Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Your Friend is So Polite

“Even a rabbit bites when it’s cornered. I was forced to do that.” Sang Nian argued confidently.

Xie Chenzhou paced forward, “What are these things? Why have I never seen them before?”

Sang Nian casually made up an excuse:

“I love to dream, these are all nightmares I’ve had.”

Xie Chenzhou ruthlessly mocked her:

“You’re actually scared by a few dreams.”

“Did you really not encounter anything after you came in?” Sang Nian didn’t believe him. “Everyone has things they’re afraid of. You’re definitely hiding something.”

“I said I didn’t,” Xie Chenzhou was impatient, and strode past her.

“Hey, let’s go together!” Sang Nian chased after him and walked side by side with him.

The rest of the journey was surprisingly smooth.

The exit was right ahead.

Sang Nian had just breathed a sigh of relief and was about to quicken her pace when Xie Chenzhou suddenly stopped.

She was about to ask when she heard a series of footsteps behind her, very faint, as if someone was tiptoeing.

No way… again?

Sang Nian thought it was another character from some horror movie, mentally prepared herself, and turned to look at the source of the sound.

It wasn’t a strange monster, but a handsome young man with sword-like brows and star-like eyes.

It’s a human, it’s a human. Sang Nian’s heart instantly settled back into her stomach.

The other party was friendly and greeted her proactively:

“Hello, my name is Luo Pingan.”

The danger was over, Sang Nian relaxed. Seeing that he had no malicious intent, she politely replied:

“My name is Sang Nian, this is my friend Xie Chenzhou.”

Unexpectedly, Luo Pingan smiled at Xie Chenzhou:

“I know his name, we’ve known each other for a long time.”

Sang Nian secretly nudged Xie Chenzhou with her elbow:

“Your friend? He’s pretty polite, huh.”

Xie Chenzhou didn’t move, nor did he speak.

He looked at Luo Pingan’s face, as if falling into a long, old dream, his expression dazed.

Sang Nian called out: “Xie Chenzhou?”

Luo Pingan also called out: “A Zhou.”

His voice was clear, with a smile in his tone.

Xie Chenzhou woke up as if from a dream, suddenly took a step back, his face turning pale little by little.

Sang Nian had never seen this expression on his face before, a mixture of happiness, nostalgia, resistance, and… fear.

Her eyelids twitched.

Xie Chenzhou was afraid.

Afraid of this strange young man.

Could it be…

On the silent bamboo path, Luo Pingan shook the wine jar he was carrying, beckoning him as he used to, laughing happily:

“It’s rare that you have time today. Come on, let’s go get a drink!”

Xie Chenzhou took a step towards him, dazed, lost in thought.

Sang Nian grabbed his arm and hissed:

“Xie Chenzhou, wake up! That’s not a real person, it’s an illusion!”

Xie Chenzhou turned his head woodenly, “Illusion?”

Sang Nian: “Yes, he’s fake.”

“I know.” Xie Chenzhou lowered his eyes, his thin lips moved slightly, and he said something else.

His voice was very soft, only he could hear it.

Sang Nian: “Speak up, I didn’t hear you.”

Xie Chenzhou broke free from her hand and continued walking towards Luo Pingan.

Sang Nian was about to pull him again, but Liu Liu advised:

“Host, it’s no use being anxious. You can only dispel illusions yourself, others can’t interfere.”

Hearing this, Sang Nian could only give up.

Over there, Xie Chenzhou had already walked in front of Luo Pingan and stopped.

“A Zhou, how did you grow so tall?”

Luo Pingan reached out and compared their heights, surprised:

“I’m half a head shorter than you now.”

Xie Chenzhou: “Hmm.”

Luo Pingan said again: “Is that Miss Sang your friend?”

Xie Chenzhou hesitated for a moment, then nodded: “Hmm.”

Luo Pingan smiled and lightly punched him in the chest:

“Not bad, you finally made a friend. I’m so happy for you.”

A faint light flickered in Xie Chenzhou’s dark eyes:

“…Really?”

“Of course, you’re my best brother.”

Luo Pingan laughed heartily:

“Come on, let’s go get a drink. Don’t stand here.”

Xie Chenzhou stood motionless.

Luo Pingan urged: “Come on.”

Xie Chenzhou swayed, wanting to follow him and take a step.

Cold sweat broke out on Sang Nian’s forehead: “Xie Chenzhou!”

A glimmer of clarity returned to Xie Chenzhou’s dazed expression.

He stared fixedly at Luo Pingan, for a long time, he slowly and firmly shook his head.

Luo Pingan was puzzled: “A Zhou?”

“Luo Pingan is dead.”

Xie Chenzhou said softly:

“I killed him.”

“…”

Luo Pingan’s wine jar fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

Cold wine spilled out, soaking his feet. Xie Chenzhou closed his eyes tightly, not sure if he was talking to him or to himself:

“You’re just an illusion.”

Luo Pingan suddenly smiled, “So, are you going to kill me again?”

“Also,” he murmured, “You did a good job back then, you were very quick, weren’t you?”

Xie Chenzhou didn’t answer, calmly extending two fingers and drawing them across Luo Pingan’s neck.

His fingertips trembled slightly.

“I will hate you forever.” Finally, Luo Pingan said this.

“Dong—”

A small pebble fell to the ground, making a soft sound.

Xie Chenzhou bent down and picked it up, staring at it for a long time.

When he turned around, there was no trace of abnormality on his face.

He said calmly, “Let’s go.”

There was no fierce fight, no terrifying demons.

Just two jugs of fine wine, an old friend, and a hint of hatred.

But perhaps for Xie Chenzhou, it was precisely this seemingly harmless scene that was more terrifying than anything else in the world.

It required more courage to face.

Sang Nian followed behind Xie Chenzhou, unable to help but stare at his back.

The young man was slender, his back always straight, like a solitary bamboo or a green pine, radiating an aura of “keep out” from head to toe.

Who was that Luo Pingan…?

They seemed to be close, but why did Xie Chenzhou kill him?

They walked in silence.

As they stepped through the exit and left the bamboo forest, Xie Chenzhou turned his head without warning. She didn’t have time to look away, and their eyes met.

She gave a dry laugh, looking at the gray sky and the wet ground:

“The weather’s pretty good today, huh.”

Xie Chenzhou said calmly: “You’re not going to ask me why I killed him?”

Sang Nian said dryly: “That wouldn’t be good, it would be too presumptuous.”

Xie Chenzhou’s gaze was sharp: “You’re afraid that if you know, I’ll kill you to silence you.”

Sang Nian shook her head: “I just think that if you’re willing to tell me, you will. If you’re not willing, it’s no use asking.”

Of course, there was also a little bit of fear of being silenced.

Just a little bit.

Xie Chenzhou let out a cold laugh and said nothing more.

Not far from the edge of the bamboo forest was a cliff, with clouds and mist swirling below, bottomless.

A bright light shone from the mountaintop on the other side, the exit of the second stage.

Several people had already arrived there.

They gathered together, chattering about how to get across.

Sang Nian: “Should we go listen?”

As soon as she finished speaking, someone behind them suddenly pushed them, striding past them:

“Get out of the way, don’t block my path.”

Sang Nian stumbled and looked up. The young man in brocade robes was holding his chin high, his arrogance evident.

She quickly recalled and confirmed that this was Shen Mingchao.

Compared to before, he looked much more disheveled. His hair, which had been neatly tied up, was now loose, and his golden hair crown was nowhere to be seen. It was obvious that his experience in the bamboo forest hadn’t been pleasant.

Well, his expression was still arrogant, and he was still annoying.

“What are you looking at?” Shen Mingchao said. “My royal face is not something you lowly commoners can look at directly?”

Xie Chenzhou was expressionless, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Sang Nian was worried that he would attack Shen Mingchao, so she quickly stepped forward, blocking him from Shen Mingchao’s sight.

Seeing this, Shen Mingchao frowned:

“Who allowed you, a commoner, to approach this prince? Get out of my way.”

Sang Nian: “…”

“Friendly reminder,” she said with a sarcastic smile, “This isn’t a palace. Not only can I look at you directly, I can also beat you up.”

He sneered: “I am the legitimate son of the Empress. You dare to hit me?”

“Bang—”

He was punched squarely in the face.

Shen Mingchao cried out in pain, clutching his bleeding nose and crouching down, bewildered, hurt, and angry.

“You dare to hit me?!”

Sang Nian let go of her sleeve, shook her fist, and said nonchalantly:

“I hit you, I hit you. Do I need to pick a day?”