Chapter 638: Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
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T H E S U N
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CELESTIAL CONQUEROR
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Hearing Gu Jiao’s answer, Xiao Heng was slightly taken aback.
Then, he saw Gu Jiao glancing at the notes on the table.
There were two sets of handwriting on the notes. One was clearly written with a non-dominant hand, crooked and shaky, while the other was smooth and neat.
Gu Jiao continued, "When I was about to leave, I dropped a dagger in front of her, and she caught it with her right hand."
The dagger was deliberately dropped to test whether her right hand was actually injured.
Xiao Heng frowned, "Did you suspect from the beginning that she was lying?"
Not exactly. Everything Xiao Heng had designed was nearly flawless. The girl's personality might have differed slightly from the rumors, but rumors couldn’t define a person after all.
Gu Jiao had her own standards and logic for verification, unaffected by objective facts.
Gu Jiao pointed at the dummy made of pillows on the bed and asked, "But why did you put a dummy made of pillows there?"
Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow and muttered under his breath, "Just for fun."
Gu Jiao: "..."
Gu Jiao finally understood the entire situation from Xiao Heng. As it turned out, she also had an admission letter.
She became increasingly curious about the white-bearded old monk, thinking he must be a considerate and kind-hearted monk.
Additionally, Little Jing Kong didn’t mention Xiao Heng not for any particular reason but simply because he didn't want to attend school.
Little Jing Kong was enrolled in a prodigy class, and the best prodigy class in the State of Yan was in the inner city, right next to the Canglan Women’s Academy.
Gu Jiao felt the corner of her mouth twitch, he’s already playing truant at such a young age?
Seeing Gu Jiao’s shocked expression, Xiao Heng coldly smiled, "Heh, he only behaves well in front of you."
God knows what kind of little troublemaker he is in private!
"How’s Gu Yan doing?" Xiao Heng asked.
Gu Jiao replied, "He has woken up and is currently maintained by medication. I've asked for leave for him from the academy, and the academy approved it. Lady Nan found a house nearby, and Xiaoshun and I aren't staying at the academy; we return home there every night."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Heng quietly sighed in relief.
Though it was unclear whether Xiao Heng was relieved that Gu Yan was temporarily fine or that she hadn't moved into the men's dormitory.
Xiao Heng said, "Alright, since you're here, it's time we switch back our identities."
Gu Jiao asked curiously, "Why do we need to switch back?"
Xiao Heng responded coolly, "Why not? Do you want to keep pretending to be a man? Mingling with a bunch of men all day long, how improper!"
Gu Jiao looked at him and said, "But your current identity is safer. Those who are after your life would never guess you would enter the State of Yan with such an identity."
Xiao Heng couldn't refute for a moment because what Gu Jiao said was true.
Since he entered the State of Yan, he hadn't encountered any assassination attempts. There was even a time when he and someone from the Nangong Family stayed in the same inn, but the Nangong Family member walked right past him without recognizing him.
His current identity was indeed his best protection.
However——
Gu Jiao understood his concerns, "You don't need to worry about my side either. Nangong Li has seen you and knows you don't look like me. At worst, he might think I'm someone with the same name or an impostor trying to replace you. As long as we don't openly contact each other or have any interactions, no one will think we've switched identities."
This era wasn’t an information age, and news didn’t spread as quickly as one might imagine.
"We’ll be cautious and won’t get exposed." Gu Jiao said, patting her small chest, "This is the best arrangement for now. Trust me!"
Xiao Heng gave her a deep look, his expression complex as he said, "You just want to be able to fight, don’t you?"
After all, people from Tianqiong Academy could take a beating more.
Gu Jiao looked at him with a pained expression. "How could that be?"
He guessed so accurately.
With Gu Jiao's emotional appeal, logical reasoning, and hand-holding—mainly the hand-holding—Xiao Heng finally agreed to temporarily keep their switched identities.
As night fully descended, the two continued talking and forgot to light the lamps in the room. It was dim inside, with only fragmented moonlight streaming through the gaps in the window lattice.
Unknowingly, it had gotten so dark. Time really flew by when they were together.
"It's getting late, I should go." Gu Jiao said.
"I’ll walk you out." Xiao Heng replied.
"No need, I can find my way out." Gu Jiao said, remembering the route.
Xiao Heng paused and said, "I want to see you off."
Gu Jiao didn’t refuse this time.
As they walked out of Xiao Heng's dormitory, Gu Jiao initially thought that the entire Linglong Pavilion was as quiet as his room. But upon stepping out, she realized that the rest of Linglong Pavilion was bustling with activity, while his little corner was so silent it seemed isolated from the world.
Gu Jiao said, "Tomorrow, I’ll bring Jing Kong back."
Xiao Heng snorted, "Heh, you should just let him stay in the outer city. He’s a real nuisance when he’s around."
Though he complained, his tone wasn’t harsh.
Gu Jiao smiled slightly, "I understand."
They avoided the academy's people on their way and arrived at a spot that was easiest to climb over.
"Just escort me till here." Gu Jiao said as she looked at him, "It's not safe for you to go outside like this."
Xiao Heng's face darkened, why bring up that sore point?
"Alright, I'm leaving now." Gu Jiao took a step forward and swiftly climbed over the wall with clean and decisive movements.
Xiao Heng was stunned, "Just... Just like that?"
Wasn't that too quick?
Wasn't there something she should remind him about?
Eat well, drink plenty of water, and don't flirt with those noble ladies, for example?
"Oh." Gu Jiao, who had already swung one leg over the wall, pulled it back and jumped down. She walked up to Xiao Heng, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his cheek.
Xiao Heng was slightly taken aback, "I...I didn't mean that..."
Gu Jiao thought for a moment, "Then, is it this?"
She stood on her tiptoes again, grabbed his collar, and kissed his lips.
Xiao Heng's mind exploded with a loud bang!
Gu Jiao just lightly pressed her lips against his before letting go. But before her heels could touch the ground, she was suddenly pulled into Xiao Heng's embrace.
Xiao Heng pinned her against the cold wall, one hand gripping her slender waist, the other hand supporting her back to prevent the wall from hurting her.
Desire deepened in the night, his breathing grew heavier, and his deep eyes locked onto hers. He leaned down and kissed her again, domineering yet gentle.
This kiss lasted for a long time, so long that even the night seemed to become entwined with them.
The surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of their kissing could be heard, making the full moon shy away into the clouds.
Xiao Heng's arms gradually tightened, pressing their bodies closely together. The night breeze in Shengdu was slightly cool, but his heart was burning hot.
With great restraint, he managed to let her go. His right hand gently caressed her head, her lips glistening with a delicate sheen.
He rested his forehead against hers, their breaths intertwining.
The emptiness in his heart over the past days found a bit of solace in this moment.
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Description:
In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.
When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.
The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.
From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.
***
Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.
After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"
Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"
Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”
Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
He hasn't finished his lines yet though…