Evan Xiao glanced at her, his expression downright scary.
Grace coughed lightly. "Fine, you're not petty—I'm the petty one!"
Evan Xiao stopped looking at her and picked up the teapot he’d nearly smashed, pouring tea for both of them.
Grace rested her chin in her hand, gazing at the tea. "Honestly, this is a long story... And even if I tell you, you might not believe me..."
Grace told Evan Xiao everything about their two lifetimes.
Of course, a person's life is so long, she couldn't possibly cover every detail—but she made sure he understood the main points.
She was reborn.
Henry Tuoba was reborn too.
Both of them were killed by Colin Gu.
"...So, I can't actually tell the future. I've just lived through it before, so I know when things will happen and how they'll play out..."
Evan Xiao listened intently, his brow furrowed.
"Do you believe me?" Grace asked. "The me you're seeing now is someone who's already died once."
Evan Xiao was silent for a moment before asking, "So, he's the only one who shares your past?"
Grace nodded.
"Twenty years?"
Grace nodded again.
Evan Xiao's grip on his teacup tightened.
He hadn't been part of those twenty years.
They belonged only to her and Henry Tuoba!
Suddenly, the teacup in his hand shattered, pieces scattering across the floor.
Grace shivered and quickly moved over to check his hand.
His hand was perfectly fine.
"I'm fine," Evan Xiao said, pulling his hand back. "I get it now. You can go."
Grace: "..."
"Go on!" Evan Xiao said, expressionless.
He couldn't pretend not to care.
But he didn't want Grace to think he was petty.
So all he could do was send her away, hiding his loss of composure.
Grace stood up.
She really was about to leave...
Even though he'd told her to go, seeing Grace actually leave made the burning frustration in Evan Xiao's heart flare up even hotter.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He could barely control himself.
He wanted to destroy Henry Tuoba, to wipe out everything that belonged to them!
Suddenly, something soft pressed against his lips.
Sweet, fragrant lips covered his.
He snapped his eyes open.
Grace sat on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
The fire in his heart was slowly extinguished by those soft lips.
Unconsciously, Evan Xiao hugged Grace tightly, responding fiercely, as if he wanted to devour her.
...
Outside, the oppressive black clouds gradually dispersed, and the sky began to clear.
Shang Zhi stared at the dazzling sunlight, his gaze icy cold.
...
Inside, Grace lay softly in Evan Xiao's arms and asked, "Do you believe what I just told you?"
Evan Xiao looked down at her. "I believe you."
"Why would you believe something so unbelievable?"
"Déjà vu."
"What do you mean, déjà vu?"
"The first time I saw you," Evan Xiao said. "It felt like déjà vu."
"The first time..." Grace tried to recall their first meeting.
It was her second month at the Blue Moon General’s Mansion.
Housekeeper Qin served Evan Xiao the tea she’d brewed.
Evan Xiao, rarely one to praise, actually complimented it, saying it was different from before.
Housekeeper Qin said it was made by the new maid.
Then Grace was summoned.
Grace carried a pot of tea in, greeted him, and set the tea before him.
At that moment, Evan Xiao looked up and glanced at her.
That was the first glance.
So ordinary it couldn’t be more ordinary.
"I got it!" Grace jumped up.
"Got what?"
"You fell in love with me at first sight!"
Evan Xiao: "No, I didn’t."
"You totally did!" Grace said. "Don’t even try to deny it!"
"You’re overthinking it," Evan Xiao replied calmly.