Book 14: Chapter 56

White Rabbit and a Liar

Long ago, there was a gentle, cla.s.sy, das.h.i.+ng suave Just know he was a really, really handsome young hero. The twenty-nine-year-old hero who possessed a strong sense of justice and knowledge travelled the world and, uh

Whack!

Stop hitting my face!

Thats what you get for lying!

Fine Ill start over. In short, the really handsome hero met a maiden one day. The only way you could describe the admiration she harboured for him is head over heels because, not only was he strong, but he had a larger-than-life physique, the aura of an alpha and the temperament of a gentleman. Most importantly, he was das.h.i.+ng, cool and remarkably handsome.

The brash maiden often found herself in all sorts of troubles. The first time the hero saved her, she harboured great admiration and respect. After he saved her a second time, she wors.h.i.+pped him. After he rescued her a third time, he was the equivalent of a G.o.d. His appearance alone was enough to make her drool.

Thus, at some point in time, wicked thoughts flourished in her mind. On a wet stormy night, she could no longer resist those feelings swelling up in her chest. As a result, she pushed him down. The hero resisted with all his might. It was no joking matter, right? The public unanimously concurred that was a morally-outstanding gentleman. Alas, the maiden had a little too much to drink that night, so she wasnt aware of what she was doing. Sadly the hero was unable to fight her off. Consequently In summary, it was tragic. He could smell the alcohol in his own mouth. The poor hero couldnt sleep that night as he couldnt get it off his mind. On the other hand, the maiden slept soundly through the night and totally forgot what transpired the next morning.

Ever since then, the hero avoided getting too close to the maiden. He wasnt sure why himself. Mayhap it was due to his excellent virtuous character!

The end.

I looked into Boss round and glowing eyes. Understand now?

What the heck? What sort of bizarro story is that?

Kay, so you didnt understand a thing.

And where did you find the two puppets? Boss pointed to the puppets in my hands that made the story more engaging and immersive.????????e?. ???

Whenever I couldnt do the story justice using words, I used the male and female puppets to provide a visual representation. When I announced the end, the two of them were placed together.

Uh, I pinched them from Su Xiaos room to add flavour to the story.

Wait, wait, wait, thats not whats important.

Do you really still not understand when I made it so clear?

Understand what?

The story. Dont you understand it?

The story Whos the young guy? Does such a gross person actually exist?

Dont you think hes cool?

No. Good looks are just a good exterior. More importantly, isnt he a hero? How did a weak maiden physically control him so easily. What a loser. Hero, my foot. On the other hand, the maiden isnt afraid to express herself. I like her.

That was because I couldnt use my martial arts! Plus, do you realise how strong you are? Are you weak?! You could restrain a leopard with a single hand! How the heck do you manage to compliment yourself when you dont understand the story?!

I grouchily put away the puppets and asked, What sort of man do you consider cool?

Mm like my dad? Or Cheeks rosy, Boss stuttered, B-bald is not bad, either.

Bald? Whats cool about being bald?! That bald monk you havent seen again in ages, really?! Who the h.e.l.l is he?! Why the h.e.l.l cant she get him off her mind when G.o.d knows where hes been all this time?!

Im the one asking the questions here! Boss grabbed me by my collar again. What is that nonsensical story? Did you think you could distract me like that?

No, youre the one who didnt get it! How else can I convey this when the story makes it as clear as can be?! Handsome hero! Who else could it be?!

Who is it? asked Boss.

Boss definitely has comprehension issues!

Boss, I have a question for you: do you wors.h.i.+p me?

No.

Huh? No? You dont wors.h.i.+p me? Im already so so Dont you wors.h.i.+p me?

I felt the image I invested all my time into building was starting crumble.

What does Boss see me as?

The world started spinning before my eyes as though what Id trusted all this time was gradually disappearing.

Is this how it feels to be sacked by the Rabbit Cult master?

Whats the matter? Seeing my poignant expression, Boss went to pat me on the shoulder.

Failing to control my legs, I retreated a step before I realising it. As a consequence, Boss hand missed her target.

What is your deal?!

Okay, okay Do you really want to know?

Havent I been trying to find out all this time?

You sure?

Why are you being so wishy washy? Are you worried Ill tell people everywhere I go or something? Do you distrust me this much despite how long weve known each other?

Im not worried about you telling people; Im worried youll silence me

I wasnt sure I should tell her. Boss was the serious type. Who could guess what shed think if she found out she took advantage of me.

If Boss doesnt wors.h.i.+p me, why did she kiss me? The answer I had for it is no longer looking correct.

Oh, fine, if you dont want to tell me then dont.

Serious? Im winning so easily? Wait, shes the one who took advantage of me and got away with it.

Mm Due to the heat and amount of thinking she engaged in, Boss had to bush her bangs on her temple away.

My heart beat faster and faster as I watched her every movement. Such a thing had never happened before.

Boss, having finally finished making her decision, said, You know, Ive been through quite a bit recently. I was completely useless when the capital was in peril. Song Ou took Liu Shan Men from me. There were lots of challenges and brushes with death when I looked into Gongsun Chi, competed against him in a contest of wits and went after the hostages. Uncle transferred me out of the capital for my own sake, but Id be lying if I said I felt good about it. Id have broken down if so much happened at once in the past. The gaze in her eyes was enough to move hearts. Some people think I have a heart of stone, only see the world in black and white, am immune to fatigue, dont understand people, dont feel pain and only know how to act reckless. The truth is, though, none of it is true. If such a person exists, they have my utmost respect.

As someone by her side, I knew that better than anyone. n.o.body was truly that mentally strong. It was just a case of having a higher pain tolerance whilst charging head first in. It was a case of being able to disregard the fatigue and risk of injury whilst forging forward until you reached your destination. It was a case of being able to put one foot in front of the other until you reached your destination despite not having companions. It was a case of silently bearing with open wounds, or not even waiting for them to close, and continuing on. If Shen Yiren had a special attribute, it was being able to get used to loneliness, pain and being able to numb her emotions.

But not anymore, Boss stated in a rather hurried tone that suggested she was worried Id misunderstand. The heat and tension from her small hand on my collar emanated towards me. I have you guys now.

Perhaps it was impossible for her to sound composed in spite of her best efforts since it had been the first time she spoke to someone not as a leader.

So I can tough it out. I dont think its suffering. I enjoy every day nowadays. I know Im doing the right things. I know someone will support me if I stop and pull me up when I trip. If we all fall, theyll join me on the ground. Among them, youre the one I trust the most. Ming Feizhen, I dont wors.h.i.+p you. I trust you, and I want you to trust me. I want to become someone you can depend on, and I want to count on you.

I wasnt focused on what she said, but Id never forget it. I heard those words before.

Boss released her grip on my collar, then took a step back. The sudden increase in distance between us made me feel a little sad.

Besides my dad, Kuang and Uncle youre the only other man I trust most. While Im aware you have a lot of secrets, a lot of which you dont want to share and a lot of which you may never tell me, I dont expect you to tell me everything. I just want you to know that, no matter what happens, I dont want you to avoid me. Boss took one more step backwards. Youve avoided me a total of seven times. The first time, it was one foot, one inch. The second time, it was one foot, three inches.

She stepped back a tad when she mentioned the second time, making my heart ache a little more.

The third time, it was one foot and four inches She took another tiny step back, although she still had a small smile. She then stepped forward once. The fourth time, it was over nine inches I was still happy then as I felt the distance was reduced, so I thought the distance would continue to reduce until you wouldnt avoid me.

I wasnt

But the fifth time it was one foot and five inches. She stepped back again. The sixth time The seventh time I dont want to count anymore She started walking over again until she was close enough for me to hear her heartbeats clearly. Dont go.

I didnt avert my gaze.

If you dont want to tell me, I wont force you to. However, can you promise not to avoid me?

I wont go. I took hold of her hand. I wont. I wont ever avoid you.

From the look in her eyes, she seemed to understand the countless words I had yet to say.

I shouldnt have forgotten, yet I forgot for a moment that she was Shen Yiren. She lived a life as bright as the summer sun. She imposed her will relentlessly enough to intimidate grown men. How, then, was it normal for her to look at me the way she did? Nothing actually changed. She just kissed me big deal. She was still the same Shen Yiren. Why did I need to avoid her? All that changed for me was that I had someone I didnt want to lose.

Boss, I I suddenly noticed the triumphant look in her eyes.

Boss reversed my grip to take control and grinned. So you telling me or not?

D-didnt you just say I didnt have to tell you?!

I did, but you never said you wouldnt tell me or otherwise.

Im not the one who insisted on bringing it up. Youre the one who insisted on listening, okay?

When Boss joyously raised her head, I thought I saw two furry white ears pop up from her head.

Youre finally going to tell me?

Yeah but I need to make some preparations.

I placed the two puppets into Boss hands and plastered their faces together.

The heck?

Keep them there. Dont move them By the way, do you remember who else there was at the inn in Hangzhou?

Your second brother. Patriarch Bai and his wife, and some other people in the pugilistic world.

Her memory was as good as I expected.

Remember the girl by the name of Miss Wen with my second brother?

I do. She was thin, tall and quite cute even though she was p.r.o.ne to anger? Shes Muyes aide. Ive exchanged a few words with her.

Thats right. Thats right. She had a white bunny with her, remember?

I do. It was a cutie.

Every girl I knew would smile whenever they talked about anything cute, and Boss was no exception.

Do you remember its name?

Uh Meme?

Okay. So, do you remember having a bit to drink that day?

I do.

You wouldnt have done that if you didnt drink while you were so worn out and sleepy.

Whats that?

You pushed me down onto the bed, restrained me and then had me check if there was anyone eavesdropping.

And?

And? I stepped out of the door, closed the doors just enough for my face to be visible and continued, Recall what the name of the bunny was? Bye.

Boss looked up, stopped to think, looked down to the puppets and paused for a second. Face as red as if she splashed red paint on herself, she stuttered, I-I-I-I-I-I. Aaaaaaaaaaaaahh! That night, I, I wasnt, you

I smiled. Just joking.

Boss fell into a mentally and physically paralysed state. Huh?

Boss, that would never happen given your ability to hold your liquor. I was just joking.

Boss, I really want to stay by your side. I want to do anything I can to stay by your side for a little longer, so let me lie to you one more time.

The truth is, I discovered a collection of valuables in the underground palace and planned to take it all for myself. Ill tell you more next time. I shut the door away straight afterwards. As for the kiss, I decided to just let it remain as a nice memory.

***

A while after Ming Feizhen left, Shen Yiren was heard shrieking in a high-pitch voice n.o.body at Liu Shan Men had heard until that day. Ming Feizhen stopped anyone from going near her room the first time, but Liu Shan Men would be erased from the martial world if they ignored it a second time. Upon arrival, however, Shen Yiren told the female constables in her usual stern tone, D-dont worry! Dont come in. Yeah, yeah, dont come in.

n.o.body would ever attribute the scream to Shen Yiren, not knowing her character, nor would they dare to. Some of them thought it was some signal from her that she had been blackmailed or threatened, but it didnt seem to be the case after they inquired. In the end, they had no choice but to leave since she insisted they left her alone.

Feeling as though her cheeks alone could sear through, Shen Yiren touched her lips, only to make the heat even more intense. Liar.

She recalled everything there was to recall, as vividly as it could be, but he chose to cover for her.

She picked up the puppets and used the female one to kick the male one. Liar Liar Liar

Was she reprimanding him, complaining about him or calling him stupid? How much of it was fondness? Not even she knew.

After repeating, Liar for the dozenth time, she stayed her hands and gently placed the puppets faces together again with red cheeks. In a soft voice, she, once again, muttered, Liar.

Glossary

Getting hit in the face Ming Feizhen actually mixes up h.o.m.ophones in his allegories, which led to him saying lewd things. As a result, Shen Yiren hit him for it, but you can only have one or the other in English, so I had to rewrite as best as I could.