Chapter 237: Lucky Charm

The three of them looked at each other.

For a moment, none of them spoke, their expressions equally confused as if they were silently asking the same question.

’Am I the only one hearing that?’

Jiang Zhaoyuan was the first to look away. His gaze landed on Su Lian, who was still catching her breath, completely unaware of the strange silence surrounding her.

Then, another voice sounded inside their minds.

Why is everyone staring at me? Did I do something strange?

Wang Gege’s eyes widened even further.

Xie Rong’s brows furrowed.

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s expression became complicated.

The three of them exchanged another glance.

This time, there was no doubt.

They had all heard it.

Before any of them could say another word, Yun Ning hurried to Su Lian’s side, her expression filled with concern.

"Are you all right?!" she asked anxiously. "I really am sorry. I lost my footing just now. I didn’t mean to bump into you..."

Su Lian shook her head weakly. "It’s all right. I know you didn’t mean to."

Yun Ning sighed in relief and reached out to help her steady herself.

However, Jiang Zhaoyuan’s gaze remained fixed on Su Lian.

Because another thought had just entered his mind.

Su Lian once again noticed Jiang Zhaoyuan’s gaze on her.

’Why is he looking at me like that?! Is he angry? Did I do something wrong? No, no... I shouldn’t have come here. He must think I deliberately followed him here!’

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s brows twitched.

He had barely begun to understand this strange ability when another wave of panic came from Su Lian.

’What should I do? Should I apologize again? But I already apologized... What if he thinks I’m making excuses? I should leave. Yes, I should leave immediately.’

Su Lian lowered her head and instinctively took a small step backward.

Jiang immediately noticed.

"Wait."

Su Lian stopped.

Her body stiffened.

’He told me to wait?!’

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s expression became complicated. He suddenly understood why Su Lian had always been so nervous whenever he was around her. It was not merely shyness. She was genuinely afraid of him.

"You did nothing wrong," he said calmly.

Su Lian slowly raised her eyes. "Your Highness?"

"This prince was merely looking at you because..." Jiang paused.

How was he supposed to explain that he was staring because he could suddenly hear her thoughts?

Beside him, Wang Gege was already struggling not to laugh at his expression, while Xie Rong silently glanced at her as if warning her not to make the situation worse.

Jiang cleared his throat. "Because you nearly drowned twice today."

Su Lian blinked. "Ah... This one apologises for causing Your Highness to be in this mess. I mean..." She paused, realizing her words sounded wrong, before lowering her voice. "I’m sorry..."

She bowed her head, her fingers nervously tightening around the edge of her damp sleeve.

’Why did I say it like that?! Now it sounds like I caused trouble on purpose... What if His Highness really is angry?’

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s expression stiffened again.

He suddenly felt as though he had stepped into a situation he had absolutely no idea how to handle.

"No need to apologize," he said.

Su Lian slowly raised her head.

Jiang looked at her for a moment before adding, "You did not cause this prince any trouble."

’Really?’

Her eyes flickered with uncertainty.

He doesn’t look angry... Then why does he keep staring at me?

Jiang fell silent.

Wang Gege pressed her lips together, desperately trying not to react, while Xie Rong glanced at her with an amused expression.

The three of them had now learned something important.

Su Lian was not only able to make them hear her thoughts. Her thoughts were also far more revealing than anything she would ever say aloud.

Yun Ning glanced at Jiang Zhaoyuan before leaning closer to Su Lian, lowering her voice.

"You know His Highness doesn’t usually like people disturbing his private time..." she whispered. "But since you came all the way here, I’m sure His Highness wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of everyone."

Su Lian’s face paled. "I..."

Yun Ning gently squeezed her arm, her expression filled with concern.

"Just don’t make His Highness angry again. You know how he can be when his patience runs out."

Su Lian immediately lowered her head.

’I knew it... His Highness really is angry with me. I shouldn’t have come here. I always cause trouble whenever I’m around him...’

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s expression instantly changed.

His gaze slowly shifted toward Yun Ning as he wondered what she had said to Su Lian to make her think that way.

He had never told Su Lian that he was angry, yet she was already convinced that she had offended him.

Yun Ning, however, still wore the same gentle expression, as though she had done nothing more than comfort a frightened woman.

"Su Lian," she said softly, "you should apologize properly to His Highness. After all, he had to jump into the water twice because of you."

Su Lian’s face paled. ℯℯ𝑙.

"This one..."

’She’s right. His Highness had to save me twice because I was careless. I’ve already caused him so much trouble...’

"No." Jiang Zhaoyuan said firmly.

Su Lian’s eyes widened at his words.

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s expression remained calm as he looked at her. "You are this prince’s consort, so you are under this prince’s responsibility."

He then extended his hand toward her. "Come. Let’s go change your clothes."

"Ah..." Su Lian instinctively stepped forward, but she stopped when her eyes fell upon the hand he had offered.

Her fingers curled nervously at her sides.

’Can I really take His Highness’s hand?’

Jiang Zhaoyuan waited patiently.

When he noticed that she was staring at his hand without moving, his brows lifted slightly. "What is it?"

Su Lian immediately shook her head, and their eyes met once again.

’Oh no! Don’t look... don’t look...’

She quickly diverted her gaze, but the moment she did, another thought slipped out.

’His Highness is so handsome... Even with wet hair...’

Her cheeks slowly turned red.

Wang Gege and Xie Rong immediately turned away, unable to hold back their smiles any longer. Meanwhile, Yun Ning’s eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Su Lian’s flushed face.

Jiang Zhaoyuan, however, stood completely still.

For the first time since he had gained this strange ability, he found himself completely at a loss for words.

He glanced at his own wet hair before looking back at Su Lian.

’Why did I even think that?!’

Su Lian’s face grew even redder.

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s lips twitched.

"You can stop apologizing," he said calmly. "This prince isn’t angry with you."

Su Lian cautiously looked up at him.

Their eyes met again.

Ah! Why did he look at me again?!

Jiang Zhaoyuan immediately looked away.

Wang Gege covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking.

Xie Rong leaned closer to her and murmured, "Furen, control yourself."

"I’m trying," Wang whispered back, barely containing her laughter.

Yun Ning’s fingers tightened around the sleeve of her robe.

She looked at Su Lian’s reddened face, then at the hand Jiang Zhaoyuan had extended toward her.

A faint smile remained on her lips, but her eyes had become noticeably colder.

Jiang Zhaoyuan did not say anything more. He simply reached out, took Su Lian’s hand, and gently pulled her along.

Su Lian’s entire body stiffened.

’Ah calm down Su Lian, I know you are excited to hold His Highness’ hand...’

She lowered her head, her cheeks still burning as she quietly followed him toward the chamber.

Wang Gege and Xie Rong watched them leave, both exchanging a meaningful glance. Yun Ning remained where she was, her gaze following the two figures until they disappeared around the corridor.

Halfway to the chamber, a tiny red figure suddenly appeared beside Jiang Zhaoyuan.

Bibi was so small that no one else noticed it. It fluttered close to Jiang Zhaoyuan’s ear and whispered excitedly,

"Mission completed."

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s footsteps stopped for half a second.

Bibi’s tiny wings fluttered rapidly.

"You have found your female lead."

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s eyes widened.

He slowly turned his head toward Su Lian, who was still walking beside him, completely unaware of what had just happened.

His gaze fell on their joined hands. Then he looked ahead.

"Stat?" he muttered.

Su Lian, who heard him, turned to look at him. "Your Highness... are you talking to me?"

"No." He answered shortly.

Su Lian blinked and quietly followed him, while Jiang Zhaoyuan’s attention had already shifted to the system beside him.

Bibi fluttered beside his ear, its tiny wings beating rapidly.

A familiar translucent screen appeared in front of Jiang Zhaoyuan and only he could see it.

[CALCULATING MAIN CHARACTER INVOLVEMENT...]

[CURRENT MAIN CHARACTER PRESENCE: 33%]

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s eyes widened slightly.

"Thirty-three percent?"

Bibi nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Your involvement in the original storyline has increased significantly!"

Jiang glanced at Su Lian, who was still holding his hand as they walked toward the chamber.

"Nice progress..." He suddenly

stopped moving, causing Su Lian to stop too.

Then he leaned down to match her height and said, "Thank you my lucky charm!"