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Xiao Jinyan was almost frantically searching, while Shen Chuwei was sleeping soundly and suddenly smelled something fragrant. She sniffed and slowly opened her eyes, "Why do I smell the aroma of stinky tofu?"

Shen Chuwei sat up in confusion, looked around, and, using the belly of the tiger-lion beast for support, she stood up and followed the scent of the stinky tofu.

After walking for a while, the scent of the stinky tofu grew stronger.

"The stinky tofu must be nearby."

Chuwei took a few more steps and saw from afar the familiar oiled paper packet on the stone table, and having eaten stinky tofu a few times, she recognized it at a glance.

Only she loved stinky tofu the most in Wuyou Palace – it must have been bought for her, right?

With that thought, Shen Chuwei quickened her pace and walked over.

But before she could reach the stone table, she was embraced, the speed of which almost made her believe she was about to be kidnapped.

Upon seeing Xiao Jinyan, without thinking, she ran over and hugged her, he had searched the entirety of Wuyou Palace, even visiting Ye Suhuan.

He thought she had slipped away silently again.

"Where have you been?"

Shen Chuwei looked up at him but, because of the way she was held, she couldn’t see his face; she could only see his dark hair and the back of his head shrouded in blackness.

"What’s wrong?"

Releasing his arms, Xiao Jinyan gazed down at her intently, "I thought you had silently slipped away again."

Chuwei looked bewildered, "I was just sleeping."

Xiao Jinyan did not know whether it was fear or anxiety, but he always felt she wanted to slip away without a word—and, failing to find a good way to do it, she had come back.

"I searched the entire Wuyou Palace for you and didn’t find you. Are you sure you were just sleeping? I know you are angry, but give me some time, alright?"

Chuwei explained, "I’m not angry, I really was sleeping."

Xiao Jinyan stretched out his slender finger to caress her face, still insisting firmly, "Chuwei, I’ve never forgotten the promises I made to you—trust me, will you?"

Actually, Chuwei did not understand the meaning behind his words. Which promise did he refer to? And trust him about what?

She thought carefully and realized she had never mentioned any requests to Xiao Jinyan, nor had he made any promises to her.

As to trusting him—was it that he would not abandon her?

Was this related to not giving up?

Her eyes wandered before finally settling on the stinky tofu on the stone table, thinking that eating stinky tofu was more comforting than pondering these thoughts.

Seeing her silent, Xiao Jinyan grew somewhat anxious, "Chuwei, husband and wife are bound by joined hair; there should be mutual trust and love.

I have never doubted my feelings for you, nor have I ever considered embracing others.

Right now, I just need some time to deal with certain matters, understand? "

Upon hearing this, Chuwei paused and looked at Xiao Jinyan’s earnestly handsome face. She blinked her beautiful eyes twice and, pointing at the stinky tofu on the stone table, said, "Can I eat the stinky tofu first?"

Xiao Jinyan was taken aback and turned to look at the stone table. The stinky tofu there was bought by him; in his haste to find her, he had carelessly left it there.

He turned his gaze back to Shen Chuwei and knew by her demeanor that she wanted to eat.

"Alright."

At the stone table, Shen Chuwei unfolded the oiled paper packet and found that the stinky tofu had cooled a bit. However, it still tasted good, a bit spicy, just the way she liked it.

Xiao Jinyan brought over two cups of fresh tea, setting one in front of her before seating himself.

Shen Chuwei saw Xiao Jinyan and picked up a piece of stinky tofu that wasn’t covered too much in chili sauce with a bamboo skewer and held it out to him, "Have a piece."

Xiao Jinyan looked at the stinky tofu before him, took a bite, and chewed slowly, savoring the flavor that wasn’t too spicy.

Xiao Jinyan always ate slowly and gracefully, exuding nobility. It took him two bites to finish a piece of stinky tofu.

Shen Chuwei, on the other hand, was different—she popped them in her mouth one after another, aiming for enjoyment rather than elegance.

She loved watching Xiao Jinyan eat, as well as the National Master’s way of eating.

When Shen Chuwei chose her stinky tofu, she deliberately dipped it in extra chili sauce—it was the spiciness that made it satisfying.

"I didn’t slip away without telling; I was just taking a nap, and the tiger-lion beast can vouch for me."

Worried that Xiao Jinyan wouldn’t trust her, Shen Chuwei intentionally brought out the pillow-sized tiger-lion beast.

What did it have to do with the tiger-lion beast? Xiao Jinyan asked dubiously, "I searched the entire Wuyou Palace and couldn’t find you, where did you take your nap?"

Shen Chuwei pointed to the distant grass, "Right over there."

Xiao Jinyan followed the direction of her finger and saw a large patch of lush green grass, with the tiger-lion beast lazily sprawling on it.

Shen Chuwei ate another piece of stinky tofu and said, "I woke up when I smelled the aroma of stinky tofu."