Zhong Ruanxing had a moment when she thought she must be dreaming.
Could she really be having hallucinations from this chicken?
But the mother hen whose fate was being gripped by Song JinXing was clucking mournfully in his hand. It flapped its wings helplessly, its claws scratching at the air randomly. Its previously arrogant little head now drooped dejectedly.
This was so satisfying!
Zhong Ruanxing was overjoyed, so happy that her first reaction wasn't even to ask why he was here. She walked over in two or three steps and gratifyingly knocked the hen's head, complaining to the man in front of her, "It bullied me!"
Song JinXing smiled with lowered eyes and raised brows. "Then let's stew it and make chicken soup for you to drink."
Mother hen: "Cluck——"
It let out a heart-wrenching cry.
Zhong Ruanxing quickly waved her hands. "No, no, can't kill the hen that lays the eggs. I still need to rely on it to lay eggs for the next month."
Only then did she look up, the flush from her earlier run having faded slightly, the light fragrance on her body dispersed by her elevated body temperature, carrying with it a warm aura that wafted towards him. "Song JinXing, what are you doing here?"
Without waiting for his reply, she added, "You're not the island owner the production team mentioned, are you?"
Song JinXing just smiled. "Yes."
Although she had guessed it the moment she saw him, when she really heard him admit it, Zhong Ruanxing still felt incredulous. "This is your island?"
Song JinXing nodded. "This is my island."
Zhong Ruanxing looked into his smiling eyes, her long hair blown loosely by the sea breeze after her run, and said softly, "This island is called Hidden Star Island."
She didn't think much of the name before, much less associate it with herself. But the moment she saw him, the name "Hidden Star Island" suddenly seemed significant, as if...carrying some unspeakable implication.
Someone walked over from behind them, a middle-aged Western man in a suit, who said something to Song JinXing in French. Song JinXing also replied in French. The middle-aged man smiled with a nod, taking the chicken from his hand before leaving, and gave a gentleman's bow to Zhong Ruanxing.
Zhong Ruanxing also nodded to him in return.
Song JinXing dusted off his hands with a smile and asked her, "Shall we go in and take a look?"
Zhong Ruanxing looked at the sprawling island estate before her, eager to explore. "Sure!"
Song JinXing then led her inside. The gates behind them closed soundlessly, blocking off the primal jungle scenery. What surrounded her now was an exquisite architectural complex crafted by human hands.
The main villa was built in the classic European castle style, the creamy white outer walls bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun over the sea. She had seen the arched spire on the roof from afar when she first arrived on the island. Up close now, the castle was truly as beautiful and majestic as described in fairy tales.
Every step revealed a new picturesque scene on the estate. Apart from the tropical scenery, there was also a huge rose garden. Automatic sprinklers were distributed around the garden, currently in operation, forming a fine watery veil that covered the flower beds, reflecting small rainbows here and there from the sunlight.
Entering through the castle doors, the interior was furnished in luxurious European style, with a winding grand staircase, an entire wall of bas-relief, huge crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and arched bay windows on all four sides. White lace curtains fluttered in the sea breeze coming through each window, beyond which could be seen the deep blue ocean.
Passing through the long corridor lined with paintings and carpeted floors, she reached the other side of the castle, overlooking the rose garden she had passed earlier. The fairy tale scene of a princess gazing out her window at a sea of roses was perfectly reproduced before her eyes.
What could this be if not a princess' castle?
Zhong Ruanxing couldn't help but turn to look at the man who had been following her. "Song JinXing."
He raised a brow. "Hmm?"
Zhong Ruanxing said, "I didn't know you harbored a princess dream in your heart."
She had never lived in such a castle herself! Why didn't he tell her earlier that he owned an island and a castle like this? If she had known, she would have made sure to come live here and fully enjoy the princess life!
Song JinXing seemed to guess her thoughts and chuckled lowly. "I bought the island recently." Zhong Ruanxing blinked. Hearing him say, "It was called Ai Ou Island before I bought it."
Was he answering her previous question?
Zhong Ruanxing keenly felt her own violent heartbeat, while he stood just three steps away watching her, his pitch black eyes even more profound than the sea, as if harboring endless emotions that awaited her to make the first move to come gushing out.
Zhong Ruanxing suddenly felt a little panicked.
No, no! The timing isn't right! The location isn't right either! It can't be now, not when she's participating in a dating show! She left home this morning still single. If she went back with a boyfriend tonight, she wouldn't know how to face the production team and male guests.
Zhong Ruanxing avoided his burning gaze a little guiltily and asked dryly, "Oh, why did you suddenly decide to buy an island?"
Seeing her evasive posture, Song JinXing smiled helplessly without pushing her further. His tone was light but his words almost made Zhong Ruanxing lose her composure: "You came to such a distant place alone to participate in a show. I was worried."
Her heart thumped wildly. She felt Song JinXing was being exceptionally aggressive today.
Could it be that he was provoked by the last two days of filming?
Thinking this, she also felt a little happy and smug.
So he wasn't indifferent to her participating in a dating show after all.
Her feelings all this time didn't seem to be one-sided?
Wait, she hadn't gotten his meaning wrong, had she?
It was what she thought he meant, right?
Should she ask for clarification? But what if she did and he nodded, she wasn't prepared yet!
Song JinXing just watched the person before him turn apprehensive, hesitant, and doubtful in quick succession, with particularly lively changes in her expression.
He was genuinely amused, laughing so heartily that his chest trembled.
The sunset gradually slipped beneath the sea's surface. Its glow filtered through the rose garden, the fragrant breeze brushing past their sides. He laughed with such authentic joy and vitality in that breeze, finally no longer the Song JinXing who had once been as lonely and cold as a statue.
Zhong Ruanxing was a little embarrassed at first, but seeing him laugh with such delight, she couldn't help feeling happy for him too.
His illness should have improved compared to before, right?
Now that he had warmth, he could also feel the warmth of this world.
Song JinXing suddenly reached out to brush the strands of hair at the corners of her eyes, his brows and eyes radiating joy. "I had the steward prepare a seafood feast. Let's go."
From arriving on the island yesterday until now, she had either eaten instant noodles or bread. Hearing that a seafood feast awaited, Zhong Ruanxing immediately perked up. "Let's go, I'm starving!" She thought the scene was amazing. "Song JinXing, you even have a steward? That Frenchman from earlier?"
He smiled and nodded. "The previous owner hired him as steward of the island. After I bought this place, I rehired him."
The castle dining room was also as imagined, with a long table draped in white silk, candlesticks and dishware arranged on top. Right beside the table was a series of arched bay windows that took in the sea view.
Seeing the table spread with delicious seafood, she suddenly recalled, "I lost my filming crew. If I don't go back soon, the production team will worry, right?"
Song JinXing pulled out a chair for her. "I've already contacted the director. They know you're here with me."
Only then did Zhong Ruanxing relax, sitting down eagerly. "Then let's dig in!"