Don’t Go, Su Jingyang, Listen
That day’s conversation ended with Lu Qian fainting. Lin Jia stayed by the bedside, tightly gripping his hand and refusing to leave even a single step. By the time evening came and Lu Qian finally woke up, Lin Jia immediately apologized to him in a soft voice. Lu Qian shook off his hand instead and angrily ordered him to leave.
Lin Jia looked completely dejected and clearly unwilling to go, yet he was also afraid of angering Lu Qian further. After tucking in the blanket for him and he finally stood up, turning back to look at him three times before walking out.
Su Jingyang actually found the situation a little strange. If Lin Jia had even the slightest bit of intelligence, he never should have badmouthed Gao Zhanfei in front of Lu Qian and angered him so badly, completely ruining what had been meant to be a proper conversation.
Lin Jia did not look like a fool at all though, so Su Jingyang could only guess that Lin Jia’s jealousy and fixation had reached a point where he could no longer hide them, especially since Gao Zhanfei had once shared feelings with Lu Qian.
Lin Jia was also staying at the inn. Since Lu Qian refused to see him at all, Lin Jia could only sneak in to look at him briefly while he was asleep.
Lu Qian’s mood remained poor that the next afternoon, he started spotting blood. A physician was then called. He was told to remain in bed for several days. Lin Jia felt terrible for him and insisted on personally taking care of him.
Lu Qian chased him away several times, and Su Jingyang worried Lu Qian might be angered again. Unexpectedly, after Lin Jia’s repeated pestering, Lu Qian turned toward the inside of the bed, his breathing heavy. In the end, he said nothing more.
Su Jingyang’s room had been taken over by the two of them. Lin Jia did not shortchange him and moved him into the best upper room in the inn, with an especially large bed. Su Jingyang then called Ling Li and Ah Xuan over to sleep together.
Su Jingyang also found the so-called generous thank-you gift Lin Jia had left for him on the table. When he opened the box, he discovered that Lin Jia was truly simple and rough about things, handing over silver directly, and in a very generous amount.
Hugging the box, Su Jingyang once again marveled at how every single one of them was such a rich spender, as if money were not money at all.
Su Jingyang had already planned to stay in Liyang for a few days before returning. With Lu Qian’s situation still unresolved, there was even less chance he would leave now.
Seeing Su Jingyang worrying about Lu Qian every day, Rong Ci finally could not help asking him, “Why do you always seem to enjoy playing matchmaker for other people?”
Su Jingyang replied with an unfathomable expression, “You ignorant humans wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”
Rong Ci raised his hand and tapped him on the forehead. “You? Calling other people ignorant?”
“Anyway, it’s none of your business.” Su Jingyang bared his teeth at him.
Rong Ci’s dark eyes flickered slightly. His breathing grew heavier, and he looked away without asking any further questions.
Ling Li never questioned Su Jingyang about these things. Whatever Su Jingyang said was fine with him. When Su Jingyang suggested staying a few more days, Ling Li naturally did not object.
Worried that Su Jingyang might not be used to the food outside, Ling Li borrowed the kitchen every day to cook for himself. Noticing that Lu Qian seemed to prefer his cooking as well, he would conveniently deliver meals to the two of them each day.
Whenever he had time, Su Jingyang often went to see Lu Qian. Lin Jia took meticulous care of him, yet Lin Jia was the only one enthusiastic. Lu Qian remained extremely indifferent, the gloom in his eyes so thick it would not disperse. Even Su Jingyang, as an onlooker, felt that the knot between them would be very difficult to untie.
Could it be that they would only be willing to admit their love at the brink of life and death, just like Xu Mei?
At the time, Su Jingyang was only thinking it over. He never expected himself to truly become a “crow’s mouth.”
That day, Lin Jia had some urgent matters within the sect and had no choice but to go out. Before leaving, he asked Su Jingyang to help watch over Lu Qian in the room, saying he would return once things were settled. In the end, even deep into the night, there was still no sign of him.
As the night grew later, the cold expression on Lu Qian’s face finally cracked. He sat as if on pins and needles, his eyes filled with intense unease.
His worry was not without reason. Lin Jia’s mother was the head of the demonic sect, with many enemies in daily life. Lu Qian vaguely remembered hearing Lin Jia’s subordinates report that someone was seeking revenge. Now that he still had not returned, something must have happened.
Lin Jia only appeared when dawn was just beginning to break. As soon as he entered, he collapsed heavily to the ground, unconscious. His body was covered in blood. Lu Qian, who had been exhaustedly leaning against the bed, was jolted awake. The moment he saw Lin Jia lying in a pool of blood, his mind exploded with a roar, and he cried out Lin Jia’s name.
Su Jingyang, who had been keeping Lu Qian company and could no longer hold out, had fallen asleep sprawled on the bed. That cry startled him fully awake.
With his belly heavily swollen, Lu Qian supported his waist and hurried toward the door. Su Jingyang rushed up as well, and seeing that the situation was dire, hurriedly went to call a physician.
Lin Jia’s most serious injury was near his heart and was extremely dangerous. He remained unconscious for three full days. Lu Qian stayed by the bedside, shedding countless tears.
When Lin Jia finally woke up, Lu Qian’s attitude toward him softened considerably. Lin Jia was overjoyed. Grabbing Lu Qian’s hand, he said pitifully, “If getting injured is what makes you acknowledge me, then I’m willing to be seriously injured forever and never recover.”
Lu Qian glared angrily at his bloodless face, tears once again spilling uncontrollably.
Su Jingyang thought that after such an ordeal, the two of them should be able to put everything aside and return home together as a couple. When Lin Jia suggested going home together, however, Lu Qian looked pained and conflicted. In the end, he still shook his head. He could not get past the hurdle in his own heart.
Lin Jia pressed his lips together, then suddenly broke into a brilliant smile. “Ah Qian, you were willing to acknowledge me when I was gravely injured. Does that mean you’d only admit you love me if I died?”
Lu Qian froze. Su Jingyang was still present at the time and had not even processed what was happening before Lin Jia fixed his gaze on Lu Qian. His eyes were filled with madness and ruthlessness. He yanked out a dagger and viciously stabbed it toward his own not-yet-healed wound!
Su Jingyang’s eyes widened as he sucked in a sharp breath, his scalp tingling. This guy was truly f*cking insane!!!
If Rong Ci had not intervened in time, casually grabbing a cup lid and channeling inner strength to knock the dagger from his hand, Lin Jia might actually have killed himself.
Su Jingyang felt that Lu Qian was truly pitiful. While pregnant, he was frightened by Lin Jia once again into triggering fetal distress. Even in his sleep, tears kept streaming from his eyes.
These two were truly masters at tormenting each other!
A few days later, Su Jingyang learned that Lu Qian had finally agreed to return with Lin Jia. Although Su Jingyang wanted them to be together, he now felt that Lu Qian’s decision contained more compromise than resolution. The knot in his heart remained, and it could hardly be called a happy ending.
There were never that many perfect endings in this world.
As things stood, this outcome might already be a good one for them.
No matter what, at least they loved each other.
However, Su Jingyang never imagined that the day before Lu Qian and the others were set to leave, someone would suddenly appear at the inn and completely shatter the fragile peace the two had only just obtained.
He was a young man with delicate features. When Lin Jia saw him, his expression changed slightly. He signaled his subordinates to drag the man away and deal with him. Before being seized, the man reddened around the eyes and screamed hysterically at Lu Qian, “Gao Zhanfei has already been killed by Lin Jia!!! He killed Gao Zhanfei just to steal you away! You calamity!!!”
Lu Qian’s face instantly turned deathly pale at those words. He could not even stand, his body collapsing downward. Without Lin Jia supporting him, he would have already fallen to the ground.
“Do not seal his pressure points. Let him speak!” Lu Qian shoved Lin Jia away with all his strength, his voice hoarse and unbearable, filled with despair.
Because he had already noticed Lin Jia’s evasiveness and guilt.
“Ah Qian! Don’t listen to his nonsense. How could I kill my elder brother? I knew of his existence, but I never once met him.” Lin Jia looked deeply troubled and reached out to support him.
Lu Qian grabbed a cup and shattered it, stumbling back two steps. He pressed a shard against his own neck, blood quickly winding down and staining his clothes red.
Lin Jia’s expression gradually stiffened. His outstretched hand did not dare move even an inch.
Lu Qian’s face was streaked with tears. “Let him speak.”
Hearing the commotion, Su Jingyang and Ling Li rushed over in shock to see what was happening. Not long after, Rong Ci also appeared behind Su Jingyang, arms crossed as he looked inside.
The man’s pressure points were released, and with a twisted expression, he told Lu Qian a story completely opposite to Lin Jia’s.
It turned out Gao Zhanfei hadn’t fallen ill at all. Lin Jia had also taken a liking to Lu Qian and used underhanded methods to force him away. Later, Lin Jia pretended to be Gao Zhanfei, who had lost his memory due to illness, and stayed by Lu Qian’s side. Gao Zhanfei felt he was deceiving Lu Qian and came to stop them from getting married.
In order to prevent the truth from being exposed, Lin Jia killed Gao Zhanfei.
After hearing everything, Lu Qian seemed to lose his soul entirely. His complexion changed from pale to ashen blue. His hand slowly moved to his belly, his five fingers clenching tightly.
Su Jingyang vaguely felt that something did not add up. If Lin Jia had truly driven Gao Zhanfei away early on, given how deeply he loved Lu Qian, how could he have restrained himself for half a year before approaching him?
Lin Jia sneered and clapped his hands. “Wonderful, wonderful. You learned your talent for deceiving people from Gao Zhanfei, didn’t you? The two of you really are…”
Lin Jia shook his head as if at a loss for words. He then frowned and looked toward Lu Qian, who was clearly already believing it, his expression helpless. “Ah Qian, don’t listen to his nonsense. I was afraid you’d be too devastated, so I didn’t dare tell you before. In truth, Gao Zhanfei was never what you imagined.
He was extremely vile. He was never ill at all. He simply made up an excuse to leave you. He deceived your feelings. He approached you on purpose just to… just to toy with you. His later disappearance caused you so much pain. Later, the two of us were doing well together and were about to get married, yet he suddenly came back to scold me and tell me to leave. Tell me, what right does he have to lecture me?”
Lu Qian shook his head forcefully, tears pouring out. It was as if he were suffering in boiling oil, unable to hear any more words. “So… so you killed him?”
“I did not kill him,” Lin Jia replied calmly.
The man cried out again, “You liar! You clearly killed him! I secretly retrieved his body and did everything I could to preserve it so it wouldn’t rot! I brought him here today! There’s still a clear imprint of your Seven Poison Palm on his chest! Lin Jia, do you dare deny it?! Lu Qian, do you dare come downstairs with me and see!?”
Lu Qian clutched his chest, crying so hard he could barely breathe. He no longer looked at Lin Jia. The shard in his hand loosened and fell to the ground. He struggled forward, intending to walk out the door. Lin Jia wrapped an arm around his shoulders from behind and said gently, “Ah Qian, you’d rather believe the words of an outsider than believe me?”
Lu Qian sobbed, “You… let go.”
Through tear-blurred eyes, Lu Qian saw that several of Lin Jia’s subordinates had already withdrawn one by one and disappeared.
Lu Qian knew exactly what they were going to do. He let out a miserable laugh. “Lin Jia, how long do you still plan to deceive me?!”
Lin Jia’s grip tightened even further. A layer of gloom surfaced in his eyes. His lips moved, and after a pause, he said viciously, “Yes! Gao Zhanfei was killed by me!! Ah Qian, everything I said is true. Gao Zhanfei deceived your feelings. He never truly loved you. He was a scum. He wasn’t worth your grief!!”
Lin Jia admitted it. Lin Jia killed Zhanfei.
Zhanfei was dead. The person Lu Qian had once loved died, because of him, at the hands of the person he loved.
Lu Qian’s eyes were lifeless. His lips trembled, and for a long time, he could not say a single word. A terrifying stillness seeped from his entire body.
His eyes closed, and he finally could not hold on any longer, collapsing unconscious into Lin Jia’s arms.
Su Jingyang never imagined things would turn out like this. He watched physicians come and go, while Lu Qian lay on the bed, his face gray, so quiet it was as if he had no breath left.
Su Jingyang came by from time to time to check on him. Even when night fell and it was time to sleep, he remained deeply unsettled. Lin Jia had personally admitted to killing Gao Zhanfei. Regardless of his reasons, how was Lu Qian supposed to face this in the future?
Lu Qian had already been suffering from deep emotional depression. Something could easily go wrong. Unease gnawed at Su Jingyang, and he decided that once Lu Qian woke up, he would go see him and calm his emotions no matter what.
Around the time dawn was just beginning to break, Su Jingyang suddenly heard noisy commotion outside. The screams and cries that followed carried an ominous feeling.
Su Jingyang and Ling Li both got up. Ling Li asked in a low, puzzled voice, “What’s going on…”
The unease in Su Jingyang’s heart rapidly expanded. Without even putting on clothes, hair loose and feet bare, he flung open the door and rushed out. Rong Ci strode toward him head-on, stopping him and pulling him tightly into his arms.
Rong Ci wrapped one arm around his waist and pressed the back of his head with the other, preventing him from struggling. His voice was very light, yet carried a veiled warning. “Don’t go.”
Forced into Rong Ci’s embrace, Su Jingyang’s heartbeat raced, his breathing growing more and more labored.
He already realized something and began struggling desperately.
“Don’t go, Su Jingyang, listen to me!” Rong Ci’s tone grew heavier. He pinned him firmly in place, closing his eyes tightly. No matter how Su Jingyang kicked, hit, or bit him, he did not let go.
Su Jingyang’s nose stung, and he broke down crying in his arms.
Lu Qian had deliberately sent Lin Jia away and jumped from the window.
That height might not have harmed an ordinary person, but Lu Qian was already seven months pregnant as a shuangrenzi. With death in his heart, he had also slashed his wrists before jumping. When the physician arrived, Lu Qian’s lower body was already soaked red with blood. His breath was faint, and there was essentially no hope.
Lin Jia held Lu Qian tightly, as if desperately clinging to everything he had.
The man who had earlier accused Lin Jia of murder also arrived. He ran over laughing, jumping, and clapping, as if overjoyed. He pointed at Lu Qian, who had not yet stopped breathing, and burst into loud laughter, revealing the full truth of that year.
He was Gao Zhanfei’s true lover. Under family pressure, Gao Zhanfei had to leave behind a child. Troubled and restless, Gao Zhanfei went out to clear his mind and happened to encounter Lu Qian, who had just come down from the mountain and was innocent and easy to deceive.
A thought struck him, and he deliberately approached Lu Qian, intending to trick him into bearing a child for him. Later, for reasons unknown, he abruptly changed his mind and fled under the pretense of serious illness.
In short, Lin Jia had been right. From the beginning, Gao Zhanfei’s involvement with Lu Qian was a deception.
Later, Su Jingyang learned from Lin Jia’s subordinates that when Lin Jia had come to search for relatives back then, he happened to witness everything. He felt deep disgust and contempt for this so-called elder brother.
His own parents had separated because righteousness and demonic paths could not coexist. He had thought that his father, who spoke so righteously, might have raised an outstanding son.
Lin Jia had always been concerned about Lu Qian. During the half year he searched for him, he followed and silently protected him. Unable to suppress his love for Lu Qian, he disguised himself as an amnesiac Gao Zhanfei and stayed by Lu Qian's side. The two were sweetly in love and about to be married when Gao Zhanfei discovered Lin Jia’s existence.
He self-righteously condemned Lin Jia for using his name to deceive Lu Qian and planned to expose everything. Lin Jia knew very well that Gao Zhanfei had truly fallen in love with Lu Qian and wanted to use this excuse to return to him.
Enraged by that self-righteous facade, Lin Jia killed him in a fit of anger and threw the body into a mass grave. Gao Zhanfei’s former lover fled far away afterward. Lin Jia did not care about such a minor figure and allowed him to slip through the net.
Lin Jia loathed Gao Zhanfei intensely, yet never once considered telling Lu Qian the truth about Gao Zhanfei’s deception. Lin Jia feared Lu Qian would not be able to bear it.
Lin Jia was still too naive. He believed that Lu Qian would at least trust his explanation and come to despise Gao Zhanfei as he did. However, Lu Qian did not believe him. He believed the man who deeply hated them because Gao Zhanfei had been killed.
In the end, Lu Qian never came to hate Gao Zhanfei. Instead, he chose to punish Lin Jia with his own death.
Not long after Lu Qian stopped breathing, Lin Jia severed his own meridians and died. Even in death, he tightly held his Ah Qian, never letting go.
As for Su Jingyang, after hearing people say that Lu Qian had died with his eyes open because of the man’s words, he finally fell ill from unbearable grief.
IsitRo: Will be 3 chaps every MWF starting next week. I promise it’s not an April Fool’s! Will match it to my sched when I get to it.😅
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