CH 34

Lin Rufei laughed for a while, and when he saw the annoyance on Qi Yansheng’s face, he suppressed the smile on his lips and coughed dryly. He pretended that nothing had happened, “How did you think of doing such a thing?”

Qi Yansheng said: “It’s because of that kid Meng Lanruo—but he doesn’t know the art of Loathing Victory, I hope Lin gongzi will keep it a secret.”

Lin Rufei nodded: “Naturally.”

The two of them talked all night and the morning light had already appeared outside the window. Lin Rufei was slightly sleepy after drinking wine, so he said goodbye to Qi Yansheng and went back to his room to rest.

He went back to catch up on his morning sleep, and it wasn’t until noon that Fu Hua called him up for lunch. Lin Rufei rubbed his head, which still ached from the hangover, “How is Meng Lanruo now?”

Fu Hua replied, “Just now I asked the servants of the Meng residence, they said that Meng gongzi is still in the room and refuses to come out. However, he is willing to eat and he even slept last night.”

If he was willing to eat and sleep, then he should be fine. Lin Rufei felt a little more at ease. After he had eaten, he went to the room where Meng Lanruo was resting and saw the Meng family’s youngest son lying on the bed. He was sprawled out and his face showed an expression of giving up[1]. However, the candied plums beside him spoiled the atmosphere, especially when he grabbed one from time to time and stuffed it into his mouth with a puff of anger.

Seeing Lin Rufei come in, Meng Lanruo grunted and squirmed his body, like a worm twisting its head over. His voice dragged out as he called: “Lin……….gong………zi…….”  

Lin Rufei said: “What?”

Meng Lanruo stuck out his lips and said: “Eat plums ……”

Lin Rufei laughed: “Have you eaten properly? If you eat so many plums, be careful of stomach pain.”

Meng Lanruo muttered, “I ate earlier. My sister threatened me that if I don’t eat again, she’ll force-feed me, she really will do it.”

Lin Rufei laughed lightly.

Meng Lanruo sat up slowly and said, “Lin gongzi, are you leaving?”

Lin Rufei nodded. He had actually planned to leave a long time ago, if not for Meng Lanruo’s sudden accident, he would have left the Meng residence by now. Now that he knew that Qi Yansheng had no malice towards Meng Lanruo, there was no point for him to stay here. Moreover, this was considered a private matter of the Meng family. He was an outsider and if he was involved too much, it wouldn’t be too good.

Meng Lanruo was listless and said, “Alas, I really don’t want you to leave. Xiao Yu is gone and you are also leaving, I am returning to my old life again ……”

Lin Rufei said: “Old life?”

Meng Lanruo said, “Yes.” He said that before Xiao Yu came, his life was a puddle of stagnant water, very boring. His biggest joy was to sneak out of Xinzhou City behind his family’s back. But unfortunately, he never succeeded. Later, he had a knot in his heart[2] and was very sick because of it. Before he recovered, he met Xiao Yu, who just arrived in Xinzhou, in the flower house, and from then on he fell in love with her at first sight and second sight[3].

The more Lin Rufei listened, the stranger his expression became. Luckily, Meng Lanruo was still engrossed in his story and did not notice Lin Rufei’s strange expression.

“I’ve never seen a woman so agreeable like Xiao Yu.” Meng Lanruo recalled his sweet memories, “A gentle character. She listened to all my small talk and wasn’t impatient. She was beautiful……….the girls I met before all needed to be coaxed and spoiled, but Xiao Yu is so different!” 

Lin Rufei thought, of course she was different. The other party was spoiling you like a son, how could they be impatient?

Who knew that when Meng Lanruo finished, he was provoked into sadness. He whimpered and cried as he wiped his tears sadly: “But how can she …… how can …… In her case, rather than being with me, was it better to just die? “

This matter should have been very tragic, but Lin Rufei, who knew the truth, found it difficult to empathize with Meng Lanruo. After listening he could only say: “Maybe she has other difficulties?”

“What difficulties?” Meng Lanruo’s eyes were tearful.

Lin Rufei: “Such as ……” He thought for half a day before finally squeezed out a sentence with difficulty, “Such as she simply didn’t want to live anymore?” 

Meng Lanruo wailed.

Lin Rufei was at a loss for words as he cried and tried to comfort him. Meng Lanruo cried for a long while before he finally stopped, however, he was still sobbing and choking. He was aggrieved, like a poor little kid who had been bullied.

Lin Rufei was helpless and could only hand him a handkerchief. In his heart, he told himself that he should never mention the name Xiao Yu in front of Meng Lanruo again. 

But although Meng Lanruo was sad, in the end, he was in a much better state compared to the past few days. Lin Rufei guessed that in a few days he should be able to come out of his grief from Xiao Yu’s death.

The matter was almost finished, so Lin Rufei planned to say goodbye to the Meng residence.

The Meng residence hosted a farewell banquet for him and wished him a safe trip.

It was the last night that he would be spending at the Meng residence, Lin Rufei was lying in bed but he couldn’t sleep no matter how much he tossed and turned. When Gu Xuandu saw his appearance, he asked, “What? Can’t sleep?”

Lin Rufei revealed half of his face and looked at Gu Xuandu with a gleaming gaze.

Gu Xuandu actually tacitly understood: “Qi Yansheng is accompanying Meng Lanruo at this moment and is not in his room.”

Lin Rufei said, “Would it be inappropriate?”

Gu Xuandu calmly said, “It’s definitely not appropriate if you’re found out, but if you’re not seen, then it’s appropriate.”

Lin Rufei immediately sat up from the bed. He didn’t even put on an outerwear as he hurriedly put on his shoes and went out. When Gu Xuandu saw this, he thought it was really funny. He casually took Lin Rufei’s outerwear, followed him out, and draped it over his shoulders.

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When he arrived at Qi Yansheng’s residence, Gu Xuandu easily helped Lin Rufei unlock the door. Lin Rufei walked through and entered into the bedroom.

Qi Yansheng really wasn’t at home and the closet was still making slight noises like yesterday. There seemed to be something alive inside.

Lin Rufei went towards the closet. He hesitated for a moment and then raised his hand to push. The closet door opened with a sound and it revealed a black wooden door. The wooden door was not actually padlocked. Just as Lin Rufei was about to reach out and pull the door open, he was stopped by Gu Xuandu.

“I’ll do it, the door is attached with an art of Loathing Victory, it’s not good for ordinary people to touch it.” Gu Xuandu said and held the handle. When he placed his hand, a wisp of black smoke came out from the handle and then quickly dissipated.

Behind the wooden door was a dark passage. Lin Rufei saw these circumstances and stepped into it.

The passage was very long and winding and a dull light was emitted at the end. Lin Rufei slowly stepped forward but was reminded several times by Gu Xuandu that there were many troublesome traps buried in the passage. Although it would not kill people, it would at least make people lose consciousness.

Lin Rufei finally reached the end of the passage. Borrowing the dim light, he saw the scene at the end of the tunnel. It was a wide stone house and there were many tall cabinets as well as some strange-looking things. At a glance, it was clear that this should be the place where Qi Yansheng casts the art of Loathing Victory. Lin Rufei’s eyes were soon attracted by the objects in the corner, where a row of neatly arranged dolls was placed. The dolls were all carved out of wood and were neatly arranged from small to large.

And the most amazing thing was that these dolls looked very similar to Meng Lanruo, almost like they were carved out of a mold.

And the sound he heard from outside became more and more clear. It came from a cabinet on the side. When he came closer, the sound was also louder. It sounded like drums, it was a mellow tone but very rhythmic. That cabinet was very large and was painted with vermilion outer lacquer. Gu Xuandu cast a glance towards Lin Rufei, and Lin Rufei nodded to him.

“I opened it.” Gu Xuandu raised his hand and pulled the door.

The cabinet door was pulled open. When Lin Rufei saw what was inside, he revealed a stunned expression. It was actually a doll that looked like Meng Lanruo, but the appearance was much more mature than Meng Lanruo. The cheeks had completely lost the youthfulness of a teenager and his lines were more clean and sharp. This person was not carved out of wood. Its skin had a human touch to it and the most striking thing was his chest.

The doll’s chest was opened. It revealed an empty lung and a heart set in the very center—a beating blood-red heart. The heart looked bloody at first with its hideous flesh. However, upon a closer inspection, he found out that it was actually a stone texture.  

People will grow up, but wood can’t. The dead Meng Lanruo, however, managed to grow from a tender toddler to a teenager. His years continued to pass, so he needed a more mature body.

It dawned upon Lin Rufei. He clearly noticed that the stone, which had been turned into a heart, on Meng Lanruo’s chest was engraved with a clear “Yu.”

Qi Yansheng …… Xiao Yu …… Qi Yu.

It was a good name, Lin Rufei smiled.

The suspicion that had been hanging in his heart was finally answered. Lin Rufei closed the cabinet door and turned to leave, he said, “This Qi Yansheng is really interesting.”

Gu Xuandu said, “Interesting?”

Lin Rufei said, “People who have a lot of secrets and are well-informed are always interesting.”

Gu Xuandu said, “You felt that?”

Lin Rufei turned his head to look at him and laughed: “So what if I felt it? A fishing pole that doesn’t even have bait, why should I bite it?”

Gu Xuandu laughed out loud.

But there was a saying that Qi Yansheng said which had a point. Everyone has some secrets, and these secrets, as long as they do not hurt others, are kept. In turn, it will make the person become more interesting.

No one will dislike an interesting person, Lin Rufei was the same.

Qi Yansheng, who was chatting with Meng Lanruo, felt something in his heart and thought to himself that the young master of the Lin family really refuses to rest if he doesn’t reach the end. 

No wonder. All the things he said were just his side of the story, it was normal for Lin Rufei to not be at ease.

“Quickly, quickly, quickly. It’s your turn, your turn.” Meng Lanruo urged, “What are you thinking about?”  

Qi Yansheng dropped his pieces and said unhappily, “How can I be so interested in playing a game of Gomoku[4]?”

Meng Lanruo slapped the table, “I don’t know how to play Go!”

Qi Yansheng said, “I can teach you.”

Meng Lanruo sneered, “I can’t even win at Gomoku, so what’s the use of teaching me Go? Don’t think I don’t know that you want to use Go to humiliate me!!”

Qi Yansheng covered his face and let out a long sigh. He thought in his heart that the young master of the Meng family obviously had all his three souls and seven spirits, but why did he seem to be missing a conscience.

On the third day, Lin Rufei got on the carriage and intended to leave.

But what was strange to him was that he didn’t see Meng Lanruo’s figure even when he left the Meng residence. He thought that Meng Lanruo would cry again because he was leaving. Who knew that Zhu Yin said with difficulty that Meng Lanruo would not come out to see him off because he was afraid of crying again when he met with him. He wanted Lin Rufei to take care of himself and if he had time, to send him letters. 

Although Lin Rufei found it strange, he simply thought that it was because Meng Lanruo would be sad for a long time and lose sleep if he saw him so he didn’t think too much of it and turned around to get on the carriage. 

Fu Hua lowered the whip and the carriage drove out of the Meng residence as it went towards the outside of Xinzhou City. 

However, just as they were about to leave the city, Gu Xuandu, who was missing, suddenly appeared out of nowhere and said, “Don’t rush the carriage out yet.”

Lin Rufei: “Hmm?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Wait at the entrance of the city.”

Lin Rufei was about to ask why they were waiting when he heard the anxious voice of Qi Yansheng resounding outside the carriage. It came from far to near: “Lin gongzi——wait a minute——”  

Lin Rufei lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw Qi Yansheng arriving on his sword. His face was white as if he was in great shock.

Lin Rufei said, “Qi gongzi?”

Qi Yansheng stopped in front of the carriage. He held his sword in one hand and roared, “Come out!”

Lin Rufei looked surprised and wondered in his heart what kind of wrong medicine Qi Yansheng had taken to treat him like this. And then he saw a person covered in dirt dawdling out from under the carriage. It was Meng Lanruo, who was supposed to obediently stay in the Meng residence.

Meng Lanruo tied up his hair and had changed into a casual outfit. He was carrying a not-so-small backpack and called out with sarcasm, “Shengsheng, why are you here?”

Hearing him call out “Shengsheng,” the crowd’s expression was subtle. Yu Rui was young so she couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.

“Where are you going?” Qi Yansheng directly pretended that he didn’t hear as he sneered.

Meng Lanruo whispered: “Aren’t you guys just worried that I will easily get in trouble by myself in Jianghu? If I follow Lin gongzi then I will be safe and you guys won’t have to worry anymore. Lin gongzi and I are good brothers[5], he certainly won’t mind me, this dragging oil bottle[6].“

Lin Rufei: “……” this kid.

Qi Yansheng said angrily: “Say that to your mother.”

Meng Lanruo reflexively covered his ears and cried out: “Qi Yansheng, do you still have a conscience? We have been friends for so many years, can’t you fulfill my small wish? I made a pact with Xiao Yu to visit Jianghu, and now that Xiao Yu is gone, I just want to fulfill her last wish and go out of Xinzhou City to see her hometown. She has been away from home for so many years and suffered so much, leaving Xinzhou City was her only wish before she died!”

These words were touching and heartfelt. Fu Hua and Yu Rui had tears in the corner of their eyes. 

However, Qi Yansheng’s expression twisted slightly and said coldly, “Bulls***[7].” What Xiao Yu said before she died, how could he not know? This kid just says whatever he wants, three days without beating and he would scale the roof to rip the tiles!”  

Meng Lanruo said weakly: “How can you say dirty words[8]?”

Qi Yansheng: “I said you’re bullshi**ng!”

Meng Lanruo immediately cried out.

When Qi Yansheng saw him crying, he didn’t feel the slightest bit soft-hearted. He raised his hand and grabbed his ear just like Madam Meng did, Meng Lanruo forgot to cry when he felt the pain and said quickly, “How can you grab my ear? Only my parents can grab my ears!” 

Qi Yansheng gritted his teeth: “I am your new parent[9]!”

Meng Lanruo: “Wow, you bastard. Even at this time you still decide to take advantage of me!” 

This parting scene, which should have been somewhat sad, turned into a comedy by Meng Lanruo. In the end, Meng Lanruo, who was grimacing and screaming, was dragged back by Qi Yansheng. Before he was dragged back, he begged Lin Rufei to help him. However, Lin Rufei didn’t say anything. He just smiled and waved his hand at him, signaling to him to have a good trip.

Qi Yansheng also nodded at Lin Rufei. If Lin Rufei’s carriage hadn’t been delayed at the city gate, Meng Lanruo would really have been taken out.

The carriage set off again, and Lin Rufei finally left Xinzhou City.

Next, he planned to follow the Canglan River all the way down, cross the Xiliang Mountains, to see the unseen prosperity of the Central Plains.

After a few days of travel, Lin Rufei received a letter from Meng Lanruo. The letter was just like him, it rambled on and was full of trivial matters. He also seems to realize that he had no focus so he also drew horizontal lines with a vermilion pen, indicating that this was particularly important. As for what the important thing is, Lin Rufei laughed out loud after reading it.

The day he failed to escape, Qi Yansheng dragged Meng Lanruo back to the Meng residence by his ears. He immediately went to his mother to complain about Qi Yansheng’s spitefulness, saying that Qi Yansheng grabbed his ears. He was obviously not an elder so how could he bully him like this.  

After hearing this, mother Meng thought it was very reasonable and said she wanted to talk to Qi Yansheng alone.

Meng Lanruo felt that his mother was trying to get him back in the game[10], so he went out in a high-spirited manner. Who knew that half an hour later, Meng Lanruo was called back by a kind-faced mother Meng.

“Qi gongzi has been in our family for almost ten years, right?” Mother Meng said, “You have a point, Lanruo. He is indeed disciplining you like your elders.”

Meng Lanruo listened happily. He expected that mother Meng’s next comment would be to criticize Qi Yansheng for being too impetuous, however, she said gently, “In that case, why don’t you just adopt him as your foster father?”

Meng Lanruo’s bright smile froze on his face.

Qi Yansheng was sitting on the side and quietly drinking tea. After hearing this, he showed a kind smile to Meng Lanruo like mother Meng’s.

“What???? What???? Mother, are you serious?” Meng Lanruo thought he had heard wrong. He pointed incredulously at Qi Yansheng, and then incredulously pointed at himself, “Him? My foster father?”

Mother Meng nodded her head.

Meng Lanruo’s wide eyes were about to pop out of its socket. He wanted to grab his mother’s shoulder and give them a heavy shake—to shake out the water that had entered his mother’s brain. But Meng Lanruo soon realized that he was the only one in the Meng residence who was still sober in the head. Everyone, after knowing mother Meng’s proposal, expressed their approval.

“Although Qi gongzi was born youthful, he is actually older than father. There is nothing wrong with him being your foster father.” Meng Youyue smiled and advised her brother, who was on the verge of collapse, “Didn’t you always feel that it was not right for him to discipline you, but now it’s fine. He is your foster father and it will be normal for him to discipline you.” 

Meng Lanruo moved a stone and smashed his own feet. Not only did he smash it, but he also wanted to break his own feet. He wailed in the residence for half a day but no one paid attention to him. Only Qi Yansheng came to give him a cup of tea in a Schadenfreude manner.  

Meng Lanruo said, “What kind of bewitching spell did you cast on my mother and others!”

Qi Yansheng: “Isn’t it all because you begged for it?”

Meng Lanruo was so angry that he almost fainted.

Meng Lanruo still wanted to struggle, but the ending had already been decided. The Meng residence even invited a lot of guests for this. The crowd did not mind his opposition, even if he deliberately claimed to be sick and did not come out, they also expressed great understanding.

“After all, his beloved has just passed away. It’s normal to be sad.”

“Yes. Thank goodness Qi gongzi was there to comfort the young master of the Meng family.” 

“But how old is this Qi gongzi?”

“I don’t know. It is said that he is older than the Meng family head. Even after ten years, his appearance hasn’t changed, he must have long passed the fifth level of cultivation……and it’s also considered to be a young man’s success!”

“Then it’s worth recognizing this foster father.” 

Meng Lanruo was in complete despair. He nestled in his room and scolded the bastard, Qi Yansheng, the entire night in grievance. He also rambled his longing for Xiao Yu and only when morning arrived did he fall asleep in a daze. So in the end, he didn’t know that Qi Yansheng came to his room early in the morning.

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Qi Yansheng looked at Meng Lanruo’s sleeping face and chuckled. He raised his hand, pulled the blanket upwards, and covered Meng Lanruo’s body

The young master always disliked Xinzhou because it was boring. So he(QYS) would find ways to give him(MLR) some fun. Whether it was Xiao Yu or the flower house, as long as he could keep him in this room, he would do it. Lin Rufei was a good companion, if possible, he would like to keep him. And when Meng Lanruo was tired of him, it wouldn’t be too late to let him go. 

But unfortunately, Lin Rufei’s identity was not simple. He wasn’t like the rumors; a frail and sickly gongzi of the Lin family. Lin Rufei’s body hid secrets that even he couldn’t understand. In the end, Qi Yansheng didn’t make his move.

Meng Lanruo was his most perfect work so he naturally wanted to give him the best of everything.

Besides leaving, as long as it was something Meng Lanruo wanted, he would do his best to help him get it. Meng Lanruo had read the fairy tale and rambled about the oiran and scholar in the book. And then in the flower house, a girl named Xiao Yu suddenly appeared. Sadly, he wasn’t able to give him a complete Jianghu in the end.

For some people, where there are people then that was Jianghu. But in the eyes of the Meng family’s young master, only the place far away from Xinzhou City, was Jianghu.

Life as a human being, eight or nine events out of ten wouldn’t be exactly the way you wanted it to be.

Qi Yansheng looked at the sleeping Meng Lanruo. He revealed a smile, then got up, and slowly walked out.

Outside the house, the sun was just right. The sudden rain cleared up and Spring was already fading. Summer was getting stronger and after two more seasons, it would be a cycle of the four seasons. The little boy inside the room would also reach the age of adulthood. It would be time for him to grow up. 

Lin Rufei finished reading the letter given to him by Meng Lanruo. He folded it up carefully and put it in his pouch. However, when his hand reached into the pouch, a trace of hesitation appeared on his face. He then opened the pouch and looked at it carefully, “Something seems to be missing?”

“What’s missing?” Fu Hua asked.

“I don’t know.” Lin Rufei thought for a long time, but couldn’t think of what was missing. He only felt that the pouch seemed loose but none of his silver money was missing. 

The pouch was filled with mortal things and Lin Rufei didn’t carry it with him all the time. Most of the time it was left in the room and only occasionally, when he went out shopping and needed some mortal things, would he use it. 

Fu Hua and Yu Rui naturally didn’t know what was missing from Lin Rufei’s pouch and Lin Rufei also couldn’t remember, but Gu Xuandu knew exactly what was missing. He slowly said, “There is a stealth talisman missing.”

Lin Rufei: “Hmm?”

Gu Xuandu: “The one you bought at the market on Kunlun Mountain for half a spirit stone.”

Lin Rufei: “……” He remembered!

Gu Xuandu said, “It seems to have been found by the Meng family’s young master.”

Lin Rufei didn’t expect things to be so coincidental and sighed: “Then does it count that I indirectly killed Xiao Yu?”

Gu Xuandu said, “If she’s dead, then she’s dead. If Qi Yansheng can create a Xiao Yu, maybe he’ll create a Xiao Qi in a few days.”

Lin Rufei said, “Xiao Qi is too obvious of a name.”

Gu Xuandu: “Then what should it be called?”

Lin Rufei; “I think Xiao Wen is good.”

One year later, inside the Meng residence.

Meng Lanruo, who had been wilting for a long time because of Xiao Yu’s death and the recognition of a “thief” as his father[11], rushed in from outside the house energetically. He excitedly rushed to his mother, “Mother! I saw a beautiful, heroic woman outside!”

Qi Yansheng sat next to mother Meng while drinking tea. When he heard those words he revealed an affectionate smile.

Meng Lanruo said: “Everything is good, but the name is a bit awful. I think she’s called Xiao Wen.” 

Qi Yansheng’s smile was slightly restrained.

Meng Lanruo: “It’s even worse than Qi Yansheng.”

Qi Yansheng: “……” Meng Lanruo, just you wait.

********

The author has something to say:  

Gu Xuandu: This is kind of interesting. 

Lin Rufei: Interesting?

Gu Xuandu: I think you should change the way you refer to me. Let our relationship be even closer compared to Meng Lanruo’s. 

Lin Rufei pondered for a long time and said tentatively: Grand…….Grandson? 

Gu Xuandu: ……. (Are you sure your definition of “close” is the right one? ? ?)

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[1] Internet slang; “life has no more meaning” 

[2] an issue that weighs heavily on one’s mind. 

[3] 一见钟情: Love at first sight; 二见倾心: my hearts is yours at second sight (basically love at 2nd sight so I just simplified it) 

[4] Gomoku; basically a game of 5 in a row. It is played on a Go board with Go pieces but it isn’t Go. 

[5] Not blood related, it’s like saying “Hey, you’re my good bro”  

[6] Means a widow (cause y’know, he and Xiao Yu were supposed to get married) 

[7] The actual word here was “You’re farting!” But that isn’t a curse word here and BS basically has the same meaning XD 

[8] Curse words. 

[9] 再生父母: like a second parent; one’s great benefactor. I decided to put “new” parents to make it easier.  

[10] Get back at him. 

[11] sell oneself to the enemy; a complete betrayal.