The Daily Life of a Depressed Salted Fish Chapter 78

Jiang Wu indeed had never initiated.

Since he began living as a human, many things had been forced upon him.

None of them were truly what he wanted.

Yin Wuzhi still bore injuries on his face, with bloodstains at the corner of his mouth and eyes.

Because they were so close, Jiang Wu could clearly see the cuts on Yin Wuzhi’s face. “Is it that hard to kiss me of your own accord?”

It wasn’t hard.

But Jiang Wu didn’t know if it was something he wanted.

“Kiss me, Jiang Wu, kiss me once.”

Yin Wuzhi’s pale lips moved in front of him. Yin Wuzhi tightened his grip on Jiang Wu’s waist and cradled the back of his head. His breath fell on Jiang Wu’s face, his voice growing hoarse. “Kiss me, Jiang Wu. You’re going to die anyway. What harm is there in satisfying me?”

His eyes were filled with desperation, “I like you so much, I’ve treated you so well, and you can’t even…”

His thick eyelashes drooped, and Jiang Wu raised his chin slightly.

Their lips met.

The wind stirred outside the tree hollow, leaves in the forest rustled, and the occasional sound of small animals scurrying through the underbrush echoed.

Yin Wuzhi’s eyes, misty with tears, trembled for a few moments before he suddenly pulled Jiang Wu closer and deepened the kiss.

The decaying leaves inside the hollow invaded their senses.

Yet, Yin Wuzhi’s lips tasted of fresh, sweet fruit.

No one had asked him to, but Jiang Wu slowly raised his hand and gently wrapped it around Yin Wuzhi’s back.

Yin Wuzhi’s scorching kiss fell on the small mole on Jiang Wu’s shoulder. He then shifted to kiss his earlobe, before restraining himself and holding Jiang Wu close. Jiang Wu gripped the edge of his clothes, letting him plant soft kisses on his forehead and hair, and heard Yin Wuzhi whisper, “Jiang Wu.”

“Mmm.”

“I like you.”

“Mmm.”

“Not the Jiang Wu of the past, not the tyrant you speak of. I like you, and it has nothing to do with him.”

Jiang Wu said, “My name is his, my body is his, I have nothing.”

“You are you. I like you, with all your flaws and idleness. Whoever that other person was, whether he was diligent or a tyrant, has nothing to do with me.”

“Your name was given by him.”

Yin Wuzhi froze for a moment, “What?”

“He taught you the language, gave you your name. You said you’d be with him forever, and all your efforts were to be worthy of him. Yin Wuzhi, your love for me is really because of how kind he was to you.” Jiang Wu said mournfully, “Because he treated you well, you loved him. So, even though I’m just a wandering ghost, because I occupy his body, you can’t let go.”

“What are you talking about?”

Jiang Wu tilted his face up and slowly asked, “Did you ever tell him you’d be together forever?”

“Why would I say something like that?”

Jiang Wu: “.”

Jiang Wu already had an idea in his heart and did not have much hope for Yin Wuzhi’s answer. But he didn’t expect Yin Wuzhi to actually lie to him.

He gave Yin Wuzhi a light push, so soft that it was barely noticeable, but Yin Wuzhi continued to hold him, frowning as he asked, “How do you know these things?”

“Old Acquaintance Fragrance,” Jiang Wu replied. “I’m in Jiang Wu’s body, and I’ve seen everything. You liked him ever since you were very young, didn’t you?”

Yin Wuzhi stared at him.

Jiang Wu said, “You don’t want to admit it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Jiang Wu: “.”

He didn’t like to argue with people, especially over things that were already certain. The outcome wouldn’t change no matter who won the argument. Since he had already seen it all in the original Jiang Wu’s memories, Yin Wuzhi’s admission or denial didn’t matter to him.

He couldn’t be bothered to get angry, nor to correct him.

Still, Jiang Wu hadn’t expected Yin Wuzhi to be the kind of person who would lie like this.

Sensing Jiang Wu’s mood, Yin Wuzhi cupped his face and said, “I lost my memory.”

Jiang Wu: “.”

He didn’t want to talk to Yin Wuzhi anymore—listening to his lies was exhausting.

“I truly don’t remember anything. Before you summoned me to the palace, I didn’t even know what ‘Jiang Wu’ looked like.”

“Liar.”

Yin Wuzhi had even managed to tell such a lie.

His expression was just as defeated as his mood. Yin Wuzhi said, “I’m serious. My mother mentioned that the Fourth Prince taught me the official language, but I honestly don’t remember any of it.”

“I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Jiang Wu.”

“My name isn’t Jiang Wu.”

“…” Yin Wuzhi looked even more dejected than before. Pressing his forehead against Jiang Wu’s, he asked, “Then what’s your name?”

Pessimist: “.”

“You don’t have a name,” Yin Wuzhi said. “Let me give you one.”

“I do,” Jiang Wu didn’t want a liar to name him.

“Then what is it?”

“Yeye*.”
* grandfather

Yin Wuzhi: “…Ancestor, Ancestor, will that do?”

“Don’t talk to Ancestor.”

“Can you believe me? I really don’t remember what the original Jiang Wu was like. The Jiang Wu in my memory is only you. The first time I saw you was in the palace, on a rainy day, when you were sitting in a chair and I traded myself to redeem Chen Ziyan…”

“Stop talking to me.” Jiang Wu’s voice was weak and sounded more defeated by the moment. But Yin Wuzhi wouldn’t let him go. “You think I’m lying on purpose. You think I’m only ignoring the person I once liked because I fell for you? You’re insulting me.”

Jiang Wu hadn’t expected Yin Wuzhi to understand his thoughts so clearly. He opened one eye to look at Yin Wuzhi, whose expression was one of grievance. Yin Wuzhi said, “I’ve never liked anyone else but you. If you’re rejecting me for such a ridiculous reason, I won’t accept it.”

“Yin Wu….” Jiang Wu’s words were cut off as Yin Wuzhi kissed him again. If they weren’t in the tree hollow, Yin Wuzhi would have made Jiang Wu fully experience the consequences of insulting someone. But for now, he couldn’t.

He held back, letting Jiang Wu go. “Are you refusing to be with me because you think I’m still in love with the original Jiang Wu?”

Jiang Wu was left slightly breathless from the kiss.

Yin Wuzhi had become quite adept at timing. He always stopped just as Jiang Wu was about to give in, leaving him teetering on the edge. Exhausted, Jiang Wu grabbed at Yin Wuzhi’s hair that fell across his chest, but the force was too weak to pose any threat. Yin Wuzhi continued asking, “Is that why?”

Jiang Wu muttered, “Tired.”

“Answer me, then you can sleep.”

Jiang Wu’s face rested against Yin Wuzhi’s chest. “Fruit.”

Yin Wuzhi picked up a new fruit and held it to his mouth. Jiang Wu bit into it, leaving a faint mark on its surface.

Him: “.”

Yin Wuzhi peeled the skin off and brought the fruit to his mouth again. Only then did Jiang Wu start nibbling at it like a slow, sleepy hamster.

The fruit was crisp, which meant it was tough to bite through. Jiang Wu ate very slowly, taking small bites and swallowing bit by bit. It took him nearly half an hour to match one of Yin Wuzhi’s mouthfuls.

Then, exhausted from chewing, he stopped.

Yin Wuzhi asked, “Can we talk now?”

But Jiang Wu was genuinely tired. Yin Wuzhi asked a few more times, but Jiang Wu didn’t move. Leaning closer, he realized that Jiang Wu had fallen asleep.

“Jiang Wu,” he murmured uncertainly, “are you… jealous?”

Since they were in the deep forest, Yin Wuzhi didn’t dare fall into a deep sleep. In the middle of the night, he was startled awake by the clash of swords. The rain had returned, falling in a soft drizzle. Yin Wuzhi glanced at the sleeping Jiang Wu, considering whether to leave him here. But he worried someone might find him. Carrying him would make it hard to investigate the sounds ahead.

Both options seemed risky, so Yin Wuzhi decided to stay by his side.

The sound of clashing swords grew louder and closer. A torch flickered nearby, revealing the fine mist of the rain.

Yin Wuzhi quickly realized that it was Zhao Cheng and his father’s men.

King Dingnan shouted, “Where is His Majesty?!”

They had finally circled around!

Yin Wuzhi pressed down on Jiang Wu’s shoulder for a moment before abruptly hoisting him onto his back. He leapt into the open, but before he’d covered more than ten feet, a flute’s melody rang out. Hissing sounds echoed in his ears. Yin Wuzhi froze in place. All around him, in the dimly lit forest, poisonous snakes slithered out from behind the trees. He turned, and in an instant, he was surrounded by a mass of writhing serpents.

Jiang Wu opened his eyes and followed his gaze forward.

The rain grew heavier, and soon their hair was soaked. High above on a tree branch, a person stood playing the flute, dressed in green with silver hair, a small red glass lantern hanging at their waist. Their face was remarkably young, yet calm and unreadable.

“National Teacher of Zhao, Ku Yin.”

“So the young general recognizes me.” He put away the flute and smiled, “Young general, leave your emperor behind, and I’ll let you live.”

The National Teacher of Zhao had the means to preserve his youthful appearance, and it was said that his true age was over a hundred. Yin Wuzhi shifted Jiang Wu’s body on his back, frowning, “What do you want?”

“The crown prince wishes to bring his mother home. As his servant, it is only natural for me to fulfill his request,” Ku Yin replied. “Young general, since I have traveled so far, I hope you will make things easier for me.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

“Why so stubborn?” Ku Yin turned his flute and said, “We’ve had quite a history together. I swear on my title as National Teacher that I will not harm him in the slightest.”

“We have no history together.”

The teacher raised his eyebrows, then smiled again. “The young general has truly forgotten.”

He locked eyes with Jiang Wu, whose gaze was as clear as glass. The Pessimist slowly slid off Yin Wuzhi’s back. Yin Wuzhi immediately turned around to look at him, “Your Majesty.”

“Didn’t you promise to let me die?”

Yin Wuzhi replied, “But not to let you die at the hands of these poisonous creatures.”

“He said he wouldn’t kill me.”

“How do you know he can be trusted?”

“I trust him.”

Yin Wuzhi looked skeptical, “You trust him, the National Teacher of Zhao?”

“I’ve met him.”

“You’ve met him? But…” Yin Wuzhi paused slightly. “What?” When had Jiang Wu ever left Guanjing?

Jiang Wu turned to look at Ku Yin and said seriously, “I met him when I was a ghost.”

Ku Yin slung the flute over his back, moving as lightly as a swallow from one branch to another. It was hard to imagine such a masterful martial artist existed. Yin Wuzhi immediately shielded Jiang Wu behind him, his expression tense.

Lowering his voice, Yin Wuzhi said, “Even if you were a ghost, there’s no way you could have met him. He should’ve been dead long ago.”

Jiang Wu: “.”

Though Yin Wuzhi wasn’t wrong, Jiang Wu indeed remembered that face.

“It’s an honor to still be remembered by Your Majesty.” Ku Yin gracefully descended onto the lowest branch. Although he looked down at Jiang Wu from above, there wasn’t a hint of arrogance in his gaze.

Perhaps that was how he had survived for so long.

Jiang Wu whispered to Yin Wuzhi, “There were always Taoists trying to send me to reincarnation, but they couldn’t succeed. Then one of them called upon his master, who was said to have lived for thousands of years. His master looked just like him.”

Yin Wuzhi was bewildered, “How is that even possible?”

Jiang Wu said, “You don’t believe me.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just…”

“I found them.” Zhao Cheng’s voice suddenly came through. He stood ahead, eyebrows raised, looking at the two of them. “The National Teacher has his ways.”

Ku Yin’s face remained expressionless, revealing no thoughts.

“Guards, arrest them.”

“Don’t resist,” Ku Yin said, “Young general, after all the trouble you’ve gone through to earn this life, I’m sure you don’t want to die so soon.”

Yin Wuzhi gripped the hidden arrow in his sleeve, suppressing his killing intent.

Jiang Wu lowered his eyes and grabbed Yin Wuzhi’s hand.

He had really met Ku Yin. It wasn’t a lie.

Since Ku Yin had survived so long in the past, he was likely telling the truth now as well.

The temples, the soul-calling banners, and the deep red birthmark—all were proof of Yin Wuzhi’s madness in his past life.

It turned out this life was indeed a result of Yin Wuzhi’s tireless efforts to secure it.

Sadly, it had been ruined by the Pessimist.

A short arrow was handed to Jiang Wu. Yin Wuzhi turned to him and said, “I’ll stay with you.”

He gave the arrow to Jiang Wu as a last resort.

At dawn, King Dingnan, with his army in tow, stood waiting at the crossroads, his face dark. The Great Empress Dowager’s sedan arrived, and she was leisurely helped down.

Zhao Cheng instinctively glanced at the man beside him, “National Teacher…”

The teacher replied, “We have come with sincerity, just like you.”

In fact, the moment Zhao Cheng saw him, his heart settled. Though the National Teacher looked young, he was unfathomably powerful, possessing exceptional magical abilities. Even the former emperor and his father had to show him respect. He rarely left his residence, and now that he had come in person to help retrieve Zhao Cheng’s mother, Zhao Cheng couldn’t help but feel honored.

Yao Ji arrived in a prisoner’s cart. As she disembarked, she glanced at Zhao Cheng from a distance, but her gaze quickly fixed on Jiang Wu.

This spot was right at the entrance to the gorge, making it difficult for either side to maneuver. If not for Jiang Wu being in Zhao Cheng’s hands, the Xia Kingdom would never have allowed such recklessness on their land.

Yao Ji’s long hair was disheveled, and she wore shackles around her ankles as she slowly approached her family. Zhao Cheng, unable to restrain himself, stepped forward, but a cold voice beside him said, “Your Highness.”

He stopped and forced himself to step back.

Jiang Wu grabbed Yin Wuzhi’s hand. This was probably the first time he had taken the lead.

“Your Majesty.”

Jiang Wu stopped in front of Yao Ji, staring directly at her.

Tears welled up in Yao Ji’s eyes. “Wu Er, come home with me, okay? Once we’re home, Mother will help you forget everything here. Let’s return to Zhao and live a real life.”

Zhao Cheng’s eyes reddened. He knew his mother cared only for Jiang Wu. Though he understood that this child was indeed his mother’s and had been with her the longest, and that it was natural for her to favor him, he couldn’t help feeling jealous.

He, too, should have had a complete and beautiful childhood, with both parents. But due to the ambition of a ruler, he had been separated from his mother for so many years.

“Wu Er…” Yao Ji choked with emotion, “I only want to take you home. I used you, but only because I wanted to bring you home.”

Yin Wuzhi tightened his grip on Jiang Wu’s hand. King Dingnan cleared his throat from a distance, “Yin Wuzhi.”

Yin Wuzhi reluctantly let go and said, “I’ll wait for you.”

The Great Empress Dowager called out, “Grandson, why are you hesitating? Come to your grandmother quickly.”

The Great Empress Dowager stepped forward, her voice full of resentment, “Yao Ji, why do you still pretend to be pitiful at this point? Wu Er, don’t be deceived by her lies again. Your family is right here.”

Jiang Wu gripped the short arrow in his palm, his expression despondent.

He lowered his head, thinking to himself, let’s just go with this for now; at least I won’t die yet.

As he passed by, a hand grabbed him. Yao Ji spoke, “Wu Er…”

Don’t touch me.

A voice echoed in his mind.

Jiang Wu turned abruptly, the black arrowhead of the short arrow exposed.

“!”

With the wide sleeve of his robe swaying, Yin Wuzhi, who had been walking away, halted. Having frequented battlefields for years, he recognized the sound of an arrow piercing flesh.

Slowly, he turned around.

Scarlet blood filled his vision.

“Yin Wuzhi, I hate her.” A breathy voice sounded in his ear. “Help me, kill her.”

Yin Wuzhi quietly gazed at Jiang Wu’s blood-stained hands.

He slowly walked over.

“Your Majesty,” he said, supporting Jiang Wu’s body, “what’s wrong?”

Yao Ji, with the black arrowhead protruding from her chest, collapsed to her knees as a torrent of blood gushed from her throat.

Zhao Cheng, who was being dragged away by Ku Yin, screamed, “Jiang Wu, you madman! You killed my mother! You’ll die too, you’ll die too—”

“Yin Wuzhi, you lunatic! You killed my mother, Jiang Wu will die too—”

Yin Wuzhi brushed a hand over Jiang Wu’s face. Beside his drooping eyes, a bright red mole stood out vividly.

“You always make me sad like this.”

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