When Lu Xunguang put himself in danger, the villagers in the fishing village naturally couldn't stand by any longer. Some started their boats, while others grabbed long ropes, rushing to rescue him in a hurry.
Li Ying's face turned deathly pale, and her rosy lips instantly lost all color.
Thankfully, during a lull when the wind died down, Lu Xunguang, drenched from head to toe and in a sorry state, struggled his way back from the sea.
In his arms, he carried Qing Liu, who had long since fainted.
Qing Liu's eyes were tightly shut. Her small face was as white as paper, almost transparent, as if with a slight squeeze, it would shatter into pieces.
Her disheveled wet hair clung to her forehead, making her look haggard. Her elegant green silk dress, soaked through, clung tightly to her well - shaped body, revealing every curve and adding a kind of delicate beauty.
Many of the on - looking men were immediately transfixed.
Li Ying frowned. What a good show of the damsel - in - distress ploy.
Lu Xunguang had already put her down and told some of the older fisherwomen to help her expel the sea water she had swallowed.
After a long while, Qing Liu finally coughed loudly and opened her eyes. Her clear, black - and - white pupils instantly turned red.
"Lord Lu, why did you go to such lengths to save me!"
She usually looked as delicate as a willow swaying in the wind, always smiling. But now she was crying so pitifully that she was truly heart - rending.
"I have no other desires. I only wish to remain pure from the start to the end. Lord Lu, why did you still save me!"
"I really have done my best. But only today did I realize that all those things about staying true to one's heart and remaining untainted are all lies! Once you enter the world of vice, you can never get out. I accept my fate. I won't ask for anything anymore!"
"I know I'm just a lowly and insignificant person. Lord Lu, why did you risk your life to save me? I'm not worth it, not worth it at all!"
Qing Liu cried uncontrollably. Several of her sisters who had heard the news hugged her tightly, their eyes moist, as if wordlessly condemning the unfairness of fate.
The villagers in the fishing village had always had a bit of a negative opinion of Qing Liu because of her gaudy appearance. But they never expected that this woman was so chaste and loyal. They couldn't help but believe her a little, and they all cast accusing looks at the men from the caravan.
Qing Liu was already wearing thin clothes. Now, blown by the sea breeze, she couldn't bear the cold. Her body trembled like a withered lotus leaf in the wind.
There were also some lecherous men who eyed her charming body under the wet clothes with ill intentions. Qing Liu was both ashamed and angry. She wished she could turn around and jump into the sea again.
Although Lu Xunguang still had a cold face and showed no sign of emotion, he finally silently took off his cloak and casually threw it on Qing Liu.
"I've saved your life once. If you still want to degrade yourself, that's your fate and has nothing to do with others."
He left this cold - hearted remark and said no more. Then he went straight to find Li Ying.
The villagers sensibly made way for him. Only Qing Liu stared at his back with a strange look on her face, as if lost in thought.
After a long while, she suddenly wrapped the cloak tightly around herself, struggled to stand up shakily, and shouted, "Thank you for your advice, Lord Lu!"
Lu Xunguang didn't even turn back. Seeing Li Ying reaching out her small hand to hold his arm, he just subtly avoided it.
"A Ying, it's cold. I don't want you to catch a chill."
Li Ying didn't mind. Instead, she stubbornly grabbed his hand and tucked it into her sleeve, warming it with her own body heat.
When he finished washing up, changed into dry clothes, and sat back at the table, the simple home - cooked dishes had already gone cold.
A Man unhappily brought the dishes that Granny Sun had reheated back to the table. Then, with a straight face, she heavily placed a bowl full of white rice in front of Lu Xunguang.
"Lord Lu, who is so noble - minded, should have a few more bowls of rice. You're the great hero of our village!"
Lu Xunguang's hand that was about to pick up the bowl hesitated, and his expression also showed a bit of uneasiness.
A Man was indignant and persisted, "I'm just a vulgar person who can't be on the grand stage. If I've served Lord Lu poorly, please don't take it to heart, Lord Lu!"
"However, Lord Lu is as soft - hearted as bean curd jelly. I'm sure you'll be gentle with women and won't argue with a little girl like me!"
She glared at Lu Xunguang fiercely. Just thinking about Qing Liu's pretentious appearance on the beach today made her feel as if there were lice and bugs crawling all over her body, making her feel extremely nauseous.
Li Ying couldn't help but smile and said softly, "A Man..."
A Man put away her sarcastic look. Knowing that her elder sister would surely protect Lu Xunguang, she snorted softly and turned away.
Li Ying stood up to chase after her, but Lu Xunguang gently stopped her. Their eyes met, and Li Ying immediately understood his intention to dissuade her.
"A Ying, you know my heart."
He stared at her intently, his eyes full of sincerity.
"Today's incident..."
Before Lu Xunguang could finish, Li Ying gently covered his lips.
"Lord Lu, you don't need to say more."
The incident of Qing Liu being unable to bear the humiliation and trying to take her own life had caused quite a stir. At that time, the on - lookers were whispering to each other, with a bit of criticism.
The villagers in the fishing village had always looked down on Qing Liu and others for their flirtatious appearance. How could they be willing to risk their lives to save them?
In that situation, if Lu Xunguang hadn't stepped forward to save Qing Liu first, not only would the fishing village have been involved in a manslaughter lawsuit, but even if they managed to clear their name, they would surely be stigmatized as callous in the future.
The on - looking guests didn't know the ins and outs of the matter. They had no intention of getting to the bottom of it. They would only spread false rumors, turning this beautiful paradise into a purgatory in people's mouths.
This newly - emerging seaside resort would wither away prematurely just because of Qing Liu's life.
Lu Xunguang's act of "a hero saving a beauty" was by no means out of lust.
He had no other choice.
Qing Liu's plan was really shrewd. She wanted to sow discord between the Lu family and the caravan, ruin the good reputation of the fishing village, and even make Li Ying and Lu Xunguang drift apart.
He didn't need to explain.
She understood everything.
Li Ying had an idea. She gently leaned into his arms. Her small hand slowly drew circles on his chest, making vague gestures.
Lu Xunguang caught her restless hand. He lowered his eyes, and a shadow fell on his eyebrows.
"A Ying, I don't want there to be even the slightest rift between us."
Li Ying looked up at Lu Xunguang and showed him a smile as bright as a spring flower.
"Lord Lu, love means having full trust in each other."
Her voice was soft, as if she were just stating that it was a sunny day today.
But Lu Xunguang felt as if he had been struck hard in the heart. He held her even tighter.
"A Ying, I will surely live up to your full trust in me."