n

n

n“Yes, I got up.” Long didn’t know what happened last night. He also didn’t know that Ouyang and Liu were afraid, so he naturally went to Shi.

n

n“When did you get up? I don’t even know.”

nShi looked at Long and smiled. “A moment earlier. What’s the matter?”

n

n

n“Nothing. You weren’t here, so I was a little worried.”

nShi smiled. “There’s nothing to worry about. But look at you. You must be exhausted yesterday. Can we go on?”

n“Don’t worry about me.” Long waved. “Besides, we’ll arrive in the city soon. Let’s rest there.”

n“Okay.” Shi nodded. “The Shadow Guardians have found a house for us. We’ll go there directly. Then you can have a rest.”

n

n

n“Okay. You must be with me,” Long said.

n“Of course.” Shi smiled. He wouldn’t say no.

nSeeing that Shi didn’t refuse, Long felt very happy. “When will we leave?”

n“No hurry. Have breakfast first,” Shi said.

n

n

n“Okay.” Long nodded. “I bet you haven’t eaten, either.”

n“No, I haven’t,” Shi said with a smile, “Let’s go and clean ourselves up first.”

n“Okay…” Long followed Shi to the tent.

nSeeing that Long and Shi were talking and laughing, Ouyang and Liu looked at each other. Then, Ouyang said slowly, “Shi Qingzhou behaves normally only when he’s in front of Long Xiaoyuan.”

nAfter a short silence, Liu said, “Right. Shi Qingzhou is going crazy… If there is anyone in the world that can control him, that man must be Long Xiaoyuan.”

nThe two of them looked at each other again. Then, Liu said, “Anyway, we can only reply on Long Xiaoyuan now. Otherwise… no one can stop Shi Qingzhou from killing.”

n

n

nIn the tent, Long and Shi washed their faces together. Then, they had the breakfast sent by the Shadow Guardians.

nIt was not long after they finished eating that the team set out again. Long and Shi were still riding together. Maybe because Long had ridden for a whole day yesterday, he seemed to have adapted to it, although he still felt a little uncomfortable.

nThey arrived in the city soon. Then, Shi took Long directly to house that the Shadow Guardians found for them.

n“Have you heard that the Wang family was all killed yesterday?”

n“Yes. What a cruel murderer! He killed all the Wangs.”

n“All of the thirty people were killed.”

n“Who did this? The murderer is ruthless.”

nThe discussions outside of the carriage shocked Long. “All the family was killed? Qingzhou, there’s a murder case here.”

n

n

nShi said calmly, “Yes. I’ll ask someone about it later.”

n“Yes, we have to ask.” Long frowned. “Such things have happened so many times. Do the murderers think that the imperial court is nothing at all?”

nAfter a pause, Shi said, “It’s alright. Don’t be angry.”

nLong sighed. “Yes, I know.”

nShi’s eyes became a little red and he slowly looked down.

nAfter arriving at the house, Long got off the horse.

n“What a nice place. It’s near the mountain and the river.”

nAlthough it was in the city, there was a small river on the right front of the house. The mountain could be seen at the back of the house…

nThere were willow trees in front of the door. Once they dismounted, they were greeted by beautiful scenery and fresh air. It was really a good place.

nThe air quality in ancient times was much better than that in modern times.

nSo, the environment was not bad anywhere.

nLong and Shi went inside.

n“Choose a room,” Shi said.

n

n

n“Any room is fine.” Long wasn’t picky about that.

nHearing that, Shi took him to the middle of the courtyard.

nAlthough the house belonged to an ordinary man, it covered a large area of land.

nAfter entering the house, Long and Shi went directly into a room in the middle.

nThey sat down in the room and Shi asked the Shadow Guardians to bring some water.

nHot water and teapot were soon delivered. Shi poured water for Long.

nLong took the cup and sipped. “Qingzhou, how long will we stay here?”

n“Two or three days,” Shi said, “What’s the matter?”

n“Nothing. I’m just curious,” Long said.

nShi nodded and the two of them chatted casually. Suddenly, Long thought of Doctor Liu, so he said, “By the way, Liu Suifeng hasn’t come here today. He needs to feel your pulse. I wonder if his pills are ready.”

nAfter a short silence, Shi said calmly, “He’ll give the pills to me when they’re ready.”

n“You’re right, but I’m still worried.” Long stood up. “Qingzhou, we’ll go to find him.”

nShi slightly raised his eyebrows. “Is it necessary?”

n“Anyway, we have nothing to do now.” Long grinned.

nShi nodded indifferently. “Let’s go to meet them.”

nLater, Long and Shi went out together.

nLiu Suifeng and Ouyang Chuan also had chosen their own rooms. They wouldn’t share a room. Although they stopped fighting because of Shi, they weren’t so close that they would sleep together.

nThere was still something on Ouyang’s mind and Liu also couldn’t let it go.

nWhen Long and Shi went there, the two of them were staying together to discuss Shi’s problem.

n“You’ve chosen your own room?” Long went in with a smile.

nBoth Ouyang and Liu’s eyes were fixed on Shi for a moment. Then, they turned their eyes to Long. Long was not careful about details, so he didn’t notice that at all.

nHe took Shi’s hand and sat on the chair, saying, “Liu Suifeng, I came to ask you whether you’ve finished making your pills.”

n“Not that fast. They’ll be ready tomorrow.”

n“Oh, they’ll be ready tomorrow. That’s good.” Long breathed a sigh of relief.

nShi kept silent.

nLong said to Liu, “Liu Suifent, feel Qingzhou’s pulse to see if he’s alright.”

nLiu nodded. “Okay.”

nLong looked at Shi. “Qingzhou…”

n“Mhmm.” Shi responded indifferently.

nLiu used a gold thread to feel Shi’s pulse. After a while, Liu said, “There is no problem for the moment. The pills will be ready tomorrow.”

n“Okay…” Long nodded. “Thank you in advance… Well, I don’t think you look very well. Is it because of the long journey?”

nLong’s words surprised both Ouyang and Liu.

nLong looked at the two of them with doubt. “What’s wrong?”

nLiu smiled. “Nothing.”

nAfter a glance at Liu and Ouyang, Long was sure that there was something wrong with them.

n“If there’s any problem, you can just tell me. I can help you solve it.”

nLong said that sincerely as if he had taken them as his real friends. Ouyang and Liu looked at each other, and then Liu smiled.

n“We’re fine. What do you want us to say?”

n“Oh? Are you telling the truth?” Looking at Liu and Ouyang, Long shrugged. “Alright, I’ll just trust you.”

nLiu smiled. “Mhmm.”

nLong held Shi’s hand and went outside. “We’re leaving. If you have any problem, you can tell me at any time.” After saying that, Long directly led Shi out.

nLiu and Ouyang pursed their lips at the same time. Looking at their receding figures, the two of them had mixed feelings.

nA moment later, Liu said softly, “Long Xiaoyuan is a good man.”

nWithout saying anything, Ouyang stood up.

nLiu held his arm when Ouyang was about to leave. “Where are you going?”

nOuyang frowned. “To my room.”

nAfter a pause, Liu said softly, “Don’t go back today, okay?”

nOuyang was stunned. Inexpressible loneliness showed on Liu’s face. “Stay with me, will you?”

nIn Ouyang’s eyes, Liu wasn’t such a fragile person, so Ouyang was not used to it.

nAt this time, Liu stood up and hugged Ouyang from behind.

n“Brother Ouyang, don’t go.”

nOuyang’s fists tightly clenched.

nLiu put his chin on Ouyang’s shoulders. Then, he leaned over and kissed Ouyang’s neck.

n“Brother Ouyang…”

nLiu gently called Ouyang’s name. Meanwhile, he took Ouyang’s hands in his.

nAt last, Ouyang slowly closed his eyes and did not refuse Liu’s love.

nThe next moment, Liu carried Ouyang in his arms and strode to the big bed…

nAlthough there was still some misunderstanding between them and they couldn’t let it go, it wouldn’t stop them forever.

nBoth of them had a soft spot for each other… With deep love, they were both willing to make compromises…

n