Lian Li felt that he couldn’t leave Yun Huizhou with the impression that he was eager to marry. If Yun Huizhou suddenly took it upon himself to introduce him to someone, he would cry himself to death.
Thus, he said, “That was ages ago. Besides, we just happened to be talking about it, so I was just complaining about my brother and sister-in-law in passing. It doesn’t mean I’m dying to get married.”
Feeling that wasn’t enough, he thought for a moment and added, “I haven’t even considered the matter.”
Yun Huizhou gave an “Mhm” in response. “Then you can start thinking about it now. If there is someone you like, tell me and Master; we will certainly help you find a way. As for the matter of money, you needn’t worry. If you marry, the gift Junior Uncle gives would be enough for a lifetime of comfort.”
Lian Li opened his mouth, wanting to say: I do have someone I like. If the other person is willing, we could get married tomorrow.
But seeing Yun Huizhou’s face, Lian Li choked the words back down.
His face turned a deep shade of red from the effort.
“You are the Senior Brother. If we’re talking about this, you should be the one to go first,” Lian Li threw the topic back at Yun Huizhou. He was afraid that if they kept dwelling on him, he would let the cat out of the bag.
“Me?” Yun Huizhou lowered his eyes, appearing as if he were truly contemplating the matter.
Watching him, Lian Li felt a surge of nervousness, fearing he might actually agree and then go out to find a partner.
“I am not thinking about such things.”
This sentence allowed Lian Li’s heart, which had leaped into his throat, to settle back into his chest. He was just about to respond when he heard Yun Huizhou continue.
“There are some things I haven’t thought through clearly. I will speak of it once I have.”
After saying this, he closed the book lying between him and Lian Li and turned back to his half of the room.
When he spoke those words, he didn’t look at Lian Li. His turn to leave was crisp and decisive, so he didn’t notice that upon hearing those words, Lian Li’s face turned pale for a moment, and even his pupils trembled slightly.
Yun Huizhou’s mind was also a mess; he felt like a headless fly.
He returned to his bed, the screen separating him from Lian Li. Staring at the roof beams, he began to recall the entire history of his acquaintance with Lian Li.
Lian Li placed the Spring Palace pictures he had scavenged from the Book Pavilion into the cabinet beside his bed and began to ponder Yun Huizhou’s words.
To think through.
What things did he need to think through?
Those words had come right after he told Yun Huizhou to consider marriage before him. In the end, this man had said he hadn’t thought things through and needed to do so.
Lian Li gripped the quilt tightly. This… meant he was likely already troubled by this matter, right?
In other words, it was very possible he already had someone in his heart, but he just hadn’t figured out how to tell them yet.
At this thought, Lian Li felt as if his entire heart were soaking in vinegar—it was so sour it hurt. A desire to flee grew stronger and stronger.
He was truly afraid that one day Yun Huizhou would “think it through,” decide to pursue that person, and then come to him for advice.
Giving advice to the person you love so they can pursue the person they love—that was just too miserable.
It was practically the standard for a devoted supporting male character in a romance novel.
Oh, and if he were a bit more dark-minded, he might even turn villainous.
If he couldn’t handle Yun Huizhou, he could only secretly play dirty tricks on the person Yun Huizhou liked.
That would turn him from a devoted supporting male character into a malicious supporting male character.
In the end, everything would be exposed, and he would be burned at the stake.
A perfect couple would be sharing a passionate kiss not far away, with his burning form as the backdrop.
Just thinking about it made him feel so stifled he could explode.
Lian Li curled himself entirely into the quilt. It wasn’t until a servant knocked on the door to deliver food that Lian Li suddenly snapped out of it, realizing it was only evening—just time for dinner.
Afraid that Yun Huizhou would notice his abnormality, he hurriedly climbed down from the bed to open the door, only to see that Yun Huizhou had already opened it.
The two sat at the table eating when Yun Huizhou suddenly spoke: “You previously promised Junior Uncle three hundred and sixty-five days of women’s clothing…”
Hearing him mention this, Lian Li also suddenly remembered. He had been back for a day, and the West Island Lord hadn’t sent anyone to bring it up.
His eyes darted around. “Do you think Junior Uncle forgot? Whatever you do, don’t go and remind him.”
Yun Huizhou nodded and said, “Rest assured, I certainly won’t remind him.”
He was currently unable to figure out where his feelings of affection originated. Before he understood, he naturally didn’t dare to face Lian Li in women’s clothing.
However, while Junior Uncle hadn’t remembered for the moment, who could guarantee he would stay forgetful?
Thinking of this, Yun Huizhou’s hands felt a bit numb.
If Junior Uncle really did remember and sent the women’s clothes over, he and Lian Li wouldn’t be able to stop him.
And the other three elders certainly wouldn’t interfere in this matter either.
The duration of women’s clothing Lian Li had promised was as long as a year. If he truly had to face Lian Li in women’s clothing for another year, he couldn’t guarantee he would remain sane.
If his emotions truly became uncontrollable by then—if he clearly liked a fake identity but went to the real Lian Li to express his adoration…
If Lian Li rejected him, it would be fine. At the very least, he could give up. At worst, he would go out and travel the world, rarely returning, and they could at least maintain a superficial relationship.
But what if Lian Li saw him as pitiful and, completely unaware of the truth, agreed to his confession?
Wouldn’t that be equivalent to the real Lian Li becoming a substitute for his own fake identity?
If he honestly and thoroughly explained everything to Lian Li, he feared they wouldn’t even be able to maintain basic harmony. They would likely never see each other again for the rest of their lives.
After much thought, Yun Huizhou felt he couldn’t let Lian Li continue wearing women’s clothing. He should face the real Lian Li instead of constantly thinking about that fake identity.
But he couldn’t stop what Junior Uncle wanted to do.
The fact that Junior Uncle hadn’t mentioned it yet was either because he forgot, or because Brother Zhao and Miss Qu were here, and he intentionally refrained for Lian Li’s sake.
Therefore, the time left for him was short. He had to think this matter through while Brother Zhao and Miss Qu were still on Drunken Dream Island.
As he pondered, his eating speed didn’t slow down at all, though he neglected to put any food into Lian Li’s bowl.
Lian Li ate with his head down for a while, noticing that Yun Huizhou was clearly lost in thought. Not only was he not secretly tucking food into Lian Li’s bowl, but there wasn’t even any food left in his own bowl; he was just shoveling plain white rice.
Suddenly, the crispy duck in Lian Li’s mouth didn’t taste good anymore.
What are you thinking about? To be so engrossed, are you thinking about the person you like?
Lian Li felt so miserable he wanted to reach out and give Yun Huizhou a smack, yet he knew this anger was irrational.
Yun Huizhou didn’t know he was suffering through a secret crush. If he were suddenly hit, he would surely find it baffling.
But Lian Li didn’t want him to keep thinking about that person he liked. After hesitating for a long time, his chopsticks moved toward a piece of duck meat. He wanted to give it to Yun Huizhou and simultaneously catch his attention so he would stop thinking.
But once the duck meat was between his chopsticks, he thought again: I already know he has someone in his heart. He’s thinking about them so much he’s not even eating properly, yet here I am eagerly serving him food. That’s just too pathetic.
