything had changed for the better after her rebirth. Even though her relationship with Cao An had been head to head at the start, it was soon back on track just like in the past. However, the reality of the situation now made her realize she was wrong.
In the past, Cao Yang was only hurt on his lower jaw during his mission. Although it looked impressive, the wound itself wasn't serious.
But this time, Cao Xiong had clearly implied that Cao Yang's wound had put him in danger, so much so that he still needed to rest even after he was stabilized.
These thoughts made her unable to rest or eat in peace.
She was afraid that it might be the butterfly effect. Translated by The Novelst
She didn't do anything to change the situation – the only difference was that she'd prayed for a protective amulet for him, but his condition now was much more critical when compared to the past.
This made her frightened and anxious. Her previous thoughts that everything had changed for the better immediately vanished. She was afraid that her changes might bring misfortune to the Cao Family in the future.
She thought hard for a few days, but still had no idea what could have changed.
Down the line, Cao Yang got married, then divorced, and received his military promotion; Cao Bin's career went smoothly, and he was happy with his marriage; Cao Xing, even to her death, was still playing around and didn't meet his match; Cao An and He Chengzhe broke up and got back together again, cycling in a love and hate relationship.
All of these things weren't things she could influence.
After her reincarnation, she only spoke to Cao An about He Chengzhe once or twice. Cao An, his attitude the same as always, took it as a joke, not taking her words into serious consideration.
She thought of it for a long time, but only ended up feeling helpless. She couldn't help but feel depressed, her emotions sinking down.
Time passed quickly as they entered July. It was summer vacation and Xia Rou had already been with the Cao Family for a year.
A year ago, Cao Yang had asked her to keep her hair long.
Now, her hair was long enough to reach her waist. But he had yet to come back.
Her classmates invited her to travel, but she politely declined, not knowing when exactly Cao Yang would return. She stayed at home quietly, waiting for him.
The day Cao Yang returned, she was in the reading room.
She removed a few books from the shelf, flipping a few pages in before moving to put them back in their places, the words slipping easily from her mind.
Closing up the last book, she carried the thick covers of the book. She looked at the shelves full of books, the sunlight shining through the windows, and the dust floating in the air, spacing out.
Cao Yang was at the door, illuminated brightly by sunlight. He saw Xia Rou's dark hair, so long it touched her waist, shining like glossy silk.
He liked women with long hair, especially undyed and naturally dark. He stood there and stared at her for some time.
He noticed her thin shoulders and straight legs.
The young girl had turned into a woman, her body developing slowly into curves that inspired a man's imagination.
It was pleasant to observe.
Then he noticed she wasn't reading, but rather blanking out and staring upwards toward the books. He couldn't help but break into sudden laughter.
"Xia Rou," he leaned on the doorframe and shouted her name. "What are you spacing out for?"
Xia Rou immediately turned her head.
The man at the door had a tall stature, his skin much darker than she remembered, looking much more manly.
The corner of his mouth was tugged up into a smile as he looked at her, especially as he noticed her spacing out. He found it more and more funny, asking, "Why, you don't recognize me anymore?"
He walked toward her. Xia Rou screamed, dropping the book in her hand to hurl herself into his arms and hugging him tightly.
When she ran toward him, Cao Yang had his eyebrows raised. Both his hands reacted quickly and opened up for her.
Soft breasts and a slim waist. Xia Rou in his arms made Cao Yang realize that she'd grown into a woman now. He recalled that faintly curvy body under the sunlight.
He found himself slightly awkward, his hands releasing her waist and softly patting her back. Cao Yang noticed her back was shaking. He was surprised: "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Xia Rou had acted on her sudden impulse to hug Cao Yang. It was only when she bumped into his solid chest that she realized her actions might not be appropriate.
But in these few months, she'd been living under the stress of wondering whether her current actions would bring about a butterfly effect to ripple into the future. Cao Yang's return finally had burst the dam of her emotions.
She released Cao Yang, but her hands were still fisted tightly in his shirt. Regardless, she wanted to cry to her heart's content.
She didn't say anything and continued to cry, making Cao Yang feel helpless.
If his brothers dared to cry like this, he could simply use a leather belt to give them a beating until they smiled.
If a woman cried like this, he probably wouldn't have the patience to continue seeing her. Of course, none of the women he'd dated before were capricious nor were they inconsiderate.
It was only in front of Xia Rou that he felt very helpless.
He patiently tried to coax her with a few words before realizing she wasn't listening. So he took that to mean she was probably wronged and just wanted to let it all out.
He stopped asking, stretching out his hands and circling her within his arms, patting softly at her back.
The moment his palm touched her cool, long hair, his heart moved. He couldn't help but insert his fingers into her black hair, moving from the root to the tip of her hair, like a waterfall.
It was exactly what he loved: natural, dark, smooth, soft, and slightly cold.
He lowered his head to take a good look. Translated by The Novelst
The tip of his nose was able to capture a faint scent.
It was there, but untraceable.
Proofread by: Hannah