Chapter 227 The Twenty-Ninth Day of Entering a Rebirth Novel (End)

Chapter 227: The Twenty-Ninth Day of Transmigrating into a Rebirth Novel (End)

An Yi watched Huo Huai’s wheedling smile, and fragments of the previous night uncontrollably flashed through his mind—him pinching the other’s face and complaining about him being an “apple spirit,” calling him a “clam,” and even... after the other’s kiss, provocatively saying, “Is that all?”...

An Yi was speechless. What nonsense had he been spouting last night?

He didn't know he loved to provoke people like that.

And “Is that all?”—it was practically... practically an active invitation. Even if he tried to deceive himself, he couldn’t deny it!

How could he have acted like this?

Huo Huai looked at An Yi’s expressionless face, which was even faintly pale, and the knot in his stomach tightened further.

He took a deep breath, bent his knee, and knelt on one knee on the floor beside the bed.

This posture allowed him to look up at An Yi sitting on the edge of the bed. He raised his head, his gaze unwavering as he met An Yi’s still complicated eyes. “Last night...”

Huo Huai began, his voice raspy. “This student offended you, Master. My behavior was improper—a crime punishable by death.”

He paused, his Adam’s apple bobbing, before continuing, “I am willing to bear all consequences. Whatever punishment you wish to impose, I will accept without complaint.”

He gazed deeply into An Yi's eyes. “But my feelings for you are as true as the heavens and as bright as the sun and moon. They are no fleeting impulse. This heart... will never change until death.”

Having said this, he knelt there silently, his straight back leaning slightly forward—a pose of complete surrender and submission.

An Yi’s gaze swept over Huo Huai’s face.

After a long pause, An Yi leaned forward slightly and reached out his hand.

He picked up the still-warm soup for his hangover from the small side table. His fingertips touched the delicate white ceramic bowl—the temperature was just right, soothing against his skin.

He lowered his eyelids, his long lashes casting a tiny fan-shaped shadow beneath his eyes. He quietly sipped the slightly sour and sweet drink.

The warm soup slid down his dry throat, bringing a bit of moisture and slightly easing the steady throbbing in his head.

Throughout this process, Huo Huai remained kneeling on one knee, motionless.

His gaze followed An Yi’s every subtle movement. When he saw An Yi actually drinking the soup he had brought, the tense string in Huo Huai's heart loosened almost imperceptibly, and a flicker of joy passed through the depths of his eyes.

The bowl was quickly drained.

He took the plain handkerchief Huo Huai promptly handed over and lightly wiped the traces of moisture from the corner of his mouth.

“Rise,” An Yi finally said, his voice returning to its usual crisp clarity but with a faint hoarseness, as if still carrying the aftermath of the hangover. “Kneeling like this—what does it look like?”

Huo Huai didn't get up right away. Instead, he lifted his head straight up, gazing fervently at An Yi.

A smile uncontrollably spread across his lips, growing wider until his white, neat teeth were visible.

An Yi: “......”

Watching Huo Huai’s almost silly grin, his temple throbbed again.

What're you smiling at? There's nothing funny!

Huo Huai obeyed and stood up, his tall figure casting a shadow in front of the bed.

An Yi raised his hand to straighten his rumpled nightgown collar, trying to cover the conspicuous marks, but the action only made it more glaring.

He cleared his throat. “Huo Huai,” he called his name.

Huo Huai immediately restrained his smile, leaning forward slightly, adopting a posture of attentiveness. “I'm here, Master.”

“I was drunk yesterday,” An Yi stated.

Huo Huai’s heart sank slightly, and he nodded. “...Yes.”

“But you were not drunk,” An Yi continued. “You knew exactly what you were doing.”

Huo Huai’s throat tightened. He admitted, “...Yes.”

He paused. “But I have no regrets.”

No regrets!

An Yi clenched his teeth. A surge of inexplicable rage shot up!

This little jerk!

An Yi reached back, grabbed the soft pillow behind him, and without a second thought, whacked it toward Huo Huai’s face!

“No regrets? You dare say that!” An Yi’s voice lost its usual calmness, completely unlike his typical demeanor.

The soft pillow hit Huo Huai with a dull thud, utterly harmless, more like venting frustration.

Huo Huai was momentarily taken aback by the hit, but he did not dodge. His expression didn’t even change. He still stared straight at An Yi, and the smile in his eyes seemed to grow deeper?

He stood there, letting An Yi wildly smack his chest and arms with the pillow.

An Yi swung a few times, but seeing that Huo Huai neither dodged nor blocked, nor even frowned—just stared at him intensely—

It was like hitting a pillow. He stopped, tossed the pillow back onto the bed, and glared at Huo Huai in exasperation.

He didn’t even dodge! Still smiling! What an idiot!

Seeing An Yi like this, Huo Huai’s heart melted into a puddle. He stepped forward, hesitantly reaching out a hand to touch An Yi’s.

“Master...” he whispered. “Your student knows he was wrong. Next time... I definitely won't take liberties with you while you're drunk...”

He paused, leaving the rest hanging.

An Yi: “......”

There's gonna be a next time?

An Yi swatted his hand away. “Go! Go tell the others—no lessons today. Do your own thing.”

Even after being swatted, Huo Huai was still smiling. He cupped his hands in a bow. “Very well.”

He helped An Yi wash up, then walked out to notify the others. Looking up at the sun above, he felt he had never known a better day than today.

“I hate that the bright moon hangs high and doesn't shine only on me; I love that its pure light shines only on me.”

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An Yi goofed off in the National Preceptor’s mansion for most of the day. It was not until night fell again and the lanterns were lit that he finally couldn't take it anymore and started kicking Huo Huai out.

After the evening meal, An Yi put down his tea cup and looked at Huo Huai, who once again casually took his cup to refill it. An Yi finally cleared his throat and spoke, “It’s getting late. You should head back.”

Huo Huai paused in his action of refilling the tea. He turned around, the bright smile on his face vanished in a flash, and obvious reluctance filled his eyes. “Master...”

He called out in a low voice, "Let your student serve you a little longer."

"No need," An Yi instructed. "You were away from the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's mansion all night and have lingered all day today. You must go back and report."

Huo Huai looked at him. "Tonight..."

An Yi shot him a glare. "Go back!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Huo Huai's instantly slumped shoulders, and added, "...There's always tomorrow."

Huo Huai leaned closer. "Alright!"

An Yi said calmly, "Aren't you leaving yet?"

"Yes! Your student will leave now!" Huo Huai bowed respectfully and stepped out lightly.

An Yi watched his joyful demeanor, shook his head, and a faint smile curved at the corner of his lips.

The acolyte stood behind him with head bowed but wide-eyed.

The Heir of Loyalty and Bravery and the Grand Preceptor?

He gasped. The Heir of Loyalty and Bravery was truly... formidable!