Chapter 135: Did You See My Book?

The more Lian Li thought about it, the more awkward and ashamed he felt. He kept his head lowered, not daring to even look at Yun Huizhou.

Seeing him with his head drooping like he had done something wrong, Yun Huizhou—who had originally intended to just grab his things and leave—felt his heart soften, yet he also felt more frustrated.

This person hadn’t actually done anything wrong. At least while Yun Huizhou was sober, Lian Li had always been mindful of his emotions and behaved no differently than usual.

But that was exactly why Yun Huizhou was frustrated. Clearly, he was the one with the problem, yet it resulted in the other person having to tread so carefully.

Silence filled the room. Just as Lian Li was wondering how to break this awkward stillness, his stomach suddenly let out a loud “gurgle—“

Though the silence was broken, Lian Li felt even more embarrassed.

Clutching his stomach, he summoned the courage to look up, only to see that Yun Huizhou had already walked over to stand before him.

Lian Li looked at him and called out softly, “Yun Huizhou, I was drunk before. I might have done some very strange things or said some very strange words. Please don’t take it to heart. You know how it is when someone’s drunk; they always spout nonsense.”

Yun Huizhou’s expression was complex as he said, “But there is a saying: ‘In wine, there is truth.'”

Lian Li immediately felt a pang of guilt. He actually had a rough understanding of the logic behind why he had clung to Yun Huizhou while simultaneously refusing to let Yun Huizhou touch him.

Because he liked the man, he wanted to hold onto him and not let him leave. But because he knew the man’s preference was for women, he couldn’t be too intimate with him; otherwise, he would be taking advantage of someone who didn’t know the truth.

When a person is drunk and incoherent, the internal struggles and contradictions of their consciousness are all manifested through their behavior. Fortunately, his behavior had been contradictory and strange enough that he could pass it off as mere drunken madness.

It was also fortunate that he hadn’t directly grabbed Yun Huizhou for a kiss or confessed outright.

Otherwise, he truly wouldn’t have the face to see Yun Huizhou ever again.

“I… I was probably just talking nonsense in my cups,” Lian Li whispered.

Since his actions and words had been so bizarre, claiming they were nonsense was perfectly plausible. Thinking this, Lian Li felt a bit more settled.

Yun Huizhou looked down at him, not wanting to dwell on whether the words spoken while drunk were hidden feelings or mere gibberish.

He wanted to speak plainly, but for the first time, he felt a sense of fear—fear that he wouldn’t even be able to maintain their current relationship.

However, being so hesitant and overthinking was truly not his style. Yet, as for what to say, he hadn’t thought it through.

Should he just tell Lian Li directly, I think I’ve fallen for the way you look when you’re dressed as a woman?

He felt that if he said it directly, given Lian Li’s occasionally prickly temper, the younger man might actually get angry.

And most importantly, even when looking at Lian Li in men’s clothing, he would subconsciously feel soft-hearted.

He was a bit confused about what exactly was going on with himself.

Seeing that Yun Huizhou hadn’t responded for a long while, Lian Li reached out and tugged at the hem of the other’s robe.

Yun Huizhou snapped back to reality and looked down at him. “Mm. Junior Uncle went out; I don’t know what for. We’ll prepare to head back once he returns.”

Seeing Yun Huizhou change the subject, Lian Li wasn’t about to dwell on his drunken antics either. He scrambled off the bed, intending to tell Yun Huizhou about the matters regarding the Spirit Cult that he had heard from the East Island Master.

Just as he was about to steer the conversation away completely to ease the awkward atmosphere, Yun Huizhou spoke again.

His voice carried a hint of hesitation. “When you helped me get my clothes, did you see a book?”

Although Yun Huizhou asked this, he was certain in his heart that Lian Li must have seen it. He just didn’t want to call him out directly; he wanted to see Lian Li’s reaction when the subject was raised.

“A book?” Confusion flickered in Lian Li’s eyes. “What book?”

Lian Li’s reaction was completely outside Yun Huizhou’s expectations, making him suspect that Lian Li was intentionally playing dumb.

But seeing Lian Li’s bewildered expression, which didn’t seem faked at all, Yun Huizhou became uncertain. Could it be that he really hadn’t seen it?

That shouldn’t be right. He had placed that book inside the bundle containing these clothes. If Lian Li was the one who went to get the clothes and organized his things, it was impossible for him not to have seen it.

Despite knowing that the possibility of Lian Li faking it was higher, a spark of hope couldn’t help but ignite in his heart. Maybe he really didn’t see it? Maybe Lian Li truly knows nothing?

Could those strange behaviors from before have been purely coincidental?

He couldn’t help but speak in more detail: “It was in the same bundle as the clothes I’m wearing now. Ice Treader has been carrying it. Were these clothes brought over by you?”

“I brought them,” Lian Li said. “I really didn’t see any book when I took them. I organized your other things too, and aside from the Beauty Ranking pamphlet I put in your bundle, I didn’t see any other books.”

“Are you sure?” Yun Huizhou looked at him intently, seeking confirmation once more.

“I’m sure,” Lian Li said with certainty, then asked, “Could it be that when we entered the Spirit Cult and left Tabing(Ice Treader) outside, he accidentally lost it? Was it a very important book? Should we ask Senior Uncle to go back with us to look for it while he’s still here?”

Yun Huizhou kept his eyes fixed on Lian Li’s expression, not missing a single detail.

Lian Li was a simple person; Yun Huizhou knew that if he truly wanted to discern Lian Li’s expression to judge whether he was lying, he had a high degree of accuracy.

However, throughout the entire process, there wasn’t a single abnormality in Lian Li’s expression or tone of voice.

This caused Yun Huizhou’s tense emotions to relax, and his hanging heart finally settled.

Once he was certain Lian Li truly hadn’t seen that book, he said with a smile, “It wasn’t anything important. If it’s lost, then it’s lost. No need to go looking for it.”

Seeing him smile, Lian Li observed his expression. Knowing he wasn’t angry anymore, Lian Li also felt relieved.

He hopped off the bed and sat down at the table, patting the seat next to him. “Come here quickly, let me tell you about the history between Senior Sister Qu and the Spirit Cult.”

Seeing him regain his vitality, Yun Huizhou also tossed the messy thoughts out of his mind. Since Lian Li hadn’t seen it, he would leave it at that for now.

He had to think things through clearly before saying anything else.

He sat down in the seat beside Lian Li, putting on an air of listening intently.

In truth, Yun Huizhou wasn’t particularly curious about this matter; otherwise, he would have gone over with Lian Li and Zhao Honglan at the time.

But since Lian Li wanted to tell him, he wouldn’t spoil the mood.

After Lian Li recounted everything the East Island Master had said in its entirety, he remarked, “I feel like there’s quite a big difference from the story I made up. It wasn’t as melodramatic as my version.”

“Still, I get the feeling they won’t give up so easily,” Yun Huizhou mused for a moment. Then, he felt this wasn’t something he should worry about. Qu Tingquan and Zhao Honglan had already suffered once; if they fell for it again, there was nothing he could do.

In any case, even if they fell for it again and he had to go find them, he would absolutely not bring Lian Li along next time.