Chapter - 533 Refusing to Acknowledge Zhang As Husband (10)

Later on, Xiao Zhao went to Persia, Yin Li died, and supposedly, Zhao Min was the one who murdered her. Logically speaking, the only option left for him was to marry Zhou Zhiruo. However, through some unexpected mishaps, some bizarre twists and turns, the truth was gradually being revealed. Zhou Zhiruo and Zhao Min switched places as the good and the evil. He felt so fortunate for not marrying Zhou Zhiruo and thus cast his blunder in stone. In addition, the fact that Zhao Min broke her relationship with her father and brother was publicly known; therefore, he should not have any difficulty in making up his mind, should he? Against all his thoughts and expectations, Zhao Min suddenly disappeared without telling him anything; and right now Zhou Zhiruo was forcing him into a corner with her question.

Seeing him hesitate without answering, Zhou Zhiruo said, "My question is an imaginary question. Xiao Zhao has become the Persian Ming Cult's virgin Cult Leader, I have … have killed Miss Yin. Out of these four women, Miss Zhao is your only choice. I just want to know, supposing that all four of us are alive and well, we are all by your side, then what would you do?"

"Zhiruo," Zhang Wuji finally said, "This matter has been burdening my heart for too long. Obviously, it was very difficult for me to make up my mind, until today … I know now who my true love is."

"Who is it?" Zhou Zhiruo asked, “Is it … is it Miss Zhao?"

"That's right," Zhang Wuji replied, "Today, when I looked for her and could not find her, I wish I was dead. If I henceforth cannot see her again, I do not wish to live longer. When Xiao Zhao left me, I was extremely heart-broken. When my Biaomei died, I was even more grieved. You … you came back like this, I was not only pained, but feeling deep regret as well. But, Zhiruo, I won't lie to you, if for the rest of my life I cannot see Miss Zhao anymore, I'd rather die. This is my deepest feeling, which I have never made known to anybody else." At first, all four women: Yin Li, Zhou Zhiruo, Xiao Zhao and Zhao Min were equal in Zhang Wuji's eyes. But as Zhao Min walked away from him today, he suddenly realized Zhao Min's true place in his heart; she was not on the same position as the other three women.

As Zhou Zhiruo heard him say so, she quietly said, "That day at Dadu, I saw you go to that small wine shop to meet her, I knew exactly where your heart really was. It was just wishful thinking in my heart; if you and I get married perhaps … perhaps I can pull you back to love me. In all honesty … really … I know that is of course impossible."

Zhang Wuji said apologetically, "Zhiruo, toward you, I have always had respect. Toward Yin Jia Biaomei [younger female cousin of Yin family], my heart will always be grateful. Toward Xiao Zhao, I have always had a soft spot in my heart for her. But toward Miss Zhao, actually … actually I have an engraved-in-my-heart-carved-in-my-bones kind of love."

"Engraved-in-my-heart-carved-in-my-bones kind of love, engraved-in-my-heart-carved-in-my-bones kind of love," Zhou Zhiruo muttered. After pausing a moment, she said in low voice, "Wuji Gege … my love to you is also engraved-in-my-heart-carved-in-my-bones kind of love. Don't you … don't you know it?"

Zhang Wuji was extremely touched; grabbing her hand, he said in a tender voice, "Zhiruo, I know. What I do not know is how am I going to repay you for your great love in my lifetime. I … I really have wronged you."

"You have not wronged me; you have always treated me very well, do you think I do not know it?" Zhou Zhiruo said. "Let me ask you this: Supposing Miss Zhao this time left you and not came back, you would not see her again forever; supposing she was killed by a wicked man, supposing she had a change of heart toward you, then you … what would you do?"

Zhang Wuji's heart had been grieving for too long. As he heard her say those words, he could not bear it anymore. His dam broke and with a choking voice he said, "I … I don't know! Whatever happens; to the heavens above or to the earth below, I must find her."

Zhou Zhiruo sighed and said, "She won't have a change of heart toward you. If you really want to find her; nothing could be easier."

Zhang Wuji was both surprised and delighted. "Where is she?" he stood up and said, "Zhiruo, tell me, quick!"

Zhou Zhiruo's pair of beautiful eyes stared at Zhang Wuji intently; seeing his face was wild with joy, she said softly, "You have never shown this kind of emotion toward me. If you want to find Miss Zhao, you must agree to do something for me. Otherwise, you can forget of finding her, ever."

"What do you want me to do?" Zhang Wuji asked.

"I have not thought about it yet," Zhou Zhiruo said, "Later, when I think of it, I will let you know. I can promise you that this matter will not violate the way of chivalry; it will not hinder the great undertaking of recovering our country, and will not damage your name as well as the Ming Cult's reputation. Only, it won't necessarily be easy to do."

Zhang Wuji's expression went blank. He thought, "Min Mei has also asked me to do three things for her; she has also said that it won't violate the way of chivalry and so on, but so far, I have done only two things for her, and those two things were really not easy to manage. Why does Zhiruo have to copy her?"

"Whether you want to do it or not, it is entirely up to you," Zhou Zhiruo said, "But a real man is as good as his word. If you agree, you simply cannot shrink back at the last moment."

Zhang Wuji hesitantly said, "You said that this matter will not violate the way of chivalry; it will not hinder the great undertaking of recovering our country, and will not damage my name as well as the Ming Cult's reputation?"

"That's right!" Zhou Zhiruo replied.

"Very well," Zhang Wuji said, "If it indeed will not violate the way of chivalry and will not damage the great undertaking of recovering our country, then I give you my promise now."

"Let's strike our palms to seal the deal," Zhou Zhiruo said. Extending her arm, she was ready to strike his palm.

Zhang Wuji understood that as soon as he struck her palm, he would place himself under extremely heavy shackles. Outwardly, this Miss Zhou was gentle, soft, and polite; but her mind was shrewd, her actions cruel. She was not the least bit inferior to Zhao Min. Therefore, as he raised his palm, he did not immediately strike her palm.

Zhou Zhiruo smiled and said, "As soon as you give me your word, I am going to tell you, and you will meet your beloved very soon."

Zhang Wuji's chest boiled up. He no longer had any regard for anything else and struck Zhou Zhiruo's palm three times.

Zhou Zhiruo laughed and said, "Look who's here." She reached down to pull and open up the bushes behind her. There it was, behind the clump of leaves sat a young woman whose face appeared smiling yet she was not exactly smiling, and who was she if not Zhao Min?

Surprised and delighted, Zhang Wuji loudly called out, "Min Mei!"

"Ah!" suddenly, from several 'zhang's behind him, he heard a female voice exclaimed, as if that woman could not restrain from being shocked when she saw Zhao Min appeared in the flesh. The voice was actually very soft, but Zhang Wuji was able to hear her clearly.