Liu Zhenqing suddenly raised his head to look at Zhao Haicheng with an expression of shame, anger, and grievance, saying: “Lieutenant General Zhao, have you…..have you seen Captain Song?”

Zhao Haicheng was slightly taken aback: “I haven’t.”

Zhao Haicheng had not participated in what followed after, and stayed in Pingjin Square at that time. He tried to find an opportunity to steal the portrait, but the opponent was so skilled that he had no chance, so he had to give up and leave. He originally knew that the group would leave here in a carriage, and wanted to come over and inquire about the situation. In the end, he couldn’t catch them, but met Liu Zhenqing here. Although he hadn’t participated, he expected that Song Xingmu had gone to rescue Yi Chuan.

Judging from the look of Liu Zhenqing, Song Xingmu should have been with him before, and when he saw the distress signal, he went off to save that person and left Liu Zhenqing on the street.

Zhao Haicheng probed once again: “Was the carriage that passed by just now Captain Song’s?”

Liu Zhenqing knew that people like Zhao Haicheng must be very cautious, so he couldn’t tell a total lie. Half-truths were the easiest way to deceive people, so he pointed to the alley next to him and said: “I was initially all the way back in there, so I didn’t hear the sound of the carriage. But when I rushed over, he had already disappeared. Could it be that Captain Song was in the carriage? Then why didn’t he call me?”

Liu Zhenqing looked forward anxiously.

Zhao Haicheng said with a frown: “I just saw a carriage pass by, and I’m not sure. But you…..why is Young Master Huo in a dark alley?”

Liu Zhenqing trembled at the question. Zhao Haicheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, and his eyes flashed with a fierce light, but he froze in the next second.

Liu Zhenqing looked embarrassed, and his hands unconsciously grabbed the skirt of his clothes. As if he had a guilty conscience, two red spots showed on his snow-white cheeks.

“I…..we weren’t…..it was Captain Song who….who asked me to wait here…..”

Seeing that Liu Zhenqing looked like he was about to cry, Zhao Haicheng was stunned. His head buzzed, and he turned to look into the dark alley. Thinking of Song Xingmu’s reputation, he could already imagine what the two of them were doing there just now.

“You!” A burst of shock hit the pit of his stomach.

Liu Zhenqing trembled with fright, looking so humiliated that he wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground.

“How can you have so little love for yourself? I thought you were at least a dignified person. You…..” Zhao Haicheng scolded him angrily.

Liu Zhenqing lowered his head and complained internally, but slightly hunched his shoulders.

Zhao Haicheng thought of the portrait and looked at the person in front of him, feeling inexplicably disappointed and restless with anxiety.

“Young Master Huo, now that Captain Song has put you in such an embarrassing situation, you should know that in his heart, you are just a plaything.” Zhao Haicheng couldn’t help saying coldly, “Don’t keep making the same mistake.”

Liu Zhenqing thought he was pretty much done, and that it was enough to eliminate the suspicion in Zhao Haicheng’s mind. He didn’t want to be continuously scolded by a brat.

Liu Zhenqing raised his head and looked at Zhao Haicheng with a pair of fragile eyes that were pretending to be strong, saying: “Lieutenant General Zhao, please leave me alone.”

“You!” Zhao Haicheng hadn’t expected him to say this. He really wanted to turn around and leave him to his fate. “Why are you doing this?”

Liu Zhenqing was impatient. He really feared that if he said it was love, Zhao Haicheng would talk for half a day, so he said simply and directly: “Money.”

Zhao Haicheng instantly choked, looking at Liu Zhenqing as if his brain had shut down.

What was so surprising? Wasn’t money the simplest reason?

The more Liu Zhenqing thought about it, the more he felt that this excuse was very appropriate. “Five thousand taels of gold is nothing to Captain Song. I feel I can live a good life by following someone like this.”

Such a simple and unpretentious reason.

But Zhao Haicheng immediately felt offended and humiliated. The voice that had called out ‘five thousand taels’ indeed belonged to Song Xingmu. And five thousand taels of gold was something that he himself…..didn’t have.

As Liu Zhenqing spoke, he suddenly sensed a familiar gaze.

Liu Zhenqing took a peek and saw Er-gou crouched silently on the roof opposite, staring hard.

Because the building behind Zhao Haicheng was some distance away, Zhao Haicheng didn’t notice at all.

“Are you so…..vulgar?!”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth twitched. Why did this fellow look like he had failed his expectations, ah? Don’t place any weird assumptions on him, okay? After all, they weren’t at all familiar with one another. Liu Zhenqing truly felt that Zhao Haicheng’s expectations about him were baffling.

Liu Zhenqing pretended to be humiliated and donned an angry expression, but said: “That’s just how I am. Whoever can afford five thousand taels of gold, I will follow.”

Sure enough, the expression of Er-gou above was blank.

Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help laughing internally, not realizing that he had made Zhao Haicheng furious. The man reached out and grabbed his wrist, pulling him in forcefully. “You really are…..”

“Don’t!” Liu Zhenqing shouted at once, because he saw that Huo Fenglie seemed agitated by this action and was about to descend.

Liu Zhenqing found a gap to signal to Huo Fenglie not to approach. After all, Zhao Haicheng had seen Huo Fenglie’s portrait and would recognize him.

Zhao Haicheng was also startled by Liu Zhenqing’s shout, and realized that he had lost his composure.

He let go of Liu Zhenqing and looked at him with great disappointment. Unwilling to give up, he finally asked: “Since you only care about money, are you having a difficult time?”

Such persistence caused Liu Zhenqing to be surprised at the boy’s naivete. Liu Zhenqing made a show of being offended and refused to pay any attention to Zhao Haicheng.

Zhao Haicheng was even more disappointed. He was about to turn around and leave, but suddenly remembered something and said: “Who else was with you tonight? Was it Captain Song’s new bodyguard? Since Captain Song had something to do, why didn’t he have him send you off?”

Liu Zhenqing considered the intent behind Zhao Haicheng’s question. Based on what he had just overheard, it could be judged that the purpose of Zhao Haicheng’s group tonight was to deal with Yi Chuan. Zhao Haicheng must have said this because he was not present and didn’t know that Huo Fenglie had gone there too.

In other words, Huo Fenglie’s existence had been exposed. Only, not everyone knew who he was for the time being, and just thought he was a new guard hired by Song Xingmu.

Liu Zhenqing hesitated for a long time, and Zhao Haicheng couldn’t help but be suspicious: “What? You’re following Captain Song and you don’t even know who that person is?”

Liu Zhenqing gave Huo Fenglie a look and said: “How can I interfere with Captain Song’s affairs? It seems he’s felt unsafe recently and hired someone from the jianghu.”

Although Zhao Haicheng accepted this statement, he was a little concerned about Liu Zhenqing’s hesitation. However, he got on his horse without saying anything more.

Seeing that he was going to leave, Liu Zhenqing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he heard Zhao Haicheng speak again: “I’m afraid Captain Song won’t have time to return, so I will take you back to the inn.”

Liu Zhenqing looked at Zhao Haicheng expressionlessly, thinking: Will it never end?

Zhao Haicheng was initially very disappointed in Liu Zhenqing, but after mounting his horse, he saw that the surroundings were deserted. He was a lone, frail young master on the streets at night, and even just now, Song Xingmu had…..he was standing there so alone, and he knew that Song Xingmu had no time to care about his little lover at the moment. He still felt a little soft-hearted.

“No need,” Liu Zhenqing said in a clear voice.

In the end, Zhao Haicheng bent down and tried to grab Liu Zhenqing’s waist and force him onto the horse.

Liu Zhenqing was taken by surprise, and it was too late to retreat.

In the next moment, Zhao Haicheng felt a chill on his neck, as if the cold night air had condensed into an arrow that was shooting toward him.

In the blink of an eye, a person appeared behind Liu Zhenqing before the two of them could react.

Liu Zhenqing was already held in the arms of Huo Fenglie, who retreated three meters away.

Zhao Haicheng looked at them in astonishment. Liu Zhenqing quickly turned around, and was relieved to see that Huo Fenglie had put on a mask before coming down.

“Who are you? Let him go!”

Zhao Haicheng had only seen Huo Fenglie’s figure from a distance before, and didn’t recognize him immediately this time.

But when Huo Fenglie heard Zhao Haicheng say “let go,” he hugged Liu Zhenqing tighter in his arms. He gave Zhao Haicheng a look filled with killing intent, shocking him on the spot.

Liu Zhenqing hastily patted Huo Fenglie’s arm. If Er-gou was too obvious, Zhao Haicheng would have to be suspicious of their relationship.

Huo Fenglie was no fool either. After Liu Zhenqing’s reminder, he let go and said in a deep voice: “As Captain Song’s guard, I’ve been ordered to deliver…..Young Master Huo.”

Liu Zhenqing nearly laughed when he heard the words ‘Young Master Huo.’

Zhao Haicheng frowned slightly. Looking at the two people before him, he kept feeling that something wasn’t right. “You…..why are you still wearing a mask?”

Liu Zhenqing’s heart skipped a beat.

Huo Fenglie said coldly: “I forgot to take it off.”

“Then take it off now!” Zhao Haicheng said.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t know whether Zhao Haicheng was suspicious or just cautious, wanting to identify the guard at Song Xingmu’s side.

Huo Fenglie said: “You are not my employer! You are not qualified to give me orders.”

The domineering command hidden in his words caused Zhao Haicheng to freeze up, wondering to himself, could he actually be a jianghu man who kills people like flies?

Liu Zhenqing was quick to interrupt: “Where is Captain Song?”

Huo Fenglie said at once: “Captain Song has returned after being attacked.”

“What?! An attack, how could that happen?! Is he okay?” Liu Zhenqing turned pale with fright.

“He’s already gone back.” Huo Fenglie said succinctly: “I will see you off.”

Zhao Haicheng knew there was no reason to stay any longer. “In that case, I’ll take my leave.”

After saying this, Zhao Haicheng rode off.

Liu Zhenqing breathed a sigh of relief. Watching Huo Fenglie take off his mask, he said: “Fortunately, you’re quick-witted. That brat has seen your portrait and could recognize you.”

“Why are you here alone?” Huo Fenglie asked curiously.

Liu Zhenqing explained the situation just now and what he had experienced.

Huo Fenglie’s expression immediately turned ugly, and he regarded Liu Zhenqing with lingering fear in his heart. “Sorry. I won’t leave you alone next time.”

Liu Zhenqing waved his hands and said: “I’m the only one who didn’t suffer tonight. Qin Yu should be fine, but I don’t know about Yi Chuan. He Lan picked up Qin Yu to go to Song Xingmu’s villa together.”

Huo Fenglie nodded, and was about to leave with Liu Zhenqing when his footsteps suddenly stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Liu Zhenqing asked in confusion.

Huo Fenglie turned sharp eyes toward a nearby corner. He whispered: “Someone is still here.”

Liu Zhenqing understood at once that it was Zhao Haicheng who had left and returned, hiding in the dark to observe them.

Turning around, Liu Zhenqing looked at the maskless Huo Fenglie. If Zhao Haicheng looked over, regardless of seeing his face, the action of Huo Fenglie putting on his mask again would seem very abrupt.

Huo Fenglie naturally understood, and ducked into the alley where Liu Zhenqing was hiding just now to buy time to put on the mask.

Liu Zhenqing considered how to explain them entering the alley. Should he pretend that he dropped something and came to look for it?

Just as he was thinking, he heard Huo Fenglie say: “Come here, Qing-ge. I’ll fly you away. He won’t catch up.”

Although he couldn’t catch up, it would be strange.

Liu Zhenqing pondered how to get Zhao Haicheng to stop spying on them. If he was suspicious and traced him to the inn, a great many things would be suspect.

“Qing-ge…..” Huo Fenglie prompted.

Liu Zhenqing raised his head and looked over. Wearing a black half-mask, Huo Fenglie seemed to have a strange sense of stoicism, which gave Liu Zhenqing an impulse in this dark alley. Sure enough, his Er-gou was handsome even with half his face covered. Looking at him made him itch to see.

It was true that lust arose in danger.

Ai? Wait.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes flashed and the corners of his mouth rose slightly, giving him a calculating look. Without waiting for Huo Fenglie to react, Liu Zhenqing directly tugged his collar and whispered: “If you cooperate well, I can expel all his doubts.”

Huo Fenglie was wondering what Liu Zhenqing had come up with when there was a soft touch on his lips.

His eyes immediately opened wide, and he stared at the person so close at hand. Because he had just been pulled closer to talk, and Huo Fenglie was unprepared. He didn’t expect that Liu Zhenqing would do this, and could only stiffen up like a piece of wood.

Liu Zhenqing’s mouth parted slightly, and he said in a serious tone: “Don’t think of trivial matters when there is something important at hand. Don’t be stiff.” Having said this, he hooked his arms around Huo Fenglie’s neck so that his whole body was hanging on him. Then he leaned backward with force so that the two of them were pressed against the wall.

And at this time, Zhao Haicheng had jumped to a roof next to the alley. He did feel that the atmosphere between the two was strange, not unfamiliar like Liu Zhenqing had said, which caused Zhao Haicheng’s previously dead suspicion to spring back to life. When he returned and tried to follow them, he found that they had suddenly hidden in an alley, which was even stranger. Zhao Haicheng didn’t know the reason, and wanted to find out.

But when he looked down, his entire body froze.

The two people were actually…..kissing, with the guard forcefully pushing Liu Zhenqing against the wall.

Zhao Haicheng was so angry that he lost his mind. His first reaction was that Liu Zhenqing was being coerced. After all, he was Song Xingmu’s lover. Perhaps this savage guard was attracted to him, and after he left, the guard bullied him. With his martial arts skills so high, how could Liu Zhenqing resist? The atmosphere between the two was so strange just now that he feared this wasn’t the first time he had been bullied. Liu Zhenqing must be afraid that Song Xingmu wouldn’t want him, so he did not dare to complain and could only endure the humiliation.

Zhao Haicheng was immediately biased toward Liu Zhenqing and thought about his difficulties, intending to go down and save him.

But he suddenly heard Liu Zhenqing’s voice come from the alley in a completely different tone.

It was a tone he had never used when talking to him. Rising slightly and a little mellow, as if there was a hook in every word, and also like the caress of a feather, sultry and tempting.

“Gege, don’t worry. Since Captain Song has no time for me and also specially appointed you to send me back, we’ll have plenty of time.”

This was clearly voluntary, and their relationship was very close.

Zhao Haicheng was frozen on the roof. He also had to admit that he could see Liu Zhenqing hugging the guard’s neck tightly with both arms, completely ingratiating.

And below, Huo Fenglie’s cheeks were already burning hot when Liu Zhenqing finished these words. The cry of “gege” caused him to stiffen even further, and just as he was about to open his mouth, Liu Zhenqing kissed him again.

Huo Fenglie clenched one fist and pressed it against the wall behind them. Nearly all of his internal force was sent into the wall through this fist, cracking it in order to just barely maintain a stable state. Otherwise, he may really lose control.

The previous accident on the ship had already left him at a loss. Why did Qing-ge come up with such a bad idea? Was it really unintentional?

He felt that Qing-ge was really driving his sanity into chaos.

Not only that, but while Liu Zhenqing teased him with his lips, he also scratched his neck with his fingers. Although he knew he was doing this to express his intentions, Huo Fenglie still felt like he was in hell. His body unsurprisingly reacted, and he could only keep his distance to prevent Qing-ge from noticing.

Liu Zhenqing drew on Huo Fenglie’s neck: [Tell me to stop when he leaves]

“He hasn’t left yet?”

“Do we still need to continue kissing?”

“Ai, there’s no helping it.”

“How about acting more intensely to scare him away?”

Huo Fenglie froze for a moment. What…..what was something more intense?

Feeling the warmth on his lips move away, Huo Fenglie looked down, only to see Liu Zhenqing blinking his eyes at him. But all of his attention had moved to Liu Zhenqing’s slightly red and kiss-swollen lips.

They had really kissed for a long time just now. Although it was just their lips touching, he…..really kissed Qing-ge for a long time.

It was like a dream. His brain felt like it had been given an electric shock, and he couldn’t even describe the incredible taste just now.

In a daze, he heard Liu Zhenqing continue to say in that silky voice: “Gege, don’t be angry. I’m not close to Captain Song, it’s for our future. Wait until we’ve saved enough money. When the time comes, we’ll find an opportunity to fly far away.”

Liu Zhenqing gave a perfect explanation for this situation. But Huo Fenglie had no intention of listening to what he was saying, because he felt Liu Zhenqing lift one leg and coil it around him.

Huo Fenglie’s pupils shrank. Because of the force, he was entirely caught off guard and pressed down on Liu Zhenqing’s body.

Liu Zhenqing, who was still acting, suddenly moaned. No matter how thick-skinned he was, he still turned red. He was somewhat at a loss and even wanted to let go, but in the end, bad intentions and a cool head prevailed.

And at this time, Huo Fenglie no longer wanted to raise his head.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes shut slightly, and it was like his heart was being scratched by a kitten. Not only did his leg not let go, but he still embraced Huo Fenglie’s neck as if he was kissing his throat. Then he whispered deliberately in his ear: “Gege, not…..not here, okay?”

Huo Fenglie had to use up all of his strength to maintain his sanity. How could he talk to Liu Zhenqing?

Liu Zhenqing snickered. Seeing as Zhao Haicheng didn’t seem to have left yet, Liu Zhenqing ran out of patience. Standing on one leg was very tiring, so he came up with the ultimate killing move, a soft cry of pain like the signal of something beginning.

“Gege, it hurts, be gentle…..”

In an instant, all of the blood in Huo Fenglie’s body rushed to his head, and he reflexively pressed in further.

And the person on the roof finally couldn’t listen any longer. He flew off almost as if running away, without even a care for exposing himself. The tiles on the roof were broken by his steps. This time, Liu Zhenqing didn’t have to be a martial arts master to tell that Zhao Haicheng had finally been scared away.

Before Liu Zhenqing could put down his leg, Huo Fenglie suddenly stepped away. Almost instantly, he turned his back to Liu Zhenqing and faced the deep alley as if facing the wall in reflection of his misdeeds.

Liu Zhenqing suppressed his laughter and didn’t disturb him. After tidying his clothes, he thought about it and stepped forward to say: “What’s wrong? Wasn’t it the perfect plan? Even if Zhao Haicheng knows General Huo is here, he won’t suspect us. And from now on, when we are at or away from Song Xingmu’s side, he won’t look twice at us.”

“En.”

“Then what are you doing? Did you hate being kissed by Qing-ge?”

“No! I don’t…..”

“Oh, then you liked it?”

Huo Fenglie drew a sharp breath and said: “No…..that’s not what I meant!”

Liu Zhenqing was unhappy, saying in his heart, your body is more honest than your mouth. But through their clothes, Liu Zhenqing couldn’t say firmly that he had felt it. If the other party wouldn’t admit it, should he take off his pants on the spot?

Just thinking about it put him in a dilemma. Oh well, back to business.

“Let’s go back to the inn,” Liu Zhenqing said with a sense of loss.

Huo Fenglie quickly turned and went back to him. He lowered his head and nodded like a child who had made a mistake, then flew back with Liu Zhenqing in his arms. He also peeked at Liu Zhenqing the entire time, as if observing his expression and mood.

Liu Zhenqing really didn’t lose his temper at all.

When the two returned to the inn and were about to open the door and enter, Huo Fenglie grabbed Liu Zhenqing’s wrist.

Liu Zhenqing turned to look at him in puzzlement, only to see Huo Fenglie’s face full of shock. Then he pulled Liu Zhenqing downstairs with an embarrassed look on his face.

Judging from Huo Fenglie’s reaction, could it be that he had heard something?

Liu Zhenqing came to a realization in a moment and was filled with astonishment. No way, since he was in their room, he should have taken the antidote. Was he still out of control?

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Chapter Eighty-Seven << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty-Nine