Chapter 29: Li Fan’s House Collapses

Chapter 29: Li Fan's House Collapses

Li Fan looked at Yang Ling'er expressionlessly, his tone devoid of any fluctuations. "The person your father sent to protect you wasn't me; I just happened to be passing by."

Yang Ling'er's smile froze on her face. It was Lin Yu who stepped forward to clarify the situation and told her that he was the one assigned to protect her.

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, a hint of disappointment flickered in Yang Ling'er's eyes. She then shook her head disdainfully. "How much older are you than me? Do you think you can really protect me? I'm not convinced. Besides, it was this gentleman who saved me just now."

With that said, Yang Ling'er took a step toward Li Fan.

"Sir, I only feel a sense of security when I'm by your side. Can you please stay with me?"

I chuckled silently. Yang Ling'er saw a hero rescuing a beauty, while Li Fan saw his virtue increasing by 20 points.

Lin Yu quietly moved closer to me. "Bai Ci, why do I sense a strong tea aroma coming from Yang Ling'er?"

Of course there's a tea scent. She's like a big pot of Biluochun tea.

Li Fan pinched the bridge of his nose. His porcelain-white face betrayed a trace of impatience, but Yang Ling'er remained oblivious, hopping around Li Fan like a little rabbit.

Not long after, Li Fan's voice echoed in my mind: "Such a nuisance."

"I think she has a crush on you," I said. "She wants to be in a relationship with you."

"Her? Fit for me? I regret saving her. It's not too late to strangle her now, is it?"

I hastily stopped him.

His mindset was truly ruthless. Following him, my days were becoming more hopeful, yet he remained untouched by any consequences. It wasn't him who would end up in jail.

Li Fan let out a cold laugh, his body gradually turning transparent – this was his invisibility state. Others couldn't see him except for me.

Only then did I realize that Li Fan's disposition leaned towards indifference. He didn't like interfering in others' affairs nor did he enjoy speaking much in front of strangers. If it weren't for the fact that saving someone could accumulate merit, he might have just turned a blind eye to those in need.

"Now you think I'm heartless and cold?" Li Fan seemed to have caught on to my thoughts, his voice echoing softly.

I hurriedly refuted, "No, no, helping someone is an act of kindness, but not helping is one's duty. I completely agree with your perspective. Don't mistake me for a do-gooder."

Hearing my response, Li Fan appeared surprised. A charming curve formed on the corner of his lips, erasing all signs of impatience from his face.

I initially thought Yang Ling'er would be startled, considering a living person had just vanished before her eyes.

Yet, she merely froze for a moment, showing no fear at all. Instead, she quickly regained her composure, the excitement in her eyes growing more apparent.

Yang Ling'er chattered nonstop throughout the journey, almost prying out all of Li Fan's secrets with her incessant questions. Though annoying, she did indeed know a few shortcuts, allowing us to reach the village before sunset and avoid traveling in the dark.

The village was also lined with dirt roads, but they were much easier to navigate. At this time, almost all the villagers were gathered by the entrance. Upon seeing the village chief, Yang Ling'er called out and ran over.

The village chief was a man nearing sixty, his head fully white with age. Seeing us enter the village, he greeted us with a broad smile.

When Lin Yu introduced herself as the main person in charge, I expected the village chief to look down on her like Yang Ling'er did. Surprisingly, the chief didn't seem bothered by Lin Yu's age and instead extended his hand for a handshake.

"Immortal Lady Lin, then this young lady is..." The village chief's gaze fell on me.

"She is," Lin Yu chuckled. "Her name is Bai Ci. She's new here, coming to broaden her horizons. If you have any questions, just come find me."

While Lin Yu discussed plans with the elderly village chief, I idly admired the village scenery nearby.

Indeed, there were no girls in the village, and I didn't attribute this to gender bias, for not even elder women were present; it was an all-male community.

I found a clean stone to sit on. They didn't approach me too closely, but their eyes lingered persistently on me.

Their gaze made me uneasy, and I instinctively wanted to hide behind Li Fan. But then I recalled all the words I'd spoken to him on our journey, and forced myself to stay put.

Li Fan shook his head helplessly, using the trunk of a nearby tree to conceal his approach before casually sitting beside me.

"I appreciate it," I whispered to him.

Li Fan reached out to tousle my hair. I tried to evade, but he drew me back in. "Since when have you become so distant with me?"

"It's not that I'm distant, it's just that some things aren't quite appropriate, don't misunderstand," I said, my body contradicting my words as I shifted closer to him.

Although the villagers were uncertain where Li Fan had emerged from, they seemed to accept that I now had a male companion by my side, and their scrutiny lessened.

"Actually, you're right about everything. I've regretted it countless times," Li Fan suddenly admitted after a long while.

I uttered an "Ah," momentarily puzzled as to why he would swear abruptly.

What was I thinking? And what is he regretting now?

"Ba Ci," Li Fan propped his chin on his hands, gazing at me with his captivating eyes. "If – just if – I didn't have a wife, would you still be avoiding me like this?"

I was taken aback. What kind of question was that?

Didn't he come to me precisely because my father killed his wife, and he needed my help to bring her back to life?

If he were a bachelor from the start, our paths would never have crossed, let alone all the events that followed.

But then again, if I hadn't been trying to avoid suspicion, I might never have encountered someone as exceptional as him in twenty years. It'd be a rare opportunity worth pursuing.

As if reading my thoughts, Li Fan laughed joyfully. Then, as usual, he tousled my hair. "Alright, Ba Ci, I understand."

"Understand what?"

How did he know again?

"I know you've been longing for me. Just enjoy my affection without feeling obligated to reciprocate," Li Fan chuckled like a rogue, patting my head while he laughed.

I was left utterly bewildered by his actions.

Oh no, Li Fan's character has collapsed! Just listen to what he's saying!

I rebuked him sternly, "This is wrong. You're essentially cheating on your wife! Do you still remember your devoted lover persona?"

"I do, I do!" Li Fan leaned in close to my ear, his warm breath brushing against my neck, "Of course, I do."

Reacting, I reached out to push him away, but Li Fan effortlessly dodged my attempt, swiftly moving out of reach.

"You little one has quite the temper. Never mind, I'll explain next time."

Li Fan's voice drifted over like a gentle breeze, but I was too preoccupied with anger to catch his words properly.

In the evening.

The village elder arranged accommodations for Lin Yu and me. Lin Yu shared a room with Yang Ling'er for his convenience in protecting her, while I stayed in a temporary guest room.

I was indifferent, and the room was quite pleasant. After a satisfying meal, I lounged on the bed, idly scrolling through my phone to pass the time.

The signal in this small village was terrible; there were several unread messages on my phone that wouldn't load. Judging from the profile picture, it seemed to be from my good-for-nothing cousin, but knowing him, he likely had no important business, so I didn't give it much thought.

Around eight or nine in the evening, there was a sudden knock on my door. I went downstairs to answer it and found Yang Ling'er standing outside with reddened eyes.