Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Meng Yingying quickly looked away, but Shou Changyue's gaze lingered on her face. After seeing her expression, he asked, "Judging from everyone's expressions, is there a problem with the incense ash?"
Meng Yingying looked at him, and Shou Changyue also stared intently. She could see calmness in his swollen eyes, with no other emotions revealed. When people express their feelings, their eyes reveal their emotions; either they are masters at hiding their emotions, or they have no emotions at all.
Meng Yingying looked away and said, "There's nothing wrong. Does your father know more about what you've said?" She turned her head away, unwilling to look into his not-so-sincere eyes, and felt a strange sadness. She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt a chill run down her spine.
Shou Changyue replied, "My father doesn't know much either. That method was taught to him by that monk on the mountain." Finally, they got to the point. It was that monk on the mountain again. Perhaps Guanzi and Tan Yuhua are hiding in that dilapidated temple on the mountain, doing evil deeds.
Shou Changyue said, "Miss Meng, if you need, I can ask my father." His tone suggested politeness, gentleness, and a scholarly air, but his eyes betrayed a false sincerity. Meng Yingying lowered her eyes and said, "No need to trouble yourself."
"Brother, what are you doing here? Why waste your breath talking to them?" The voice came from behind them. Shou Changxing pushed open the gate without any politeness, making a loud bang. The atmosphere immediately heated up.
Shou Changxing glanced at the group and said coldly, "Why bother talking so much to these outsiders? You still have the imperial examinations to take, don't waste your time with them." His gaze swept over them and landed on Meng Yingying's face. After a brief pause, he raised his voice in dissatisfaction and warned, "You outsiders, don't try to persuade my brother to follow your nonsense. This is how Xinghua Village is. If you're not used to it, then get out."
Kong Fu was furious and rolled up his sleeves: "You brat!"
Shou Changxing sneered as he rolled up his sleeves, revealing lean arms with clearly visible veins and menacing muscles. Despite his young age, he was remarkably muscular. Kong Fusheng stared blankly, slowly rubbing his arms before pulling his sleeves down again. "You little brat, you're really muscular," he said, scratching his nose.
Meng Yingying wanted to laugh, but her smile slowly faded. Shou Changxing kept staring at her; it was so strange.
Shou Changxing snorted disdainfully, grabbed Shou Changyue's forearm, and said, "Please, everyone, do as you please!" He then pulled him into the house. Shou Changyue could only turn around helplessly, smile apologetically at them, and repeat the same words, "Please forgive me, please forgive me."
Seeing him leave, Meng Yingying, exhausted from a night's sleep, wanted to rest, so she said, "Senior brother, how about we rest for an incense stick's time before getting up?"
Zhou Xiuqi had no objection, then looked at Xiao Zheyu and Congrong: "And you two?"
Xiao Zheyu twisted her wrist wearily, feeling anxious and restless, and said, "I'll go out and observe the situation in this village." She turned to Congrong and asked, "Congrong, do you want to rest?"
Cong Rong said with a straight face, "Wherever you go, I'll go."
As expected, Xiao Zheyu advised, "If you're tired, go and rest. You don't need to follow me."
Cong Rong shook her head resolutely, and Xiao Zheyu said no more; she felt very uneasy all day. Zhou Xiuqi asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Xiao Zheyu frowned and said, "It's nothing." Her words carried little weight; her face was deathly pale, and she looked depressed. Zhou Xiuqi then said, "I'll go with you."
Cong Rong frowned in displeasure and glanced at him indifferently. Kong Fusheng said anxiously, "I'm going too!"
Meng Yingying closed her eyes wearily, turned and walked inside. She didn't want to bother with the footsteps silently following behind her. She'd tried twice already; she wouldn't give him a third chance. So be it, follow if you want. Since it wasn't out of affection, it must be premeditated. He was a ghost; perhaps the final villain had sent him. Until she understood the situation, Meng Yingying decided not to act rashly.
Meng Yingying walked to the door, pushed it open, and went inside. The person behind her followed her in. Meng Yingying raised her hand and pushed him back, saying politely, "Men and women should not touch each other. Even though you are a ghost, you should understand this principle."
"From now on, no matter what your purpose is, don't come into my house again."
After a long silence, not receiving a reply, Meng Yingying felt a surge of indescribable emotions. Speechless, she raised her hand to close the door, but he blocked the doorframe and forced his way in. Meng Yingying was about to curse him when he pulled her into his arms with his strong arms. The strong, pungent smell assaulted her nostrils, and her nose touched the smooth fabric of his chest. Her heart felt empty, without any response.
She could faintly smell a putrid stench.
"It hurts...it hurts...it hurts so much...it hurts so much..." He murmured in her ear, again and again, holding her tighter and tighter. She could hardly breathe and could only struggle violently.
The more she struggled, the tighter Shang Mang's embrace became, like a python trying to suffocate her to death, a terrifying act of devouring her.
Meng Yingying's eyes rolled back as she managed to squeeze out the words: "You want to kill me?"
Shang Mang's expression froze. He loosened his embrace, and a sinister red color filled his eyes. He whispered, "It hurts so much, it really hurts so much."
Meng Yingying pushed him away, took a step back, and said, "Shang Mang, look up at me."
Upon hearing this, Shang Mang did not move. He lowered his head, his long eyelashes obscuring his eyes. His humble and ingratiating appearance might have fooled her, but Meng Yingying was all too familiar with this scene. He would always show this crazed look, unlike his usual eccentric and hypocritical self. He was a very violent and paranoid person. Meng Yingying had long suspected that there might be another person living inside him, and that this person was the ultimate villain.
Impatient, Meng Yingying forcefully lifted his chin with one hand, and sure enough, she saw a pair of cold and icy blood-red eyes.
His eyes were fixed on her, bloodthirsty and tyrannical.
She only saw Shang Mang for a moment before reacting violently and stepping back, raising her voice: "Don't look, it's ugly."
Meng Yingying's heart tightened. Shang Mang's gaze slowly moved up to her, scrutinizing her. She lowered her eyes, clenched her fists, then dejectedly relaxed them, and walked closer to him: "Where does it hurt?"
Shang Mang lowered his eyes, his gaze flickering as he reached out to touch her hand, pulling it to his chest. "I hate you so much, I hate you so much that it's piercing my heart and causing me excruciating pain." His gaze was unfocused as he followed her face.
Meng Yingying's expression suddenly changed as he stared at her.
Shang Mang continued, "I hate you so much that I want to take your life day and night, why won't you leave?"
"Why are you still here? You clearly hate this place." He was delirious, his bloodshot eyes unfocused and filled with malice.
Meng Yingying's gaze drifted. Shang Mang was clearly looking down at her, but it was as if he was begging her, looking pitiful.
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