1718: The Boy’s Unfamiliar Aura Made Her Uneasy

The Boy’s Unfamiliar Aura Made Her Uneasy

The three girls sat together, playing poker while chattering about all sorts of subjects.0

It was Hexin's first time playing this card game.

She was bewildered when she first held the cards in her hands.

"The cards are so cleverly designed. We don't play anything like this in the Yan Kingdom."

"Aunt Liangwei taught us this game. I've never seen anyone other than us play it before," Lu Xue explained.

"Aunt Weiwei's so impressive," Hexin said in admiration, utterly fascinated by the game.

If she learned how to play, she could teach her parents and brother, and nights at home would no longer be boring.

It was already late when Long Yin finished sorting out state affairs. Being told that his cousin Lu Xue was staying the night in Yaoyao's palace, and that the three girls were still playing poker, he decided to head over there.

Sure enough, the instant he stepped into Pear Blossom Palace, he heard the twittering of the three girls. 

"Xinxin, you lost again." It was Yaoyao's voice.

"Ah, I'm so stupid," came Hexin's chagrined reply.

"It's all right. Let's go another round," Lu Xue said comfortingly.

"Xue'er, Hexin has lost fifty taels of silver to us," Yaoyao reminded her.

"It's all right; it's just a matter of form. We'll give the money back to her later," Lu Xue said nonchalantly.

"No, no. A loss is a loss." Hexin had barely finished speaking when a shadow fell over her.

She looked up in astonishment, only to see a slender, graceful hand pluck two cards from her grasp and toss them out.

"You should play it this way." The boy's voice was calm as he lowered his gaze onto her.

Hexin was dazed, and she felt her heart skip a beat at the boy's close proximity to her.

"I see," she answered with feigned composure.

With Long Yin next to her guiding her, she won the following round. 

At the sight of the shining silver before her, she could not help herself from gripping Long Yin's sleeve in a moment of ecstasy. "Big Bro Long Yin, I won!"

"Remember to treat me to a meal tomorrow," Long Yin said with a smile. His gaze then landed on Lu Xue.

Lu Xue had lost quite a lot in that round, and there was a hint of vexation on her face.

"Cousin Long Yin, I can't believe you're helping Hexin instead of me."

Hexin stiffened, feeling a little embarrassed. 

"You and Yaoyao are experienced enough to require any help. Hexin's different; she's new to the game." Amusement flitted through Long Yin's eyes.

Yaoyao gave him a sidelong glance. "Why don't you continue helping Hexin, then?"

"That's exactly what I intend to do." With that, Long Yin sat down beside Hexin.

Hexin tensed up at once. Although there was an arm's length between them, the boy's unfamiliar aura made her uneasy.

"Xinxin, it's your turn to draw a card." Just then, Yaoyao prompted her.

Setting her thoughts aside, Hexin tried to pretend Long Yin was not there and hurriedly reached out to draw a card. To her surprise, Long Yin reached out right at that moment as well, and his hand landed on hers. 

She stared blankly at the slender, bony hand covering hers. As she did, a strange feeling welled up in her.

An irrepressible shade of pink crept onto her face, and she shifted her bemused gaze to the boy beside her.

Long Yin had not expected their hands to touch. It happened so suddenly that he froze and forgot to pull away. 

When his gaze dropped to the girl's flushed face, he came to his senses with a start and immediately withdrew his hand. After some consideration, he explained, "You weren't moving for a long time, so I was going to draw a card for you."

The blush faded from Hexin's cheeks. Keeping her head bowed, she replied quietly, "I see." After thinking for a moment, she added, "It's all right."

"Good." Long Yin let out a sigh of relief.

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