Chapter 13: Confrontations and Invitations

Chapter 13: Confrontations and Invitations

13

Confrontations and Invitations

I

It was already late in the evening, and the sun was setting over the horizon. Hao Zhen stood with Tian Jin outside Duo Lans house, right in front of the closed gates.

What now? Hao Zhen asked, turning to Tian Jin. He remembered that before Duo Lan had interrupted their conversation, Tian Jin had been about to ask him something, and he was fairly certain he knew what Tian Jin's question was. Not only that, but Tian Jin was probably also curious about why exactly he hadnt called Duo Lan out on her lies. Hao Zhen was unsure, however, whether Tian Jin wanted to talk about it right now or think it over first.

There are a couple of questions Id like to ask you, Tian Jin said. Would you mind walking with me to my house?

Hao Zhen shook his head, and they set out, Tian Jin leading the way.

Neither of them talked at first, and Hao Zhen allowed the silence to drag on. The question Tian Jin probably wanted to ask him was one he didnt want to answer, so if he ended up giving up on asking itwell, Hao Zhen wasnt about to stop him from doing so.

Unfortunately, it seemed like Tian Jin had simply been thinking of the best way to phrase it.

Look, Tian Jin said, glancing at him, ever since what happened back in the clearing with Ke Li, youve been acting rather odd. Im not saying its a bad thingin fact, I think you changed for the betterbut I'd like to know just what is going on.

Hao Zhen had been hoping that since they hadnt gotten to talk muchor at all, reallybefore he regained his memories, Tian Jin wouldnt have been able to tell he was acting differently now, but that clearly wasnt the case. Then again, considering how meek and awkward he used to be prior to remembering his previous life, it came as no surprise to him that Tian Jin had caught on.

Even if Tian Jin was a poor judge of character, that didnt mean he wasnt perceptive. Just naive.

I Hao Zhen hesitated. He could just lie. Indeed, he had already come up with a couple of different excuses in preparation for this question, as he knew it'd probably be asked sooner or later. As he took in Tian Jins earnest expression and clear eyes, however, he started having second thoughts. Earlier today, Tian Jin had trusted him with his past and pretty much his biggest secretsomething that he clearly hadnt told anyone else before. Hao Zhen just couldnt bring himself to lie. But he couldnt tell Tian Jin the truth, either. Not until he better understood what was going onor at least until he could trust Tian Jin to keep his secret no matter what.

I wont lie to you, Hao Zhen finally said. Tian Jin gave him a puzzled look, and he sighed. But I cant tell you the truth, either. Its complicated. Even I dont fully understand whats going on. That was an understatementhe had absolutely no idea what was going on. And until I better understand the situation, Im afraid I cant tell you.

Tian Jin looked him in the eyes, and Hao Zhen met his gaze. Tian Jin then looked away and nodded his head. I understand, he said.

Hao Zhen cringed at the note of betrayal in Tian Jins voice. It was very faint, but it was there. Just a little earlier, Tian Jin had pretty much shared his biggest secret with him, and now he had just said he couldnt share his.

Like I said, its not something I really understand myself, Hao Zhen said, hoping that by elaborating some more he could make the situation a bit better. Its not something that could land us in trouble later on.

No, its fine, Tian Jin said, turning back to him and giving him an understanding smile. Dont worry. I get it.

Again Hao Zhen cringed. Now he felt even worse.

Look, its

Suddenly, Tian Jin halted, looking toward his left, his eyes narrowed.

Du Jian snorted. Fine. Have it your way. He turned around and started walking back in the direction he had come from, his lackeys silently following. After taking a few steps, however, Du Jian halted and glanced back. Just one last piece of advice: Id watch my back in the future if I were you. Without waiting for a reply, Du Jian turned back around and resumed walking.

Hao Zhen and Tian Jin stayed put, watching Du Jian and his followers walk away. Once they were out of sight, Tian Jin turned to Hao Zhen, his face serious.

The situation is worse than I thought, Tian Jin said. I think that theyll be targeting you after all, and soon.

Yeah. Thanks for that, by the way, Hao Zhen thought. But he wasn't mad at him. Tian Jin didn't know any better and had just been looking out for him. He probably didnt even realize that if he had just acted like Hao Zhen wasnt anyone important, or at least someone he didnt care about, there was a good chance Du Qing would have decided to ignore him.

Hao Zhen sighed. So what now?

He had known from the start that Du Qing could target him, but he had thought that if that happened, itd be because of the matter with the mission, and he had been betting on Du Qing first trying to ascertain whether he knew anything before actually trying to silence him. That was no longer the case now. Du Jian would report to Du Qing the way Tian Jin had reacted, and Du Qing would come to the conclusion that he was someone Tian Jin cared about, and that'd give Du Qin a much better reason to target him.

Tian Jin furrowed his brow, clearly thinking hard, before saying, You can stay at my place.

Hao Zhen blinked, surprised. What?

You can stay at my place, Tian Jin repeated, his face still serious. Ill be able to look out for you there. And I have plenty of rooms. Not to mention there are some warding schemas in it that will alert me of intruders. I doubt your house has any.

You Without a shadow of a doubt, this was the best-case scenario for Hao Zhen. Not only would living with Tian Jin be much safer for him, but itd also allow him to get closer to Tian Jinand that would tie in nicely with his plan to stick around Tian Jin in hopes that the supposed protagonist would lead him to the answers he was seeking.

Still, itd feel odd to just outright accept Tian Jins invitation just like that, so Hao Zhen opened to politely decline, knowing that Tian Jin would insist, and then he'd eventually pretend to give in. When he saw the earnest, serious look on Tian Jins face, however, he stopped himself.

Right. This was Tian Jinsomeone who felt responsible for getting him into this mess even though the one really at fault was Du Qing, someone who trusted him with his biggest secret even though they had only known each other for a couple of days.

Tian Jin was honest to a fault, and he deserved better than some fake, hypocritical nonsense, no matter what social norms dictated.

All right, Hao Zhen said, matching Tian Jins earnestness. Thank you.

Tian Jin simply nodded his head. Is there anything you need to get in your place? he asked, straight to business.

Hao Zhen thought about it for a moment. It felt like it had been ages since he had been to his house. Then again, between the last time he had been there and now, he had assimilated sixteen years worth of memories. After a moment, he said, Some robes.

Nothing really important, then?

No.

Then Ill go with you there tomorrow. Today, Ill just lend you some of mine.

Hao Zhen nodded his head. Then he remembered: Duo Lan. I think we should tell Duo Lan what just happened.

Right. Tian Jins spatial ring flashed, and his sound-transmission token appeared in his hand. Tian Jin then sent Duo Lan a sound transmission detailing what had just happened.

With that, they resumed their walk to Tian Jin's place, except the situation was completely different compared to when they had set out from Duo Lans residence.