Reborn Into A New Life, Everyone Loves Me Now (GL) - Chapter 21
But A’Li had no heart for this now. At this moment, all she wanted was to leave Su Qishi’s presence as quickly as possible. Suddenly, from not far away, a voice sounded—one she would never forget in this lifetime. Then a flash of red entered her vision.
Her fair, jade-like hands turned flushed with crimson as she tightly wrapped her arms around Su Qishi’s nape, drawing their bodies even closer.
Su Qishi’s eyes turned bloodshot, her breathing heavy as she struggled to restrain herself.
A’Li twisted slightly, her slender waist subtly moving, and her captivating eyes filled with a hint of irritation—as if silently questioning why Su Qishi wasn’t taking the next step.
A faint heat rippled through Su Qishi’s lower abdomen, and her hand began to move, slowly sliding downward. Her fingertips traced over A’Li’s skin, feeling her gentle tremble beneath her touch.
Suddenly, A’Li let out a soft gasp—and then lost consciousness.
Only then did Su Qishi rise, exhaling deeply as she reached up to pat her flushed cheeks.
She mouthed silently: Good thing I held back… that was close.
A’Li’s thoughts drifted back, her heart filled with not just shame and frustration, but also a touch of worry.
Does A’Shi not want me anymore? Is she no longer attracted to me… or has she fallen for another woman?
Just then, Su Qishi asked softly, “A’Li, are you angry because I didn’t come find you?
A’Li shook her head slightly.
Su Qishi frowned and continued, “Or was it because you woke up that morning and didn’t see me?”
A’Li flushed with embarrassment and snapped, “Neither!”
Every question Su Qishi asked missed the mark.
What A’Li truly wanted to ask was—why did she knock her out at that moment? But it was too shameful to voice, and she didn’t know how to say it.
Everything in her expression and posture was silently urging Su Qishi: Ask me. Ask me now.
Su Qishi seemed to understand the look in her eyes. She lowered her head and smiled faintly.
“A’Li, I truly can’t guess. Will you tell me?”
A’Li’s cheeks turned crimson. She realized Su Qishi was playing dumb on purpose, teasing her. She raised a delicate fist and lightly punched Su Qishi’s chest, her touch soft and feathery. Su Qishi clutched her chest in mock pain and murmured, “A’Li… that hurts.”
Of course, A’Li knew her punch couldn’t hurt Su Qishi in the slightest, but for a moment, she still panicked.
Immediately, she supported Su Qishi, her voice filled with concern. “A’Shi, are you alright? Does it still hurt?”
Seeing her flustered, Su Qishi decided not to tease her anymore. If A’Li started crying, it would be difficult to soothe her.
Su Qishi straightened up, took A’Li’s hand, and led her to the main seat. With a gentle tug, A’Li ended up seated right on Su Qishi’s lap. Su Qishi’s strong arms wrapped around her slender waist. A’Li reached up and gently caressed Su Qishi’s cheek, tucking the loose strands of hair behind her ears, her gaze filled with deep affection as if engraving Su Qishi’s face into her memory. In her eyes flickered a joy that could only come from regaining something once lost
Then Su Qishi said warmly, “It doesn’t hurt—I was just teasing.”
A’Li huffed softly, her cool voice laced with tenderness. “You’re so annoying.”
Su Qishi raised her eyes to meet A’Li’s gaze, her eyes glimmering like countless stars.
“A’Li, these days in the palace as a companion reader must’ve been hard on you.”
A’Li shook her head slightly. “It wasn’t hard. Everything is difficult… except not being able to see A’Shi—that’s the hardest part.” Her beautiful eyes were sincere, without a trace of falsehood.
Su Qishi paused for a moment, lowering her gaze to hide the complexity in her eyes. For a brief moment, she felt herself slipping again.
“A’Li, do you truly want to marry me?”
A’Li frowned slightly and replied without hesitation, “Of course. I never want to be separated from A’Shi, not in this lifetime.” She leaned her head against Su Qishi’s shoulder and muttered, “So when will A’Shi petition His Majesty to let us marry sooner?”
At her words, fragments of the past life flickered in Su Qishi’s mind. In the previous life, she had begged desperately, yet could never win A’Li’s heart. But in this life, her indifference had drawn A’Li ever closer. What had changed so drastically between the two lives?
“A’Li, don’t be impatient—”
Before she could finish, A’Li interrupted her in a soft, flustered voice, “I’m not impatient.”
How could A’Shi say I’m impatient? That’s so unseemly… But then she remembered all the advice her mother had given her, and realized she had long since forgotten it all when it came to Su Qishi.
Su Qishi chuckled, “Yes, yes. I misspoke. A’Li is definitely not impatient.” Her tone was neutral, but the smile in her eyes made A’Li blush furiously.
Then, as if casually, Su Qishi asked, “A’Li, do you want to be Empress?”
At those words, A’Li froze. Then she buried her head deep in Su Qishi’s chest and mumbled,
“I only want to be A’Shi’s wife.”
Hearing A’Li’s resolute and sincere answer, Su Qishi was momentarily stunned. After a pause, she changed the subject and said gently, “A’Li, I’ve just acquired a new colt. Would you like to come see it?”
A’Li nodded, “Alright.”
At the stables, Su Qishi held the reins in one hand and A’Li’s hand in the other.
A’Li’s interest was immediately piqued by the small colt. “A’Shi, does it have a name?”
Su Qishi replied, “Yes.”
“What’s its name?”
“New Life.”
A’Li softly repeated the name, “New Life…” Then, with curiosity, she asked, “Why did you name it that?”
A’Li gently stroked New Life’s ears, smiling softly. “The rising sun—like the first beam of light piercing the darkness. It’s a wonderful name.”
Su Qishi’s heart stirred with countless thoughts, her tone slightly heavy, “Is it?”
A’Li returned to Su Qishi’s side, taking her hand firmly. “Of course. It’s truly a beautiful name.”
After walking several laps around the grounds with New Life, Su Qishi found an excuse to part ways with A’Li and headed toward the examination hall, timing it perfectly.
Inside the carriage, Su Qishi waited once more. When Shen Wang emerged from the exam hall, he walked straight to the carriage.
Su Qishi greeted him, “Mr. Shen, you look quite spirited. Does that mean you’re confident?”
Sitting across from her, Shen Wang responded gently, “Miss Shi, please don’t tease me.”
Su Qishi chuckled lightly, “I sincerely hope you achieve your wish, Mr. Shen.
Shen Wang smiled back, “Then I’ll take that as a blessing from Miss Shi.”
Their exchange was natural, like old friends who had known each other for years. Any prior unfamiliarity had long since disappeared.
However, at the corner of the bustling street, a figure in an orange gown stood in silence. From the moment Shen Wang entered the carriage, her eyes dimmed.
Su Qi caught the change, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes. He leaned in and said quietly,
“Miss Gu, did you see? After your falling-out with your dear friend, she turned around and got cozy with someone else—completely forgetting about you. Tell me, is such a person still worthy of your friendship?”
Gu Congran’s grip on the wall tightened, her fingers turning pale. Yet her voice remained calm, “Prince Chen, surely this isn’t the only reason you summoned me here today?”
Su Qi smiled, a hint of righteousness in his tone. “I simply didn’t want you to remain in the dark, that’s all!” He made it sound as though he was standing up for her.
Gu Congran’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if she truly believed Su Qi had her best interest in mind. “Then, Prince Chen, what do you suggest?”
Su Qi’s smile deepened, his tone confident. “Miss Gu, the most important thing between friends is trust. My royal sister doesn’t trust you—but I do. I believe if you and I work together, we can achieve great things! In the end, Su Qishi will regret not trusting you.”
Gu Congran looked at him with a half-smile, her words slow and clear. “Even if Su Qishi and I are no longer friends, I would never harm her.” Then, turning to Su Qi, she said coldly, “Prince Chen, you’d best find a more suitable ally. You and I—we will never be friends.” With that, she turned and walked away.
Su Qi stared at her retreating figure, the malice in his eyes no longer hidden.
Morning.
A gentle breeze blew, carrying a touch of chill.
Inside Cining Palace, A’Li sat gracefully in a chair, her every gesture elegant and composed. The cold, distant aura she naturally exuded had only grown stronger.
Seated opposite her was the one person she least wanted to see—Su Qi.
With a faint smile, Su Qi wore the mask of a refined gentleman. “Is Mother’s headache feeling any better?”
Xiao Yue replied, “Much better. Thanks to your snow lotus, I no longer suffer daily from the pain.”
Su Qi’s eyes softened with feigned concern, “I’m glad I could ease your burden, Mother.”
A’Li watched this display of supposed motherly affection with quiet disdain. One would think they were truly mother and son.
Suddenly, Xiao Yue spoke, “Li’er and my son are close in age, aren’t they?”
Su Qi replied warmly, “Mother, I’m four years older than Miss Liu.”
Xiao Yue turned the prayer beads in her hand and said casually, “Four years is perfect—a well-matched age.”
Joy flickered across Su Qi’s face. He glanced at A’Li, who remained silent, then added with feigned regret, “Mother jests. Miss Liu is already engaged to Royal Sister.”
Xiao Yue snorted coldly, “She’s still young, her mind unsettled. I fear she might suffer if this continues.” She turned to A’Li, her tone shifting, “I believe Li’er is better suited for my son.”
A’Li could no longer sit still. She knelt, her voice calm and unwavering, “This humble woman’s heart belongs to Prince Yue. I respect Prince Chen as a brother, but have no romantic feelings for him.”
Xiao Yue’s expression didn’t change. She instructed Su Qi to help A’Li up.
As Su Qi reached out, A’Li swiftly rose and stepped aside, deliberately avoiding his touch. Her blatant evasion caused Su Qi’s face to darken.
A’Li said coldly, “Thank you, Prince Chen.”
Su Qi forced a laugh, awkwardly withdrawing his hand. Does she think I’m some kind of monster? What did Su Qishi feed her to make her so obsessed?
Xiao Yue noticed everything, her sharp eyes narrowing. She placed a hand to her forehead. “Enough. I’m tired. You two may leave.” Then in a tone that allowed no refusal, she added, “Son, escort Li’er back to her manor.”
The message was clear.
A’Li’s eyes grew cold. She bowed, “Farewell, Your Majesty.”
Su Qi’s lips curled into a sly grin as he gestured politely, “Miss Liu, this way, please.”
On the streets, A’Li walked alongside Su Qi, her mind racing. Why is he walking me home? The answer became clear soon enough.
She remained expressionless, keeping pace beside him amid the bustle of street vendors and lively crowds. But her only wish was to leave Su Qi’s side as quickly as possible.
Suddenly, from ahead, a voice rang out—a voice she would never forget. In the next instant, a flash of red entered her sight, accompanied by a figure in pale blue.