Chapter 396: Dreaming Death

Chapter 396: Dreaming Death

There was a saying that a long separation could ignite passion between a couple more than that of newlyweds. Come to think of it, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu had been separated for nearly half a year, so one could only imagine their joy of seeing each other again.

Qi Xuansu quietly held Zhang Yuelu’s hand again.

He preferred to take risks in life, living on the edge of his blade, but he also enjoyed moments of peace like this. It was a feeling akin to the first rain after a long drought.

Qi Xuansu noticed Zhang Yuelu’s beautiful eyes staring at him and the contented smile on her face.

Zhang Yuelu suggested, “Shall we go for a walk?”

Wanting to spend more time with her, Qi Xuansu naturally agreed.

Zhang Yuelu’s courtyard was located at a spot with a nice view, sharing a large lake with the other courtyards that were built around it. They were all semi-open structures, with no wall on the side facing the lake.

This lake was also connected to Zhenwu Lake.

There was a pavilion not far from the lakeside, connected to the embankment by a winding water corridor.

Qi Xuansu took Zhang Yuelu to the pavilion, and the two sat down on the built-in bench on the side, their hands still clasping each other.

He glanced at their interlaced fingers and muttered, “I thought you would retract your hand.”

As soon as he said this, Zhang Yuelu calmly removed her hand and asked, “Why do you think so?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Because you always give people the impression that you’re very serious and dignified.”

Zhang Yuelu laughed out loud. “Of course, I have to leave that impression if I want people to take me seriously at work. But in front of you, there is no need for that.”

Qi Xuansu reached out his hand again to cover the back of her palm.

Zhang Yuelu turned her palm over and held his hand back.

Holding hands with Zhang Yuelu made Qi Xuansu feel like he was floating in the clouds. He only hoped that they could stay like this forever.

Zhang Yuelu gently leaned her head on Qi Xuansu’s shoulder and whispered, “Tian Yuan, where have you been in the past six months? What have you done?”

Qi Xuansu’s expression stiffened for a moment before he joked, “Well, it’s a long story. Since I’m telling the story, did you bring the wine?”

Zhang Yuelu casually said, “I’ve stopped drinking after your mishap.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Qi Xuansu felt touched, as he knew how much Zhang Yuelu liked drinking. He sighed deeply, pretending to lament her sobriety. “That’s a pity. I have specially prepared some good wine, but it looks like you don’t have the luck to try it.”

Zhang Yuelu’s eyes lit up, and she quickly sat upright. “Well, since you’re back, I can break my sobriety!”

“Alright, wait here.” Qi Xuansu simpered, letting go of Zhang Yuelu’s hand and leaving the pavilion.

Not long after, Qi Xuansu returned with an exquisite brocade box that he had customized at the cost of 2 Taiping coins. It even came with two glasses, making it seem like an expensive and thoughtful gift.

Qi Xuansu picked up a glass and put it to his nose, but just a whiff of this wine made him feel tipsy.

Zhang Yuelu also picked up her glass and took a gentle sip.

“Well, it’s a long story. Where shall I start?” Qi Xuansu gently shook the wine glass, staring into the amber liquid as he began to reminisce.

A bright blush crept up Zhang Yuelu’s face due to the aftereffects of the alcohol. She smirked and suggested. “Why don’t you start from Salt Lake?”

Qi Xuansu’s face instantly stiffened.

Zhang Yuelu took another sip and added, “Or perhaps from Cuowenbu.”

He coughed lightly. “You know everything?”

She only smiled faintly in response.

“When did you find out?” Qi Xuansu probed.

Zhang Yuelu giggled. “Right now, after you said this.”

Qi Xuansu immediately understood that he had been tricked. “Oh, so you’re playing me, huh?”

“I didn’t connect the dots at first. After all, I witnessed your fall and assumed you were dead.”

Zhang Yuelu smiled more today than she had accumulated in the past six months. At this time, she propped up her chin with one hand and held her wine glass in the other as she grinned at Qi Xuansu.

“Even after seeing you again, I didn’t connect the dots until you gave me this apology gift. That made me dubious. It reminded me of a suspicion that I had denied, and the things that I couldn’t understand in the past suddenly became clear.”

“So you took the opportunity to test me, and my reaction confirmed your guess.” Qi Xuansu completed her sentence with a wry smile.

Zhang Yuelu joked, “So, shall I call you Qi Xuansu? Or Wei Wugui?”

Qi Xuansu blinked innocently. “Qi Xuansu, of course.”

Zhang Yuelu hummed in response, rather languid and charming, not at all displeased by this discovery.

He hesitated for a moment before confessing. “I killed Wan Xiuwu.”

Zhang Yuelu glanced at him and blinked. “And then what?”

Qi Xuansu probed, feeling puzzled. “Aren’t you angry? I thought you would arrest me after finding out, regardless of what I mean to you.”

She sighed. “Tian Yuan, I can’t arrest you.”

Qi Xuansu asked. “Why not?”

Zhang Yuelu stared at him intently and murmured, “I am neither a saint nor a villain.”