Chapter 40: Just Another Commoner Coveting My Looks

Chapter 40: Just Another Lowlife Coveting My Looks

Sang Yu, badly wounded, drifted back into a deep sleep.

During this time, the emperor's decree also arrived, summoning Li Zhiming back to the capital—rushed and inexplicable.

Li Zhiming set off on the return trip with the unconscious Sang Yu.

To prevent anyone from discovering that Sang Yu had also left the capital, he deliberately arrived late at night, had Feng Yin sneak Sang Yu into the estate, and then entered through the main gate himself.

They'd been gone for about a month.

Finally back, Li Zhiming stayed quietly at home, feeling on edge about the Fourth Prince's death.

And also Li Zhixing.

"Scared you'll be punished?" Sang Yu, stirring awake, looked at him and spoke.

Li Zhiming was sitting at the table in his room; seeing he was awake, he pushed those worries aside for now.

"You're finally awake. I thought you weren't gonna pull through this time."

"Of course I would."

Sang Yu clutched his chest, face pale.

Li Zhiming moved to sit by his bedside, pressing his lips together like he wanted to say something but couldn't.

"If you've got something to say, spit it out."

"Alright, I'm still worried. They're not just anyone. With something this big, they're definitely gonna investigate, and when they do, none of us are getting away."

"You scared of dying?"

Sang Yu asked him.

Li Zhiming saw his pale face was completely blank, only his eyes, bright and alive, like they could see right through him.

Time passed, and he stayed silent.

Who's not scared of dying? Damn.

Sang Yu shifted his body, struggling to get into a better position: "I'm not scared of dying. Li Zhixing wants to get rid of you, and you're my handler, so of course I can't let you die."

Li Zhiming looked up, confused—he didn't get what Sang Yu was saying.

"So if he gets in my way, I'll kill him."

Sang Yu said it matter-of-factly.

Li Zhiming almost blurted out "why?", but then he thought about how shady that guy was—dead's dead, and it was better not to ask too many questions.

Then again.

"What about the Fourth Prince? 'Cause he insulted you?"

"No, because the circumstances of his birth meant he was doomed to die."

Hearing that, the brooding youth seemed almost pleased, even curling his lips with a flicker of excitement.

"Do you want to know why?"

He seemed to be baiting Li Zhiming to ask.

Li Zhiming nodded obediently: "I do want to know. Why?"

Sang Yu playfully beckoned him with a finger: "Come here."

He rarely made that kind of face or did little gestures like that; now Sang Yu seemed like a carefree, innocent kid.

Li Zhiming, as the older brother, would try his best to indulge his younger brother's little requests.

He leaned in slowly.

Sang Yu lightly tugged at his collar with one hand, pressed his lips to his ear, and breathed out warm air.

"Killing the emperor's spawn—doesn't it feel amazing, Young Master?"

He was smiling, like he'd just said "who doesn't like ice cream?"—so casual and pleased.

"?!?!"

Li Zhiming stared at him in horror, like he was looking at a lunatic.

Saying something like that to him—was he trying to get him killed?

He had to leave.

"Stop."

Sang Yu's voice drifted over, cold as a demon's. He pulled Li Zhiming to the bedside without effort, snagged his robe, and gave a sinister, charming smile.

"Young Master, I forgot to tell you—if you displease me, I'll kill you too."

"You know, Sang Yu will never let himself be caged by anyone. Not even gods."

Warm breath lingered by his ear, soft and clinging, but the words were ice cold.

Li Zhiming felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

He didn't dare complain, just forced a dry laugh to cover his nerves.

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked at the door. Li Zhiming sighed in relief and shot up: "I'll get it."

This time, Sang Yu didn't stop him, letting him go.

The one who entered was Li Ruoyao.

"Brother, you're here too."

Li Ruoyao was surprised, her gaze darting as she casually greeted him before brushing past him to head straight to the bedside.

"Hey..."

Before he could stop her, the girl had already bounced over to Sang Yu's side.

The person who had just been clutching Sangyu's clothes was now lying limp on the bed like someone at death's door, eyes closed, expression pained.

"Brother Sangyu, how are you? Does it hurt? How did you get injured again?"

Li Ruoyao blinked her big eyes, staring at Sangyu, the worry and adoration in her gaze about to spill over.

"Brother Sangyu, are you feeling uncomfortable? Want me to take you out for some sun?"

"Brother Sangyu, I'll stay here and take care of you. Let me pour you some tea."

Li Zhiming: "???"

Can anyone tell him what happened while he was gone? When did his little sister get so chummy with Sangyu?

The girl bustled around, nothing like the spoiled young lady he knew.

Li Zhiming stared in astonishment at Li Ruoyao.

Suddenly, he felt eyes on him, making his skin crawl.

He turned his head and saw that Sangyu had already opened his eyes, his gaze wrapping around him like a venomous snake, then flicking to Li Ruoyao's back in warning.

The hairs on the back of Li Zhiming's neck stood up, and he swatted Li Ruoyao's hand away as she reached to pour the tea.

"Ruoyao, don't worry about it. I've got this. You head back."

Li Ruoyao pouted in dissatisfaction: "Brother, you're a guy—what do you know about taking care of people? I'll take care of Brother Sangyu."

"Men and women shouldn't be so hands-on with each other. You're not even married—why are you fussing over him? I'll handle it. Now get out of here."

"No!"

She puffed her cheeks out, looking both adorable and stubborn: "Brother, if you can take care of him, why can't I? I'm not leaving."

Yikes.

It'd be great if she stayed.

But that guy didn't want that. His stare was getting colder by the second, and Li Zhiming feared he'd be ripped apart any moment.

Li Zhiming panicked, grabbing her hand and pushing her out: "Go on, get out. I'm different from you—Sangyu's mine."

"What do you mean, he's yours? Don't try to pull that on me. I've already asked around. Brother, you're useless—you don't even dare to go near Sangyu. Hmph, unlike you, I'm not scared of him."

"..."

"If it comes down to it, I'll just have Father marry me to Sangyu!"

"Cough."

"Cough, cough, cough."

Two coughs suddenly rang out in the room.

It dawned on her what she'd just said, and Li Ruoyao's face turned bright red. She turned to find Sangyu staring at her in shock, which only made her more flustered.

"Oh, brother, it's all your fault."

She scolded Li Zhiming with feigned anger, broke free from his grip, and ran out with a red face.

The two men stared at each other.

Li Zhiming was stunned for a moment before asking: "What exactly did you do to my sister while I was away?"

Sangyu withdrew his murderous gaze and closed his eyes again.

"Just another vulgar person coveting my looks."

"?"

Thanks, I feel called out.