There had never been such an awkward silence between them. Only now did he realize how considerate Chu Yi was. He’d inexplicably crashed into the guy’s life, yet Chu Yi not only didn’t mind but taught him so much…
“A booklet on Cultivation Methods and insights for teaching you how to cultivate. I can’t teach you cultivation myself, so in a couple days, I’ll give you this booklet. For anything you don’t understand, you can ask Zhang Shaoyi, Chen Jin Sheng, or Zhao Zhen. I’ve already spoken to them about it.”
Yu Qingxian’s heart softened, though he also felt a bit stifled. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll ask too much and accidentally leak the Cultivation Method?”
Shouldn’t Cultivation Methods and scrolls be the most tightly guarded secrets of every sect? And Chu Yi was just handing it over to him?
Chu Yi replied, “If it leaks, it leaks. Cultivation Methods are created to be used by more people. Our Tianji Sect’s creed is to help others do good. Giving it to those who can use it counts as Merit too. Of course, if a great villain emerges within the sect, all disciples have the duty to punish evil and uphold justice without slacking. Do you understand?”
Yu Qingxian mumbled sullenly, “I understand.”
Was Chu Yi teaching him cultivation for Merit, or for him?
“Since you understand, start memorizing it. Remember as much as you can.” Chu Yi said seriously.
In truth, he thought it didn’t matter if President Yu memorized it or not—as long as he stopped staring at him.
President Yu loved staring at him. Don’t think he didn’t know; his gaze always lingered on his cheeks, Adam’s apple, even his hands, with a stickiness that wouldn’t come off…
If it were anyone else, he’d have shuddered and slapped them away. But since it was President Yu… fine, stare all he wanted. He couldn’t bear to refuse someone whose eyes were full of him.
Yu Qingxian knew Chu Yi was doing this for his own good, so he reined in his mind and began memorizing. At first, he thought the convoluted stuff Chu Yi wrote would be hard to understand, but once immersed, he discovered it held profound mysteries.
It took Yu Qingxian a long time to snap out of that wondrous state. When he opened his eyes, he saw He Zhan had somehow entered Chu Yi’s room at some point. He was leaning his head on Chu Yi’s shoulder, holding up his Mobile Phone, and loudly telling the person on video, “Lu Changzhou, are you deaf? We’ve already broken up. What’s wrong with me finding a new boyfriend?”
Yu Qingxian: “!!!”
And He Zhan kept going: “Back then, wasn’t I smitten with you at first sight too? Don’t think so highly of me. Smitten at first sight—besides looks, what else could it be? My Yi Ge is better looking than you, and he doesn’t smoke like you, stinking of cigarettes… So what about kissing? We’ve already gone all the way! He’s mature, steady, respects me, and no one in his family opposes us. Why can’t I move on to someone better?”
As he spoke, he leaned in to kiss Chu Yi, but Chu Yi pressed his forehead and pushed him away, his face turning cold. “Don’t say things you’ll regret. And I’m not your shield.”
What if Lu Changzhou was just like his family? Wouldn’t he become the next He Zhan?
He Zhan had wanted to cover Chu Yi’s mouth, but hearing those last words snapped him out of his rage. It was like a bucket of cold water dumped over his head. He opened his mouth hesitantly. “Yi Ge, I… sorry.”
Remembering the video was still on, he steeled himself and said to the person on the other end, “What I said earlier was fake, but breaking up with you is real. No—we’ve already broken up. Don’t call anymore!”
He hung up quickly, his handsome face flushed red. “His family bullies people too much. He called saying all sorts of nonsense, and I got heated for a moment… so I thought I’d piss him off.”
Chu Yi glanced sideways at him. “Think three times before speaking or acting.”
Romance was a matter between two people. Lu Shirong interfering in his son’s relationship made He Zhan the victim at first, but dragging him into it turned He Zhan into the perpetrator… Moreover, from his behavior, he still had feelings for Lu Changzhou—otherwise, why bother provoking him?
Of course, that was understandable. People weren’t machines; feelings couldn’t be retracted at will. But involving a third party was wrong, and Chu Yi wouldn’t play along. Good thing President Yu’s face had turned ashen over there—thank goodness he’d acted decisively… or who knew what mess it would’ve become!
He Zhan hung his head. “I got it. Sorry.”
Chu Yi had been about to head to the desk to soothe President Yu but paused at a thought.
“Have the Special Affairs Office people left?”
“They have.” He Zhan nodded. “They said tomorrow they’ll summon Lu Shirong to the branch for investigation, and they want me to go too. Yi Ge, could you…?”
He Zhan’s face showed shame, knowing he’d handled this poorly. But going alone left him uneasy, and the only one he could rely on was Chu Yi.
“Sure.” Chu Yi agreed readily. It wasn’t just for He Zhan; he also wanted to know the results of the assassin’s interrogation.
Plus, when he’d called Wu He earlier, Wu He mentioned that his handling of Old Master Kang and the Man-Eating Flower had earned him points rewards, redeemable at any Special Affairs Office Headquarters or branch. He wanted to see what good stuff they had.
He Zhan beamed with joy. “Thanks, Yi Ge!”
He really hadn’t misjudged him—his Yi Ge was just that magnanimous!
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