Chapter 33
Liu Huaizhao grew up in a wealthy family. Even though he left home to become a disciple at a young age, his parents never mistreat him financially. Every month, a servant would send him money up the mountain, and then he would go down the mountain with his junior sister to spend all the money.
So now he can be said to be like a fish in water, taking Qin Zunyue around in the market. Soon, Qin Zunyue's hands are full of things.
There were no plastic bags in ancient times, so Liu Huaizhao thoughtfully bought a large bamboo basket, put the things in it, and asked Qin Zunyue to carry it.
Qin Zunyue naturally had no complaints and followed Liu Huaizhao carrying the increasingly heavy bamboo basket.
The bamboo basket gradually became full, but Liu Huaizhao still hadn't bought enough. He looked at the exquisite wooden hairpin in front of him and reached into his purse.
Empty.
He turned the purse upside down and shook it a few times in disbelief - indeed, there was not a single copper coin left.
Qin Zunyue couldn't help laughing and handed over his purse.
Liu Huaizhao felt a little embarrassed, but he really liked the hairpin, so he reached out to take the purse and bought it.
"Thank you." Liu Huaizhao handed over the purse, but Qin Zunyue didn't take it.
"You can use it. I don't have anything I want to buy anyway."
"Really?" Liu Huaizhao did not refuse and continued to take Qin Zunyue shopping everywhere.
When the sound of copper coins colliding in Qin Zunyue's purse became smaller and smaller, Liu Huaizhao finally stopped.
"Do you still want to buy it?"
Liu Huaizhao shook his head violently, looking at the two piles of spoils he had slowly piled up. He felt a little worried after realizing it belatedly, "What should we do with these things? We can't take them all away, it would take up too much space."
Qin Zunyue suddenly laughed, "It's a bit late to think about these things now. It's okay, we have a car, just put these things in the car first, and then drive the car back after killing Gongsun Xuan."
Liu Huaizhao sighed and said, "This is the only way. I'll go back and pick some more. I'll take as little as possible."
It was still early and neither of them mentioned going back. Liu Huaizhao suggested going for a walk in the surrounding mountains, and Qin Zunyue naturally agreed. The two of them walked slowly up the mountain.
Fushan Kingdom has few people to begin with, and there was a market today, so there were not many people even on the mountain near the residential areas. The two of them found a piece of open space and sat down. No one spoke, and they quietly enjoyed this rare free time.
The wind blew the leaves, and Qin Zunyue saw a fallen leaf fall on Liu Huaizhao's head, so he reached out and picked it up for him.
Liu Huaizhao noticed his movements and turned to look at him. The two looked at each other without moving or speaking.
Qin Zunyue's heartbeat gradually quickened. He unconsciously turned the leaf in his hand, which just happened to rub against Liu Huaizhao's face.
"It's very itchy." said Liu Huaizhao.
"Sorry." Qin Zunyue apologized subconsciously. After putting down the leaves in his hand, he raised his hand and rubbed Liu Huaizhao's face.
He froze when he realized what he was doing, and slowly withdrew his fingers, trying to pretend that nothing had happened.
Liu Huaizhao also cooperated with him and did not mention a word about what he had just done. He just sat there quietly, looking at him without saying a word.
The formation that stopped time seemed to have taken effect between the two of them. The sound of the wind died down, and the birdsong faded away from them. It was as if time was the only thing flowing between heaven and earth. The only thing left was the accelerated heart beating in the chest and the increasingly rapid breathing.
Qin Zunyue looked at his snow-white cheek, his hands felt itchy, and he couldn't help pinching it.
Liu Huaizhao didn't move, just looked at him quietly.
It feels very good.
This was the only thought left in Qin Zunyue's mind.
"Let's go."
Seeing that Qin Zunyue had no further action, Liu Huaizhao stood up and brushed off the dirt on his body.
In fact, his clothes were not dirty, because before he sat down, Qin Zunyue picked up the hem of his clothes and put it under him.
So Liu Huaizhao looked at his mud-stained clothes and chuckled, "Look at your clothes, why do you have to let me pad them?"
"It's okay." Qin Zunyue patted his hands twice casually. "My clothes are dark in color, so it's not very obvious."
They returned along the same route. It was already dark, but there was no curfew in Fushan Kingdom and the streets were still bustling.
They walked to the place where they had separated during the day. The others were not there. They didn't know whether they had not finished shopping or had already returned to the palace.
The two waited there for a while before a young man in palace attire came over and bowed to them. "My Majesty has asked me to take you two distinguished guests back to the palace."
It turns out they all went back.
Qin Zunyue also returned the greeting awkwardly and asked him to lead the way.
The journey was not far, and they soon reached Mu Cheng's main hall. The palace servant sent them here and then left.
The main hall was very lively. Before the two of them got close, they heard Mu Cheng's laughter.
During the days they had been in Fushan Country, they had never seen Mu Chengxiao so happy.
Inside the house, Tong Le and Qiao Lang were sabotaging each other, Wei Zhirong spoke occasionally, Zheng Shu smiled without saying a word, and Yan Liao remained silent, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
It's a happy scene.
Zheng Shu was the first to notice them. She cleared her throat and teased, "You two finally decided to come back. I thought you were planning to hang out all night."
"Wow! What are these!" Tong Le saw the two bamboo baskets in Qin Zunyue's hands, ran over excitedly, and wanted to take them to have a look.
"What are you doing, Liu Huaizhao? Have you got his consent?" Qin Zunyue took a step back, keeping the two bamboo baskets away from her.
Liu Huaizhao looked speechless. He glanced at him and said, "Okay, stop teasing her. Give it to her."
After saying that, he looked at Mu Cheng embarrassedly, "I'm sorry, Brother Mu, I've spent all my money..."
Mu Cheng's eyebrows curved and he smiled, "It doesn't matter. A few bags of copper coins won't affect my kingdom."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone laughed. Tong Le clapped his hands enthusiastically and said exaggeratedly, "Boss Mu is so generous!"
Mu Cheng rarely comes into contact with people with this kind of personality. He grew up in the deep palace and only met people who were afraid of him. Kong Yi was the only one who communicated with him on an equal footing, but he had a calm personality and would never play around with him like this.
It’s fun to be with these people, but unfortunately... they have to leave eventually.
His smile became forced. Qin Zunyue saw through his forced smile and exchanged a glance with Liu Huaizhao before casually changing the subject. "By the way, Brother Mu, even though we're wearing your clothes today, we all have short hair, and no one came to ask us what's going on."
"Yeah, yeah!" Qiao Lang looked at him curiously. "Since we're so strange, shouldn't they come and watch us?"
"That's the magic of this formation." Mu Cheng, distracted by their questions, patiently replied, "This formation seems to rationalize everything that happens here. For example, when you suddenly appear here, they might initially sense you don't belong here, but over time, this formation rationalizes your existence... just like someone who has been resurrected from the dead, and their repetitive lives, no one finds it strange anymore."
Tong Le suddenly felt a chill, "How creepy! Is this formation really controlling these people's minds?"
"No, to be precise, it's not about controlling these people's minds. They're already dead. It's more like weaving a dream to make them sleep here forever." At this point, Mu Cheng sighed again, "So please help me. I... I really don't want to see them trapped here endlessly like this."
"Don't worry, Brother Mu." Qin Zunyue's expression was serious and solemn, "We will find a way."
-
Qiao Lang yawned and fell onto the bed. He had been chatting with Mu Cheng for too late tonight and he wanted to go to bed without even taking off his clothes. However, in order to sleep comfortably, he still forced himself to get up and prepare to take off his clothes.
As he was unbuckling his belt in a daze, he suddenly saw a dark shadow by the window. He was frightened and broke out in a cold sweat. All the ghost stories Tong Le had ever told him rushed into his mind.
Is it a ghost?
Or was it a robbery?
It can’t be a rape!
He quickly wrapped himself in his clothes and prepared to get straight into bed.
"Are you asleep? If not, open the door for me." The black shadow spoke, it was Qin Zunyue's voice.
Qiao Lang breathed a sigh of relief and walked over to open the door. "What are you doing, Brother Qin? It's scary, okay?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Qin Zunyue staring at him steadily. When he felt a little nervous from being stared at, Qin Zunyue started the next action - he raised his hand and pinched his face.
“!!!”
Qiao Lang was terrified and began to recall whether there was any method to cure ghost possession in the ghost stories Tong Le told him.
"What are you doing, Brother Qin!!!"
"Tsk, this reaction is normal." Qin Zunyue muttered softly, turned and walked towards Wei Zhirong's residence.
The second day.
Tong Le looked at Qiao Lang and Wei Zhirong, who were yawning non-stop with dark circles under their eyes, and was a little puzzled. "Although there is no sun or moon here, the brightness tells us it's already noon. Even if we talked until late last night, you wouldn't be this sleepy."
Qiao Lang looked at her dimly, raised his hand and pinched her face.
"Damn! Are you sick?" Tong Le wiped his face in disgust. Yan Liao stood aside and gave Qiao Lang a displeased look, then dragged Tong Le away.
"This is normal." Wei Zhirong said to himself, "Then what is abnormal?"
After saying that, Qin Zunyue and Liu Huaizhao also came over. He looked at the two people walking side by side and smiled.
"Old Wei, have you been tortured to death?" Qiao Lang looked at him in horror.
"Idiot." Wei Zhirong rolled his eyes, too lazy to explain to him, "I'm going to catch up on my sleep. Don't call me today."
"What's going on?" Qin Zunyue looked at Wei Zhirong who was walking away, and Qiao Lang who was looking at him with a resentful face, and pulled out a stool for Liu Huaizhao to sit down first.
"Brother Qin, last night..."
Wei Zhirong came back and dragged Qiao Lang away.
"What happened last night?" Liu Huaizhao fiddled with the gadgets he bought at the market yesterday. Looking at Qiao Lang who was struggling and Wei Zhirong who was exerting himself so hard that his veins were popping out, he turned his head and asked Qin Zunyue.
"Well, I don't know. I'll ask when I have time. What are your plans for today?"
"I don't know." Liu Huaizhao slumped down on the table without any image. "I went shopping all day yesterday and don't want to go out again."
His long hair brushed down from his body as he moved, just touching Qin Zunyue's hand on his side. Qin Zunyue felt a little itchy and grabbed Liu Huaizhao's hair with his backhand.
"I'll go to Kong Yi's study and take a look." Liu Huaizhao suddenly came over. Qin Zunyue immediately let go of the strand of hair with a guilty conscience and listened to him: "I'll look through his manuscripts again, in case there is something he can't remember but has written down."
"Then I'll accompany you."
"No need." Liu Huaizhao waved his hand, "Go see Qiao Lang."
Still thinking about this.
Qin Zunyue sighed in his heart, and after watching Liu Huaizhao walk away, he went to find Qiao Lang.
-
"Brother Qin." Qiao Lang looked worried. "It's my fault."
"What is that?" Qin Zunyue heard this and glanced at Wei Zhirong who was trying to hold back his laughter.
"I've known you for so many years, but I never knew you could sleepwalk... It's because I didn't care about you enough." Qiao Lang's tone was full of guilt. Wei Zhirong listened, his mouth twitching twice, and he covered his face.
"...Really? I was sleepwalking?" Qin Zunyue gritted his teeth and looked at Wei Zhirong.
"Oh yes, you probably don't know about this. Do you remember that you suddenly came over and pinched my face last night? Isn't this sleepwalking? What is that?" Qiao Lang's voice became smaller and smaller. At the end of his muttering, he looked up at Qin Zunyue in fear.
This idiot had his thoughts written all over his face. Qin Zunyue didn't dare to tell him the truth and could only "admit" it.
"Anyway, don't tell Liu Huaizhao."
"Why? It's not something to be ashamed of. Oh! I understand! Liu Huaizhao is an ancient man after all. He doesn't understand these things. What if he thinks you are possessed by a ghost? Not only is he powerful now, he also has the memories of the founder of the immortal cultivation. Even if ten of us put together, we can't beat him!"
Qiao Lang convinced himself, then raised his hand and patted Qin Zunyue on the shoulder, "Brother Qin, don't worry, I will help you keep this secret!"
"...Thank you so much."
Qiao Lang nodded solemnly, and after putting down the worry in his heart, he went back to sleep yawning.
After he left the door, Wei Zhirong finally didn't have to hold back his laughter. He put down his hands that were covering his face and burst into laughter.
"What do you think?" Qin Zunyue said speechlessly.
Wei Zhirong wiped away the tears of laughter and said, "I didn't dare tell him the truth, so I could only find a random excuse to fool him. Who knew he would really believe it?"
"Alas." Qin Zunyue sighed, "Let it be. Otherwise, he will not be able to hide it once he knows about it. Liu Huaizhao will see it at once."
"Actually, Brother Qin." Wei Zhirong suddenly sat up straight. "You've already made it obvious enough. We've all noticed it except Qiao Lang. Liu Huaizhao probably knows it too."
"No, I think my relationship with him is pretty... normal." At this point, he suddenly remembered what happened yesterday and recalled the past. "No, I'll go back and think about it. You go to sleep."
Qin Zunyue knew that he was too indecisive now, but he had no experience and no understanding of emotional matters.
In the past nearly thirty years of his life, only Uncle Wang would occasionally bring up this topic with him, but at that time he always managed to evade it and never thought deeply about it.
What are you afraid of?
Qin Zunyue knew that he was too cautious and would usually discuss things with his teammates, but now he had to make the decision himself.
Confess? But if you fail, you might not even be able to be teammates.
Not confessing? But he knew clearly that he was unwilling to be just a teammate.
He was struggling, walking at a pace that sometimes slowed down, sometimes fast, and was absent-minded, completely unaware that someone was following him.
As soon as Liu Huaizhao came out of the side palace where Kong Yi lived, he saw Qin Zunyue walking aimlessly there, as if he was thinking about something. So he didn't say anything and followed Qin Zunyue quietly. When Qin Zunyue suddenly stopped, he patted his shoulder suddenly.
"I want to confess my feelings!" Qin Zunyue turned around and yelled at him.
-
A strange atmosphere surrounded Liu Huaizhao and Qin Zunyue.
"What did you just say?" Liu Huaizhao took a step back, his face showing a complicated expression. "Who are you going to confess to?"
Qin Zunyue's facial features were a little distorted. He finally figured it out, but was frightened by Liu Huaizhao and shouted out the result of his thoughts.
What to do, what to do, what to do.
Are you looking for an excuse to get away with it?
Countless reasons flashed through Qin Zunyue's mind, but in the end he sighed and said, "Follow you."
"I'm sorry, I know this is so sudden, but... but I don't want to drag it on any longer, Liu Huaizhao, I like you."
He organized his words quickly. In the plan he had conceived, confession should be romantic. Even if he was not good at speaking, he should express his love seriously and make the other person feel valued.
Instead of being like now, with my mind blank and not knowing what to say next.
But Liu Huaizhao didn't let the atmosphere get any colder. He said calmly, "What a coincidence. I like you, too."
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