“……”

Can’t give birth?

Did Er-ge like men?

Countless thoughts instantly surged in Pei Yi’s mind, but he didn’t dare to think deeply about it. He stepped back in a panic. “Oh, oh, I understand.”

“You understand?”

Bo Yueming still hadn’t let go of his hand.

Pei Yi avoided his gaze, the strange feeling in his heart becoming even stronger. “Er-ge, you must have drank a lot tonight. Go to bed early. I need to rest too.”

Bo Yueming saw through the evasion of the person in front of him, and was also not in a hurry to express his feelings at this moment.

He had known Pei Yi’s temperament since childhood. He seemed to be outgoing, and his daily curiosity was greater than anything else, but there was also a high wall in his heart.

Once he encountered something he couldn’t figure out, or encountered “danger,” he would instinctively protect himself and evade.

Bo Yueming could tell that the kitten was gradually becoming enlightened. At this time, pushing the other party too hard would be counterproductive.

Bo Yueming returned to his senses briefly and pretended to be drunk again. “En, I got a little drunk and I’m dizzy.”

A trace of nervousness flashed across Pei Yi’s face, and he quickly lowered his head to hide it.

Bo Yueming’s hand rested on the wine cabinet. “You should go to bed early. I’ll take a shower first.”

Having said this, he turned around and went to his room.

Pei Yi stared at Bo Yueming’s somewhat shaky steps, and the suppressed anxiety surged onto his face again. He couldn’t help but mutter inwardly—

How much wine did he drink?

Wasn’t he usually pretty good at drinking?

Although he had said he was sleepy, Pei Yi still ran downstairs anxiously.

Uncle Kai, who resided on the first floor, heard the sounds outside and couldn’t help but go out to find that it was Pei Yi tossing around.

He quickly approached and asked, “Little Sir, what are you looking for? Are you hungry?”

“Uncle Kai, where is the hangover medicine? And the honey.” Pei Yi successfully found the medical kit and murmured, “Er-ge seems to be very drunk. I want to make him some honey water.”

Uncle Kai was stunned. “Second Young Master is drunk?”

Pei Yi nodded vigorously, and said as if complaining to his parents, “Didn’t you see? He was staggering when he walked.”

“……”

No, he didn’t see it, ah?

When the Second Young Master came home just now, even though he smelled of alcohol, his overall condition was very normal, and he specifically said he didn’t need to be taken care of. So how could he be drunk?

Pei Yi’s voice came again, “Uncle Kai, is the honey in the refrigerator?”

Uncle Kai quickly answered, “Eh, I’ll check for Little Sir.”

. . . . . . .

Bo Yueming took a quick shower, but before he could lie down on the bed, there was another knock on the door.

Pei Yi lowered his voice. “Er-ge, are you asleep?”

“……”

Bo Yueming’s eyes brightened slightly. After walking a few steps, he pretended to be uncomfortably drunk and opened the door. “Why aren’t you asleep yet.”

Pei Yi handed over the warm honey water in his hand. “Drink before talking, and here’s some medicine.”

Bo Yueming looked at the pills in Pei Yi’s hand and deliberately took only the water glass. Then he feigned unsteadiness and walked to the big bed in the master bedroom and leaned against it.

“……Ai!”

Pei Yi noticed his ‘uncomfortable’ appearance and quickly followed him. “Er-ge, take your medicine quickly and go to bed afterward.”

Bo Yueming took two sips of honey water and said weakly, “Help me open the outer packaging.”

Pei Yi removed the plastic outer packaging, held the pills on his fingertips, and handed them over. “En, take them quickly.”

“Okay.”

Bo Yueming lowered his eyes and responded lightly, but didn’t reach to pick them up.

Instead, he leaned down and took the pills and fingertips into his mouth, grinding his teeth lightly against them.

“……Wu.”

Pei Yi whimpered softly and withdrew his hand as if it had been burned. For a moment, he didn’t know where to direct his eyes.

As the “chief culprit,” Bo Yueming didn’t seem to notice this at all, and swallowed the hangover medicine with honey water. “Okay, it’s getting late. Do you want to sleep?”

“Ah? I’ll sleep, ba.”

Pei Yi unconsciously twirled his fingertips and stood up slowly. “Then I’ll go back.”

Having said that, he didn’t give Bo Yueming a chance to speak again, and rushed out of the master bedroom.

“……”

Bo Yueming looked at the ajar door and the sound of a door closing from the opposite side. He leaned helplessly on the bed and let out an inaudible laugh.

The two of them hadn’t slept together in a long while. He had originally wanted to use the excuse of being “drunk” to catch a kitten, but unfortunately, he slipped away with the bait. Bo Yueming didn’t want to waste Pei Yi’s thoughtfulness, so he simply drank the honey water that was at the perfect temperature.

What he wanted would come soon enough.

. . . . . . 

Another week.

In the simply-decorated three-storey villa, the door of the study was gently pushed open, and the rich scent of paint that had accumulated over the years wafted out.

Pei Yi had returned home for the weekend, and looked at the gentle figure in the studio while calling cautiously, “Father Rong, can I come in?”

Xu Rong, who was concentrating on his creation, raised his head and smiled upon seeing his child. “Xiao Yi, why are you back today? Come in.”

As he spoke, the smoothly tossed the utility knife in his hand into a paint bucket and left it at a distance.

Pei Yi was unaware of the deep meaning behind this simple action, and just walked closer to sit on the simple camp chair beside him. “Father Rong.”

The simple address brought with it a hint of coquettishness.

Xu Rong took out the wet wipes on the side and wiped his hands, then patted his child’s cheek lovingly. “What’s wrong? Did you come to me with something weighing on your heart?”

One could look at him and come to an accurate conclusion.

“……”

Pei Yi thought of the real reason he had come to Xu Rong, but it was a little difficult to express.

He thought for a few seconds and then changed his question. “Father Rong, how did you and Father Yan meet? Who pursued whom?”

Xu Rong was a little surprised at Pei Yi’s question, and there was a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

It should be known that Pei Yi had been well-behaved and sensible since he was a child, and had never been curious enough to inquire after his two parents. Why was he suddenly curious about the matter now?

Pei Yi noticed the look in Xu Rong’s eyes change slightly and dropped the topic. “I was just asking casually.”

Xu Rong patted his hand and comforted, “It’s okay, if you want to know, I’ll tell you.”

Pei Yi was already an adult. Since such a question had arisen, there was a high probability that he was emotionally involved.

As a father, he must not only learn to listen, but also to share and give correct guidance.

“You know that Father Yan is six years younger than me, right?”

“En.”

“Back then, I had just become a traditional Chinese painting assistant at the university, and your aunt Ke Yan took my class as an elective. For a while, your father pretended to be a student when he picked your aunt up from school, but I called him to answer questions.”

Zong Baiyan knew nothing about traditional Chinese painting, and along with his youthful arrogance and brashness, Xu Rong was very angry with his few answers that didn’t add up to anything.

“I was young at that time, and my age as a teacher was not convincing to him, much less my personality. In the course of events, my eyes almost turned red with anger.”

Pei Yi was just asking casually at first, but now he was really interested and complained in a low voice, “Ah? Was Father Yan really that ‘bad’ when he was young?”

“En.”

Xu Rong smiled. “Since his family was rich, he was also a young master who could make trouble.”

His only advantage was that he had a sense of proportion when making trouble, and never played with other people’s feelings.

“When the argument was at its peak, the bell rang at the end of class. I couldn’t hold myself together at that moment. It’s embarrassing to say, but my eyes were indeed red, and I picked up my things and left the classroom quickly.”

Now, it was Zong Baiyan’s turn to be nervous.

“Your father probably knew he had made trouble, and likely also sensed that something was wrong with my mood, so he followed me out and said he wanted to treat me to a meal to make amends.”

And he stuck to him as time went on.

Pei Yi listened to Xu Rong’s recollections, compared them imperceptibly, and shook his head.

Er-ge and Father Yan were different.

Although he was also a young master from a wealthy family, he was much more reliable than his father when he was young, and never made anyone cry.

Pei Yi noticed that Xu Rong was in a sharing mood, and his curiosity continued. “Father Rong, when did you realize you liked Father Yan? Which of you two broke the window paper first?”

Xu Rong had guessed that the kitten would ask this question, so he said as a person with some experience, “Xiao Yi, when you find that no matter what you do or hear, you easily think of that person.”

“When you see that person get close to others and your thoughts start to go wild.”

“When just thinking about the two of you becoming strangers in the end makes you feel sad.”

“Every such moment is enough to verify that — you have feelings for that person.”

Xu Rong deliberately changed the narrative perspective, and then used himself as an example. “Just like Father Yan. He was like a clingy puppy at first. No matter how much I refused or chased him away, I couldn’t get rid of him. Later, when I thought about the possibility of him not being around anymore, my heart felt empty.”

“……”

His heart felt empty?

Pei Yi lowered his eyes and suddenly remembered when he misunderstood Bo Yueming and Yang Kelin the week before, and the sour, lost feeling of not knowing what to do when he heard that he had someone he liked.

Xu Rong noticed Pei Yi’s absent mindedness and asked in a low voice, “Xiao Yi, what’s going on with you and Yueming?”

Pei Yi instantly panicked. “Father Rong, it’s nothing! It has nothing to do with Er-ge!”

Xu Rong smiled. “You still want to hide it from me, ah? You’ve fallen in love with Yueming, right?”

“……”

When Pei Yi heard this plain and clear question, the heartstrings that had been pulled since last week snapped.

He met Xu Rong’s seemingly all-seeing eyes and nodded resignedly. “Father Rong, I’ve always regarded him as an older brother, but that changed at some point.”

Maybe it was that unspeakable dream during summer vacation and the comfort Bo Yueming provided after waking up, or maybe it was earlier—

By the time Pei Yi reacted, his feelings for Bo Yueming had already exceeded the limit.

He had struggled for a week, but still didn’t dare to step over that line easily.

“If it changed, then it changed.”

Trying to dispel his concerns, Xu Rong gave him full affirmation. “Xiao Yi, you are an adult, and you have the ability to make choices for your life and relationships.”

“Perhaps you haven’t been able to fully adapt, but Father Rong and Father Yan will be your backers in everything, understand?”

Pei Yi still had concerns in his heart. “Father Rong, is it okay that I like Er-ge?”

Xu Rong frowned slightly, and heard his child’s hesitant confession, “You didn’t adopt me because you wanted me to…..”

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Rong understood his meaning and interrupted firmly, “Xiao Yi, listen well—”

“En?”

“Father Yan and I adopted you and treat you as our own son not for the sake of superficial inheritance, but because we love and adore you.”

“Whether you like a boy or a girl, the same sex or the opposite sex, we just want you to be happy.”

“Yueming is a child who is excellent in all aspects, and you have grown up together. If you really get together, I will not object.”

Pei Yi’s eyes grew warm. “Father Rong.”

In order to give Pei Yi courage, Xu Rong simply continued to use himself as an example. “Didn’t you ask who confessed first between your father and I?”

Pei Yi nodded curiously. “En?”

Xu Rong revealed in a whisper, “I confirmed my feelings first, and then deliberately confessed to your father first.”

After all, Xu Rong was six years older than Zong Baiyan, and was more mature mentally and emotionally.

Hearing this, there was admiration in Pei Yi’s eyes. “Really, Father Rong?”

Recalling the past, Xu Rong smiled brightly. “En, really.”

“Happiness must be achieved by yourself, and the future must be controlled by yourself.”

Xu Rong lightly tapped the ends of Pei Yi’s moist eyes. “Once you confirm your intentions, you should boldly give it a try. Do you understand?”

Pei Yi nodded, and the fog in his heart began to dissipate.

Xu Rong breathed a silent sigh of relief, and gave him space. “Are you hungry? Shall I bake you something tasty?”

“En!”

“Wait, and come downstairs in half an hour.”

“Okay.”

Xu Rong stood up and left, not forgetting to leave the door ajar.

Pei Yi was the only one left in the studio full of artistic atmosphere, but now he was no longer confused and hesitant.

—Happiness must be achieved by yourself? The future should be controlled by yourself? Once you confirmed your intentions, you should boldly give it a try?

—En!

Pei Yi silently recited Father Rong’s words in his mind, then took out his phone and clicked on the memo pad.

Thinking seriously, he typed out something cute:

How should I confess my love to Er-ge?

Time? Location? Plan?

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Extra 11/15 <<Table of Contents >> Extra 13/15

The cafeteria of the School of Economics and Business.

Pei Yi entered the second floor, and the kitten’s nose picked up the smell of delicious food. He immediately became energetic.

He looked sideways to see Bo Yueming, who was following him, and couldn’t help but grab his arm and urge, “Er-ge! Hurry up! I’m practically starving!”

Upon hearing this, Bo Yueming had no choice but to follow his instructions and speed up his pace.

The small window where fried pork chops were sold was in the corner of the second floor. The owners were a couple in their thirties, and the lady boss was always in charge of the sales window.

The other party recognized him as soon as Bo Yueming approached. “Yo, the handsome guy is here again!”

Pei Yi couldn’t wait. “Sister, please give me two fried pork chops, one with salt and pepper and the other slightly spicy. Thank you!”

The boss lady was so ecstatic to be called “sister” by Pei Yi that it took her two or three seconds to react, and she couldn’t help but glance at Bo Yueming beside him. “Is this your family’s little friend? He has the same tastes as you.”

“Little friend?”

Pei Yi muttered this phrase in a low voice and turned to look at Bo Yueming.

Bo Yueming’s eyes flashed slightly, and he coughed with a rare guilty conscience.

Pei Yi didn’t know what was going on, and replied naturally, “En, that’s me!”

He and Bo Yueming had grown up together. In the eyes of others, the other person was his biological older brother.

“…….”

Bo Yueming heard Pei Yi continue to praise him at the window, “Sister, your fried pork chops are so delicious, I’ve been thinking about them. I’ll come here often in the future.”

“Great!”

The boss lady happily accepted this. “I’ll pick out two big ones!”

With that said, she called to her husband inside to make preparations.

Bo Yueming’s gaze was still on the back of Pei Yi’s head, and he said in a low voice, “Pei Yi, the beverage shop is on the first floor. What do you want to drink? On the way, help buy me an iced Americano and a diet meal from next door for me to eat at home.”

“Ah?”

Pei Yi met Bo Yueming’s gaze again and immediately agreed. “Okay.”

Bo Yueming was a bit of a germaphobe, and didn’t like to frequent crowded places. It was almost the peak meal period, so it was natural for him to avoid the flow of people.

The boss lady came back after finishing up and found that Pei Yi was no longer there. “Where is your family’s little friend?”

Bo Yueming replied casually, “He went downstairs to buy something else.”

The boss lady smiled meaningfully. “I initially thought your lover was a girl. I didn’t expect that it would be such a good-looking young boy. No wonder you get two pork chops to eat every time.”

Bo Yueming pursed his lips and said very softly, “…..En.”

The boss lady recognized his face because he came to buy fried pork chops every now and then. She had asked him before, and Bo Yueming had replied casually—

“It’s for the little friend at home.”

Such a sentence caused the boss lady to misunderstand that this was Bo Yueming’s nickname for a little lover.

Once Bo Yueming was aware of her misunderstanding, he didn’t explain due to his selfish motives, which resulted in the mistake today.

The boss lady had said this in front of Pei Yi just now. Seeing that the secret would be easily revealed if she continued talking, Bo Yueming suppressed his guilt and tried to find a way to get rid of Pei Yi.

Very soon, Bo Yueming returned to the first floor with the packaged pork chops.

“Er-ge, over here!”

Pei Yi held a drink in one hand and the bag of food hooked on his finger.

The closer Bo Yueming got, the more he could smell the aroma of the fried pork chops in his hands. “Er-ge, come on, come on, open it first and let me take a bite.”

Bo Yueming smiled helplessly. “Greedy cat, can’t you wait until we go back? It’s only a few steps away.”

Pei Yi glanced at his own full left and right hands and urged, “Hurry up, I’m really hungry.”

When Bo Yueming heard this, he could only stop and ignore the people coming and going in the canteen as he took a small piece of pork chop out of the bag. “Don’t bite it right away, it’s a bit hot.”

Pei Yi blew on it softly twice before biting down in satisfaction.

Seeing his look of contentment, Bo Yueming asked, “Is this enough?”

Pei Yi nodded. “En.”

. . . . . . .

One month later.

Pei Yi’s roommate rushed into the dorm room and teased, “Pei Yi, there are girls downstairs looking for you.”

As soon as he said this, it drew the attention and jeers from the other two people in the dorm.

Baffled, Pei Yi warded off the words of the two and got up to go downstairs. There were indeed two girls standing downstairs in the dormitory. They were good looking and had outstanding temperaments, but they were unfamiliar. 

Before Pei Yi could confirm their identities, they took the lead in walking over.

The girl with short hair nudged the girl with long hair. Seeing that her sister was too shy to say a word, she could only greet, “Hello, are you Pei Yi?”

Pei Yi nodded. “Yes.”

The short-haired girl introduced herself gracefully, “My name is Song Guo. I’m from the School of Economics next door, and I’m a year older than you.”

Pei Yi said politely, “Hello, senior sister.”

Song Guo continued to say in a friendly manner, “It’s like this, I saw you and Bo Yueming show up in the cafeteria before, so I asked around a bit. You’re his little brother, right?”

Pei Yi didn’t dislike this direct greeting. “En.”

When the long-haired girl heard this, her eyes finally lit up. She took a deep breath and handed over the ticket she was carrying. “Hello, my name is Yang Kelin. Could you please give this ticket to your brother?”

“……”

Pei Yi’s eyes dropped and he clearly read the words on the ticket—

Gelan Wine Concert, Saturday, 7:30 pm.

Seeing that Pei Yi didn’t respond, Yang Kelin explained warmly, “It’s like this. I heard that Senior likes red wine and has the habit of collecting famous wines.”

“So, I want to invite him to attend. Can you please pass it on?”

The implication was very clear.

Pei Yi’s heartstrings tensed slightly and he felt an indescribable melancholy, but he hid it well on the surface.

Song Gao opened her mouth to give her a hand. “Junior, can you help us?”

Pei Yi took a deep breath and decisively refused. “I’m sorry, seniors. I may not be able to help with this.”

“……”

Song Guo and Yang Kelin looked at each other, not having expected Pei Yi to refuse so simply. The latter’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and she said gently and rationally, “May I ask why?”

Yang Kelin had asked around and found out that Bo Yueming didn’t have a girlfriend. Only the other party’s personality was too cold, so they thought of sending this invitation through Pei Yi to convey the young girl’s intentions.

“Senior, it’s like this. My Er-ge doesn’t like others to make decisions for him.” 

“You may be happy if I accept your request here, and look forward to it. But if it fails, your happiness will be in vain.”

“Instead of doing it this way, you should give it to him yourselves.”

Pei Yi paused, seeming to understand the concerns of the two girls in front of him. “Actually, Er-ge is very good, it’s just that he seems difficult to get to know on the surface. You, you can give it a try yourselves.”

“No matter what, the answer you receive yourself is always the best, right?”

Yang Kelin was moved by Pei Yi and didn’t want to force him to do anything. She put down her hand with the ticket and said, “Thank you, then we won’t trouble you.”

When Song Guo saw that her friend had given up on this method of invitation, she didn’t insist on it anymore.

She looked at the direct and candid Pei Yi in front of her and felt that he seemed like her own little brother. “Thank you, la. If there is a chance, senior sister will treat you to dinner.”

Pei Yi had a very good impression of these two people, and curled his lips.

It wasn’t until the two of them left that the smile on his lips suddenly fell and was once more replaced by inexplicable melancholy.

. . . . . . . .

As soon as Pei Yi returned to the dorm, he was surrounded by his three gossipy roommates.

“Tell us, did you fall in love with Senior Sister? Yang Kelin is the beauty of the school next door! She is beautiful and gentle, has good grades, and is very talented, and I heard that her family is really well off.”

“You kid, it’s only been a semester since school started. How did you catch her eye without saying a word?”

“……”

When Pei Yi heard the people around him complimenting Yang Kelin, a sense of sourness welled up in his heart. “They didn’t come for me, but to get to my brother through me.”

“Your brother? B-Bo Yueming?”

“En, I refused.” Feeling weak, Pei Yi climbed onto the bed. “…..I can’t help with this.”

Helping someone else in love!

Someone caught a clue from Pei Yi’s mood and teased, “I say, Pei Yi, you’re not jealous of your brother, are you?”

Pei Yi said firmly and simply, “No.”

“No?”

The roommate changed his mind again. “That’s right, you seem to be quite a brother-con. You talk about your big brother all day long.”

“……”

A brother-con?

Pei Yi’s eyes narrowed, and he didn’t answer.

Another roommate joked, “I’m telling you, Pei Yi, this Bo Yueming will have a girlfriend sooner or later. Don’t blubber about it, ah.”

—Shua!

Pei Yi suddenly pulled the blackout bed curtain. “I’m sleepy.”

Once he was isolated from the teasing of his roommates, the restless Pei Yi took out his cell phone and opened Baidu with an indescribable subtlety: Brother-con behavior.

The moment he entered the question, the answer came.

Pei Yi casually clicked on a web page and saw a line of words clearly written on it—

“Brother-con refers to liking a brother older than oneself who is not necessarily related by blood. Generally, the dependence is formed during childhood, and you want to stick to the other person all the time. You simply hope that your brother will always be with you and either take care of or protect you.”

“……”

Pei Yi saw this line of words and buried his head in the quilt in irritation. In addition to the sourness, there was also an inexplicable loss in his heart.

Buzz.

The phone vibrated.

Pei Yi picked up the phone again and looked at it, only to find that it was a message from Bo Yueming. “Do you want to eat that Thai grilled fish you mentioned this Saturday?”

Pei Yi recalled what he had just looked up, and said the opposite of what he wanted. “No, I have something to do.”

He paused, then deleted the “period” at the end and said, “No, I have something to do!”

. . . . . . .

In the blink of an eye, it was Saturday evening.

As soon as Uncle Kai opened the door of the villa, he saw Pei Yi wandering in front of the courtyard. “Little Sir, why haven’t you come in?”

“I, I…..”

Pei Yi got stuck, and was a little embarrassed and speechless.

He originally hadn’t intended to come, but he was at loose ends and ran over on impulse.

Pei Yi had come to visit the Bo residence more than once or twice over the years, and the security guards at the door who were familiar with him no longer stopped him.

But when he finally arrived at his destination, Pei Yi hesitated to go inside. He had already figured something out—

He and Bo Yueming were both adults, and the latter was a few years older than him. Sooner or later, he would have his own lover, get married, and have a family. He couldn’t cling to the other party like he did when he was a child.

Uncle Kai was unaware of what was going on in Pei Yi’s heart, and took Pei Yi into the villa as if he was his own child.

Pei Yi asked slowly, “Uncle Kai, is Er-ge upstairs?”

Uncle Kai paused. “Aiyo, the Second Young Master really isn’t home tonight. He went out in a suit before five o’clock. It seemed as if he had something serious to do, and he probably won’t be back before nine.”

“……”

He went out in a suit? He had something serious to do? And it happened to be Saturday?

Pei Yi thought of Yang Kelin’s ticket from before and his eyes dimmed. “Oh.”

Uncle Kai asked, “Little Sir, have you eaten? You can stay here tonight. Let me call the Second Young Master and have him come back early.”

“Don’t!”

Pei Yi blurted this out to stop him, then said with a stingy streak he wasn’t even aware he had, “Let him take care of his serious business. I’m not hungry. I’ll go back to the small room and take a rest first.”

Uncle Kai noticed that something was off about Pei Yi’s mood, but didn’t dare to ask further. “That’s good, you rest first. You’ll be hungry later, let Uncle Kai have something tasty prepared for you.”

“En. Thank you, Uncle Kai.”

. . . . . . .

Bo Yueming returned later than expected.

Pei Yi heard sounds in the small living room and slowly opened the door.

Their eyes met.

Bo Yueming was wearing a crisp suit, and it seemed that even his hair had been specially taken care of, which not only highlighted his handsome appearance, but also gave him a somewhat mature and steady aura.

“Pei Yi?”

“……”

Pei Yi heard his voice and moved closer, then saw a rare trace of drunkenness floating across Bo Yueming’s face.

Somehow, his mood that he had been suppressing all night dropped to the freezing point, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Was the red wine concert fun?”

Bo Yueming was taken aback. “What?”

Pei Yi’s nose felt sore upon hearing his retort. “Did you like it so much, ah? Did you drink until you were unconscious?”

Ever since he was a child, he had no memory of Bo Yueming going out alone with girls of a similar age.

But now the other party had accepted Yang Kelin’s invitation, which made it clear that something was going on!

Bo Yueming suppressed the drunkenness in his eyes, but didn’t rush to answer. “You know everything?”

Pei Yi was a little angry and lost, but insisted on saying harshly, “What don’t I know, I’m very clear!”

Bo Yueming tugged on his tie, and there was some implication in his words. “Then you aren’t happy for me?”

“……”

Pei Yi’s breathing stalled. He wanted to continue putting up a brave front, but couldn’t. 

Whenever he thought of Bo Yueming showing love, care, protection, and companionship to some girl, he felt a sense of loss and uneasiness, but wasn’t in the position to show it.

He clenched his back molars unnoticeably. “I’m happy, ah, you two look like a perfect match. I’m going to bed. Er-ge, you should also go to bed early.”

The more he said, the faster and more uncontrollably he spoke, as if he was doing his utmost to endure something.

Pei Yi felt that he was on the verge of losing control of his emotions. He turned around and was about to rush back to his room, but his arm was suddenly pulled. “Kitten, wait.”

 “I didn’t go on a date with Yang Kelin tonight. It was a business reception.”

Pei Yi’s mind was a mess, and he couldn’t react for a second. “I know you went on a date with her. You…..”

He stopped in embarrassment mid-sentence, and breathed a few times in confusion. “You didn’t go on a date?”

When Bo Yueming saw his reaction, he knew that his suspicion was correct.

“Did Yang Kelin seek you out before?” Bo Yueming pulled the still-dazed Pei Yi a little closer. “She came to me later and I refused outright.”

When faced with so-called liking and pursuit, he always made prompt decisions.

“Tonight was a business banquet. I just got my invitation from Grandma yesterday.”

Bo Yueming continued to explain, “I just asked if you were happy because I independently negotiated a cooperation agreement for a commercial order worth nearly one hundred million tonight.”

Pei Yi pursed his lips and praised subconsciously, “S-so awesome.”

Bo Yueming chuckled, looking at his slightly red eyes. “Are you unhappy?”

“…..No.”

Pei Yi’s heartstrings relaxed slightly, but then he remembered the facts that he must face in the future.

He raised his head and met Bo Yueming’s eyes. At this moment, all of his hesitation turned into the courage to break the pot and ask the question. “Er-ge, do you have someone you like?”

Bo Yueming’s grip on his wrist tightened. “Yes.”

“……”

Pei Yi didn’t expect the other party to give such a positive answer, and his sour mood suddenly came back.

He continued to endure it, but couldn’t help feeling lost. Lowering his head, he asked dully, “W-who, ah? How much do you like them? Do you want to confess, fall in love, propose, get married, and have children in the future?”

A faint laugh emerged from Bo Yueming’s throat. “En, those are pretty much the steps. Except, they don’t have to give birth to a child.”

“……”

Pei Yi could no longer control his emotions, so he simply threw the jar and smashed it. “Why? Because you don’t like children or…..are you afraid that she’ll be in pain when she gives birth to a baby?”

“Let me see.”

Bo Yueming seemed to be thinking about the issue very seriously, with even a bit of caution. 

Pei Yi saw Bo Yueming’s attitude and smacked his hand away. “Forget it, pretend I didn’t ask. Just love her as much as you want!”

Before the lingering sound vanished, Bo Yueming quickly grabbed Pei Yi’s hand and leaned over.

So close, so close that even a kiss would be easy.

Pei Yi’s heart tensed, but his feet stayed in place, unable and unwilling to leave.

The surroundings were quiet, as if something tangled was taking root between them.

Bo Yueming saw that the person in front of him looked like he was about to cry, and spoke with deep meaning.

“The problem is, he really can’t give birth.”

---

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Extra 10/15 <<Table of Contents >> Extra 12/15

[I’m Xingxing, the acting account manager of @Meowmeow Woofwoof. I’m also the person in charge of Meow Woof Rescue Center. At the same time, I’m also the real-life friend of @LU Deer. In the past two years, he has made several donations to the rescue center using the account @LU Deer, with a total donation amount of 103,000 yuan]

[And the time he participated in the rescue is far longer than the past two years. It can also be said that he is a member of the rescue center. In high school, when he had no financial strength, he had already begun to participate in the rescue of stray cats and dogs]

[I have always believed that a person who can put himself in danger for small animals, a person who is willing to give warmth to wandering souls, cannot be a pervert who harrasses others]

[Some may ask why this matter is being clarified. I only now spoke up for this friend because @LU Deer told me not to get involved when this incident happened, so as not to affect the rescue work of the fur children. He didn’t want this incident to affect more people]

[And I am speaking out now because I want some naive and immature people to know what an innocent soul you are hurting. If you feel ashamed of this mistake, then congratulations, you can still be saved. Don’t be coerced by the trends. Keep your eyes open next time. To those who have no shame, I can only say:]

[The difference between people is greater than the distance between people and dogs. To compare you to a dog would be an insult to the dog. (Smile)]

Below this long text update were also several pictures, including records of donation receipts and location details, as well as comparisons of stray cats and dogs before and after they were rescued. There were also many photos of a boy with cats and dogs. Even though the photos were censored, it was still easy to see this boy gradually become taller and taller, growing from a thin boy to a slender young man.

In the comment area, the most favorable comments were listed at the top.

[Is he an angel sent from Woof Star and Meow Star?]

[Oh my god, I’ve seen this little brother in rescue videos, but the frontal shots were cut out. It turns out he’s been going through this recently. I feel so bad]

[@LU Deer, jiayou! The kitties are still waiting for you to come back~]

However, the style of the subsequent comments gradually changed.

[Fuck! My only concern is: his legs are so long! The one where he is fishing for a cat in the river! The legs are long and straight, ah!]

[LOL, who would have thought that I’d see what my wife looks like! Wife! I’m your dog!]

[Although I didn’t see my wife’s face, woof wooooooooooof! (sprinting) (flying) (doing splits on the spot to show determination) (dog head holding a rose) (wagging tail) (wagging tail) (beating up other puppies) (wagging tail with bruised nose and face)]

Lu Qi: ……

This was puppy-crazy language. He understood.

But he was still shocked every time he saw it.

“What are you looking at?” Mu Nanqiao’s faint voice came from behind. “Neighbor, ah, you said we would paint the wall together, but I’m painting while you’re sitting here being lazy? This isn’t very sincere, right?”

Lu Qi quickly got up from the steps and ran to Mu Nanqiao like a puppy. “Are you thirsty, Mu-shifu? Let me help rub your shoulders, Mu-shifu!”

It wasn’t that he wanted to be lazy, so he took a roller brush and painted a small area of the wall. As a result, the brushing was very uneven, deep and shallow, but Mu Nanqiao’s brushing was perfect and his movements were fast.

He really didn’t want to have Mu Nanqiao follow behind him to do it over, so he had no choice but to retreat to the corner in silence. Of course, he didn’t intend to make Mu-shifu work in vain. He planned to reward his neighbor with a meal at noon.

Thinking of this, he rubbed his nose guiltily, smearing the tip with a blotch of white dust. He raised his head and asked Mu Nanqiao: “Um…..you just paint the wall, and I’ll cook something delicious for you, okay? Do you have anything you don’t like?”

Mu Nanqiao glanced down at him.

He wore a small hat folded from a newspaper, his hair hidden neatly by it to expose his smooth forehead. Without the obstruction of the hair on his forehead, his straight nose and delicate features became more handsome and good-looking. The light in the corridor fell on his face as he smiled brightly.

Then that smile spread into Mu Nanqiao’s eyes little by little. He gave a soft hum to indicate his agreement to Lu Qi’s proposal, and said: “It’s fine no matter what it is.”

“That’s great!” Lu Qi patted the dust off his hands and turned around, walking into the apartment. “Then I’ll go get the ingredients ready. After you finish painting the wall, we can have lunch!”

He thought of something, turned around, and ran back. Standing on tiptoe, he raised his hands and took the paper hat off Mu Nanqiao’s head and replaced it with his own.

“Yours is going to break, take mine.”

His curly hair was pressed down by the brim of the hat, and Lu Qi worked hard to straighten it out on tiptoe. Mu Nanqiao couldn’t help but laugh out out, and lowered his head to make it easier for him.

There was a strand of curly hair that was particularly stubborn. It had been stuffed in several times and still stuck out from the brim of the hat. Lu Qi poked at it with a finger, and finally took a small strawberry hairpin from his pocket, clamping it onto the lock of hair.

Mu Nanqiao: ……

Where did he pull this strange and adorable gadget from?

As if he had seen his doubts, Lu Qi coughed: “It’s a small gift exchanged for supermarket points. I think it’s rather cute. Um, isn’t a boy taking this a little bit……”

“No.” Mu Nanqiao chuckled. “Cuteness has no gender distinction.”

Lu Qi’s eyes bent as he smiled, and the small pear dimple appeared on his cheek again. “Yes, it’s very cute. I use it to clip my hair in front when I wash my face. It works great.”

Mu Nanqiao thought for a moment about him holding the small strawberry, his cheeks dripping wet, and his Adam’s apple rolled. 

He kind of wanted to see it.

This thought came out of nowhere. When he returned to his senses, Lu Qi had already turned around and entered 501. His crisp voice still echoed in the corridor.

“I’m going to cook, jiayou!”

The wall was actually very easy to paint. Once the skill was mastered, you could brush quickly. Mu Nanqiao happened to be a veteran, having done this as a part-time job during summer vacation in high school.

Thus, when he had painted the entire wall, the meal was ready.

He sat in Lu Qi’s den once again. The apartment was so small that a dining room was naturally omitted. The small table was in the kitchen. The range hood was on, but there was no particularly strong smell of oil fumes. Lu Qi had wiped the white wall cabinets very clean, and they were spotless and shining under the sun.

Mu Nanqiao had gone home and took a shower to wash the dust and smell from his body, and waited at the dining table with wet hair.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help, but the space was too small. If two young men with long arms and legs stood up and moved around, there would only be chaos.

He held his chin and looked at Lu Qi’s back. The blue apron was tied with a bow behind him and his waist was very slender.

Mu Nanqiao had realized his sexual orientation when he was a boy. However, he was too busy trying to survive at that time to bother with the matter in detail. Later, he was picked up by his parents and attended university abroad. There were also male classmates who showed interest in him, but he was busy with his studies and receiving psychological intervention at the same time, so he just found those overtures dull and boring.

It was only now, in this kitchen, that he truly felt that attraction. It was indeed heart-pounding.

He withdrew his gaze, and his slender fingers curled up and tightened.

“Are you hungry?” Lu Qi came over and put the plate on a cat head mat, tilting his head to look at Mu Nanqiao. “The way you were looking at the pot just now, you seemed really hungry.”

Mu Nanqiao wondered, did this little friend have eyes on the back of his head?

But what he was looking at just now wasn’t the pot.

He was calm and unruffled when facing Mu Group’s cunning old men, but now he was stunned by a pair of clear eyes, and could only conceal a smile and hum.

Cold potato slices, boiled cabbage heart, sweet and sour short ribs, fish head with tofu.

“I didn’t make soup because I didn’t have time.” Lu Qi removed his apron and sat opposite him. “You’re so skillful, and you paint so fast. Have you ever renovated a house yourself before?”

His eyes were bright, as if he really thought this was something great.

Mu Nanqiao served him food and found that Lu Qi was still holding the pair of azure porcelain bowls. He seemed to really like them.

He answered nonchalantly: “I did odd jobs during summer vacation. I couldn’t do it well in the beginning, and my pay was deducted a few times. After that, I made rapid progress.”

Lu Qi blinked. His excited tone of voice dropped at once, and he asked cautiously: “I heard that you were living with the Mu family at that time…..”

The Mu family was so rich, and could be considered a wealthy and distinguished family. How much could it cost to raise a child?

Mu Nanqiao understood what he didn’t say.

He rarely talked about his past with others. No one could empathize with another person’s experiences. When Mu Group’s young and promising general manager went out, countless people rushed to please him, and whenever he mentioned the dark past of his youth, it seemed like he was complaining for no reason.

It seemed that only the sentence “It’s all in the past” could reflect the indifference and calmness that someone with his identity should have.

Only Mu Nanqiao himself knew that his anger would be repaid, and he would make life difficult for them.

When he was silent, Lu Qi across from him fidgeted anxiously. His fingers were tangled under the table for a moment, and he practically tied himself into a knot.

“Let’s eat.” He changed the subject abruptly and gave Mu Nanqiao an anxious look, his eyes full of an apology for saying the wrong thing.

Like a little kitten that accidentally pushed a water glass off the table while playing. The white dust on his nose had not yet been wiped clean. He was still a tabby kitten.

Mu Nanqiao laughed and pulled out a wet wipe, handing it over. His beautiful fox eyes curved up. “Wipe your nose first.”

“Oh, oh.” Lu Qi took it with both hands and wiped randomly like a kitten washing his face.

Mu Nanqiao said lightly: “My mom is Russian. My grandfather didn’t agree to my dad being with her. He thought that mixed-race children were bastards, so I, a little bastard living at home, always got in his way. Of course, although I wasn’t given a lot of living expenses, I didn’t go hungry. After all, if I went out to meet people with a sallow complexion, I would still be a member of the Mu family…..”

Before he could finish his words, the little neighbor opposite had already served him a lot of vegetables. There was a hill piled up in his bowl, and the last piece of rib was teetering on top.

Mu Nanqiao: ……

He deftly picked up the rib.

Lu Qi had packed the rice in the bowl, and whispered: “Eat more. Eat more to make up for it.”

After thinking for a moment, he added: “I will never ask you to paint walls again.”

Mu Nanqiao: ……

He propped his elbows on the table and couldn’t help but laugh.

Lu Qi was even more at a loss. His face turned red, and he said softly: “I don’t know how to comfort people…..”

“I think the result is pretty good.” Mu Nanqiao stopped laughing, but his fox eyes were still curved. He lifted the wet hair from his forehead with his slender fingers and clamped it with Lu Qi’s strawberry hairpin. Then he picked up the sweet and sour pork rib and brought it to his mouth.

“I’ll eat. You’re right, I didn’t eat too many sweets before. I need to make up for it in the future.”

Lu Qi nodded like a chicken pecking rice: “En, en, en…..”

He served some food to Mu Nanqiao again, and the hill in the bowl finally collapsed under the load.

---

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Chapter Ten << Table of Contents >> Chapter Twelve

Second Young Master Liu wrapped in a gray robe and Second Young Master Liu wearing exquisite clothes were two completely different young masters. At least, that was what the people of the Valley of Ten Faces thought. His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s careful dressing ability was obviously effective, because after the news spread, the people who came to join in nearly tripled, all of them coming to see this immortal brother and sister.

Naturally, there were also many followers of the Baifu Sect among them, some of whom had even seen the Holy Maiden in person. In the teachings of the cult, the saintess was the incarnation of all beautiful things in the world, and she should naturally have unparalleled beauty that was difficult for ordinary people to achieve—and she was indeed beautiful. Almost all the believers who had seen her were enthralled by the cold girl wrapped in layers of holy white veils.

Therefore, when they heard that a girl who was said to be more beautiful than the saintess had appeared in the Valley of Ten Faces and was also able to exorcize demons and eliminate disasters, they rushed over from all directions. These people each harbored different evil intentions. Some simply wanted to take a look, and some wanted to take the opportunity to cause trouble in order to express their loyalty to the Baifu Buddha Mother. There were even fanatical believers who had sharpened their daggers and hidden them in their sleeves, intending to find an opportunity to kill the imitator who dared to compare herself to the Holy Maiden.

So this group of miserable and irrational villains, holding daggers and feeling the tragic emotion of sacrificing themselves for the sacred religion, embarked on the mountain road to the Valley of Ten Faces.

All they heard along the way was singing.

On the one hand, the local people were genuinely joyful, and on the other, there was Liang Shu’s intentional guidance. In short, the Valley of Ten Faces during this period was indescribable with its colorful displays in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Boys and girls wore beautiful clothes, and the mountain paths were lined with fruit wine. Anyone could open their mouths and sing a folk song. Even the aunt who was lying on a stretcher after unfortunately falling lame sang aiyo all the way.

It was amongst this jubilant atmosphere that the followers of the cult met Liu Nanyuan. She was sitting among the flowers and chatting openly with everyone. Her face was indeed astonishingly beautiful, but what was more impactful than her beauty was her smile under the sunlight. It was like a flower with tenacious vitality blooming with vigor, with no need to hide or be aloof.

It was in sharp contrast to the dark room and oppressive atmosphere that the believers remembered.

“Where are you uncomfortable?” she asked.

“My…..my head hurts,” the man answered in a panic.

“A headache, ah.” Liu Nanyuan stood up. “Lie here, let me examine you first.”

Liu Xian’an also reached out to assist him in a moment of diligence, but the patient didn’t appreciate it. The man quickly pulled his sleeves down to hide and lay sideways on the bed.

The guard on the side had long noticed something unusual about this man, and put his hand on the grip of his sword, ready to unsheathe it at any time. But as Liu Nanyuan finished the consultation for him, the man didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. He only took the prescription and asked in a whisper: “How much money?”

“There are no valuable medicinal materials in the prescription. If you don’t have enough money, then never mind, but if you have plenty, then send a few bags of rice and a few pounds of bacon to the porridge shops in nearby towns.” Liu Nanyuan sat back at the table and said, “Remember to take the medicine on time when you go back. Avoid the cold, as well as spicy food. It will take effect in three days.”

A medicine boy took the man out to get the prescription, and Liu Xian’an said: “There was something wrong with him.”

Liu Nanyuan said: “Have there not been many people acting strange in the past two days? It isn’t surprising.”

Liu Xian’an replied, en, there are indeed a lot, and it isn’t surprising.

And the garrison secretly kept an eye on all these people. This man was no exception. He did not return to his hometown immediately, but remained in the Valley of Ten Faces, taking the medicine for three days until his stubborn headache was cured. He was also invited to sing several songs by the young men in the village. No one would refuse sunshine and beauty. The man danced around the campfire and ate meat, feeling as if he had returned to his youth again. During that time, he did not need to sacrifice or contribute money to anyone. There was no fear in his life, only the infinite yearning for tomorrow.

The Holy Envoy once explained that his sharp and lingering headaches were sins sent down from heaven, saying that there was a giant termite gnawing around in his brain, and that one day his body would be empty. Only the compassionate Baifu Buddha Mother could calm it. But now, the headaches seemed to have been uprooted by those few free decoctions, and long-lost happiness had appeared in his life.

He dithered for several days, then gritted his teeth and went to the garrison camp.

And was told to queue up.

“It’s okay, don’t worry, just sit here for now.” A soldier led him to a tent good-naturedly and brought him a few cups of sweet plum tea. “Take a number first, and when it’s your turn, someone will call you. Don’t run around, in order to avoid missing your turn.”

The man looked at the number plate in his hand that had reached to over a hundred, then at the men, women, and children sitting around him who were also holding number plates in their hands, and fell into deep silence and contemplation. He thought that after confessing his relationship with the Baifu Sect, there would be a stir in the army…..if not a violent storm, it would at least cause a round of commotion, because the Imperial court had always regarded the Baifu Sect as a scourge. But now, it seemed that reality was much more dull.

There were too many “comrades” who came to confess their crimes. Without exception, they all came with hostility, but were knocked sober by the wine and singing that filled the mountains and plains. People who ate inferior food would inevitably suffer from various headaches and fevers. The Holy Maiden attributed all their pain to sin, but another equally beautiful girl explained in detail in a gentle and amiable manner, you are suffering from lung stasis, you are suffering from dampness and heat. Goodness, it’s just because you’ve eaten too much. I’ll just prescribe something to strengthen the stomach and help digestion, ba, it’s free.

This made them all feel that they may not have so many “sins,” and didn’t need to spend all their money and sacrifice themselves blindly.

The aunt to the side advised the man, you are already number 300, so you should find a place to sleep. I am number 150. I just asked, and I’ll be seen after dinner.

In this way, with the full cooperation of the common people, a number of hidden clues about the Baifu Sect were uncovered.

Gao Lin both celebrated and lamented, mainly because it was a pity that Ku You was not here, which made it difficult for everyone to enjoy the festivities, still remembering him all the time.

Far away in the mountains, Ku You didn’t know if it was a complex thought of concern or complaint that triggered a series of sneezes. La Yue heard this where he was wandering outside the building, and was happy at heart. Look, I said that I would definitely be able to bring Commander Ku back.

As for the fake Ku You, he also awoke when he was meticulously stabbed awake by Liu Xianche.

Chang Xiaoqiu muttered, there are countless people who want to seek medical treatment outside, and this grandson was given preference.

A-Ning nudged him with his elbow. Keep your voice down, be careful that he doesn’t hear you and cause the prince’s plan to be ruined.

Chang Xiaoqiu cough coughed twice: “Let’s go in too.”

There were already a lot of people guarding the room, including Liu Xianche, Gao Lin, Cheng Suyue, and Liu Xian’an. After all, “Commander Ku” had been brought back after a narrow escape, which was a big event, so everyone needed to be there.

Gao Lin rushed forward first. He raised his hand and slapped him, and couldn’t help but say: “You kid, you’re finally willing to wake up!”

Yuan Yu’s wrists were still tied up, and his ribs hadn’t healed properly. His face paled after being slapped so hard by him. Cheng Suyue stepped forward and drove her brother away, complaining: “Xiao Ku has just woken up. If you touch him randomly, be careful you don’t break him. The prince will come to settle accounts with you.”

“He’s not tofu that can be broken off. It’s nothing he hasn’t suffered in the Northwest.” Gao Lin sat down on the edge of the bed. “Hey, how are you?”

Yuan Yu looked at the room full of people, his mind gradually remembering things, but his heart was filled with surprise and doubt. He had thought that Liang Shu had seen through all the disguises that day at the dense forest lakeside and knocked him out in a short moment, but now…..he was more vigilant, and calmly continued to be blind while thinking about what to do next.

“Hey, hey!” Cheng Suyue said. “Ku You, Ku You!” Seeing that the other party didn’t respond after she called a few times, she couldn’t help but grimace and turn around to ask, “Second Young Master Liu, this…..didn’t you say he was fine?”

“It is true that no injuries have been found, nor Gu insects.” Liu Xian’an stepped forward. “Besides, the prince only broke a few of his bones that day, and didn’t damage his brain.”

“His Highness was too cruel to attack him.” Gao Lin shook his head in disapproval. “The man was tortured in the devil’s cave. He was covered in blood and half-dead and hung on the lake like a swing, then a few more bones were broken. It should have been me who rescued him.”

“At that time, the prince could not guarantee that the other party would definitely hand over Xiao Ku. What if it was another disguise? If we didn’t knock him out first, what if he attacked midway?” Cheng Suyue said, “I just didn’t expect that Mu Zhe would keep his word this time. All right, no matter what, it’s good that he’s back.”

The two of them sang back and forth and finished the planned performance. Yuan Yu lying in bed also heard it clearly. Perhaps it was because he was overconfident in his own disguise skills, or perhaps it was because Liang Shu had a reputation for cruelty, but the idea of “attacking your comrade first and then rescuing him” seemed inexplicably reasonable. He actually believed it, and began to inwardly rejoice.

“Commander Ku, can you still hear my voice?” Liu Xian’an asked worriedly, standing beside the bed. Seeing that the other party didn’t respond, he asked his elder brother, “Could it be that the Baifu Sect injured his brain when they tortured him?”

These words were simply cast into Yuan Yu’s thoughts, because he indeed had such a plan. After all, even if one could perfectly imitate Ku You’s voice and appearance, a person’s temperament could never be completely copied. Thus, he was planning to feign foolishness and amnesia from the beginning, but it didn’t go well, because he made a stupid statement by the lake and was beaten half to death on the spot.

Liu Xianche sighed coldly: “It’s hard to say. Let’s observe him for a few days first.”

“Don’t observe, ah. He can’t really be a fool.” Gao Lin said anxiously, “Hey, Xiao Ku, Xiao Ku!”

Yuan Yu gave a dull, “Ah.”

Gao Lin earnestly encouraged: “Don’t scare gege, just say a few words or whatever you want, but don’t be beaten foolish, ah!”

He was still thinking about what his family’s prince had said: “There was a strange tone that I picked up as soon as he opened his mouth.” He was very anxious to hear it, and the others also wanted to hear it, so they all stood still.

Everyone watched Yuan Yu holding up his upper body, and waited with bated breath for a long time until one sentence came out: “This….where, you, cough, who are you?”

Chang Xiaoqiu almost couldn’t hold back his laughter, but was stepped on by Cheng Suyue. His expression was instantly tangled and painful, his eyes wide.

A-Ning sucked in a breath of cold air, and raised his voice to call out: “It’s unbelievable, Commander Ku has lost his memory!”

---

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Chapter One Hundred Fourteen << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Sixteen

When Liu Zhenqing awoke, he felt that the thing he was holding was a bit uncomfortable, square and hard.

Then he opened his eyes and met a handsome face. The violent and murderous spirit was gone, along with the majesty and coldness, so that only clean, pure defenselessness remained.

It took him a moment to realize what he had forgotten the night before.

His bad sleeping habits, ah!

He saw that he was using both hands and feet to wrap around Huo Fenglie’s body like an octopus.

But seeing Huo Fenglie sleeping peacefully, he probably hadn’t been affected by him. After all, he was taller than him now, so his small bit of strength should be like a tickle.

Liu Zhenqing wanted to take away his hands and feet, but the sensation under his hands was a bit interesting. What a good figure, ah.

Eventually, this person woke up.

He had been taking medicine continuously to stabilize his old illness, but still had to deal with this case without rest. No matter how strong his body was, he couldn’t sustain it. Therefore, Huo Fenglie slept very peacefully that night, especially when he felt a familiar strength while sleeping.

When he woke up, his head was as sober as usual, but he was a little confused after opening his eyes.

Beside the pillow, he saw Liu Zhenqing resting his head on one hand while lying on his side and looking at him with a smile. “Did I wake you up?”

Stunned, Huo Fenglie looked straight at Liu Zhenqing with his dark eyes, as if he felt that the person in front of him wasn’t real. 

Suddenly, he reached out and touched Liu Zhenqing’s face.

Liu Zhenqing was mystified as Huo Fenglie’s index finger brushed his cheek. It felt cool.

“What are you doing? Did I drool in my sleep?” Liu Zhenqing also touched it. Nothing there, ah.

Huo Fenglie returned to his senses and said in a clearly embarrassed voice, “I thought I was dreaming.”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, “Dreaming? What kind of dream? A spring dream?”

Huo Fenglie didn’t expect Liu Zhenqing to say such a thing, and his Adam’s apple twitched in surprise. “What?”

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes were bent in a smile as he looked suggestively at the area covered by the quilt. There was an obvious bulge there, which he had accidentally encountered when he was withdrawing his legs just now. He was truly full of energy.

Huo Fenglie was slow to respond.

“A young man in the early morning is full of energy, I understand.” Seeing Huo Fenglie’s gradually embarrassed look, Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but laugh.

And Huo Fenglie, known as the terribly cold god of war by others, gradually turned red. He stood up awkwardly and sat on the edge of the bed with his back to Liu Zhenqing, trying to lie to himself and cover up the problem. “I’m not…..”

“There is nothing to deny. This proves that you’re in good health. When I checked your pulse before, it felt very disordered, and I worried that there was something wrong with your body.” In terms of physical health, Liu Zhenqing was not as good as Huo Fenglie. It may have been that his body was damaged by long-term poisoning, so he was rather mediocre in this aspect.

Seeing Huo Fenglie’s discomfort, Liu Zhenqing could only smile and take care of the child’s emotions, saying: “How about I go out first and give you some time?”

“I’m fine.” Huo Fenglie’s tone was a little anxious. Perhaps he was using his internal strength to force his body to recover, because he just sat there motionlessly.

Since everything was fine, Liu Zhenqing lay down lazily.

The child had grown up, but knew to be shy. Was it because of this that he was embarrassed to let him see when they went to the hot spring together? How did Er-gou develop such an awkward temperament, ah?

Thinking of this, Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but ask: “By the way, when we bathed in the hot spring together before, was there a tattoo on your body?”

Huo Fenglie’s body was already frozen, so there was no reaction to be seen when Liu Zhenqing asked him this question. He only paused for a moment before saying: “It’s nothing. Having a tattoo is just more convenient when fighting.”

Liu Zhenqing indicated his agreement. If one’s clothes were damaged on the battlefield and their face stained with blood, it would be difficult to recognize them without any marks on their body. He remembered that Huo Feihan once had a team who tattooed wolf heads on their chests.

He opened his mouth to ask how he had been these past few years, but once he spoke, it would inevitably involve the past, so after some thought, it was better not to ruin the moment.

Just as he was about to get up, there was sudden movement outside and someone opened the curtain and walked in.

“Zhanyuan, do you want to go…..yi!”

Liu Zhenqing leaned forward to look at the door past the tall Huo Fenglie and saw He Lan, who was leaning on crutches as he held the door curtain open with one hand. The expression on his face was very colorful.

There was no need to wonder what this guy was thinking at the moment. After all, he was still Liu Xiaozhu in the eyes of others, and Liu Xiaozhu had a criminal history against Huo Fenglie.

So it could be imagined how horrifying the scene of them sleeping together was for him.

Bai Su seemed to have asked about it the day before, but because the two of them were so busy chatting about other things, they both forgot about it in the end.

On the contrary, the most gossipy fellow saw it.

Huo Fenglie looked at He Lan and asked in a calm tone, “What’s wrong?”

He Lan’s eyes were already darting between the two of them so fast that they were almost on fire. “It’s just that Prefect Wu is in good condition now, and Lao Qin wants to go and question him again. Yuzhou was interested and went to help, so I came to ask…..do you want to go?”

Huo Fenglie said directly: “I have asked everything that needs to be asked. We have other things to do.”

He Lan: “You? The two of you?”

Liu Zhenqing looked at Huo Fenglie in puzzlement.

Huo Fenglie nodded.

He Lan gossiped: “What’s going on? Can you take me with you?”

“I can’t,” Huo Fenglie refused straightforwardly.

He Lan’s expression grew even more curious, and he wanted to keep his eyes on them. However, he had no excuse to stay, so he could only turn around and leave by himself.

Liu Zhenqing watched He Lan turn his head back three times while walking and said with amusement: “It seems your brother has misunderstood us.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Huo Fenglie had already stood up and was arranging his clothes.

“You don’t pay much attention to your reputation, ba. If you’re misunderstood, how will you find a wife in the future?” Liu Zhenqing removed the quilt and stood up speechlessly. He felt that Huo Fenglie was the kind of person who focused on major things and didn’t care about children or love at all. Speaking of which, it was their fault. When this child was growing up, there was no chance for romance or love. He was dragged down by them and the overall situation, and could only move forward desperately.

Huo Fenglie froze and turned to look at Liu Zhenqing. The look in his eyes was a little abnormal, and he said in a stiff tone, “It’s no bother.”

Liu Zhenqing felt that Huo Fenglie seemed a little unhappy, and it was also not good to delve too deeply into other people’s thoughts. It had been so many years, after all. He could only change the subject and say: “Right, you said we have other things to do?”

Huo Fenglie quickly returned to normal and said: “Yes, do you still remember the person related to the Liu family that you saw in the Heaven’s Blessing Sect?”

“The vice president of the southern branch of the Liu Family Chamber of Commerce!” Liu Zhenqing recalled that he was involved in river transportation.

At this time, He Lan had already arrived outside Prefect Wu’s tent, and was full of thoughts when he heard an argument coming from inside.

Bai Su and Qin Yu paused for a moment when they saw him enter the door.

Qin Yu asked directly: “Where are they?”

“They’re not coming, they have something to do.” He Lan really wanted to gossip, but noticed that there was something wrong with the atmosphere. He asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s fine if they don’t come.” Qin Yu hinted for He Lan to look at Bai Su, who seemed unhappy.

He Lan was clever, and asked straightaway: “Did that person come up again?”

He saw Prefect Wu standing to the side with his head in his hands, books piled in front of him. He murmured as if in shock: “How is it possible? This is impossible, ah.”

He Lan sat down with curiosity on his face and sent the two people opposite an inquiring look.

“This is a collection of the number of people who died due to disasters in Yanqiu Prefecture last year and the farmland abandoned,” Qin Yu said concisely, and regarding it with narrowed eyes. “It is the highest in history.”

He Lan said in surprise: “What? The highest? How is that possible? I remember that the worst disaster year was obviously……”

“Nine years ago. That year, not only were there severe disasters in Yanqiu Prefecture, but also all over the Great Zhou dynasty.” Qin Yu slowly lowered his head to look at the account book in his hand. “But the number of people who died in Yanqiu Prefecture that year was less than half of this year.”

“Impossible!” Prefect Wu said suddenly: “There must be some miscalculation. When we reported the evidence back then, Prime Minister Liu clearly received it, but he turned a blind eye and didn’t deal with those corrupt officials, allowing them to continue embezzling from the victims. At that time, the food provided for disaster relief was mixed with various animal fodder and given to the people. How could it be that under his management…..fewer people died?”

He Lan raised his eyebrows and flipped through it casually, saying with some surprise: “Not only were there fewer deaths, but the number of riots and people who fell into trouble were the least when the treacherous minister was around. It’s strange, wasn’t that the time when the disaster was the most serious? And wasn’t he cursed miserably for what he did at that time? Why did the results turn out to be the other way around? What do you think is going on, ah?”

Qin Yu didn’t respond, and just glanced at Bai Su. Bai Su had the qualifications of the top scholar, and had a clearer understanding of policy matters than they did. It was just that Bai Su’s expression hadn’t looked good from the beginning.

He suddenly lowered his eyes to hide his expression, loosened the fists that he had clenched just now, and said with difficulty: “Perhaps it was because the disasters in various places had reached the most serious point, and a slight change would affect everything else. If he wanted to save more people, he could only appease those officials first. Those officials were greedy, but it is undeniable that they had been around for a long time and knew best how to deal with disaster relief. If they were eradicated at the critical moment, who would take over when there was a shortage of manpower everywhere? By then, not only would the death toll have risen, but there would definitely be chaos. After all, reality is not a story, and there are not so many satisfying and happy endings.”

This made it sound like they had been short-sighted. Prefect Wu retorted at once: “Then he just let those people steal and replace the relief food? Do you know how many people this would kill?”

But as soon as these words came out, he felt as if he had slapped himself in the face. After all, the facts and data were right in front of him. 

“By mixing things together, one mouthful of food becomes two mouthfuls, and one person’s life becomes two people’s lives. Corrupt officials who are good at this know better what the bottom line is for people to survive,” Bai Su said with a wry smile.

“Back then, the country was suffering from internal and external troubles and the national treasury was at its bottom. This would indeed save more people.” Qin Yu nodded.

“Then after that, could it be considered killing the donkey once it is done grinding the grain?” He Lan chuckled.

“More like fattening it up before killing it.” Qin Yu thought for a moment and frowned: “Corrupt officials stole the country’s money, joined profiteers to cleverly accumulate wealth, and turned silver into gold. After killing those corrupt officials, the national treasury would have funds.”

Qin Yu paused at this point, looking a little puzzled as he said: “The treasury was rich, and corrupt officials were punished on the spot. All the infamy was on Liu Zhenqing, and everyone began to praise the emperor who was about to take charge…..”

These few words caused the hearts of everyone present to jump. He Lan touched his head and said: “Why does it seem more and more wrong the more we talk about it? It seems like Liu Zhenqing did it on purpose.”

After speaking, He Lan looked at the others. Qin Yu and Bai Su seemed to be deep in thought, while Prefect Wu was greatly agitated. “No, if the emperor hadn’t insisted on investigating, those vermin might still be…..”

“Liu Zhenqing was in power back then. Without his agreement, the emperor’s orders would be useless. And…..” Qin Yu said with an indifferent expression, “I remember that when he first ordered the investigation, it was just after the disaster. That is, when those corrupt officials were no longer needed.”

Prefect Wu seemed to have grasped some breakthrough point and said agitatedly: “Since they weren’t needed, why not catch those of us who were also involved?”

Qin Yu couldn’t figure this out, and could only glance at Bai Su.

Bai Su’s expression gradually became trance-like, as if he had grasped something but couldn’t understand it yet. His expression became increasingly ugly, but it had to be analyzed in the most likely direction. 

“Probably because he knew that if he included people like Prefect Wu who were forced to participate in the embezzlement incident and uprooted them, what would happen with the subsequent disaster reconstruction? It is recorded in the disaster policies of the Great Zhou Dynasty that many people were killed or injured due to improper post-disaster reconstruction, but the common people couldn’t wait even a day. If they were all replaced with new officials who didn’t understand the local situation, wouldn’t there be another group of people plundering peoples’ wealth? How could the common people live? By killing half and leaving the other half to work cautiously, they would make amends for past mistakes, be grateful for the grace of heaven, and not dare to be greedy again. This is the most reliable way to stabilize the situation. As far as the common people were concerned, the biggest corrupt officials were gone, and the smaller ones remained because of Liu Zhenqing’s protection. The emperor had done his utmost, the officials were now willing to do things well, and the people’s hearts were stable.”

Bai Su’s face became increasingly pale as he spoke, and his pupils couldn’t help but quiver in the end. He couldn’t seem to believe what he had just said.

Putting himself into Liu Zhenqing’s predicament at that time, with internal and external troubles, he could not think of a better solution than this. Only in this way could more people survive, and he could also win a good reputation for the emperor. But wouldn’t that mean he would be misunderstood? Who could bear the infamy?

At that time, the whole country said that he was acting arbitrarily, expropriating funds and extorting others, and complaints rose from the common people all around. To this day, the local people still hated the treacherous minister because Liu Zhenqing did not control the minor corrupt officials who made money during the disaster relief. In the end, they experienced the most miserable year and felt that the lack of development in the area so far was due to the residual influence of the treacherous minister.

But the data in front of them was clear. Because of his policies and methods, more people survived. Those who cursed him at the dinner table in the cities were probably people who would have died in the disaster.

What was the bigger picture? At this moment, Bai Su slowly understood why when everyone was scolding Liu Zhenqing, his noble and benevolent brother followed him without hesitation. But why did his brother report Liu Zhenqing’s crimes in the end? Bai Su couldn’t figure it out.

Not only could Bai Su not figure it out, but the other three people present couldn’t do so either.

Prefect Wu was the most stimulated, because he had experienced it twice while in office and still failed to see through the key points.

So the treacherous official didn’t want the common people to lose confidence in Great Zhou and the emperor, and would rather be the villain as the country went through its most difficult year. How was this possible?

“I-Impossible. He was a treacherous minister who committed countless crimes. Perhaps it is only a coincidence. It was just that the corrupt officials back then didn’t dare to embezzle too seriously, and that’s why so many people survived,” Prefect Wu said in a daze.

Who could know the truth unless the dead resurrected and told them personally?

At this time, Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie had gone to see the branch president alone. The man recognized Liu Zhenqing immediately upon seeing him. “First Young Master, ah, I’m Shopkeeper Wang. Please help me. I was really arrested by mistake, and I have nothing to do with these things. I’m just an innocent businessman doing my duty.”

“Shopkeeper Wang, helping corrupt people transport dissolved official silver is not an innocent thing. You also helped transport the food that was supposed to be used for local disaster relief. How much commision did you make from this? You are truly bold to have done so many things using our Liu family’s river transportation.”

Shopkeeper Wang was too old to withstand such threats, and lay trembling on the ground with tears streaming down his face. “First Young Master, save me, save me!”

“Save you. We are all in danger, but now we still have the opportunity to atone for our sins. Tell us everything you know about the river transport that wasn’t recorded in the account books. Otherwise, not only will your life not be guaranteed, but you may also be implicated!”

With such a frightening Liu Zhenqing, Shopkeeper Wang was completely disheartened. He didn’t dare to play tricks or pretend to be miserable, so he quickly explained it all.

Excluding other petty thefts, Shopkeeper Wang only knew about the section of the river he was in charge of. That is, he only helped transport the grain and dissolved official silver, and had no idea about the rebel assassins.

The only useful information was where the stuff was sent to.

The money collected day and night by officers and soldiers didn’t add up at all, and the only one who knew where the previously dissolved official silver went was Magistrate Wang. But Magistrate Wang had been killed, so where did the money go that was unaccounted for? Only Shopkeeper Wang had some clues.

“I only helped transport it to Tongmao Prefecture, and they transported it away by horse-drawn carriage. I just don’t know.”

Tongmao Prefecture was where the Southern Imperial Examination was held. “Right, on the way to Tongmao Prefecture, I accidentally heard Magistrate Wang mention tax money to the old man next to him. That’s all I know. Begging the general to please forgive me…..at least spare the lives of my family members for the sake of the help I’ve provided.”

Tax money? Sure enough, as Yuan Jue had said, there was also a problem with the tax money.

When the tax money was mentioned, Liu Zhenqing’s expression was a little uneasy. 

Huo Fenglie noticed this and wanted to inquire, but didn’t in the end.

When they went back, they met three wilted people.

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

He was part of the Liu family, after all, so they couldn’t say it in front of Liu Zhenqing. They only said that talking about the disaster with Prefect Wu was a headache. However, He Lan and Qin Yu still found an opportunity to tell Huo Fenglie about the matter in private, and couldn’t help being surprised upon seeing Huo Fenglie’s expressionless face.

“Don’t you care?” He Lan scratched his head curiously. “Yuzhou didn’t feel good after hearing this, and he’s still thinking all the time in a daze. They are enemies, after all, and now he found out that his enemy might have been a good person. This is really hard to accept.”

“What is the point of thinking about the past now?” Huo Fenglie asked back.

He Lan choked, and suddenly felt that talking to Huo Fenglie was in vain. After all, he was Huo Fenglie’s enemy. Would an enemy wish the other party well? If there were grievances, he wouldn’t want the other party’s name to be cleared, and even if it was cleared, the common people would not believe it. After all, there was no evidence. It was all their analysis. Even Prefect Wu didn’t believe it, let alone others.

In the evening, everyone sat outside the camp and drank. Of course, it was a small drink. Liu Zhenqing didn’t dare to drink more this time, but when he saw Bai Su on the side pouring himself wine, he asked him about it with some worry. Bai Su looked at Liu Zhenqing as if he was trying to look at someone else through him. But in the end, he only said dryly: “I’m thinking of ways to let the people of Yanqiu Prefecture have an easier time.”

Liu Zhenqing thought for a while. He seemed to have considered this kind of problem back then, but didn’t have time to implement it. So after some thought, he drank with Bai Su and guided him to think, citing scriptures and references. Bai Su’s eyes gradually lit up, and he looked at Liu Zhenqing in astonishment.

However, Liu Zhenqing looked as if he didn’t understand what he had said, the topics all over the place, as if his words had unintentionally given him inspiration. 

Build extensive canals and terraced waterwheels, plant rice, divert water to create fields, and induce merchants to invest money and manpower with the bait of reduced taxes. Each one was a good method for a beneficial cycle, and each one could only be carried out with a stable Great Zhou.

In other words, these methods could not be implemented at all during Liu Zhenqing’s reign.

The emperor soon received a proposal for post-disaster reconstruction. Yuan Jue’s eyes flickered when he saw methods that were almost eighty percent familiar.

“The Bai family is truly talented, and can match the talent of that person back then. It’s a pity that he doesn’t want to be an official.” Yuan Jue said with a smile: “But a person like him would only be an upright and honest official. It is unfortunate that such an official cannot tolerate sand in his eyes.”

Yuan Jue suddenly heard a sentence in his ears: There are no mountains and rivers without sand.

Yuan Jue’s expression changed. Yes, ah, after eight years, he had long understood this truth. Sometimes people in high positions had to tolerate the dirt. Who didn’t want to be a gentleman or a saint, with no blood on his hands and a down-to-earth attitude? But there were some times when it couldn’t be helped.

At this time, the eunuch confidant who was helping the emperor sort out Imperial edicts couldn’t help but suck in a breath of cold air.

Yuan Jue touched his jade ring and said, “What is it?”

The eunuch confidant knew the emperor’s temperament, and replied directly: “Your Majesty, will all the officials implicated this time be killed?”

“Naturally. We are not currently facing enemies from both sides, so there is no need to tie our hands.” The corners of Yuan Jue’s mouth slowly rose. “They were left alive back then, and I didn’t expect that their boldness would grow more and more. But this is also good. I can pull out all the cancerous tumors at once. I have been waiting for this day for a long time.”

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Chapter Forty-Two << Table of Contents >> Chapter Forty-Four

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Ai!” Leaning under a tree, Liu Zhenqing sighed endlessly.

He could have left. From now on, the world would be vast, and he could ride on horseback with a raised whip and lie drunk in Jiangnan, never to meet again. He had already turned the horse’s head, but felt uneasy after walking halfway and was truly not prepared to face Huo Fenglie at the moment, so he could only go back and hide first.

In fact, Liu Zhenqing had realized one thing from the moment he knew Huo Fenglie was aware of his true identity. Huo Fenglie did not intend to retaliate against him, and didn’t even intend to reveal his disguise. Although he didn’t know what the child was thinking, he should at least mean him no harm.

Since he wouldn’t be harmed and was already exposed, he didn’t need to flee in such a hurry. Perhaps it would be more beneficial to his future to figure out Huo Fenglie’s intentions.

Just as he was pondering, he heard footsteps nearby.

Liu Zhenqing looked up and saw that Huo Fenglie had returned. His head drooped slightly, but his eyes were looking straight ahead as he took three steps and then paused, as if approaching cautiously.

At last, Huo Fenglie stood in front of him and said softly: “Young Master Liu.”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback, and looked up at Huo Fenglie speechlessly with a complicated expression.

Huo Fenglie also looked straight at him, eyes flickering. Finally, he called out the name lingering on his lips that he wanted to call most of all.

“Qing-ge.”

Liu Zhenqing trembled when he heard it. He hadn’t heard this address in nine years. It seemed to span a long river of time, as if it was from a lifetime ago.

Sure enough, Er-gou was willing to call him Qing-ge.

Liu Zhenqing put it all out in the open and asked: “When did you know?”

Huo Fenglie replied honestly: “I confirmed it on the day I brought you back to the General’s Manor.”

Liu Zhenqing became even more curious: “I exposed so many flaws? And how could ordinary people believe this sort of supernatural talk?”

Huo Fenglie’s eyes were gentle. “Actually, there weren’t many flaws. It’s just that you told me a story before and I remembered it, so…..”

Listening to the words he had said to coax Huo Fenglie when he was sick with a fever, Liu Zhenqing didn’t expect that he had said such a thing. He said in disbelief: “You actually took those words seriously, and remembered them to this day…..”

Liu Zhenqing had said some trivial and meaningless things. He felt incredulous. Would anyone believe such words? Huo Fenglie nodded firmly. If he hadn’t taken it seriously, how could he persist?

After eight years of hopeless waiting, he never felt that he might be crazy, or have remembered it wrong, or that this person had only said it to coax him. He had extravagant hopes and fantasies, and felt that this person would come back, but reason said it was impossible. What person from another world, what rebirth, what time travel? With ridiculous expectations, he waited for the completion of his mission without seeking life or death. Unexpectedly…..it came true.

Suddenly, Huo Fenglie reached out and lightly took one of Liu Zhenqing’s hands, holding it gently just like he did when he was a child.

Liu Zhenqing was melancholy. When he was pulled by Er-gou like this, he couldn’t react immediately.

“You are…..my Qing-ge, right?”

Liu Zhenqing was a little amused by this question. “Aren’t you convinced? Why are you asking?”

“I want to hear it from your own mouth,” Huo Fenglie said seriously.

This small bit of willfulness really felt a little like when Er-gou was a child.

Liu Zhenqing entertained him. “I am.”

An indescribable smile slowly appeared on Huo Fenglie’s face.

But Liu Zhenqing’s expression paused when he said this and he opened his hand, saying earnestly, “But I’m also not. General Huo, I am Liu Xiaozhu now, a person who has lost his memory. You know what I mean.”

Huo Fenglie’s expression froze. “I understand.”

Liu Zhenqing breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought Huo Fenglie would understand since he hadn’t exposed him.

“So, do you still want to leave?” Huo Fenglie said in a low voice.

“I want a new life,” Liu Zhenqing said.

“You don’t want to see anyone else?” Huo Fenglie said in an anxious tone, even gritting his teeth as he said, “What about the emperor? The Empress Dowager?”

Liu Zhenqing’s expression shifted, and every change was caught by Huo Fenglie’s eyes. He knew that certain people were still very important to Liu Zhenqing, at least more important than him. He was very sure of this.

“If you want to see him, I can help you. He has regretted all these years that he was unable to protect you,” Huo Fenglie whispered.

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows in surprise and chuckled carelessly.

“You blame him?” Huo Fenglie asked.

“No. I’ve already died once, and all my strong feelings have been blown away by the wind. If I wanted to see him, I wouldn’t have left the capital, so there is no need to say goodbye,” Liu Zhenqing mentioned casually.

Huo Fenglie looked at Liu Zhenqing’s calm and distant expression. It was as if a gust of wind would soon blow him away, and he couldn’t catch him no matter what. He understood that Liu Zhenqing wanted to leave all of them behind.

“Then why didn’t you leave just now?” Huo Fenglie asked with lowered eyes.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t answer, but suddenly gave Huo Fenglie a serious look and said, “Then why don’t you want to take revenge?”

Startled, Huo Fenglie instantly looked up at Liu Zhenqing. “What did you say?”

Liu Zhenqing touched his chin a little uneasily. “After I came back, I heard a lot. I thought you wanted to seek revenge against me.”

Huo Fenglie’s expression turned very ugly in an instant, which made Liu Zhenqing even more awkward. “Does your lack of revenge mean that you don’t hate me?”

“I have never hated you,” Huo Fenglie said urgently.

Liu Zhenqing gaped, not knowing what to feel. In fact, he still had some concerns about Er-gou digging up his grave, but after some thought, he was only eighteen or nineteen years old at the time. When he came back and heard everything, and there was evidence, no matter how he understood or thought about it later, whatever he did out of anger at the time was reasonable. And now Er-gou didn’t seem to want to give an explanation for this matter. After all, he should know that Liu Zhenqing had heard about it. Since he didn’t want to talk about it, wouldn’t he be asking for trouble if he got to the bottom of it now? He was not actually a person from ancient times, and didn’t really care that much about his own bones. It was good as long as he knew Er-gou didn’t hate him now.

Liu Zhenqing said: “Since you won’t hurt me, and you’ll keep my identity secret, there’s no need for me to work hard to escape. Moreover, the matters here are related to the Liu family, so it would be too shameful to leave it all to you. After the Liu family’s affairs are settled, we can catch up on old times before I leave, and see how much you’ve grown.”

In fact, the biggest reason Liu Zhenqing had stayed was because he was worried about Er-gou.

This matter was clearly not simple, and also involved the remnants of the Three Kings. These were all problems left over from his lifetime. Er-gou was suitable for fighting on the battlefield, but still lacked ability in this kind of thing. He couldn’t understand why Yuan Jue had sent Huo Fenglie to deal with it. Was it really because this would put too much power in other people’s hands, so he could only give it to Huo Fenglie?

Huo Feihan was gone. As the elder brother, Liu Zhenqing would be uneasy leaving his younger brother to deal with this matter alone. To do so would be his failure. He would just accept his fate, make up for his mistakes, and wait until the matter was settled before leaving.

Seeing Liu Zhenqing’s attitude, Huo Fenglie straightened the corners of his mouth and finally nodded, saying in a deep voice: “I understand. Can you inform me before you leave?”

Liu Zhenqing looked at Huo Fenglie, whose voice became even deeper as he said, “Don’t disappear suddenly.”

Now that they had spoken, this wasn’t an issue.

It wasn’t until Liu Zhenqing nodded that Huo Fenglie’s expression recovered somewhat. “Then you rest here. I’ll go…..”

“Wait, don’t you have anything else to say to me?” Liu Zhenqing was a little surprised. Even though he didn’t hate him or want revenge, how could he not ask about the truth of what happened back then?

As a result, Huo Fenglie thought about it and then spoke an unrelated sentence, “I…..kept my promise and guarded the western battlefield.”

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback. He remembered in a daze the last time they exchanged personal letters nine years ago.

At that time, Huo Fenglie was guarding the western battlefield for Huo Feihan, who had died fighting. In his last letter, Huo Fenglie seemed to have expressed his desire for peace talks.

When Liu Zhenqing learned of this, he was so angry that he immediately wrote a reply and scolded him.

He didn’t quite remember what he wrote, and only recalled asking him fiercely how he could have such an idea. Was he worthy of the Imperial family, Liu Zhenqing, and Huo Feihan? He warned him to put an end to such thoughts and guard the west, otherwise there was no need for him to come back.

At that time, he had been poisoned. He was very busy and his mind was restless, so his mood fluctuated greatly. Perhaps he had scolded him too much. After that, he never received any private messages from Huo Fenglie, only military reports from the army. That was also the last time they ever communicated, and it was not a good memory. After that, he died, and Er-gou was still fighting desperately on the western battlefield.

Now that he thought about it, he was also in the wrong. Maybe he took a gamble, and maybe his mental state wasn’t good and he became stubborn and paranoid. What if Er-gou had been allowed to persist at that time and something happened? How would he face Huo Feihan? Therefore, when he was first reborn, he wasn’t sure if Er-gou was still alive.

“You did a good job, and…..I’m sorry,” Liu Zhenqing said. Although there was really nothing that could be done at the time, and the battlefield in the west could absolutely not be lost, he still wanted to apologize to Er-gou. He should have been more patient, and comforted and supported the young man.

As soon as he opened his mouth, he looked up and saw that Huo Fenglie had suddenly frozen, his eyes turning red. It was not the red of his previous madness, but a flash of moisture, which alarmed Liu Zhenqing to the point of being at a loss. “Er-gou? You…..”

Had what happened back then made him so aggrieved? Had he really been too excessive? Damn it. Fuck!

“Don’t say those words to me. Don’t apologize, it was my fault.” Huo Fenglie finished speaking in a daze. He took a deep look at Liu Zhenqing, then turned around and left.

Liu Zhenqing was left alone, unable to react.

What the hell was going on, ah? Er-gou didn’t seem to have asked any of the key points that should be asked, and ended up getting emotional for no apparent reason, leaving Liu Zhenqing confused.

Let it pass, the past was like smoke, and if it made you sad when it was mentioned, it was better to let it leave with the wind.

The people who had gone out to search soon returned, but only brought back Magistrate Wang’s body.

It was not an accident. When they found him, there was only a corpse.

Huo Fenglie examined the wound while Liu Zhenqing touched his chin and pondered.

“What happened?” He Lan asked, limping over. “Why is he dead?”

“Was he killed to silence him?” Qin Yu frowned.

Not only was he killed and silenced, but the person who did it was the old man who was protecting him in the first place.

Huo Fenglie had fought against the old man, so it was not difficult to identify the wound, and Liu Zhenqing could also recognize it.

Killing one’s employer was unacceptable in the world of assassins, unless the person who hired the old man was not Magistrate Wang, but someone who wanted him protected but silenced if necessary.

That was tantamount to saying that it was the people behind the embezzlement of the disaster relief funds and food.

Sure enough, just as Liu Zhenqing suspected, things were not simple. Magistrate Wang was just a minion who was kept in the dark.

After the Heaven’s Blessing Sect was cleared out, the big army returned to the city in a majestic manner. Before dawn, the lifeless city suddenly began to boil. 

Some laughable people even tried to organize themselves and block the troops’ progress, demanding the release of the Heaven’s Blessing Sect. The ignorant were truly fearless.

Liu Zhenqing moved into camp with the troops, while Huo Fenglie began to work on the case and compile excerpts to report to the Imperial court.

Half a day later, an unexpected person came to visit.

“Huh? Brother Liu and Zhanyuan are sharing a tent?” The visitor spoke with a faint smile, then opened the curtain gracefully and walked inside.

Liu Zhenqing, who was reading a book out of boredom, was surprised upon seeing the visitor. “Brother Bai?”

Bai Su smiled and stepped forward to take a seat. After a few words of greeting, he learned that Bai Su was originally with Qin Yu and He Lan, but they didn’t have time to inform him in the Heaven’s Blessing Sect back then.

“I want to go south to pick up something from my brother’s old friend, so I went with them on the way. They couldn’t take me along when they were taking care of business that night, so I stayed in the city. I never expected to meet you. I’m truly lucky.” Bai Su said with a smile: “But so is Zhanyuan. How could he take you with him for such a dangerous thing? What if you were injured?”

Liu Zhenqing thought about how Huo Fenglie had to take him along wherever he went before. It was obviously because he was afraid that he would quietly disappear.

Now that they had spoken, it was all okay.

The two chatted about the case for a while, and Liu Zhenqing discovered that Bai Su had a keen sense of officialdom. He was not inferior to his brother, but it was a pity that he was the number one scholar yet was unwilling to serve as an official in the court. Liu Zhenqing wasn’t sure whether it was because of the shadow left by the incident with his brother, or whether it was just his nature.

And Bai Su also looked at Liu Zhenqing with admiration. When he was in the capital, he always felt that Liu Zhenqing was smarter than him. Sometimes he couldn’t keep up with his thinking and needed guidance from the other party.

“Who do you think is behind this matter?” Bai Su asked.

Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “I can’t make a guess out of thin air, but…..there must be internal agents in the capital. Without the help of informants, Magistrate Wang wouldn’t have dared to put on such a big show.

Bai Su shook his head and sighed: “I didn’t expect that going south to investigate the Imperial Examination fraud would unearth corruption. It is heaven’s will.”

Liu Zhenqing smiled. If it was heaven’s will, then it must be the emperor’s will.

Yuan Jue had long known that there was a problem here and could have sent officials to investigate directly, but he didn’t dare to trust people casually. What if the people he sent were bribed? Therefore, Huo Fenglie was his best choice, and by discovering and solving the problem here in such a coincidence, it would not easily alert the people behind the scenes.

But this could only be used in the early stages. If problems arose one after another, the people behind the scenes were not stupid, and would definitely make arrangements.

Then, the person in the most danger would probably be Huo Fenglie, who was in charge of investigating secretly.

. . . . . . .

At the same time, in an exquisite garden in the capital, a slender hand slowly picked a flower and trimmed it carefully with a pair of golden scissors. “Was he killed?”

“The news came. He is dead,” replied the subordinate who was kneeling nearby.

“Actually, killing Magistrate Wang was useless. He will still be a suspect. What a bother, why not arrange for someone to kill Huo Fenglie as well?”

The kneeling man trembled all over. “General Huo still has Qin Yu and He Lan with him. I’m afraid…..”

“En?” The woman asked softly. The subordinate was frightened and immediately acquiesced.

Suddenly, a young male voice came from a pavilion not far away. “Isn’t this too much of a fuss? Perhaps it was just a coincidence, and they were lucky enough to discover it.”

“Hehe, a coincidence. You still have a lot to learn. There are not so many coincidences in this world. The emperor is very clever.” The slender white hand moved the flower to the tip of her nose, and she sniffed it gently. Then, with a snip, the golden scissors cut the flower in half. “Even if it was a coincidence, this will also prevent future trouble.”

“But without General Huo, who will defend the country?” the man asked again.

“Without the Huo family, how can the Yuan family fall? If they have such thoughts, sooner or later a traitor from the Huo family will replace your Yuan family.” After saying this, the woman coughed, seemingly in poor health. She waved her hand. “You go back, I have an appointment with my sister. And don’t forget to visit her, she misses you.”

“Yes.” The man stood up and respectfully said farewell, but when he raised his eyes again, there was dissatisfaction on his face.

. . . . . . . 

When night fell, Liu Zhenqing was already asleep. He vaguely felt someone pulling the quilt over him. Liu Zhenqing opened his eyes with difficulty and saw Huo Fenglie standing next to him. 

“You’re back?” Liu Zhenqing asked faintly.

“En,” Huo Fenglie responded.

Liu Zhenqing turned his head unconsciously. He recalled that this was the commander’s tent and there was only one bed, so he moved to the inside.

“Come sleep.”

Huo Fenglie froze and stared blankly at Liu Zhenqing, not making a move.

It came as no surprise to Liu Zhenqing that Huo Fenglie had arranged for him to be in the commander’s camp, because from Huo Fenglie’s perspective, the two of them were the most familiar with each other. Moreover, Huo Fenglie was so busy that he may not come back to rest at night. Why not sleep in a big bed by himself? Therefore, Liu Zhenqing enjoyed it without a care.

But now that Er-gou was back, it was impossible not to let him sleep.

Fortunately, two grown men could squeeze in and sleep well here.

But he didn’t sense Huo Fenglie move. Liu Zhenqing couldn’t open his eyelids anymore to see Huo Fenglie’s expression, and could only pat the empty space next to him. “Isn’t it enough?”

But this time, a feeling of oppression soon came over him. He heard a creak, and something rubbed against his arm, so he knew Er-gou had laid down.

The disoriented Liu Zhenqing pulled up the corner of the quilt to cover Huo Fenglie, just like how he took care of Er-gou when he was a child.

His arms seemed to reach over, and his fingers brushed against the other’s clothes. It didn’t feel right. “Why are you still wearing your outer layer to bed? Aren’t you uncomfortable? It will be wrinkled by morning.”

As he spoke, he instinctively began to help the kid next to him remove his outer layer, but in the next second, his wrist was grabbed by a large hand.

A hoarse voice rang in his ears.

“Qing-ge, don’t make trouble. Go to sleep.”

“Oh…..” Liu Zhenqing’s hand was placed back at his side. He vaguely felt that he had forgotten something, but was half asleep and couldn’t wake up.

He sensed the familiar yet unfamiliar atmosphere around him, yet felt strangely at ease, as if a stone somewhere in his heart had been lifted. He had a dreamless sleep for the first time in a long time, and his body felt so comfortable that even his spirit seemed to be soothed.

---

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Chapter Forty-One << Table of Contents >> Chapter Forty-Three

There was such pure kindness in the world.

Like fluffy cotton that had basked in the sun, with some weight and just the right temperature, gently wrapping around a person.

When he said this, the room that he could never leave didn’t seem so repulsive anymore.

Mu Nanqiao chuckled. “A sea of stars? It’s a bit romantic.”

Gulu~

Lu Qi blushed and covered his stomach, asking in a low voice: “Can I fill my stomach first and then be romantic?”

He glanced longingly at the folding table where Mu Nanqiao ate. The small pot was placed alone on a small potholder, and the gradually dissipating heat silently accused the two ungrateful people.

Mu Nanqiao’s eyes were filled with a smile, and the light in the room flowed into them for the first time. “You sit down, I’ll get two bowls.”

Lu Qi was a little doubtful about whether there was such thing as a bowl in this humble residence. Unexpectedly, Mu Nanqiao actually brought out two, with two matching spoons as well as two cans of Coke.

The bowls were sky-blue porcelain, and the walls of the bowls shined brightly under the lights in the room. Lu Qi looked at the bowls and asked hesitantly: “How pretty. Where did you buy these bowls?”

Mu Nanqiao: “Taobao, 9.9 yuan with free shipping.”

Lu Qi: “Oh…..”

Two bowls were filled with wontons. Lu Qi was really hungry, and didn’t examine the bowls anymore. Lowering his head to take a sip of the soup, Mu Nanqiao sent a message to his assistant, telling him that he didn’t have to send food over. He would have wontons tonight.

He casually took a picture of the round little wontons in the bowl.

The assistant: [You’re using Ru porcelain for wontons?!]

Mu Nanqiao ignored his frantically vibrating mobile phone and lowered his head to eat.

It was only then that Lu Qi came to a realization and was a little embarrassed.

In fact, he and Mu Nanqiao were not that familiar yet. It was a bit presumptuous to bring a pot to the door, but he didn’t think too much about it at the time. He just remembered the scene of Mu Nanqiao huddled at the door. He was so big, yet still looked a little pitiful.

He was a person who was somewhat prone to overflowing sympathy. He was also self-aware of the fact that Mu Nanqiao had appeared on the surveillance screen that day looking like a wet fox, and he had brought a pot to feed him. 

He didn’t know if it annoyed the other person.

He quietly raised his eyes to look at Mu Nanqiao, but was caught by the other party.

“Peeping?” Mu Nanqiao held his chin with one hand and lightly raised a slender eyebrow. “Boss, please look openly. Didn’t you pay me?”

He pointedly tapped the edge of the bowl with his spoon.

Ding— The sound was crisp.

Lu Qi’s ears turned red at the teasing, but he finally felt less uncomfortable, and asked earnestly: “I’m not annoying you, am I?”

Mu Nanqiao knew that he should say he was annoyed, so that Lu Qi would keep his distance.

But when the words came to his mouth, he looked into those clean and clear deer-like eyes, and the words turned a corner and vanished.

Mu Nanqiao almost bit his tongue.

But the young man sitting opposite smiled, and the small pear dimple on his cheek emerged slightly. “It’s good that I’m not. By the way, have you found a job?”

The general manager of Mu Group confidently pretended to be unemployed and simply shook his head.

Only a few people knew about his joining Mu Group, and it had not been publicized to the outside world. As expected, the little neighbor didn’t know.

It wasn’t that he wanted to hide it from Lu Qi, but it was very troublesome to explain why the general manager of Mu Group lived in an old apartment in an old community.

Lu Qi hesitated to speak. It was written all over that handsome and delicate face: It’s not okay to just sit back and do nothing…..

Mu Nanqiao suppressed a smile and said: “I found a job as a driver. I won’t start working until two days later.”

Thus, the little neighbor finally felt at ease eating wontons.

Before leaving, Lu Qi held the little cabbage and asked Mu Nanqiao: “Can you add me on WeChat, ah? I want the Taobao link for those porcelain bowls.”

Mu Nanqiao: ……

People shouldn’t tease others by talking nonsense.

Bowls worth 990,000 yuan with free shipping, you can say that again!

. . . . . .

90° Right Angle Bend couldn’t handle the pressure, and finally apologized to Lu Qi. He posted a ten-minute video which seemed very sincere, but in fact, he said throughout the video that he was also a victim and that the person whose account was stolen kept him in the dark.

Even his fans were disappointed. Overnight, Right Angle lost over 100,000 followers. In the end, his boyfriend Honey Bear had no choice but to come out and explain on his behalf that he was in a very bad mental state recently and hoped that this matter would pass quickly.

Lu Qi’s fans didn’t buy it.

[Yoooo~ Both husband and wife are playing tricks, bullying our LULU? I will grow a phantom limb to fight you!]

[Are you mentally ill? How many days has it been? What is it that your fans say: If you can’t endure it, don’t touch the internet!]

[Are you jade, ba? How come someone who was wrongly accused silently clarified himself, while the person who wrongly accused him feels so fragile?]

[The attack power of the sisters is not quite there, so I’ll say it directly: I’ll **** a **** sack and beat you back **** in the belly. The world is very nice, so don’t come back here again, ok?]

[I suggest that you go to the urology department to get your brain checked, dear~ The doctor might advise you to cut off that tiny growth. (smile) (shocked) (shocked) (showing support)]

Lu Qi suspected that Right Angle had taken money from Lin Yuan, so he continued to muddy the waters and refused to cooperate with him to clarify. Haicheng’s lawyer also suggested suing Right Angle as a breakthrough to see if they could find evidence that Lin Yuan had done this. However, it was unlikely that Lin Yuan would have direct contact with an internet celebrity such as Right Angle.

He posted a Weibo statement saying that he would sue Right Angle. At the same time, he hoped that fans believed he could resolve the matter and remain rational at all times, as well as be careful that people with ulterior motives didn’t mix among them and cause more “cyberbullying.” When the time came, the situation would be unfavorable to them.

Just after posting this Weibo, a news notification suddenly popped up on his phone. Lu Qi didn’t pay attention to it at first. After putting down the phone, he remembered the flashing words and picked it up again.

[Mu Chuanbai, the new helmsman of the Mu family, gives his inaugural speech. President Mu Chuansong, his predecessor, is imprisoned.]

The news was about Mu Group.

Lu Qi clicked in and took a look. There was a picture, and the new president seemed to be a low-key person. The photo wasn’t clear, just a blurry silhouette, but the person was sitting in a wheelchair with a thick blanket covering his legs.

The person pushing the wheelchair behind him had very beautiful hands, and the expensive cufflinks on his sleeves were embellishments for those hands.

There was this surnamed Mu, and the poor guy next door was still working as a driver.

Lu Qi thought for a moment, and then whimsically entered the relationship between Mu Chuanbai and Mu Nanqiao into the search bar…..

The network stalled for a moment, and before the search result came out, Lu Qi’s doorbell rang.

He thought it was a courier coming to deliver a package. After exiting the search, he pulled out the pickup code and was about to open the door when the tall figure in the video doorbell caused him to stop, his eyes widening.

It was Lin Yuan.

This villain was still alive and well, but he had lost a lot of weight and had a tired, haggard look on his face. Seeing that no one opened the door, he rang the doorbell again.

Lu Qi bristled, and just couldn’t comprehend how this person could dare to appear in front of him. He went to the kitchen to retrieve the Holy Sword of Physics and opened the door furiously.

He pushed open the door so fast that he almost flattened Lin Yuan’s nose.

But the moment he saw Lu Qi, the shock and anger on this garbage person’s face after nearly being accidentally hit turned into pleasant surprise in an instant.

“Xiao Qi, I’m here to apologize to you,” he said, light as a feather.

Lu Qi: “Go away! Believe it or not, I’ll smash your dog head!”

Lin Yuan clearly didn’t believe it, and it wasn’t until Lu Qi came out with the crowbar that he took a cautious step back.

“There is a limit to human reason.” Lu Qi glared at him. “Do you really think I don’t dare to hit you?”

“That’s not you.” As Lin Yuan spoke, he took another step back. “I know I used the wrong methods. It was my fault, but I was really dizzy with anxiety at that time and I couldn’t find you…..”

“Then you found me again now?” Lu Qi couldn’t help but raise his voice. He had never quarreled with anyone, and his own face turned red first. “You just…..just want me to submit to you and make me go back on my own initiative! You are trash and a pervert!”

“Get out of here!” He pointed at the stairs with the crowbar. “We should meet in court, or if the police ask me to identify the crime scene! Do you want to turn into a white human figure line drawing, ah!”

The fake smile gradually became unsteady, and Lin Yuan’s expression darkened.

The atmosphere was tense, and the stairwell was silent.

So much so that the sound of the door lock opening behind him was particularly clear.

The door of 502 opened behind Lu Qi, and Lin Yuan looked over with a frown.

Nothing could be seen clearly, and Lu Qi pushed the door back with a bang, saying fiercely: “Little friend, just stay at home and do your homework, don’t come out and watch the fun!”

The little friend Mu Nanqiao behind the door: …….

The soundproofing of the apartments was indeed not good. He heard Lin Yuan ask suspiciously: “Your neighbor?”

Lu Qi: “What does it have to do with you?”

Lin Yuan obviously misunderstood. He thought Lu Qi didn’t want others to know about their relationship. Indeed, the title of homosexual was unpleasant to hear. Even he would cover up having a fiance, much less an ordinary person like Lu Qi, who was afraid of rumors.

So he revealed a smile of inevitable victory. “Xiao Qi, let’s go and find a place to talk. You don’t want the neighbors to watch the fun, right?”

He shrugged his shoulders and gave a clear and graceless threat: “You can go inside, but then I’m going to knock on your neighbor kid’s door.”

Lu Qi nearly hit him in the face with the rod.

Across the door, Mu Nanqiao was once again protected by his little neighbor. He knew that Lu Qi didn’t allow him to come out because he was afraid that Lin Yuan would see him. After all, he was still a powerless “driver.”

He walked a little farther away and called his assistant.

After waiting for a moment, a mobile phone rang outside the door.

Lu Qi watched Lin Yuan answer the phone, his expression instantly transforming from gloomy and cold to pleasantly surprised. He repeatedly confirmed with the other party: “He really wants to see me?”

After receiving confirmation, he smiled broadly. Looking at this cheap thing, Lu Qi felt nauseated and wanted to vomit out the previous night’s wontons. 

Lin Yuan hung up the phone and looked deeply at Lu Qi again.

Although the real person was back, he didn’t want to give up Lu Qi. Mu Nanqiao had always carried a vague sense of distance, and his identity was no longer what it used to be.

But Lu Qi was different. He was easier to hold in the palm of his hand. When he was with Lu Qi, the other person’s unreserved sincerity made it difficult for him to let him go. If only Lu Qi came back, he would never be single-minded in the future.

Thinking of being single-minded, he couldn’t wait to go downstairs, ready to meet his white moonlight at the agreed place. After walking two steps, he turned back and said: “Xiao Qi, I…..”

Whoosh—

The Holy Sword of Physics flew through the air and hit the wall behind Lin Yuan hard, and a splatter of white dust fell all over Lin Yuan. The loud, harsh noise made Lin Yuan jump in shock, then freeze in a panic.

“Go away, you!” Lu Qi clapped his hands. “I’m telling you, there are kitchen knives in the house!”

Lin Yuan gave him a deep look, then turned around and left.

Lu Qi was still so angry that his hands and feet were cold, and he didn’t even notice when the door to 502 opened. Then his head was gently rubbed twice, and the warm heat from those fingertips fell on his hair.

“Don’t be angry,” Mu Nanqiao said. “He might soon encounter an enemy and have his leg broken.”

Lu Qi was still angry, and muttered: “It would be great if somebody broke his leg…..”

“En, indeed.” Mu Nanqiao smiled, his beautiful fox eyes narrowing. “My words are very effective.”

“Ai…..” Lu Qi sighed. “How can there be such a person…..”

His wrist was held, and his fingertips touched something cool. When he lowered his head, he saw two beautiful azure porcelain bowls.

He raised his eyes to look at Mu Nanqiao, who had a smile on his handsome face. “Here, I’ll pay the protection fee.”

As he got closer, Lu Qi discovered that there was a small red mole at the end of his eye like a small hook.

“Ahem…..then I’ll accept them.” Lu Qi looked away in discomfort, and his ears unconsciously felt hot. He held the bowls, looking up and down, and the haze on his face finally dissipated, revealing a shy smile.

Wonderfully coaxed.

Mu Nanqiao couldn’t help but think that if he was bullied to tears, he could be comforted by giving him a few bowls.

But Lu Qi’s bright eyes suddenly became melancholy again, pointing toward the wall of the stairwell as he sighed: “I’ll buy some supplies tomorrow and patch up the wall.”

“Okay, ah.” Mu Nanqiao walked down, picked up the crowbar, and handed it to Lu Qi along with two porcelain spoons. “Let’s do it together tomorrow.”

---

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Chapter Nine << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eleven

After about four or five minutes, Pei Yi broke away from the unprecedented pleasure, and the chaos in his eyes slowly turned to clarity.

He looked at Bo Yueming, who was so close, and the temperature of his cheeks that had just cooled down suddenly rose. “Er-ge, I……”

Bo Yueming didn’t tease him, but only comforted him softly, “It’s normal to have a physical reaction when you wake up early. I’m not someone else, so what does it matter?”

Pei Yi was slightly convinced. He turned around subconsciously, but suddenly froze again—

The unspeakable dampness under the quilt had not dissipated, and Bo Yueming, who had taken the initiative to relieve him, might not have clean hands at the moment.

“……”

When Pei Yi thought of this possibility, he became increasingly embarrassed and nervous, and couldn’t speak.

Bo Yueming seemed to be aware of his emotions, and increased the distance between the two in a timely manner. “I’ll go to the bathroom first. Do you want me to get you a disposable towel?”

“N-No need.”

Pei Yi turned around, wishing he could hide his face under the quilt.

Bo Yueming saw his shy reaction, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

He took advantage of the other’s evasion to quickly get out from under the quilt, and walked to the bathroom.

Click.

The bathroom door closed a little hastily.

But the embarrassed Pei Yi didn’t notice this at all. He took another look, and after confirming that Bo Yueming would not come out again for a while, he sneaked back to his room with a guilty conscience.

Pei Yi took a few minutes to shower and then huddled in his room, not intending to go back again.

He smoothly pressed one side of the quilt, rolled it up again, and wrapped himself in the small nest he had made.

The alarm clock on the bedside table showed that it was not yet seven o’clock, but Pei Yi, who loved to stay in bed, couldn’t sleep now—

His head was a mess, everything mixed together.

The original dream gradually became blurred and was replaced by the scene when he woke up.

Bo Yueming encircled him with one hand, and held his weak body with the other. His fingertips were warm and slightly calloused.

The other’s deep voice from having just woke up fell into his ears, coaxing him without stop, so tingling and numb.

“……”

Pei Yi continued to visualize the situation just now, magnifying every detail.

He felt that something was wrong with him, but couldn’t tell what was strange. It wasn’t until he turned sideways that he realized he had a reaction that he shouldn’t have.

Pei Yi blurted out a whimper, and immediately started mumbling to himself to go to sleep.

It must have been because he had so many random thoughts yesterday before going to bed that he had such a dream!

It was because of that dream that he wanted to rely on Bo Yueming in such an unclear manner!

Looking at Bo Yueming’s perfectly normal reaction and attitude, it was clear that he saw him as a brother. How could there be any other meaning?

How normal was it for a boy to react like this, ah? He couldn’t imagine nonsense, lest he be laughed at by Er-ge!

The more Pei Yi thought about it, the more certain he became, and the heat that had risen was gradually replaced by calmness.

He rearranged the quilt that he had messed up and pulled it over his head, intending to go back to sleep.

. . . . . . .

The bathroom in the master bedroom was filled with mist, creating another sort of ambiguity.

The sound of gurgling water rushed over Bo Yueming’s head. He placed one hand on the fixed waterproof glass and gritted his teeth, refusing to reveal the slightest emotion that might cross the line.

Water droplets slid down his constantly moving right arm, extending along his slightly undulating chest.

The heat became increasingly obvious and increasingly uncontrollable.

When he was on the verge of reaching the end, the only thing that flashed through his mind was Pei Yi’s curious words before going to sleep the night before—

“When did you do it? Did you think of anyone?”

The heat peaked.

Bo Yueming’s tight back finally began to relax. He pressed his head against the cool glass and let the water flow from top to bottom, washing away his embarrassing secret.

. . . . . . .

After another ten minutes, Bo Yueming walked out of the bathroom once he had tidied up.

He put on clean clothes, and there was still a trace of redness on his slightly rolling Adam’s apple.

Bo Yueming looked at the empty master bedroom bed and sighed softly.

As early as the moment he had entered the bathroom door, he had guessed that with Pei Yi’s character, he would run out like a frightened kitten.

Sure enough, within half a minute, he heard footsteps as the other party escaped in a hurry.

As Bo Yueming approached the rumpled sheets, the image of Pei Yi huddling in his arms not long ago appeared in his mind. He was pliable and fresh, making a person want to bully him, but Bo Yueming had to endure.

Bo Yueming couldn’t tell when he had fallen in love with him. All he knew was that the time spent together day and night had integrated into his feelings. When he came back to his senses, he could no longer regard Pei Yi with a normal heart.

Little brother?

The two of them had no blood relationship to begin with.

Bo Yueming didn’t think that his feelings were wrong, but he always kept his reasoning and didn’t deliberately guide Pei Yi to do anything.

But now that Pei Yi had grown up, he had started to become curious and explore passion, love, and sex, and what Bo Yueming had to do was to accompany him as always.

No matter how slow that person was, he would be enlightened one day. He was waiting.

. . . . . . . .

Although with different thoughts, Bo Yueming and Pei Yi both tacitly turned the page on the episode that had occurred that morning.

Pei Yi was a little uneasy at first, and deliberately “hid” from Bo Yueming for two days. Later, when he discovered that the other party hadn’t changed at all, he slowly let go of the entanglement in his heart.

Summer vacation was neither long nor short.

Pei Yi had been admitted into the game design major at the Imperial Capital University with excellent results. Game design had always been his interest, and had been his goal since his second year of high school.

Although this major was not always popular at the university, Zong Baiyan and Xu Rong still gave their child the highest degree of freedom and support.

In the blink of an eye, it was the first day of school and time for freshmen to register.

Under the persistence of Zong Baiyan and Xu Rong, Pei Yi became a good and obedient son sent to school by his two fathers.

Because he lived locally, Pei Yi was the first among the four in the dormitory.

He took a bite of the dessert he had bought on the way and said faintly, “Father Rong, is my university far away from yours, ah?”

Xu Rong was an art professor at the Imperial Capital University.

Zong Baiyan knew the direction of his lover’s university better than anyone. “It’s far away.”

Xu Rong took out the small pillow that Pei Yi was used to sleeping with and placed on his bedside. However, your university is close to Yueming’s School of Business and Economics.”

Pei Yi said proudly, “En, I asked Er-ge before and made an appointment with him for lunch today!”

Bo Yueming’s School of Business and Economics started three days before his did.

Zong Baiyan raised his eyebrows. “Running out to have a meal with him at noon? What? Your Father Yan and Father Rong worked so hard to send you to school, but you don’t remember this kindness at all, ah?”

Pei Yi took the last sip of coconut milk and muttered faintly, “Father Yan, you can drive here in ten minutes. I said I could do it myself.”

Zong Baiyan asked angrily, “Do you know how much money your father can make in ten minutes?”

Still thinking about the arrangement with Bo Yueming, Pei Yi approached Xu Rong coquettishly. “Father Rong, the fried pork chops in the cafeteria of Er-ge’s university are really delicious. I haven’t had them all summer.”

Pei Yi was under a lot of pressure to study in the past. He would occasionally get greedy for this food and ask Bo Yueming to bring it to him from the school cafeteria every now and then. 

“I know, greedy kitten.”

Xu Rong pinched his cheek gently, his tenderness unchanging. “I’ll take your father away now.”

With that said, he sent Zong Baiyan a look.

Zong Baiyan had originally wanted to “scold” his heartless child, but when he saw the look in Xu Rong’s eyes, he immediately changed his mind and said, “Fine, ba.”

Pei Yi had brought few things, so there was no need to bother cleaning up in the first place.

Seeing that everything was almost done, Zong Baiyan and Xu Rong prepared to leave. “Let’s go.”

Pei Yi quickly grabbed his charging cell phone and keys. “Wait!”

Zong Baiyan looked at him. “What else is there?”

Pei Yi drew close to Xu Rong and smiled cutely. “Father Rong, I’m too lazy to walk. Why don’t you give me a ride?”

Zong Baiyan laughed angrily. “It’s because your father has spoiled you that you’re so lazy!”

Xu Rong responded with a smile. “You don’t spoil him, ah?”

Pei Yi praised both sides. “Both of you dote on me!”

. . . . . . . 

When Pei Yi arrived at Bo Yueming’s university, it was not yet mealtime.

Some time ago, Bo Yueming had gone abroad to study for a month at the instruction of Old Mrs. Bo. He had just returned to China the day before yesterday and went back to school without pause. 

Pei Yi hadn’t seen him for a while.

“Er-ge, I’m at the third building like you said. Where are you?”

“Take the elevator to the sixth floor.”

Pei Yi quickly went upstairs according to these instructions. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he saw a familiar tall figure walking out of the classroom at the end of the hallway.

“Er-ge!”

Not having seen Bo Yueming in more than a month, Pei Yi felt a long-lost joy. Almost without thinking about it, he ran over.

When Bo Yueming saw him move, he simply stood there and opened his arms.

In less than five seconds, Pei Yi leaped toward the other party and was hugged firmly.

They had hugged this way since childhood.

Pei Yi was not in a hurry to let go, and went on to share his daily life with him. “I already checked in with the university this afternoon, and I’m officially a freshman.”

Bo Yueming responded, “En, what now?”

“Now I have another name for you.” Pei Yi raised his eyebrows proudly. “Senior.”

There was a three-year gap between the two. When Pei Yi was in the first year of junior high school, Bo Yueming was already a high school student. In the end, Pei Yi relied on the advanced recruitment of the affiliated high school, and Bo Yueming successfully became a student of the Imperial Capital University.

It was perfect now. After waiting for five or six years, they were finally a senior and a junior.

Thinking of this, Bo Yueming smiled. “But I’ll be leaving school for an internship soon.”

Pei Yi mumbled, “No matter, how long until you’ll be busy, ah? Is the fried pork chop stall in your cafeteria open?”

Seeing that he had no intention of coming in, Bo Yueming simply carried him into the classroom. “I told you it will be open at noon. I’ll take you there later.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Yi heard a series of gasps behind him.

“…..Oh my god.”

“…..”

Pei Yi heard these unfamiliar voices and was stunned for a moment.

He turned his head subconsciously, only to find three unfamiliar faces in the classroom. They were all looking at him and Bo Yueming with wide eyes.

Pei Yi was so frightened that he immediately got down from Bo Yueming’s arms, trying to conceal his embarrassment. “H-Hi, you guys.”

One of the people opposite had an easy-going personality. “Brother Yue, what is this, ah? Is this your…..”

He hesitated to speak, and let his imagination roam.

It should be known that Bo Yueming was known for being aloof and strict when in school. With his mixed-race appearance and superior height, he firmly occupied the main topic of conversation on campus.

But from freshman year to senior year, other than his good friend Yan Cen, who was in the same major but a different class, he had never been so close to anyone. This was definitely unusual!

Pei Yi feared that the other party would misunderstand, and simply explained, “I…..I’m his little brother!”

Bo Yueming caught a glimpse of Pei Yi’s rapidly reddening ears and was not unhappy at all. “En, it’s like we have the same father but a different mother. Our two families have been close since childhood.”

“Oh.”

The responses of the three people were drawn out, as if teasing them.

Pei Yi felt that something was off, and his heartbeat also showed signs of stalling, so he could only bite the bullet and ask, “Er-ge, where’s the bathroom, ah? I need to go.”

Bo Yueming knew that the kitten was about to run away to calm down, and didn’t stop him. “On the other side of the hallway.”

“Okay.”

Pei Yi nodded politely to the three people opposite and ran out in a flash.

The remaining three people exchanged glances, feeling that the relationship between Bo Yueming and Pei Yi was not simple.

The three of them were temporarily recruited by their mentor to form a team for a competition, and although each of them knew Bo Yueming, they didn’t know him intimately. It was the easygoing person who asked: “Brother Yue, what kind of half-brothers are you, ah? I’ve never seen him before, is he really not your little lover?”

Little lover.

Bo Yueming considered this term silently and, in a low voice, admitted it for the first time. “En, one day he will be.”

---

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Extra 9/15 <<Table of Contents >> Extra 11/15

Because He Lan’s leg was injured and it was inconvenient for him to move, He Lan said before deciding to go down the mountain: “I’ll stay, ba. Lao Qin, you take Prefect Wu away.”

Qin Yu glanced at He Lan’s leg.

“What are you worrying about me for, ah? If you hadn’t stabbed a hole in Prefect Wu’s shoulder and made him faint, I would rather you carry me down the mountain.” He Lan crossed his legs and lay carelessly on the bed, saying, “I can’t move anyway, so I’ll just wait for someone to carry me.”

“You go, I’ll stay here to look after him,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Huo Fenglie looked toward him. “It’s not safe.”

He Lan expressed his dissatisfaction. “Hey, hey, hey, I’m here too.”

Liu Zhenqing analyzed calmly, “Qin-daren will move a little slower if he takes Prefect Wu, but you will be able to move faster and seize military power from the lieutenant in order to mobilize the troops and lay siege. Taking me with you will waste time. The people here won’t be able to find us for a while, and it will be more advantageous to act quickly. In addition, troops must be sent to arrest Magistrate Wang.”

He Lan and Qin Yu looked a little surprised. They were not familiar with Liu Zhenqing, and didn’t expect this guy to be so clever and organized.

“That makes sense,” Qin Yu said.

But Huo Fenglie took a deep look at Liu Zhenqing, and could only say to He Lan in the end: “Protect him.”

He Lan looked speechlessly at his injured leg.

Huo Fenglie and Qin Yu took Prefect Wu and the evidence down the mountain at once.

Glancing at He Lan on the bed, Liu Zhenqing said: “Let me get some water to clean your wound.”

He Lan said with a smile: “Thank you, but…..you’d better not leave my sight.”

Liu Zhenqing froze: “Ah?”

“Zhanyuan said to protect you. What if you encounter danger when you go out? If you’re in front of me, I can still fight if something happens.” Bored to death, He Lan pointed at the chair beside him: “Sit down, ba. It will take at least a shichen for them to leave and come back. Wait here.”

Although it was in the name of protection, He Lan really kept a close eye on him. This made Liu Zhenqing unhappy, and he wondered why Er-gou deliberately left such a command.

But it didn’t matter. There would be plenty of opportunities.

That’s right, he had to go.

Soon, the entire courtyard became lively. They had probably discovered the situation in the cave and were anxiously searching for the leader. As a result, they found that all the guests and women they brought were unconscious in the rooms. The courtyard was in chaos, and because Prefect Wu was not considered a guest in the first place, no one cared about him at all.

At the same time, Huo Fenglie and Qin Yu forcefully suppressed all the military officials on Prefect Wu’s list as soon as possible, including the lieutenant, then took out the token given by the emperor and directly took over the five thousand troops there. 

Qin Yu supervised a troop of soldiers to go to the Magistrate’s Manor and arrest that person, while Huo Fenglie led the remaining troops to surround the Heaven’s Blessing Sect’s mountain.

Just as he was about to lead the army in to lay siege, Qin Yu flew over alone.

“Magistrate Wang wasn’t in the manor. I asked the guards at the city gate and they said that he went to the Heaven’s Blessing Sect after you did tonight. We may have missed him. He should be in the Heaven’s Blessing Sect now.”

Huo Fenglie nodded. “I will lead troops to suppress them, and you lead people to pick up the others.”

Qin Yu had just nodded and was about to leave, but Huo Fenglie grabbed his arm and said, “You must retrieve them.”

Qin Yu felt strange, and thought that Huo Fenglie’s behavior tonight was a bit like a mother-in-law.

Soon, the Heaven’s Blessing Sect was thrown into chaos as the army attacked. Without a leader, they could only flee in all directions, but even the ones who escaped outside were caught by the surrounding troops.

Qin Yu also led his team to find Liu Zhenqing and He Lan, and escorted them to the circle where soldiers and horses were stationed outside the courtyard. Many people who were deceived had been taken there.

After settling them in, Qin Yu rushed to find Magistrate Wang. After all, they had been placed somewhere very safe, so Qin Yu no longer felt the need to worry about them.

And the troops had also brought along a military doctor, who was able to help treat He Lan’s wounds.

It was during this interval that a young soldier on guard was watching the excitement in the courtyard curiously, and he suddenly saw a noble young man walking through the crowd.

“Brother, I feel sick to my stomach. May I go into the woods to sort it out?”

The soldier had seen that he was with two lords, so he naturally regarded him as an honored guest and gave way. He was on guard duty, so he naturally couldn’t leave his post, and could only tell him to call out if something happened.

Liu Zhenqing smiled and walked slowly toward the forest. As he went, he saw horses tied nearby and grabbed one before disappearing into the trees.

Huo Fenglie returned after some time and couldn’t find Liu Zhenqing in the crowd, so he immediately rushed to ask He Lan.

How could He Lan know? He looked blankly at Huo Fenglie, whose expression had completely changed. 

After some inquiries, he finally determined a direction.

He Lan was about to say that they could just send someone to look for him, but Huo Fenglie didn’t listen to him at all. With a whistle, a huge black horse appeared. This was his mount, “Chen Jiangyue.” Huo Fenglie got on the horse and rushed out.

Just at this time, Qin Yu came back to see Huo Fenglie leaving.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Yu looked at He Lan suspiciously.

He Lan was stunned by this incident. “Lao Qin, I think what you said…..might really be true. Young Master Liu just walked away for a moment, so why is he so panicked?”

“Panicked?” Qin Yu frowned.

He Lan awkwardly tried to stand up, but his leg was bandaged and it was difficult to move. He could only tug on Qin Yu and say: “Chase after him quickly. Zhanyuan’s old problem has resurfaced.”

As soon as he spoke, Qin Yu’s expression changed slightly. He stopped talking and immediately gave chase.

But how could an ordinary horse catch up with Chen Jiangyue, who was of red rabbit horse and sweatblood horse origin?

The forest wind blew past his ears, and Huo Fenglie could hear nothing. He could only keep chasing forward.

He didn’t know how long he had been chasing when Chen Jiangyue’s hooves suddenly slowed and a long whinny brought Huo Fenglie to his senses.

Feeling oncoming murderous intent, Huo Fenglie rolled off his horse and pulled out the Chunjun sword. Shen Jiangyue cooperated and kept its distance, and two ding ding sounds were heard as two hidden weapons impacted the groove in the Chunjun sword.

“Who’s there!”

“Stop chasing me, young god of war general. I don’t wish to take your life and become a criminal in Great Zhou.”

Huo Fenglie instantly gazed at the dark road ahead and saw an old man with half his hair disheveled, wearing tattered clothes and holding a cane as he walked out slowly.

There was another person on horseback behind him. That person was not Liu Zhenqing, but a man dressed in splendid brocade clothing, dignified and fierce. His features were somewhat similar to those of the leader. 

Huo Fenglie realized at once that the man on the horse was Magistrate Wang, who had yet to be found.

“Kill him,” Magistrate Wang said directly.

“What do you know? Why haven’t you run away quickly? If you don’t drag me down, I’ll try my best to do something about him.”

Magistrate Wang was not angry upon hearing the old man’s rude words. He only gritted his teeth and turned around to ride away.

Then the old man said: “Boy, turn around and go back. You are no match for me.”

“Have you seen anyone else while going in this direction?” Huo Fenglie said in a deep voice.

The old man was taken aback for a moment, a little puzzled. Wasn’t this person here to pursue Magistrate Wang?

“No?” Huo Fenglie suddenly rushed toward the old man with his sword. “Then get out of the way!”

Huo Fenglie was full of murderous intent, the Chunjun sword pointed right at the old man’s face. When the old man dodged, he discovered that Huo Fenglie didn’t want to fight him at all, and really just wanted him to make way.

Chen Jiangyue also had a close connection with her master and detoured directly ahead.

But how could the old man let him go? He simply thought that Huo Fenglie was going after Magistrate Wang.

He flew up in an instant, pulling a sharp sword from his cane, and rushed forward to fight Huo Fenglie.

There was a clang as their swords met, and Huo Fenglie was knocked back several steps by his opponent’s internal force.

The person who had come was a master, a true master of martial arts.

Huo Fenglie looked into the distance, the redness in his eyes becoming deeper and deeper. The feeling of being too late eroded his heart, and his body grew increasingly hot, nearly making him lose his mind.

When the old man across from him noticed his appearance, he was suddenly cheerful. “A problem with your internal force?”

Huo Fenglie’s expression became severe, and he ducked in front of the old man. The light of his sword came and went like a shadow, and he exchanged dozens of moves in an instant.

The old man smiled and delayed time by saying: “Boy, you probably don’t know this, but I fought against your brother before! He was seriously injured by me when he was still young. I have already seen the skills of your Huo family, and there is nothing you can do to me. Forget it, since you are seeking death, I couldn’t kill your brother back then, so I will kill you today!”

The old man was a vicious person. When he truly wanted to take action, he would not care about the greater good of the country.

And he was also a despicable person. The two of them were initially in the same league, but the old man directly raised a hand of white powder. Even though Huo Fenglie dodged, he still received a lot of it because of the direction the wind was blowing.

Huo Fenglie instantly felt the strength in his body draining away.

At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded from the forest, “Attack his right knee!”

Huo Fenglie trembled all over. That was……Liu Zhenqing’s voice.

He looked in that direction, but it was too dark and too far away to see anything. He could only release a long whistle to order Chen Jiangyue to turn around while he stabbed toward the old man with his sword.

“Who is it!” The old man instantly panicked. Very few people knew about his weak point. Even Huo Fenglie, who had just fought with him, didn’t seem to know, which proved that his brother hadn’t told him about it!

But it was too late to ask. Huo Fenglie stabbed at the old man’s knee with his sword, and sure enough, his leg reacted slower than any other part of his body.

His weakness was exploited, and he suffered an injury. The old man was cautious, and even though he knew Huo Fenglie wouldn’t be able to hold on for long, he didn’t dare rush forward. There was also someone else in the forest, so he flew away directly.

At this time, Chen Jiangyue issued a high-pitched whinny to indicate that it had caught someone.

Liu Zhenqing watched helplessly as it bit his sleeve and continuously pulled him forward. He turned to reach for his own reins, but the horse was frightened by Chen Jiangyue and didn’t dare approach. 

In the end, Liu Zhenqing followed Chen Jiangyue’s wishes and came to Huo Fenglie. He was a little worried about Er-gou being poisoned. 

Huo Fenglie could barely stand at this moment, and used his sword to hold his body up with difficulty. It wasn’t until he saw Liu Zhenqing standing in front of him intact that he collapsed.

Liu Zhenqing instinctively stepped forward to catch him.

Huo Fenglie grabbed his wrist at once and stared at him intently.

But Liu Zhenqing only noticed the red color in Huo Fenglie’s eyes and thought it was from the old man’s poison just now. After all, when the three of them were on a study tour, they met an old assassin who knew how to kill with poison. The three of them had to combine their martial arts, poison, and Liu Zhenqing’s observation to defeat the old man. Therefore, they were the only ones who knew his weakness. Unexpectedly, that number one killer from back then was now reduced to being a bodyguard for someone like Magistrate Wang. It was true that money made all the difference, ah.

He was also unfortunate enough to meet them by chance while running through the forest. He was forced to stay and watch the battle, and in the end, he had to reveal himself in order to save Er-gou.

After checking his pulse with a frown, he realized that the drugs not only caused him to lose his strength, but Er-gou’s internal force was disordered. What was going on?

It was his fault for not studying and being unable to tell clearly, but he did know that Er-gou was gradually improving now, and it wasn’t serious.

Liu Zhenqing put Huo Fenglie’s wrist down and looked up, but when their eyes met, his mind froze.

Those black and red eyes were filled with a strange light, looking at him earnestly and directly.

Liu Zhenqing smiled and did not give any apologies or explanations for the current situation. He only said: “Brother Huo, you rest. I’ll get you the antidote pills.”

Liu Zhenqing helped him lean against a tree. He stood up and was about to leave, but found his wrist tightly grasped by this person who was rapidly losing strength.

Liu Zhenqing bowed his head to look at him.

Huo Fenglie’s pupils quivered, his clear eyes completely reflecting Liu Zhenqing’s figure. His low, hoarse voice sounded slowly, “Don’t leave.”

Liu Zhenqing was stunned for a moment. It was as if something had disturbed the calm lake in his heart, causing ripples to appear.

But Liu Zhenqing just smiled gently and said: “I’m just going to get the antidote pills. They’re on my horse. You need to get better quickly in case the assassin comes back. Trust me, ah, I’m not lying to you.”

“Trust me, ah, I’m not lying to you.”

Qing-ge had said this to him countless times, and he had been fooled countless times.

But he never learned his lesson.

His hand gradually lost strength, and it was impossible to tell if it was voluntary or the effect of the drug.

Huo Fenglie just looked straight at Liu Zhenqing and said with nearly imperceptible pleading and hope, “En, I’ll wait for you.”

Liu Zhenqing’s face stiffened for a moment. He had deceived Er-gou countless times, but had never felt any guilt. Could an adult deceiving a child be counted as lying?

It seemed all that guilt was coming due all at once.

Liu Zhenqing turned around, walked back to the forest with stiff steps, and mounted his horse.

When the sound of horse hooves came from the silent forest, Huo Fenglie stared in astonishment at the bag that was already hanging on Chen Jiangyue’s reins.

It was the bag that held the medicine bottles.

He left after all?

Huo Fenglie’s expression was a little embarrassed, and he took out the medicine fiercely, swallowing the antidote pills. The red color in his eyes that had been continuously fading ignited as if resurrected, and what drifted from the flames was chaos and madness.

Hoofbeats suddenly sounded, and Huo Fenglie’s eyes lit up as if he had found something that was lost, but he only saw Qin Yu rushing over.

At this moment, it seemed that his body could no longer endure, and a mouthful of blood spurted out.

“Zhanyuan!” Qin Yu immediately dismounted. “Do you have the medicine on you? Take it quickly.”

But Huo Fenglie had regained some strength and pushed Qin Yu away, mounted his horse, pulled the reins, and was about to give chase.

“What are you doing.” 

“Liu…..”

“Liu Xiaozhu? I just met him. He was going back, and said he wanted to find someone to hunt down Magistrate Wang.”

Huo Fenglie immediately reined the horse in and turned to look at Qin Yu. “You said he…..went back?”

Qin Yu nodded. “Yes.”

Huo Fenglie swayed, raising his hand to cover his face as if in disbelief. Before Qin Yu could question him, Huo Fenglie had already taken the pills to suppress his illness and then rode his horse wildly in the direction he had come from.

He didn’t leave?

He really…..didn’t leave?

When the sounds of the crowd came, a familiar figure came into view once more.

At that moment, Huo Fenglie felt his heart beating again.

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Chapter Forty << Table of Contents >> Chapter Forty-Two

Hot flashes during the southwest summer made it easy to feel uncomfortable, and in addition, mosquitos, rats, and ants were rampant in the forest. If one was bitten by a venomous insect, the swollen pustules could often be as big as half a palm. There were also cases of people who had rolled down the mountain when collecting medicine, and people who had cut their legs when chopping firewood. In short, all kinds of maladies, large and small, could be treated for free at the newly-built medical center in the Southwest Garrison.

The news soon spread throughout the Valley of Ten Faces.

And to many villages farther beyond the Valley of Ten Faces.

Liu Nanyuan wore a bright red dress and sat in a bright, clean room to treat people. There were guards standing on both sides of the courtyard, all handsome and noble-looking. Gao Lin practically hollowed out all of his limited aesthetics and contributed them to the medical clinic. There was even a string of hollow bamboo bells hung under the eaves, tied with translucent ribbons and glowing slightly, which attracted countless butterflies to fly upward.

A-Ning said: “I didn’t expect that Lieutenant General Gao would have such a delicate side.”

Liu Xian’an lay on a bamboo couch to enjoy the breeze: “Everyone has a love for beauty.”

He spoke indolently, his tone sleepy, and his eyelids looked as if they were about to shut again. A-Ning was swift and nimble. He forced his eyes open again and shouted: “Young Master, please don’t sleep. His Highness has sent people to bring you clothes. Please change into them quickly. We will be going down the mountain to assist the Third Young Lady later.”

Liu Xian’an yawned: “I feel very comfortable wearing this.”

“Comfortable is comfortable, but it is too old.” A-Ning grabbed his wrist and pulled him up with extraordinary strength.

Liu Xian’an was the least particular about how he dressed. In addition, there were sages from the Three Thousand Worlds who set bad examples, so he never wanted rich clothing and always wore a casual gray cotton robe with a cloth belt tied around the waist, and a pair of worn-out shoes to run around in.

The people of Baihe Mountain Village had long become accustomed to his beggar-like outfit, and Liang Shu was also used to it. He also thought it was very cute. A piece of soft, loose cloth wrapped around a slender lazy egg. Easy to touch. Easy to undress.

A-Ning went to pull off his belt.

Liu Xian’an did not wake up, and fell straight back.

A-Ning was panting from exhaustion and his hands were sore. He stood beside the bed with his hands on his hips: “The prince is coming!”

As it turned out, the prince really came.

Liang Shu sent A-Ning out and bent down to kiss the person under the quilt: “You’ve been sleeping since midnight last night.”

Liu Xian’an firmly closed his eyes.

Liang Shu laughed and held this person in his arms. First he unwrapped his sleeping clothes, then fetched the newly-made clothes and put them on piece by piece. He had never served anyone before, but perhaps he was destined to have this lazy fellow, so he had some talent for learning these things without a teacher.

Liu Xian’an twitched his nose, but didn’t smell the scent that new clothes should have, only the gentle and pleasant scent of jasmine. Liang Shu pulled his fingers out of his sleeves and said: “I told them to wash and scent them. They will be softer and more comfortable for you to wear.”

The Sleeping Immortal finally opened his eyes a little.

Liang Shu said: “Stand straight, I’ll buckle your belt for you.”

Liu Xian’an took a look and thought it seemed familiar. “Isn’t this the prince’s belt?”

“I couldn’t find a good jade buckle for some time, so I used mine.” Liang Shu said, “It looks pretty good.”

It certainly looked pretty good, because it was a gift from the emperor when he made his younger brother go to Jiangnan to swindle…..to marry a wife. Definitely to marry a wife.

Liang Shu fastened it carefully and looked at the person before him with satisfaction: “Not bad, it looks good.”

The muslin clothes were like snow, with faint silver thread inlays showing through. When the sun shined on them, they gleamed brilliantly. Liu Xian’an touched his belt and commented: “It’s not as comfortable as my big robe.”

“You can change back in the evening.” Liang Shu said, “You are pretending to be an immortal, so you must be more diligent.”

Chang Xiaoqiu passed by and saw A-Ning standing outside the courtyard, so he stepped forward to ask him something. While the two were chatting, the wooden door opened with a creak, and then His Royal Highness Xiao Wang walked out with another person.

As for why it was ‘another person,’ this was because it took a moment for Chang Xiaoqiu to react and finally recognize Second Young Master Liu. But it was not his fault, because even A-Ning was slightly stunned by this overly successful disguise.

Once the two of them had walked away, Chang Xiaoqiu asked: “Why do you look so amazed?”

A-Ning said: “Because I really haven’t seen such a thing.”

After all, when his family’s young master was at home, he didn’t even want to wear new clothes during the New Year, and would at most add a red belt to his gray robe, which looked even stranger. It was even more outrageous one year, when he was imitating some unknown sage. In the middle of winter, he wore a pair of broken straw sandals to eat at the New Year’s Eve banquet, and the Village Master almost became ill from anger.

Chang Xiaoqiu was filled with admiration upon hearing this. He is worthy of being the prince’s favorite person, his tastes are so unique!

A-Ning: “…..Forget it, I don’t want to talk about this with you.”

Liang Shu walked around the military camp with the Sleeping Immortal in fluttering white clothes, which caused the soldiers to secretly murmur, why does the Liu family look so pure and fairy-like?

Liu Xian’an’s belt was uncomfortable, but he had already changed, he still ran to the pharmacy and showed his elder brother his beautiful new clothes.

Liu Xianche said expressionlessly: “En.”

But in fact, he turned around and started to paint, painting his little brother’s new look on paper. He also wrote an extremely long letter home, praising him in all aspects, and sent it back to Baihe Mountain Villain together with the painting so that his parents could be happy as well.

After exiting the pharmacy, Liang Shu had originally wanted to take Liu Xian’an to find Liu Nanyuan, but someone sent a message stating that the Scimitar Silver Moon Tribe who had followed the evil cult into the mountains that day had returned, but not all of them.

“What do you mean they didn’t come back?” Liang Shu asked. “How many of them were caught?”

“One is missing.”

For of them went, and three returned. The man who didn’t come back was called La Yue, which sounded like he could celebrate the New Year at all times.^[1] With such a festive name, he really shouldn’t have bad luck. Liang Shu and Liu Xian’an went to the front hall together to inquire, and it turned out that he was not unlucky.

“Brother La Yue didn’t fail to return because he was apprehended,” the young man explained.

After this group of people followed the woman in red to find the Baifu Sect’s lair, in fact, the mission was completed. But La Yue wanted to find Ku You, so the remaining people came back to report the news first.

The young man continued: “We only need five days to draw the topographic map. The road into the mountain is actually not too narrow, and there are many blindages around it. According to the prince’s ability, it shouldn’t be difficult to attack them like divine soldiers from the sky.”

He was talking business, but the woman next to him was looking at First Young Master Liu doubtfully. She didn’t understand why, just after she left the door, the other party’s style of dress had turned from someone fleeing famine to that of a wealthy immortal.  First Young Master Liu wearing this set of clothes…..shouldn’t it be for the sake of her little sister?

So she clapped her hands with satisfaction and went back to write a letter to announce the good news. A servant brought the jujube-red pony for Liu Xian’an. After being carefully raised by the military camp’s horse officer, it now looked fatter and stockier. Its four legs thrust into the ground, and it looked extremely stable and reliable. Liu Xian’an petted two handfuls of its smooth mane and said: “Let’s take it to the Northwest next time.”

“Okay, I’ll find twenty of the best horses to accompany it to run together.” Liang Shu put this person on the horse’s back. “The desert in the north goes as far as the eye can see. It will like it very much.”

The groom to the side hesitated to speak, and remained silent in the end. He only had infinite sympathy in his heart for this chubby red horse that was lazy and inactive, but also very good at eating, and was destined to embark on a long journey to the Northwest.

There were already two long queues in front of the medical center. Liu Xian’an looked into the farthest distance and felt that it almost connected to the sky. Such a large number people must not all be patients, and many of them were just joining in the fun to see the most beautiful woman in Dayan. If this sort of thing happened during normal times, the government would not allow it, but the current situation was special. Thus, Gao Lin just sent people along the way to pick up all the patients who needed emergency treatment in advance, and the rest could wait slowly.

The rest of the Baihe Mountain Village disciples also donned new clothes, and all of them sat in the clinic whenever they were free. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and there was someone playing the fuqin in the distance, ding ding dong dong, like mountains and flowing water.

An old woman looked at Liu Nanyuan and said happily: “You don’t even have to examine them, my old legs and feet will be fine.”

“I still need to look at them.” Liu Nanyuan smiled. “Popo, just lie down.”

The old woman lay down as she was told, still staring at Liu Nanyuan. The more she looked at her, the more she liked her. She couldn’t help but say: “Our A-Yong…..”

The grandson standing aside had sharp eyes and agile hands, and quickly covered her mouth. Liu Nanyuan was immediately happy. After the examination, she stood up and said: “Popo is in very good health. She needs more meat and fresh vegetables, and she can live to a hundred years old.”

“Yes, yes, many thanks, Third Young Lady Liu.” Without another word, the grandson picked up his family’s old popo and fled, causing everyone in the courtyard to laugh and say: “A-Yong, is grandma playing at matchmaker for you again?”

Everyone was extremely joyous.

Liu Nanyuan was also full of joy, because this way of seeing patients was very different from what she did back home. The vast majority of people did not have serious illnesses, and everyone just came to join in the fun and chat. In the evenings, campfires would be lit on the outskirts and some people would sing, some would dance, and the joyous sounds reached the highest pinnacle of the clouds.

This was how the common people’s lives should be.

Liu Nanyuan tidied the table and was about to call the next patient in, but never expected that it would be her Er-ge wearing new clothes. Her reaction was definitely more genuine than that of her stern Da-ge. She stood up at once with an expression of disbelief on her face, and even felt that she might be hallucinating.

Liu Xian’an said: “It’s only a set of clothes.”

It is only a set of clothes, but the issue is, you didn’t even want to wear this set of clothes before. Liu Nanyuan looked him round and round, feeling that it was extremely novel, and said: “I thought before that Er-ge would still wear those tattered clothes even when getting married, but unexpectedly, he’s willing to change them. This is very good, wear them like this in the future!”

“That won’t work, it’s too tiring.” Liu Xian’an refused. Even when we get married, I can wear a big red robe.

Liu Nanyuan: “…..But this will make our Baihe Mountain Village seem abnormal.”

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[1] La Yue (蜡月) means Wax Moon or Candle Moon, and the name also sounds like Twelfth Lunar Month (腊月), which is around when the Chinese New Year is celebrated. ⮐

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Chapter One Hundred Thirteen << Table of Contents >> Chapter One Hundred Fifteen