Protoganist's Sidekick Fights Back-Chapter 18: His Confession

Bai Yunxi had spent the entire day waiting for Su Kang, her mind restless with unease.

The sun had long dipped below the horizon, and the evening air carried a quiet stillness. Yet, he was nowhere to be found.

Her thoughts churned with uncertainty. Had she said something to upset him? Had she unknowingly pushed him away?

She sat with the children in the bamboo hut, trying to keep them company, but her mind wandered. Their laughter and chatter felt distant, like echoes from another world.

Then, a knock at the door. Sharp. Unexpected.

Startled, she rose quickly and hurried to open it.

Su Kang stood before her, his familiar, calm smile instantly easing the tightness in her chest. Relief swept over her, but it did little to quiet the lingering anxiety.

"You're back," she said, her voice carrying restrained emotion. But as her worry resurfaced, her tone hardened slightly.

"Where did you go without telling me anything?"

"I had something to retrieve," he answered evenly, stepping inside. His dark eyes met hers with quiet assurance.

"It was quite far from here."

With deliberate care, he unwrapped a bundle of white cloth cradled in his arms. Bai Yunxi's brows knitted together as she took in the sight.

"What is this?" she asked softly, suspicion laced with curiosity.

Su Kang's voice dropped, his tone steady but filled with quiet reverence.

"Your father's remains," he said.

"Only a single bone survived."

Her breath caught. A tremor ran through her body.

For a moment, she was utterly still, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Yet, she did not doubt him—not for a second.

Wordlessly, she turned and hurried away to find her mother.

Moments later, Bai Yunxi returned with Madam An by her side. Su Kang stepped forward, presenting the remains with the same solemn respect.

The older woman's hands trembled as she accepted the bundle, cradling it as though it were the most precious treasure in the world.

Tears fell, silent at first—grief raw and piercing. But within that sorrow, a glimmer of relief surfaced.

Understanding the sacredness of this moment, Su Kang quietly stepped outside, leaving the mother and daughter to their privacy.

Outside, the children lingered, their wide eyes filled with curiosity. Before they could speak, Old Man He appeared, his face flustered.

"Go somewhere else," he muttered, hastily ushering them away. Though Su Kang showed no sign of displeasure, the old man dared not risk offending him.

Some time later, Bai Yunxi called Su Kang back into the hut.

Madam An, now composed, stood to greet him. She stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Young Master Su," she said, her voice steady yet overflowing with gratitude.

"My daughter has told me everything. You have done more for us than I could ever repay. Please, call me Madam An."

Su Kang returned the bow with a respectful nod.

"Madam An," he acknowledged, his voice calm.

"There's no need for such formality. You may simply call me Su Kang."

His humility was disarming, the sincerity in his words easing the last traces of tension in the air.

Bai Yunxi watched the exchange in silence, an unfamiliar warmth spreading in her chest.

The three sat together for a while, sharing tea and quiet conversation. Madam An spoke of her late husband—memories tinged with sorrow, yet warmed by love.

She recounted their struggles, the hardships they endured, and the sacrifices made to survive.

Su Kang listened attentively, his expression calm yet thoughtful. Occasionally, his gaze drifted toward Bai Yunxi, but he said nothing about her.

Eventually, Madam An excused herself, leaving the two alone. A brief silence stretched between them before Bai Yunxi spoke, her voice soft yet steady.

"I don't know how to thank you," she said, lowering her head.

"You reunited me with my mother... and now, you've even returned my father's remains. I can never repay such kindness."

Su Kang smiled faintly.

"You owe me nothing," he said.

"But if you truly wish to repay me, answer one question."

Bai Yunxi blinked, caught off guard.

"What question?" she asked, curiosity flickering in her gaze.

"Are you at peace now?" Su Kang's voice was gentle, yet it carried weight.

"Has the burden on your heart lightened?"

For a moment, she was stunned. Such a simple question, yet it struck deep.

Then, a smile broke across her lips, followed by a soft, unexpected laugh.

"Yes," she admitted. "Much lighter."

Her laughter surprised Su Kang, though it was not unwelcome. He had never seen this side of her before—a glimpse of unguarded joy.

"Then my efforts were not wasted," he thought.

Without asking anything more, he quietly finished his tea and the remaining snacks.

"I'm going to the city. Do you want to come with me?" he asked.

Bai Yunxi hesitated for only a moment before nodding.

"Alright. I'll let my mother know first."

After informing Madam An, she returned, and together they left the village.

Su Kang carried Bai Yunxi through the air on a wave of qi, their figures gliding across the sky. For Bai Yunxi, it was her first time flying, and the sensation left her breathless.

The setting sun painted the horizon in brilliant hues of orange and red, casting a golden glow over the rolling hills below. Shadows stretched long over the land, and the wind carried the crisp scent of dusk.

"Beautiful," Su Kang murmured, his voice low.

Bai Yunxi turned, expecting him to be admiring the scenery. Instead, she found his gaze fixed solely on her.

The wind played with her dark hair, making it flow like silk against the fading light. Her white robes fluttered gently, bathed in the warm glow of sunset.

A faint flush crept up her cheeks, but she did not look away.

Su Kang said nothing, nor did she. But in that quiet moment, an understanding passed between them.

Once in the city, Bai Yunxi busied herself selecting gifts for the children and Old Man He, wanting to express her gratitude before leaving. Meanwhile, Su Kang turned his attention to something else.

"Your mother's wooden leg is crude and uncomfortable," he told her. "Spiritually crafted tools would be far more suitable."

Bai Yunxi agreed, and after some searching, they found a craftsman capable of creating a spiritual prosthetic. It would take two days to complete.

As night fell, they left the bustling streets behind, the city lights fading into the distance. The moon hung high, casting silver light over the quiet hills.

Mid-air, Su Kang suddenly stopped.

"Bai Yunxi."

Hearing her name spoken in such a way, her heart skipped a beat. She turned to face him, an unexplainable anticipation tightening in her chest.

Su Kang descended into a secluded clearing, bathed in moonlight. She followed, landing softly beside him.

For a moment, he simply looked at her, his expression calm yet serious.

"At first, I only admired you," he said quietly.

"But the more I looked at you, the more I realized—"

He took a step closer.

"You are someone I truly like."

His voice was unwavering.

"I want to make you happy. I want to show you the world and share its beauty with you. You have carried burdens for so long... but you don't have to anymore."

"Li Fang is safe. There is no longer any danger. You and your family—" he paused, his gaze deep and intent, "—are no longer alone."

"I want to be the one to carry your worries from now on. I want to give you the happiness you deserve."

Then, softer—

"Bai Yunxi, I love you."

His words were raw, sincere, unguarded.

Bai Yunxi stood frozen, her heart hammering against her ribs. Tears welled in her eyes as emotions swelled, threatening to overflow.

"I..." She swallowed, her voice unsteady.

"I've thought about this before... but I was afraid. My situation... it always troubled me."

"But after meeting my mother, I realized something."

She lifted her gaze, eyes shimmering.

"You will do anything to make me happy."

Her voice trembled as she continued.

"I don't know how you found my mother or even my father's remains... but even this kindness is something I can never repay in this life."

"I don't know what good karma I did to deserve you."

Su Kang stepped closer.

"You owe me nothing," he said firmly.

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"You are not a burden—you are a blessing."

She hesitated.

"But... I'm not young anymore. My beauty will fade."

"Then I'll help you cultivate," Su Kang replied without hesitation. "Age means nothing to me."

"What if others mock you? What if your family disapproves?"

"No one would dare," he said calmly. "My family is different from the rest. As long as we give them a successor, they won't care."

"And... what if Li Fang resents me?" Her voice cracked, tears finally spilling over.

Su Kang reached out, gently wiping them away.

"He loves you more than anyone," he reassured her.

"He has seen your suffering. He will understand—I'll make sure of it."

Now standing directly in front of her, Su Kang slid his arms around her waist, pulling her into a warm embrace.