Li Wei threw the lychee into the air and caught it back in her hands. Again and again, she repeated this action.

Her fingers trembled when she squeezed the fruit in her hand. There was a deep fear writhing within. She couldn't deny it, but she couldn't face it either.

She was afraid.

"Uh... Big sister, are you okay...?" Song Yishan suddenly spoke out.

Li Wei had just popped the lychee into her mouth. She was so deep into her thoughts, she forgot to peel it. The prickly skin poked her mouth. She choked, "S-since when were you here?"

The young lad grinned, "Not long at all. Just here when you grabbed that lychee as if you were squeezing the life out of our precious prince."

"..." That was basically from the beginning. She glared coldly, "Don't tell him that."

"You have my word," Song Yishan gestured across his lips, signaling his lips were sealed. "But what did Bojing do to make you so mad?"

"Nothing," She lied. "By the way, thank you for your Book of Plants."

"Book of Plants?" Song Yishan tried to remember if he gave her such a book. He had a Book of Plants?

Then, it hit him. The book Khan Bojing asked him to share with big sister. "Ohhh, that book. It's the Book of Poisons. Poisons, not plants!"

Li Wei scoffed. She held up the book, "It said 'plants' on the cover."

Song Yishan's finger pointed on the cover, "No, no. Look inside the word."

Taking a closer look, Song Yishan was indeed correct. Inside the word "plant" was the word "poison." Li Wei was rendered speechless, such a method was so childish...

"Genius, right?" He proudly patted himself, having no idea that his big sister thought of his genius tactic as childish.

Li Wei quickly smiled, "Right, very smart."

Song Yishan sat down and pulled the basket full of lychees to his knees.

"Anyway, Master Yue wanted to see you in the study. Before you leave with the prince, he wants to speak with you."

"I'll leave you here to replenish your stomach then, good brother." She handed him the book and stood up.

In the study, her father was indeed waiting for her. He sat by the window with a table full of food.

"Father, you were looking for me?" She asked.

Yue Shangwu didn't move. "I don't disagree with it, but three days is how long I'm giving you. No extra activities."

No extra activities... Li Wei quickly agreed, "Yes, father."

"Come and eat with father before you leave. If the prince doesn't feed you well, you'll starve," He muttered bitterly. That prince seemed to always be on the lookout to take away his daughter.

Li Wei's father's petty behavior earned soft laughters from her. She sat across him and started eating the dishes that he prepared, all of which were her favorites.

She deliberately placed some meat and vegetables in his rice bowl. "Father, have some more."

"Biya, father doesn't expect anything from you, got it? Whether you marry the prince or not, it doesn't matter to me. All I want is for you to be happy."

Li Wei glanced at her father. He acted as if he had said those words casually, busying himself with eating, but it was clear how much he cared for her.

She held his hand in assurance, "Father, truly, thank you. Ever since I came to Hai'an, I've been spending time playing outside. When I come back, I'll spend more time with you."

Yue Shangwu felt the food suddenly tasted better. He finally smiled, "You're a good child, Biya. Father is very happy."

"Father, you're so handsome when you smile. You should smile more," She sweetly added.

Yue Shangwu paused, "Truly?"

"Truly," She confirmed.

When Khan Bojing came, Li Wei bade farewell once again to her father. Aunt Rin and Hui were out on business and Song Yishan had gone home. San'er handed a large basket of food to the prince.

Khan Bojing accepted it warmly, "San'er, thank you. You always take care of Xiao Wei."

"I-it's nothing," San'er stuttered. She shyly ran behind Master Yue.

"Father, I'll be back soon. Let San'er help you, she is kind and listens well." Li Wei stepped onto the carriage. She smiled towards her friend, "San'er, my father isn't strict. You can run around and have some fun. Yishan left some snacks on my table, try it later if you like it."

"En, I'll eat it later. Come back safely, miss."

Li Wei nodded, "I'll take my leave now."

Khan Bojing walked ahead on the stone path. One of his hand carried the basket while his other held out to her. "Xiao Wei, come here."

Li Wei didn't take his hand. She brushed past him and sprinted to the awaiting carriage out the gates. Khan Bojing chuckled lightly, following behind at his usual pace.

"You're angry so early in the morning?" He asked when he joined her inside the carriage.

She automatically moved to the other side, distancing herself as far from him as she could. "Not angry."

Khan Bojing leaned against the carriage leisurely. He didn't say anything, but his eyes shone with amusement. Not angry? Anger was clearly splashed all over her face and she dared to lie so blatantly.

Li Wei couldn't sit still. She felt restless somehow. Her positions constantly changed, trying to make herself feel comfortable.

"Stay still or else Ye Dequan might think there's really something going on in here."

His statement worked. She froze and no longer dared to move. Only her eyes glanced in his direction. "W-what can happen?"

Khan Bojing's eyes narrowed and he pulled her into his laps. He stole a kiss on her lips. "Something sweet like this."

Li Wei pushed away his arms that were wrapped around her waist. She sat next to him, properly on the bench this time. "I'm not mad at you. Maybe it's because of our engagement, I'm feeling a bit anxious."

"If you're nervous, you can hold my hand." His warm hands wrapped over her cold hands. "And if you're scared, don't think about it. Forget the palace, forget our statuses. Imagine that you and I are running away."

Her eyebrows raised. "How naughty..."

"How about it? Willing to be my companion?"

Li Wei stared into his loving honey eyes. "Just you and I, holding hands together. What else can be better? Wherever you go, I'll go."

Khan Bojing smiled and placed her head on his shoulder. His hands never let go of hers.

Li Wei felt the heaviness in her heart slowly disappeared. With Khan Bojing by her side, what was she afraid of?

She thought he loved her later, but she was wrong.

In their last life, he had secretly loved her from the beginning.