Rebirth of a Nation's Darling – Prince Charming

He was sleeping very soundly. She could tell simply based on his breathing. Si Huang could not believe this. Shouldn’t someone like him be a light sleeper? So alert that the slightest brush of the wind or rustle of the grass would startle him? Si Huang’s eyes gradually sank as her sense of existence slowly slipped away while she quietly observed Qin Fan.

Once she lost this sense of amazement and her prejudice, she noticed all sorts of details about this man that she had never noticed before.

For example, this man seemed younger than the madman in her memories and was surprisingly handsome. His straight eyebrows were slanted toward his temples, and the hair above his temples was sharply outlined, as if it had been cut by a knife. The space between his brows seemed relaxed yet still gave off a sturdy air, although not as grand and majestic as when he had his eyes open—so much so that one felt too frightened to stare at him for too long. He had a high, straight nose and actually had a natural cupid’s bow, the kind that seemed to smile even when he wasn’t smiling. Si Huang was surprised. Not many people had noticed this, she thought, and it was likely that this man didn’t like smiling. This somehow ruined this attractive pair of lips.

Si Huang had never thought that she’d end up running into Qin Fan so soon or in this manner. She recalled her performance on Mount Early Dawn, then looked at Qin Fan, who was fast asleep, but did not feel afraid.

She was no longer the same gullible young girl who had just graduated and entered adulthood. Actually, after everything that she had experienced in her past life, she no longer feared Qin Fan. Especially after hearing all sorts of whispers about him from upper-class social figures, she really wasn’t afraid of him anymore. In fact, she felt a sense of reverence.

This man was a true soldier.

No matter how fierce or stubborn he was, he was much better than those fame-mongering, sanctimonious people who’d kill through smooth strategy. In contrast to the people who resorted to filthy tactics, her first meeting with him no longer scared Si Huang. Instead, it had become a part of her memories. Unfortunately, she had only met him that one time in the past. Their paths had never crossed again after that unforgettable event. He had lost his life a year before her death. Apparently, he had been killed on a mission overseas. Not even she had been able to uncover any further details.

Si Huang narrowed her eyes.

She hated a lot of people, but she did not hate Qin Fan, even though he had spurred the beginning of her tragic end. She used to be angry with him when she was much younger, but she had soon come to a realization later on. Everything had happened as a result of her own choices. She was the one who had failed to see things from a clearer perspective. She should be hating herself for her initial naivety and helplessness instead.

However, her lack of hatred did not mean that she would allow things to go with the flow. Initially, she had expected to meet Qin Fan more than a year later. Based on her plans, she would already have the ability to protect herself by then and would not be at Si Zhihan’s mercy again. This would also prevent her imperfect introduction to Qin Fan. Unfortunately, her plans had not aligned themselves with her changes.

“Your Highness! Your Highness!”

Wu Bao interrupted Si Huang’s thoughts.

Once she realized that she was still lying in Qin Fan’s arms and they were on the same bed, Si Huang knew that getting away from him should be her priority. She didn’t have time for further analysis.

She shifted a little, and the arms around her tightened their grip. Before she knew it, Si Huang was pressed even closer into his warm, broad chest. His warm body temperature and his powerful, beating heart were filled with an overpowering aura of masculinity.

Si Huang’s heart tensed up as well. She felt a jolt of electricity surging through her body. Although it wasn’t strong, it could not be dismissed. It was strange and exciting.

“Your Highness! Are you awake? I need to tell you something. It’s important!” Wu Bao’s tone was both excited and cautious.

“Hold on,” Si Huang answered it quietly in her mind. It was not that she didn’t want to listen to Wu Bao, but she needed to face the man before her, whose abstruse eyes were now suddenly wide open.

Qin Fan was awake.

He looked like a lion waking up from deep sleep. He might be inhibited by grogginess, but he was gradually recovering his majestic, beastly aura. He relaxed his shoulders. Just as Si Huang thought that he was going to release her, he held her tightly in his arms once again, holding her as if she were a large bolster. He coarsely nuzzled his head downward, brushing his stubble against Si Huang’s tender cheek. It felt ticklish yet scratchy. However, that was not the point. What was Qin Fan doing? She was reminded of a large dog. What was up with this sense of deja vu?

“What are you doing?” Si Huang asked after entering a short daze. Then, she pushed Qin Fan’s face away with both hands.

The rejected Qin Fan frowned. His expression turned cold in a second. His groggy gaze gradually sharpened. The beautiful woman’s face was imprinted in his dark eyes in no time. He raised his eyebrows, and his pupils dilated, looking full of vigor. Qin Fan narrowed his eyes and pulled the comforter away. “Are you feeling alright?” he asked Si Huang.

‘So, we’re just going to ignore whatever happened in this bed? So soon?’ Si Huang did not pursue the matter and got out of bed too. Her body’s recovery rate had probably received an upgrade too. The back of her head no longer hurt. “I’m fine,” she replied indifferently.

“Mm.”

Si Huang waited for him to continue his sentence, but Qin Fan began folding the comforter into the shape of a large piece of tofu with a calm look on his face. Si Huang felt surprisingly calm as she watched him fold the comforter into the perfect shape of a large piece of tofu with skilled, adept hands. She even stole a few casual glances at him. He seemed like a completely normal person from every angle.

Suddenly, Qin Fan turned around, locking eyes with Si Huang. Si Huang remained calm and did not avoid his gaze. “I suppose it’s expected of you to dress my wounds. After all, I was your victim, so I guess I shouldn’t have to thank you for this. If you’ll excuse me, I must take my leave.”

Qin Fan didn’t answer.

Si Huang took his silence as consent and turned around to open the door. Just as her hand touched the doorknob, she felt a gust of wind come from behind her. Si Huang instinctively turned around to retaliate.

Their arms molded into one with a bang. His metal-like grip made Si Huang frown. She lifted her gaze and shot Qin Fan a cold glare.

“What are you doing?”

“Continue.” Qin Fan stared at her.

‘I take back everything I said. This man isn’t normal. His insanity is absolutely beyond comprehension.’

Si Huang remained silent for two seconds. This man had witnessed her abilities in the forest anyway, so there was no need to hide. She felt mildly infuriated as she attempted to grab the doorknob again. As expected, Qin Fan caught her again. This time, she didn’t ask why. She immediately fought back.

The situation escalated to a sparring match. Soon, Si Huang realized that Qin Fan was simply defending himself and was not attacking. Otherwise, she would not have been able to withstand him for so long given the level of his abilities. Finally, Si Huang stumbled and landed with her back on the ground. Qin Fan knelt on top of her with one leg on either side of her waist and one knee against her lower abdomen, successfully restraining both her wrists with one hand.