Chapter 38 A heartfelt confession? No, it's the birth of an Oscar-winning actor!
After reaching a consensus with the system on "colluding"... no, "strategic cooperation," Yun Zhan felt that his back and legs no longer ached, and he even had energy while being tied up.
"So, Seven, how exactly do we proceed with the first step?" Yun Zhan rubbed his hands together eagerly, as if he could already see the dawn of freedom.
[Based on data analysis, the target Yan Linye's wariness towards the host stems primarily from the host's previous fierce resistance and hunger strike. Current top priority: reduce his vigilance.] System Xiaoqi calmly analyzes, [Suggesting the host change strategy, projecting an image of 'sudden realization' and 'deep understanding of the greater good,' convincing Yan Linye that you understand and support his ambitions.]
Yun Zhan stroked his chin: "Be more specific? For example?"
For example, you could sincerely apologize to him, admitting that you were previously short-sighted, only concerned with your personal feelings, and failed to understand his deep concern for the world. Emphasize that you have now come to your senses and are willing to support his great cause for the sake of the people, only wishing for his safe return.
Yun Zhan's lips twitched as he listened: "...Why does this sound so cheesy? It's giving me goosebumps!"
[This is necessary for the strategy. Judging from the target's emotional dependence on the host, this plan has a success rate of 78.3%.] The system explained matter-of-factly, [Host, please temporarily set aside your morals (if you still have any) and put on your acting skills.]
Yun Zhan: "..." Thank you!
To survive, for a skull! We'll fight!
Thus, Yun Zhan began his "Actor Training Program." He no longer glared at Yan Linye, nor did he passively resist being fed. He began to cooperate, and would even occasionally gaze out the window in a daze, then let out a sigh full of "worry."
When Yan Linye asked him with concern, he lowered his eyelashes and said in a tone that was both sad and forcedly strong, "It's nothing... I just feel a little sad when I think about how many more people will be displaced once the war starts."
Seeing his "concern for the common people" appearance, Yan Linye's eyes softened considerably. He held his hand and comforted him, "Don't think too much. I will do my best."
After a few days, Yan Linye's tense nerves seemed to relax a little. Although the guards were still tight, when he came to visit Yun Zhan, the fatigue and solemnity between his brows had faded considerably, and he would occasionally tell him about the preparations outside (of course, filtering out the core secrets).
While frantically taking notes in his mind (this is all intelligence!), Yun Zhan maintained a gentle "I understand you" expression on his face, feeling that his acting skills were improving rapidly and winning an Oscar would be no problem.
"System, I think I can go to Hengdian as a featured actor now, earning 800 a day." Yun Zhan said smugly.
[Host, please focus on the mission. Your 'sudden awakening' act needs a climax to solidify its effect.] The system reminded you.
Yun Zhan's eyes darted around, and he had an idea.
That evening, he took the initiative to say, "Brother Yan, we... haven't had a proper meal together in a long time. Tonight, I'll have the kitchen prepare a few side dishes, and we can have a drink, okay?"
He tried to make his eyes look sincere, yet with a hint of cautious expectation.
Yan Linye was visibly taken aback. Seeing that Yun Zhan seemed to have finally emerged from his previous obsession and was willing to get along with him peacefully, a hint of surprise and emotion flashed in his eyes. He nodded almost without hesitation and agreed, "Okay."
Night fell, and the room was warmly lit by candlelight. Several delicate dishes and a pot of sake were laid out on the table. Yun Zhan's silk sash was finally untied (but under Yan Linye's watchful eye, it was practically the same as not untied), and he sat at the table in his loose nightgown, pouring Yan Linye a cup of sake.
After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the atmosphere was just right.
Yun Zhan took a deep breath and began his performance.
He put down his chopsticks, raised his head, and looked at Yan Linye with eyes full of emotion, his tone carrying an unprecedented seriousness and... a hint of guilt.
“Brother Yan,” he said softly, “I’ve been thinking wrong these days, getting stuck in a rut.”
Yan Linye paused slightly in his hand holding the wine glass and looked at him.
“Before, I was only worried about my own fear, afraid that you would get hurt, afraid that people would die in the war… but I forgot that the reason you chose this path was because there are many more people in this world suffering.” Yun Zhan’s voice was choked with just the right amount of sobs (forced out), “I was too selfish and short-sighted, only able to see my own little plot of land, and unable to see the suffering of the people in the world.”
He reached out and gently placed his hand on Yan Linye's hand, which was resting on the table. His eyes were so "sincere" they could blind anyone: "You're right. Some roads must be walked. Some battles must be fought. It's to end this chaotic world, so that more people can live a peaceful life like the people of Hejian Prefecture."
"Brother Yan, I support you." Yun Zhan concluded emphatically, feeling as if he were radiating a saintly glow (feeling good about himself). "Go ahead and do what you want to do. I will... I will wait here for you to come back safely."
This passionate and righteous speech, coupled with Yun Zhan's highly deceptive face and tearful eyes, had an outstanding effect!
Yan Linye stared at him blankly, his deep eyes surging with shock, emotion, and a kind of relieved joy! These days, because of Yun Zhan's lack of understanding and support, he had been under tremendous pressure and troubles. Now, hearing that his beloved finally understood and supported him, he felt his chest filled with a hot current, and all the fatigue and gloom of the past few days were swept away!
He gripped Yun Zhan's hand tightly in return, with such force that he almost crushed his bones, his voice hoarse with excitement: "Yun Zhan...you...you really think so?"
"Yes!" Yun Zhan nodded vigorously, almost bursting into tears (he was holding them back), "I was wrong before, I made things difficult for you."
Yan Linye suddenly pulled him into his arms, holding him tightly as if he wanted to meld him into his very bones. His chin rested on the top of Yun Zhan's head, his voice deep and powerful: "With your words, Yan Linye has no regrets in this life!"
Yun Zhan was almost suffocating from the tightness of his grip, but he breathed a sigh of relief: Done! The Oscars owe me an award!
The atmosphere was perfect, the candlelight flickered, and the wine was intoxicating. Looking at Yan Linye's tender eyes, softened by emotion, and thinking about his upcoming escape plan, Yun Zhan suddenly felt a strong sense of reluctance and bitterness.
He leaned against Yan Linye's chest and asked in a muffled voice, "Brother Yan... if, if you succeed... how do you plan to treat... the current emperor, Chu Yin?"
Upon hearing the name "Chu Yin," Yun Zhan clearly felt Yan Linye's body stiffen instantly.
The warmth and emotion from before receded like a tide, replaced by a chilling, bone-chilling killing intent. The tenderness in Yan Linye's eyes was replaced by a raging fire of hatred—a hatred etched into his very bones, a hatred that would never be forgotten!
He didn't even notice the wine glass in his hand; with a "crack," it was crushed in his hand! The shards cut his palm, and blood dripped down mixed with the wine, but he seemed oblivious.
"Chu Yin?" Yan Linye's voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a chilling aura of hell. "He's not just a usurper and traitor! He slaughtered my entire clan! This is an irreconcilable hatred!"
He raised his eyes, his gaze like a poisoned arrow piercing the void, as if his enemy were right before him, each word spoken with unwavering resolve:
"If he falls into my hands, I will grind him to dust!"
"Clang!"
Yun Zhan lost his grip on the wine glass, and it fell onto the table, spilling wine all over himself.
Crushed...crushed to ashes?!
These four words struck Yun Zhan like a thunderbolt! His whole body turned ice-cold, and his blood seemed to freeze instantly!
Run! We must run immediately! If we don't run now, and Yan Linye finds out that he is Chu Yin, then... Yun Zhan dared not think any further.
He looked at Yan Linye's profile, contorted with hatred, and felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart, causing both pain and coldness. The lingering reluctance and guilt he felt for the deception were now completely overwhelmed by immense fear.
Yan Linye seemed to realize he had lost his composure and frightened Yun Zhan. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging killing intent, and looked at Yun Zhan with his eyes regaining their previous gentleness, filled with apology: "Did I frighten you? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that in front of you..."
He picked up a handkerchief, intending to wipe the wine stains off Yun Zhan's body.
Yun Zhan instinctively flinched.
Yan Linye's hand froze in mid-air.
The atmosphere in the room instantly became somewhat tense.
Yun Zhan immediately realized that he had overreacted, so he quickly forced a smile, leaned back into Yan Linye's arms, hugged his waist, buried his face in his chest, and hid his pale face and wildly beating heart: "No...no, it's just a little sudden...I, I'm a little cold."
Yan Linye sensed his (fake) dependence and his heart softened. He hugged him tightly and gently patted his back with his uninjured hand: "Don't be afraid, it's all in the past. I won't let those dirty things taint you."
That night, each of them had their own thoughts.
To appease Yan Linye and to commemorate the fleeting "warmth," Yun Zhan acted unusually docile and proactive. Yan Linye, however, assumed that Yun Zhan was simply frightened and needed comforting, and with the previous "misunderstanding" resolved, his love and pity for Yun Zhan intensified.
The candlelight went out, and the brocade curtains fell.
Clothes gradually came off, and faint breaths could be heard.
It was a night that seemed sweet and tender, but was actually fraught with undercurrents. Yun Zhan used all his acting skills to respond to Yan Linye's passion, their bodies intertwined, but their hearts were separated by an insurmountable chasm.
As their passion reached its peak, Yan Linye whispered his name "Yun Zhan" in his ear again and again, his voice hoarse and full of affection.
Yun Zhan closed his eyes, feeling the burning passion of love, but his heart was ice-cold.
He knew that when dawn broke, it would all be over.
The next morning, as dawn broke.
Yan Linye instinctively reached out, wanting to pull the soft body beside him into his arms, but found nothing.
He suddenly opened his eyes; the bed beside him was empty, with only a slight lingering warmth.
"Yun Zhan?"
He sat up and looked around; the room was silent.
An ominous premonition instantly gripped his heart.
"Yun Zhan!" he called out, but there was no response.
He threw off the covers and got out of bed, quickly searching the room, but couldn't find that familiar figure.
Only by his pillow lay a fine jade pendant that Yun Zhan always wore close to his body—a "family heirloom" that he had helped Yun Zhan redeem from the restaurant.
Yan Linye picked up the jade pendant that still carried Yun Zhan's warmth, his fingers tightening suddenly until his knuckles turned white.
He rushed to the door and shouted at the guard, "Where is Young Master Yun?!"
The guard looked bewildered: "Your Highness, I have been on duty here the whole time and have not seen Young Master Yun come out..."
Yan Linye's heart sank completely.
He understood.
Everything last night—the understanding, the support, the tenderness… it was all fake!
It was a carefully planned performance to lull him into a false sense of security!
Yun Zhan ran away.
He ran away when he was completely off guard, when he thought the two of them had finally reached a mutual understanding.
A surge of anger at being deceived and betrayed, mixed with immense panic and indescribable heartache, erupted in his chest like a volcano!
"Find him!" Yan Linye's voice was like ice, filled with a terrifying ferocity. "Turn Hejian Prefecture upside down! Find him for me!"
At this moment, Yun Zhan, who had successfully slipped out of the villa and was mingling with the morning crowd leaving the city, looked back at the increasingly distant mansion and felt a mix of emotions.
Goodbye, Yan Linye.
This departure marks the beginning of true hostility between the two sides.
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