Otherworldly Companions: Every Handsome Man is Extraordinary

After a good night's sleep, the two were in much better spirits. Chen Xin started chattering away again, making arrangements for Jiang Yu to explore the territory, filling Jiang Yu's schedule to the brim.

Jiang Yu felt his friend's enthusiasm and did not refuse. Although he was a little tired at times, he had a great time.

Jiang Yu never brought up her friend's personal relationship again. Although they were good friends, there still had to be boundaries. Some things could only be addressed with well-intentioned reminders and suggestions.

During her stay here, Jiang Yu observed some of Chen Xin and her husband's living habits.

Chen Xin came over to stay with her for the past two days. The two of them chatted until very late at night, as if they had returned to the way they used to be when they were children, each staying at the other's house.

However, Chen Xin spent most of her time living with Zhong Qin, and only went to Gilbert's room one day.

Jiang Yu observed silently, thinking to herself, "No wonder Xiang Lan and Duvica have such strong opinions." However, since it involved personal feelings, Jiang Yu could only remain silent.

The air humidity in the Forest Empire is very high, and Jiang Yu feels that her skin has become better. She especially likes the faint fragrance of grass and trees in her breath, so sometimes she will sit for a while on the terrace surrounded by plants.

Today, too, Chen Xin's castle is built against a towering tree, very high up, with the highest terrace at the treetop, offering a distant view of the scenery.

Jiang Yu sat on the terrace, looking at the layered forest in the distance, feeling that her body and mind were being healed and cleansed.

Just moments ago, a brightly colored bird perched on a branch not far away, curiously tilting its head to look at her, occasionally letting out a few melodious chirps with rising tones, as if recognizing that she was not from the Forest Empire.

The wind blowing here is different from the salty, damp sea breeze of the Ocean Empire; it has a fresh scent of grass and trees that relaxes the mind and body.

Jiang Yu was immersing himself in the beautiful scenery with his eyes closed when he heard a low, pleasant laugh.

She suddenly opened her eyes and turned her head. Standing against a trellis of flowering vines was Zhong Qin.

Emerald vines twined around the flower trellis, bearing large, red blossoms. Petals fluttered down, some landing on the man's shoulders and in his hair, adding a touch of allure to his already captivating face.

“Lord Jiang Yu seems to really enjoy the scenery of our Forest Empire.” Zhong Qin brushed the petals off his shoulder, strolled over, and sat down in the chair next to Jiang Yu. “I’ve seen you sit here more than once.”

What did he mean by that? Jiang Yu was puzzled by this attention, but he didn't show it on his face: "The scenery here is beautiful, and it's very different from the Ocean Empire. It's so beautiful that people don't want to leave."

Out of politeness, Jiang Yu looked at Zhong Qin as she spoke. Having gotten used to it over the past few days, she seemed to have developed a certain degree of adaptation and immunity to the other party's stunning beauty, and no longer had any absent-minded or stunned reactions when looking at him.

Jiang Yu saw him brush the petals off his shoulder and couldn't help but shift her gaze to Zhong Qin's head, where the petals were still intact.

"Is there something wrong with my head?" Zhong Qin noticed Jiang Yu's gaze and tilted his head slightly towards Jiang Yu. The two were sitting in adjacent chairs, and this movement practically brought his head right up to Jiang Yu's face.

Did he want her to remove the flower petals from his head? Jiang Yu smiled almost imperceptibly, lowering his eyes. Was this how he seduced Chen Xin?

Jiang Yu pretended not to see the man's movements, stood up and walked to the balcony railing. She turned around and said after getting a little distance away, "The exotic flowers and plants in the Forest Empire are very colorful. I often find leaves or petals stuck to my clothes and hair. I suppose you're used to it by now?"

Upon hearing her words, Zhong Qin paused, raised his slightly tilted head, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.

He sat there quietly watching Jiang Yu for a while before saying, "I've long heard of the immense power of the Jiang family in the Ocean Empire. The Jiang family's daughter is indeed extraordinary."

That means you understood what she was saying.

Jiang Yu smiled slightly: "You came all the way here to see me, surely not just to praise me alone."

Zhong Qin looked at Jiang Yu and smiled slightly. "Xin Xin trusts you a lot. Some of your words have had a great influence on her, and on me as well."

Oh, so they've come to demand an explanation.

“You’re quite direct.” Jiang Yu stopped looking at Zhong Qin and turned back to look at the scenery in the distance. “As a friend, I was just giving you some necessary hints. You’re overthinking it.”

"The more you value something, the more you think about it." Zhong Qin watched Jiang Yu's retreating figure, a slight regret creeping into his decision to approach her. He had assumed that since he and Chen Xin had become friends, their personalities and temperaments should also be similar...

"Xin Xin has started to consider your suggestions. Your suggestions have put pressure on her. As her friend, shouldn't you want her to be carefree and happy?"

“Carefree?” Jiang Yu chuckled. “That should be her carefree attitude after taking on the role of lord. Happiness has its limits and conditions.”

Jiang Yu turned to look at Zhong Qin again, "I would like to ask you a question: if you truly love her, why don't you consider her feelings?"

“Lord Jiangyu,” Zhong Qin composed himself and stood up, “Xin Xin must have told you about my background and origins. From your perspective, do you think those nobles would tolerate me?”

He gazed at the distant scenery for a while, the layers upon layers of green irritating him. He turned his gaze to Jiang Yu and asked, "Do you think it's lucky or unlucky for someone of my background, the son of a servant, to have such a face?"

Jiang Yu paused for a moment. She could understand Zhong Qin's meaning and believed that his extraordinary appearance must have come from many setbacks growing up, but at least for now...

“Xin Xin doesn’t care about your background or class. Since she loves you so much now, you should reciprocate.”

“You are a smart person. After all, she has already had three husbands. As a wife, she has to find a balance, not only for the sake of the marital relationship, but also for the sake of the relationships between the families behind these people.”

Jiang Yu thought for a moment and then advised, "I can understand your desire to hold onto Xin Xin tightly. You don't need to look at me like that. I'm not Xin Xin, and I'm an outsider with a clearer perspective."

"Xin Xin truly loves you. As for you, I don't believe you're completely driven by love without any ulterior motives. But as long as you don't hurt Xin Xin, none of this concerns me, and I won't interfere. But think about it carefully. Given Xin Xin's love for you, it's only natural for you to stay by her side. However, if you want it to last and have a smooth journey, you'll have to use your own brain."

“Lord Jiang Yu is a wise man.” Zhong Qin smiled. “It is my good fortune to meet Xin Xin, but I must seize this hard-won opportunity. Since Lord Jiang Yu has made his point clear, I am relieved.”

Zhong Qin turned to look at Jiang Yu: "It seems that Lord Jiang Yu really cherishes his friendship with our lord, otherwise he wouldn't be so open and honest with me."

“I’m glad you understand.” Jiang Yu returned the gaze earnestly. “If Xin Xin gets hurt, I won’t stand idly by.”

“I understand very well.” Having obtained the answer he wanted, Zhong Qin once again adopted his dashing demeanor. “Otherwise, I would have been eager to meet Lord Jiang Yu sooner, so that I could have left this forest empire that had caused me so much pain since childhood.”

Zhong Qin reached out and deftly removed the bright red petal from her hair. With a flick of her slender fingers, the forest breeze carried the petal down to the terrace. Zhong Qin lowered her eyelashes, her gaze silently following the petal into the distance.

"You are so rational. Fortunately, the lord is different from you, which is why I have a place to stay and don't become a plaything."

Jiang Yu looked up at Zhong Qin. He was indeed beautiful in every way. Whether it was his natural, elegant demeanor, his exquisitely sculpted features, or the captivating charm in his eyes, he was someone who could make people fall deeply in love with him and wish they could give anything to make him smile.

It's just that such beauty is hard to grow up in, just as he himself said, perhaps the Forest Empire gave him only bad memories.

Such beauty is far too dangerous. In this kind of society, to be able to protect oneself with such looks is no ordinary person.

Chen Xin was simply too caught up in the situation to see things clearly. Fortunately, Zhong Qin was grateful to Chen Xin. In Jiang Yu's view, gratitude might be more stable than love, and it might last longer.

For someone like Zhong Qin, gratitude may be more valuable than love.