Chapter 40: Public Declaration of Love

Lin Xi clutched fiercely at the fabric over her heart; at this moment, she wanted nothing more than to indulge herself, to cast aside her identity and all her disguises, if only for a little while. Even if she was someone ruthless and cold-blooded, capable of killing without a second thought… she, too, could have moments when her emotions spiraled out of control. She no longer wished to restrain herself.

Lu Yuxiu had shattered all her plans—her former life, even her peace of mind had been thrown into turmoil by him.

These feelings had no place in her; if her eldest brother saw her like this, he would surely be disappointed. After all, she had begged him to let her join in the beginning… And now, she couldn’t even manage the most basic self-control…

Alone, Lin Xi hugged the panda plush toy Lu Yuxiu had given her, trying desperately to suppress her emotions, terrified she might lose control and relapse. She cried her heart out, as if to make up for all the times she had held back, then, utterly spent, curled up on the sofa and drifted into sleep.

She had no inkling of the storm raging across the internet.

The next morning, Lin Xi was jolted awake by her phone’s relentless vibrations. With a throbbing headache, she rubbed her temples; a half-empty wine glass was still toppled on the table.

The phone was still buzzing insistently. Lin Xi reached for it, seeing more than ninety-nine messages and countless missed calls from Miya and Zhou Xin.

Thinking something urgent had happened, she hurriedly called Miya back.

The call connected, and before Lin Xi could say a word, Miya’s anxious voice burst through: “Sister Xi, you finally answered! The internet is about to explode!”

“What’s going on?” Lin Xi asked in confusion.

“No way! You really don’t know?” Miya was utterly stunned. “Go check Weibo right now! God Xiu just confessed to you publicly!”

Lin Xi frowned, her headache worsening. “What did you say?”

She hastily hung up and opened Weibo.

Sure enough, the trending page blazed with an unmistakable headline: “God Xiu publicly pursues Lin Xi on Weibo! The legendary ‘her’ is Lin Xi!”

Lin Xi couldn’t believe it, thinking it was just another marketing account stirring up drama. In a panic, she clicked open Lu Yuxiu’s Weibo.

But the truth she saw left no room for doubt.

Lu Yuxiu (V): Still fighting my way through thorns… @LinXi

He had even reposted a message from his own studio.

Lu Yuxiu Studio (V): To be honest with everyone, our God Xiu joined the entertainment industry because of @LinXi. To find @LinXi, so that wherever she might be in the world, she could see him.

Online, the fever only grew, with netizens reveling in the unfolding drama. It was earth-shattering news! Their aloof, ascetic God Xiu—he had entered the industry for the girl he liked! And that girl was Lin Xi!

@ChronicProcrastinator: Oh my god, I can’t believe it even after reading it several times—God Xiu is announcing it so high-profile! That’s so unlike him! He’s really going all out for Lin Xi!

@EverlastingLonging~: I get it now! God Xiu and Little Xi must have been childhood friends, then separated for years for some reason. God Xiu never forgot her and searched for her endlessly! Oh my god, this is straight out of a novel!

@++==: Wuwuwu, my God Xiu finally found his true love. Little Xi, look at our God Xiu—so handsome and devoted! A rare, ideal man!

@DidYouDietToday: Wait, what? God Xiu hasn’t even won her over yet? I thought they’d been together ages ago. Girls, quick, call out to Lin Xi! Give her a shout!

In no time, topics like #TheWholeInternetHelpsGodXiuWinLinXi# and #LinXiPleaseNoticeGodXiu# shot to the top of the trending list.

Lin Xi scrolled through comment after comment, staring blankly at the glaring red “99+” on her screen.

How… how could this be? The person Lu Yuxiu likes is her? The “her” in that video was herself? How had everything changed overnight?

Lin Xi was bewildered. She knocked on her head, forcing herself to calm down, and suddenly thought of the White Rabbit candies. The vague image of the boy from her memories floated up in her mind.

If “her” referred to herself, that meant Lu Yuxiu had known her before! Yes! He’d made it so obvious, and yet she hadn’t remembered him. That boy from her dreams! Lu Yuxiu was the boy who’d given her White Rabbit candies in her dreams!

Lin Xi closed her eyes, and the blurry outline of the boy in her mind gradually overlapped with Lu Yuxiu’s face.

So it was…

It turned out she was the only one left in the dark. A sudden, overwhelming blend of sorrow and joy flooded her heart, completely upending her composure.

She didn’t know when her cheeks had become wet with tears. Lin Xi’s whole body trembled. Suddenly snapping back to herself, she grabbed her phone and rushed outside.

The moment she opened the door, she barreled out without looking and crashed headlong into someone standing outside.

With a gasp, she stumbled back, tear-filled eyes meeting the deep, unfathomable black gaze of Lu Yuxiu.

He was just as surprised. After posting on Weibo last night, he’d been anxious and sleepless, waiting outside Lin Xi’s door from early morning, not daring to ring the bell. He had no idea how long he’d been there…

“Xiao Xi…” Seeing her tearful, flustered face, Lu Yuxiu froze in astonishment.

When Lin Xi realized it was him, her tears flowed even harder, like a river bursting its banks.

Clenching her fists, she pounded his chest in frustration, her eyes flashing, “Why didn’t you say something sooner? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?”

She almost shouted the words.

Lu Yuxiu’s breath caught, startled by her reaction. Then, understanding dawned. He gripped her shoulders tightly, “You remember! Xiao Xi, you remember me!”

All his worries melted away. He pulled her into a passionate embrace, one hand gently cupping her cheek, wiping away her tears.

Gradually, Lin Xi calmed in his arms, though she still hiccuped with the remnants of her sobs.

After a long while, they drew apart.

Lu Yuxiu’s voice was husky, his eyes cautious, “Xiao Xi, how much do you remember?”

Lin Xi’s eyes were still red, and she sniffled, caring little for her image now, “I only remember our childhood.”

Lu Yuxiu let out a quiet sigh of relief. He still remembered Lin Tianyou’s warning—if she recalled everything at once, it might overwhelm her.

“You obviously knew it was me. Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Do you know how hard it’s been for me to find you?” Lin Xi demanded, still a bit aggrieved and puzzled.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me. I thought you’d completely forgotten me.” Lu Yuxiu gently smoothed her hair, cherishing every touch. “So, now you know it’s me, you know I’ve been thinking of you since we were kids. And you? Are you still going to run away?”

Lin Xi’s cheeks flushed instantly. That Lu Yuxiu had liked her since childhood—this, she’d never imagined.

Now, however, her heart and eyes were full of him, and there was no running anymore. As for her illness, she didn’t want to think about it now; she just wanted to seize happiness while she could.

Seeing her hesitate, Lu Yuxiu’s expression darkened, a trace of pain flickering in his eyes. Did she still not want to accept him? Was she reluctant to refuse outright?

“So… you still won’t accept me? You don’t like me?” Lu Yuxiu forced a slight smile, trying to mask his own misery. This was the most insecure he’d ever felt; he watched Lin Xi’s face with bated breath.

Unexpectedly, Lin Xi suddenly looked up and blurted out, “Who says so!”

Lu Yuxiu was stunned, frozen in disbelief.

After speaking, Lin Xi’s face turned beet red, but with her mind made up, she opened her arms boldly. “Lu Yuxiu, let’s be together.”

Today, Lu Yuxiu’s emotions had been a roller coaster, plummeting and soaring by turns.

Now, his heart surged with overwhelming joy. Grinning widely, he stepped forward, squatted, wrapped his arms around Lin Xi’s legs, then lifted her high into the air, gazing up at her with eyes full of tenderness as their laughter rang out, bright and satisfied.

This was the happiest, most unrestrained day in Lu Yuxiu’s twenty-five years of life.

After Lu Yuxiu’s public pursuit of Lin Xi, his little fans spontaneously formed a “Help God Xiu Win His Bride” squad.

They divided duties—some dug up every sweet interaction between the pair, some promoted the Emperor and Empress CP across all major platforms, recruiting even more passers-by as fans. Before long, the hashtag #LuYuxiuBattlesThornsToWinLinXi# held the top spot on Weibo’s trending list for over a week, and “battling through thorns” became the latest trend in love confessions.

From then on, “God Xiu’s high-profile pursuit of his bride” was a constant headline, and all eyes were on Lu Yuxiu and Lin Xi. Yet, the two remained calm and composed, showing no reaction at all.

At this moment, Lu Yuxiu sat on the sofa, holding Lin Xi tightly in his arms, as if afraid she’d turn into a butterfly and fly away the moment he let go. He was on edge, his joy tinged with insecurity, hardly daring to believe this was real.

Watching his nervous antics, Lin Xi couldn’t help but laugh and cry. She ignored him, letting him stroke her hair and pinch her chin as he pleased. She scrolled through Weibo comments, curious to see what netizens were saying.

Most of the messages were friendly—many people petitioned on Lu Yuxiu’s behalf, the comment section filled with virtual flowers and requests for hugs and replies.

@CertifiedToday: Miss Lin, look at our humble God Xiu! Truly, the favored are fearless—with his fate hinging on you, Little Xi, don’t let him remain alone when he’s finally opened his heart!

@AshesNeverCold: I knew something was up with God Xiu lately! Variety shows aside, all we ever see is his profile—and his eyes are glued to Lin Xi! His gaze is practically stuck to her!

@PickledChickenFeet: Throwing confetti! God Xiu is so domineering! So manly! Go, win Little Xi’s heart!

Lin Xi’s lips curled into a delighted smile, her heart as sweet as a child savoring candy.

Of course, there were also trolls and marketing accounts posting negativity.

@DAU: This is the most ridiculous thing—I can’t believe the idol I’ve supported for years is in love with my least favorite actress. I’m done, unfollowing and dragging him.

@TooManyMemories: Still can’t believe it. My high-up flower just got stuck in a pile of nameless manure? I must be cursed.

Lin Xi simply pretended not to see these.

“So, when do you plan to make it official?” Lu Yuxiu gazed at Lin Xi, eyes full of longing.

At his words, Lin Xi’s smile deepened, but she pretended to clear her throat seriously. “I’m not announcing anything just yet. Otherwise, everyone will think I’m easy to win over!”

She pouted, feigning grievance, turning her head. “I don’t care, you have to court me properly! No one’s ever pursued me like that.”

Lu Yuxiu laughed. “Alright! From now on, I’ll chase you—my little princess.”

“So what if I am?” Lin Xi retorted, pouting.

Lu Yuxiu’s gaze darkened. Without thinking, he caught her chin and kissed her.

Startled, Lin Xi’s eyes widened, her face flushing crimson at the soft sensation on her lips. It might not have been their first kiss, but it was the first since their hearts had truly become one.

A kiss full of heart-stirring sweetness.