Chapter 89 Remember this: He is not a good person!

That "brother" was called out with such affection.

Pipa should have been happy to see Changli again.

However, looking at Chang Li's smile, which was as bright and radiant as ever, a strange feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.

His tone and expression were exactly the same as when he faced Yu Qingzhou in his dream.

Pipa had always felt uneasy about Changli's inexplicable closeness.

Now, I can't help but overthink, wondering... who exactly is the brother that Changli keeps calling out?

Was it him?

Or is it the real Yu Qingzhou?

"Brother, what's wrong, brother?"

Just then, Chang Li's concerned voice rang in her ears: "Are you feeling unwell? Or..."

Pipa simply shook her head.

"Why does Ali call me brother?" he asked softly.

Chang Li seemed stumped by the question, looking at the boy with a hint of doubt. The boy muttered softly, "Brother is brother, why would there be a reason... If I had to say, it's because I really love brother!"

The little boy smiled matter-of-factly, tugged at a sleeve, and pressed his cheek close to the boy's arm.

That action made Pipa feel as if she were seeing that child with pigtails again.

He told himself that he shouldn't overthink it, shouldn't apply his own delusional dreams to reality, and shouldn't make assumptions about other people's true feelings because of it.

Thinking this way, Pipa's irritation seemed to subside a little.

However, he still pushed Chang Li's head a little further away.

Seeing the hurt look on the other person's face, he could only explain, "Ali has grown up and is a big kid now. He can't be like before and make a fool of himself in front of others."

"If you want to laugh, then laugh. What do other people have to do with me?"

Chang Li was clearly unwilling, but since his brother had said so, he had no choice but to reluctantly let go.

"If only I hadn't grown up..."

Pipa heard him muttering to himself and couldn't help but laugh at his innocent words: "Who stays a child forever?"

"Of course—"

Chang Li didn't know what to say in his defense, but he finally just nodded and said, "Yes, people always have to grow up, and there will always be a day of birth, aging, sickness and death."

For some reason, his expression became somewhat downcast when he got to this point. Even when Chang Li was still a child, he often showed a mature-beyond-his-years side, but Pipa didn't seem to care much.

What he was more curious about was—

"How did you become a servant in this building?"

Upon hearing this, Chang Li chuckled and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Actually, I paid for it."

"and you……"

Seeing the other person's curious gaze, Chang Li became even more shy: "I was thinking of giving my brother a surprise, so I got this outfit. I didn't expect to see you going to see that Aunt Xun on the way, so I intercepted the job of the person who was delivering things to the room."

It sounded reasonable, but Pipa felt that something was off.

Aunt Xun is such a sharp-eyed person, how could she not recognize the servant who is always around her?

Who knows?

Chang Li didn't have any particular thoughts on this: "Maybe she was just sleepy and mistook me for someone else. The important thing is that after so long, I've finally seen my brother."

Chang Li spoke the last sentence with great emotion, word by word.

Pipa slightly shifted her gaze: "Where is Doctor Chang?"

In his memory, the grandfather and grandson were always inseparable, and Doctor Chang did not seem to fully support Chang Li's excessive closeness to him.

"Grandpa..."

Chang Li stammered for a long time but couldn't come up with a coherent explanation.

Pipa couldn't help but worry: "What's wrong with Doctor Chang?"

Finally, Chang Li couldn't resist Pi Pa's persistent questioning and told the truth: "Actually, I came secretly behind Grandpa's back. He doesn't know that I came to see you."

After a pause, Chang Li observed Pi Pa's expression and carefully added, "However, I left him a message. Brother, you won't blame me, will you?"

Upon hearing this, Pipa couldn't help but sigh: "If anyone should be blamed, it should be Doctor Chang. Well, now that you've seen me, if there's nothing else, you should go back as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Chang Li immediately lost her composure, tears welling up in her round, dark eyes: "Brother, are you trying to send me away?"

Pipa said calmly, "It's not that I'm trying to get rid of you, but you shouldn't have come in the first place. Changli, we are ultimately not meant to be together."

Hearing the other person call him by his full name, Chang Li was so surprised that he forgot to cry.

As if sensing that Pipa was determined, Changli finally gave in.

“Okay, I will go back, but—” He paused, then suddenly said to Pipa with unusual seriousness, “But how about letting Ali stay with me today? I have a bad feeling all day, and I’ll feel at ease if he can stay with his brother.”

Since Chang Li had already said so, Pipa naturally couldn't refuse.

Furthermore, if Chang Li cannot go back with me to explain things clearly, the servant who was replaced today will likely suffer the consequences.

By this time, the two had reached a relatively bustling market street.

Chang Li walked and looked around, seemingly interested in everything. At that moment, he seemed like a child who had never grown up.

Although the loquat tree hadn't been out for a while, it didn't feel much novelty about what it was like. In its view, although there were some changes compared to a few years ago, it was actually much the same.

The familiar atmosphere that permeated the air only made Pipa feel a sense of melancholy, as if things had changed and people were no longer the same.

Chang Li noticed that Pipa wasn't in a good mood, so he made small talk with her.

"Who is this 'Young Master Shen' that brother is looking for?"

Pipa seemed a little surprised by this: "You don't know him?"

Why should I...

Chang Li had already discerned from their earlier conversation in the room that this young Master Shen seemed to have a close relationship with his brother.

I've already started to dislike this so-called "Little Master Shen" even before we've met.

Why should my brother have to go find it himself? I don't even get that kind of treatment...

“Because Lord Shen is Young Master Li’s cousin,” Pipa replied. “I thought that given your relationship with Li Xiao, you should know this.”

Chang Li curled his lip upon hearing this: "Who would want to be friends with such a big idiot?"

As if suddenly remembering something, she paused and then said, "I heard that Li Xiao's house caught fire? His whole family..."

"Yes, that's true." Pipa nodded calmly.

Chang Li observed Pi Pa's complexion and, seeing no particular change, whispered to comfort her, "It's nothing, really. As the saying goes, out with the old, in with the new. Don't be too sad, brother."

“I know,” Pipa smiled. “It’s all in the past.”

Now, Changli didn't know what to say. It would be best if his brother could let this go, but he vaguely felt that it wasn't quite the case.

Fortunately, they arrived at the government office where Shen Yun worked not long after they started walking.

Unfortunately, Chen Yun was not there.

"Does this officer know where he went?"

The gatekeeper, having accepted the silver slipped to him by Pipa, was exceptionally accommodating, saying that Shen Yun was on leave for several days, but he didn't know her exact whereabouts.

"We can try looking in the places he frequents, usually the Shen family's residence or restaurants," the officer suggested before leaving.

Pipa nodded, thanked the messenger, and turned to leave.

"How did it go?" Chang Li was secretly pleased to see that the loquats had failed to come.

"He's not here," Pipa replied.

"That's great!" Chang Li blurted out, then covered his mouth to correct himself, "I mean, the weather is just so nice, perfect for a picnic. Don't think too much about it, brother. If we can't see each other this time, we can do it next time."

As he spoke, he tried his best to suppress the upward turn of his lips, but when he realized he couldn't, he simply gave up.

"Where does my brother plan to go next?" he asked casually.

Pipa hesitated; he couldn't very well go to the Shen family.

Wandering aimlessly on the street doesn't seem like a good solution.

"Oh, why don't we just go eat first?"

Chang Li suddenly exclaimed, "I haven't eaten anything since this morning!"

Seeing that it was about time, Pipa nodded in agreement.

Before they had gone far, Changli suddenly stopped and fell silent. He had been chattering about what he wanted to eat for lunch.

Before Pipa could react, she was suddenly grabbed by the arm and pulled into the nearest alley.

Just as Pipa was about to ask, she noticed Changli's pale face and the fine sweat on his forehead, and softened her voice: "What's wrong?"

The latter's eyes, which were originally soft in shape, were now wide open, and the dark pupils seemed to be expanding slightly.

"Brother... what does this young Master Shen you mentioned look like?" Chang Li asked.

Before Pipa could answer, Changli hurriedly asked, "Was she dressed in black, with her hair tied in a ponytail, and had very fair skin, and was carrying a black sword?"

Upon hearing Chang Li's description, Pi Pa was somewhat surprised: "You saw Chen Yun?"

To everyone's surprise, upon hearing this name, Chang Li's face turned even paler.

"Impossible, impossible..."

Chang Li repeatedly said "impossible" to himself, then looked up at Pipa and said, "Brother, I suddenly remembered something urgent, so I won't be going back with you."

This was the first time Pipa had seen Changli so serious, so she nodded and said, "Since it's urgent, don't delay. Remember to be careful on the road."

Chang Li agreed, took two steps, then suddenly turned back and earnestly instructed Pipa.

"And that guy named Shen Yun, stay as far away from him as possible from now on. Remember, he's no good!"

After saying that, he left in a hurry without waiting for Pipa to ask any further questions.

The boy was left standing alone in the dark alley.