The final barrier
"Brother He!" You Jiale quickly stepped forward, forcing a smile. At least, when he woke up, he didn't see the Japanese tiger bench. He sincerely said to He Mingzhou, "Thank you so much, Brother He, for going to so much trouble to find me."
He Mingzhou smiled slightly, about to say something, such as how he acted immediately upon receiving the news, or how he had been so anxious that he hadn't slept all night. His gaze towards You Jiale softened, as if he wanted to take this opportunity to rekindle the "friendship" that had been interrupted several times before. He even wanted to say, "Jiale, it's good that you're safe and sound. This is what an older brother should do."
However, before he could finish speaking, a figure cut in.
Zhang Xiande had already walked up to them without them even noticing. He didn't even look at He Mingzhou, but simply reached out and gently put his arm around You Jiale's shoulder.
Zhang Xiande's gaze finally fell on He Mingzhou. He smiled and said, "Thank you, Commissioner He, for helping me find Jiale safely. Consider it a favor I owe you. If you need anything in the future, I will definitely help you."
He Mingzhou's smile froze for a moment; Zhang Xiande gave him no chance whatsoever. He composed himself and nodded politely, "Mr. Zhang, it's good that Jiale is safe and sound."
Zhang Xiande nodded, as if he had heard the most insignificant thing, and then his gaze returned to You Jiale, completely ignoring He Mingzhou.
"Let's go back." Zhang Xiande ignored He Mingzhou and didn't give You Jiale a chance to say another word. He simply picked her up and carried her to the back seat of the car.
Before You Jiale could react, she buried her face deeply in Zhang Xiande's neck.
Is he afraid people won't know he's gay? Why did he pick him up in front of so many people? He didn't even have time to think about it.
He shoved him into the car and immediately asked, "Are you hurt?"
"It's alright, everything went smoothly during the retreat, right? I didn't feel comfortable asking while we were inside, so please tell me quickly." You Jiale was eager to know how things had progressed during the two days he had been unconscious. But for some reason, he trusted Zhang Xiande; he was certain that Zhang Xiande would arrange everything perfectly, no matter what.
Zhang Xiande didn't say anything, but carefully reached out and checked him for any injuries, as if afraid of hurting him.
You Jiale's cheeks slowly warmed up. It wasn't that he had never been cared for before, but to be touched so meticulously all over his body by Zhang Xiande, as if examining a precious treasure, was just too humiliating.
You Jiale wanted to stop him, but she couldn't say anything and could only let him grope her body.
Zhang Xiande checked everything and finally put his hand down, but the worry in his eyes did not fade.
"Why did you suddenly faint?"
You Jiale then remembered that he had fainted. "I...I don't know, maybe I was too tired..." he mumbled.
"Let's go to the hospital first," Zhang Xiande said to the driver in the front seat.
After examining her, the doctor said, "There's nothing seriously wrong with your body, except you're a little weak. As for fainting... if it's not a hereditary form of fainting, it's likely a lingering effect of some serious injury you suffered in the past. Has this happened before?"
You Jiale felt extremely guilty, but forced a puzzled expression onto his face. "No, I used to be very healthy and never fainted." He didn't know if the original owner of this body had ever had this problem before, or if it was a lingering effect after falling down the mountain.
Zhang Xiande listened from the side, his eyebrows furrowed into a knot.
The doctor's diagnosis did not seem to put his mind at ease.
After leaving the hospital, I sat in the car on my way back to Yunyintang.
You Jiale suddenly realized that there was a huge secret between him and Zhang Xiande.
If one day, due to physical reasons or other uncontrollable forces, he suddenly leaves this world that doesn't belong to him, what will happen to Zhang Xiande? He looked at this man, at the tension and worry he showed for him, and a dull pain came from his heart.
Would Zhang Xiande be heartbroken? He dared not think about it.
Should he find an opportunity to confess everything? Tell Zhang Xiande that he's a transmigrator? Would Zhang believe something that sounds like a fantasy? Would he think he's talking nonsense, or worse, treat him like a monster?
The car smoothly drove into the gates of Yunyin Hall. Returning to this familiar yet unfamiliar house, the sense of uncertainty in my heart grew even stronger.
Zhang Xiande helped him out of the car, and his hand never left You Jiale's back the whole way, as if he was afraid that he would disappear at any moment.
Once inside, my tense nerves finally relaxed a little.
“The main force has arrived.” Zhang Xiande helped You Jiale sit down on the sofa.
He stood there, pacing back and forth a few times, the knot between his brows still not completely untied.
“The main force arrived yesterday, and our previously prepared evacuation plan for the masses was not delayed.” Zhang Xiande’s voice was hoarse, and he could tell that he was really tired. “It’s just that I haven’t had time to report that I found you yet.”
He walked up to You Jiale, squatted down, and reached out to touch You Jiale's face. "Anyway, it's good that you're back." Zhang Xiande's hoarse voice slowly began to tremble.
You Jiale stared intently at the man before him, noticing the barely concealed fear and relief in his eyes. At that moment, all the secrets and barriers between them—the suspicions and tests about transmigrating into the book, their identities, and their respective motives—seemed to fade away. He remembered the silent support and sense of security Zhang Xiande had given him during the crisis. He remembered how this man, despite his doubts and tests, had helped him step by step.
A powerful impulse surged within him, growing wildly like weeds, impossible to suppress any longer. He made up his mind: after this battle, if they both survived, he would tell Zhang Xiande. He would reveal the secret that had tormented him and filled Zhang Xiande with suspicion. Even if Zhang Xiande might not fully believe him at first, even if it might cause new trouble, he didn't want to continue like this. Those days of concealment and speculation were too exhausting. If he and Zhang Xiande were truly still alive, then they would be completely honest with each other.
Put aside all secrets, face this man with your most authentic self, and embrace an unknown future, whether that future is bright and smooth or full of thorns.
“I have already handed over the city map and the route map of the streets and alleys that 'Leji' had previously kept to your superiors. They still need to build fortifications, and the completion of the entire deployment may take some time.” During the time that You Jiale was in a daze, Zhang Xiande had regained his usual composure.
"All we need to do now is wait."
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