Chapter 475 - The Young Linfeng

To think that she had thought their childhood learning was around the same progress, but it turned out that this guy was really a hidden master. With his talent and intelligence, it was no wonder he would have ambitions to free himself from the bondage under the Xiong family.

Linfeng did not know what she was thinking and continued, "I read the legend of this tree, the reason why the handkerchief tree is called a dove tree in our country. It's a story that fascinated me."

Xiong Zhi could imagine a tiny Linfeng who was opening a big book with a serious face.

"To promote peace, Emperor Yuan's most beloved daughter, Wang Zhaojun, pretended to be the only daughter of the Emperor and married into their enemy, the Khan Empire. Her journey was lonely and she was always homesick. So she sent a dove carrying her letter to her homeland regularly. Each dove would always land on the tree with beautiful white flowers outside her room back at home. Thus, it was called the dove tree and became a symbol of sacrifice and peace."

He smiled nostalgically. "Since that day, I had a strange longing to see the dove tree. How beautiful and noble is this tree to become a symbol of sacrifice?"

"Since young, I always wondered why we, surnamed Zhou, need to sacrifice our dreams and fulfill the responsibility left to us ages ago. I mean, aren't we already in the modern period? These kinds of feudal thoughts should have long disappeared with the revolutions. I was young and naughty, I always questioned my father."

"My father… Dad said that if I wanted to change my fate, I need to become very strong, strong enough to do it. He said that if I do not succeed, I would just be a sacrifice. My dream will be sacrificed."

The cool wind rushed past and shook the foliage of the tree. The rustling of leaves filled the surroundings.

Xiong Zhi looked up at the man in silence.

Linfeng was opening up to her. This was the young Linfeng and the past Linfeng feelings at that time.

It was the reason why he turned his back on her and once left the Xiong Mansion in the past lifetime.

While she felt extreme loneliness when he was leaving, Linfeng was having this dream and belief. But in the end, he had abandoned it. 

Even now.

Linfeng had abandoned his belief and dream for her. For the second time.

Xiong Zhi tightened her hold again on his hand while glancing back at the tree.

There was a sour feeling in her chest for Linfeng…

And for the princess called Wang Zhaojun.

Was she not exactly like that before?

Despite her high status, she was a pawn for the sake of the family's interests.

She was sent to marry the enemy for the sake of upholding her grandfather's last wish.

She became a sacrifice, but not for the sake of peace, but for the dreams and interests of the father and daughter pair, and Guan Gao Huan.

Xiong Zhi was too weak back then to fight against her fate.

After the sour feeling in her chest faded, surprisingly, she found out that the bitterness and the usual hatred she had felt every time she remembered the ugly memories before was no longer suffocating her.

She could still feel that the hateful emotions still existed, but it felt distant right now.

Her eyes opened slightly in surprise, and then softened as she turned her gaze towards the man standing by her side and looking up at the tree.

His whole body was encased in a golden color, softening the pitch black hair and eyes.

It was because of the person who accompanied her in her healing process.

Perhaps someday, a day would come when she no longer feel these emotions from her past tragedy.

Linfeng's warm voice sounded again, breaking the stillness. "I've been wanting to see this tree bloom. I planted the tree to see if one day, when I grow up, will I still feel the same way when I first planted this tree?"

He chuckled. "It's foolish to pin the success of my dreams to whether the tree will bloom or not, but I was really passionate and naive back then."

Because he was just a child full of dreams at that time, very naïve. To think that he would carry the dream until now, after many years.

He sighed. "But too bad, I haven't seen this tree bloom yet. It never bloomed in the past, even after ten years of maturity."

"It will bloom," Xiong Zhi spoke with confidence.

"Because you are not sacrificed. Your dreams are not in vain either."

Since Linfeng abandoned those beliefs and dreams for the second time for her, she would make sure that Linfeng's new dreams would all come true.

Linfeng could see Xiong Zhi's strong support and endless love for him in those watery eyes. He kissed Xiong Zhi's forehead and hugged her.

"Although I grew up and knew that there was no connection at all, but yes, I am glad too. I'm glad I'm not a sacrifice and my endeavor went well. I'm glad that I did not sacrifice or give up my feelings for you. Tomorrow will only get better for us."

Xiong Zhi wrapped her arms around Linfeng's waist and buried her face on his chest.

Both of their lives must have been sacrificed in the past life, but in this life, they would no longer be. Because they were strong enough to go against their fate, and they would only grow stronger.

The dusky sky burned into a deeper reddish orange hue.

The dove tree seemed to burn along with it, swaying in fiery red.

The tranquil surroundings, the nostalgic sunset, and the confessions of the man embracing her made her want to share her own story.

After what seemed like forever, Xiong Zhi looked up at Linfeng.

She trembled with hesitation, but then she willed herself.

"Linfeng, I have something to tell you."