"Elder Sister Bai Lan?" "Elder Sister Bai Lan?"

The servant girl who was speaking to her saw that Bai Lan's expression did not look too good. She couldn't help but feel anxious and wondered if she had said something wrong.

She carefully thought about what she had said, but couldn't find anything wrong with it.

"Hm?" Bai Lan returned to her senses when she called out to her. "What's wrong?" She smiled.

He had a delicate and pretty face that looked gentle and kind.

"Elder Sister Bai Lan, do you have something on your mind?

You seemed to be in a bad mood just now. "

The servant girl saw that her expression was gentle and didn't seem angry, so she continued to ask with concern, "Is there a problem?

Could it be that the girl is making things difficult for you … "

"Don't make wild guesses. The girl isn't that kind of person."

Bai Lan hurriedly interrupted her and explained, "It's nothing. It's just that the girl's appetite hasn't been very good recently, so I'm a little worried." Bai Lan said helplessly, as if she didn't know what to do.

"Elder Sister Bai Lan, you're so kind. You're so considerate towards that kind of … person."

The servant girl sighed with emotion and disdain towards that person. She didn't make her words clear, but anyone could hear the disgust in her voice.

"She's just a brothel girl from a small place. I don't know how she managed to hook up with our Lord."

"Ming Yan, be careful with your words."

Bai Lan frowned. Her gentle expression carried a hint of seriousness. "It's not up to us to casually discuss Lord's matters."

"Elder Sister, I just can't stand it. Why would such a good person like Lord be hooked up with a lowly prostitute … Alright, I got it. I won't say anymore," Ming Yan said angrily. Seeing that Bai Lan's expression was getting worse, she mumbled and shut her mouth.

When Bai Lan heard her say this, she knew that everyone in the residence probably thought of that girl the same way.

Actually, she didn't really like Si Yue, but since she was sent to protect Si Yue, she could only do her part and wholeheartedly be her servant.

She wasn't very close to Si Yue. This girl seemed to maintain a natural distance from others and didn't like to interact with others. However, her character wasn't like what others thought.

Bai Lan recalled that Si Yue once took the initiative to speak to her.

"I know that you probably don't like me, but don't say it out loud.

Although I don't care, I still feel sad...

Under the illumination of the light, her side profile was tranquil and serene. Her drooping eyes and eyelashes fluttered slightly like butterflies flapping their wings. Suddenly, she smiled brightly, as if the loneliness just now was all an illusion.

.................

.. She had somewhat forgotten. Perhaps she had simply replied that the girl was overthinking.

"Don't stay here with me. Today is a rare day off, so you should go find some fun." Bai Lan softened her tone and spoke to Ming Yan in a gentle voice.

Ming Yan smiled. Thinking that he could rest, he forgot about the unhappiness. He bid farewell to Bai Lan and left.

Bai Lan stood in place. Her originally gentle and calm face revealed a worried expression.

She unconsciously looked back in the direction of Fuyun Pavilion and sighed.

***

In the end, Xiao Shijing and Yan Yi parted on bad terms.

By the time Xiao Shijing returned to his residence, it was already late at night.

His surroundings were completely silent, as if they were barren.

Everyone else was having their dark sweet dreams that night, and he was the only one who had ventured into the darkness that was so thick that he could not get out of it.

For some reason, his footsteps were slightly erratic. However, if one didn't look carefully, they wouldn't be able to detect it. It was as if he was still as calm as usual.

If one got closer, they could faintly smell the alcohol on his body. It wasn't too strong, just a little bit. It didn't make people feel turbid or uncomfortable.

"Sir?"

A small voice came from the corner. The voice was soft. One could tell that it was a woman's voice. The tone was uncertain and timid.

Xiao Shijing turned his head and saw a small figure in the dark. She looked thin and frail, as if she was lonely.

That small person was holding a lantern and sitting alone on a stone step. She had curled up her body into a small ball. If it weren't for the dim yellow light in her hand, perhaps no one would have noticed her.

Her long black hair was obediently draped over her shoulders. She looked up at him from afar. It was as if they had been separated by many years. It was impossible not to feel sentimental and tender feelings.

She seemed to have just woken up. Her entire expression was ignorant and docile. The dim light from the lantern illuminated her face. The outline of her face was soft and beautiful.

Perhaps it was the alcohol that had rushed to his head. He felt that his originally sober mind had suddenly become fuzzy and chaotic. Countless strands of indescribable emotions were pulled out by her.

He wanted to hug her … … He didn't want to care about anything, he didn't want to care about anything … …

He took large steps and almost staggered over to her. He had never been in such a sorry state before.

Si Yue hadn't completely woken up yet. She didn't look carefully. She only saw that Sir was calmly walking over as usual. However, his footsteps were slightly hurried.

Then came the cold bamboo fragrance that suddenly filled her entire world. It also carried a trace of alcohol. It made her feel a little tipsy. Her cheeks were a little red from the heat of his breath.

She was startled by this sudden hug. For a moment, she was stunned. She wanted to push him away, but she slowly put her hands down and hugged him back.

"What's wrong, Sir?" Si Yue tentatively patted his back gently.

"Ruan Ruan … …" He called out. His voice was drunk, as if it was filled with longing. His murmur was gentle and made people feel like they were in love.

Hearing this name that she hadn't heard in a long time, Si Yue was stunned. Seeing that he seemed to be drunk, she responded with an "… … Mmm."

"You're finally willing to admit that you're Ruan Ruan … … Why did you pretend not to know when you first met me … …" His voice was hoarse and indistinct, as if he was murmuring in a dream.

She forced a smile and said to him, "Ah Shi already knows … … That's right, my Big Brother Ah Shi is so smart. How could he not have guessed it?" She lowered her voice and spoke softly and softly, like a quiet night breeze blowing past.

"Ruan Ruan, why didn't you tell me … … Why didn't you tell me anything … …" He seemed to be really drunk. His drunken stupor made his words sound a little childish. If anyone else saw this, they would be surprised that the usually calm and gentle general would lose his composure like this.

She looked up at him. He looked as composed as ever. Even though he was drunk, he still had his poise. It was as if he was still the calm and composed young general who commanded thousands of soldiers and horses. He didn't look drunk at all.

Only when she met his eyes did she see the blankness in them. They were hazy, as if they were shrouded in a fog. It was obvious that he was drunk.

She had always known that he was a poor drinker and liked to show off, and that he could get drunk with just a little. She had never thought that after so many years, he would still be like this. If the soldiers under his command knew about this, she was afraid that his dignity as a general would be swept away.

She couldn't help but want to laugh at him. But for some reason, when she heard his words, she felt an indescribable bitterness in her heart. It was as if she had drunk the world's most bitter medicine … …

She didn't answer him. She only remained silent.

Si Yue leaned against his chest. His chest was warm, so warm that it almost burned her.

She hadn't been so close to him in a long time.

For many, many years past, he had lived in her dreams, or in the praises of others.

She had heard a lot about him. She knew that he had bathed in blood and killed enemies on the battlefield. She knew that his journey was dazzling and difficult. She knew all of this clearly.

"Ah Shi, I miss you so much.

I've missed you so much all these years. "

She caressed his face. That bright and handsome face was so familiar yet so unfamiliar to her.

She had never seen him at his most spirited, but she had always thought that it must have been very good looking. It must have been a dazzling sight. It was just a pity that she couldn't see it.

"At first, I thought, why didn't you come to save me? Why didn't Big Brother Ah Shi, who promised to protect me for the rest of my life, take me away like a hero … … Later, I thought, forget it. It's better if Ah Shi didn't find me … …" She smiled, but her eyes unconsciously became blurry.

She blinked, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Something seemed to have entered her eyes, and they suddenly became sour and heavy.

It was as if she was drowning. It was so uncomfortable that she couldn't control herself. It was difficult for her to breathe, and she couldn't maintain her forced smile.

"Why couldn't you find me sooner … …" She muttered softly. Her voice was weak and sorrowful.

She was like an abandoned baby. All that was left in this world was confusion and sadness.

"Ruan Ruan … … I'm sorry … …" He hugged her tightly and clumsily comforted her.

He was always like this. He didn't know how to say anything. He always made people angry and sad.

She suddenly felt like a child who had been wronged. The tears that she had been holding back suddenly collapsed because of his words.

She covered her eyes as if she wanted to hide all her sadness. Her palms were wet.

"You said that you wanted to be the hero of the world. I know that you've already achieved it … … Ah Shi, you're the best … … You've always been the best … …"

"But … … why can't you be my hero … …"

She pushed him away and let herself fall to the ground.

She bent her knees and buried her face in her arms. She sobbed and said this sentence in a muffled voice.

The night was so quiet. April's cries were suppressed yet clear. Just like when she was young, she would cry and complain to him whenever she felt wronged. But this time, his consolation was far too late.

If it had been any later, she would have almost forgotten how to cry.

He had already sobered up. At this moment, he squatted down and looked at her trembling body as she cried.

The little girl who had been pampered since she was young was now so sad and helpless.

He thought of the year when he was about to leave.

"Big Brother Ah Shi, do you have to leave?

Can't you stay with Ruan Ruan? "

Her big eyes were filled with tears, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. She asked him this as she pulled on his sleeve.

"Ruan Ruan, be good. When Big Brother becomes a hero, I'll come back to find you."

… …

"Big Brother, goodbye … …"

"Goodbye."

***

I'm a bastard.

I know.