Chapter 5 – Face

Caught in the middle, Fang Yang didn’t understand what was going on. Looking left and right, although he couldn’t parse the hidden meaning in the two peoples’ words, he did realize that the atmosphere between them seemed a little odd.

Fang Yang looked to the left, and saw that Useless-shixiong was wearing a serious expression he’d never seen before, which made his ordinary face look somewhat severe. This was the complete opposite of the Feng Ye he usually knew.

Just when he couldn’t hold back any longer and was going to inquire, Hao Chen suddenly opened his fan with a swish, like a clarion call to stop a war. Feng Ye’s serious expression vanished as well, and he smiled harmlessly once more: “Fellow Daoist Hao has just arrived. Would he like a tour of the sect?”

Hao Chen acquiesced with a nod: “I have long heard of its celebrated name, and couldn’t be more grateful.”

The two of them tacitly dropped the fictitious discussion, but they had already stamped a huge, suspicious label on each other in their hearts — there was something wrong with this person.

Although there was something fishy, the two did not directly expose each other’s false identities. Because they didn’t know the other party’s identity or purpose, nor did they know the other’s depth.

Yes, depth.

Feng Ye’s cultivation level was at the third level of Qi Refining, while Hao Chen’s was only a little higher, at the fourth level of Qi Refining. The two of them together were only as good as one Fang Yang, who had been cultivating for just over a year. There was no way to tell their depth at all.

But even if Feng Ye and Hao Chen used their feet to think, they would know that their opponent was definitely more powerful than they showed on the surface.

Out of caution, neither of them acted rashly.

“Shixiong, you and your friend can go walk around. I’m going to practice swordplay,” Fang Yang said to Feng Ye. He couldn’t comprehend the strange atmosphere between the two, but since they were friends, there shouldn’t be any problems. It was more important to hone his sword skills.

This was exactly what Feng Ye wanted. Hao Chen was pretending to know him and using this to get close to him, his purpose unclear. With Fang Yang around, Feng Ye was somewhat restrained by the need to maintain his image as a useless shixiong, so him leaving was perfect.

Feng Ye waved to Fang Yang: “Bye-bye.”

The endlessly energetic Fang Yang and his wooden sword quickly left their sights.

Now it was just the two of them.

Hao Chen waved his fan again with a swish. With a face more handsome than that of Pan An, he looked a bit like one of those romantic young masters in mortal storybooks.

And there was a perpetual faint smile at the corners of his lips, and from whichever angle one looked at him, one would feel he was smiling at them. Coupled with his peach-blossom eyes that seemed to contain the waters of the Sanjiang rivers, unmarried girls would blush with palpitating hearts at the sight of him. 

It was a pity that Feng Ye was the only one present, and was not at all impressed by Hao Chen’s outstanding appearance.

Hao Chen watched Fang Yang’s back as he left and commented with a smile: “Fellow Daoist, your shidi is very cute.” Foolishly cute.

Feng Ye had no fan to wave, and felt that he was somewhat lacking in ostentation and extravagance, so he crossed his arms and donned an identical provocative smile: “Fellow Daoist Hao keeps calling me Fellow Daoist. It’s a little unfamiliar. Why not just call me by my name?”

Hao Chen’s smile deepened once more. His eyebrows curved like those of a sly fox, and the fan in his hand continued to wave unhurriedly to a certain rhythm: “Fellow Daoist, you may not know, but I’ve been cultivating too hard these past few days, and in a moment of carelessness, I injured my brain. What is your name?”

Feng Ye: “……”

The smile on his face froze for a split second, because he hadn’t expected that there was such a thick-skinned person in this world.

It was clear that Hao Chen had given this excuse because he was just too lazy to come up with a new one.

But it made sense. They had already revealed their flaws to each other, and it was only because they didn’t know each other’s strength that they didn’t take reckless action. In any case, they both knew they were lying through their teeth, so the credibility of those lies didn’t matter.

At this thought, Feng Ye no longer bothered with such trivial matters and directly answered: “Feng Ye.”

“Maple Leaf?”^[1] Hao Chen raised an eyebrow. This didn’t sound like a name. He quickly came to his senses and realized that the “枫” Feng should probably be written as “封.”

He quickly filtered through the list of powerful people in his mind, and this name wasn’t on it. But that didn’t mean the other party was an unknown person, because “Maple Leaf” was most likely a pseudonym.

Feng Ye was unaware of Hao Chen’s change of mind, and only thought he was ridiculing his name. He had no intention of explaining, and just said: “Hao Chen. This name is interesting.”

“Oh? How do you mean?” Hao Chen asked with interest.

Feng Ye looked Hao Chen over from top to bottom, then commented: “Hao Chen^[2]……is somewhat of a misnomer.”

Hao Chen had to think for a moment before he realized Feng Ye was mocking him. He retorted in his heart: that’s because you haven’t seen my true form.

But just like Feng Ye, he wasn’t prepared to remove his disguise, so he just smiled and said nothing.

Feng Ye felt that he had recovered some lost ground, and the smile on his face finally contained some sincerity. He walked ahead and led the way: “Fellow Daoist Hao Chen came to visit without giving me notice, so I didn’t have time to prepare.”

Hao Chen followed behind him. Since the other party didn’t expose his identity as a fake friend, he just kept pretending and went along with it: “Fellow Daoist Feng Ye needn’t worry. Since we last parted, I’ve missed you so much that I’ve been tossing and turning every day, and you’ve been in all of my dreams, so I took the liberty of coming to disturb you.”

The corners of Feng Ye’s mouth twitched. Although he knew Hao Chen was speaking nonsense, it still sounded a little strange to him.

Hao Chen’s words seemed more like those of a maiden yearning for her lover, but his tone was exceedingly upright. Perhaps he was overthinking it.

Feng Ye observed Hao Chen’s expression. Hao Chen had likely realized that it was his entertained look that had exposed him before, so he was now extremely dedicated to disguising his facial expressions.

His face revealed three parts melancholy and seven parts joy, as if he was endlessly delighted to meet his old friend Feng Ye.

If I didn’t know better, I almost would have believed it, Feng Ye thought. At the same time, he also realized how difficult it was to deal with this person.

He continued to calmly sound him out: “What has Fellow Daoist Hao Chen come here to do?”

Hao Chen waved his fan, all smiles: “To see you.”

Feng Ye: “ ? ”

He waited silently for a moment, but Hao Chen didn’t speak again, as if these three words truly were his only purpose for coming here.

Feng Ye could only ask: “Nothing else?”

Hao Chen nodded affirmatively: “Nothing else.”

Feng Ye: “……” Nobody would believe that.

Feng Ye decided to change his strategy, seeing as this person’s ability to make up lies was comparable to his own and he wouldn’t be able to compete with him in this area in the short term.

The art of war was all about deception. If he wanted to make this leakproof old fox reveal his flaws, he must disrupt his rhythm and take him by surprise.

Feng Ye faced Hao Chen and made a drastic move, saying expressionlessly: “You’ve seen me. You can leave now. The gate is over there.”

Although he didn’t know what Hao Chen’s purpose was, one thing was clear – Hao Chen wanted to get close to him. Once he was driven away, his situation would be more or less thrown into chaos and it would be easy for him to make a mistake.

Hao Chen really hadn’t expected Feng Ye to play by his own rules. There was a brief look of surprise on his face, but he reacted swiftly and adopted an expression of deep pain: “Fellow Daoist Feng Ye didn’t miss me at all?”

Feng Ye gave an affected sigh: “I’ve been busy cultivating and had no time to think about you. Besides, our sect’s assessment will be held in a few days and I must hurry up and prepare. Fellow Daoist Hao Chen, please go back.”

Hao Chen hadn’t sussed out Feng Ye’s identity yet, and he naturally refused to leave. Thus, he used the situation to his advantage and said: “Speaking of cultivation, I also have some experience and comprehension, which is just right for having a good discussion with Fellow Daoist Feng Ye.”

Feng Ye solemnly corrected: “Fellow Daoist Hao Chen misunderstands my meaning. What I meant by preparing is…..”

As they spoke, they arrived at Feng Ye’s residence, a simple and uncluttered small bamboo house.

Feng Ye paused briefly before opening the door. Then he immediately laid down in bed and covered himself with a blanket with an unhurried: “I’m going to sleep.”

Hao Chen: “……” At once, he recalled the mocking of that other junior disciple. It turned out that it wasn’t just a joke, but an actual phenomenon.

Feng Ye wrapped himself up in his small blanket and sighed with contentment. He closed his eyes slightly in feigned drowsiness and said again to expel the guest: “Fellow Daoist Hao Chen, I’m going to sleep.”

The implication was that he should scram.

It was impossible for Hao Chen to misunderstand. Although Feng Ye hadn’t rested well the night before, he wasn’t so sleepy that he would fall asleep the moment he lay down. He was just pretending while simultaneously observing Hao Chen’s expression through the crack between his eyelids. He wanted to see what this guy would do now.

The smile on Hao Chen’s face froze momentarily. But just when Feng Ye thought he had the upper hand, Hao Chen made an unexpected move.

Feng Ye had made countless calculations, but he had overlooked Hao Chen’s determination, as well as…..his nearly nonexistent bottom line.

Hao Chen lay down next to Feng Ye, whose surprised gaze turned to one of alarm. The weight of two grown men with their shoulders pressed together bore down on the small bamboo bed, causing it to creak under the heavy load.

Hao Chen still felt it wasn’t enough, as if something was missing. He caught a glimpse of the blanket Feng Ye had covered himself with, and while the other was still in shock, he pulled half of it over and forcibly covered them both with a single blanket. At the same time, he responded: “I also have experience in this area. We can work together.”

Feng Ye: “……” He’d lost.

In terms of whose skin was thicker, he’d lost.

Although Feng Ye had originally planned to catch up on some rest in the afternoon, he couldn’t sleep with the addition of Hao Chen’s participation.

Hao Chen asked innocently from beside him: “Why isn’t Fellow Daoist Feng Ye sleeping?”

Feng Ye didn’t answer. He was so shocked by Hao Chen’s unexpected move that he still hadn’t recovered. After a while, he slowly and tactfully expressed his thoughts: “I’m not used to sleeping with a man.”

Hao Chen nodded in agreement: “It’s my first time as well.”

Feng Ye: “……” This was sounding increasingly wrong.

---

[1] Feng Ye’s name is spelled “封烨,” (to stopper/seal flames), but Hao Chen mistakes it as “枫,叶,” (Maple Leaf). ⮐

[2] Hao Chen’s name is spelled “郝沉,” (deep, ancient place) and Feng Ye interprets it on purpose as “好沉,” (very heavy). ⮐

---

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Chapter 4 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 6

Pei Xi: “Chuzhou, the air is a bit hot. Can you lower the temperature a little?”

He Chuzhou: “En.”

Pei-calico’s shoulders were so thin, so slender, ah. They looked like they couldn’t even hold up his shirt…..

Pei Xi: “It’s still hot.”

He Chuzhou: “Mm.”

Pei-calico’s body was so white, ah, as white as his face even when reddened by the heat. A mark would be left behind if he applied even a little force…..

Pei Xi: “You didn’t get above my right ear.”

He Chuzhou: “Oh.”

Pei-calico’s legs were so beautiful, ah, long and straight, with pink knees…..

Pei Xi: “The right ear.”

He Chuzhou: “Okay.”

Just now when Pei-calico leaned down, the collar drooped and he seemed to also see two pink dots…..

“It’s the right side, not the left side.”

Pei Xi was rather helpless. He turned around and grabbed He Chuzhou’s wrist, raising his head: “Why…..is your nose bleeding?”

“ ? ”

He Chuzhou touched it subconsciously.

As if awakening from a dream, he rushed straight to the bathroom again under Pei Xi’s leisurely gaze.

When he calmed down and came out again, Pei Xi had already placed the hair dryer in the cabinet and was lying under the blankets.

He Chuzhou’s tense nerves finally relaxed.

He’d finally managed to stop it. If that happened a few more times, he might have to be sent to the hospital for anemia tonight.

He carefully lifted the blankets and got into bed, lying down quietly with his eyes looking straight ahead. He was determined not to look at Pei Xi.

— But he couldn’t stop Pei Xi from leaning into his arms.

He didn’t know why, but the scent of the same shower gel he used coming from Pei Xi made his head dizzy and his breathing fast.

Lowering his head, he couldn’t help but think that he would wear this shirt in the future when he met with friends, clients, family members…..

The good news was that the nosebleed was gone.

The bad news was that the blood had all rushed to a shameful place on his lower body!

He practically held his breath, and dared not move for fear of being discovered by Pei Xi. But as luck would have it, Pei Xi happened to bend his knees when adjusting his posture, brushing against a certain spot.

There was a sudden rustle of fabric.

Pei Xi’s gaze darkened and his eyebrows rose. He gave He Chuzhou an innocent, uncertain look when the other party suddenly rolled over and forcefully pressed his shoulders down: “Gege, what’s wrong?”

He Chuzhou stared at him with gritted teeth, his heavy, unstable breath gusting against his jaw. He looked like he wanted to eat him alive: “Pei Xinxin, you’re doing this on purpose…..”

Pei Xi was calm but at a loss: “Doing what on purpose?”

He Chuzhou choked speechlessly. His expression changed several times, and he finally ruffled his hair as if in compromise. “You’ve defeated me!”

After saying that, he immediately turned over, got out of bed, and rushed to the bathroom for the third time: “Go to sleep, don’t wait on me.”

Pei Xi watched as he hastily disappeared behind the door. When he heard the sound of running water inside, his lips curled and he pulled the blankets up, moving closer to the source of lingering heat next to him as he closed his eyes.

This didn’t count as payback. At most, it was……a draw.

*

*

Thanks to the pre-bedtime fun, He Chuzhou had 18+ dreams almost all night long, doing everything he wanted to do but couldn’t in reality.

Such was the case that when he awoke the next morning and saw Pei Xi crouched beside the bed as he fiddled with a charging cable, he felt inexplicably guilty.

“Cough, cough.”

He cleared his throat in an attempt to cover up his gaffe, but his voice was still hoarse as he said: “Is it broken or something. Do you want to go out and buy a new one later?”

“No, it probably wasn’t fully plugged in. It’s charging now.”

Pei Xi set the charging cell phone on the cabinet, then turned around and leaned down to touch He Chuzhou’s face: “Chuzhou, did you get enough sleep? I’m hungry, but I don’t know where to call for food here.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up earlier if you’re hungry? I’ll call for delivery in a minute—”

He Chuzhou’s voice paused. He realized something, and his brain rapidly cleared up: “Pei Xinxin?”

Pei Xi was confused: “En?”

He Chuzhou confirmed again: “Xinxin?”

Pei Xi: “That’s me. What’s wrong?”

He Chuzhou immediately propped himself up and moved closer to Pei Xi, eyes fixed on his face without missing a single detail of his expression: “Let me ask you, ah, do you know where this is?”

Pei Xi shook his head blankly: “I don’t know. I woke up here.”

But after saying that, he quickly thought of something and frowned: “Is this the location of your business trip? Chuzhou…..you really took me here while I was sleeping?”

Okay. The signal had connected successfully.

He Chuzhou was certain that the person before him was the real Pei-calico.

So yesterday……

It was actually…..?

? ? ? ?

God!

*

Three minutes later.

After watching He Chuzhou order food to be delivered, Pei Xi was in a happy mood and went to the bathroom to get ready.

He was very magnanimous, and didn’t make a fuss about someone secretly abducting him to accompany him on a business trip.

He Chuzhou sat on the bed and sorted out the whole story.

Once he was one hundred percent sure that Pei Xi had been in his right mind the day before, he finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

No wonder.

The whole thing about easterners being more reserved when in a foreign country was all made up.

His strangeness had come from not being able to imitate Pei-calico, and his shyness was due to genuine shame and embarrassment.

No wonder.

He was able to help him negotiate a business deal in such a clear and organized manner.

He Chuzhou had believed that his business talent was engraved in his bones, and that even if he was missing his memories, his instincts were still there.

At the thought about yesterday’s limited edition clockwork sweetheart, he couldn’t stop laughing.

But as he recalled more and more things, he couldn’t laugh anymore…..

Since Pei Xi was in his right mind yesterday, why did he pretend and fly over to find him?

Why didn’t he resist being close to him?

Why was he willing to play the role of Pei-calico and take the initiative to get close to him again and again?

What did the sentence “at least not today” mean?

And what did it mean that he had deliberately teased him by wearing his shirt?

Pei Xi finished up in the bathroom and came out just as an attendant knocked on the door to deliver their meal.

He opened the door to allow the attendant to put their things down, and when he turned around, he saw a certain person still sitting on the bed with a frown on his face, lost in thought.

“Chuzhou, you’re still not getting up?”

He walked over, and that person’s gaze followed him as he moved. Pleasant surprise, doubt, entanglement, wistfulness – all kinds of emotions mixed together on his face in a colorful presentation.

Pei Xi: “ ? ”

He stretched out five fingers and waved them in front of He Chuzhou: “Are you okay? If you’re not awake yet, do you want to sleep a little longer?”

Unexpectedly, He Chuzhou grabbed his hand and pulled him closer. His eyes were brimming with unknown hope, exceedingly bright: “Xinxin, do you…..”

Pei Xi was forced to raise one leg to kneel on the bed and prop himself up on a pillow to keep his balance. He waited for a long moment without any follow-up: “Do I what?”

He Chuzhou went silent.

As if dithering over something, after a long while, he said with great restraint: “Forget it. Kiss me?”

Pei Xi was baffled, but he obediently kissed the corner of his mouth in this position.

In the next second, the hand holding him suddenly loosened.

He saw the person in front of him take a deep breath and touch the place he had just kissed with joy and surprise. At this moment, stars were practically shooting out of that pair of deep eyes.

His uncertainty grew even stronger, and he couldn’t help but tilt his head to look at this He Chuzhou who was as happy as an adolescent. When he got out of bed and headed toward the bathroom, it seemed as if pink hearts were popping out of him from head to foot.

What was going on?

He didn’t understand. When he stood up and went to the dining table, he couldn’t help but look back.

What dream was he having that he hadn’t awoken from yet?

He waited until that person came out of the bathroom and sat down opposite him, then carefully inspected his expression: “Chuzhou, why are you acting so odd? Why are you so happy?”

“I’m happy about……”

He Chuzhou pretended to think deeply, then said with a smile: “Be good, I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

Pei Xi was puzzled: “Why tomorrow?”

He Chuzhou: “You wouldn’t understand today.”

Pei Xi: “ ? ”

He Chuzhou said nothing further, and changed the topic: “There’s nothing else to do today, and the weather is nice. How about we go for a walk?”

Pei Xi: “You don’t have work?”

He Chuzhou brought a small piece of avocado dipped in sauce to Pei Xi’s mouth and said in a rising tone: “I finished up yesterday.”

Pei Xi nodded. He had no objections.

It was his first time here, and he hadn’t seen many of the local customs and practices before, so there was no harm in taking a look around.

But he didn’t understand why a certain person who was happy just now started to pull a long face when he changed his clothes.

Pei Xi: “Chuzhou?”

He Chuzhou was absent-minded: “En?”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

He Chuzhou: “Nope.”

Pei Xi: “Did something happen at the company?”

He Chuzhou: “Nope.”

Pei Xi: “Did something happen at home?”

He Chuzhou: “No to that too.”

Pei Xi gave a calm “oh” and held his hand: “Then let’s go.”

He wasn’t feeling unwell, everything was fine at work, and nothing had happened at home. Everything left were just small matters.

For small, unimportant matters, it wouldn’t be too late if he waited until he understood tomorrow.

They went to the famous perfume street nearby, which was lined with many souvenir shops in a very local style. All of the clothing and accessories were very distinctive.

Walking down Perfume Street, they could see a square resembling a colosseum surrounded by retro-shaped buildings. A circular fountain pool had been built in the middle, in the center of which stood the tall statue of a Western mythological figure.

Vendors walked around selling balloons and roses, locals strolled and chatted after their meals, and foreigners excitedly snapped photos.

A thin scattering of pigeons flew away when children chased them, forming a lively and leisurely exotic scene.

Everything was very novel.

Pei Xi liked this feeling.

He bought a rose from a blonde, blue-eyed girl and secretly placed it in He Chuzhou’s pocket, then took him by the hand and walked leisurely toward the river bank.

However, the person whose hand he was holding was distracted, his mind in chaos.

Was he thinking too much again?

He Chuzhou reached a new dead end.

What if Pei-calico had just forgotten he’d bought a plane ticket, and Pei Xi just pretended to have amnesia because he didn’t want it to be too awkward with both of them abroad?

What if helping him with his business had just been incidental?

What if that statement had just been meant to throw him off in a pressing situation?

What if his so-called deliberate provocation was simply because he was angry and wanted revenge, with no other intentions at all?

What if He Chuzhou was harboring ulterior motives and making too many assumptions, but Pei Xi actually…..didn’t like him at all?

Tsk, how terrible.

How difficult.

The thoughts of young men were so complicated.

Could anyone help him?

Should he ask Wu Qing?

Wu Qing would only think he was showing off.

What about Yun Ji?

Yun Ji would just think he was mentally ill.

Mrs. Chu and Aiyue?

Forget it, explaining it to them would be even more difficult.

He gave a rather long, regretful sigh.

He was backed into a corner. When the next breeze blew ashore from the river, he hugged Pei Xi with endless worry: “Xinxin, ah…..”

Pei Xi held the rose that had nearly fallen out of his pocket, and blinked: “En?”

He Chuzhou: “Tell me, do you like me or not?”

Pei Xi tilted his head and nuzzled the other’s slightly cool earlobe: “Of course I like you, ah.”

A long moment passed, and the only response he received was a perplexing sigh.

Why couldn’t it be the sober Pei Xi who said this? He Chuzhou thought in frustration.

If that came to pass, he couldn’t even imagine how happy his life would be in the future.

His Xinxin, ah……

*

*

The return flight was delayed. Pei Xi was awakened by the plane broadcast at 6 o’clock in the morning, then went back to sleep when he got home and woke up again at almost 12 noon.

The auntie had come to the house, cleaned, and left. There was only the dog and cat playing with a toy ball in the living room. He Chuzhou wasn’t home.

There weren’t many unread messages, but Xie Ling accounted for two of them:

[How’s it going?]

[Has your sweetheart not come back from his business trip?]

Bright sunlight shone in from the balcony, cut into uneven shapes by the leaves of the green plants placed there.

Pei Xi replied to Xie Ling while sitting in a rattan chair in the sun. There was a hint of worry on his cool, delicate features, but the delight in his eyes was even greater: 

[I can say for sure that he likes me.]

[But there’s one more thing at the moment, and I don’t know if it’s good or bad.]

[He seems to have discovered that I like him.]

Xie Ling: [Seems to?]

Pei Xi: [En. I can tell he has a guess, but he’s not completely sure.]

Xie Ling: [You can tell? Did he tell you this? I don’t understand, what stage are you at now?]

Pei Xi: [Things are more complicated.]

Pei Xi: [To put it simply, I heard, but he doesn’t know that I heard.]

Xie Ling: [? ? ?]

Xie Ling: [You guys are so confusing, ah.]

Xie Ling: [But none of this matters anymore. Since you’re certain he likes you, what are you waiting for? There’s no need to waste time if the feelings are mutual.]

Pei Xi: [I can’t be the first to tell him?]

Xie Ling: [Why not?]

Pei Xi: [No opportunity.]

Xie Ling: [What do you mean?]

Pei Xi: [Because from his point of view, the time I spend with him is only half the total time, and that half isn’t enough for me to start liking him.]

Xie Ling: [Can I just say that is unintelligible?]

Pei Xi certainly knew he wouldn’t understand, but there was nothing more he could say.

In the limited time he and He Chuzhou spent together, there were too many things that he “forgot.” Liking him was already abrupt enough, and if he went ahead and expressed it without any context, he would be exposed.

Therefore, He Chuzhou would have to take the initiative in this matter.

Only if He Chuzhou confessed to him could he go with the flow and make sure everything that followed went smoothly.

But the question was, how could he get He Chuzhou to speak up?

From yesterday to today, had he figured it out?

He’d said he would tell Pei Xi today, so when was he going to tell him?

From noon to afternoon, but never received a message from He Chuzhou.

He lost his patience and asked directly: [When will you be home?]

[When I’m done with work.]

He Chuzhou typed these few words, but after careful consideration, he deleted them and wrote instead: [I’m working overtime today, so it’ll be pretty late. You don’t need to wait for me for dinner.]

After checking and confirming that everything was correct, he clicked send. He was quite satisfied with his conscientious reply.

Pei Xi had sent him a message so late. It was probably because he knew He Chuzhou had discovered he was pretending to be confused, and was so embarrassed that he wasn’t able to adjust his mood and face him.

Then he would just give him more time to relax.

It just so happened that He Chuzhou also needed to relax.

He didn’t dare take the risk of advancing, but couldn’t bear to retreat. He was currently in a difficult situation and was at a loss for what to do.

Ai, life was full of troubles and melancholy.

Yun Ji knocked on the door and entered, holding a stack of freshly-printed documents: “Cousin, these are the documents that just came from the farm. The parts of the contract that need modification are marked. Take a look when you have time, there’s no rush—”

“Got it.”

He Chuzhou took the documents and said: “I’m staying to work overtime tonight. I’ll upload the original and reply to you tomorrow.”

Yun Ji stared blankly: “Staying to work overtime? But it’s too early to respond.”

He Chuzhou waved a hand: “It doesn’t matter. Whether sooner or later, it’s all the same. You go and work first.”

Yun Ji walked out of the president’s office in a daze, stroking his chin. The more he thought about it, the more he felt something wasn’t right.

He wanted to work from home every day, and rushed back home after meetings at the company. Even when he went on a business trip, his eagerness to get home was written all over his face. But now, he intended to stay at the company and work overtime for no reason instead of going home? 

Something was wrong.

Something was very wrong.

Something was very, very wrong.

He returned to his workstation. After thinking it over, he took out his phone. He scrolled to Pei Xi’s WeChat, which he had added some time ago, and very politely poked the other person’s avatar.

Pei Xi: [What’s up?]

Yun Ji: [Pei-ge, did you and my cousin have a fight?]

Pei Xi: [No, what’s wrong?]

Yun Ji: [Then why would he want to work overtime at the company for no apparent reason than go home?]

Work overtime for no reason?

Not going home?

Pei Xi’s hand paused briefly as he petted Pei Yueliang.

Yun Ji was completely in the dark: [No way. Pei-ge, are you guys……having a cold war?]

Yun Ji: [Resentment between husband and wife never lasts overnight, ah. Pei-ge, how about I go and help persuade him?]

Yun Ji: [Or do you want a ride over here?]

The kitten jumped off Pei Xi’s lap with her tail in the air, going over to play with the big dog.

Pei Xi replied to Yun Ji with a ‘no need.’ After a moment’s silence, he frowned and sent another message to Xie Ling:

[He’s avoiding me.]

Xie Ling: [ ? ]

Xie Ling: [He knows you might like him, but he’s avoiding you? What’s going on in his head?]

Xie Ling: [Doesn’t he like you too?]

Pei Xi: [I take that back. I’m not so sure now.]

Xie Ling: [Then what can you do but keep trying?]

Pei Xi: [I can’t wait any longer. I need to find a way to ask him directly.]

---

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Chapter 59 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 61

He Chuzhou was very surprised that Pei Xi had been in a state of confusion for two consecutive days.

Was it because he’d fallen asleep on the plane and been awoken by a flight attendant or an announcement?

What was even more surprising was that Pei Xi had actually come to find him.

Of course, regarding this point, he was more pleasantly surprised than anything.

“Didn’t you say you were worried about Xingxing and Yueliang?” He Chuzhou joked. He had happily rushed to the airport to pick him up.

“The auntie can do the food and poop-scooping. They have a good relationship and don’t need me to stay with them,” Pei Xi said. Then he realized that his tone was too polite, and thought for a moment before adding: “I’d rather be with Gege than with them.”

After saying this, he gave He Chuzhou a slightly hurried hug, then quickly opened the car door and took refuge in the passenger seat.

He Chuzhou: “ ? ”

That was just what he liked to hear.

But why did it sound a little strange today?

Why did it seem like it had less emotion and more technique?

Halfway through the drive to the hotel, he finally realized something wasn’t right.

Pei-calico was particularly clingy today for some reason. He spoke very sweetly and was very shy.

He fully acknowledged this when he looked in the rearview mirror and saw the other party shyly turn his head away after calling him “gege” again.

Ai, so cute!

But what was that saying?

Reunion syndrome?

It hadn’t happened last time though.

He went to the hotel with a head full of doubts. After parking the car, he went around to the passenger side and opened the door, then saw Pei Xi automatically start walking toward the hotel.

He Chuzhou took his luggage from the trunk and followed without complaint.

After just a couple of steps, the person in front seemed to suddenly remember something and stopped, turning around.

He Chuzhou thought he’d left something in the car. Just as he was about to ask, he watched at Pei Xi walked a few steps back to him, raised his hands, and quickly hugged him as if completing a task.

“…..? ? ?”

A string of question marks slowly appeared over He Chuzhou’s head. He didn’t understand what was going on: “What’s wrong?”

Pei Xi: “It’s been twenty-eight minutes since our last hug. The cooldown time was over, so I hugged you again.”

Having said this, he calmly stepped back, turned, and resumed walking toward the hotel entrance.

It’s come to this point, he thought with smoke coming out the top of his head. There’s no way I’ll be exposed, right?

He Chuzhou walked behind him with a baffled look on his face.

Was there something on the plane that triggered a hidden attribute of his sequelae?

Why had Pei-calico suddenly become like a windup toy, a clockwork lover?

He Chuzhou’s suite was on the 20th floor.

When he returned to the room, the first thing he did was not to unpack the luggage, but to pull Pei Xi over and carefully check if there was anything wrong with him.

“You didn’t fall at home, did you?”

“Did the plane get trubulent on the way here?”

“Did you catch a cold?” He held Pei Xi’s face, then touched their foreheads together and murmured to himself, “No fever either, ah.”

Pei Xi was struck dumb as he watched the other’s face slowly approach him. When their breaths entangled at a distance of just a few inches, his face instantly turned red like a popped sequin balloon.

He Chuzhou noticed his abnormality at once and hissed. “Shy again? Xiao Pei, we’ve only been apart for a few days. You shouldn’t be so unfamiliar with me, right?”

“I’m not!”

Pei Xi swiftly denied it. He met He Chuzhou’s teasing gaze, and after a brief silence, raised his head and gave him a quick kiss on the chin. He hid his face in his shoulder, whispering in his ear: “Some of us easterners tend to be more reserved when we’re in a foreign country.”

It…..was like this?

He Chuzhou was unsure. In any case, it didn’t apply to him.

All he knew was that this reserved Pei-calico was adorable ! ! !

He didn’t want to go to work at all now. He wanted to take him around this country right away and let this sticky-sweet Pei-calico try everything.

But no matter how much he wanted to, he was on a business trip and still had to handle his obligations.

After settling Pei Xi in and preparing to leave, He Chuzhou looked back every few steps from the small living room to the door, which was less than a ten meter distance. It wasn’t clear if he was uneasy or reluctant to part with him.

Ultimately, he couldn’t bear it and turned around to give Pei Xi a tight hug, nuzzling his face affectionately: “Baby, how about you come with me to work?”

Go with him to work?

Pei Xi was stunned by this question.

He opened his mouth hesitantly, unsure how to answer.

He wanted to decline. What was there for him, an outsider, to do by following He Chuzhou to work?

But if he put himself in Pei-calico’s shoes, it seemed like he…..might agree?

His hesitation was written all over his face, so He Chuzhou naturally interpreted his silence as him wanting to go, but being too embarrassed to say it.

So after a little consideration, he made the decision for him: “Let’s go. I’ll just say you’re my accompanying translation assistant. You don’t have to do anything, just follow me.”

Pei X: “……”

It was over. He would have to pretend all day.

*

*

Yun Ji was puzzled when He Chuzhou came to borrow his clothes: “My clothes are too small for you. Don’t you have your own?”

However, when he saw He Chuzhou leading Pei Xi, who was wearing his clothes, out the hotel entrance, he was completely numb.

“Let me introduce you.”

After getting in the car, He Chuzhou first said to Yun Ji with great joy: “This is my accompanying translation assistant, Pei Xi. He’s your new colleague today, please take good care of him.”

Then he turned to Pei Xi: “This is my assistant, Yun Ji. You can just call him Xiao Yun. If you have any difficulties and can’t find me, please go to him.”

Yun Ji: “……”

Pei Xi: “……”

The two exchanged glances in the rearview mirror and tacitly looked away.

Thank goodness Pei-calico didn’t have the habit of showing affection in public, otherwise he would be in a difficult situation.

The destination this morning was the raw material processing factory, and the person who received them was the company’s boss. They weren’t late, but the other party was already waiting at the entrance.

This sort of processing factory was actually not worth inspecting. Hygiene compliance was the most basic requirement. Other advanced mechanical research and development had been addressed in the previously delivered documents, so what they were looking at today was just the specific operating process.

Throughout the process, the other party was responsible for giving explanations and they were responsible for listening, so there wasn’t much communication.

The highlights were all at the next destination, a farm outside the city. They needed to accurately negotiate the import price of raw food ingredients, which was their main purpose today.

“After some investigation, this farm was determined to be the largest, with the most stable supply source and the best raw material quality. The only drawback is that the price is so high, more than half the price of other farms.”

On the way to the farm, Yun Ji looked through the various introduction documents: “But even with all these advantages, the price is unreasonable. I suppose they’re relying on their superiority to raise the prices, thinking that we’re certain to choose them.”

He Chuzhou: “What about the one in the southern outskirts?”

Yun Ji: “It’s relatively small in scale, and is partnered with two large shopping malls at the same time. If we experience large demand in the future, there may be a supply shortage.”

He Chuzhou: “Let’s go over and take a look at the situation first. It would be best if we can reach an agreement on the price. If not, we can consider other companies.”

. . . . . . 

Pei Xi listened to bits and pieces. He also had a few documents in his hands, which He Chuzhou had given to him for show. They contained the purchase price ranges provided by the staff at He Group headquarters after analysis.

Yun Ji saw Pei Xi looking through the documents in the rearview mirror and asked casually: “President Pei, what do you think?”

Pei Xi subconsciously thought of an answer, but fortunately realized in time that he wasn’t the right personality to manage company affairs at the moment.

Thus, he abruptly changed the subject: “What ‘President Pei?’ Call me Assistant Pei.”

Yun Ji: “……”

Yun Ji: “Okay. Assistant Pei, what do you think?”

Pei Xi saw He Chuzhou looking at him from the corner of his eye. He adjusted his state and said calmly: “The diagram of the farm structure looks good. The site should be more beautiful than the diagram.”

Yun Ji: “……”

He Chuzhou covered his lips and laughed out loud, asking him: “You like this kind of thing, ah?”

Pei Xi nodded.

He Chuzhou: “This kind of building structure also exists in China. I’ll buy one for you when we return.”

Pei Xi: “…..I don’t know how to raise animals.”

He Chuzhou’s indulgence had no bottom line: “That’s okay, Boss He will hire someone to help you, and you can go over any time you want to see them.”

Yun Ji: “……”

He looked in the mirror at his older cousin who was planning to buy a farm, then at Assistant Pei’s red face and uncertain eyes. Forcing a smile, he took out his phone and messaged He Aiyue:

Yun Ji: [I can’t take it anymore!]

Yun Ji: [Have you ever met such a couple who drag innocent people into their roleplay? ? ?]

Yun Ji: [What the hell is wrong with your brother!]

*

*

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the entrance to the farm.

Once they went in, they first met with the farmers, and then entered a meeting room along with several holding members one after another.

No agreement was reached during the first round of negotiations. The farmers showed some slight signs of compromise during the halftime, but were reined back in by the tough attitudes of the holding members.

The assistants didn’t participate in the second round. Yun Ji followed the employees to receive a safety inspection report, and Pe Xi stood in the corridor, looking at the foals in the pasture as he quietly waited.

He heard the sound of hoofbeats approaching and looked back to see a farmer riding a white horse. When he arrived, he dismounted and turned on the water pipe next to him, brushing the horse’s hair.

“Are you guys Chinese?”

The farmer spotted him and struck up a conversation in slightly-accented English.

Pei Xi responded affirmatively and praised the beauty of his horse.

Everyone enjoyed their children being praised. The farmer was very happy to hear this, and patiently told him about the horse’s origins. He also talked about the purchasing channels and breeding methods of many of the animals on the farm.

Afterward, he brought up today’s business: “You see, we even select the best feed. I’m sure there’s no farm better than ours.”

Pei Xi: “The price is too high though.”

The farmer sighed: “There’s nothing to be done. There are too many shareholders.”

Pei Xi: “But the farm is yours, isn’t it?”

The farmer stopped brushing the horse and looked up: “What do you mean, kid?”

Pei Xi: “The price we’re offering isn’t low. It’s within a reasonable range to ensure the farm’s profitability, and we offer long-term, stable demand, which is difficult for the companies you’ve negotiated with before to guarantee.”

The farmer nodded: “That’s true.”

Pei Xi: “By partnering with us, the huge cost of the farm will sustain a stable turnover. If negotiations fail due to an excessive price hike, we still have more options in other regions or even other countries. But it may not be easy for the farm to wait for a suitable partner.”

“I see that those shareholders only have the ability to hold shares and inject capital, but don’t know how to manage and operate a farm. Therefore, to show our sincerity, we are willing to sign a separate contract with you in addition to the two-party contract.”

“I know you’re apprehensive, so we can promise that each time the import goods reach a fixed quantity, we’ll pay you an additional thank you fee.”

The farmer’s expression changed. It was as if he was hearing this phrase for the first time: “Thank you fee?”

Pei Xi: “The thank you fee will go to your personal account, with no need to share it externally. Coupled with the stable export income, I believe you will soon be able to buy back most of the farm’s shares and take full control of its future development.”

The farmer got Pei Xi’s meaning. His smiling expression faded, and he stroked the white horse in front of him as he thought for a long while.

Pei Xi quietly watched it graze on the grass without urging the farmer.

After some time, the farmer came to a decision and gave him a firm nod. Without speaking further, he turned off the water and immediately left the pasture with the white horse.

Pei Xi knew he would succeed. Many capitalists had limited abilities when it came to things other than money, so they couldn’t avoid being controlled by those who were capable.

The pastures were wide and the wind was strong. Now that his goal had been achieved, there was no reason for him to stand here in the cold breeze.

He straightened his cuffs and turned back, but found He Chuzhou and Yun Ji looking at him with varying expressions not far away.

They were in a blind spot from the farmer’s position. Pei Xi hadn’t noticed them, and neither had the farmer. It was unknown how long the two of them had been listening.

Pei Xi’s eyelid twitched, and he had a bad feeling.

When Yun Ji was certain that the farmer was long gone, he rushed over excitedly and gave Pei Xi a starry-eyed look of admiration: “Pei-ge, you’re amazing! Why didn’t we think of starting with the farmers first? I feel like this could work!”

Pei Xi was currently in no mood to accept compliments from a fanboy.

His brain raced as he watched He Chuzhou approach slowly behind him. He hastened over to him before he could speak and braced himself before leaning against his shoulder: “It’s a little cold. Are you done? When are we having dinner?”

Following this appeasement came Yun Ji’s look of impressed respect.

Pei Xi closed his eyes with mixed feelings and silently lifted the documents to cover his face.

*

*

As expected, the negotiations were concluded at last, which also meant that the business trip was concluded successfully one day in advance.

The hosts provided dinner that evening. Yun Ji couldn’t be bothered to go, and planned to take this morning to go to the streets and buy all the things his mother had tasked him with.

He Chuzhou was happy to take Pei Xi along.

As for Pei Xi, although he’d been able to get away with it on the farm before, he still couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

He wasn’t sure if He Chuzhou harbored any suspicions, or if he might suddenly come up with a question Pei Xi couldn’t answer. Even moreso, he didn’t believe that He Chuzhou could be so easily fooled.

But facts proved that He Chuzhou could indeed be so easily fooled.

Not only did he brush things off without asking a single question, he also boasted all the way about how amazing his wife was. And when they reached their table, he didn’t eat much, but busied himself helping Pei Xi cut his steak and pour the sauce.

Pei Xi: “……”

Was this person so carefree?

So did he need to put so much effort into playing Pei-calico or not?

He Chuzhou’s unusual behavior soon drew the attention of a white senior executive.

The other party asked curiously: “Why is Mr. He so considerate of his assistant?”

Pei Xi was afraid that He Chuzhou would say, “What assistant? This is my wife,” and directly reduce the other party’s trust in He Chuzhou’s professionalism.

Fortunately, He Chuzhou still remembered that he had a brain, and spoke convincing nonsense: “It is a traditional Chinese virtue for employers to treat hard working employees well, ensuring the long-term success of the company.”

Pei Xi: “……”

The white man believed it completely. With an expression of admiration, he followed suit by helping the young, beautiful assistant at his side cut a piece of dark steak.

The female assistant’s mouth twitched, and she pushed the steak aside in disdain after her boss finished cutting it.

What could Pei Xi say?

He could only go along with He Chuzhou’s nonsense in silence. At the same time, he didn’t forget to hold a big, warm, dry hand under the table in order to maintain his complex personality of being aloof on the surface but clingy deep down.

There was fortunately no troublesome drinking culture, and the dinner ended quickly. After brief goodbyes at the door, everyone went home.

Back at the hotel, Pei Xi moved to tiredly massage his shoulders. His hand was halfway raised when he met He Chuzhou’s gaze and hesitated.

Helpless, he could only turn around and hook his arms around He Chuzhou’s neck. Leaning against him, he lowered his voice: “Chuzhou, I’m so tired.”

It truly was tiring to pretend.

The corners of He Chuzhou’s mouth curved uncontrollably.

As expected, whenever he looked at him, Pei-calico would immediately hold his hand or hug him. Even if there were a lot of people around, he would secretly hook the fingers hanging by his side.

His heart had been soft and full all day, and now that they were alone, he finally didn’t have to hold back anymore.

Bending down, he easily picked him up and set him on the bed, nuzzling his nose affectionately: “Thanks for your hard work, Assistant Pei. I’ll run a bath for you soon, so you can have a good rest tonight.”

Having said this, he rubbed Pei Xi’s head and retracted his hand. He smoothly and naturally helped Pei Xi take off his suit jacket and set it aside, then helped undo his tie.

He initially thought that Pei Xi might not understand in his current state, but when he happened to see the red neck and ears of the person in front of him, the idea of teasing him came to mind, and his intentions became impure.

Pei Xi had been having trouble breathing ever since He Chuzhou had leaned forward and nuzzled against him.

He admitted to himself that reading too much into it, but he couldn’t resist such direct teasing from the other party without arousing suspicion.

Especially in such close proximity, helping him remove his clothes and tie. Even though he knew the other party had no other thoughts, he couldn’t help the way his heart beat wildly.

He could only pray that He Chuzhou would finish untying it quickly and move away. The atmosphere around him was too heavy, and he wasn’t able to breathe freely.

But gradually, he found that He Chuzhou seemed to want to help him with more than just this…..

The tie was undone, but the other party didn’t stop there. He put his hand on the top button of his shirt, slowly unbuttoning the first button, the second, the third…..

Then he lifted the fabric of the shirt with his fingertips, exposing the greater part of his cold white shoulders.

Pei Xi couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed the other’s hand and raised his head in a fluster, his eyelashes trembling like they were about to fly away. But he didn’t forget to keep his voice low: “N-no need. Chuzhou, I can do it myself.”

He Chuzhou stroked his palm, saying vaguely with lowered eyes: “I know you can. But Xinxin, I want…..can I?”

Huh?

Want what? 

What else was there to want in this situation?

Pei Xi’ face flushed. His breathing was extremely chaotic, and the lack of oxygen caused his brain to temporarily lose its normal processing ability: “No, at least not today.”

“Why not?” He Chuzhou asked.

Pei Xi frowned: “Because…..because…..”

He Chuzhou: “Just because we’re abroad, I can’t even help my wife take off his shirt?”

“Right! Just because—”

Pei Xi’s words cut off abruptly. He looked up in a flash, and didn’t miss the fleeting mischief in He Chuzhou’s eyes.

He Chuzhou couldn’t hold back anymore, and a smile immediately filled his eyes, almost overflowing: “Am I misunderstanding? Or did Xinxin think I wanted to do something else?”

Pei Xi finally realized he was being teased, and the blush on his face instantly faded.

He pushed the other’s hand away expressionlessly and pulled up his shirt: “I wasn’t thinking anything. I want to take a bath.”

He Chuzhou suppressed the sound of his laughter. When he took his pajamas and went into the bathroom to get dressed, his shoulders could still be seen shaking faintly.

“……”

He closed his eyes tightly and gritted his teeth, looking down at his messy shirt.

Something suddenly occurred to him, and his eye gave a slight twitch.

He Chuzhou soon came out and told him that the water was ready, and also reminded him to soak well after washing up.

Pei Xi gave a hum, then crouched down and rummaged through his suitcase.

He Chuzhou: “Hm? What do you need?”

“I forgot to bring pajamas, so I’ll wear yours.” Having said this, he took the articles of clothing and turned to go to the bathroom.

He Chuzhou sat back down on the bed and logged into Pei Xi’s mailbox to see if there was any important work that needed to be dealt with, simultaneously accepting the shopping lists of the two ladies in the family.

The lists were long, and contained many specialized subject terms that he didn’t understand.

It was mind-boggling. He suspected that the mother and daughter were colluding to play a trick on him.

He wracked his brains for a good while before he heard the bathroom door open. He consciously moved to the other side, leaving a warm sleeping spot for Pei Xi: “Done soaking? Come over here and help me look over Mom and Aiyue’s—”

His unfinished words were automatically swallowed back into his stomach when he raised his head.

Pei Xi came out of the bathroom enveloped in steam, wearing only a loose shirt that didn’t belong to him, the hem of which stopped at a subtle length.

The row of buttons were fastened sporadically in the middle, leaving his slender neck and shoulders exposed. A hint of white fabric could be seen on his lower body, and his chest was slightly red from the heat.

He walked over barefoot with a hair dryer, casually raising one leg to kneel on the bed as he handed it over: “Chuzhou, my hands are too tired to lift it. Can you blow dry my hair?”

A pair of cool eyes looked over at him. He Chuzhou felt a buzzing in his brain, along with a hot current that flowed down his nasal cavity.

---

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Chapter 58 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 60

Chapter 4 – Acting

Hao Chen had only taken a few steps when he was suddenly blocked.

“Halt! The area ahead is the territory of our Lingxiao Sword Sect. Who are you?”

Hao Chen turned and saw two people wearing black and white Daoist robes. There was a pattern of small swords on the robes – the symbol of the Lingxiao Sword Sect.

These two disciples were responsible for guarding the mountain gate. Before Hao Chen could respond, one of them recognized his identity and pointed to his gold-edged white Daoist robes, saying: “These robes…..you’re from Tiangong Pavilion?”

Hao Chen waved his fan in front of his chest. His eyebrows curved as he gave a polite smile: “Precisely.”

The affirmative answer, coupled with Hao Chen’s handsome face that made people feel favorable toward him, made the gatekeepers relax their vigilance.

Tiangong Pavilion, as a sect famous for its weapon refining, had always had a close relationship with their Lingxiao Sword Sect. Disciples of the two sects often interacted with each other and visited each other’s sects.

The gatekeeper disciple wasn’t surprised by this, and logically speculated: “Are you here to visit a friend?”

The smile on Hao Chen’s face deepened. Just when he needed an excuse, an excuse was given to him. He readily answered: “That’s right.”

Although the gatekeepers were basically unguarded against Hao Chen, they asked one last question out of convention: “What’s his name?”

Once they knew the name, they would notify the fellow disciple and tell him to pick the visitor up at the mountain gate. Then Hao Chen could enter the sect freely.

However, Hao Chen didn’t know anyone from the Lingxiao Sword Sect, and also hadn’t come to visit a good friend. If he made up a name at random, even if that person did exist, he would be exposed immediately upon meeting them.

But his luck was surprisingly good this time. He did know of someone from the Lingxiao Sword Sect. And that person would never have the chance to confront him or expose his lies to his face.

Hao Chen pretended to be upset and closed his fan, tapping it lightly against his forehead: “It’s like this, the last time I met that fellow Daoist, we hit it off immediately. We had a great discussion and drank all night, becoming close friends. He also invited me to visit the sword sect, but…..”

Hao Chen seemed to sigh with extreme regret: “We talked about life ideals, poetry, and songs, but we forgot to tell each other our names.” Although it sounded a bit unbelievable, it was not completely unreasonable. The gatekeeper didn’t doubt Hao Chen’s words overlymuch, and only said: “Then describe his appearance, and I’ll help you find him.”

Hao Chen recalled the face of the corpse and described: “He…..has a rather ordinary appearance, and he’s about the same height as me. And…..well…..”

Hao Chen was stuck. It seemed his good luck had finally run out. He didn’t have any special hobbies, so he naturally wouldn’t gawk at a corpse. He’d simply taken a glance, and only vaguely remembered its general appearance.

And that person had looked so ordinary. He never forgot things due to having an excellent memory, but despite that being the case…..Hao Chen really couldn’t think of any adjectives to distinguish him. It would be as difficult as describing a single sheep amongst a flock.

As he contemplated for what seemed like half a day, the gatekeeper disciples became a little impatient. Then Hao Chen said in pleasant surprise: “Oh, now I remember. He had a teardrop mole at the corner of his eye.”

“Teardrop mole?” Based on this feature, the disciples began to search the list issued by the sect. This roster detailed basic information on the disciples, including their names and appearances.

Hao Chen waited patiently to the side. He had already mentally prepared what he would say. It didn’t matter what the man’s name was – it mattered that he was dead.

He had died in a treasure theft, a common scene in the cultivation world, and had been dead for almost a month.

The role Hao Chen had arranged for himself was that of a pitiable friend who, unaware of the man’s death, had come to visit him. It would be unreasonable for the two gatekeepers to chase him away. He intended to enter the gates on the pretext of mourning his friend, and then…..

Hao Chen narrowed his eyes, making mental calculations.

The gatekeeper perusing the roster scratched his head irritably. Finding someone based on a teardrop mole was such a slow process. Unlike names, which were listed according to a certain pattern, the distribution of appearances was random, so he had to search through all of the sword sect’s disciples.

Just when he was about to lose his mind, he happened to look up and see two people passing by the mountain gate. They appeared to be fellow disciples who had just finished their meals and were headed back to their residences.

But that wasn’t the point. The point was that…..one of those fellow disciples had a teardrop mole at the corner of his left eye!

While Hao Chen waited for the gatekeeper to check the list, he was also fabricating his story, and was so busy that he didn’t notice the people coming up behind him. He just saw the gatekeeper disciple suddenly straighten up, apparently having found the right description.

Hao Chen promptly asked: “Did you find him?”

The gatekeeper nodded.

The smile on Hao Chen’s face deepened. He just waited for the other party to tell him the sad news of that unfortunate friend’s death. Then he would shed a few crocodile tears and sneak in legitimately.

Just as he was brewing tears, he realized that there was no sorrow on the gatekeeper’s face. Instead, he smiled and waved at someone behind Hao Chen, saying: “Look behind you, is that him?”

Behind him? Hao Chen was baffled. He belatedly turned his head and encountered Feng Ye, who had stopped walking when he was inexplicably greeted by an unfamiliar fellow disciple.

Hao Chen’s breathing stagnated for a moment. His pupils dilated slightly, and he somewhat lost control of his usual smooth demeanor due to this unexpected meeting.

He didn’t answer the gatekeeper right away, and the disciple observed his reaction with puzzlement. Hao Chen looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

But was he not seeing a ghost? The dead had come back to life.

When he didn’t receive an answer, the gatekeeper could only ask again: “Hello? Is he the person you’re looking for?”

“He’s not…..” Hao Chen replied subconsciously, but in the next moment, he firmly contradicted himself: “He is!”

He opened the folded fan again and covered his lips with it to hide his uncontrollable smile. It was only that even though he was smiling, that smile didn’t give off a friendly feeling. Instead, it gave a person an inexplicable sense of danger that made one’s hair stand on end.

Hao Chen looked at Feng Ye’s face, which should have been gray and lifeless, and said word by word: “He is the one I’m looking for…..”

This man who had come back from the dead.

A sudden chill made the two gatekeepers standing near Hao Chen subconsciously shiver. Just as they were confused, Hao Chen returned to his normal state, and the coldness just now seemed as if it had been an illusion. 

He lowered his fan, took a few steps forward, and bowed to Feng Ye in greeting: “Fellow Daoist, it has been a long time since last we parted.”

Since last they parted? Feng Ye was stunned. He looked at Hao Chen, and then at the fellow disciples guarding the gate not far behind him. 

Feng Ye instantly came to a realization. His reaction speed was just as fast as Hao Chen’s as he promptly responded: “Indeed…..fellow Daoist, it’s been a while, haha.”

“I went back and pondered the scriptures you explained to me last time, and felt that you were very insightful. I came to beg your hospitality today just to discuss the sutras and the dao with you once more.” Hao Chen spoke without batting an eyelid about something that had never happened.

Feng Ye quickly assessed the situation. He couldn’t glean anything from Hao Chen’s expression, nor did he know if “he” actually had such a good friend.

He couldn’t act rashly for the moment, so he just gave an ambiguously-worded general answer: “I only have a basic understanding of it. Fellow Daoist is too polite.”

“Fellow Daoist is too modest!”

“Not so, not so.”

These two people, with no rehearsal beforehand, acted out a show on the spot, singing in unison and performing with the tacit understanding of old friends. But in fact, these people with their own ulterior motives didn’t know each other at all.

The gatekeepers saw them talking so enthusiastically and believed they really knew each other. Very tactfully, they turned around and returned to their post.

And Fang Yang, who had been walking with Feng Ye, finally found a gap in their conversation and asked the question he had been holding back: “Shixiong, who is this…..?”

How should I know who he is? Feng Ye thought. But with a smile as fake as Hao Chen’s, he said to the newcomer: “Fellow Daoist, you may not know, but I cultivated too hard the other day and had a deviation, which injured my brain. I’ve forgotten a lot of things, such as…..your name?”

However, he had forgotten that there was an overly-straightforward fellow junior disciple right next to him, and as soon as Feng Ye finished speaking, Fang Yang cut in: “Shixiong, when have you ever cultivated?”

Feng Ye: “……”

Feng Ye coughed dryly, then speedily found a rebuttal: “Nonsense. Shixiong just doesn’t cultivate in front of you, but he actually cultivates routinely every night.”

Fang Yang glanced up at Feng Ye, who was a head taller than him, and expressionlessly called him out: “Are you talking about sleeping?”

Feng Ye: “……”

It was evident that his stair-building speed was slower than Fang Yang’s speed in dismantling them.

Feng Ye glanced at Hao Chen guiltily, and saw that Hao Chen’s lips were slightly raised as he observed him with a smile.

Feng Ye’s originally somewhat timid heart instantly became less timid. Hao Chen’s reaction wasn’t right. If he really knew the original person, he should have revealed some suspicion over such obvious flaws.

But the guy in front of him looked as if he was watching a show…..there was an eighty percent chance that there was something fishy about this person, Feng Ye deduced at once.

Therefore, the previous statements were likely all traps that he had already fallen into. He was at a disadvantage, so if he wanted to regain the initiative, he had to turn the tables.

Feng Ye’s mind raced. He suddenly said: “Fellow…..”

Hao Chen beamed and reminded him: “Distinguished people tend to have short memories. My name is Hao Chen.”

“Oh.” Feng Ye slapped his head as if he had suddenly remembered: “Fellow Daoist Hao. Come to think of it, the last time we discussed the dao and drank under the moon, Fellow Daoist Hao had a huge appetite for wine.”

Hao Chen’s entertained expression froze. They didn’t know each other at all, and had discussed nothing. He had fabricated their discussion of the dao to unearth this person’s fraudulent identity.

Although there was indeed something wrong with the person before him, he hadn’t expected him to react so quickly. After just two or three sentences, that person realized there was something wrong with Hao Chen too and threw a question back at him.

This was bait. No matter how he took it, he would be biting the hook.

Hao Chen smiled at him duplicitously and didn’t give a direct answer, but just went along with it: “Something like that.”

Feng Ye abruptly drew his sword. The smile on his face vanished and he lifted an eyebrow as threatening as a blade.

He stared into Hao Chen’s eyes and said in casual tone that was actually interrogative: “Ah, my memory is so bad. Brother Hao didn’t drink at all, it was actually me who drank a lot that night. I remembered it wrong, but how did Brother Hao also remember it wrong?”

Hao Chen narrowed his eyes and returned Feng Ye’s piercing gaze. The two people stared probingly at each other, and neither spoke for a long while.

The author has something to say: 

First round: Draw

---

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Chapter 3 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 5

Coriander Sauce stopped talking, and also turned her microphone off.

The rule of the game was that all teammates must be gathered in order to move forward. The vines could only imprison people, and didn’t cause any harm, so Coriander Sauce was rescued as well and moved forward with them.

He Chuzhou explained the gameplay to Pei Xi along the way. He led them out of the deep forest area, avoiding jailors, and they arrived at a swamp region.

Just when Pei Xi thought He Chuzhou was going to forgive and forget the faults of Coriander Sauce, he controlled the swordsman to move left and right, tricking a swamp monster into rushing straight toward him.

When he saw the swamp monster rushing right toward He Chuzhou’s face, Pei Xi thought he was stuck and hurriedly tried to pull him away.

Unexpectedly, He Chuzhou grasped his hand and, when the swamp monster was only half a foot away, took him quickly to the right.

As he dodged, the swamp monster continued forward under its own inertia and caused great disaster to Coriander Sauce, who was trying to climb into a blind spot.

The swamp had a suffocating effect. After being pushed into it by the monster, Coriander Sauce struggled to get out. A muddy bubble popped up, the health bar dropped to zero, and the name in the team panel turned gray, announcing the character’s death.

Pei Xi and Wu Qing both stared blankly.

“What the hell ? ! !”

Wu Qing was the first to react, clapping and whistling into the microphone: “So awesome, so flashy, so cool! Lao He, at this moment, I acknowledge you as god!”

“What use is your acknowledgement?”

He Chuzhou snorted: “Let’s go. There are still twenty minutes left in the game. If we delay any longer, we won’t make it.”

As they continued forward, Pei Xi asked if he hadn’t intended to bring Coriander Sauce through in the first place.

He Chuzhou: “Why would I bring her?”

Pei Xi: “Then why did you bring her all the way from the forest to the swamp?”

“I know this question!” 

Wu Qing snickered: “Did you see the four circles on the open ground when we passed the swamp just now? Those four circles require four people to step on them. Lao He used her as a tool!”

Pei Xi understood, but he had another doubt: “You got her friend killed. Why did she follow us instead of retreating?”

He Chuzhou: “I just checked their scores in Escaping Death, and they’re very high. They would get a reward if they won another game, but before this one, they had been on a losing streak.”

Wu Qing projected his voice and said: “No wonder they had such thick skin. I was just wondering why they managed to hold back from scolding you when you were being so rude.”

“They also cursed a lot.”

He Chuzhou asked Pei Xi to get on the single-plank bridge first, staying behind to hold it steady: “You should check out their homepage and see how many red X’s there are.”

In this game, a red X meant you had been banned once for disrupting the fairness of the game or verbally insulting other players.

Having been banned so many times, those people were clearly repeat offenders.

After leaving the swamp regions, they climbed along the vines to reach their destination. When He Chuzhou was halfway up, he kicked the two grayed-out avatars off the team.

Pei Xi: “ ? ”

He Chuzhou: “Corpses can’t speak. They didn’t quit, which means they were still watching the game.”

Wu Qing: “Hahahahahaha too cruel, Lao He! You let them see our victory and put an end to their thoughts of cussing us out at the end of the game! Feels great!”

After he figured out the logic, Pei Xi could only chuckle. He declined when He Chuzhou was about to queue up for the third time, saying: “Let’s stop here today.”

He Chuzhou: “So early?”

Pei Xi: “En. I have some work to deal with, so I’ll leave first.”

Before exiting, he had a sudden impulse and said goodbye to He Chuzou with a teasing tone and a hint of a smile: “Come back soon, Swordsman-gege.”

After saying this, his avatar went gray and his swordsman character vanished.

Wu Qing was focusing on the points collected. Pei Xi had long vanished when he heard He Chuzhou make an ambiguous tsk, somewhat regretful but even more over the moon.

Wu Qing: “Everyone’s gone. You didn’t have tolerance for anyone just now, so what’s with all this tsk tsk?”

He Chuzhou: “What do you mean?”

Wu Qing: “‘It sounds awful, ah.’ Isn’t that how you treat people who call you Swordsman-gege?”

He Chuzhou: “That’s for you and others. Xinxin’s voice is incredibly pleasant to listen to. Are your ears just for decoration?”

Wu Qing: “? ? ?”

Wu Qing hissed out a long breath and rubbed his chest vigorously: “Don’t get angry, don’t get angry. If I get sick from anger, nobody can replace me. I just wasn’t clear on my status, okay? What do you say, shall we continue?”

He Chuzhou: “No, I’m going to work.”

Wu Qing: “…..hello?”

He Chuzhou: “Didn’t you hear my wife tell me to come home early? Playing games all the time destroys one’s ambition and progress in life. Have fun by yourself.”

Wu Qing: “? ? ?”

Wu Qing: “Fuck you!”

*

*

The next morning, Pei Xi was awakened by a series of messages.

Xie Ling: [/link]

Xie Ling: [I just received this from a colleague. Why do these two people sound so much like you and He Chuzhou? Is it you guys?]

Xie Ling: [Taking advantage of a passerby to claim your teammate as your boyfriend, what a great move, ah. You sounded him out without a trace. Perfect.]

Xie Ling: [What was He Chuzhou’s reaction afterward?]

Xie Ling: [Honestly speaking, you guys have been posted all over Weibo, which can be considered a cyberbullying attack. Do you need legal assistance?]

After clicking the link, there was a blog post with an eye-catching title — <<818 Idiot passersby we met in the wild. Don’t get close to internet couples, or you’ll encounter tragedy!>>

The content detailed how the two bloggers joined a group and were maliciously deceived by a couple, as well as maliciously killed one after another, which resulted in the loss of a large amount of gameplay points.

At the end of the blog was a short video without any context, which showed how Doesn’t Eat Coriander was tricked into being killed by a jailor, how Coriander Sauce was killed by her teammates’ misbehavior, and the three of them discussing it triumphantly after their deaths.

The comments were full of condemnation, all of them one-sidedly defending the two corianders and scolding the other three players: 

[How disgusting, I can’t stand it!]

[I’m so angry that I pinched off a turd halfway through!]

[Backtabbing teammates, really? Can we report this, ah?]

[I also really hate gaming with couples! Conjoined twins are so annoying, you can’t enjoy the game at all!]

[I’ll say it again, all internet couples should die, okay? Don’t come out and bring disaster to others.]

[These video clips seem to be a little out of context. Can the blogger please post the entire video?]

[I feel the same way. And isn’t it a bit weird to say that they were tricked when they joined the group? Does this mean that as soon as people join, they have to shout that they’re a couple? Wouldn’t that be even weirder?]

[You mean to say I unjustly accused them?]

[Hasn’t the distinguished, rational guest seen the evidence?]

[The video and image records of the deaths are all here. I didn’t post the whole thing because it’s too long. My friend died very early on, and after that, I had my microphone shut off. Those parts aren’t worth watching at all.]

[No matter what, it’s wrong to backstab your teammates.]

[This is a team game, ah. No matter how you look at it, the swordsman’s behavior was excessive.]

[Can this account be banned? @ Game Official Blog]

[Wait, didn’t anyone notice? The IDs of these two swordsmen look really familiar to me.]

[Me too, to be honest.]

[I’m afraid I’ll misremember and accuse the wrong people.]

[Everyone, do you remember the phrase ‘Heavenly Gates?’]

[Or ‘A special title will be given after ten points?’]

The crowd was easily led to the rhythm, and even if there were one or two clear-headed people who occasionally came out and made sense, they were soon drowned out by the massive amounts of abuse.

But then, someone recognized the couple as the two humanoid NPCs who were giving out benefits to the entire Heavenly Gates area.

Thus, the comment section began to frantically tag the official Weibo account, asking for an explanation. If one clicked into the official blog at this time, they would find that the top comment section was flooded with players clamoring for a response.

The matter was a hot topic, but Pei Xi was uninterested.

He was only focused on one thing at the moment, which was that since he had been woken up by Xie Ling, he was in his right mind again today.

He felt irritated for some reason, and even the messages sent by Xie Ling, the instigator, were particularly unpleasant to him.

However, when he tidied up and left the room, then saw the empty kitchen and living room, his irritability disappeared in a flash.

Never mind. It was all the same.

He Chuzhou wasn’t home, so whether he was clear-headed or confused, he couldn’t get close to him anyway.

When Xie Ling didn’t receive a reply, he sent an emoticon asking if he was still asleep.

Pei Xi went to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee, and replied to him as he waited: 

Pei Xi: [I’m awake. I saw it.]

Pei Xi: [It was us, but the facts are different from what was written in that article.]

Xie Ling: [Got it. I couldn’t understand why you or him would do such unreasonable things. What are you going to do now?]

Pei Xi: [Don’t worry, it’s just a small matter. He Chuzhou will handle it.]

He put down his phone and changed the food and water for Xingxing and Yueliang, then took He Xingxing on a half-circle walk around the community.

When he got home, the house was still deserted, with only the kitten lying in wait on the armrest of the sofa.

He still wasn’t used to it.

He and He Chuzhou had been together for so long, and the other always arranged everything for him. Now that he was suddenly left alone, he wasn’t used to anything.

After a quick breakfast, he went to work in the study. When his eyes felt sore, he removed his glasses and looked sideways toward the green plants outside the window, his gaze lingering when he spied a cloud in the sky.

He withdrew his gaze only when He Chuzhou sent him a message.

When he clicked on it, he saw a photo of a doll in a shop window. The doll was wearing a black shirt and pants, its chin in its hand, gazing at the sky outside.

He Chuzhou: [/image]

He Chuzhou: [Look what I found, there’s a Xinxin locked behind the window!]

He Chuzhou: [/shocked little rabbit.jpg]

He Chuzhou: [Wait for me, Gege will rescue you and take you home. /sunglasses/sunglasses]

The doll did look a little like Pei Xi, but the childishness in He Chuzhou’s words was much more interesting.

Pei Xi chuckled as he read.

If he told him that he was currently in his right mind, he would be so alarmed that he’d instantly withdraw the messages. Would he make up an excuse to avoid being embarrassed, or simply pretend nothing had happened and change the subject?

He would enjoy either option.

However, he didn’t plan to tell him. Because if he did, there would be no way to justify himself…..

Pei Xi: [/image]

Pei Xi: [Look, this cloud looks like you.]

He Chuzhou: [ ? ]

He Chuzhou: [Where does it look like me, ah? Doesn’t it look like a chick pecking rice?]

Pei Xi: [It’s the same.]

Pei Xi: [/image. This one is also similar.]

He Chuzhou: [? ? ?]

Pei Xi: [The scones in the cupboard look like you too.]

Pei Xi: [ And the little pig decoration on the table..]

Pei Xi: [And He Xingxing when he hasn’t woken up in the morning.]

He Chuzhou: [? ? ? ? ?]

He Chuzhou: [Are you insulting me……]

He Chuzhou: [/little rabbit feels wronged.jpg]

Pei Xi couldn’t help but laugh: [I’m not insulting you.]

Pei Xi: [I just miss you very much.]

Pei Xi: [Everything I see makes me miss you.]

In another country at the same longitude.

Yun Ji was speaking in an orderly manner about the inspection plan after entering the fully-automated machinery factory, when a certain person who had been leisurely admiring the window merchandize suddenly picked up his pace.

Yun Ji: “? ? ?”

Yun Ji: “What are you doing? Are you suddenly being chased by a ghost?”

He Chuzhou: “Hurry up, don’t drag your feet. Let’s sign the contract early and go home early.”

Yun Ji: “It can’t be signed today no matter how fast you go, ah. They haven’t even done the presentation yet!”

Yun Ji: “Hey, wait for me!”

*

*

He had some free time in the afternoon, so Pei Xi made a special trip to the neighboring city to visit his grandfather.

The old man had been discharged from the hospital, but the temperature had dropped recently and he had a constant cough. He couldn’t withstand the wind, so he had been resting in bed at home.

Seeing that it was only him, Shen Congfeng asked: “Xiao He didn’t come with you?”

Pei Xi helped him sit up, piled pillows against the backrest, and took a seat next to the bed: “He’s on a business trip abroad.”

Shen Confeng nodded, and habitually began to ask Pei Xi about his recent situation. He thought of something at the end, and hesitated briefly before deciding to speak: “Xinxin, your mother called me yesterday and said that she might come back during the New Year.”

Seeing that Pei Xi didn’t have any special reaction upon hearing this, he paused for a moment, then asked: “When the time comes, would you like to see her?”

“No need.”

Pei Xi peeled a pear in one go, pulling the light green skin off thinly and evenly: “There wouldn’t be much to talk about if we met, so it’s best not to waste our time.”

Shen Congfeng: “You still blame her, don’t you?”

Pei Xi calmly shook his head: “She was so young back then. She had the right to pursue the life she wanted. I understand her, but I have no feelings for her, and seeing each other would just be awkward.”

Shen Congfeng sighed upon hearing the words “no feelings.” He didn’t attempt to persuade him further, but just lamented: “Time flies by so fast. I keep feeling like you should be the little kid who stood on a stool and asked me to hold you, but you’ve actually grown up so much.”

Pei Xi nodded. But as he cut the pear into slices, he thought of the events of that morning and couldn’t help but smile: “Sometimes time goes by very slowly.”

Shen Congfeng knew him the best, and rarely saw him show emotion in such a way. He felt it was novel, but then he recalled the previous conversation and came to a realization: “You’re missing Xiao He?”

Unexpectedly, Pei Xi didn’t deny it. 

Shen Congfeng asked again: “If you’re not busy with work, why didn’t you go with him?”

Pei Xi: “I can’t disturb him just because I’m not busy.”

Shen Congfeng: “Would it really bother him?”

Pei Xi: “No.”

Whether he was in his right mind or not, he wouldn’t disturb He Chuzhou while he was working.

“Then what’s the problem?”

Shen Congfeng smile at Pei Xi, who was very different from before: “Grandpa was always afraid you’d be resistant to starting a family because of your parents. I wouldn’t urge to you to start a family, but I was always worried you would be alone.”

“It’s all good now. Seeing that Xinxin has someone by his side, Grandpa’s old bones can rest assured.”

“If you miss him, just go find him. It’s better to see him rather than constantly miss him, isn’t it? You’re like Grandpa now, an old man all alone, thinking of your grandma but not able to see her.”

Pei Xi’s heart moved, and his actions paused.

Indeed, since he was sure He Chuzuhou wouldn’t be bothered, why not go to him?

Why wrong himself by keeping a distance between them? 

Besides, he would also want Pei Xi to come, wouldn’t he?

As for the excuse……

He didn’t need an excuse.

As long as he got some sleep on the plane and made a phone call when he landed, He Chuzhou would make up all of the excuses for him.

At midnight, an international flight took off from Wancheng Airport and flew north over the brightly-lit city.

After takeoff, the broadcast said that flight mode could be turned off again. Pei Xi opened his phone and clicked on the link Xie Ling had sent him that morning.

Unexpectedly, after just one day, the comments had done an about-face. All of the IDs that were originally condemning He Chuzhou had switched sides and were now Cursing Coriander Sauce and Doesn’t Eat Coriander:

[God, don’t you two have any shame? You took things out of context and used them to smear others. Now you’ve run out of luck and kicked an iron plate!]

[What kind of people play together like this? You two corianders are something else.]

[Cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap!]

[This sissy gay dude Doesn’t Eat Coriander harassed innocent players. Didn’t he deserve to die? If it were me, I would have backstabbed him too. I would take out my 40-meter sword and give him 4,800 cuts!]

[He really is two-faced. He was so arrogant when he joined the group, but his attitude changed drastically when he heard that the guy had a nice voice. Did he turn into a fool after hearing it?]

[These two corianders are on my blacklist. You can tell how notorious they are by looking at the red X’s on their homepages. They have foul mouths and are well-known verbal abusers.]

[Fortunately we found out about them before they changed their names. I’m really shocked by their low quality. How can people like this have the nerve to accuse others? Most importantly, some people believed it.]

[The game has come out to claim them. The couple is officially recognized. You two and your foul language are done for.]

[Just wait for your accounts to be blocked! This game is better off without you.]

[Hm? You were rather active in the comment section before. Why did you suddenly stop talking? Are you worried about something?]

Officially recognized?

Pei Xi doubtfully clicked into the official blog. Only then did he realize that the pinned video had changed from a new promotional video to a full-screen recording of their game that night.

The video was 48 minutes long in total, from the time the two corianders joined the group to the moment they were kicked off the team by He Chuzhou, as well as the brief conversation between the three people afterward. Everything was there, and there was no need to explain who was right and who was wrong.

Not only that, but the official blog also stated that they were indeed the two NPCs who had distributed benefits before. Due to receiving many backend reports that some players were maliciously insulting others and polluting the internal environment of the game, they had sent several GMs out to investigate.

It also claimed that after today, accounts with more than ten red X’s would be permanently banned, and asked people to please be civilized in their words and gameplay, and work together to create a harmonious and friendly gaming atmosphere.

Coincidentally, the number of red X’s for both Coriander Sauce and Doesn’t Eat Coriander were just over ten.

The comments under this microblog were divided in three directions. The first was scolding the two corianders, the second was apologizing to He Chuzhou and Pei Xi, and the third was exclaiming over how cute the two GMs were.

But Pei Xi felt nothing after reading them, just as he had felt nothing about the insults that morning.

Those on the internet who went with the flow and had no opinions of their own were not worthy of his attention or his forgiveness.

What he was more concerned about was the comment that said He Group’s CEO had reblogged this post.

He tried searching for it, and there it was.

He just wasn’t sure if the manager behind his Weibo account was He Chuzhou himself. After all, looking through the content, most of it was forwarded financial information and real-time news.

If he didn’t know He Chuzhou, he would definitely have thought that the CEO of He Group was a middle-aged man over forty.

In the sparse comment area, someone had asked if he was NPC 001 himself, but the commenter deleted it themselves not long after.

They probably had the same idea as him, thinking that it was impossible for an old man to play games or have such a nice-sounding voice.

They had inexplicably become permanent NPCs in the game, which was a truly fresh experience.

Pei Xi exited Weibo and put down his phone, glancing sideways at the scenery outside the window. The clouds blocked his view from above, but he could see numerous stars in the sky.

As the plane descended through a small cloud bank, he gathered up the blanket around his knees, leaned back, and closed his eyes.

Nine hours later, the plane landed at a foreign airport at 9:28 a.m. local time.

Pei Xi stood at the lane where taxis gathered outside the airport, suitcase in tow, with a look of stupefaction on his face.

Why…..?

How could this have happened?

He was certain he had woken up naturally, so why wasn’t he brain-addled?

He remained outside the airport until half of the taxis were gone. When he accepted reality at last, he closed his eyes and let out a long breath, as if having come to some kind of decision.

Opening his eyes again, he dialed He Chuzhou’s number. Before the other party could say anything, he spoke a crisp: “Gege…..”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

He couldn’t help the way the tip of his tongue quivered.

Pei-calico’s tone was really hard to imitate when he was in his right mind, and…..it put a lot of psychological pressure on him.

But now that it had come to this point, he couldn’t turn back.

After a brief pause, he took a deep breath, suppressed his shame, and continued to say the rest with a sticky intonation: “I’m in your city at the airport. Where are you, ah?”

---

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Chapter 57 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 59

T/N: So sorry for the sudden hiatus! Between going on vacation and getting Covid for the nth time, I didn’t have the time or will to translate!

---

From the moment he boarded the car to the airport, and from the airport to the moment he boarded the plane, He Chuzhou was in a dilemma.

Although he and Pei Xi had become much closer recently, they could at most be summarized as friends. Was this normal behavior between two male friends?

He tried to imagine the scene of Wu Qing helping him do his tie and touching his Adam’s Apple—

Forget it. He was a little nauseated.

But Pei Xi wasn’t the type to get so close to others, ah. Giving him such sweetness out of nowhere, could it be that…..he also had that kind of intention toward him?

No wonder they said that things develop in the opposite direction when they reach an extreme.

As soon as this conjecture popped into his mind, the elated feeling reached its peak and then instantly cooled.

It was impossible. How could it be possible?

He was so polite with him the day he went up the mountain. How could he have changed so suddenly? He Chuzhou hadn’t cast black magic on him.

He reached up and rubbed his brow with mixed emotions.

Damn. Why are you becoming more like a guy who has more confidence than he’s earned? He just tied a tie for you, why are you already thinking about where to go on the honeymoon?

Could it be that that day on the mountain, he accidentally maxed out a certain level of favorability?

Was it so easy to do?

If that was the case, could he find a way to bring him up there a few more times…..

“Huh?”

Yun Ji had suddenly taken out his phone and poked him in the arm with it: “What are you thinking about? Your expression could create an episode of The Legend of Zhen Huan.”^[1]

He Chuzhou was distracted : “It’s nothing.”

Yun Ji: “Then why do you keep touching your tie? If it’s not tied properly, just untie it and tie it again.”

“Huh?” He Chuzhou seemed to finally return to his senses, turning to look at him uncomprehendingly: “How did you know Pei Xi gave me this tie?”

Yun Ji: “……?”

He Chuzhou lowered his head and tidied it up again, his face full of pleasure: “I don’t need your help. Pei Xi did it for me before I left. It’s perfect.”

Yun Ji: “ ? ? ? ”

Yun Ji looked as though he’d seen a ghost: “Brother, did I say I would help you?”

Yun Ji: “No, who asked you? ? ?”

He Chuzhou paid him no mind. He thought for a moment, then took out his phone and snapped a photo of his tie, edited a paragraph of text, and sent them off together.

At the same time, Wu Qing, who was comfortably lying on a beach overseas and watching the sunset, received a message. He picked up his phone and opened it.

Wu Qing: [En, looks fine. Much better than those old-fashioned colors you used before. It shows your good aesthetic taste.]

He Chuzhou: [Pei Xi gave it to me.]

Wu Qing: [ ? ]

Wu Qing: [Blegh, you sent this just to show off to me?]

He Chuzhou: [No, I just want to ask you something.]

He Chuzhou: [He specially bought me a tie and helped me put it on personally. Do you think he has some kind of feelings for me?]

Wu Qing: [ ? ? ? ]

Wu Qing: [Are you sick? An old married couple is still playing the game of marriage first, love later? How old are you?]

Wu Qing: [If you want to play, then play, but you still want to shove it in my face? Am I a cheap person?!]

Wu Qing: [Blocked. Idiot!]

Watching the newly sent message turn into an exclamation mark, He Chuzhou felt rather regretful.

Heaven knows, he was just asking. Why did no one understand him?

*

*

Xie Ling: [How’s it going?]

Pei Xi: [The situation is currently optimistic.]

Xie Ling: [See, what did I say? The odds that he likes you are ridiculously high. It’s a sure thing, right?]

Pei Xi: [About 70%. Not entirely sure. I need to take another look.]

Xie Ling: [That’s fine, it’s not like he’s going to run away. So what are you going to do next?]

Pei Xi: [I haven’t planned anything. He’s on a business trip and won’t be back until Saturday.]

Xie Ling: [On a business trip at this critical moment? Tsk, luckless virgins just can’t eat anything good. What about you? What are you doing?]

Pei Xi: [I’m watching him report his itinerary to me.]

Xie Ling: [ ? ]

Pei Xi: [It’s about every ten minutes, which is more punctual than you getting to work on time.]

Xie Ling: [……]

Xie Ling: [Maybe I didn’t make it clear before. I can teach you to pursue someone, but I have no intention of being part of your love

 play.]

Pei Xi: [We’re not together.]

Xie Ling: [I know, ah.]

Xie Ling: [But why do I always feel like I’m being smeared by your inexplicable love games?]

Xie Ling: [So evil.]

What?

Pei Xi read Xie Ling’s words thoughtfully, then switched to the chat box with He Chuzhou.

Two minutes ago, He Chuzhou said that he saw swans that hadn’t flown south for the winter on a frozen river.

Twelve minutes ago, He Chuzhou said that the northern air was like a freezer, and chilled his lungs when he breathed in.

Twenty-two minutes ago, He Chuzhou said that he had gotten off the plane and was going through customs.

Thirty-two minutes ago, He Chuzhou lamented that the plane had actually circled in the sky more than ten times.

Was this also considered romantic behavior?

After separating, he sent messages to Pei Xi frequently, sharing every little detail of what he was experiencing with the other party.

From this point of view, it really……

But this phenomenon had been going on for a long time.

Was it possible that He Chuzhou had fallen in love with him so early on?

Or was he just a chatterbox?

Pei Xi was deep in thought. When he saw Pei Yueliang passing by, he picked her up and took a picture in the mirror on the side wall.

As soon as he put her down, He Xingxing came over and rubbed against his legs, acting spoiled.

Pei Xi sighed helplessly, picked up the dog with great effort, and took another photo.

And He Chuzhou, who was rushing to his workplace, received three messages in a row – two images and one text.

He clicked on them one by one. The first photo showed Pei Xi holding the kitten in one hand with Pei Yueliang resting two little paws on his chest, looking adorable with her ears sticking straight up.

In the second photo, Pei Xi had picked up the dog with both hands. He Xingxing had happily put his paws on his shoulders, stuck out his tongue, and was looking at the mirror excitedly.

Pei Xi: [Your son doesn’t seem to realize he’s no longer a puppy that weighs a few pounds. He saw me holding Pei Yueliang just now, and insisted on being held too.]

He Chuzhou enlarged the photo. Pei Xi was wearing loose, light-hued house clothes. His hair lay softly across his forehead as he looked at his phone with his eyebrows lowered, looking clean and tender.

A little farther down, his cuffs had slid from the wrists to the elbows, revealing a section of slender white forearm. The curves of his wrists were slender and beautiful, and He Chuzhou could easily encircle them with his palms with space left to spare.

He stared for a long time, rubbing his itchy fingertips.Then he saved the photos and typed a reply: 

[There’s no need to spoil him. He’s already grown and should be aware of his own weight.]

Your father wants to hug him but can’t, and you, a dog, are begging to be hugged over there. What kind of behavior is that?

*

*

The location of He Chuzhou’s business trip wasn’t at the same latitude as Wancheng, but it was at the same longitude, so there was no time difference between him and Pei Xi.

It was already evening when the plane landed. He met with his business partners and was entertained over dinner, and it wasn’t even ten o’clock when he returned to the hotel, which was neither early nor late.

He reported to Pei Xi as usual. As he showered, he wondered whether he could use Xingxing and Yueliang as a cover to get a few minutes of video. Unexpectedly, when he came out and took a look, Pei Xi had sent him a screenshot of a game.

Pei Xi: [/image]

Pei Xi: [I just found a game on my phone and opened it to take a look. Did I download it myself?]

He Chuzhou hadn’t thought he would be interested in opening the game, and couldn’t help but think of it fondly: 

He Chuzhou: [No, I helped you.]

Pei Xi: [Have I played it?]

He Chuzhou: [You did, ah. You said it was fun and you really liked it. Do you want to play?]

Pei Xi: [I can’t play games.]

He Chuzhou was naturally aware of this, and was waiting for him to say it: [That’s okay. I taught you once, and I can teach you a second time.]

He Chuzhou: [/invite.jpg]

A trace of unruffled success flashed in Pei Xi’s eyes, and he replied with an [Ok]. He moved Pei Yueliang off the pillow and got in bed, pulling the blankets over him as he sat against the headboard.

The game was indeed a good cover. There was no need for him to deliberately say anything, and He Chuzhou happily came to him according to his wishes.

As expected, he was able to communicate with him clearly over the phone for at least the next two hours.

The game had recently launched a new play mode called “Escape from Death,” which was similar to an escape room, and he heard it had good reviews.

It was just a pity that the game required at least three people to participate. He Chuzhou could only reluctantly pull Wu Qing in, and submitted an optimization suggestion for the game:

Three people is too many and one person is too few. I suggest adding a two-player level, which would be optimal.

“What made you think of playing a game with me, ah?”

As soon as Wu Qing entered, he opened the voice chat in an interrogative manner, chewing something in his mouth. He Chuzhou asked what he was eating, and he replied: “I got bored late at night and went to the kitchen to fish out a squid. It’s so squishy.”

“Smack your lips a little quieter.”

He Chuzhou clicked him into the group, then flew to the NPC lineup: “Go in and first report your location and everything around you.”

Pei Xi: “Okay.”

Wu Qing: “No problem.”

The screen went black, and then the game began. The three people were randomly confined to different prison cells.

Wu Qing: “My room is round. There are no candles inside, but there are some outside. There’s also a curved red arrow on the wall.”

The game had a full voice control system, so even though the three people were in different places, they could hear each other’s voices.

He Chuzhou: “Understood. I just stole a jailer’s key and opened the door. Xinxin, what is there around you?”

Pei Xi spun his perspective to look around: “My cell is square, with an unlit candle inside. There are no candles in the corridor, and there is a white arrow on the wall pointing to the right of where I was facing.”

“To the right…..” He Chuzhou pondered: “What is it made of?”

Pei Xi: “Stones and broken bricks.”

Wu Qing: “Mine is bluestone, with no broken bricks!”

He Chuzhou: “Okay, get closer to the cell door and see what’s at the end of where the arrow is pointing.”

Wu Qing: “There’s nothing, ah, just a thick fog…..oh, there’s a round bronze mirror.”

He Chuzhou: “I wasn’t asking you.”

Wu Qing: “ ? ”

Pei Xi: “I also have a bronze mirror here. Square, tilted toward the corner. But I can see a figure walking around. It must be a jailer.”

He Chuzhou: “Is the jailer carrying a knife or a baton?”

Pei Xi: “It looks like…..a baton.”

He Chuzhou: “Got it. Wait for me.”

Very soon, Pei Xi heard footsteps getting closer and closer, accompanied by the sound of somebody falling to the ground. He Chuzhou then appeared in front of his cell door with an iron rod and a bunch of keys.

Pei Xi was surprised: “How did you find me?”

“It’s not a very large area, and each of the bronze mirrors has a different shape.”

He Chuzhou opened the cell door with a key: “Come out first. Why do you still have a cold buff?”

Pei Xi couldn’t explain and didn’t know where to look for it.

He Chuzhou: “It’s fine, wear my outer robe for a while, it’ll be gone soon.”

Pei Xi was astonished when he was able to interact with it: “You can take off your equipment and give it to others in this game?”

He Chuzhou: “Yeah, otherwise how could we say that it has a very high degree of freedom? Tsk, how come you look so good in my clothes in this game?”

“I really can’t take it anymore!”

Wu Qing was unable to bear it: “Brother, may I ask if this is some kind of couples’ game? I’m still in prison, can’t you do something about me??”

He Chuzhou: “Oh. I forgot. What’s nearby? Tell me again.”

Wu Qing: “I already told you!”

He Chuzhou: “I wasn’t listening just now.”

Wu Qing: “……”

Damn! You really couldn’t play games with a couple!

Wu Qing was not far from them. The round bronze mirror was an easy-to-find clue. He Chuzhou just killed a jailor on the way and turned a corner to rescue him.

Wu Qing was speechless: “So the footsteps that passed by my door was you. Why did you go to the farthest person instead of the nearest one?”

He Chuzhou: “You had a candle inside, but Pei Xi didn’t. Can’t you see that he’s cold?”

Wu Qing: “? ? ?”

Wu Qing: “We’re playing a game, why are you talking about hot and cold? Are you sick?”

Wu Qing: “Besides, what the hell would a candle do!”

Pei Xi pursed his lips and politely didn’t laugh out loud.

After putting on the swordsman’s outer robe, the cold buff on his body still hadn’t disappeared.

After pacing around the cell, he realized that this buff could dispel the fog and prevent the people next to him from being slowed down.

The three-player levels were very easy, and theirs was the simplest one. As long as they found the key to the prison door and escaped, they would win.

As for clues, it was obvious that the different-shaped bronze mirrors were crucial.

He Chuzhou told Wu Qing to stay where he was and watch the candle, because a jailer would come over once it went out. While it wasn’t difficult to kill a jailor, it would greatly reduce their efficiency.

After some exploration, they found that each bronze mirror could be rotated. The first one faced the entrance, and light coming from outside could be refracted in another direction through the mirror.

“It seems that as long as we can pass this beam of light to the last bronze mirror, we’ll know where the key is hidden.”

As He Chuzhou voiced his speculation, his eyes were fixed on Pei Xi’s character.

While he searched for clues, the swordsman controlled by Pei Xi stood silently and obediently beside him, helping to dispel the debuffs brought by the surrounding fog.

Thinking of the photos Pei Xi had just sent him, he rubbed the edge of the phone with his fingertips, feeling ready to stir up trouble.

If he couldn’t hug him in real life, could he at least hug him in the game?

But if he suddenly turned around and gave him a hug while searching for clues, would that make him look like a psycho?

He gnashed his teeth and secretly wondered if, should they run into a jailor later, he could pretend to be frightened and jump into Pei Xi’s arms.

He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he walked a long way before realizing that Pei Xi hadn’t caught up with him. Looking back, he found the swordsman stuck in a crack in a wall, unable to get out.

He was momentarily stunned, then walked back while trying not to laugh: “Why didn’t you tell me you were stuck?”

“I was just about to.”

Pei Xi, who had finally gotten himself stuck with great difficulty, said with poise: “The terrain here is complex, and I’m not very familiar with walking.”

Wu Qing was sitting by the candle in boredom, and interrupted when he heard their conversation: “It’s okay, you don’t have to walk. Make Lao He act like a horse and —”

“Let me carry you,” He Chuzhou said.

Wu Qing: “? ? ?”

Pei Xi: “You can carry people?”

“Of course.” He Chuzhou reached out and Pei Xi nodded in agreement. In the next second, one swordsman was lifted horizontally by the other.

With bamboo hats covering their faces and long hair like a waterfall, they looked very pleasing to the eye against the foggy background.

Wu Qing couldn’t comprehend it: “Why are you carrying him like that? There’s clearly a faster and more convenient way.”

He Chuzhou said haughtily: “He would have to dismount to interact with the mirrors if I carried him horseback. It wouldn’t be as convenient as this.”

“…..”

The corners of Wu Qing’s mouth twitched.

Damn, if I couldn’t hear the way the corners of your mouth are stretched to your ears, I might have believed it.

He crouched alone in the hallway, watching as He Chuzhou happily ran around like a silly dog with Pei Xi in his arms. He rolled his eyes and grumbled: “What dumbass teammates. I really can’t stand it.”

“I only agreed to come here because he was giving me a headache. They don’t fucking hug each other enough at home, but they have to stick to each other in a game. Sticky, sticky, lovey-dovey. Can’t they treat me like a human being…..”

He Chuzhou fiddled with the last mirror and followed the beam of light to the key’s hiding place: “What are you mumbling to yourself over there?”

“So you do know I’m a human being.”

Wu Qing said sarcastically: “I was saying that I don’t want to play with just you two anymore. Let’s play a five-player game next time so I can have two normal teammates!”

As soon as he said this, he went out and changed the game from a three-person match to a five-person match.

Not long after, two teammates joined simultaneously. One was named Coriander Sauce and the other, Doesn’t Eat Coriander. It seemed they were acquaintances and had queued together.

Once they formed a team, Doesn’t Eat Coriander was the first to speak: “Hey, what are your levels? Newbies or veterans? We’re in a hurry to score points, don’t drag us down later.”

This schoolboy’s big mouth made Wu Qing laugh: “If you’re worried about strangers dragging you down, just go play with people you know, ah. You could also play with three players. Why run wild to a five-player game?”

Doesn’t Eat Coriander: “Nonsense, we came together. How can that be running wild? Besides, the three-person game is full of idiots we can’t even carry. It’s unbearable.”

“Uncle, from your tone, you must not be very good, ah.”

Coriander Sauce, a girl, turned on her microphone and giggled: “I guess you’ll have to rely on us to carry you for a while. Do you know how to lie down?”

“Uncle?”

Wu Qing was in disbelief: “Who are you calling uncle? Do you know how to speak?”

“Okay, opening it.”

He Chuzhou couldn’t be bothered to delay for their nonsense, and directly queued up to enter the map.

The group was silent for a while before Doesn’t Eat Coriander opened his mouth again with a tone that was much milder and friendlier than before: “Xiao-gege, do you know each other?”

He Chuzhou didn’t answer him: “When you’re on the map, report your location first and we’ll gather up.”

Doesn’t Eat Coriander: “Okay, oh.”

Coriander Sauce gave a meaningful laugh and imitated Doesn’t Eat Coriander’s tone: “Okay, oh~”

Pei Xi said nothing. Wu Qing couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to them, and didn’t say anything either.

Since the game was different, the way they were distributed was different as well. When the game lit up, Pei Xi found that he and Coriander Sauce were locked in adjacent cells.

The other party naturally saw him, but walked around a few times and pretended not to notice him.

Pei Xi didn’t have the habit of talking to strangers, and continued to observe the surrounding environment. Very soon, he heard Doesn’t Eat Coriander exclaim in surprise: “Swordsman-gege, we’re in the same cell. What a coincidence.”

Swordsman-gege?

Pei Xi’s eyebrows rose slightly.

He Chuzhou’s words seemed to stick in his throat at that title. After a moment, he said with a tsk: “It sounds awful. Don’t call me that.”

Doesn’t Eat Coriander: “Wh….what?”

Even if his voice couldn’t be considered that of a male god, it was certainly no exaggeration to say that it was pleasant to the ear. How could it sound awful?

The corners of Pei Xi’s’ mouth curved up.

Wu Qing had no compunctions about laughing out loud. He pinched his throat and began to report on his location: “Swordsman-gege~ I’m in a water dungeon. There’s a shark in a cage under the water. It’s so scary, come and save me.”

“Got it,” He Chuzhou said. “You’re also unpleasant to listen to.”

Wu Qing: “……”

Coriander Sauce: “Pfft.”

Perhaps because He Chuzhou was treating everyone equally, Doesn’t Eat Coriander was mollified. After a short pause, he began again: “Swordsman-gege, how long have you been playing this game? You seem to be at a really high level.”

He Chuzhou continued to ignore him: “What’s the situation on the other side?”

The moment Pei Xi opened his mouth, Coriander Sauce rushed to answer: “We’re in a forest prison.”

He Chuzhou: “I didn’t ask you.”

Coriander Sauce was stunned: “Ah?”

He Chuzhou: “Xinxin.”

Pei Xi hummed: “It’s very narrow, surrounded by trees and vines. There are animal skeletons in the corners. My legs are also entangled by the vines on the wall.”

He Chuzhou: “What about outside?”

Pei Xi: “There’s only a small path covered in withered vines, and the rest is blocked by fog.”

He Chuzhou: “Okay.”

“Wa, Swordsman-gege, you’re so smart.”

Doesn’t Eat Coriander didn’t hold back his praise: “We just queued up for a bunch of games where our teammates were fumbling around in the dark. None of them were as reliable as you.”

“Your equipment is really good, ah. It’s not available anymore. Did you create your account during the public beta?”

“Your hat is so handsome, and so is your character. It fits your voice so well.”

He Chuzhou: “Number Five.”

Doesn’t Eat Coriander: “Huh? Calling me Number Five is too unfamiliar. Swordsman-gege, just call me Cori-cori. Is there anything I can help you with?”

He Chuzhou: “Stand over here.”

Doesn’t Eat Coriander: “Okay. Here, Gege? Isn’t it too close to the corridor? The guards might—”

The noisy calls of ‘gege’ instantly disappeared.

He Chuzhou quickly snatched the keys from the waist of the jailor who had just stabbed someone, then stepped on the corpse of Doesn’t Eat Coriander and silently left the cell.

Surprisingly, nobody noticed the lack of that person’s voice in the audio.

Wu Qing was concentrating on teasing the shark underwater, and Pei Xi was being wildly hit on by the suddenly lively and enthusiastic Coriander Sauce.

Coriander Sauce: “Xiao-gege, you’re a boy, aren’t you? Looking at your ID, I thought you were a girl.”

Pei Xi’s ID was randomly generated by the system, and did indeed look a bit like a girl’s.

Coriander Sauce: “You sound so young, are you a university student? Are you double-queuing with your roommate?”

Coriander Sauce: “Did you just start playing this game? I see you don’t know this place is called a forest prison.”

Coriander Sauce: “I’m a university student too, a senior. I’ve been very free recently. Do you want to add me as a friend so we can play together?”

Pei Xi clicked into the team chat and lowered the volume.

This time, he didn’t have to wait long before He Chuzhou arrived. He ignored Coriander Sauce, who was closer to him, and went straight to Pei Xi to open his cell door.

Coriander Sauce then realized that her counterpart was missing and asked: “Swordsman-gege, where is Number Five?”

He Chuzhou adjusted his angle and unlocked the door: “He was too noisy and got stabbed.”

“? ? ? ? ?”

“Stabbed?!”

Coriander Sauce was so agitated that her voice cracked. She was quick to rectify it: “No way. Swordsman-gege, you stabbed him? We’re teammates, ah, and my friend has very strong logical thinking skills. Without him, we might get stuck!”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Pei Xi, who hadn’t spoken in a long time, suddenly said with a warm tone: “My boyfriend is also very talented.”

As soon as he spoke, the swordsman’s movements stopped briefly on his way in.

Coriander Sauce was completely silent.

When He Chuzhou crouched down to help untie the vines wrapped around Pei Xi’s ankles, she could be heard hesitating to speak several times over the receiver.

It was like she couldn’t find a suitable tone to continue speaking. Her next words sounded particularly strange, as if she had been embarrassed into anger: “The swordsman is your boyfriend? Why didn’t you say anything when we entered the game? You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”

Wu Qing laughed again: “Classmate, what status do you have? What status does your friend have? Why should others report to you?”

Coriander Sauce: “Uncle, who are you and what right do you have to speak here?”

Coriander Sauce: “So impressive, stabbing a teammate. What kind of quality is that, ah? Don’t you understand that this is a team game?”

Coriander Sauce: “I’m telling you, don’t play games with couples, it’s so unlucky. If you like to show off so much, can’t you be more conscious and team up to play a tile-matching game?”

The vines were in a complicated tangle, and it took some time for He Chuzhou to untie them. He helped Pei Xi up and turned to the indignant Coriander Sauce: 

“If you keep making noise, I’ll stab you too.”

---

[1] Also known as “Empresses in the Palace,” this 2011 drama is full of harem intrigue. ⮐

---

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Chapter 56 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 58

When He Chuzhou woke up in the morning, he found someone in his arms.

He subconsciously pulled him tighter into his arms at first, and when he regained his senses and forced himself to open his eyes, he met Pei Xi’s bright, clear gaze.

“…..?”

His doubt was written on his face, and what slowly emerged from the tip of his thoughts was: “Darling, why are you here?”

Pei-calico manually helped him open his eyes more, and his question was 90% similar to He Chuzhou’s: “Chuzhou, where is this? Where are we?”

He Chuzhou stared at him for a moment. With a sleepy yawn, he closed his eyes and hugged him again: “The weather was nice, so I took you out to camp.”

Pei Xi placed an arm around his back and idly tapped the base of his neck with his fingertips: “Shouldn’t we sleep outdoors when camping?”

“Says who?”

He Chuzhou’s voice was hoarse due to sleepiness: “It’s not about experiencing primitive life. Camping is just during the day. There are so many insects and ants at night, and I can’t bear to see you suffer that.”

Pei Xi still had something to say, but he had only uttered a single syllable when someone pinched his cheeks and manually muted his microphone: “Honey, I won’t ask how you got into my room, so don’t question me either, okay?”

Pei Xi: “Okay?”

He Chuzhou: “I’m sleepy, stay with me for a while.”

Pei Xi: “But I’m not sleepy. I slept well.”

He Chuzhou: “Then hug me a little while longer……”

His voice became increasingly sticky, with the trailing sounds blending together. It was obvious that his brain was mostly unconscious.

Pei Xi could only smile. He put his hand on the back of the other’s soft hair and rubbed gently.

He looked like a big dog. A big dog even clingier than He Xingxing.

Alright, then I’ll lie with you for a while.

In the end, they got up early and went downstairs. Nearly everyone else in the villa was still asleep.

Xie Ling, however, had gotten up even earlier than them. He was dressed neatly, making an early-morning phone call in the courtyard. It was unclear if he was reporting his stay away from home to his girlfriend or was busy with work.

When he saw them coming down, he hung up the phone and waved: “Leaving so early?”

He Chuzhou replied: “En, going back to work.”

The two weren’t very familiar, so Xie Ling didn’t have much to say to him. He couldn’t exactly say, “Hey, Bro, guess what, I found out you’re a virgin last night,” could he?

But after saying goodbye, he specifically told Pei Xi in a cryptic manner: “Don’t forget what I told you last night. Give me a call if you have any questions.”

Pei Xi looked puzzled when he heard this: “What did you tell me last night — wu?”

He turned mutely to He Chuzhou, asking with his eyes: “Why did you cover my mouth?”

“What he means is that he’ll remember. You can rest at ease,” He Chuzhou finished with a smile, and without giving Pei Xi a chance to speak, he took this person directly to the car.

Pei Xi sat down in the passenger seat and regained his freedom of speech: “Why didn’t you let me ask? I don’t remember what Xie Ling told me last night.”

He Chuzhou had a good excuse: “He just told you last night, but you completely forgot after one night’s sleep. It would be too hurtful to say that out loud.”

Pei Xi: “What if it’s something important?”

He Chuzhou: “From his tone, it didn’t seem like an urgent matter. I’ll ask him indirectly for you later.”

Pei Xi had extreme trust in him, and nodded without any suspicion: “Okay, but why is Xie Ling here? Is he camping with us too?”

He Chuzhou drove the car out of the villa’s gate and cruised down the winding mountain road that was yet to dry. The wheels rolled over numerous dead leaves and branches that had shaken free during the rainstorm: “Pretty much.”

Pei Xi thought carefully: “I never thought he had the potential to be a third wheel.”

He Chuzhou: “Indeed.”

Pei Xi: “Was it just the three of us? Or were there others?”

He Chuzhou: “We followed a group. The people in the villa are…..”

This was why the saying existed that when you tell one lie, you must tell a hundred lies to cover it up.

He Chuzhou dealt with Pei Xi’s many questions by talking nonsense all the way. By the end, he didn’t even know what he was saying, and to his surprise, Pei Xi didn’t have any doubts at all.

When they got home, Pei Xi asked if he was going to the company.

He Chuzhou gave it some thought. When he looked at today’s work schedule, he ultimately decided to work from home.

He not only had to deal with his own work today, but also had to help Pei Xi deal with some of the company’s inconvenient backlog.

After a meal, he worked in the study while Pei Xi played a game opposite him.

It was the same game as last time, but it had entered the official launch phase from public beta, and there were even more active users.

His character was still online at the entrance to the Heavenly Gates. The title [Humanoid Player NPC No. 002] above his head had disappeared due to being outdated, and he was no different from ordinary players.

He controlled the character to walk around in a circle. Without He Chuzhou leading him, the entire game seemed particularly boring.

He couldn’t find anything fun, so he simply took out the white dragon mount He Chuzhou had given him and sat on it to look at the scenery.

Travelling past Wutong Mountain, he recalled the Jin Ling that looked like a dog and quacked like a duck. He was preparing to land to see if there were any changes to its appearance, when he heard a slightly annoyed sound from the person opposite him.

He looked up and asked: “What’s wrong?”

He Chuzhou was sluggish, but typed harder as he replied: “I have to go on another business trip.”

Pei Xi asked him: “Do you not want to go?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to.” He Chuzhou tilted his head to look at him from behind the computer. “Since I’m going on a business trip, what are you going to do?”

Pei Xi said as a matter of course: “Stay at home, ah.”

…..That was indeed the case.

He Chuzhou silently retracted his head and sighed.

Ai, how upsetting.

Even Pei-calico didn’t cling to him as much as before.

The game character landed in front of the Jin Ling, but Pei Xi had forgotten his original purpose for coming here. His attention shifted.

He thought for a moment, then set down his phone, stood up and walked to He Chuzhou, and then sat in his lap. This face-to-face position made it easy for him to hold the other’s face, eyebrows raised slightly: “Is someone reluctant to leave me?”

He Chuzhou let go of the mouse and hugged him: “Ah, I can’t bear to leave.”

Pei Xi: “How many days will the business trip last?”

He Chuzhou said it would be four or five days. An idea suddenly flashed through his mind, and he hinted: “Xinxin, let me ask you – if you suddenly woke up and found that I had taken you to a foreign country, would you be angry?”

Pei Xi narrowed his eyes: “You want to secretly take me away when I’m sleeping?”

He Chuzhou hummed: “Yeah? Is it really obvious?”

Pei Xi: “Tell me.”

“Okay.” He Chuzhou stopped being torn and said in a low voice: “In fact, I don’t just want to steal you away. I wish I could shrink you down and put you in my pocket so that I can carry you wherever I go.”

As he spoke, the study door was pushed open by He Xingxing.

The big dog walked in with a swagger, followed by a carefree kitten. The two sat side by side on the carpet and stared at them curiously.

Pei Xi was helpless: “Chuzhou, you’re so clingy.”

“The scope is too large. I don’t cling to everyone, only to you.” He Chuzhou raised his head with an expectant face. “So do you want to come with me?”

Pei Xi gestured around and said: “With both of us gone, what should be done with these two?”

He Chuzhou: “Don’t worry, when the auntie comes to clean, she’ll pour them food and shovel their poop.”

Pei Xi: “But the auntie will leave after cleaning. Four or five days is such a long time. Can they stay at home by themselves?”

He Chuzhou: “They can keep each other company.”

Pei Xi: “They aren’t familiar with each other yet. Didn’t you say that Pei Yueliang has only been here a few days? It would be better for me to stay at home and watch them in case a fight breaks out.”

He Chuzhou: “……”

Times had changed. The cat and dog were really more important than him.

*

*

“Pei Xin…..Xi, your express delivery.”

Holding his cell phone in one hand, He Chuzhou used the other to offer the express delivery he’d just picked up at the door to Pei Xi.

He had just changed clothes, and hadn’t even had time to button his shirt to the top when a call came in from work.

Pei Xi took the delivery and watched him go to the balcony to answer the phone, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

It seemed he had been neglected before.

He kept feeling like He Chuzhou was coaxing him, as if giving special attention to a patient.

But most of the time, he didn’t need to be coaxed anymore.

He’d talked about him being sticky the day before, when he was worrying about him and wanted to take him along wherever he went. It seemed this really was He Chuzhou’s wish.

Could it be as Xie Ling said, that He Chuzhou…..liked him back?

“Print out the documents the other party sent you earlier, stamp them, and bring them over here today.” 

“The brochure information should also be as complete as possible.”

“Just follow the driver and come right here. No need for a translation assistant.”

It was almost nine o’clock when he hung up the phone. His flight was booked at ten o’clock, so he had to rush to the airport soon and was in a hurry.

When he returned to the room, he saw Pei Xi unboxing the package. He asked him what he’d bought as he walked straight to the closet to find a tie to wear.

Just as he took out a black one, it was snatched away from him. He turned his head in confusion to see Pei Xi put the black one back in its place, then hold up a dark blue tie he had never seen before: “Try this.”

He Chuzhou was taken aback: “Is this the delivery you just received?”

Pei Xi nodded. He wrapped the tie around his hand and helped him button the top two buttons on his shirt.

As he approached, He Chuzhou almost subconsciously slowed his breathing, and he could barely move his eyes.

After struggling for a long moment, he finally found his voice: “Why…..would you suddenly buy this for me…..”

“I saw it and thought it suited you, so I bought it,” Pei Xi said. He placed the tie under his shirt collar and started to tie it for him.

He had never helped someone put on a tie before, aso it took him a while to adapt to the unfamiliar angle. And the person in front of him was He Chuzhou, so he was inevitably a little nervous and uneasy.

However, when he noticed that He Chuzhou was even more nervous and uneasy than him, he blinked softly and felt that everything had become easier.

He could see that this person was doing his best to control himself, but still couldn’t bring his disordered breathing back to normal. His shoulders were unusually stiff, and even his Adam’s Apple was moving subtly.

There was no doubt that if he put his palm on the other person’s chest at this moment, he would feel a strong and rapid heartbeat.

He Chuzhou was indeed in a confused state of mind.

Pei Xi had bought him a tie…..

Pei Xi had helped him button his shirt…..

Pei Xi was helping him tie his tie……

He didn’t even have a chance to think about why. His head was dizzy from this overly intimate behavior, and his eyes lowered to fix on Pei Xi’s cold, porcelain-white face.

Seeing how he was staring at He Chuzhou’s collar intently, his mouth went dry. Colorful bubbles poured continuously into his stomach, flooding him uncontrollably…..

Then his Adam’s Apple was gently brushed.

His breathing immediately became heavy, and an electric current immediately flowed throughout his body, mixing with his blood as it rushed south.

Pei Xi moved away after the touch and looked up: “He Chuzhou, are you thirsty?”

Almost at the same time he met a pair of deep, dark eyes, his hand was forcibly enveloped by a larger, warmer palm.

Pei Xi’s heart moved slightly. He quickly suppressed the gleam that flashed through his eyes, leaving only calmness: “What’s wrong?”

He Chuzhou stared at him in bewilderment and suspicion, almost urgently trying to decipher the emotions in his eyes. As they gazed at each other at such a close distance, the waves in their eyes kept surging before being forcibly suppressed.

Perhaps because the results of his search weren’t satisfactory, his Adam’s Apple rolled up and down several times before he finally closed his eyes and said in a low voice: “Nothing. I was just going to remind you to close the windows before you go to sleep.”

After saying this, he released his hand and retracted his gaze. He quickly put on his jacket and picked up the suitcase beside the bed: “I’m leaving now. Call me if you need anything.”

He left in a great hurry, both his footsteps and his back revealing a sense of fleeing after being unable to hold his own.

The door opened and closed with a crisp sound.

Pei Xi followed him out of the room and gazed in the direction He Chuzhou had left. Then he looked down at his index finger where he still felt a phantom touch.

He couldn’t control the slight curve of his lips.

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Chapter 55 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 57

Rocks, firebrands, and a rain of arrows seemed to vent their anger, continuously damaging the border city’s wall.

Their fierce momentum caused the people of Xiheng to tremble in fear. After all, nobody had expected that the indomitable war god would encounter such a simple misfortune at the foot of their city. Heroes respected other heroes. They were very much in a trance, and found it difficult to withstand the other party’s rage.

However, their prince didn’t devise a plan of defense, but directly ordered a charge to get Liu Zhenqing’s body back, whether he was alive or dead.

Facing such a mad prince, all of the previous events had already crushed the peoples’ inner defenses. Even the secret guards thought their master was crazy.

The lieutenants looked around at each other and braced themselves. One of them stepped forward and announced on the spot that according to the Imperial decree, Prince Li was mentally ill, and they would take military power upon themselves going forward.

Li Jinshu abruptly turned toward those who had begun to resist him, looking at his subordinates standing together one by one with disappointment and anger toward him in their eyes.

At once, he comprehended the trap Liu Zhenqing had set for him. He had actually stepped so deep into it without realizing. Sure enough, he had been tricked by Liu Zhenqing. He just couldn’t understand why Liu Zhenqing was willing to risk his life to get away. This wasn’t something an intelligent person would do.

But he currently had no time to think. His men had staged a coup, and even with his secret guards trying to protect him, Li Jinshu realized the situation was hopeless.

Soon after, there was a new commander on the border city wall. He avoided fighting and only defended, waiting for orders from the emperor of Xiheng, while Li Jinshu was put under custody.

After a fierce wave of attacks, the Huo Family Army was ordered to withdraw. They also had to go back and see the general’s condition before making a decision.

Taking advantage of the retreat, Liu Qiao, who was hindering the archers, and Zheng Wei, who was observing from a distance and assisting Liu Qiao remotely, evacuated one after the other.

It wasn’t until nighttime that the people hiding in the darkness of the city wall emerged. That location was the complete opposite angle to where the archers were originally standing on the city wall.

“Is Huo Fenglie trying to scare us to death? Liu Zhenqing could have been shot,” Song Xingmu said in displeasure.

“You’re unwilling for him to get hurt?” Yi Chuan put away the longbow and strang-shaped arrow feathers. That was a little gadget that Huo Feihan, Liu Zhenqing, and Song Xingmu had made for fun. It was for hunting competitions, not for killing.

“How could he be injured, ah? It’ll just hurt for a while.” Song Xingmu’s lips curved. “Come on, let’s go to the military camp.”

Yi Chuan was surprised: “But didn’t Young Master Liu’s letter tell us to go back before heading to the capital. If we show up at the military camp, we’ll cause suspicion.”

Song Xingmu coughed.

Yi Chuan knew that Song Xingmu was just worried, so he could only accompany him for a while and secretly take a look at the situation before departing.

Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie were recovered. The first soldier to receive them saw that they were covered in blood, and both of them seemed to be unconscious. When he tried to separate the two, he was yelled at.

“The arrow ran them through, don’t act rashly. We’ll carry them into the tent together.” It was the King of Hell Han Ye, who was traveling with the army. Everyone naturally listened to him.

Like this, Huo Fenglie embraced Liu Zhenqing tightly as they were carried back to the tent.

There were only three people in the tent, including the Medical Valley master and apprentice. Very soon, the broken arrow was removed.

The soldiers on guard caught Han Ye when he came out and asked: “How is the general?”

“The arrow was extremely poisonous! Bring all of the prepared medicinal herbs to the tent!” Han Ye said sharply.

Everyone had thought that based on how the general was injured, the wound wasn’t too serious. But when they heard that poison was involved, and with Han Ye wearing such an expression, everyone’s faces changed.

They immediately followed his instructions, only to see buckets of black water being sent out continuously. The atmosphere in the camp gradually became uneasy.

Such a scene naturally fell into the eyes of various spies in the army.

It took almost three days and three nights.

When the miracle doctor and Li Xingruo came out of the tent, everyone was nervous upon seeing their appearances.

Huo-furen, whom everyone thought to be fierce, actually had red eyes and looked like she’d been crying. The old miracle doctor was also sluggish and pale-faced.

Yunci and Yunqian ran up to their mother to inquire.

Li Xinruo shook her head, and her tears fell.

“Your Second Uncle and Uncle Liu…..are gone.”

As soon as this was said, the surroundings went absolutely silent.

Han Ye opened his mouth and announced again: “Even the gods could not have saved them from Xiheng’s poison. Please accept my condolences.”

None of the soldiers in the outcome could accept such an outcome right away. Several military doctors went in and out, and all came to the same conclusion. Their great general and the future general’s wife had indeed been killed by Xiheng.

There was a wave of grief among the army. They wanted to rush out to fight the Kingdom of Xiheng, but they were soldiers and had to obey military orders.

News soon spread, and every country was shocked.

Li Jinshu was one of the first to find out. He didn’t believe it, and sent people to investigate. Many people died before he received an answer.

They were really dead. Both bodies had been seen.

The two were placed in the same coffin under the eyes of everyone.

Li Jinshu felt it was absurd, but at the same time, he was in somewhat of a daze. He couldn’t figure it out. He really couldn’t figure it out…..

Who could give him an answer to what happened and why? 

Li Jinshu would be tormented by this question for the rest of his life, and the emperor, who had regained power in Xiheng, naturally wouldn’t let him off.

Far away in the capital, Yuan Jue also received a military report. When he read the content therein, he overturned the table, completely unable to believe his eyes.

He was unable to think clearly right away, and his first reaction was that it was fake. They wanted to fake their deaths to escape! They wanted to escape from him!

Yuan Jue believed that this was the most likely possibility.

However, the Kingdom of Xiheng also sent a letter requesting peace, which proved that they thought Huo Fenglie was dead. They didn’t want to pay for the sins of a madman, so they were willing to negotiate peace and avoid war.

Yuan Jue no longer cared about such things. He randomly appointed a military official to temporarily take over Huo Fenglie’s position, and then immediately sent his confidants to escort their bodies back. He intended to see if the corpses were real!

After half a month, news that the general and his wife had died in battle at the border spread, and everyone mourned.

Although Huo Fenglie had done something unorthodox when he left, he was still welcomed by the common people when he returned. Intermittent crying could be heard from the crowds.

The coffin was sent directly to the General’s Manor. Although the Liu family felt that this was inappropriate, faced with the intimidation of the General’s Manor, they dared not raise objections and went there to mourn.

So when Yuan Jue, He Cong, and other officials entered the General’s Manor, the place was filled with crying.

Yuan Jue’s face was shadowed as he walked forward, and no one seemed to see any expression on it.

When he finally reached the mourning hall, he found Yunci and Yunqian there on their knees keeping vigil. The grief-stricken expressions on the two childrens’ faces halfway convinced He Cong at the outset. After all, children couldn’t act so realistically.

He looked at He Lan, who had arrived earlier, as well as Bai Su standing next to him. Both of them wore confused, dazed expressions of grief. He Cong knew his cousin well, and knew that he was incapable of putting on an act like this.

He Cong had a good idea of the truth. The world was unpredictable, and even the god of war would die in battle one day. It was just that the emperor might not believe it.

When everyone saw that the emperor had come, they naturally knelt down to salute.

Behind the crowd, one could see a double coffin. Its lid was open, and there were vague human figures within.

Yuan Jue’s brow furrowed. He didn’t approach the coffin. It was unknown if this was because of his status or for other reasons, but to the martial arts masters, his breathing seemed to be out of rhythm.

He Cong was prompted to go investigate, and even brought along an Imperial Physician, but they were immediately stopped and questioned by the angry Mo Yu and Mo Qi.

These two fellows thought they were here to cause trouble, and leaped up angrily as if they were about to bite them, but they were stopped by a grieving Uncle Tian.

He Lan could only step forward and ask his cousin: “What are you doing? They’re dead!”

These words seemed to be directed at the emperor, but Yuan Jue gave no reaction. He just continued to stare gloomily at the coffin.

He Cong also had a lot of grievances. It was unjustifiable to bring an Imperial Physician to examine the bodies. After all, the bodies had been transported back to the capital publicly, so they must be dead.

But he could understand the emperor’s concerns. These people had once challenged the emperor and were a hidden danger, ah. The emperor naturally wouldn’t believe they had died so easily. He could only come up with an excuse: “There is worry that Xiheng has set a trap. This physician is proficient in Xiheng’s poisons, so he should take another look. Besides, there isn’t even a corpse odor after so long…..”

Indeed, death spots were only gradually appearing on the two people. Their skin color was ashen, but there were no signs of decay.

“What? Is it so difficult for those of us from Medical Valley to identify corpses? And how could this Imperial Physician treat a person even my master couldn’t treat? You’re questioning my willingness to save my own family’s second uncle, ah!” Li Xingruo slowly walked out from behind. Her cold face and white mourning robes were extremely eye-catching.

He Cong’s expression froze, and he glanced at the emperor. Was the only way to do this by force?

But in the next moment, Li Xingruo said with a scoff: “Forget it. If you want to look, then look. You’ll drop the idea after you do. Your Majesty, I also don’t want to believe that they’re gone just like that, that they worked so hard just to come to this point.”

Li Xingruo’s words contained an underlying implication, and her cold gaze swept over Juan Yue. She pulled the two children away, and after seeing her like this, the others could only move away as well.

Yuan Jue’s complexion worsened, and he waved a hand for the Imperial Physician and He Cong to proceed.

He didn’t believe it. He didn’t believe these two people could be gone just like that.

He Cong was a martial arts master, and he knew these two were dead at a glance. However, whether it was the result of a drug or not depended on the Imperial Physician. But no matter how capable the Imperial Physician was, how could he compare to the doctors of Medical Valley?

The Imperial Physician, under great pressure from the questioning of Medical Valley, went forward to examine the patients. Gritting his teeth, he turned back and shook his head at the emperor.

Yuan Jue, who had been silent all this time, suddenly narrowed his eyes. His expression changed drastically, and he rushed over before anyone could react.

Inside the coffin, the two young men lay side by side, no life to their pale faces. Their stiff hands were clasped tightly with their wedding rings on.

Liu Zhenqing still had the jade Rubik’s cube on him, and the Chunjun sword was placed next to Huo Fenglie.

The faces were their faces, and the bodies were their bodies, but there was no breath in them.

Yuan Jue stared at the two people in the coffin, seemingly stunned. He was in a daze for a long time before he reached out to touch Liu Zhenqing inside.

In the next second, a black shadow flashed by. The secret guards protecting Yuan Jue also appeared quickly, but they were a step too late.

Yue Jue looked at the person holding his wrist and wasn’t surprised at all.

“Your master is dead.” Yuan Jue gave Liu Qiao a dark look and said, “You didn’t protect him. Why did you come back alive?!”

Liu Qiao scoffed and ignored him. He just thrust Yuan Jue’s hand away and said: “Don’t touch him! You’ll dirty Master.”

“What did you say!” He Cong’s face was so dark that it practically dripped ink. A palm slapped the side of the coffin, and with a crack, the jade thumb ring that Yuan Jue had been wearing broke into pieces.

That…..had been chosen for him by Liu Zhenqing when he was about to take power.

Liu Qiao raised his head and said coldly: “I said you’re not worthy! Master said he would never see you again!”

Yuan Jue’s dark face seemed to pale in an instant as the blood rushed from his face. His expression gradually became ferocious.

Just as He Cong was about to square off with Liu Qiao to give the emperor a way out, Li Xingruo stepped forward. “That’s enough. Can they not rest in peace even after they’re dead?”

Almost nobody present dared to speak.

At this moment, Yuan Jue looked at the two people in the coffin with eyes full of ruthlessness and said: “How will it look if they are placed in one coffin while not yet married? Someone come and separate them.”

Everyone present was shocked and angry when they heard this.

Liu Qiao directly unsheathed a sharp blade and blocked the coffin, while Mo Yu and Mo Qi also stood resolutely in front of it.

Li Xingruo stepped forward and said: “The emperor has issued an Imperial edict granting their marriage. They have already decided to spend their lives together, and being buried together is the greatest comfort for them. Should they be made to rest alone? Your Majesty wouldn’t be so cruel.”

Li Xingruo’s words were already very impolite, but the emperor’s words were even worse. Wasn’t this embarrassing? Everyone knew that the two of them were determined to be together even in death, otherwise such a thing wouldn’t have happened. If the emperor insisted on separating them, it would be inhumane.

“It doesn’t comply with regulations if there is no wedding ceremony,” Yuan Jue said agitatedly. The broken jade ring in his hand cut into his palm.

Standing in front of everyone, Li Xingruo pointed at the coffin and said: “My husband is gone, and now our Second Uncle is gone too. Could it be that the emperor is bullying the orphans and widow of the Huo family?”

There was inevitably some ruckus in the hall. Li Xingruo’s expression was extremely unsightly as she cursed Yuan Jue in her heart. Separating the coffins was nothing, but she was unbearably angry and aggrieved.

Huo Yunci and Huo Yunqian stood out and shouted: 

“Don’t touch Second Uncle and Uncle Liu!”

“Uncle Liu said that no matter if in life or death, he’s a member of our Huo family!”

There was really no way to extricate oneself gracefully.

Ji Qinglin, the temporary acting prime minister, stepped forward at this time and whispered in the emperor’s ear: “Your Majesty, there are people watching outside the General’s Manor. Their love story has already spread throughout Great Zhou. If the coffins are forcibly separated…..”

Ji Qinglin’s warning only stimulated Emperor Yuan Jue’s heart. In the end, he slowly lowered his eyes and agreed to close up the coffin.

But Yuan Jue’s next order was puzzling. He actually wanted to personally watch the sealing of the coffin and its burial. Not only that, he would send people to guard the tomb day and night in the name of worship. In fact, they were required to keep watch over the tombstone on the grave and inspect even an ant crawling by.

How could Li Xingruo not be aware of his intentions? But she didn’t intend to hinder him. After the funeral, she stayed indoors and refused to leave.

As time went by, Yuan Jue grew anxious and restless, and would sneak out of the palace now and then to stare at the tomb in a daze.

One day, he suddenly awoke from a nightmare in the middle of the night. He seemed to have dreamt about two people walking away hand in hand. Yuan Jue took his men out of the palace that night and went to the cemetery, then ordered them to start digging up the grave.

The subordinates were astonished upon hearing this order. Was their emperor really so afraid of General Huo that he had developed a mental disorder?

But it was difficult to disobey an order from the emperor. Even though they felt guilty toward the general, they had no choice but to raise their shovels.

Yuan Jue thought that they must have escaped, and that someone would come to stop them from digging up the grave to prevent him from discovering the truth. So if someone came to stop them, they definitely……

But nobody came to stop them. Even Liu Qiao, who should have been there, didn’t show up. Even when the tombstone fell and a hard object was dug up, nobody came.

Yuan Jue’s face was ashen under the moonlight and he seemed unable to stand steadily.

The coffin appeared, its heavy lid nailed shut. Everyone looked toward the emperor, feeling that if they pried it open, it would really be too……

Yuan Jue’s lips trembled, and a fishy taste spread in his mouth. He swallowed hard.

He couldn’t even open his mouth to tell them to open the coffin, as if he feared learning the truth.

His wavering eyes suddenly flashed as he saw the burial objects piled up in the tomb passage. There were weapons and jewelry, two of which looked familiar – a white jade paperweight and a whetstone.

The white jade paperweight was a gift from him when he became Liu Zhenqing’s student, and the whetstone was a joking token of brotherhood between him and Huo Fenglie when they were in Xiheng.

Yuan Jue finally couldn’t hold on any longer, and a mouthful of blood spurted into the air. The people around him were alarmed, and quickly supported him. Trembling, Yuan Jue said: “Fill it in. Restore it. Return it to its original state.”

The men could only fill it in with soil once more. One of them seemed to feel something subtle and strange in the soil while digging, but thinking of the people in the coffin, he remained silent.

If the coffin had been opened, they would have seen that the ground had been hollowed out.

As Yuan Jue gazed at the restored tomb, there was only one thought in his mind: They weren’t dead. They couldn’t be dead. They must have found a way to escape. That had to be it.

He didn’t have to verify anything. He was the emperor. There was no need to waste his time on this. In any case, the two people who posed the greatest threat to him had relinquished their identities, so he should just regard them as being dead. All he needed to do was be a good emperor.

He just needed to be a good emperor…..

The next day, Li Xingruo was somewhat anxious when she heard that everyone guarding the tomb had left. Some time later, she heard rumors that the emperor was ill, and that his condition was so serious that all of the Imperial Physicians had been summoned to the palace.

“Feihan, judging by Yuan Jue’s actions, he should have guessed it, right?” Li Xingruo couldn’t help but frown as she looked at the tablet. After some thought, she said, “That’s right, they were already prepared for Yuan Jue to come to the right conclusion.”

After exiting the small Buddhist chamber, Li Xingruo gazed far to the south.

At this time, a carriage was swaying along a path leading south.

The coachmen were Yi Chuan and Song Xingmu, with Liu Qiao riding a horse behind them.

Fighting on the battlefield, digging up the grave, the tattoo, planting the tree…..endless pain came like a nightmare before finally, Huo Fenglie felt a ray of warm sunshine. He cracked open his eyes and felt the light shining through the curtains in the carriage. It was spring sunshine.

As his vision expanded, Huo Fenglie spied a jade cube on the cushion beside him, which was held in a slender white hand.

Huo Fenglie then felt that he was leaning against someone’s shoulder. When he raised his eyes, he saw a face that looked like a white jade sculpture, radiating a bright glow in the sunlight. He had beautiful features and a thin stroke of eyeliner on his eyes, making them look more like the peach blossom eyes of the past. He didn’t know if it was an illusion, but he seemed to spy two red spots near the end of his left eye, like moles.

“Qing-ge…..” Huo Fenglie slowly opened his eyes. The tears wouldn’t stop flowing.

Liu Zhenqing’s eyelids shook for a moment, and when he opened his eyes, they were full of ripples. His mental state was much better than Huo Fenglie’s, and as if coming to a realization, he turned with an expression of pleasant surprise.

“You’re finally awake.” Liu Zhenqing straightened up so that Huo Fenglie could lean against him more comfortably. When he twisted to kiss his head, he found that Er-gou was crying. Liu Zhenqing quickly raised a hand to wipe away his tears and said soothingly: “Were you scared? It’s my master’s fault. He adjusted the effects of the medicine, and I felt like I was actually dead. I panicked too when I woke up. You woke up later than me because your physique is so good and you had to take twice the amount. But it’s fine, I inspected you and there’s nothing wrong.”

The false death drug specially developed by the miracle doctor had put them in a state of suspended animation, so while being buried alive wasn’t a problem for them, recovery would take a long time.

Before they left Medical Valley, Liu Zhenqing had asked his master to improve upon the existing drug. It wasn’t until his master received a letter from him that he realized that his disciple had long planned to escape through death.

Liu Zhenqing saw Huo Fenglie staring at him infatuatedly, and could only lower his head to rub their noses together, coaxing Er-gou in a hoarse voice: “What’s wrong? My precious Er-gou. We succeeded. We left the capital. We’re free. Aren’t you happy?”

He looked up and met a pair of affectionate black eyes. They seemed to gather all the light in the world as they gazed at him like they always did, full of his image.

“Qing-ge, I missed you so much.” Huo Fenglie finally spoke. It was as if he was complaining to the present Liu Zhenqing about the innumerable times in the past he had yearned for him.

Liu Zhenqing thought that the false death had caused Huo Fenglie to have some psychological barriers during this period. After all, they hadn’t seen each other in two months, ever since they spent those three days and three nights in the tent, taking the false death drugs and receiving acupuncture. Although they had spent most of the time in a state of suspended animation, Liu Zhenqing himself was also feeling a little tense.

There was a flash of affection in his eyes, and he gave a soft hum: “I missed you too.” After saying this, he lowered his head and kissed Huo Fenglie.

The gentle kiss expressed his endless love, which was as vast as an ocean, wrapping around the two of them.

After the kiss, both of them had tears in their eyes. Liu Zhenqing suddenly raised his eyebrows with interest and said: “I’m really a treacherous minister, ah. Not only did I run away, but I also kidnapped the great war god of Great Zhou. We’ll have to live an idle life from now on. Aren’t you afraid of getting bored?”

Huo Fenglie looked down at Liu Zhenqing with longing desire, as if he couldn’t bear to blink even once. He endlessly cherished this new life without pressure: “With Qing-ge, nothing is boring.”

Liu Zhenqing leaned down and kissed him again. As they kissed, Huo Fenglie discovered that something wasn’t right. He tried to push Liu Zhenqing away, but found that his strength had not yet recovered.

Liu Zhenqing’s hands had become unruly. Huo Fenglie’s clothes were lifted up, and fingers stroked his chest.

“Qing-ge?” Huo Fenglie said in a strained voice.

Liu Zhenqing gave him a wicked smile: “Don’t be afraid, it’s just a side effect of the drug. It’s hard to control yourself when you wake up, so a reaction is normal. The rebound will be especially severe for your body. Some relief will help you recover.”

“N…..no need.” He was currently unable to move, which made him even more uneasy. Huo Fenglie didn’t want to drop a rock on his own foot.

But how could Liu Zhenqing miss such an opportunity to bully him? He smiled and stretched out his hand, causing Huo Fenglie to tremble all over.

“You know what, Er-gou? Qing-ge likes the way you can’t move, and can only let me do whatever I want. It’s so cute.”

Huo Fenglie was frightened. He felt he was about to be bullied to death, and said hurriedly: “We’re in a carriage……”

Liu Zhenqing raised an eyebrow, then called shamelessly to those outside: “We’re busy, don’t lift the curtain!”

Song Xingmu seemed to be cursing at them, but Huo Fenglie could no longer hear clearly. Because Liu Zhenqing had already laid down with him in his arms. A kiss followed and, unable to move, Huo Fenglie could only allow himself to be bullied.

When the carriage stopped, Huo Fenglie seemed to have recovered quickly after his special treatment and was able to disembark the carriage by himself. On the contrary, even though he had recovered first, Liu Zhenqing had not yet woken up.

Huo Fenglie found that they were parked at a pier, and saw Yue Xuqian approaching from a distance.

Huo Fenglie didn’t know of the follow-up arrangements yet, and heard Yue Xuqian say that a boat had been prepared according to Liu Zhenqing’s arrangement. They were to be sent out to sea.

Song Xingmu then said that long before they left the south, Liu Zhenqing had asked him to help find an island and build a house there. Song Xingmu had originally thought it would just be used as a villa, but didn’t expect that he had long been making plans for a refuge. Given the current situation, they would naturally have to remain on the island for three to five years.

Huo Fenglie was somewhat surprised. They hadn’t yet expressed their feelings to each other at that time, but Qing-ge had already devised such a plan? A warm current flowed through his heart. After carrying Liu Zhenqing to the boat, he clung to him even more, just like the child he had once been.

They sailed for many days before arriving at the small island Song Xingmu had chosen. The island was neither too big nor too small, rich in resources yet located in a remote area. There were many vessels on the island, along with sufficient daily necessities and some homeless seasonal laborers. Everything had been provided.

From a distance, a familiar face could be seen standing on the shore. It wasn’t surprising that Han Ye was here. After all, his master was also there to help them recuperate. However, Qiao Jin was also squatting on the dock in wait.

Holding Liu Zhenqing in his arms, Huo Fenglie gazed at the island from afar. Seeing the buildings there and the curling smoke from cooking fires, he felt an inexplicable sense of peace in his heart.

“This will be our home from now on,” Liu Zhenqing said slowly.

Huo Fenglie looked over to find that Liu Zhenqin’s eyes were filled with a smile, like twinkling stars.

He was looking at their future home, while Huo Fenglie’s eyes were solely on him.

“En. Our home.”

A year later, the island was increasingly full of life, at long last covered with lanterns and red silk.

Wedding invitations were received across Great Zhou, and several waves of people secretly entered the sea by ship.

A wedding banquet was quietly held on the island.

At last, they witnessed the two lovers finally marry, destined to grow old together.

The End

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Chapter 147 << Table of Contents >> Wedding Extra 1

T/N: I’m posting the last two chapters together! Thank you all for sticking with this story! There are a ton of extras that I’ll be putting out these next few weeks, so stay tuned!

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Great Zhou brought 200,000 troops to blockade the border of Xiheng, and Xiheng also had 200,000 troops stationed there. The two sides were evenly matched, and neither dared to act rashly, but as the party in the wrong, Xiheng naturally took the initiative to send envoys to negotiate.

Under pressure from Li Jinshu, the Xiheng envoys could only shamelessly say that the prince and Liu Zhenqing had hit it off at first sight and regarded each other as brothers, so he was invited to be their guest. When the time came, they would naturally send him back, and if General Huo was worried, he could come as a guest too.

Such a statement sounded dignified, but it was simply making fools of them. Not only were the envoys of Great Zhou unable to bear it, but even the Xiheng envoys felt that it burned their mouths. They had the impression that their prince was just as the rumors said, finding this lousy excuse to start a war in order to compete with Huo Fenglie.

After several failed negotiations, the atmosphere became increasingly tense, and the Huo Family Army continued to advance toward the border. From the top of the Xiheng border city wall, a dense black line could be seen on the horizon. That was the shadow of General Huo. By then, the people were already in a panic.

If a great number of powerful people, including the emperor and Li Jinshu, hadn’t been present in the border city, the common people likely would have already fled.

Inside the border city teahouses, all kinds of gossip abounded. Some said Li Jinshu had gone crazy, some said he was losing power and was using the war to maintain his influence, and some said that he finally intended to rebel and become emperor. Even more said that Li Jinshu was enchanted by a beauty from Great Zhou just like he had been many years ago, and, ignoring the safety and interests of the people of Xiheng, intended to exchange a city for a single person.

When the common people saw the envoys coming in and out, they discussed it even more. They felt like fish on a chopping board, with the person holding the knife deciding their fates.

In fact, the border city had experienced numerous wars, and were already a hardy people. It wasn’t normal for them to be so anxious and restless in such a short period of time. This naturally drew the attention of the higher-ups, who sent people to investigate.

In a small alley leading to the residential area, a caravan was stationed.

A dark shadow flashed in and immediately let out a loud groan, which attracted the attention of the people reading in the courtyard.

Yue Xuqian looked up at Qin Yu, who had just killed a person, and said: “I’ve scattered information in such disorder, but he’s already found us so quickly? Li Jinshu is indeed impressive.”

“Should we switch locations?” Qin Yu asked.

Yue Xuqian smiled and said: “According to Brother Liu’s instructions, we’ve basically completed all the steps. It’s time to retreat. If we stay, we’ll only be a hindrance.”

Qin Yu nodded: “I’ll escort you out.”

“Where are those two?” Yue Xuqian asked.

“They’ve gone to that location to practice. After all, there can’t be any mistakes.” Qin Yu frowned slightly as he spoke.

“Why? Do they still feel it’s risky?” Yue Xuqian asked.

Qin Yu said: “They fear making a mistake.”

“One must fight to live on the field of death,” Yue Xuqian said with a faint smile.

On the other side, there were several more patrols atop the city wall. One guard was walking when he heard the sound of air breaking. But he saw nothing, just some rubble piled up nearby. The guard didn’t think much of it, and continued on his way.

Inside the palace.

“You’re not really going to snatch that person from Huo Fenglie, are you? What if they really invade?” the young emperor inquired.

“Then we’ll fight. Does the emperor think I’ll lose?” Li Jinshu said indifferently as he reclined on a bench.

The young emperor’s expression turned unsightly: “This emperor doesn’t want to see the Kingdom of Xiheng fall into war because of such a foolish thing.”

“Foolish?” Li Jinshu’s tone was displeased. “I’m living my most interesting life now. How can that be foolish?”

The young emperor was so angry that he could barely speak.

The Imperial Tutor stepped forward and said: “Your Highness, what do you intend to do next? Will you just keep delaying time like this? Wait until a fight breaks out?”

Li Jinshu smiled and said: “I’ve contacted the two border countries to put pressure on Great Zhou. I want to see if Huo Fenglie can continue to maintain his blockade here.”

Upon hearing Li Jinshu’s preparations, the old Imperial Tutor felt relieved and persuaded the emperor to back off.

As a result, just after leaving, they ran into Liu Zhenqing in the gardens.

Liu Zhenqing was sitting in the garden drinking tea, with Liu Qiao standing next to him. The young emperor saw him from a distance and didn’t think he was all that good-looking. Why had Li Jinshu suddenly gone crazy and insisted on competing with Huo Fenglie over him?

When the young emperor arrived here under such embarrassing circumstances, he hadn’t met Liu Zhenqing. And after being humiliated by Li Jinshu, he couldn’t help but walk over to take Liu Zhenqing’s measure.

As soon as he drew closer, he heard Liu Zhenqing speaking.

“Liu Qiao, what do you think I should do? Although the general treats me well, our Liu family is not well-received in Great Zhou. But it’s different for Prince Li. Since he is willing to grant me a position among the royalty, no one will look down on me anymore.”

Liu Zhenqing’s lamentations utterly shocked the young emperor. When Liu Qiao notified Liu Zhenqing that the young emperor had departed, Liu Zhenqing smiled as he drank his tea and massaged his waist. In recent days, Huo Fenglie would come every now and then at night. The two of them were like newlyweds, yearning for each other day and night, and naturally couldn’t control themselves when they met. It was Liu Zhenqing who sacrificed himself voluntarily to calm Huo Fenglie’s anxious mood.

Liu Zhenqing had told Huo Fenglie to go back and make arrangements for the Huo Family Army in order to avoid subsequent complications.

Huo Fenglie did as he was told, and Mo Qi and Mo Yu and others were successively promoted to important positions. The allocation of troops was arranged, and everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

Everyone was filled with admiration for Huo Fenglie, and thought it was amazing that he could still remain so calm.

Only Li Xingruo, the miracle doctor who had just arrived along with Han Ye, gradually touched upon the truth. Zheng Wei, who had escorted them there, didn’t ask any questions and just picked up his adoptive son a few days later. It was inconvenient for them to stay in the military camp, so they found a place to stand guard nearby.

On this day, Li Jinshu was leisurely playing chess with Liu Zhenqing. “Huo Fenglie has arrived with his army. The cavalry can now be seen from the city walls.”

“So you don’t intend to let me go?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Li Jinshu said with a smile: “If I was afraid, I wouldn’t have abducted you in the first place. I’ve received a return letter from Great Zhou’s emperor. He doesn’t seem to be very good at doing business. I offered him a city, but he wouldn’t trade you for it.”

Liu Zhenqing hesitated: “He would have to be truly spineless to agree to that exchange. It has nothing to do with me, it’s because he would never do something to discourage the country’s troops.”

“Indeed, I made the wrong judgment,” Li Jinshu said, dropping a chess piece. “However…..when the survival of his country is at stake, will he care about a subject’s wife?”

Liu Zhenqing smiled and placed a move. “I’ve read the history of the Kingdom of Xiheng.”

Li Jinshu paused and looked at Liu Zhenqing.

“The Yuan clan of the Great Zhou Dynasty is less than a thousand years old. In the past, the predecessor of Xiheng was more powerful than Great Zhou, but a thousand years later, that predecessor is no longer here and our Great Zhou still exists. Do you think it is so susceptible to disaster?”

Li Jinshu’s eyes narrowed slightly. If the person in front of him was the real Liu Zhenqing, he should guard against him. If he wasn’t, then……these words were just to mess with him.

He teasingly changed the subject: “You’ve said that Huo Fenglie has many masters around him, so why hasn’t he tried to save you after being at the border for so long? Regardless of success or failure, he should have at least tried. Bringing his army here is just to maintain face for Great Zhou. Could it be that……I was right last time, and he doesn’t want you anymore?”

Liu Zhenqing smiled, saying: “Prince Li is still trying to brainwash me, ah. You really won’t give up.”

Li Jinshu said: “I’m just saying – a substitute is just a substitute. You’re not Liu Zhenqing, and you’re not worth his effort. You should know how to choose the right master.”

“I also want to know, if I’m just a substitute, is it really worth the prince’s effort to cause a war just to keep me?”

Li Jinshu narrowed his eyes and said: “What if I feel like you’re more than just a substitute? After all, you still owe me an explanation. Perhaps I’ll receive an unexpected answer.”

Liu Zhenqing said: “It is the prince who hasn’t completed the conditions. The prince can’t force me to give him the answer.”

“I feel like I’ve been tricked, but it’s fine. I’m able to slowly look for evidence and make my own conjecture.” Li Jinshu smiled and said, “This process is also very interesting.”

“What sort of conjecture has Your Highness made?” Liu Zhenqing asked.

Li Jinshu raised his eyebrows and leaned closer: “For example, that you’re the genuine Liu Zhenqing.”

Liu Zhenqing’s expression barely changed at all under Li Jinshu’s observation. He just narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a smug smile: “And what if I am?”

Li Jinshu’s expression changed instantly: “How…..is this possible?”

Liu Zhenqing slowly dropped the last piece. The black and white chess pieces filled the entire board. He stood and clapped his hands, saying: “I’m just saying whatever. Your Highness, please continue to guess.”

With that, Liu Zhenqing turned and left.

Li Jinshu’s heart was beating like a drum, and he was sweating all over. Speculation was one thing, but if he was right, if this was real……it would simply be the ecstasy of regaining what had been lost.

All of a sudden, Li Jinshu looked down. His face shifted. On the chessboard where he’d had the upper hand just now, he had at some point been defeated. He had actually…..lost.

This time, Li Jinshu went even crazier. He madly sent people to keep an eye on Liu Zhenqing and to investigate all the information there was on him. Anything and everything, he wanted to grasp it, painstakingly probing for the truth.

But his behavior seemed particularly out of place during this tense situation, and the rumors that he had gone mad grew increasingly numerous and believable.

Due to the higher security, Huo Fenglie was unable to visit Liu Zhenqing. At most, he could only go to Liu Qiao and take a look from a distance. But this didn’t affect Huo Fenglie’s heart. As long as he could look, he was able to leave with peace of mind and continue to work hard for their future.

A few days passed, and war was at their doorstep. A giant crossbow-propelled bolt shot through the city gate and marked the beginning of the confrontation between the two armies. The commanders under Huo Fenglie challenged them one after another, shouting: “Hand over the general’s wife!”

Li Jinshu had already brought Liu Zhenqing to the military camp. The situation was worse than Li Jinshu had imagined.

The young emperor had taken his people back to the Imperial City, and was beginning to secretly gather military power behind Li Jinshu’s back, and the remaining forces were still trying to persuade Li Jinshu. He was a bit uneasy about the current situation. Although he wasn’t afraid to fight, fighting would delay his time with Liu Zhenqing, so he naturally didn’t want it to come to that.

Therefore, his best option was to wait for support from the other countries and continue to put pressure on Great Zhou. They had worked together like this many times and had a natural tacit understanding.

Under this kind of pressure, exchanging one person was akin to a marriage connection, so the switch would definitely take place.

But very soon, the two countries sent letters to express their polite refusal. Even if there was profit in it, they had to refuse under the circumstances.

Because their two countries were blockaded at the gates by a 50,000 strong army headed by Dai Tingyu in the southwest, if they wanted to support Xiheng, they must grit their teeth and fight their way out. This had originally just a matter of making noise, in hopes that acting as a threat would stop the fighting. But now, it would evolve into actual war if they took a step forward. Dai Tingyu had also led his men to shout that if they dared to delay their general in picking up his wife, their countries would be the next to be destroyed.

Their countries were not like Xiheng, which was on equal standing with Great Zhou. If they competed here to see who was more ruthless, what would they do if Huo Fenglie turned around to attack them?

They didn’t want to sacrifice themselves for another’s gain, so they had no intention of participating for the time being.

Li Jinshu hadn’t expected things to turn out like this.

But it was strange. How could Huo Fenglie have known his plans and arranged people in advance. And why wasn’t that 50,000 strong army confronting Western Shu? By changing their location, weren’t they afraid of losing the southeast? If Huo Fenglie had issued the order without authorization, how could the emperor allow it?

Li Jinshu’s anger gradually increased, but the problem wasn’t too serious for him to handle. He currently still had the upper hand.

Just then, a military report came in. The Western Shu’s army had actually begun to harass Xiheng from the other side, threatening to take back the land they had lost hundreds of years ago.

What was going on? Xiheng and Western Shu only shared a small border and had nothing to do with each other. Western Shu wasn’t qualified to attack Xiheng. They were merely contemptible buffoons.

The new king of Western Shu must be a lunatic, right? Biting everyone in sight? Biting Great Zhou first and then Xiheng?

But it must be said that this new king was indeed putting pressure on Li Jinshu, since their main forces were focused here to deal with the Huo Family Army. Xiheng’s defenses had long grown weak, easy to attack but difficult to defend. If Western Shu disregarded, there would definitely be trouble.

Moreover, once the king of Western Shu took the lead, other fence-sitting countries would eye the weakened Kingdom of Xiheng and perhaps have wicked intentions of allying with Great Zhou. The situation could be reversed in an instant.

Coupled with the accumulation of various minor problems, Li Jinshu actually felt a sense of frustration rising within him. He had never faced such a troublesome dilemma in all his life.

Had he been too presumptuous in his initial plans? He’d thought he was able to read peoples’ minds as he devised his strategies, so where had he gone wrong in the end? How on earth had he gotten himself into this predicament?

Li Jinshu read the battle report and felt his heart tighten. Abruptly, he had an intuition and stood up, hastening toward the tent where Liu Zhenqing resided.

Upon entering, he found Liu Zhenqing leisurely reading a book by the fire. Li Jinshu suddenly recalled their previous conversation. How had Liu Zhenqing been so sure that the stability and safety of Great Zhou wouldn’t be in jeopardy? Could it be that all of this was……

Looking back, Xiheng had become plagued with internal and external troubles within the span of a month. Although there had originally been various underlying problems, Li Jinshu had been dismissive of them. But no one had the ability to instigate all of these problems so quickly.

Li Jinshu stared at Liu Zhenqing in a daze and asked: “Did you do all of this?”

Liu Zhenqing put away the book: “What is the prince talking about?”

Li Jinshu’s heart once again started to beat wildly. He narrowed his eyes: “I want to know the answer to that puzzle. If you don’t tell me…..”

Li Jinshu suddenly closed in on him, but had to dodge a dart. When he looked up, he saw Liu Qiao stuck to the top of the tent. Li Jinshu had been slow to react, and quickly realized something wasn’t right.

In fact, at this distance, Liu Qiao could have killed Li Jinshu. He had the advantage even with there being a hostage, so why hadn’t he taken the opportunity? Had he missed? Or did they not want to fall out for the time being?

Li Jinshu was puzzled, and couldn’t figure it out. He could only look up at Liu Zhenqing with his eyes blown wide, practically bursting with suspicion.

“Your Highness, if you want to know the answer, then take me to Huo Fenglie. I’ll tell you once we meet.” Liu Zhenqing seemed to deliberately deescalate by offering a condition.

Li Jinshu was suspicious for a long moment, but the desire in his heart to find answers was unbearable. Even though there seemed to be a problem, Li Jinshu weighed the pros and cons and ultimately nodded: “I can let you see him from the city wall. You must give me an answer. But I won’t let you go, even if…..”

Liu Zhenqing’s lips curved: “Even if it puts Xiheng in danger? Li Jinshu, you really are a lunatic.”

They were similar, so similar that Li Jinshu felt like he was being tortured to death. But he was about to hear the answer. As long as he knew the answer, he could rest at ease.

People around him said that Li Jinshu was crazy, but he begged to differ. At first, he had just wanted a substitute to accompany him through these days of boredom. Now, he needed to know if his guess was correct and whether there was really such a magical thing in this world.

Accompanied by the beating drums of both armies, Huo Fenglie soon led his troops to a distance of twenty meters in front of the border city, confronting the enemy from below.

And Liu Zhenqing was finally brought to the city gate.

Li Jinshu took Liu Zhenqing’s arm and led him to the wall.

Liu Zhenqing could see Huo Fenglie astride Chen Jiangyue in the distance just by lowering his head. Although it had only been a few days since he’d seen him, he was already filled with longing.

Huo Fenglie below stared straight back at Liu Zhenqing. His black and white eyes flashed, and he shouted: “I’m here to take you back!”

The corners of Liu Zhenqing’s lips rose in a peerlessly beautiful smile, his face nearly as bright and passionate as it had been in the past.

Li Jinshu was momentarily stunned, and almost couldn’t control himself as he pulled Liu Zhenqing back a step: “I’ve fulfilled my promise. Tell me, who are you, and are you the one behind those things?”

Liu Zhenqing turned to look at Li Jinshu. He suddenly laughed, whispering: “Haven’t you guessed it?”

Li Jinshu looked at Liu Zhenqing in disbelief: “Proof…..do you think I’ll believe anything you say?”

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows and, just like back then, gave Li Jinshu a look that said he was determined to win.

“More than ten years ago, I came to you in order to protect someone else. I let you put your name on me, but in the end, I wasn’t able to save the person I wanted to save.” Liu Zhenqing looked at Li Jinshu and took a step forward.

Li Jinshu inexplicably took a step back.

“Now, I’ve come to you once again to protect someone else, but do you think I would make the same mistake twice? Li Jinshu, have you enjoyed the situation I prepared for you?” Liu Zhenqing said unhurriedly.

Li Jinshu almost stumbled a step, but in the next moment, he fell into ecstasy and began to laugh wildly: “It’s you, it’s really you! You’re Liu Zhenqing!”

Liu Zhenqing raised an eyebrow at the jubilant Li Jinshu, but his eyes swept around. Because at this moment, everyone was looking at Li Jinshu as if he was a madman. Even his adjutant looked bewildered. Liu Zhenqing had been speaking in a voice that only the two of them could hear, but Li Jinshu had no such scruples, and everyone could hear what he shouted.

The prince was calling another person by the name of someone who had been dead for years. Wasn’t this insanity?

But Li Jinshu didn’t notice the situation slipping out of control.

“Liu Zhenqing, you fool, you admitted your identity to me. Do you think I’ll let you go? I won’t make the same mistake twice. No matter how difficult the situation is, I’ll never let go of you! Hahaha!” Li Jinshu was endlessly thrilled.

Li Jinshu shouted to Huo Fenglie down below: “Huo Fenglie, he’s mine! Of you two brothers, the elder couldn’t defeat me, and the younger can’t even think about defeating me! If you want war, there shall be war!”

Huo Fenglie just gazed at him coldly. With a wave of his hand, orders were relayed. The army approached, and the earth seemed to tremble.

Although the guards of the border city were also making preparations, other lieutenants stepped forward to try to persuade Li Jinshu that this was really no time to start a war.

And at this moment, a eunuch rushed up to deliver an Imperial edict.

Li Jinshu was very displeased at the interruption, but the eunuch had to read the edict, so he pretended to listen. 

As a result, when the Imperial edict was read, it turned out that Li Jinshu’s military power was to be confiscated on the grounds that he was unwell. Along with the eunuch came other military officials of Xiheng.

Although they were rather intimidated by Li Jinshu, the various rumors this past month had caused them to waver, so they had come to sound him out.

Li Jinshu’s face was unsightly when he heard this, like that of an enraged leopard. He first glanced at Liu Zhenqing and scoffed. Then, he took the Imperial edict and tore it to shreds.

“Don’t disturb me, get out of here!” 

In the past, people would be quick to obey Li Jinshu when he was in such a temper. But when he spoke now, he suddenly found that these people weren’t scurrying away, but were instead standing motionless.

For the first time, his authority as Regent was being challenged.

He was shocked at first, then said with a sneer: “Are you seeking death?”

The second he spoke, he killed the nearby eunuch. Such insane behavior baffled the others even more.

No matter what, they really couldn’t allow a madman to lead them into war, ah.

But just as Li Jinshu called his secret guards to deal with them according to the principle of “those who obey me will prosper and those who disobey me will perish,” he felt a moon-white figure flash by his side.

Li Jinshu was startled, and when he turned around, he saw Liu Zhenqing standing atop the city wall. If he leaned back just a little, he would fall.

“What are you doing!” Li Jinshu was horrified.

“Naturally, I’m returning to my beloved,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Li Jinshu suddenly laughed: “Archers, on your mark!”

At his command, all bows and arrows pointed at Huo Fenglie.

“Liu Zhenqing, you were never this crazy before. Unless you can come back from the dead, even if you jump down and Huo Fenglie saves you in time, I can have my men shoot thousands of arrows and kill you both at such a short distance.”

Li Jinshu hadn’t had any concerns about bringing Liu Zhenqing up here with him. Unless he was crazy and intended to commit suicide here, it was impossible for him to do such a thing.

Li Jinshu asked himself if he had driven them to the point of committing suicide for love, and felt it was unbelievable. Such behavior made him laugh.

He believed that a person as intelligent as Liu Zhenqing wouldn’t make such a decision.

But Liu Zhenqing just gave him a slight smile. Li Jinshu watched Liu Zhenqing tilt backwards. His heart constricted and he rushed forward to pull him back, shouting: “You think I won’t kill you, but I’m telling you, if I can’t have you, nobody else can either!”

Liu Zhenqing laughed as he began to fall: “Li Jinshu, I know you won’t let me go, but if I can’t be with the one I love, then death doesn’t matter.”

These words fell into the ears of many.

Everyone watched in amazement as Liu Zhenqing jumped off the city gate. Li Jinshu appeared to be unable to react. Why was Liu Zhenqing always surprising him and exceeding all of his expectations? This feeling was really too terrible.

The sound of hooves followed, and a tall figure flew up to catch his lover mid-air, holding him in his arms.

Li Jinshu beheld this scene when he rushed to the wall. His heart was overflowing with fury, but he still struggled. He knew he must make a decision. Liu Zhenqing was about to be taken away. If he really left, he would never come back, and Li Jinshu would lose him completely. What should he do? He hesitated for a moment with a raised hand, but the moment he swung it down, it was proven that Li Jinshu was indeed someone who would destroy a thing if he couldn’t possess it.

But rather than all of the arrows firing, only a few managed to fly out toward the falling people. As everyone looked up, screams sounded from the city gate. With his rapid skills, Liu Qiao knocked down the archers above. Even though there were some who slipped through the net, he had the assistance of long-range arrows from an unknown source.

But none of this attracted Li Jinshu’s attention.

Because he was watching the arrows fly toward Huo Fenglie and Liu Zhenqing, seemingly in a panic. One arrow whizzed by close to Huo Fenglie, but the moment he spun around while holding Liu Zhenqing, an arrow plunged fiercely into his back. According to the length of the arrow’s tail, it should have pierced through Liu Zhenqing as well. But because Huo Fenglie was shielding the other person so tightly in his arms, Li Jinshu was unable to see Liu Zhenqing’s injury.

There was no movement when the two people fell onto the horse. They appeared to be dead as Chen Jiangyue ran off with them.

Li Jinshu’s heart trembled. He wanted to go and grab that person, but was stopped by his subordinates, who proceeded to anxiously warn him.

Li Jinshu watched as, enraged by their general being shot, the Huo Family Army began a long-range attack on the Xiheng border city to the sound of claxons.

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Chapter 146 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 148

Chapter 3 – Soft Persimmon

The chickens and roosters raised by the sect were public property and naturally couldn’t be killed at will, so Fang Yang strongly opposed Feng Ye’s answer.

Feng Ye couldn’t resist his shidi, who was full of enthusiasm after being fed chicken soup by him just now, and reluctantly jumped into the pit he had dug for himself. The two of them reached a compromise and agreed that Fang Yang would wake Feng Ye half a shichen after the rooster crowed each day.

However, Feng Ye still had a trick up his sleeve. He had only promised Fang Yang that he would get up, not that he would practice swordplay with him.

Young people. They were so naive and gullible.

Feng Ye feigned being distraught, but the corners of his lips rose where Fang Yang couldn’t see them. He gave himself a thumbs up for his adult wisdom.

The daily work had been completed, and the next step was free time. The inner sect disciples had to attend classes and practice martial arts, but it was completely different for the outer sect disciples.

Lingxiao Sword Sect had adopted a completely free-range management approach to its junior outer disciples, and their training depended entirely upon themselves.

Fang Yang and Feng Ye were at two extremes, one too conscientious, and the other too unconscientious.

As for the rest, most of them were somewhere in-between. They would train, but weren’t as demanding of themselves as Fang Yang.

Fang Yang was already a top student among the junior disciples, and was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining, so all the others were also at the Qi Refining stage.

They either had not established their foundation, or had not yet achieved inedia. All outer disciples needed to eat. The sect very humanely set up a cafeteria at the foot of the mountain to facilitate the meals of the outer disciples.

It was noon, and after cleaning the training square, Feng Ye and Fang Yang prepared to go to the cafeteria for lunch.

This was one of the few rest times Fang Yang had each day, and after the meal, he would go off on his own to practice swordplay again.

And as for Feng Ye..…he would take a nap. Although he seemed to have slept for a long time, the dream had disturbed him and he hadn’t rested well at all.

Heaven and earth were vast, but catching up on sleep was the most important thing of all.

The useless shixiong played his role very competently today.

Feng Ye’s plan was very good, but before the two of them reached the cafeteria entrance, they were blocked by someone.

The person blocking their way was a familiar face. There were many junior disciples in the outer sect, but because Lingxiao Sword Sect occupied a vast area, the junior disciples lived scattered all over the place and usually didn’t interact with each other. Thus, Feng Ye didn’t actually know many of his fellow disciples.

If Fang Yang was the first, then the person in front of them was the second.

It was just that his relationship with this person was different from his relationship with Fang Yang. To be specific, it was one of enmity.

This person had a pair of triangular eyes, and although his facial features were fairly regular, he tended to look a little dour, as he was always scrutinizing people.

Feng Ye noticed him, and Fang Ye naturally did too.

Fang Yang treated people with unreasonable sincerity and enthusiasm, and almost never took the initiative to make enemies with people – except for the one in front of them.

Just on account of seeing his face, Fang Yang’s expression turned cold. He shouted to this person who was blocking the way forward: “Lu Chengye, what do you want?”

Lu Chengye had been amongst the disciples who entered the sect at the same time as Fang Yang. He also had three spiritual roots like Fang Yang, and therefore also trained in the outer sect.

However, he wasn’t a teenager of fifteen or sixteen like Fang Yang, but a mature young man of eighteen like Feng Ye.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, he had missed the sect’s enrollment period two years ago, but managed to make it the year previous. He joined the immortal sect and earned the title of an overage repeater.

Although he had begun to cultivate immortality a little later in life, because he was older than the others, he possessed more resilience and comprehension than them.

He wasn’t as diligent and hardworking as Fang Yang, but he was still one of the best among this batch of junior disciples.

Lu Chengye and Fang Yang had no personal grudges against each other. The cause of their enmity was…..because of Feng Ye.

In addition to training, junior disciples must also complete tasks assigned by the sect. But in fact, the sect wasn’t very strict about these tasks. As long as they were completed, the administrator in charge of inspections didn’t care who did them.

As a result, an underground black market was born. Some people already had some savings at home before going to learn at the Lingxiao Sword Sect, and they naturally lived a life of luxury and never had to do any chores.

Training was tiring enough, so rather than spending their time performing pointless labor, they preferred to pay someone to do it for them.

On the other hand, there were those who came from poor families. Even after becoming a member of an immortal sect, they still planned to save some money to send to their families in the mortal world.

Thus, deals were made.

One paid and the other worked, an even exchange. This could be considered a legitimate business.

But some people were unwilling to pay, and also didn’t want to do chores. They targeted honest people who looked easy to bully and used force to compel them to lend a hand.

As luck would have it, Feng Ye was the soft persimmon Lu Chengye had targeted.

After all, Feng Ye was very ordinary in every aspect, with an ordinary appearance and an ordinary name. Even if someone came to the sect to ask after him, most people would be unaware that such a fellow disciple existed.

Moreover, Feng Ye was quite useless. After three years of training, his cultivation had barely reached the third level of Qi Refining. At one level per year, it could be considered steady development.

But in the eyes of most people, this was a soft persimmon. If they didn’t come and squeeze it, they would feel they’d lost out.

A month ago, Lu Chengye, who felt he would lose out if he didn’t take the opportunity, naturally approached Feng Ye. He cornered him, and was threatening him with his fists when Fang Yang saw them. As a good young man, Fang Yang certainly wouldn’t sit idly by and watch this kind of bullying, so he stepped in to rescue Feng Ye from peril.

He got to know Feng Ye because of this, and since they lived close to each other, their relationship grew increasingly better. 

Fang Yang bore no goodwill toward Lu Chengye, a local tyrant who used his cultivation to bully his fellow disciples.

Lu Chengye also didn’t like Fang Yang, this self-proclaimed hero who meddled in the affairs of others. But he didn’t have the confidence that he could beat Fang Yang, who was also at the seventh level of Qi Refining, so he had no choice but to give up.

However, he still held a grudge against the two of them. He would make a few sarcastic remarks whenever he got the chance, and today was no exception.

Lu Chengye said with an enigmatic look on his face: “What can be done? There’s only one way to the cafeteria and you won’t let people go there?”

Fang Yang didn’t fall for his provocation. He wasn’t good with words, and had almost never had the upper hand in previous arguments with Lu Chengye. Furthermore, it was not the behavior of a gentleman to gain satisfaction through aggressive speech. Since he was a sword practitioner, he should speak with the sword.

Instead of wasting time arguing with Lu Chengye, it was better to practice his swordplay more.

Fang Yang came to a decision and tugged Feng Ye along to skirt around Lu Chengye.

But as they passed by, Lu Chengye said in a voice so low that only they could hear it: “Do you think protecting this waste will do anything? The inner sect examination is about to begin, and your useless shixiong definitely won’t pass. When the time comes, just wait and see how I deal with him.”

Fang Yang’s footsteps came to a sudden halt. He clenched his fists tightly, and the anger he had been suppressing showed signs of breaking out.

This was exactly what Lu Chengye wanted. The Lingxiao Sword Sect had a free-range management style, which appeared loose and easy.

But despite such looseness, there were several golden rules that could not be violated, one of which was that disciples were not allowed to fight amongst themselves. Those who stirred up trouble would be expelled from the sect without mercy.

The cafeteria wasn’t far away. It was currently lunchtime, and there were many people around. If Fang Yang couldn’t hold back and took action first, his guilt would be confirmed, and there would be only one result waiting for him: being expelled from the sect and never again having the opportunity to become immortal.

Although Lu Chengye seemed to be targeting Fang Yang, his actual target was Feng Ye. After all, without Fang Yang’s protection and with Feng Ye’s limited skills, he would be at his mercy.

Fang Yang was also aware of this, but the young were always prone to impulsiveness. At this moment, he was so infuriated by Lu Chengye’s words that he lost control of himself.

Just when he was about to move, Feng Ye suddenly pressed down on his shoulders.

Walking beside Fang Yang, Feng Ye had naturally heard every word Lu Chengye said.

Moreover, he also knew that the “waste” Lu Chengyu referred to was him.

Contrary to Fang Yang’s anger, he wore a calm expression devoid of anger, as if he was just a punching bag that couldn’t fight back or retaliate.

Fang Yang reflexively tried to break free from Feng Ye’s grip, but was unexpectedly unable to shake him off.

In terms of physical fitness, he, who was at the seventh level of Qi Refining, should be far superior to the third level Feng Ye, but he was unable to move under Feng Ye’s grip.

Feng Ye looked at Lu Chengye’s expression of sarcasm and malice and smiled, saying only one thing: “Then I’ll be waiting for you.”

Having said this, he continued forward with Fang Yang, only releasing his grip once they were out of Lu Chengye’s sight.

Fang Yang looked at Feng Ye’s hands, then at his ordinary face, and had a moment of doubt: was his useless shixiong actually useless? 

Feng Ye’s next words dispelled his doubts.

Patting his chest with a sigh of relief, Feng Ye said gratefully: “Fortunately, nothing happened. Shidi, don’t be impulsive. Letting him insult me a few times won’t hurt anybody. Come on, let’s go eat first, and then I can sleep……”

Useless-shixiong really is useless, Fang Yang thought expressionlessly. Only a waste would just think about sleeping and eating. As for practicing swordplay, there was no such thing in the world of the useless. Correspondingly, there was also no such thing in Feng Ye’s world.

Fang Yang didn’t refute Feng Ye’s suggestion to eat first, but still couldn’t help but warn him worriedly: “After the inner sect examination in a few days, I’ll be admitted and won’t live at the foot of the mountain anymore. If Lu Chengye…..”

If Lu Chengye were to cause trouble for Feng Ye, Fang Yang would naturally be too late to stop him after entering the inner sect. This was also why he must urge Feng Ye to practice his swordplay. He hoped that after he left, his useless shixiong wouldn’t be beaten too badly.

Fang Yang didn’t finish his sentence, but Feng Ye was aware of his worries. He inwardly lamented that if Fang Yang hadn’t intervened that day, he would have beaten Lu Chengyu until he was unrecognizable.

Fang Yang-shidi’s worries were completely groundless. His useless shixiong was only useless in front of others, but not where others couldn’t see…..so he would wait for Lu Chengye, who loved to squeeze soft persimmons, to come and experience it for himself.

These were Feng Ye’s thoughts, but it wasn’t easy to express them to Fang Yang, so he just rubbed his shidi’s head comfortingly to signal that he shouldn’t worry.

After that minor episode, Feng Ye and Fang Yang entered the cafeteria to find that there were already quite a few people inside. They had to wait in line for a long time before they could eat.

And elsewhere, an unfamiliar guest arrived at the mountain gates of Lingxiao Sword Sect.

Hao Chen gazed at the rolling mountains and hidden sect therein, and with a swish, opened the paper fan he carried with him.

The weather in early autumn wasn’t very hot, but he still fanned himself.

How stylish he looked with the fan was far more important than the coolness it provided.

Hao Chen took a quick look at the terrain and saw the four big characters “Lingxiao Sword Sect” written on the mountain wall.

These four characters were massive, occupying the entire wall of the mountain and able to be seen from a great distance. It was also unknown who wrote them.

But the strokes of these four characters were swift and fierce, the breaks clean and decisive, which somewhat indicated the proudness and determination of the inscriber.

Hao Chen murmured the name again: “Lingxiao……Sword Sect.”

There was a perpetual faint smile on his lips, which made one feel as if they were bathing in a spring breeze – but when he spoke the word “Lingxiao,” that smile was three parts disdain and seven parts sarcastic.

With a snap, Hao Chen closed the fan, tapping his palm with it as he walked onward.

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T/N: Lingxiao (凌霄) can be interpreted as “Rising to Heaven.”

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Chapter 2 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 4