Chapter 124
When Pan Shulin found Cheng Bai, Cheng Bai was idly strolling on the street. The beastman, wearing a moon-white long robe that made his figure appear tall and slender, and cleansed of the dust of travel, was as aloof and refined as the bright moon in the sky.
Just watching him from a distance made the heart in Pan Shulin's chest beat restlessly, as if it were about to leap over the crowd and land on him.
He was just about to step forward and start a conversation when suddenly an arm hooked onto his, and someone leaned heavily on his shoulder. He tilted his head to look and saw a scalp covered in dandruff shifting on his shoulder.
Pan Shulin's body shuddered uncontrollably, and he shook the person off. Only after shaking them off did he see who it was—it was actually Zhao Xiang, who had left earlier.
Now, he had a face full of gloom, his eyes were slightly red and held a trace of hatred, his already less-than-neat hair was now messier than weeds, and his clothes were askew and disheveled...
A flash of disgust passed through Pan Shulin's eyes: "What happened to you?"
"Shulin, I underestimated that Xi Yao!"
"..." Pan Shulin was puzzled.
Zhao Xiang said: "He used some method, I don't know what, to make the city lord confiscate all my money!"
"..." A flicker of surprise passed through Pan Shulin's eyes, followed immediately by a hint of schadenfreude.
He had told Zhao Xiang long ago that Xi Yao wasn't simple, but he hadn't listened. Now that he had suffered a loss, he came here to complain. Pan Shulin rolled his eyes where the other couldn't see.
Now that Xi Yao wasn't competing for Cheng Bai anymore, and although he didn't like Xi Yao, they ultimately had no real grudge, Pan Shulin didn't want to wade into these muddy waters again. So he comforted Zhao Xiang perfunctorily: "If the money's gone, you can earn it again. At least this time you're physically fine, and the city lord didn't punish you in any other way."
While softly consoling him, Pan Shulin saw that Cheng Bai was about to disappear from sight. He hurriedly signaled the attendant beside him to step forward and block Zhao Xiang, saying: "Young Master Xiang, let me accompany you for a walk."
"You? Then what about Shulin?" Zhao Xiang looked at Pan Shulin, but Pan Shulin's entire focus was on Cheng Bai. He turned and chased after him.
"..." Zhao Xiang watched with a twitching eye, a flash of resentment in his gaze. Pan Shulin was all 'ally this, ally that' before, but now, the moment he lost power, he was treated as completely invisible!
"No need," he said through gritted teeth, and left angrily with his own attendants in tow.
Finally catching up to Cheng Bai, Pan Shulin smoothed his hair and clothes, then stepped forward with a sweet smile: "Brother Bai."
Hearing this, Cheng Bai turned his head. Seeing it was Pan Shulin, he smiled politely: "What a coincidence, Young Master Pan. Are you here shopping too?"
"Ah... yes..." The moment Pan Shulin saw that person, he glued his gaze onto him, not even sure if he had processed Cheng Bai's words.
Cheng Bai felt slightly uncomfortable. He felt the look in the other's eyes was as if he wanted to devour him. He put down the item from the stall and said, "I'll head further up ahead then. Feel free, Young Master Pan."
"Hey..." Pan Shulin hurriedly took two steps forward. "I'm going up ahead too."
"..." Seeing Pan Shulin press close and walk extremely near him, Cheng Bai smiled distantly, subtly maintaining a certain distance from him.
"Brother Bai, is your health better now?" Pan Shulin asked softly, his delicate and soft manner completely different from when he was in front of Zhao Xiang.
"..." Cheng Bai smiled and said: "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Pan. I'm fine now."
"Even so, you still need to take good care of yourself. I have some tonics here, I'll have my attendant deliver them to you later."
Cheng Bai quickly refused: "No, no, there are still tonics at home. I appreciate your kindness, Young Master Pan."
"..." Pan Shulin felt a little disappointed by the rejection, but didn't insist. He followed quietly by Cheng Bai's side, observing the things Cheng Bai was buying. He had bought a lot, from food and daily use items to accessories... Two beastman servants were already carrying his purchases, and yet he was still buying...
Pan Shulin asked curiously: "Brother Bai, what are you planning to do? Buying so many things?"
"I'm buying them to give to my..." Cheng Bai's mind conjured up that person's sweet smile, and his entire expression softened: "...to give to my betrothed ger."
Upon hearing this, Pan Shulin's smile faltered, freezing on his face as he said, "Xi Yao?"
"That little delicate one was adrift outside for so long. That Danmu tribe has no good food to eat, no good things to use. I need to buy more for him." As Cheng Bai spoke, his eyes shone, his whole person seeming immersed in honey, radiating a sweet, love-struck aura...
"..." Pan Shulin watched, his knuckles tightening, his hand clenching fiercely: "I heard an ancient beastman has become his guardian."
Cheng Bai's body paused slightly, the smile on his face fading somewhat. He lowered his head and said, "That's as it should be. That Yuan Heng has protected the little delicate one for a long time... But I am still the little delicate one's betrothed."
"But, their feelings for each other are very strong. They've even already been married. Xi Yao himself is no longer pure..."
"Young Master Pan!" Cheng Bai raised his voice, interrupting Pan Shulin: "What exactly is your purpose here? If you're here to shop, then focus on your shopping. Why say these things in front of me?"
"I... I'm just afraid Brother Bai is being fooled by Xi Yao," Pan Shulin said softly. "He's clearly so intimate with that ancient beastman... yet he still clings to your engagement. He..."
"This engagement is one I begged the City Lord to preserve. I love him. He is my betrothed ger. Once he remembers everything, we will get married." Cheng Bai said: "His current attachment to that ancient beastman is because he hasn't remembered his past, and it's also my failure that caused him to lose his memory. This is not his fault. Both the City Lord and I will find the best healers to treat him. When that happens, he won't be like this anymore. You must not speak ill of him again."
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