Chapter 99: I’m Sorry, But the Person I Like… is Brother Mu |
Chapter 99: I’m Sorry, But the Person I Like… is Brother Mu
“This is a private matter between Brother Mu and me.”
Ye Qian’s soft, sweet voice struck Ye Yu like a blow. Her words were devoid of aggression, yet their meaning was unmistakable.
She was saying: This has nothing to do with you. You’re not involved.
He remembered how she used to call him “Brother Ye Yu” with respect, how she had even sought his help. But he, blinded by his pride as an alchemist, had treated her with indifference.
He had even hoped she would come to him again, begging for his assistance. But he hadn’t realized that Mu Zhi’an had already slipped into that space.
That Foundation Establishment Pill… it had been the beginning of the rift between them.
Now, her voice held no trace of respect.
Her eyes only saw Mu Zhi’an.
She wore a delicate blue robe, embroidered with peonies, her figure slender and graceful, her beauty accentuated by her ample bosom.
Why didn’t I notice her beauty before? He glared at her, his gaze lingering on her curves, then shifting to Mu Zhi’an, who was standing beside her, their shoulders touching.
Jealousy burned within him.
She tugged at Mu Zhi’an’s sleeve, her voice soft. “Let’s go inside.”
It was a clear statement, a rejection of Ye Yu’s accusation.
Mu Zhi’an wasn’t harassing her. They were already close.
It wasn’t harassment. It was a lovers’ quarrel.
If not for Ye Yu, she might not have forgiven me so quickly… Mu Zhi’an wondered if he should thank Ye Yu for his unintentional assistance.
His “threat” had triggered her sympathy, making her defend him.
He had initially planned to spend a few days appeasing her, but Ye Yu’s intervention had accelerated the process.
Ye Yu watched as she took Mu Zhi’an’s hand, her slender fingers peeking from her sleeve, and his eyes narrowed, his anger flaring. He couldn’t bear it any longer.
“Wait!”
She stopped, turning to look at him.
“Don’t you remember how he deceived you, Qian’er?!” he asked, his voice laced with anger.
Mu Zhi’an felt her stiffen, her eyes filled with a fleeting sadness.
She bit her lip, looking at Ye Yu. “It has nothing to do with you, Brother Ye Yu. Don’t interfere.”
“You’re my cousin. Of course it concerns me!” he retorted, glaring at Mu Zhi’an. “He’s a two-timing scoundrel! He’s playing with you!”
“Coming to see you now… it’s just proof of his infidelity.”
She looked at Mu Zhi’an, who was staring at her, offering no explanation.
Ye Yu chuckled inwardly.
Mu Zhi’an had chosen Bai Ruoxi in front of everyone. No amount of sweet talk could change that.
Qian’er wasn’t a fool. She knew the truth.
“You should know better, Mu Zhi’an. You’ve already chosen Miss Bai. Why are you bothering Qian’er? Are you trying to have both?” he asked, his voice laced with mockery.
Mu Zhi’an still hadn’t looked at him. His gaze was fixed on Ye Qian, her innocent face now clouded with disappointment.
She was so naive, her emotions transparent.
He reached out, placing his hand on hers.
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears, their beauty captivating.
“Let’s go inside and talk, alright?” he said softly.
She had decided to ignore him, but the warmth of his hand against hers sparked a flicker of joy within her.
She opened her mouth to speak, but Ye Yu interrupted them. “He went to see Lingxuan earlier today.”
He glared at Mu Zhi’an, chuckling coldly. “He’s probably here because she rejected him.”
Ye Qian looked at her cousin.
He wasn’t handsome, but he wasn’t ugly either. He had a certain charm, the more you looked at him.
She had admired him in the past. He had been a prodigy, and even though he had lost his cultivation, he had regained it through his own efforts.
He was even one of the few alchemists in Tianxuan City.
But after regaining his talent, he had become distant towards his family.
They had treated him coldly, and now he was returning the favor.
He had even treated her with indifference.
But now… she realized that his rejection hadn’t been a bad thing.
She felt the warmth of Mu Zhi’an’s hand against hers, and her voice softened. “I know, Brother Ye Yu. I can make my own decisions. Please leave.”
She had someone else now.
And he was her cousin’s enemy. She had to choose.
And she had chosen Mu Zhi’an.
“Why?!”
Ye Yu stared at her, his voice filled with anger. “He chose Bai Ruoxi, not you! Don’t you understand?!”
He didn’t realize that women were driven by emotions, not logic.
Logically, knowing that someone had wronged you, the appropriate response was clear.
But emotionally… it was a different story.
She lowered her eyes, her voice soft. “I know, Brother Ye Yu. You don’t have to worry about me.”
He stumbled back, staring at them, speechless.
He had thought this was his chance to repair their relationship, but her words had shattered that hope.
She turned to Mu Zhi’an. “Let’s go inside, Brother Mu.”
She took his hand and led him towards her room.
“Mu Zhi’an, I challenge you to a duel!” Ye Yu shouted, his spiritual energy erupting.
You’re still here?
Mu Zhi’an stopped, turning to look at him. “It’s late, Young Master Ye. Everyone’s trying to rest. Don’t be so loud.”
“Are you afraid?” Ye Yu taunted, trying to provoke him.
“If you’re looking for someone to spar with, Young Master Ye, I’m available,” a voice said from the crowd, its tone amused.
They all looked towards the speaker, a handsome young man with a gentle smile. “Young Master Mu helped us during the entrance exams. This is our chance to repay his kindness.”
Who are you…? Mu Zhi’an studied the young man, then a realization dawned on him.
He had mentioned the entrance exams, so he must have been one of the candidates from Boundless Sea Peak.
“If you’re itching for a fight, Young Master Ye, I’m also available,” another voice said, this one belonging to a female disciple.
Four or five others also spoke up, siding with Mu Zhi’an.
They were all candidates who had received his help.
Mu Zhi’an looked at Ye Yu, smiling. “I’m not interested in sparring tonight, Young Master Ye. If you’re so eager, find someone else.”
Ye Yu glared at him, his voice cold. “Are you running away? Is this the kind of man Qian’er likes?”
Mu Zhi’an chuckled, shaking his head. “Love is a matter of choice, Young Master Ye. It’s not about whether I’m worthy. It’s about who she chooses.”
He ignored Ye Yu, bowing to the other candidates. “Thank you for your kindness. I apologize for the disturbance.”
“You must be tired after the exams. Please get some rest.”
He took Ye Qian’s hand and led her towards her room, Ye Yu’s gaze following them.
She lowered her head, walking beside him, and they entered a small courtyard, disappearing from view.
The palace was unique. Each resident had their own personal space… a pocket dimension… where they could design their own dwellings.
Ye Yu stared after them, speechless. He didn’t try to stop them.
This was the Two Polarities Sect. If he attacked here, in front of so many witnesses, he would be the one punished, regardless of the circumstances.
Now that he thought about it, perhaps failing to stop Mu Zhi’an wasn’t a bad thing.
At least this would show Lingxuan his true nature.
He turned and walked away, pretending to leave.
But he didn’t go far. After the crowd dispersed, he returned, using a secret technique he had learned from the old man to conceal his aura, approaching the room where a candle flickered.
“Are you still angry with me, Qian’er?” Mu Zhi’an’s voice asked, his tone filled with a carefully crafted sadness.
She shook her head. “We weren’t anything, Brother Mu. There’s nothing to be angry about.”
“If you say that, Qian’er, you’ll truly break my heart.”
He sat beside her, reaching for her hand, but she quickly pulled it away.
He wasn’t discouraged. “Did you like the peach blossom?” he asked softly.
She looked at the flower in her hand, her eyes glistening with tears.
She tossed it onto the ground, her voice cold and distant. “Just say what you have to say, Brother Mu. I’m going to rest.”
Silence.
She looked up at him.
He was staring at the discarded peach blossom, his expression unreadable.
She looked away, her heart aching, trying to maintain her facade of indifference. “I prefer snow lotuses to peach blossoms.”
He retrieved a snow lotus from his storage ring.
She stared at him, her eyes widening. “You have another one?”
“I wanted to give it to you before the exams, but things happened, and I never had the chance,” he sighed, offering her the flower.
He looked at her, his voice soft. “Take it.”
“The snow lotuses from the Mu Manor are precious. You’ve given them to talented and beautiful women. Are you sure it’s alright to give one to me?” she asked, her voice laced with a hint of jealousy.
He smiled, seizing the opportunity. He took her hand, his gaze meeting hers. “The snow lotus is precious, and the peach blossom is beautiful. But there’s a girl who’s even more captivating.”
“Qian’er…” He pulled her close, his arm wrapping around her waist.
“D-Don’t…”
“Brother Mu…”
She tried to resist, her eyes wide, her cheeks flushed, but his embrace was firm, her struggles futile. She melted against him, her gaze meeting his, her lips parting slightly, her breath warm against his cheek.
He looked at her, then lowered his head, claiming her lips.
Ye Yu, watching from the shadows, his anger burning, his fists clenched, turned and walked towards Ye Lingxuan’s courtyard.
Qian’er was lost. She had been bewitched by Mu Zhi’an.
But this was also an opportunity.
He had to show Lingxuan his true nature.