Chapter Thirty-Eight: Preparing to Take Action

“The one I love…” Bai Lian seemed to catch only these four words. “So he already…” She glanced at Yue Qi, her heart swelling sweetly.

To be honest, Bai Lian had always felt anxious. She didn’t know if Yue Qi truly liked her, and lately he’d been avoiding her now and then, which only made her more uneasy. Sometimes, she wondered if all of this was just her wishful thinking. Had Yue Qi ever really liked her? Even after they’d confirmed their relationship the previous night, the question still lingered in her mind.

She knew she was somewhat attractive, but it wasn’t as if every man should fall at her feet. Of course, Bai Lian underestimated her own charm; if she were to pursue someone, it’s doubtful anyone would refuse her.

But there was a knot in her heart. If Yue Qi had never truly liked her, and was only with her now because of what had happened the night before, then she would rather do without such pity. She didn’t want the one she loved to be with her just out of responsibility for what had happened.

Yet, hearing Yue Qi utter those words—perhaps unintentionally, but revealing his heart all the same—finally set Bai Lian’s mind at ease. She believed now that Yue Qi did love her, and truly wanted to be with her.

“What’s wrong? Did a flower bloom on my face?” Yue Qi, thinking his earlier words and gestures had been quite dashing, was a little perplexed by Bai Lian’s long silence. She gazed at him with eyes full of emotion.

“What a fool!” Bai Lian, hearing his offhand remark, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She wondered how she’d fallen for someone so clueless about romance.

Yet if Yue Qi were the sort to spout honeyed words and chase after every pretty girl, Bai Lian was certain she wouldn’t like him at all.

“So, shall we go now?” Seeing Yue Qi deflated by her scolding, Bai Lian found it amusing and asked casually.

“Of course we’ll go now—why wait until tomorrow? By the way, Lian’er, I found some food upstairs earlier, and there’s still plenty of wine in this cellar. Let’s make do with what we have, eat our fill, and then go take our revenge!” Yue Qi pulled out a chunk of dried meat from behind him—the same he’d found earlier.

“Maybe we should wait until tomorrow…” Bai Lian blushed, embarrassed.

“What’s wrong, Lian’er? Are you feeling unwell?” Yue Qi stepped closer, placing a hand on her forehead. She didn’t seem feverish—if anything, she looked energetic.

“It’s nothing…” Bai Lian mumbled, then suddenly glared at Yue Qi. “It’s all your fault!” she exclaimed, glancing down at herself.

“Oh…” Yue Qi, realization dawning, shot her a teasing look. “Your brother here is something else, huh? Want to go another round…?” He didn’t finish before pain shot through his arm.

“Are you looking for death?” Bai Lian glared at him, both annoyed and embarrassed. “I said we’ll go tomorrow and that’s final. Say another word… just one more word…” She trailed off, searching for something to threaten him with. “If you keep talking, you’ll never touch me again!” Her face turned crimson as she shouted.

“Uh…” Yue Qi scratched the back of his head, at a loss for words. He’d expected some other threat, but not this.

“All right, we’ll go tomorrow morning. I heard there are two horses in their camp. We should be able to get back to Yang Family Village before dark…” Yue Qi considered, then said.

Bai Lian nodded, tacitly agreeing. With nothing more to discuss, they ate a little. There was no reason to stay longer in the wine cellar; both had recovered, and even if Wang Jian’s group came now, there was little to fear.

They chose a room in the back courtyard, one of the locked rooms—Yue Qi guessed it belonged to the innkeeper’s daughter.

His guess proved right. Breaking the lock, a faint fragrance drifted out, clearly a young woman’s chamber.

“We’ll stay here tonight. Judging by the décor, you won’t be uncomfortable…” Yue Qi gently tapped Bai Lian’s little nose, his tone indulgent, as if this woman before him was his whole world.

“Doesn’t that just benefit you, getting to stay in a girl’s room?” Bai Lian laughed, giving him a playful look, her nose twitching prettily.

“Shall we just go back to the wine cellar then? There’s no lamp there anyway, and isn’t there a saying—darkness makes things easier…” Yue Qi leered at her, then burst out laughing.

“You still want more? You’re not allowed to touch me tonight—we have revenge to seek tomorrow! Can’t you be serious for once?” Bai Lian poked his forehead, exasperated.

“All right…” Rejected, Yue Qi looked down, muttering to himself, “Killing those people is as easy as squashing ants. No need to make such a fuss…”

Bai Lian seemed not to be listening, wandering into the room alone. She left the door open, tacitly inviting Yue Qi to join her.

Night fell again. Yue Qi didn’t need much food, but Bai Lian was different—she was a normal human now, and needed three meals a day to maintain her strength. Without food, she’d have no energy for anything.

At noon, Yue Qi had barely eaten, leaving most of the food for Bai Lian. He only ate a little at her insistence. But even after eating, Bai Lian, worn out from their flight and Yue Qi’s tireless attentions the night before, was soon hungry again.

“This won’t do. I’ll go out and see if I can find something to eat…” Seeing Bai Lian’s weary look, Yue Qi frowned, his heart aching.

“No need to bother. I’ll just meditate a bit and get through it. It’s not as if I’ll need much strength tomorrow—you’ll do all the fighting. Once we reach their camp, there’ll be food for us.” Bai Lian smiled easily.

“How could I let my wife go hungry right after sharing a wedding chamber? What kind of husband would I be…” Seeing her about to protest, Yue Qi added, “How about this—if I can’t find anything here, I’ll go to the woods and hunt. That’s my specialty!”

He wasn’t wrong. As a child in Yue Family Village, he and Yun Sheng often played on the hillside near the square. Sometimes, on impulse, he’d even bring home game. When he grew older and wanted to ease his family’s burden, he hunted more frequently. He knew the woods well—where the animals hid, when they came out to feed, which burrows held which creatures.

“All right, but I’m coming with you!” Bai Lian decided after a moment.

“You’re weak right now. Rest here…” Yue Qi saw how tired she looked and hesitated. The sun was already down, and who knew what dangers lurked outside.

“What if they come here while I’m alone?” Bai Lian interjected. “In my current state, I can’t fight off a group like them. Would you really let your wife be left at their mercy?”

Looking at her pitiful expression, Yue Qi’s heart softened. Besides, she had a point—he could protect her better if she stayed by his side. Leaving her alone would be too dangerous.

“All right, then…” Yue Qi patted her head and smiled. Truthfully, he preferred having her with him, though he’d wanted her to stay behind for her own safety.

They managed to catch a rabbit and didn’t return to the inn. Yue Qi’s skills at preparing food were impressive—he watched as Bai Lian devoured the entire rabbit, licking the grease from her fingers, obviously still craving more.

“Want another? I can catch one more,” Yue Qi joked, wiping her mouth with his sleeve.

“No more! I’m stuffed!” Bai Lian patted her round belly in satisfaction, then sheepishly licked her oily fingers again.

“You little glutton!” Yue Qi watched her by the firelight, her face aglow and radiant.

Bai Lian grinned bashfully, looking even more charming than before.

“Shall we go back to the inn?” Yue Qi lay on the grass, gazing up at the stars. It was midsummer—the night air was clear and sweet.

“Let’s not. It’s nice here…” Bai Lian lay down beside him, resting her head on his arm.

“Lian’er, how many survivors do you think are left in this world?” Yue Qi asked softly after a long silence.

“I don’t know…” Bai Lian shook her head, nestling closer, as if she loved his scent.

“When I was little, Mother told us every star in the sky represents a life, and each shooting star means someone is about to die…” Yue Qi smiled at the heavens. “But with so many shining stars, surely there must still be many people alive…”

Bai Lian said nothing, only listened quietly. For a moment, time itself seemed to pause—so peaceful, so serene.

Soft snores rose; Bai Lian had fallen fast asleep. Yue Qi gazed at her fluttering lashes, smiled, and gently kissed her forehead.

“Sleep, Lian’er. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you and we’ll get justice together!”