Someone Is Always Thinking of You, You Just Don’t Know It
When Liang Lu went to bring Ling Li in from the doorway, where he was dusted all over with ice and snow, Su Jingyang was still sitting on a stool, dazed by the news he had just heard. It wasn’t until Ling Li came close and softly called his name that he suddenly snapped back to his senses and stood up. “Ah Li, you’re here!”
Su Jingyang lifted his sleeve to brush the snow from Ling Li’s dark hair, then shoved a cup of hot tea into his hands, telling him to sit down and rest first.
Ling Li had no mind to drink tea at all nor to sit. He set the cup aside on the nearby high table, grabbed Su Jingyang’s hand, and asked anxiously, “Jingyang, I heard Young Master Liang say that Hao Jiasheng is dead?”
Su Jingyang’s expression turned grave as he nodded. “Yes. I didn’t expect it either.” He was honestly fed up with that family, yet now that someone had truly died, his heart felt tangled and heavy. After all, it had been a young life.
Ling Li panicked immediately. “Then what do we do? Will it… will it…”
Seeing how pale Ling Li looked, Su Jingyang knew he had been reminded of the past. He hurried to comfort him, gazing at him gently as he said, “Ah Li, don’t worry. It won’t happen. Someone saw everything at the time. Once they find witnesses to prove I didn’t push him, I’ll be fine.”
Liang Lu also spoke up from the side. “That’s right. Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’m here. I won’t let Jingyang suffer injustice for nothing.”
Ling Li bit his lower lip, suddenly turning toward Liang Lu. He pulled a money pouch from his robes and pressed it into Liang Lu’s hand. Liang Lu was stunned by the gesture. Ling Li looked at him with pleading eyes. “Please, Young Master Liang, help smooth things over however you can. Jingyang absolutely cannot be allowed to come to harm.”
Liang Lu couldn’t help but turn his head and laugh lightly. He let out a soft “aiya,” pried Ling Li’s fingers open, and returned the pouch to him. He reassured him repeatedly that none of that was needed to keep Su Jingyang safe. Only then did Ling Li, still uneasy, put the money away.
Just then, an officer came to summon Su Jingyang to the court. Su Jingyang guided the newly tense Ling Li to sit down, squeezed his hand, and said, “Ah Li, don’t panic. I’ll be right back.”
Su Jingyang really did return not long after. Upon hearing the bad news in court, Old Madam Hao had fainted on the spot and been sent back to the medical hall. Su Jingyang only had to press his fingerprints a few times before heading home with Ling Li. If witnesses were found tomorrow, he would need to come back once more.
During dinner, Rong Hua suddenly arrived through the snow. She was already familiar enough with the place to grab bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen on her own and sit down to eat without waiting for Ling Li to say anything.
She quickly noticed Ling Li’s distracted state and immediately asked Su Jingyang what had happened. After hearing the whole story, Rong Hua bit her chopsticks and suddenly curved her lips into a smile. She glanced at Su Jingyang and said to Ling Li, “Ah Li, don’t worry. If worst comes to worst, let Jingyang marry into Rongcheng. Once he’s there, someone will naturally protect him.”
Su Jingyang felt like a nerve had been poked and instantly widened his eyes. “What do you mean, marry?! I don’t want to!!!”
“Why not? Marrying our City Lord and becoming the City Lord’s spouse would be great. Didn’t you say before that you liked him?” Rong Hua slapped the table repeatedly. “Weren’t those your own words?”
“I did say that, but I’m not marrying anyone, because in the future I want to—”
Ling Li, who had been silent at the side, suddenly let out a faint, uncontrollable tremor in his breathing. He quickly lowered his head and ate, as if to hide it. Su Jingyang immediately shut his mouth.
Rong Hua found it strange and kept pressing. “In the future you want to what?”
Ling Li suddenly reached over with his chopsticks to place food into her bowl, saying softly, “Let’s stop talking and eat. The food’s getting cold.”
“Alright, I’ll listen to Ah Li. Let’s eat first.” Rong Hua smiled obediently and did focus on her food, no longer speaking to Su Jingyang. A hint of scheming, however, seemed to brew quietly in her eyes.
After the meal, Ling Li originally wanted Rong Hua to stay the night. Snow was falling and it was already dark, and he worried about a girl traveling alone. Rong Hua wanted very much to stay and sleep with Ling Li too, but because she had a small plan in mind, she clung to Ling Li for a bit, said a few affectionate words, and reluctantly left in the end.
Ling Li and Su Jingyang stood at the doorway, watching that bright red figure fade from view before closing the door and heading back inside.
Su Jingyang voiced a question he had been harboring for a long time. “Ah Li, do you think Murong might be a long-lost relative of yours?”
No matter how he looked at it, she was unusually close to Ling Li, almost dependent on him. She had a bad temper, yet liked to act spoiled around Ling Li, full of childishness. Su Jingyang could only conclude that Ling Li must resemble one of her elders in some way. Added to Ling Li’s unclear background, the suspicion felt well-founded.
Ling Li thought about it, then shook his head. “Probably not. From what my father told me, my birth parents didn’t seem to be from Rongcheng.”
Su Jingyang murmured, “Maybe they were. Weren’t there lots of people back then who left Rongcheng to marry outsiders and never returned? If you could find your relatives, I would feel more at ease too.”
Ling Li’s steps paused slightly at those words. Su Jingyang truly hoped he could find family, so he added, “Next time Murong comes, Ah Li can ask her properly.”
Ling Li gave a quiet hum, likely taking it to heart.
Early the next morning, Liang Lu arrived in a carriage to pick up Su Jingyang. Ling Li wanted to go along, but Su Jingyang said, “It’s cold and the roads are slippery. Don’t go to Lin’s Small Eatery for now either. Ah Li, stay home and wait for Ah Xuan to come back.” Judging by the timing, Ah Xuan should be sent back tonight.
Liang Lu said several witnesses had already been found to prove Su Jingyang hadn’t pushed anyone. Going now was just a formality, pressing fingerprints before returning home. Only then did Ling Li feel somewhat relieved and stay behind as Su Jingyang asked.
When they hurried to the government office, several officers were gathered together, chattering animatedly. Su Jingyang found it odd and was about to go listen in.
One of them, very familiar with Liang Lu, turned and ran over, eyes wide, his tone wildly dramatic. “Young Master Liang, do you know? That Hao Jiasheng, he-he-he-he’s alive again!!!”
Liang Lu froze. “…Huh?!”
Su Jingyang felt like a bolt of lightning had split his mind. His whole body prickled. Alive again?! What kind of situation was this?!
From the officer’s account, they learned that Hao Jiasheng had indeed stopped breathing, yet late last night his pulse and body temperature returned. By morning he had woken up and could speak clearly, with a clear mind. His body was still weak and needed recuperation. The physician explained that it was likely a deathlike state. He had been fortunate and strong-willed enough to survive.
More importantly, Hao Jiasheng admitted that he had fallen into the water by accident and that it had nothing to do with Su Jingyang. Su Jingyang was completely cleared of suspicion and didn’t even need to press fingerprints again.
Even after leaving the yamen gates, Su Jingyang still felt like he was dreaming. Liang Lu wore a thoughtful expression as well.
Su Jingyang tugged at Liang Lu’s sleeve. “How about… we go take a look?”
Liang Lu nodded in agreement. “I was thinking the same.”
They rode to the medical hall, only to be told that Hao Jiasheng had already returned home.
After being rescued from the water, Old Madam Hao had seemed fine and even gone to file a complaint at the office. Once she heard her grandson had died, she collapsed and never regained consciousness. The physician said her age and the severe shock had drained her will to live. She likely didn’t have long left. Upon hearing this, Hao Jiasheng said nothing and simply driven a cart, taking the old woman home.
The physician seemed to know Hao Jiasheng from before and remarked that after brushing past death, he had become much more taciturn, as if on the verge of great enlightenment.
As Su Jingyang was leaving, he heard a young medicine apprentice mutter softly, “Looks like the King of Hell still wants to take a life in the end.” He sounded convinced that Old Madam Hao wouldn’t live much longer.
After leaving the medical hall, Su Jingyang and Liang Lu rode the carriage away again. With the trouble completely resolved, Su Jingyang’s mood lifted as well.
Cradling a hand warmer, Su Jingyang chatted with Liang Lu until he suddenly sneezed. Liang Lu laughed at the sight of his reddened nose. “Someone’s thinking about you.”
Su Jingyang rubbed his nose and grinned. “It’s definitely Ah Li. He’s worrying about me.”
“How do you know it can’t be someone else?”
Su Jingyang shot him a look. “Who do you mean?”
Liang Lu smiled faintly. “Someone is always thinking of you, you just don’t know it.”
Before Su Jingyang could ponder that remark, the carriage abruptly stopped as if hitting an obstacle. Caught off guard, Su Jingyang lurched forward and nearly toppled out. Liang Lu reacted quickly, grabbing him and pulling him back. Su Jingyang crashed hard into Liang Lu’s chest, making him grunt.
When the carriage curtain was lifted amid the driver’s startled shout, Su Jingyang had just steadied himself and climbed out of Liang Lu’s arms. Cold wind and snow swept in. Shivering, he instinctively looked outside and saw Rong Ci standing by the carriage, expressionless. Dressed in black amid the wind and snow, he looked especially cold and stern.
Seeing him here surprised Su Jingyang. Once he sat properly, he asked, “Huh? Weren’t you supposed to come back tonight? Where’s Ah Xuan?”
Rong Ci’s gaze swept toward Liang Lu. Liang Lu raised both hands to show his innocence.
Rong Ci spoke succinctly to Su Jingyang. “Get down.”
Su Jingyang had planned to ask Liang Lu to let him off at the next intersection anyway. He got down and waved. “Thank you so much. Come eat again another day.”
Liang Lu didn’t insist on seeing him home. He smiled, told him to be careful, and let the carriage depart.
Rong Ci turned and headed toward home. Su Jingyang followed behind, the snow crunching underfoot. He breathed out misty air and asked, “Why are you alone? Where’s the kid?”
“Murong took him back to Ling Li’s place,” Rong Ci replied.
Su Jingyang asked in confusion, “Then why did you suddenly appear here?”
Rong Ci suddenly stopped and shot him a fierce sideways glance. Su Jingyang was baffled. “What? Why are you looking at me like that? What did I do to upset you now?”
Rong Ci’s expression showed restrained patience. After a moment, he ground his teeth and said, “Weren’t you accused of murder and thrown in jail, and didn’t you have Murong tell me to come save you?”
Su Jingyang stared in disbelief. What was this nonsense?! He had been indeed accused, but when had he been jailed? When had he asked Murong to tell this guy to come save him?
He found it ridiculous. “Murong really said that? She tricked you. I did run into some trouble, but I wasn’t locked up. I didn’t ask you to save me either. Why would I count on you? Young Master Liang already helped me plenty.”
Su Jingyang paused, realization dawning. He asked incredulously, “So you showed up because you believed Murong and rushed over from Rongcheng to save me? Seriously? You came to save me?!”
Rong Ci’s gaze darkened further, his jaw tightening.
After hearing the news from Rong Hua, he rushed over overnight. He searched the jail cells, interrogation rooms, and main hall all morning without finding a trace of Su Jingyang. He already realized he might’ve been fooled, yet his heart wouldn’t settle. Unwilling to give up, he searched again, only learning from idle chatter that Su Jingyang had been released.
Rong Ci’s mood was foul. Looking back now, Rong Hua’s words and her anxious expression had been full of holes, yet he hadn’t questioned them at all. On the way back, he thought this guy must’ve been scared witless. Instead, Su Jingyang had been lounging comfortably in Young Master Liang’s carriage. Hearing Su Jingyang confirm that Rong Hua had lied made the anger in his chest surge even higher.
Rong Ci stalked ahead with a dark face. Su Jingyang hurried to follow. “Don’t walk so fast, wait for me!”
Su Jingyang felt like he truly was cursed. Along the way, he slipped hard on icy ground five times, nearly shattering his backside. He yelped in pain every time. Rong Ci couldn’t bear to watch anymore. He mocked him for having an unstable base, then stepped in front of him, bent slightly, and gestured for him to climb on.
Su Jingyang looked doubtful, brushing snow off himself. “You… you’re going to carry me? You won’t throw me into the river, will you?”
“I’ll throw you off a cliff,” Rong Ci replied. “Stop dawdling and get on.”
Su Jingyang hesitated, then slowly climbed onto his back. His arms draped over Rong Ci’s shoulders, not quite daring to wrap around his neck.
Su Jingyang blinked lightly, his mind recalling that this seemed to be the first time he had such peaceful, intimate contact with this guy. The feeling in his chest was strange, a little awkward, and hard to name.
Rong Ci lifted him with ease and walked steadily forward.
Before long, Rong Ci felt warm, fresh breath brush his ear as Su Jingyang whispered, “It really is faster. If I walked myself, it would probably be dark before I got home.”
Rong Ci snorted. “Good that you know.”
Su Jingyang asked, “People with martial skills don’t slip when they walk?”
“Not entirely,” Rong Ci said.
Su Jingyang continued, “Then how do I get skills like yours? I want to walk without slipping too!”
“Simple. Be reborn as me.”
“Reincarnation takes real skill. That’s too hard.” Su Jingyang shook his head and sighed, then added, “Lift your foot and let me see. Maybe there’s something special about your shoes. Let me look, hurry—”
Rong Ci’s breathing suddenly deepened. He stopped short and turned his head slightly. “If you have something to say, say it. Don’t beat around the bush.”
Su Jingyang hadn’t expected him to see through it so sharply. He fell silent in surprise.
His gaze lingered on the handsome lines of Rong Ci’s profile. After a long pause, he finally spoke softly. “Ah Yi, someone as smart as you actually believed Murong and rushed all the way from Rongcheng to save me. Now you’re even willing to carry me home. Please don’t scold me for being presumptuous. I just really want to understand…” He hesitated again before asking quietly, “You wouldn’t happen to be… kind of starting to like me, would you?”
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