Chapter 15: A celebration banquet? No, it's a test of attraction!
After Yan Linye and Chen Feng digested and absorbed Yun Zhan's half-baked "modern management methodology," it actually worked. An elite squad, in coordination with local forces, swiftly wiped out several of the largest bandit groups in the west, and the rear quickly stabilized. At the same time, scouts sent to the east also brought back favorable news, greatly increasing the possibility of reopening trade routes.
Upon hearing the good news, Yan Linye was overjoyed and immediately decided to hold a banquet at the villa, firstly to celebrate the victory, and secondly to express his gratitude to Yun Zhan.
The banquet was held in the courtyard where Yun Zhan now lived. Although the dishes couldn't compare to the variety and flavors of modern society, they still included chicken, duck, fish, and meat, and the aroma was irresistible. What made Yun Zhan most elated was not the food, but the atmosphere at the banquet.
The civil and military officials under Yan Linye, who had previously been hesitant or even dismissive of him as an "outsider," now all looked at him differently. Previously, seeing Yun Zhan's handsome appearance and refined, clean-cut demeanor, and especially since the prince had taken him to a separate residence, some secretly speculated that he was Yan Linye's "little plaything," and most looked down on him.
The burly general who had once thought him effeminate came over with a wine bowl and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Yun! I, Old Zhang, am a rough man. I was blind to your greatness before! Your curved plow is damn useful! And the idea you came up with this time was brilliant! I'll toast you with a bowl!" After saying that, he gulped down the wine first as a sign of respect.
The strategist, who always had a shrewd look on his face, stroked his beard and praised with a smile: "Young Master Yun is ingenious and resourceful, always able to achieve unexpected victories and turn the rotten into the miraculous. He is truly a talent worthy of a king's advisor! I admire him greatly!"
"Young Master Yun is truly talented!"
"Young Master Yun has really helped us a lot!"
Praise poured in like water, as if it were free. Sitting below Yan Linye, listening to the flattery and seeing their genuine smiles, he felt light as a feather, as if walking on clouds. The pain of losing 500 points to the system earlier had long since vanished in the face of this immense sense of accomplishment.
While feigning modesty and waving his hand, saying "Not at all," and "You flatter me," he couldn't help but gloat to the system in his mind: "Little Seven! See? This is personal charisma! Knowledge is power! Much more valuable than your stingy points!"
[Host, please stay alert. Those who praise you may very well be accomplices in the future, storming your palace and turning your skull into an artwork.] System Xiaoqi timely poured cold water on this idea.
"What a disappointment!" Yun Zhan rolled his eyes inwardly, deciding to temporarily ignore this guy who couldn't chat and focus on enjoying the moment of glory before him.
Yan Linye sat in the main seat, watching Yun Zhan grin foolishly. His fair cheeks were flushed with the effects of the wine, and his eyes sparkled like they were filled with starlight. A gentle smile always played on his lips, and his gaze was mostly fixed on Yun Zhan, filled with undisguised admiration and... something deeper.
After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, everyone was slightly tipsy and tactfully took their leave. The courtyard quickly quieted down, leaving only Yun Zhan and Yan Linye, who was clearly drunk.
The moonlight, like water, spilled into the courtyard, casting a soft, silvery veil over everything.
Yan Linye propped himself up on the table and walked unsteadily to Yun Zhan. He was half a head taller than Yun Zhan, and leaned down slightly, his warm breath, carrying the scent of alcohol, brushing against Yun Zhan's face.
Yun Zhan had also been given quite a bit of alcohol, and his head was a little dizzy. When he saw the handsome face that suddenly approached, his heart started racing for no reason.
“Yun Zhan…” Yan Linye’s voice was lower and hoarse than usual because of the alcohol, with an indescribable magnetism, “I always feel… that you are different from us.”
Yun Zhan's heart skipped a beat, and he sobered up halfway! Had he been exposed? He realized I wasn't from this world?
His palms were sweating with nervousness, and he stammered, "W-how is it different?"
Yan Linye stared at him with hazy, drunken eyes, his gaze so deep it seemed to draw him in. He raised his hand and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Yun Zhan's forehead, his movements as delicate as if he were afraid of breaking some precious treasure.
"You are intelligent and quick-witted, with imaginative ideas, as if... a celestial being descended to earth." His voice was soft, yet filled with utmost seriousness. "You must be a celestial child who accidentally fell to earth, right?"
Yun Zhan: "..."
That scared him to death! He thought he was a god! Thank goodness!
He had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Yan Linye say in a low voice, almost pleadingly, "Yun Zhan... don't go back, okay?"
"Huh? Go back where?"
“Go back to heaven.” Yan Linye’s gaze was fixed on him, with a hint of vulnerability and determination that was hard to detect. “Stay in this mortal world, stay by my side. I, Yan Linye, hereby swear that I will give everything I have to protect you, to make you happy and carefree, and to free you from the suffering of wandering.”
His words were exceptionally clear in the quiet night, carrying the mellow taste of alcohol and an indescribable solemnity. Under the moonlight, his sharply defined face was flushed, but his eyes were unusually bright, filled with a complex mix of emotions that made Yun Zhan's heart race.
Yun Zhan stared blankly at him, feeling as if his heart had been struck hard by something, pounding rapidly and loudly, making his eardrums ring. His cheeks flushed red, probably beyond recognition.
Yan Linye… what did he mean by that? It sounds… so much like a confession! Although the wording is ancient and literary, that “stay by my side,” that “protect you and ensure your happiness and well-being”…
His mind was a complete mess. Even after Yan Linye, drunk and unable to stay upright, swayed and was helped to rest by the guards who arrived in time, he remained frozen in place, unable to come to his senses for a long time.
The evening breeze was cool, but it couldn't dispel the heat on his face or the turmoil in his heart.
"System...!" he cried out in his mind, his voice trembling. "Did you hear that? He... is he... that... guy who likes men? Does he like me?!"
[...] The system remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly performing complex calculations. [The target person, Yan Linye, is experiencing intense emotional fluctuations, and his words reveal a strong tendency towards attachment and possessiveness. However, based on the world's background and the database of character behavior patterns, his sexual orientation cannot be definitively determined. In short: This system does not know if he is gay, nor is it certain if he likes you.]
"What use are you!" Yun Zhan retorted angrily.
[The core function of this system is to assist the host in self-rescue, not to provide emotional counseling. The host is advised to focus on the main quest.]
"Main quest my ass!" Yun Zhan scratched his head in frustration, his mind replaying Yan Linye's earnest yet pleading eyes and his deep, melodious voice...
His mind was in complete turmoil.
That night, Yun Zhan couldn't sleep.
What should I do if my assassination target seems to have designs on me? I need help urgently!
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