Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Little Man was a sharp-eyed ingrate; seeing Ming Fei Yu arrive and knowing he might get scolded for gossiping behind his back, he scampered off with his precious pouch, leaving Xie Zhi Gui alone to face Ming Fei Yu.

The atmosphere was heavy with awkward silence.

Embarrassment was written all over Xie Zhi Gui's face, the question "Whom are you trying to seduce?" echoing in his mind, not daring to meet Ming Fei Yu's eyes.

The other villagers craned their necks to see what was happening.

Ming Fei Yu seemed about to say something but, glancing down, noticed Xie Zhi Gui's cheeks flushed like peach blossoms, a departure from his usual coldness, as if someone had brushed away the frost, making him appear much more lively. His gaze lingered for a moment.

"Come with me."

The prying eyes of the villagers were like needles on his skin; he couldn't stay there any longer and followed Ming Fei Yu out, one after the other.

He returned to the wooden building.

Ming Feiyu stepped into the room first, sat down by the table, poured two cups of hot tea, and with a sidelong glance, noticed Xie Zhigui hesitating at the doorway.

"Come in."

Xie Zhigui moved his feet slowly and sat down opposite Ming Feiyu.

He sat sideways, avoiding Ming Feiyu’s gaze, his posture upright and formal, his back straight as an arrow. The faint blush that had graced his face was gone, wiped away by the bitter cold wind that had turned his complexion deathly pale on the journey here.

Ming Feiyu slid a cup of hot tea toward him, “No need to be nervous, just tell me honestly what Xiaoman told you.”

Xie Zhigui recalled those words but couldn't find a single one he dared to say in front of Ming Feiyu.

Even if he mustered the courage to say them, what if it angered Ming Feiyu?

He stared dumbly at the unremarkable view outside the door, his mind in such disarray that he couldn’t form a complete sentence, while Ming Feiyu, unexpectedly, waited patiently for him.

"The kid said, I'm your..."

He really tried, but still couldn't say it.

Despite appearing thick-skinned, he was actually quite sensitive; a single poke could turn him as red as the sunset.

Ming Feiyu slowly sipped his tea and finished the sentence for him: "You’re the bandit bride I took for myself.”

Xie Zhigui turned his head in surprise, “You knew all along?”

Ming Feiyu replied indifferently, "On my turf, what could happen that I wouldn’t know about?"

Indeed… How could he forget? This was Ming Feiyu’s realm, from the vast expanse of the Misty Mountains to the smallest blade of grass in the most hidden corner—if Ming Feiyu wished to know something, he would.

Ming Feiyu asked, "And what about this seduction business, what’s that all about?"

“……”

There was no point in hiding or holding back; Ming Feiyu would find out sooner or later anyway. It might be better to come clean, to maintain an image of a timid and obedient figure, which would likely lower Ming Feiyu’s guard.

"The kid said that if I wanted to live well here, I should make myself agreeable to you."

He dared not use the term "seduce," nor did he dare speak of his vengeful plan to triumphantly kick Ming Feiyu to the floor to sleep after a successful seduction.

He cared about saving face.

Ming Feiyu set down his cup, and the soft “clang” seemed to strike right at Xie Zhigui’s heart.

"So, do you wish to please me?"

There was a strange tone in Ming Feiyu's voice, perhaps it was his own misperception, but it seemed as if Ming Feiyu was cautiously probing him.

"I do."

Xie Zhigui, looking into his eyes, said earnestly and slowly, "If pleasing you means obtaining what I desire, then I will do so."

Likewise, if his desires were not met, he wouldn’t bother exerting effort on him. Should another appear who could satisfy his wishes unconditionally, he would not hesitate to throw himself into that person’s embrace.

Such is the nature of humans, selfish and fickle.

Ming Feiyu let out a scornful laugh, mocking his own brief blindness for thinking he had found a pretty and docile flower, pleasing to the eye, fit to adorn his home as a decoration, when in fact, it was just a guise to conceal its own toxicity.

Opportunism is a common human sentiment; to survive in their society and gain as many resources as possible, humans often gravitate towards benefits and avoid harms, acting with diplomatic smoothness.

Ming Feiyu was almost swayed by Xie Zhigui's facade.

Could the son of Xie Sanxiao be anything but worldly and shrewd?

Daring enough to come seek immortality from him, dragging his ailing body, fully aware that entering this place meant there was no return.

The fear was that his schemes and the depths of his mind were even darker and more fearsome than his father’s.

Ming Feiyu’s silence was more disconcerting to Xie Zhigui than an aggressive demeanor could ever be.

The temperature in the air gradually dropped, starting to grow cold.

The chill seemed to emanate from Ming Feiyu himself,

"I’ve had the room next door prepared for you. The floor is too cold for sleeping; you’ll stay there tonight," Ming Feiyu informed him coolly.

Xie Zhigui was momentarily stunned.

Is this a hint that he should leave?

He feared lying would provoke him, yet not lying seemed to have the same effect; either way, it appeared he was doomed to err.

Ming Feiyu is indeed difficult to serve.

Moving out might be for the best. He was tired of tending to Ming Feiyu's needs—living under someone else's roof, sleeping on a cold floor, and constantly having to gauge Ming Feiyu's mood had nearly driven him to a breakdown.

The continuous hard work coupled with the mental strain sent his body into a state of protest, signaling that it could no longer bear the burden.

On the first night after moving, he came down with a fever.

He felt as if his head was heavy and his feet were light; his consciousness was a scattered fog, unable to coalesce, leaving him unable to even leave the bed.

To compound his troubles, Ming Feiyu sent Xiao Man to inform him that from now on, he must fend for himself when it comes to meals.

As an outsider, Ming Feiyu's act of rescuing him had already been a grace. He had helped to treat the villagers, and in return, Ming Feiyu had provided him with a clean and comfortable shelter, protecting him from the villagers' hostility. However, if he wished to continue staying in the village, he had to be self-sufficient.

Ming Feiyu was not unwilling to help him, but it would come at a cost.

Lying in bed, Xie Zhigui began coughing violently before Xiao Man could finish speaking, as if his lungs would be expelled with each cough.

After his fit, he had no recourse with Ming Feiyu; it was true that Ming Feiyu owed him nothing. If anything, it was he who owed a debt of gratitude to those he had treated.

He couldn't understand what he had done to displease Ming Feiyu. Everything had been fine before Ming Feiyu suddenly withdrew his support. Wasn't this an obvious act of punishment?

The thought caused a heavy feeling in his chest, and the surge of emotion triggered another coughing fit.

"Cough, cough cough..."

Xiao Man brought him a cup of warm water, helped him sit up, and leaned him against the headboard. As he gently poured the water down his throat, she patted his back, asking with concern, "Is that better?"

Catching his breath, Xie Zhigui managed a grateful smile, "Cough cough, yes, better now, thank you, cough, cough cough..."

Xiao Man thought they had quarreled and advised him worriedly, "Brother, if the chief doesn't help you, we wouldn't dare to. You need care for your illness, maybe you should..."

Seeing Xie Zhigui’s expression turn cold, Xiao Man’s voice trailed off.

"Perhaps you should make amends with the chief. Regardless of how you've angered him, you are the spouse he strenuously fought to bring back. He won’t truly neglect your wellbeing."

Xie Zhigui fell silent.

Xiao Man tugged at his sleeve again. "Brother, brother—just yield a little."

His head was already aching, and the child's tugging made his dizziness worsen, bringing on nausea.

Xie Zhigui pulled his sleeve away, refusing, "I don't want to."

"What did I do wrong? Why should I yield? Yield to what exactly?!"

Thus far, he had been careful and cautious in his actions, not daring to step out of line, abiding by the rules Ming Feiyu had set—obedient, not wandering off, not lying.

Could it be that his candid remark about "pleasing him to get what he wanted" had displeased Ming Feiyu?

But it was Ming Feiyu who forbade him from lying; now, speaking truthfully also brings wrath, isn’t that contradictory? What exactly is expected of him?!

His headache intensified, Xie Zhigui wished to put aside those concerns, to hear nothing more of Ming Feiyu, irritated, he desired only to rest.

Xiao Man, unable to persuade him, walked out lightly and closed the door behind her.

As she turned, she nearly collided with Ming Feiyu, who was standing at the entrance.

"Chief?!" Xiao Man exclaimed, then quickly covered her mouth, realizing her voice was too loud, and glanced inside the room.

Xie Zhigui had already passed out.

"What brings you here?" she asked.

Ming Feiyu held a bundle of herbs, instructing, "Take these and brew them. Reduce three bowls of water to one, let it cool, and have him drink it."

"Right away, Chief," Xiao Man quickly took the herbs, sneaking a glance at Ming Feiyu's expression.

Ming Feiyu just stood there, gazing at the closed door, his gaze still and serene, without a word of concern.

"Aren't you going to check on him?"

"There's nothing to see," Ming Feiyu withdrew his gaze, descended the wooden steps, his figure receding coldly.

Xiao Man scratched her head in confusion.

If he didn't want to see him, why bother bringing medicine? And why instruct me to prepare it for him?

If the chieftain didn't like this brother, he could have simply driven him out of the village or killed him, but he did neither; this suggests he still harbors affection.

But that doesn't make sense, does it? If he cares for someone who falls ill, he wouldn't just ignore them completely, not even bothering to inquire after their condition, much less banish them to live elsewhere.

Xiao Man couldn't understand the capricious nature of Ming Fei Yu's attitude, nor the cause of Xie Zhi Gui's apparent anger.

Such a perplexing relationship...

He's still a child, unable to grasp the complex and subtle distinctions adults make between liking and disliking, love and the absence of it.

Forget it, forget it.

If it's incomprehensible, then give up trying to understand. Just take the medicine home and prepare it for your brother.