Chapter 115: Therefore, I exist (1)
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The production team didn’t linger in the village for long. Instead, they quickly arrived safely in Binhai City under the escort of the official rescue team.
The official in charge, accompanied by forensic experts and a criminal investigation team, had originally gone to Moon Mountain to deal with the corpses there. Little did they expect that their mission would serve a greater purpose.
—The entire Family Tomb Village suffered mass deaths: hanging, drowning, suffocation…
Even the seasoned criminal investigation team couldn’t help but shudder at the sight of hundreds of deaths and an entire village left deserted.
Moreover, not far from Jiang Yanran’s body at the former site of Yang Duo’s home, they found another male corpse, severely fragmented with many bones missing.
In the end, these bones were discovered in the homes of village elders and other individuals of status within the village. They had been polished into bone bracelets and even crafted into a human skin drum.
After verification by Taoist Ma, it was confirmed that these items were deliberately made by the village to suppress Jiang Yanran’s revenge.
The official in charge was furious, nearly overturning the entire village with his rage.
Due to the extensive work required by the authorities, the production team, who should have rested after the shock, immediately left the village, handing over the scene of the crime to the authorities.
In order to make up for the interrupted program and to cooperate with the official public opinion team in suppressing the conspiracy theories and various speculations surging on the internet, the production team kept the live broadcast on throughout the return journey, except for the time spent on the airplane.
As a result, there were quite a few fans and viewers who knew when and where the production team would appear. Fortunately, the official public opinion team had made preparations in advance. They stationed people at the airport in Binhai City early on, effectively separating the crowded fans and curious onlookers from the production team, preventing them from rushing forward.
It’s worth noting that the subscription count for the show “Heart-Pounding Journey of Ninety-Nine Days” has now reached nearly seventy million, making it the most popular variety show of the year. The escalation of the live broadcast incident has caught the attention of many people who were previously not interested in variety shows.
Some people crowded the airport out of curiosity, concern, or perhaps to ride the wave of publicity or even sell photos and videos they took. When the production team emerged from the passage, the crowd erupted like boiling water in a hot pan.
The guests and staff, all tired from the midnight incident and the recent flight, looked visibly exhausted. However, they had to put on a brave face to provide the audience with the most believable explanation, as required by the official public opinion team. They reluctantly appeared before the people waiting to pick them up, knowing they would also face questions from the media.
At the forefront was An Nanyuan, with the largest number of fans.
“Yes, please rest assured that the production team was not in danger, and the so-called supernatural events reported online were nothing but rumors.”
“Proof? I’ve seen those supposed screenshots and photos, and they’re just distorted images caused by issues with camera equipment aperture and angle. I didn’t see any ghosts at the scene.”
“If what this entertainment reporter friend says is true, then why am I standing here unharmed?”
Major newspapers and authoritative media outlets have already agreed with the official public opinion team not to report on this matter. Those who have come to the airport are just entertainment tabloids and media outlets that like to sensationalize and cherry-pick information to boost their viewership and click rates.
And coincidentally, An Nanyuan, who comes from a talent show background, is no stranger to situations like this.
Facing the entertainment reporters who were almost trying to bypass the security barrier to thrust their microphones in his face, An Nanyuan smiled gracefully and spoke confidently, “I wonder which companies you all represent? I’ll make sure to let my agent know about your coverage, it’s truly touching to see so much concern for me.”
“But rest assured, I’m perfectly fine, both physically and mentally. Not only have I not been harmed in any way, but I even still dream when I sleep.”
An Nanyuan flashed a smile and winked at the blushing girls in the crowd, eliciting excited screams from them. Then, he pretended to look troubled as he hooked his hand on his collar, as if trying to pull it down, and said, “I really wish you could see for yourselves that I’m completely uninjured. I wonder if this can help me avoid going to the hospital. Director Zhang is just too diligent, sigh.”
An Nanyuan’s words sparked a new wave of excitement, effectively deflecting the earlier questions and topics, and also showcasing the care and meticulousness of the directorial team. It helped to clarify the rumors of “guests being injured” circulating on the internet.
The direct intervention of the official public opinion team achieved this effect.
This scene left Zhang Wubing, who was standing nearby, dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, at the back of the group, Yan Shixun concealed himself behind the program staff, ensuring that the people coming to pick them up and the media did not notice his presence. He was the only one among them who was injured, and his injuries were not light. If he were to appear rashly, it would only endanger the still unsettled public opinion.
Despite his current popularity, it was impossible for him to stay out of the public eye for long.
However, when he first woke up at night, he was solely focused on guarding against Yang Duo and did not consider the resumption of the live broadcast and the impact on fans and viewers.
When the live broadcast signal suddenly resumed, the camera captured the image of Yan Shixun covered in blood, lying in Ye Li’s arms with his eyes closed tightly. Even his black shirt was completely soaked, and blood dripped down from the hem. The impact of this scene was profound.
However, there was some preparation beforehand, which helped fans and viewers to be psychologically prepared for the announcement. This approach differed significantly from suddenly confronting the news.
By the time the official rescue team arrived, Yan Shixun’s injuries had already been thoroughly treated.
Although the official in charge had a rough idea of the injuries Yan Shixun had sustained from the live broadcast, everyone present was still shocked when the accompanying paramedic cut away the clothes stuck to Yan Shixun’s skin, revealing the extent of his wounds.
“Shoulder, clavicle, abdomen, thigh… just a slight deviation could have caused severe damage to the liver or cut the femoral artery. My goodness! Even if he was lucky enough not to hit vital organs, how can someone walk away from such injuries as if nothing happened!”
At that moment, the paramedic’s gaze towards Yan Shixun was nothing short of horrified.
Yet, Yan Shixun calmly informed the paramedic that he had administered emergency treatment himself – staunching the bleeding to prevent shock and disinfecting the wounds to prevent infection. He then entrusted the subsequent treatment to the paramedic, as if it were an ordinary occurrence.
Seeing the expression on Ye Li’s face as he stood behind Yan Shixun, it was clear he was deeply displeased.
How many injuries had Yan Shixun endured in those segments of life where Ye Li wasn’t involved?
However, Yan Shixun wasn’t interested in the psychological fluctuations of those around him. Severe physical exhaustion and the extensive use of his powers left him exceptionally fatigued once he relaxed, and he fell asleep as soon as he boarded the plane.
The decision to immediately return to Binhai City and arrange for the entire crew to undergo a full-body examination at the hospital revolved around Yan Shixun.
Having the entire crew go to the hospital for check-ups could be explained as responsible and meticulous, and it also wasn’t too conspicuous, allowing news of Yan Shixun’s injury to be gradually accepted by everyone.
As they disembarked the plane, Yan Shixun began to regain some color in his complexion, no longer resembling the pale figure that had unnerved Zhang Wubing.
Watching An Nanyuan confidently leading the conversation at the forefront, Yan Shixun chuckled softly and remarked to the side, “He’s quite good at this, isn’t he?”
Standing tall beside Yan Shixun, Ye Li seemed to still be concerned that Yan Shixun might collapse due to exhaustion. His smoothly contoured arm hovered around Yan Shixun’s waist, as if he were ready at any moment to catch him.
Upon hearing Yan Shixun’s words, Ye Li’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he turned his head to look at the handsome face beside him. “Do you like this type?”
Yan Shixun raised an eyebrow. “Do I need to add the role of matchmaker to my list of suspicions about you?”
First, he thought he liked Zhang Wubing, and now he thinks he likes An Nanyuan. What’s with him?
“If I were the Matchmaker, I’d definitely take the initiative to tie my own red thread. After all, that’s a recognition of cause and effect acknowledged by the heavens and earth, and I wouldn’t have to figure it out myself,” Ye Li replied with a smile. “But the fact is, the Matchmaker has been dead for a long time.”
Yan Shixun silently noted Ye Li’s words in his mind, adding a mental note: Awareness of the collapse of the laws of heaven and earth may be related to the gods of that time.
…Could it be one of those sects that have a direct connection with the gods, where they communicate directly with them?
While traveling with Li Chengyun, Yan Shixun had seen many accomplished practitioners. They were the so-called “hermit and masters,” whose strength far surpassed the understanding of Taoism in this era, but they rarely revealed themselves and only intervened when necessary.
Among those individuals, many were over a hundred years old, and there were quite a few who maintained their youthful appearance despite their age.
Silent cultivation leads to a long life; practicing self-discipline leads to natural harmony.
Yan Shixun mused, considering it a normal practice. So he assumed that Ye Li was probably one of those people.
However, why would a hermit emerge from seclusion?
Could it be that the matter had finally begun to unfold?
Yan Shixun looked at Ye Li with a subtle hint of inquiry in his eyes.
Ye Li sensed Yan Shixun’s meaning and his gaze softened from its previously cold and dangerous intensity directed towards An Nanyuan. In Ye Li’s view, An Nanyuan now seemed to fade into the background, like a presence with little significance.
An Nanyuan, unaware of what had transpired, suddenly shivered as a chill ran down his spine, causing goosebumps to form all over his body.
It felt as if there was some danger lurking behind him. However, he looked around and saw that Zhang Wubing and the others were all calm and showed no signs of concern.
Could it be the aftermath of the massacre in the village? He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was trying to kill him from behind.
An Nanyuan muttered to himself inwardly but didn’t dwell on it.
“Then may I ask, if the production team didn’t encounter any danger in the village, why was there footage of Yan Shixun covered in blood during the live broadcast?”
A journalist suddenly raised his voice, holding up an enlarged and enhanced photo that clearly showed Yan Shixun’s severely injured appearance.
The crowd erupted into a clamor at the sight.
Zhang Wubing and the others felt a jolt in their hearts, thinking to themselves: Here it comes.
They had been on guard against someone using this question to create trouble.
Although the production team immediately blocked the live broadcast and restricted access when they noticed something was wrong, and even disabled screenshot and screen recording functions, there were still many people watching the show. It couldn’t be ruled out that someone had managed to take photos with other devices at the time.
Due to the official blockade of information, Yan Shixun’s fans were unaware of his severe injury.
Many of Yan Shixun’s fans, although disappointed not to see their idol, knew that he didn’t like excessive attention from fans. He had always encouraged them to focus on their work or studies instead of wasting time on him.
So, the fans, known as “Yan Mais,” patiently waited and even helped maintain order, advising other fans not to get too excited. They simply stood on tiptoe, hoping to catch a glimpse of Yan Shixun.
At that moment, upon hearing the entertainment reporter’s question, Yan Mais immediately became anxious. They set aside their previous patience and clamored to seek an accurate answer from Zhang Wubing and others.
“Director, is our Brother Yan really injured?”
“Xiao Bing! Xiao Bing! Is Brother Yan okay?”
“Brother Nanyuan, is what he said true?”
…
The multitude of voices intertwined, and the eager fans unconsciously surged forward, almost breaking through the human barricade formed by the security personnel holding hands. Zhang Wubing was sweating profusely, finding it difficult to handle the situation.
“Don’t worry, Brother Yan is fine.”
“No, it’s not true. The production team did encounter some minor conflicts with the villagers at the farmstay, but it wasn’t as dangerous as the rumors on the internet. It was just trivial matters. Please wait for the official announcement, where we will explain everything.”
…
As the fans gradually calmed down, the entertainment reporter deliberately raised his voice again, “What did Yan Shixun mean by those words? He said there were ghosts!”
The fans were stunned.
But before they could react, a soft chuckle came from behind the production team.
What should have been insignificant suddenly echoed in everyone’s ears.
The fans seemed to realize something and instinctively quieted down, looking behind the production team.
Like Moses parting the sea, the staff who were just standing behind Zhang Wubing all stepped aside in unison, creating a path down the middle.
Yan Shixun strode forward with long strides, relaxed and casual, as if he were strolling in his own backyard, paying no heed to the entertainment reporter’s questioning.
Zhang Wubing looked back in astonishment at Yan Shixun, then leaned in with concern, lowering his voice, “Brother Yan?”
Yan Shixun casually tousled Zhang Wubing’s neatly arranged hair, then, under the gaze of everyone, walked slowly to the front.
The previously noisy scene was now quiet. Everyone looked at Yan Shixun, waiting for him to say something.
Yan Shixun lifted his chin towards the reporter who looked surprised and asked, “You just said I personally mentioned ghosts?”
The reporter quickly regained his composure, stubbornly lifting his chin and saying, “Yes, I have evidence! I’ve recorded everything you said to a guy during the live broadcast.”
Seeing the reporter’s confident demeanor, some fans who were skeptical about whether the reporter was making things up began to waver, hesitatingly considering that what the reporter said might be true.
After all, there was evidence.
But Yan Shixun didn’t panic as the reporter had anticipated.
He nodded calmly and said, “It seems you have physical evidence, but is it enough? What about eyewitness testimony?”
The reporter felt a surge of excitement, thinking that Yan Shixun was about to confront him. After all, the more he spoke, the more mistakes he could make. Once Yan Shixun said something, he could easily report it as “Yan Shixun losing his temper in public.”
However, the next moment, Yan Shixun’s eyes filled with a mocking smile. With his hands casually in his pockets, he said, “How about I provide you with that eyewitness testimony myself? I say, right now, there’s a ghost crouching on your shoulder.”
With these words, the whole room fell into confusion, everyone looking at Yan Shixun with bewilderment.
The reporter also wore a mocking smile and pretended to be sympathetic, saying, “Yan Shixun, are you admitting defeat when faced with solid evidence? Are you giving up?”
Ignoring any distractions, Yan Shixun even raised his chin and pointed to the reporter’s shoulder, starting to describe, “It’s a woman, around 20 years old, about 160 centimeters tall, with red curly hair, slender figure, wearing a fitted red women’s suit, with extensive scratches on her face, a broken left shoulder, and an iron plate inserted into her chest…”
His description was so detailed and precise, his gaze fixed on the reporter, occasionally furrowing his brows as if he were truly seeing and describing it in real-time. It was so realistic that it made people hesitant to inquire further, and even those who initially didn’t take it seriously began to look at the reporter with a sense of horror.
As Yan Shixun continued his description, the reporter’s expression changed from disdain to horror. Some fans who were more familiar with entertainment industry affairs also began to realize that something was amiss.
“Wait, isn’t that the idol girl group member who died in a car accident last month while being chased by paparazzi?”
“Yes! The red suit matches the stage outfits of the girl group! They just finished work when the accident happened.”
“What does this mean? Is Brother Yan saying that the girl group member has become a ghost standing behind him? Could it be that the paparazzi who caused the accident was him??”
The various skeptical remarks became chaotic, and the crowd around began to look at the reporter with suspicion.
At that moment, the show was just starting, and Yan Shixun was still recording at Gui Mountain, so it was impossible for him to witness the car accident firsthand.
Many of Yan Mai knew very well that he didn’t even have social media accounts and was indifferent to entertainment industry matters. It didn’t seem like he would be aware of the accident, especially considering that the girl group had just debuted, and aside from insiders and fans, few people paid attention to them.
With this realization, Yan Mais began to regard the reporter with even greater hostility. Among An Nanyuan’s fans, some overlapped with the fanbase of that girl group. They looked bewildered and seemed eager to rush up to the reporter and question him aggressively, drowning him in a cacophony of inquiries and protests.
The reporter suddenly felt flustered. He swallowed hard and tried to appear composed. “Yan Shixun, don’t think you can divert the topic! There are no ghosts in this world, don’t talk nonsense!”
But instead of feeling challenged by the reporter’s accusation, Yan Shixun remained calm and nonchalantly nodded. “Oh? So there are no ghosts in the world.”
Yan Shixun chuckled softly, leaning forward slightly. “I see, you seemed quite firm in accusing me just now. I thought you believed in ghosts.”
The reporter was at a loss for words.
Meanwhile, the others around finally realized what had just transpired: indeed, the reporter had accused Yan Shixun of mentioning ghosts earlier, trying to steer the conversation towards the topic of ghosts encountered by the production team!
The reporter noticed the expressions of those around him and attempted to salvage the situation, but the momentum had already been firmly seized by Yan Shixun. The initiative was lost, and he had no chance to recover.
“How could someone take casual jokes as facts? We’re all adults here. My friend, you’d better exercise your own judgment a bit more, or else I might doubt your understanding of things and whether you’re qualified to be a journalist.”
Yan Shixun lazily continued, “You should believe in science, you know? Don’t let people think that the magazine you belong to promotes feudal superstition.”
Yan Mai: Pfft!
With such a heavy accusation leveled against him in public, the reporter, already feeling guilty, found his brain unable to function properly. He didn’t know how to refute it.
Panicking, he glanced around at the surrounding crowd, who were now eyeing him suspiciously, then suddenly turned and… ran away!
When faced with something they can’t handle, the brain’s first command is always to protect itself. People instinctively flee.
Caught off guard by Yan Shixun’s revelation and thrown off balance, the reporter didn’t have time to think and just acted on instinct.
The fans erupted into a commotion, and the expressions of those who liked the idol group turned angry as they watched the reporter’s retreating figure.
“Well, since our friend reporter decided to joke around with me, I thought I’d return the favor. Let’s not take it too seriously,” Yan Shixun raised an eyebrow, casually remarking, “Do you know science?”
Yan Mai: “We know! We really believe in science!”
Yan Shixun nodded in satisfaction and then turned his gaze to the other reporters and media personnel who were still bewildered beside him.
“What about you? Any more questions?”
With a friendly smile on his handsome face, it was hard to believe that just a minute ago, he had completely turned the tide of public opinion against the program group with a few words, leaving the reporter scared and fleeing.
The proverbial nail that sticks out gets hammered down.
Never in their wildest dreams did they expect their colleague to end up in such a situation. The other reporters, who were accustomed to going with the flow, almost instinctively took a step back under Yan Shixun’s gaze. They exchanged glances, each waiting for someone else to speak up first.
“I’m sure many of you saw the photos brought by our friend just now. It’s regrettable, but I’ll take this opportunity to clarify things.”
Yan Shixun raised his hand and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his black shirt, revealing a large expanse of his chest. Then, he rolled up his shirt sleeves, exposing his sleek forearms to everyone’s view.
Yan Mais: “!!!!”
“Oh my god, Brother Yan is undressing!”
Yan Mais were suddenly wide-eyed, forgetting what they had intended to say just now, and instead staring intently at Yan Shixun’s beautifully shaped, slender hands, following his fingers down.
Even those who weren’t fans of Yan Shixun were stunned, never expecting to get such a handsome guy’s “stripping” benefits.
For a moment, the vast scene fell silent, so quiet that you could hear some people swallowing nervously.
But Yan Shixun stopped there, showing no intention to continue.
“What you see is what you get. Now you’ve all seen it for yourselves—I’m not as injured as the pictures suggest.”
He deliberately moved his arm to show that everything was normal. “I was indeed curious about the new environment, so I arranged to meet someone for a stroll in the farmstay. But as you all know, the nights in the village are not like the city, with no illumination. I stumbled and scraped my skin a bit, that’s all, nothing as scary as what’s been circulating online.”
Yan Shixun spoke casually, “If it were as bad as what’s being said online, could I still be standing here?”
Everyone suddenly realized, “Oh! Those clickbait articles are just exaggerating. How could someone with such serious injuries still be moving freely?”
“Yeah, look at him now, there’s no sign of injury on Brother Yan’s body. If it were true, from yesterday till now, it’s only been a few hours. How could he recover so quickly?”
“But…” a timid voice spoke up, “I watched the live broadcast, and there was blood dripping down your clothes, Brother Yan.”
Yan Shixun remained calm. “It was an illusion. The farmstay was surrounded by red leaves, and under the moonlight, it was hard to see clearly. Plus, the equipment from the production team wasn’t great, causing overlapping images and creating the illusion.”
Beside him, Zhang Wubing looked like he was about to burst: I bought the best equipment, the best! Who says my equipment isn’t good… Forget it, he’s my Brother Yan, my buddy! I can’t argue with that.
No matter what questions people around him asked, Yan Shixun responded with ease, quickly steering the conversation back to normal.
Most of those who came to pick him up were either die-hard fans or curious individuals interested in gossip. It was foreseeable that once they returned, they would become a voice on the internet, spreading the answers provided by Yan Shixun and the production team today, shaping public opinion.
As for those entertainment reporters, their gaze towards Yan Shixun was tinged with fear.
Within the industry, they each had their own sources of information. They probably knew which faction was responsible for the accident months ago and had obtained photos from the scene of the accident. But they never expected Yan Shixun to describe the appearance of the idol who died in the accident with such precision.
They couldn’t believe Yan Shixun was joking!
Although they couldn’t openly admit it, people in the entertainment industry tended to believe in such things to some extent, and many celebrities privately worshipped spirits to improve their luck. As reporters who often interacted with these celebrities, they were naturally aware of this.
At this moment, Yan Shixun was no longer seen as just a “rising popular amateur” in their eyes but had transformed into a “real master who understands the world of yin and yang,” possibly even with a label attached — “do not provoke easily.”
So, in this favorable situation, Yan Shixun quickly put an end to most of the controversy about spirits and gods in the public opinion. After subtly and calmly taking control of the situation, he guided the discourse towards the direction previously discussed with the production team and the official public opinion group. Then, having achieved his goal, he gracefully stepped back, leaving the remaining matters to Zhang Wubing, and quietly withdrew.
Except for a few members of the production team, all the other guests left the airport and headed to the hospital they had previously booked.
Yan Shixuan raised his hand again to tidy his shirt.
He had just made a clever move, ensuring that when his shirt was unbuttoned, it revealed the parts of him that were uninjured. The bandages covering his shoulder, collarbone, and even his abdomen were carefully concealed underneath.
However, due to his recent movements, the wound on his shoulder had reopened slightly, and a few drops of blood seeped through the pristine bandages.
Seeing Yan Shixuan’s vanished smile, An Nanyuan became nervous. “Brother Yan, should I call a doctor?”
While others may not have known, the guests were well aware that Yan Shixun had indeed suffered serious injuries. An Nanyuan, who had never experienced such injuries before, couldn’t help but feel a shiver down his spine just thinking about the bloody scene he had witnessed earlier. It was as if he could feel the pain himself.
Yan Shixun’s expression carried a hint of fatigue, but he moved gracefully, giving no indication that his thigh was also injured, with a hole torn in it.
“No need, we’ll be at the hospital soon.”
“But, what about infections? I’ve seen it on American dramas,” An Nanyuan fretted, following Yan Shixun closely, attempting to reach out and support him. “Seriously, in the medical drama I watched, a patient died like that.”
Yan Shixun: “…”
This guy sure knows how to talk.
Yan Shixun was speechless: “Watch fewer medical dramas with complicated diseases.”
Ye Li had long been displeased with An Nanyuan, but out of consideration for Yan Shixun, he had refrained from acting. Now, seeing that Yan Shixun clearly didn’t want to continue talking to An Nanyuan, he immediately took a couple of steps forward, creating some distance between them.
His icy gaze glanced indifferently at An Nanyuan, as if saying—come closer and try me.
An Nanyuan shivered instinctively, feeling a hint of fear.
Ye Li walked beside Yan Shixun, lifting his hand and brushing it over his shoulder. “You’re good at this too.”
Yan Shixun felt a cool sensation as Ye Li’s hand passed over the wound on his shoulder. When he glanced sideways, he noticed that the bloodstains on the bandage hadn’t spread any further.
It seems like the bleeding has stopped.
The effectiveness of this talisman…
Yan Shixuan raised an eyebrow, mentally noting its success, but verbally said, “Dealing with public opinion? Not exactly. I used to wander around the streets a lot, often facing curious neighbors interested in ghosts and spirits. I’ve just gotten used to handling it.”
“But do you also consider this an advantage?” Yan Shixun’s gaze briefly flickered towards An Nanyuan behind him, showing approval. “Zhang Dabing could consider learning from him.”
“No,” Ye Li didn’t conceal his attitude. “I only think that your mastery of the situation is dazzling.”
As for An Nanyuan beside them, he was nothing more than a named bystander.
An Nanyuan: “Achoo!”
When getting into the car, Ye Li held onto the door and stood in front of Yan Shixun.
“You just mentioned inviting someone for a walk. At that time, it was just you and me.”
Ye Li’s eyes were full of amusement. “I’ve heard that there’s a subtle way to express affection, like taking a moonlit walk and saying ‘The moonlight tonight is beautiful.’ Do you think so too, Shixun?”
Yan Shixun: … The people around me are all weird.
“When did our relationship get so good that we can address each other with nicknames?” Yan Shixun bypassed Ye Li, heading straight into the car. “And, watch fewer TV dramas. Did An Nanyuan influence you?”
“Huh?”
An Nanyuan, who was called out, turned his head in confusion.
Yan Shixuan: “Not you, go to sleep.”
Most of the guests, who were severely sleep-deprived, took advantage of the journey to Binhai City Hospital to catch up on their rest.
But Yan Shixun didn’t text back. Instead, he messaged Song Ci: “[Was the idol group involved in the accident from your company?]”
Young Master Song Ci wasn’t feeling sleepy. He was busy replying to messages from his family when he received the first message from Yan Shixun after some persuasion.
Initially, he believed Yan Shixun’s explanation, thinking it was just a spontaneous fabrication. But now, it seemed otherwise!
As soon as the topic of ghosts and spirits came up, Young Master Song Ci immediately became excited.
Glancing back at Yan Shixuan sitting in the back of the business car, he replied: “[So, was it really done by that person?]”
Yan Shixuan: “[I’ve heard about the scope of your family’s business from Xiao Bing. You should be able to handle it, right?]”
Song Ci was rarely entrusted with important tasks by anyone; they all treated him like a child. However, seeing Yan Shixun’s tone of handing over the matter to him, he suddenly felt a surge of pride, eager to rush to the back seat and confidently make a promise to Yan Shixun.
But Ye Li, emanating coldness like an icebox, made Song Ci shrink back and refrain from acting.
Nevertheless, Song Ci immediately shared this matter with his family, expressing sternly that he would definitely pursue it to the end.
This was Brother Yan’s trust in him, and he couldn’t afford to be underestimated. He was determined to do better than Zhang Wubing!
Zhang Wubing was oblivious to being inexplicably compared to himself.
As for Song Ci’s elder brother: “??”
Why did this little brother suddenly change his demeanor today?
Yan Shixun chuckled lightly and pretended to doze off after putting away his phone.
With a deep, magnetic voice, Ye Li chuckled, “Feeling good?”
Yan Shixun made a soft “Hmm” in response without opening his eyes. “It’s alright. Just delegate the matter to the appropriate person.”
“Next time, you can try handing it over to me,” Ye Li whispered softly in his ear. “I’m your designated person.”
Being overwhelmed by the weariness and drowsiness he had been forcibly suppressing with sheer willpower, Yan Shixun didn’t dwell much on Ye Li’s words. He simply mumbled with sleepiness, “We’ll talk about it next time.”
As the dimly lit vehicle’s curtain was drawn shut, they quickly fell into a peaceful slumber.
Ye Li lowered his gaze, watching Yan Shixun as he sank into a deep sleep. His eyes carried a warmth that Yan Shixun wasn’t even aware of, gently tracing the contours of Yan Shixun’s handsome and serene sleeping face.
In his mind, however, there involuntarily emerged the scene of Yan Shixun elegantly unbuttoning his shirt to prove that he was uninjured.
Underneath the black shirt lay smoothly defined chest muscles, not fair but a honey-colored tone imbued with strength and beauty. It prompted involuntary thoughts of imagining how wild and sexy it would be if droplets of sweat were to form and linger on those muscles, yet to fall.
Yan Shixun’s forearm also slid gracefully along the sleeve cuff, forming an attractive curve, enticing one to reach out and touch, curious about the smooth and warm sensation it might offer, especially against the backdrop of the black shirt.
No one would mistake Yan Shixun’s gender because of his handsome appearance. He resembled a top hunter constrained by a suit, basking lazily in the sun but radiating a sharpness that deterred anyone from approaching recklessly.
Until his shirt was unbuttoned, that untamed and sharp beauty of strength was finally laid bare before everyone.
… Like a large feline.
He wondered if his hair felt as soft as feline fur. Would it elicit the same comfortable purring sound as one stroked along the contours of his ear, like a feline’s?
Ye Li’s mind was shaken by his own imagination, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he looked at Yan Shixun with eyes so intense that even in his slumber, he became alert, as if sensing danger.
Yet, Ye Li suddenly felt the air around him become oppressively hot.
Whether it was because the car’s air conditioning was set too high or because he himself was unused to the warmth of human contact. Or… for some other reason he couldn’t quite grasp.
However, after gazing at Yan Shixun’s sleeping face for a long time and confirming that he was deeply asleep and unlikely to wake up easily, Ye Li slowly extended his palm towards Yan Shixun’s face.
His expression was serious, his naturally stern features becoming even more dignified, as if he were about to do something extremely important, cautious to the point of having no room for error.
Yan Shixun’s long eyelashes drooped, dark circles evident from staying up late.
In this close gaze, Ye Li noticed for the first time the length of Yan Shixun’s eyelashes, thick and beautiful, like the feathers of a raven.
He felt as if he had finally found the reason why Yan Shixun’s gaze, every time he looked at him, made his heart skip a beat.
It must be because Yan Shixun’s eyelashes captivated his attention. A formidable exorcist capable of vanquishing spirits, yet possessing such attractive lashes and eyes…
Yao Li felt a tingling sensation in his fingers, wanting to try the feeling of Yan Shixun’s eyelashes brushing against his fingertips.
But his hand paused in midair, hesitating for a moment. Eventually, it gently descended towards Yan Shixun’s ear, softly tucking his disheveled hair behind it.
The smooth, slightly cool strands of hair slid through Ye Li’s slender fingers, bringing a comforting itch, like a touch on the heart.
Ye Li, rarely, had a somewhat absent-minded look in his eyes.
Meanwhile, because Yan Shixun was deeply asleep, the relaxation of his muscles weakened his control over his body, and his head began to slide towards the window beside him.
With quick reflexes, Ye Li reached out and cradled Yan Shixun’s head in his palm, their skin touching, bringing a sensation of warmth and smoothness.
In that moment, he even softened his breathing, not wanting to wake Yan Shixun.
Then, he gently lifted Yan Shixun’s cheek, redirecting him from leaning towards the car window to leaning into his own embrace.
There was a warm weight against his sturdy chest.
Yan Shixun, still deep in sleep, didn’t react. He subconsciously nuzzled the side of his face against the comfortable spot.
His cheek lay perfectly against Ye Li’s chest, right above Yao Li’s heartbeat.
Ye Li’s heartbeat steadied instantly, fearing to wake the person in his arms.
He held Yan Shixun gently, adjusting him to a position that wouldn’t press against the wounds on his waist and abdomen. Then, he calmly looked ahead as if having someone in his arms made no difference to him whatsoever.
But the hint of a smile at the corner of his lips betrayed him.
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