062. Seeking the Reason, Speaking Frankly

Jing Qingxin, delighted, took hold of Gao Shen’s arm and asked with a playful smile, “Are you willing to call me by my name now?”

Ever since she stopped Gao Shen from calling her “comrade,” Jing Qingxin hadn’t heard him say her name again, and it left her a bit speechless. She thought her name sounded quite lovely! Yet, she couldn’t fathom why Gao Shen was so reluctant. In the end, she attributed it to the conservative mindset of this era, where strict boundaries between men and women were still observed. Perhaps, for them, addressing each other by name felt too intimate—especially for someone as disciplined as Gao Shen, a soldier to his core.

But at her words, Gao Shen was struck speechless. Was this really the time to discuss how she should be addressed?

Gao Shen pulled Jing Qingxin to sit by the bed, bypassing her question entirely. He pressed again, “What exactly happened? Why did it take you so long this time?”

A whole day and night—nearly twenty hours—had passed. Gao Shen calculated silently; he himself had waited for almost twenty hours, barely eating or drinking. Never had time felt so unendurable.

He couldn’t rest easy until he knew the answer. Even now, seeing her in front of him couldn’t dispel the worry gnawing at his heart.

Jing Qingxin sighed softly. “I don’t know what happened! The night before, I’d prepared everything as usual, but lying in bed, I just couldn’t shift into the transit state. I tried many times. Nothing worked.”

Gao Shen’s heart clenched. He gripped her hand, anxious. “Then how did you get here this time?”

“I’m not sure. I just suddenly appeared here. I hadn’t even realized what was happening when I saw you.” Jing Qingxin looked just as puzzled.

Gao Shen’s brows drew together, his gaze deepening. After a few seconds of silent thought, he asked again, “Tell me everything that happened before you crossed over. What were you doing? What did you say?”

At this, Jing Qingxin’s expression grew a touch embarrassed, her cheeks tinged with a peachy blush. “Right before I came, I was lying over my desk, crying. I thought I’d never be able to come again, so I felt really sad.”

Hearing she cried because of him, Gao Shen felt a pang of guilt, but even more, a surge of indescribable joy. He quickly suppressed the excitement. Right now, the priority was to find out what caused this anomaly—otherwise, what if it happened again?

“Anything else? Tell me in more detail,” he pressed, his tone serious.

Seeing his grave expression, Jing Qingxin became earnest as well, carefully recalling, “After dinner, I sat on the balcony for a while, then by my desk. I picked up a military book I bought for you and wrote something in it. Then, when I started to think I couldn’t come here, I lay on the desk and cried. Oh, and I was holding the old ink jade pendant in my hand at the time…”

“Anything else?” Gao Shen urged.

A thought flashed through Jing Qingxin’s mind. She stood up, excited. “Oh! I was reciting your name in my heart at that moment. And then I was here!”

Gao Shen listened to her account in silence, his mind swiftly piecing together the details with the instinct of a trained scout. Linking her experience with his own, a sudden notion struck him, though he wasn’t entirely certain.

Jing Qingxin watched his solemn face, not daring to interrupt, sitting quietly as he pondered.

Abruptly, Gao Shen returned to himself. He found Jing Qingxin gazing at him with wide, glistening eyes, wholly focused on him. His heart was instantly filled, overflowing with warmth. He spoke softly, “I can’t say for sure what caused this change, but I think I’ve figured out how you managed to come over this time.”

Jing Qingxin’s eyes shone as she looked at him, excitement in her voice. “Why? Before, I only crossed over in my sleep, but this time I was awake when it happened.”

“Right before you came, I was also holding my jade pendant—and I was calling your name in my heart. There’s a saying, ‘hearts in perfect harmony.’ Maybe, when we both held the ancient ink jade and called each other’s names at the same time, it triggered the crossing again,” Gao Shen stated quietly, his eyes lowered.

After he finished, neither showed any joy. Instead, both fell silent, the room growing so still it seemed even time had stopped.

A sudden rumble broke the silence.

Gao Shen flushed, pressing a hand to his stomach. Only then did he realize he hadn’t eaten all day—now, hunger gnawed at him with relentless insistence.

Jing Qingxin couldn’t help but laugh softly, breaking the heavy atmosphere. She smiled. “Your stomach is protesting? You haven’t eaten yet?”

“No, I forgot.” Gao Shen tried to maintain a calm, indifferent facade, replying in a low voice. He was too embarrassed to admit he’d gone all day without food waiting for her.

“Was it because you were waiting for me?” Jing Qingxin blinked playfully, her tone teasing, the hint of mischief unmistakable.

Seeing her smiling, Gao Shen’s face grew hot. He hadn’t expected such a direct question. Meeting her gaze with seriousness, he nodded. “Yes, I’ve been waiting since last night.”

Jing Qingxin was momentarily taken aback. She knew his personality was what would now be called “old-school official.” She’d only meant to tease him, not expecting him to admit it so frankly. The attempt to fluster him had only left her stunned.

She quickly recovered, a radiant smile blossoming on her face. In a gentle voice, she asked, “If I hadn’t come, would you have just waited like this forever?”

Gao Shen’s expression was earnest as he answered, “I don’t know. Perhaps.”

Though he said so, Gao Shen knew clearly in his heart that a woman named Jing Qingxin now resided there, filling it completely. His heart would only beat for her. If she could no longer cross over, he would wait for her—always.

Jing Qingxin’s bright smile made it clear she was content with that answer. Knowing his nature, she understood that his feelings were anything but shallow.

“I’ll go make you something to eat.” Remembering he hadn’t eaten all day, Jing Qingxin stood up at once and headed toward the kitchen.

But Gao Shen quickly caught her hand. “It’s late. Don’t trouble yourself. Some water and a few peach blossom cakes will do.”

“All right, I’ll get you some flower tea.” With that, Jing Qingxin walked into the main room.

At her bedside, she drew a packet of flower tea from the “Radiant Brocade.” Suddenly, she recalled the two hiking backpacks she’d packed before—she couldn’t help but feel vexed.

This time, she’d crossed over without any preparation, unable to bring anything. Gao Shen had already noticed her empty-handed arrival. If she took things out of the Radiant Brocade now, how could she possibly explain it?

Ah, Jing Qingxin sighed inwardly. It truly was a troublesome problem. She knew her feelings for Gao Shen and trusted his character, but this matter was so fantastical—how could she ever put it into words?

———Author’s Note———
Come, come, let’s discuss what should happen next! What do you all want to see?
Don’t just lurk—say something! Lurkers aren’t good kids!
This novel is first published by Xiaoxiang Academy. Please do not reprint!