The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 6 (Light Novel)

you hate me so much?” he asked, his face now less like a wild dog and more like a puppy. Love, hate—some people wanted the world to be so black and white. Why wouldn’t he give her the choice of a gray area?

“I suppose I don’t hate you as such,” she said. She might even think of him favorably. Certainly, she regarded this noble more positively than she had back when they’d first met.

Jinshi pursed his lips, not very pleased with this evasive answer. Maybe he was hoping she would come right out and say she loved him, but quite frankly, Maomao wasn’t at a point where she could bring those words to her lips. The best she could manage was that she wasn’t without a certain affection for him.

He didn’t want to relinquish the sensation that still lingered on his lips.

Jinshi first heard this story when he was more than ten years old, after Gaoshun had seen him teasing Basen for trying to keep his distance from the ladies-in-waiting.

“Women are such fragile creatures,” Basen said. “I think it’s too soon for me.”

What could Jinshi say to that? There was nothing. Instead, he held out his cup, silently asking for more juice.

Just when she was expecting to feel a rush of wind against her body, she felt a pressure against her belly instead.

I’m not certain I can control my strength—but may I hit you?”

Saving you was worth everything. That’s why I did it.” He reached up with his one good hand and shyly wiped away Lishu’s cascading tears. “I wanted you to be happy. That’s all. Perhaps even that wish was too much ambition for a simple soldier.” That smile again.

He was an absolute wreck—but he was still wearing that same awkward smile.

you ready to take me up on...what I proposed?”

Well, all right, he hadn’t actually told her in so many words—but she felt it was correct to understand that he sought to marry her.

Love, hate—some people wanted the world to be so black and white. Why wouldn’t he give her the choice of a gray area?