You Liar! . . .
Gracefully, Xuan Bing led the way, her strides exuding an air of regal elegance. Cha Eun Xiao and Han Bingxue followed in tow, their unease evident. It was an unusual situation, one that rendered them both tongue-tied. In the wake of Han Bingxue's earlier embarrassment, he opted to remain reserved, refraining from unnecessary chatter. Cha Eun Xiao, naturally inclined to reticence, had no intention of breaking the silence either.
For Cha Eun Xiao, known for his icy demeanor beneath his exterior charm, dealing with a formidable woman like Xuan Bing was not to his liking. He preferred the softness and tenderness of individuals like Su Yeyue and Bing'er. A woman of Xuan Bing's strength and assertiveness did not align with his preferences.
Yet, contrary to his expectation, even his disinterest in conversation failed to dissuade Xuan Bing from engaging with him. She deliberately slowed her pace and positioned herself beside Cha Eun Xiao, maintaining her close proximity. To him, this was not an imposition, but it provoked anxiety in Han Bingxue, who interpreted her actions as an attempt to isolate Cha Eun Xiao from the group.
Xuan Bing remained silent as she walked alongside Cha Eun Xiao, and he mirrored her reticence. Han Bingxue's discomfort was palpable, and he decided to distance himself from the pair, longing to escape Xuan Bing's oppressive presence. His departure, however, did not elicit any protest from either of them, a fact that weighed on Han Bingxue's mind.
He muttered under his breath, "Ahem… I believe I'll lead the way to provide guidance." Han Bingxue hoped that someone, if not both of them, would object, providing an opportunity to continue walking together, sharing laughter and conversation. He longed to avoid the isolation he felt approaching. When neither Cha Eun Xiao nor Xuan Bing objected to his departure, he realized that his intuition had been correct – they indeed intended to be alone.
Han Bingxue hastened ahead, relieved to escape Xuan Bing's dominating presence. As he distanced himself, he couldn't help but reflect on the series of misfortunes he had encountered, from the treacherous hunting experience to the painful encounters with his brother and his vicious pet. The woman he walked away from now added to the growing list of woes. He muttered to himself, "Bloody hell. What have I done to deserve this? I've been hunted, nearly killed, beaten by my own brother and his pet, and now, a woman is suppressing me relentlessly. Heavenly forces, I implore you, grant me some mercy. The pain is unbearable."
As Han Bingxue marched ahead, deep in his thoughts, Cha Eun Xiao pondered the reason for Xuan Bing's unexpected presence and interest in him. He found it difficult to believe that she had any romantic inclinations toward him. Although he acknowledged his own attractiveness, he couldn't fathom that someone of Xuan Bing's stature would be drawn to a man solely due to his looks.
Xuan Bing had suggested that they travel together and help each other on the journey, an offer that Cha Eun Xiao viewed with skepticism. He questioned why someone of her power and influence would require assistance from them. After all, no one in their right mind would dare to cross her path, given her formidable reputation and abilities.
During this internal contemplation, Xuan Bing interrupted his thoughts with a sudden question: "What's your name?"
Taken aback by her inquiry, Cha Eun Xiao replied, "Uh... I'm... Cha Jun."
To his astonishment, Xuan Bing reacted with an abrupt outburst. "You liar!"
Cha Eun Xiao stood speechless, perplexed by her reaction. He couldn't understand why she had called him a liar, considering they had never met before. Furthermore, it was their first encounter, making it reasonable for him to keep his true identity concealed. His true name was not something he felt obliged to disclose to a stranger.
"Just tell me your real name," Xuan Bing demanded, her tone devoid of emotion, though her concealed delight was palpable.
Cha Eun Xiao felt utterly bewildered by her response. He couldn't comprehend the reason behind her sudden outburst and the unconventional direction the conversation had taken.
Cha Eun Xiao found himself in a bewildering exchange with Xuan Bing. He was certain that something peculiar was happening, but he couldn't quite grasp the underlying reasons.
"Perhaps I should tell her another name," Cha Eun Xiao contemplated. "Let's see... Cha Chongxiao."
Xuan Bing's immediate reaction, filled with anger and disbelief, caught Cha Eun Xiao off guard. Her cold retort resonated with frustration, "Nonsense! You are not Cha Chongxiao. I don't understand. Why can't a man just bravely speak the truth? Are all men this way?"
Cha Eun Xiao was at a loss. He couldn't fathom why Xuan Bing was so convinced of his deceit.
"Why?" he wondered. "Why is she acting as though she knows me well? And what's with her complaint about men not speaking the truth?"
After careful consideration, he mustered a faint smile and said, "But that's my real name."
Xuan Bing's response was nothing short of furious. Her intense gaze, veiled beneath her hat, seemed to pierce his soul.
Cha Eun Xiao, attempting to convey his honesty, raised his palms and wore an innocent expression. It was his way of saying, "I'm telling the truth; I don't know what more I can do."
However, instead of diffusing the situation, his innocence appeared to aggravate Xuan Bing even further. He could sense her anger and frustration, and he half-expected her to physically reprimand him.
Xuan Bing's thoughts revealed her exasperation: [Humph! Others may be deceived by your lies due to their limited knowledge, but I know everything about you.]
[Fooling me with a fabricated name right in front of my eyes... What an idiot.]
After a brief moment, Xuan Bing's demeanor shifted, and she adopted a sly smile. Her thoughts appeared to change to a more mischievous tone: [Very well. You want to play a game? I'm game. Let's see how you handle it.]
"Very well," she relented, her anger giving way to a strange acceptance. "Let's say you are Cha Jun."
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but feel baffled by this turn of events.
[Wait a minute... She insisted that I wasn't Cha Chongxiao and now she's perfectly content with Cha Jun?]
[What exactly does she want?]