Chapter 86: Do You Like Me?
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
The moon was bright, and the dew glistened like silver. The wilderness was clear and open. The campfire cast a warm glow, creating an atmosphere of elegance and nobility. The new recruits lowered their heads to enjoy food and drink, while they raised their heads to converse under the moonlight, forming a unique scene in the Liangzhou Garrison.
Occasional sparks flew with the autumn breeze, making people worried if they might catch their clothes on fire. However, those sparks quickly turned into embers, accompanied by quiet sobs.
Sobbing, Xiao Mai said, “I’ve forgotten what my parents looked like…”
“I have it worse,” Wang Ba stated expressionlessly, “I was born without ever seeing my parents.”
He Yan:“……” She raised her hand and took a big sip of alcohol, trying to calm herself down.
Originally, it was meant to comfort her, but now it had turned into a comparison of who had it worse. While the other new recruits were enjoying themselves with laughter, it was a gloomy scene for their group.
Watching Xiao Mai and Wang Ba sobbing while holding their heads, and seeing Jiang Jiao, the young master of the Jiang family, drinking alone with red eyes, He Yan had no words. She didn’t even know who was comforting whom.
Huang Xiong gave her a glance and said, “Little Brother He, my friend, you can handle your liquor pretty well, huh?”
He Yan was taken aback, looking at herself. Unknowingly, she had already finished her third bowl. She didn’t know how well the original Miss He could handle alcohol, but the delicate Miss He would probably never have touched such a strong, pungent liquor from a chipped bowl. Yet, as for the previous Flying Phoenix General, this was very familiar.
When it was cold, when she felt fear, when her mood was troubled, when she was hungry, as long as there was alcohol on hand, it could temporarily fend off difficult times. Alcohol could dispel the cold, strengthen one’s resolve, fill an empty stomach, and drown sorrows.
During her time in Shuo Jing, she abstained from alcohol to avoid revealing her identity and feared that she might inadvertently reveal her secret. But within the Fuyue Army, in Mo County, she had gradually developed the habit of drinking. She had even developed a considerable tolerance, out-drinking all the young soldiers in the camp. Sometimes, celebrating victories, she would be the last one sober at the banquet.
This was probably what they referred to as “Dugu Qiubai*.”
* character reference
What surprised her was Shitou. She had thought that Shitou, who had grown up in the mountains, looking sturdy and robust, would have a good tolerance for alcohol. However, after only half a cup, he fell back, sound asleep. He was drunk?
The remaining half cup was taken by his younger brother, Xiao Mai, who accompanied Wang Ba in toasting, “Who would have thought that we, as people who have fallen to the ends of the earth, would become one family. From now on, we’re all in this together.” After saying that, he emptied the cup and, like his older brother, laid down flat on his back, drunk.
He Yan: “…They really are true brothers.”
Without his drinking buddy, Wang Ba went to put his arm around Jiang Jiao’s shoulder, handing him a skewer of roasted rabbit meat. “Don’t just drink in silence. Come on, eat some meat. If your fiancée didn’t choose you, it means you weren’t fated to be together,” he offered, speaking words of wisdom for the first time. “In life, we encounter reunions and farewells due to fate. There’s no need to force things.”
Jiang Jiao accepted the rabbit meat but continued to drink in silence. Seeing this, Huang Xiong smiled and looked up at the moon, muttering to himself, “I miss my family.”
From the basket of snacks that Cheng Lisu had given her, He Yan took out a mooncake. The mooncake was small and shaped like a diamond with the words “Beautiful Flowers and Full Moon” written on it in red. She took a bite, savoring the sweetness of sesame and peach kernels.
“If they were still alive, I probably wouldn’t be here,” Huang Xiong said, “I miss the delicious meals my mother used to cook. I want to eat her cooking.”
He Yan chewed on the mooncake in silence. Huang Xiong then asked, “What about you?” He turned his head and looked at her. “In the past, how did you usually spend this time?”
The past Mid-Autumn Festival? He Yan was a bit dazed.
Before she joined the military, during the Mid-Autumn Festival at the He residence, she should have celebrated with others. However, due to her special status, she was constantly being watched, never truly at ease. She actually liked the lively atmosphere of the moon-viewing festivities, but due to her mask, she couldn’t easily join in. She was a rather awkward presence in the He household. While she was rightfully a legitimate heir in terms of bloodline, she didn’t belong to the main branch or the secondary branch.
During the three years of service in Moxian, at the beginning, she spent every day on edge, unsure if she would die on the battlefield at any moment. The Mid-Autumn Festival and reunions were not even a consideration.
Later on, when she returned to the capital and married into the Xu family, it was around this time last year, she had already lost her sight.
With her heart full of expectations for a beautiful and harmonious life with her beloved, she had instead plunged into darkness. At that time, she believed she couldn’t escape it, that her life would be like this forever. On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, she pleaded with Xu Zhiheng to take her up the mountain to pay respects to the Buddha, hoping for the deity’s blessing to restore her sight. Xu Zhiheng agreed.
In truth, on that day, she didn’t actually intend to seek the Buddha’s blessing.
A sudden pain on her tongue made her accidentally bite it. The sweet taste was instantly overridden by the sharp pain. He Yan snapped back to reality, avoiding Huang Xiong’s gaze, and casually said, “Just like this, similar to the present.”
“I see you as a reflection of myself back then,” Huang Xiong took a sip of his alcohol and said, “You’re like the me of the past.”
He Yan smiled faintly, “Older brother, my family is doing well.” In fact, they were doing even better than most people.
“But you’re not content.” She heard Huang Xiong’s voice and turned to look at him. On the bald giant’s face, there was a sense of wisdom and weariness that came with middle age. He touched his Buddhist beads and said, “You have unfinished vengeance, a discontented heart. This is why you’re constantly tormented, trapping yourself.”
He Yan felt a stirring in her heart but remained silent.
“I don’t know what your grudge is,” he gazed at the moon, “but sometimes, your gaze resembles mine from back then.”
He Yan felt a bit dazed. Did she? She had always thought she concealed her emotions well.
“One day, it will get better.” The big man lowered his head, patting her shoulder. “You have to believe in that.”
He Yan didn’t say anything and quietly lifted her alcohol cup to drink. Huang Xiong fell silent, engrossed in eating and drinking. Wang Ba also showed signs of being tipsy, supporting his head and sitting there with a silly grin. As for Jiang Jiao, he buried his head in his knees, whether crying or asleep, it was unclear.
…
The instructors were gathered together as well, eating and drinking by the campfire. After days of arduous training, they could finally see some progress in these new recruits. They all seemed much more at ease now. Cheng Lisu was also mingling among them. As a young master from the capital, he had never experienced this novel form of entertainment. Even the rabbit leg seasoned with coarse salt tasted exceptionally delicious to him. Originally, he had wanted to find He Yan and strike up a conversation. However, after just a sip of alcohol, his legs turned weak, and he couldn’t walk. He plopped back down.
The instructors laughed good-naturedly. One of them said, “Young Master Cheng, you really need to improve your drinking capacity. With such a weak tolerance, you won’t make a proper member of our Liangzhou Garrison!”
“I’m not even part of your Liangzhou Garrison,” Cheng Lisu grumbled, “I just came here to have some fun.”
This child had a knack for speaking with self-assured authority about his “incapabilities.” If he were an instructor’s own offspring, he would have been picked up and beaten ten times over by now. But this person was Xiao Jue’s nephew, so everyone said, “Young Master Cheng is carefree!” “Excessive drinking is bad for you. My wife won’t let me drink either! Learn from Young Master Cheng!”
“By the way, Young Master Cheng,” Liang Ping asked him, “is the Commander not joining us for the festivities?”
“Uncle doesn’t like noisy places,” Cheng Lisu replied, “so he definitely won’t come.”
Many people felt a bit regretful. Some thought that Xiao Jue was too distant. After all, it was Mid-Autumn Festival, and for a commander to not celebrate with his subordinates seemed quite arrogant and aloof.
But there were also those who didn’t mind. Ma Damei grinned, “Should we send some alcohol and food to the Commander? It’s a big holiday. He must be feeling lonely.”
“No need,” Cheng Lisu said, “My uncle won’t drink such low-quality alcohol.”
Everyone: “…”
Well, that was the Second Young Master from the Xiao family in Shuo Jing. He wouldn’t compromise on the quality of his drinks.
Du Mao asked curiously, “Young Master Cheng, do you know how the Commander’s drinking capacity compares? I’ve heard that the Flying Phoenix General can down a thousand cups without getting drunk. So, compared to Flying Phoenix General, is the Commander better or worse?”
The instructors immediately turned their eager gazes towards Cheng Lisu. Any conversation comparing the greatness of Flying Phoenix General and General Fengyun was always intriguing. People compared everything from swordsmanship to drinking capacity, height, and temperament. Unfortunately, these two individuals had never appeared together except during their school days, and they had never personally competed. Furthermore, Flying Phoenix General had always worn a mask, making it a mystery as to who would ultimately emerge victorious.
“Of course, it’s my uncle,” Cheng Lisu replied without hesitation, “I’ve grown up this much and have never seen my uncle drunk.”
In truth, Cheng Lisu had never seen Xiao Jue drink at all. Of course, he couldn’t say such a thing in front of the instructors. Regardless of how formidable Flying Phoenix General was, he couldn’t be more powerful than his uncle.
“Alright, enough of that gossip.” Shen Han waved his hand, “Let’s drink. Why are you complaining like old wives? Young Master Cheng, come, let me toast you… Young Master Cheng?”
Cheng Lisu’s cheeks were flushed; he was already drunk.
…
That night, the green curtains blocked the bright moon, and the silhouette of a person plucked the strings of a zither in solitude. The autumn sounds were tranquil, accompanied by the soothing melody of the music.
The moon rose over the magnolia tree, elegant as bone, as if carrying a beloved in one’s heart, as precious as jade. On a wall hung a longsword as white as frost and snow, while a young man draped in outer robes, with a handsome and serene countenance, stood there with his hands caressing the strings of a zither. His emotions flowed through the melodious music, enchanting those who listened.
He was playing “Flowing Light” on the zither.
The zither music echoed, akin to pearls and jade falling on a plate. On this Mid-Autumn night, a time meant for reunions, even though the instructors and new recruits of the Liangzhou Garrison were separated by thousands of miles from their families, they still gathered happily, singing and feasting. Yet, his solitude was just as pleasing. He seemed unaware of his surroundings, fully absorbed in playing the strings. His dark hair cascaded over his shoulders, tinted with a touch of coolness by the moonlight.
From spring to autumn, from heat to cold, it all seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
The moonlight seemed even colder and lonelier amidst his zither music. The night sky was as clear as water, and the music seemed to drift endlessly through the vast expanse, enough to bring tears to the eyes of those who listened.
Suddenly, something struck the courtyard, emitting a crisp sound that interrupted the lonely zither music. Xiao Jue paused in his movements, lifted his head, and through the window, he could see something being thrown into the courtyard from outside the wall.
He hesitated for a moment, then stood up and pushed the door open. Just then, another object came crashing in, landing right beside him. He bent down to pick it up and discovered it was a stone.
Fei Nu emerged from behind him, whispering, “Young Master, outside…”
Xiao Jue opened the courtyard door.
Standing outside was a young man in red robes, holding a small jug of alcohol. The alcohol stopper had been removed, and the fragrance was rich. It was the Eighteen Immortals alcohol.
He was quite generous, offering just this small jug of alcohol. Most people would hoard such a thing for a long time before daring to take even a small sip. Judging from his appearance, he had probably already consumed a fair amount.
This person was He Yan.
Xiao Jue looked at her indifferently. He Yan widened her eyes, seemingly just now taking a clear look at his face, and said, “Xiao Jue?”
Fei Nu couldn’t help but cast a glance at He Yan from behind. He had actually directly addressed the young master by name—so bold.
“What are you doing here?” Xiao Jue asked.
“After thinking it over, again and again,” the youth, who didn’t know how much he had drunk, emitted a strong aroma of alcohol. His expression, however, remained unchanged, showing no signs of inebriation. It was hard to tell whether he was drunk or not. He said, “You chose Lei Hou for the Vanguard Camp. I’m not convinced. So, Xiao Jue,” he curled his lips, “let’s have a fight!”
Before he could finish his sentence, he lunged straight at Xiao Jue!
Fei Nu, standing to the side, was about to step forward but heard Xiao Jue command, “Don’t move.” Consequently, he didn’t dare to make a move.
The youth lunged forward, fists raised toward Xiao Jue. Xiao Jue sidestepped to avoid him, knitting his brows as he watched.
He Yan didn’t have any weapons; she came with her bare hands. If she was supposed to be an assassin, this was really a rather foolish move. However, her speech was coherent, her gaze clear; it didn’t seem like she was acting recklessly due to drunkenness. Xiao Jue just calmly observed her, wondering what she was trying to accomplish. When her first strike missed, she turned around and launched another.
The youth was agile, genuinely eager to engage in a fight. Unfortunately, his methods were clumsy and crude. At first glance, it seemed like students from a scholarly institution having a brawl, simply exchanging blows without considering accuracy.
Xiao Jue sidestepped again to evade her attacks. After two consecutive unsuccessful sneak attacks, He Yan muttered in self-doubt, “Since when did my skills become so bad?”
Fei Nu, watching from the side: “…”
Did this youth actually think he could beat Second Young Master Xiao? It was already known that He Yan of the Liangzhou Garrison had an inflated ego and was arrogant. Seeing him now, that seemed to be true. The young master really had a good temper; he didn’t immediately throw this loud-mouthed little guy out the door.
She tried and failed repeatedly, showing no signs of discouragement. She immediately came at him again. This time, too, Xiao Jue managed to dodge her. Just as he was about to say something, a dark object hurtled toward him from behind. He frowned and without hesitation, drew his sword, Drinking Autumn, and swung it sideways.
“Crash!” The object shattered upon impact. Xiao Jue took a few steps back, avoiding the splinters. However, He Yan, who was following the object, couldn’t dodge in time and ended up drenched from head to toe.
With the full moon shining and a gentle breeze, the scent of osmanthus in the air mingled with the aroma of alcohol. Fragments of the Eighteen Immortals’ alcohol vessels laid on the ground, each exuding a pure and rich aroma. The youth’s clothing was scented, and he scrunched his brows.
She seemed to be jolted awake by the shattered alcohol jug littering the ground. She looked at Xiao Jue, took a step forward, and appeared like a young woman whose hairpin had been broken amidst a flower market commotion. She said, “You broke it. You owe me!”
Fei Nu couldn’t help but glance at He Yan and felt that this youth had truly been drinking. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be speaking so brazenly, confidently making a fuss. He whispered to Xiao Jue, “Young Master, should I take him away?”
Xiao Jue raised his hand to stop him and shook his head gently.
The master and servant of many years could read each other’s thoughts with a single look. Fei Nu understood immediately that Xiao Jue hadn’t thrown He Yan out immediately because he was testing him. This youth’s identity was suspicious, and he was riddled with question marks. If he could glean some information from him while he was intoxicated, it would save a lot of effort. But if he pretended to be drunk and did something else tonight, then his intentions were malicious, unforgivable.
Fei Nu concealed himself in the trees and remained silent.
Xiao Jue turned and walked back into the room, speaking as he walked, “Why should I compensate you?”
Hearing this, the youth dashed into Xiao Jue’s room. He ran quite fast, stumbled slightly in his haste, and managed to block Xiao Jue’s path, saying, “Do you know who I am?”
Xiao Jue chuckled, his gaze cold, “Who are you?”
He Yan slapped his thigh, “A real man stands by his name, I am He Yan! The best in the Liangzhou Garrison!”
“The best in the Liangzhou Garrison?” Xiao Jue looked at her with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, “Who told you that?”
“Do I need someone to tell me?” The youth, seemingly drunk, spoke astonishingly naturally, “I know in my heart.”
Xiao Jue stepped around him, set down his sword, and poured himself some tea from the pot on the table. Just as he took a step, the young man, like a puppy, stuck to him again, blocking his way and asking, “Tell me, am I short?”
Did this guy get drunk and suddenly like to compare heights with others? Xiao Jue glanced at the tuft of hair that had reached his chest and nodded, “Short.”
He Yan exclaimed, “I’m not short!”
Xiao Jue: “…”
He Yan continued, “Am I dumb?”
Xiao Jue stopped pouring tea and stared at him. Slowly, he said, “Dumb.”
He Yan: “I’m not dumb!”
Xiao Jue suddenly regretted not immediately throwing He Yan out of the courtyard. Instead, he came here and walked into this trap of his words. Besides listening to his nonsensical talk, it seemed he hadn’t gained any useful information. Either He Yan was too foolish, or this person was incredibly shrewd and gave nothing away.
“What else do you want to praise about yourself?” He lowered his eyes and casually spoke.
He Yan: “I’m tall, majestic, fierce, invincible, handsome, extraordinary, and my righteousness soars as high as the sky. A person of great virtue and lofty ideals like me, why, why doesn’t anyone like me? Do you know how hard I try every day?”
Xiao Jue: “…”
“Because of you, I’m not happy on this Mid-Autumn night. Let me ask you,” she took a step forward, closing the distance between them, looked up at him, and asked earnestly, “Do you like me?”
Xiao Jue took a step back, creating distance between them. He brushed his sleeve, which she had pulled out of shape, and looked at her, calm as if he had encountered a plague. He answered, “I’m not interested in men.”
“I’m not either.” He Yan mumbled something and suddenly lifted her head, her expression filled with sadness and anger. She questioned loudly, “Then why do you like Lei Hou and not me? Apart from being slightly taller, what does he have that I don’t? In terms of appearance, skills, or even our past relationship, Xiao Jue, you’ve gone too far, and you have no taste! I’m very disappointed!”
At this moment, Shen Han, who was walking outside intending to give some roasted rabbit meat to Xiao Jue, covered his mouth in astonishment. Just now, he seemed to have heard an incredible secret.
Inside the room, the young man in a moon-white inner robe stared wordlessly at the person before him. The youth looked up at him, eyes sparkling, devoid of fear or hesitation in his voice, candidly making one wonder what was going on inside his head.
What does he mean by “our past relationship”? He had merely provided her with a wound-healing medicine once, and it became a past relationship. This person was too presumptuous.
“But it doesn’t matter,” the youth suddenly lifted the corner of his mouth, smiling slyly. He whispered, “You selected Lei Hou for the Vanguard Camp. I’ll practice with Lei Hou every day. Losing ten times in ten practice sessions. Everyone in the Liangzhou Garrison will know that you, Xiao Jue, are blind and have a poor taste in people. Let’s see how you handle that.”
Xiao Jue: “…”
After saying these words, He Yan hiccupped from the alcohol, swayed, and collapsed onto the soft couch of Xiao Jue’s. As she fell, half of her body landed on the laid-out Evening Fragrance zither, pressing the strings and producing a jarring clanging sound. With a loud “clang,” the zither fell to the ground.
Xiao Jue stood in the middle of the room, a faint twitch in his brow. He felt that today’s idea of extracting information from her while she was drunk was truly a terrible one.
A glance towards the door revealed another figure hesitating outside. His tone turned cold, “Not coming in, what are you doing outside?”
Shen Han was taken aback and hesitated before coming inside. Just now, he had heard a secret at the door and was seen by Fei Nu when he entered the courtyard. Right now, Commander Xiao’s mood wasn’t great, and he shouldn’t be played with.
“From outside, I brought some freshly roasted rabbit meat, thinking Commander might not have had dinner yet, so I brought it here specially.” Shen Han placed the rabbit meat wrapped in oiled paper on the table. “Please enjoy, Commander. I’ll take my leave.”
“Hold on.” Xiao Jue spoke displeased, “Can’t you see such a big person here?”
He gestured for Shen Han to look at He Yan. Shen Han took a look, and a thought crossed his mind. He realized that He Yan’s words were heavily tied to Xiao Jue, and now he saw this youth sleeping so casually on Xiao Jue’s soft couch—it was Xiao Jue’s soft couch! In the Liangzhou Garrison, there was probably only one person bold enough to do this.
Their relationship was truly extraordinary!
Xiao Jue walked over to the couch, lifted He Yan by the back of her collar, and dropped her in front of Shen Han, saying, “Take your person away.”
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.” Shen Han said.
Xiao Jue: “What?”
Shen Han quickly explained, “What I mean is, all the new recruits of the Liangzhou Garrison are under Commander’s command. How could I say they’re my people? They are Commander’s people.”
Xiao Jue chuckled, “Shen Han, you’re quite talkative today.”
“Understood,” Shen Han stiffened, “I’ll take him away!” Just as he was turning to leave, he seemed to remember something and asked, “Where do you think, Commander, I should take this young man?”
Xiao Jue looked at him calmly, “How about sending him back to your house?”
“No, no need!” Shen Han’s scalp tingled, and he said, “He Yan… just send him back to his original room!”
After Shen Han left, Fei Nu walked into the room.
Xiao Jue had already picked up the fallen Evening Fragrance zither from the ground. Under He Yan’s pressure, a string had snapped. He gazed at the broken string and couldn’t help but pinch his brow.
“Master,” Fei Nu looked towards the direction Shen Han had left, “Instructor Shen was acting strange today.”
“He’s often strange.” Xiao Jue answered.
“Master, do you think He Yan was really drunk tonight?”
Xiao Jue put the zither back in its place. The tea in the teacup that He Yan had intended to drink had already cooled. He poured out the cold tea, filled the cup again, and took a shallow sip, saying, “I’m not sure.”
He wasn’t sure if He Yan was drunk because a sober person normally wouldn’t talk like he did. However, based on his gait, words, and expression, there was no hint of incoherence. Most importantly, apart from collapsing on the couch and breaking a zither string, he hadn’t done anything tonight, including revealing which side he was from.
This was baffling.
“It seems like he has some objections to Lei Hou being allowed into the Vanguard Camp,” Fei Nu said, “He seems to want to join the Vanguard Camp.”
Xiao Jue scoffed, “More than the Vanguard Camp, she seems to have set her sights on my Nine Banner Battalion.”
“Then…” Fei Nu asked, “Should we send her to the Vanguard Camp and then make a plan?”
“No need,” Xiao Jue said, “I have other arrangements.”
Fei Nu fell silent, and Xiao Jue thought about what He Yan had said earlier about wanting to spar with Lei Hou every day to prove his poor judgment. This ruffian behavior seemed to come effortlessly to He Yan.
Looking around at the mess in the room and the debris scattered everywhere in the courtyard, Xiao Jue contemplated the broken zither strings. He realized that he needed to find some free time to go into Liangzhou City and ask a master to repair the zither. He Yan had the audacity to say, “Because of you, I’m unhappy this Mid-Autumn Festival.” It was truly unreasonable.
Standing in the room, the youth was as elegant as jade and as upright as a tall pine. After a moment, he sneered, “Crazy.”
…
Outside, Shen Han, who was carrying He Yan, was also not in a good mood.
Onlookers were surprised as they looked at Shen Han. They asked, “He Yan is drunk. Why is the Head Instructor carrying her?”
Shen Han didn’t say a word and maintained a serious expression. If he hadn’t accidentally stumbled upon He Yan and Xiao Jue’s relationship, Shen Han would’ve just sent a person to bring He Yan back. However, now that he knew the depth of their connection, Shen Han didn’t dare to neglect his duty.
He Yan had just said that she had “past relationship” with Xiao Jue! It seemed they had known each other from before. So why did Commander pretend not to recognize He Yan and secretly investigate her identity? Could it be that they were once close but some unexpected changes occurred along the way, leading to their current situation?
No wonder everyone in Da Wei knew that Commander Xiao was uninterested in women. With his appearance and being one of the bravest and most outstanding, countless women threw themselves at him, but he wasn’t moved at all. So… he didn’t have such inclinations in the first place!
When He Yan was at Xiao Jue’s door and said, “Why do you like Lei Hou but not me,” her tone was heart-wrenching, enough to bring tears to anyone’s eyes. Unfortunately, Commander’s heart was as hard as iron, completely unaffected. Shen Han’s thoughts wandered, and the more nervous he got, the more strange stories he conjured up.
For example, He Yan and Xiao Jue indeed knew each other from before and had a good relationship for a while. However, Xiao Jue later discovered He Yan’s unusual identity and cut ties with her, keeping his distance. Young and unwilling, He Yan joined the military camp and sought Xiao Jue for an explanation. Even through rigorous training, she aimed to join the Vanguard Camp and gain Xiao Jue’s recognition.
He Yan’s efforts had been quite commendable, but unfortunately, Xiao Jue, in order to avoid suspicion, had chosen Lei Hou’s name. Heartbroken and pained, He Yan couldn’t hold back her emotions after consuming alcohol, and she sought Xiao Jue for an explanation.
Commander Xiao, as firm as iron, had decisively refused her. Yet, perhaps due to the lingering traces of their past, he had allowed He Yan to sleep on his soft couch.
Very good, Shen Han applauded himself mentally. It was perfectly logical and likely just as he thought—nine out of ten.
——Side Note——
Uncle: Heterosexual male, do not “cue”
Shen Han: Drinking strong alcohol and standing in the wildest “c”
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
