“Chapter 4: The Melodramatic Immortal Romance”

"Chapter 4: The Melodramatic Immortal Romance"

"Typical of a crazed male protagonist, clearly intending to mock her."

"This male protagonist is indeed twisted, wishing others to share in the pain he once endured."

"Fortunately, Nanyan was an excellent actress. First stunned, she quickly regained her composure, her clear black-and-white eyes calmly gazing at him, 'Are you angry with me, my lord?'"

"'Angry because I don't remember you, so you treat me this way?'"

"Chu Liyue laughed, his tone laced with mockery, 'Don't flatter yourself.'"

"Who did she think she was? Would he care about her? In this world, no one mattered to him except He Nanwan."

"This woman certainly had thick skin."

"After being ridiculed, Nanyan wasn’t angry but instead smiled radiantly at him, 'So if I find it, it’s mine?'"

"Chu Liyue scoffed and nodded, a flash of disdain in his eyes, 'Of course.'"

"Nanyan tilted her head, smiling with her lips pursed, joy evident on her cheeks, 'Then, Lord Demon, you must not go back on your word.'"

"Chu Liyue thought to himself, even if he did break his word, who could challenge him?"

"After speaking, she actually ran towards the hall's exit. Chu Liyue raised his eyelids slightly, watching her retreating figure, thinking if she wanted to play the fool, then he would see just how foolish she could be."

"In reality, Nanyan had already connected with her system internally; the wood carving indeed had been thrown into the garden outside by the heartless man. She could easily locate it with the system, but that wouldn't have the desired impact."

"What she wanted was for the man to one day see the wood carving and regret his actions profoundly, letting him be as callous as he is now."

"'Where is it?'"

"'It should be around here…'"

"In the vast flower garden overrun with sharp, knee-high weeds that could easily scratch skin and swarming with biting insects,"

"Nanyan carefully navigated and dodged, yet her hands still ended up with numerous scratches."

"'Hiss…'"

"Chu Liyue watched the slender, fragile figure wandering back and forth in the garden, her movements causing her black hair to slide off her shoulders. Under the sunlight, the sweat on her forehead and the red marks on the back of her hands were visible."

"He watched emotionlessly before finally uttering, '...Utterly foolish.'"

"Can such people truly exist in the world?"

"He couldn't believe she failed to see his mockery and degradation. Yet, knowing it was a mockery, she still rummaged through the bushes. If not foolishness, what else could it be?"

"If it were the real He Nanwan, she wouldn't have searched, but would have gotten angry with him, possibly ignoring him for a lifetime. Her spirit was too strong to tolerate any slight, and that uniqueness was what drew him to her."

"He once thought they were similar, but it seems it's only their appearances that are alike. Their inner qualities of nobility and lowliness are distinctly different."

"Chu Liyue shifted his gaze away from the figure in the garden, finding her dull and commonplace, ordinary and mundane."

"How could such a woman compare to his He Nanwan? Even with identical looks, she was just a substitute."

"Nanyan searched the garden for two hours, scouring the vast woodlands, and finally found the wooden carving in a muddy corner. She hurried over, clearing away the soil, her face instantly breaking into a radiant smile."

"'Look, my lord…'"

"Holding up the wood carving, she waved it towards him, her eyes and brows curved like a crescent moon, her face brimming with unstoppable joy."

"Seeing her smile, Chu Liyue was momentarily reminded of when he found that wood carving at the mountain's base, with similar care and caution…"

"Chu Liyue felt a bit surprised that she actually found it, but what now?"

"Even if she had the item that wasn’t meant for her, he still didn’t want to give it to her."

"Nanyan held the palm-sized figure, carefully wiping the mud from its face before approaching Chu Liyue."

"'Look, I found it.'"

"'I told you I could find it.'"

Under the sunlight, the woman's voice was crisp and tender, a blush spread across her cheeks, and light beads of sweat adorned her nose, making her appear utterly disheveled.

Yet, her smile was remarkably memorable.

She handed over the wood carving, and only then did Chu Liyue's gaze slowly shift from the carving to her.

Her once bright red dress was now dirty, the hem covered in mud and grass stains. Her cheeks bore several red scratches, and even her hair bun was a mess, loosely resembling a jesting clown.

Chu Liyue squinted as he accepted the wood carving from her hand, "Hmm, I truly didn't expect you to find it. Since that's the case, I'll give this carving to you."

Nan Yan's eyes immediately brightened with a more evident smile, "Really?"

Chu Liyue chuckled lightly, "Of course."

As he spoke these words, his fingertips exerted a sudden force, and with a "snap", the wood carving broke in half.

"Ah... What happened?"

Her face showed an anxious expression, clearly surprised, "How did it suddenly break? I searched for it for so long."

Nan Yan didn't react in time, instinctively stepping forward to hold his hand, her focus entirely on the wood carving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she was holding his palm.

Chu Liyue noticed the cut on the back of her hand and felt her soft, warm fingers. He abruptly withdrew his hand, as if in disgust, and threw the wood carving to the ground, "It's broken, so be it. Do you dare to blame me for it? You're quite bold."

His words gradually eased Nan Yan's emotions.

"No... It's not that, I just feel it's a pity." Nan Yan stammered an explanation, picking up the wood carving from the ground and glancing at him with a touch of grievance and sadness, "Don't be angry, I didn't mean to blame you..."

"I just feel sorry for it, such a beautiful carving, ruined so suddenly."

"After all, it was painstakingly carved, a symbol of sentiment, and now it's destroyed, what a waste..."

Nan Yan gently stroked the broken edges, her fingertips still bearing cuts and unwashed mud.

Chu Liyue felt an indescribable oddity. If the owner doesn't regret it, why should she? It's just a piece of worthless wood, worth such heartache?

Seeing him silent, Nan Yan carefully held the broken pieces of wood, looking up cautiously, "Then... may I still have this wood carving?"

Chu Liyue couldn't bother to look at her, merely saying, "Do as you wish."

Just a piece of worthless wood, truly a shoddy imitation not worthy of any display, fit only for collecting things others discard.

Hearing this, Nan Yan smiled again, "Thank you, my lord."

A tender smile played in her clear, moist eyes. Then, treasuring the wood carving like a precious item, she held it close to her chest, her ears blushing as she murmured softly, "Could this be considered a token of affection between us..."

Chu Liyue didn't hear her words clearly, but her actions disgusted him, "What are you saying?"

"Ah, nothing."

"I mean, it's getting late. My... Lord Demon, you should rest early. Shall I come to accompany you tomorrow?"

……

Destined to be a sleepless night, Nan Yan took the broken pieces of the wooden figurine back to her chamber. She had a maid fetch some strong fish glue to try and mend the broken carving.

Of course, this act was also meant to be seen. She knew the maids serving in her chambers were actually there to supervise her, in essence, to monitor her. Whatever she did, the maids would report to Chu Liyue.

Nan Yan spent half the night, finally managing to glue the broken wood carving back together.

A satisfied smile spread across her face, "Finally succeeded."

However, even with her meticulous repair, the crack in the once-damaged carving remained visible.

Despite this, Nan Yan was still very happy, muttering to herself, "Though it's a bit damaged, it doesn't matter..."

Nan Yan placed the wood carving beside her pillow, her fingertips caressing its damaged marks, and then she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

……

Upon hearing this news from a maid, Chu Liyue's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of perplexity mingling with his indifferent expression.

What exactly is He Nanyan up to?

Could she possibly think that she can replace He Nanwan's position and thus move his heart?

How laughable.

……

After several days of making her presence felt, Nanyan finally became a familiar face to Chu Liyue. But to truly get close to him, she still needed the right opportunity.

She waited for this opportunity for seven days.

Seven days later, news of Chu Liyue's severe injury and coughing up blood spread from the imperial chambers.

Hearing this, Nanyan quickly rushed to his side.

Standing outside the bedroom, she anxiously inquired, "Lord Demon, what's wrong with you? How did you suddenly get so seriously injured?"

The original text describes this plot in detail. Chu Liyue did not abandon the path of righteousness for evil but practiced both righteous and demonic ways.

Chu Liyue's mother was a witch from the Ghost City, and he inherited the demonic core within her from birth. The core was sealed initially, but the seal was undone after he came of age, unleashing the relentless demonic energy within him.

The sect techniques he initially practiced clashed with this demonic energy, and Chu Liyue still struggled to harmonize and balance these two energies.

Whenever the moon was full, he couldn't control the clash of these two energies, leading to unbearable headaches and physical pain, enduring it solely through his will.

At this moment, Chu Liyue was in such agonizing pain, his eyes blood-red, engulfed in a state of angry frenzy, "Get out, who let you in here..."

He grabbed a vase from the desk and hurled it, his eyes filled with murderous intent as if he wanted to kill, "Get away from me!"

The injured Demon Lord was even more insane than usual, the floor littered with broken jade and porcelain, a complete mess.

He allowed no one near him, and any demon guard or maid who dared approach was severely injured and kicked out.

Nanyan hid behind the door, not rashly entering.

She cautiously called out, "Lord Demon..."

Chu Liyue spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his body swaying unsteadily against the bedpost, his wide sleeve slipping down to reveal a section of his wrist, pale and nearly transparent.

At this moment, demonic energy surged within him, and an old wound on his chest had yet to heal, a stab inflicted unintentionally by He Nanwan not long ago, deepening his obsession with her.

His irritation growing, he frowned at the sight of He Nanyan before him. Her face did indeed cause a moment of confusion, but ultimately, she was not He Nanwan. She wouldn't look at him with such heartache, wouldn't show such anxious expressions...

What exactly does this woman want to do?

What does she seek to gain from him?

Chu Liyue's headache was splitting, leaving him no spare energy to be distracted, his consciousness growing increasingly unclear.

Seizing the moment, Nanyan quietly took a step forward, "Lord Demon, may I help you lie down?"

He didn't respond, but he didn't resist either.

Nanyan tried to move closer, "I won't hurt you. I just want to ease your pain, A-Yue..."

Chu Liyue heard the name “A-Yue”.

Suddenly, he grasped her wrist tightly, and Nanyan, seizing the opportunity, supported his unsteady body, his tall frame nearly bending her in half.

"Is it really you?"

He smelled a faint, delicate fragrance emanating from her.

Clearly, he mistook her for He Nanwan. Nanyan was momentarily startled, then a gentle look appeared in her eyes, "It's me, it's me, my husband. Where do you feel uncomfortable?"

She knew very well that the more clouded Chu Liyue's consciousness was at this moment, the more advantageous it was for her to get close to him.

Otherwise, given the temperament of this stubborn male lead, it would probably take eight hundred years before she could get close to him.

Right now, Chu Liyue's consciousness was truly muddled. He pressed her hand to his head, "Headache..."

Observing his seemingly relaxed expression, Nanyan cautiously leaned in, softening her voice and mimicking the heroine's tone, "Shall I rub it for you? It will stop hurting if I do. When I had headaches as a child, my mother used to care for me like this..."

"My husband, don't think about other things..."

"Just sleep quietly, and when you wake up, your head will surely stop hurting."

As she spoke, she gently soothed him.

Perhaps the rubbing did have some effect, as Chu Liyue's emotions actually began to calm down.

Nanyan then withdrew her hand and delicately wiped the fine sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

She noticed his palm seemed to be cut by broken porcelain, with fresh blood continuously dripping from his fingers. Carefully prying open his hand, she saw a palm full of wounds.

A look of concern appeared in Nanyan's eyes, "Your hand is injured, and the wound hasn't been treated. I'll go get some medicine to clean it up..."

But before she could finish speaking, her wrist was suddenly grasped tightly.

Chu Liyue's eyes snapped open, and upon seeing that face, the one identical to He Nanwan's, he fiercely warned her, "You're not allowed to go anywhere; you can only be mine..."

Nanyan was startled, her face deliberately showing fear, but then her eyes revealed a sincere smile, "My husband, don't be afraid, I won't leave. I'll stay here with you."

She gently held his hand, "Staying with you forever..."

Chu Liyue, upon hearing this, gripped her hand tighter, covering his chest with the other, blood seeping through his fingers, "You love Ye Qingsang, so why do you treat me this way?"

He was referring to the stab wound He Nanwan had inflicted on him.

Nanyan paused for a moment before reacting, gently shaking her head and soothing him tenderly, "I don't love Ye Qingsang. I only love you, my husband..."

Her voice was gentle and sincere, as if it had the power to calm the soul.

She spoke a stream of reassuring words.

After finishing, Nanyan hummed a lullaby her mother used to sing to her in childhood, a melody that was soft and lingering, very pleasing to the ear.

Chu Liyue initially struggled with unbearable headache, but listening to her comforting words and the gentle tunes, he actually forgot about his pain.

He vaguely remembered, as he drifted into unconsciousness, someone continuously calling his name, sometimes 'my husband,' sometimes 'A-Yue'...

For some reason, it felt both familiar and incessantly chattering.