Chapter 268: The Cutest Girl
Su Xingqiao looked at Han Jing. Apart from some lingering anger, she displayed no other emotions akin to pain or inferiority. Clearly, she truly didn’t care about what happened. On the contrary, she appeared confident and optimistic, as if nothing could faze her.
Only then did he believe that she had truly changed.
When she was young, like him, she carried a certain sense of inferiority.
Even after he left the cold cage that was the Imperial Palace, there was a long period when he felt fear and humility in his heart. He was a Prince, yet one that people abhorred. He even doubted whether he should live in this world. At that time, he was still a child with many concerns, not knowing whom to confide in.
The emotions burgeoning in his heart, he had no idea how to vent them.
Until he met her, he knew her identity. She was merely the adopted daughter of his aunt, yet she was lavished with affection, more than a Princess in the palace ever was. She seemed proud and obstinate. Initially, he was envious yet somewhat disdainful.
But when he saw her being bullied and yet stubbornly holding back tears, refusing to tell anyone, he suddenly felt sorry for her. So, he asked her why she didn’t complain. He still remembers her words: "I don’t want others to know someone called me ugly!" At first, he didn’t understand and quietly told Aunt Xi that someone insulted Han Jing, which led Aunt Xi to harshly punish the maid who called her ugly, beating and selling her off. Because of this, Han Jing ignored him for days. When he sought her out, she still wouldn’t pay attention to him.
He finally couldn’t help but ask her why, after he’d helped her, she was still angry with him. Han Jing sat beside him, hugging her knees, lowering her head, and very sadly told him that she was very upset about those who called her ugly, but because she truly believed she was ugly, she couldn’t completely blame them. If she told Aunt Xi, those people would have been very miserable.
It was only then that he understood that the seemingly domineering Han Jing, who was willfully spoiled, was using it as a means to protect herself. In truth, she had a very kind heart. It was this kind heart that moved him, making him feel that, perhaps, his life wasn’t so terrible. There were still many good people and things in this world. Although he didn’t have a good childhood, the Imperial Uncle treated him like a brother and a father, and his aunt also took good care of him. Jing’er was also very lovable.
He started to feel that living wasn’t so sad after all.
He sincerely told her that her birthmark wasn’t ugly because she was the most adorable girl in the world. They became friends because of this. When the Imperial Uncle was not in the Capital City, he often came to play with her.
But he always felt sorry for her, hoping one day she could genuinely find happiness and no longer care about the flaws life had given her. Because whether beautiful or not, she was, to him and in his heart, the most adorable girl in the world.
Now, seeing her again, he finally saw the newfound brightness in her eyes. So even if she no longer remembers him, he is still happy and proud of her.
"Jing’er, since you are still willing to call me Brother Qiao, in the future, if you have anything, can you tell me? I will do my utmost to help you, and I won’t let anyone bully you."