As soon as the sound of the gate closing reached his ears, Bai Ruyi spoke.
There was no heat or sharpness in his tone, just resignation when he said, “I had only just told Lieutenant Jin that you are grateful to have his friendship.” Bai Ruyi pulled back from their embrace and looked up at Qing Xue’s face. “It seems you have made of me a liar.”
The other man clenched his jaw as the knot on his forehead deepened. He knew he was in the wrong. There was no justifying what he had done. But… “What can I do, Ruyi?” he said, sounding pained. “I love you too much.”
Bai Ruyi pulled back from him completely. Just when Qing Xue felt his heart cracking at this separation, Bai Ruyi then reached for his hand and clasped it tightly, their fingers interlocking.
“I know,” he replied softly before taki
