Hello, Arknights

Chapter 420 "The Platinum Knight"

Before leaving, Ling asked Daphne to confirm that El was still in the village. After thinking for a moment and asking Platinum for her opinion, Ling decided to walk.

"You have a lot of stuff. Are you sure you're okay carrying all that stuff back home?"

“I was once an elite soldier,” Platinum snorted, glancing at him. “Besides, can’t you be a little more considerate of the ladies?”

“Our Ms. Xintleya is not just a pretty face,” Ling said with a grin, though he was just saying it casually; he would naturally carry more of the things when the time came.

“If I’m in a good mood, I might be able to get some for you—” Platinum suddenly realized something was amiss and asked in confusion, “Wait, the town and Lagon Village aren’t far apart, what are you asking?”

“It seems like we didn’t have enough fun at the mall the other day,” Ling said with a smile, raising an eyebrow. “We went to Caraton first, and Mr. Grant helped us call a car and arranged a time for us to be picked up.”

"Hey, you already have a car, so why are you asking me about carrying things..."

"Just kidding," Ling Dengxian said, stepping back slightly. "Don't always be so quiet. People who don't know you might think you're a mature, sophisticated woman."

"...So what department do you think I am?" Hinterlea didn't rush to catch up, but followed the topic he had brought up and asked, her eyes already looking at the branches of the tree beside her.

"In terms of physique, she's got a promising future—"

The girl had already found a branch she liked, broke it off, and threw it out with her bare hands like an arrow.

……

Bai Jin's condition for forgiving him was that he must not let go of her hand for the entire afternoon. Ling hesitated for a moment before taking her soft, white hand in his. After a brief moment of feeling each other's warmth and touch, Hinterlea revealed a satisfied smile. She moved closer, completely unconcerned about the stares of others.

Regardless of her words or actions, Bai Jin made no attempt to conceal her intentions, yet at the same time, she held back for the sake of her self-respect and self-love. Ling Dengxian sensed the courage and unwillingness pulsating in the air and, not wanting to be tactless, brought up topics she didn't want to hear. He let her lead him deep into every shopping mall in Caraton, touching every bit of pleasure. The path they walked was sprinkled with lively fragments of surprise, and Hinterlea's flawless smile, accompanied by her crisp and melodious laughter, remained in his heart.

"If you like it, let go and try on this dress first. You'll get double the money back next time." Ling Dengxian was "laden with items." During this time, the two of them stopped and bought things they needed from their list, but most of the items were still under Bai Jin's name.

Right now, Kuranta, dressed in white, was carefully examining a beautiful white dress. Upon hearing this, she twitched her ears but remained unmoved: "I like promises that are kept, because that way they don't lose their original meaning."

"Even if you're guaranteed to make a 100% profit, you're still not willing?" Ling Dengxian moved closer so she could see the dress more clearly.

"Then would you dare go into the changing room with me? It's a guaranteed profit, you know." Platinum rolled her eyes at him. "If you have any doubts about this, shut up!"

"Alright, alright, then it's a pity I won't have the chance. I really don't dare," Ling Dengxian said with a dry laugh.

"...Are you afraid of bagpipes, or Texas?" Platinum's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes flickered slightly.

“I’m afraid of everything.” Ling Dengxian didn’t hesitate much; once he realized his thoughts, he was very frank.

“…Please wrap this one up for me too.” Platinum didn’t continue the conversation immediately, but instead turned to the receptionist and informed her of her decision, “He’ll pay.”

The receptionist, who had been listening with a gossipy eye for a while, was disappointed that she hadn't heard any more details, but her excellent professionalism still allowed her to quickly complete the order for the customer.

Bai Jin didn't say anything more, only indicating that she had bought everything she wanted. Ling Dengxian looked at the list and saw that everyone had everything they wanted, so it was time to say goodbye to this shopping time.

Bai Jin glanced at the sky. Although it wasn't evening yet, he let go of Ling Dengxian's hand and walked ahead of him alone, his mind heavy with thoughts.

"When do you plan to go to Lin Guang's house?" Ling Dengxian suddenly asked.

He hadn't forgotten his promise to Maria to bring Platinum to apologize and make amends.

"I...I'm mentally prepared, I can do it anytime." Bai Jin turned around, her long hair fluttering in the wind, a few strands of white hair brushing against her cheek. She reached out and tucked the fluttering hair behind her ear. Backlit, he couldn't see her gaze.

"...Once we've finished doing these things one by one, our noteworthy interactions will end here, right?" The wind was still blowing, and he couldn't hear the emotions in the girl's voice.

"That's going too far. We're friends, after all—"

"Do you think I just want to be your friend?" Hinterlea threw down her shopping bag, stepped forward, grabbed his collar, and her eyes flashed with emotion that held no restraint as she accused him of favoritism.

"Your every word and action clearly admits that you like both bagpipes and Texas, so why am I the only one who can be friends?!" Platinum rammed into his chest forcefully, but the man carrying all his gear just swayed and silently stopped.

"...I know I'm just a soul that you unilaterally saved, and you only feel guilty for approaching me with impure motives, but...do I really have no charm at all?" Platinum raised her face, tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice choked with sobs.

The face before him overlapped with the face that had handed him an umbrella on the street in Kazimierz that day when he was feeling down. His heart jolted. This was not a one-sided rescue. Bai Jin had mentioned too much, which led him to believe that was the case, and he thought that his memory was multiplying and growing.

"Then why do you call yourself the Platinum Knight... I really... really hoped to be the knight who would save me... Please don't let me leave..."

"If I can't express my love, staying by your side as a friend will only be hell."

Ling put down the shopping bag in his hand, gently put his arm around Bai Jin's arm, reached out and stroked the girl's trembling head. After a long silence, he sighed and spoke softly:

“You are a proud and independent girl, and you know my situation. This shouldn’t be a love that’s taken for granted. For your own good, even if I am really moved, I can only hide my feelings deep in my heart and suppress them at the bottom of my memory.”

A sense of desolation welled up in Ling Dengxian's eyes as he searched for the right words: "There are many things I'm not good at, especially interpersonal relationships. Today I disappointed Melanie, and Shuangye also criticized my arrogance. I don't want a situation like Provence to happen again..."

"Although you are no longer affected, I have never resolved the curse, and it will eventually return."

"I don't want to hurt the girl who makes my heart flutter."

Ling Dengxian was not a stone. Bai Jin's open love, smiles, expectations, and tears were all indelible scenes in his heart. After breaking free from her shackles, she was a typical girl brimming with youth, just like the girl he had hoped for.

The figure that once seemed unapproachable now requires him to cut it off again and again with a dull knife.

"……Do not."

Bai Jin took a deep breath, and before Ling Dengxian could hear her question clearly, she suddenly raised her head. The still dejected Ling was caught off guard and bumped his chin, letting out a cry of pain. Bai Jin hugged him and said, word by word:

"I'm not afraid."

"All I need is your support. I'm not afraid of curses, I'm not afraid of being hurt, and I'm not afraid of loneliness. As long as you acknowledge that you truly have me in your heart, I'm not afraid of any difficulties."

Kuranta, dressed in pure white, had a solemn expression, like a knight swearing an oath to him in reverse.

Ling was stunned, and his response faltered slightly: "But, what I like isn't just—"

"You just think you're not worthy of our affection. Frostleaf is right, you're really arrogant. Listen, you have no say in whether or not you're worthy of my love. I'm saying, you are! Do you understand, Platinum Knight?" Hinterlea released her grip, took a step back, and pointed her jade finger at him, undeterred and fearless.

"But I still don't know how this kind of feeling will end..."

“You can choose only one, and I will defeat them; you want to be a shameless person, and I will strive to become the one you love most, even if I come late, I will never let your future go.”

"I just don't want to let go."

In the distance, Rupert, the Earl's driver with exceptional hearing, was unsure whether he should appear at this moment, or whether he should report this to the Earl. This was the most conflicted moment of his life.

At that moment, he remembered that the butler had mentioned that the young lady was very interested in the legendary viscount's visit, and he felt it was necessary to report this.

……

Platinum originally wanted to visit El, the daughter of the former owner of the mansion, whom she longed for, to hear his thoughts on their story and to give herself some confidence.

But now that she has received the promise she wanted from Ling, she feels relaxed and no longer has this worry.

But Ling Dengxian still suggested going to take a look, so as to finish what he started.

"Sir, please take us to Lagon and the nearby towns again."

"At your service." The driver, Rupert, showed no unusual behavior that was not typical of a driver, even though he had just learned such a big story.