n

n

n“Apologize?” Shi raised his head. “Apologize for what?”

n“Stop pretending.” Long flicked the tip of Shi’s nose. “That day… I shouted at you. I’m sorry.”

nShi puckered his lips. “You did nothing wrong.”

n

n

nLong shook his head. “I didn’t mean what I said.”

nShi looked down. “Long Xiaoyuan, I never thought you were a burden, really.”

nLong’s heart ached. “I know what I said must’ve hurt you a lot, but it’s just because I was in a bad mood. I’m sorry.”

nHearing Long’s sincere apology, Shi finally raised his head. Maybe because it was night or something else, Shi’s eyes looked a little red.

n

n

nLong was stunned. Then, he reached out to touch Shi’s eyes blankly.

nWithout moving, Shi allowed Long to touch him gently.

n“I’m sorry…” Long apologized again.

nShi smiled slightly. “Don’t always say sorry. I’m also to blame.”

n

n

nLong took a deep breath. “No, I understand you. You just wanted me to be safer, but I didn’t appreciate it at all. Qingzhou, no wonder people often say that it’s hard for the beloved ones to stay together forever. I doubted that in the past, but now I think it’s kind of true,” Long said with a wry smile.

nHearing Long’s words, Shi lost himself in thought.

nIt was hard for the beloved ones to stay together forever?

nShi hadn’t expected that Long would say something so touching and… After thinking about it carefully, Shi fount it really made some sense.

n“Qingzhou,” Long said softly, “I failed to control my temper… I should have been more tolerant.”

nShi slowly shook his head. “It’s not your fault. Long Xiaoyuan, you have done enough. It’s just my temperament…” Shi gave a wry smile helplessly. “I’m not as gentle and considerate as a woman.”

n

n

n“You’re unique. Why do you have to compare yourself with women?” Long frowned deeply. “What’s more, some women are just pretending to be considerate sometimes. Qingzhou, I just like you as who you are. You’re the best in my eyes!”

nShi’s lips gradually curled upwardly. “Really?”

n“Of course.” Long nodded. “Qingzhou, in fact, you’re also quite considerate. Look, you’ve come to me, haven’t you? I’m very glad that you came to me on your own initiative. When you were at the border, you didn’t talk to me for a few months. Do you remember that?”

nThis example made Shi really want to laugh.

nLong held Shi’s hand in a grasp. “So, Qingzhou, I’m very happy.”

nShi smiled and responded softly. “Mhmm.”

nThen, Long held Shi into his arms tightly. Breathing the light refreshing smell on Shi’s body, Long felt that he got drunk even without drinking.

nAfter a long time, Long finally let go of Shi and they began to talk about business.

n

n

nShi told Long the deployment he had made in the past two days as well as his plan without any omission. He also told Long about the attempted assassinations outside.

nLong pursed his lips. “Those people haven’t given up.”

nShi nodded slightly. “They still don’t know that you’re here now, but I’m afraid they’ll find it soon. So we have to be quick.”

nLong nodded. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Qingzhou, I’ve talked with Fang Shuoyang.”

n“Hmm?” Shi raised his eyebrows. “What did you talk about?”

n“I asked Fang Shuyang to persuade Zhou Huan to control Tianyin post and take Fang Qiuhua down in secret.”

nShi paused for a second, and then said instinctively, “Tianyin post is everything for Fang Qiuhua. It’ll be good if Zhou Huan makes it. But what if… It’s too risky.”

n“Mhmm,” Long responded. Then, he continued to say, “But this is the fastest way and it will cause the minimum casualty.”

nAfter keeping silent for a long time, Shi let out a long breath. “If you carry out this plan, it’ll be dangerous for you to stay here.”

nLong shook his head. “I have to stay here. Otherwise, Zhou Huan won’t cooperate.”

nShi fell silent.

nLong held Shi’s hand in his palm and then put Shi’s palm on his own chest.

nShi was stunned. Listening to the steady heartbeat from Long’s chest, Shi gradually calmed down.

n

n

n“The Shadow Guardians will always be guarding outside. If there is any problem, take good care of yourself.”

nHearing those words, Long smiled. “Yes.”

nAfter thinking about it, Shi said again, “It’s likely that Zhou Huan doesn’t believe it. What if Fang Shuoyang fails to persuade Zhou Huan to take action? Given his influence in Tianyin post, he can do nothing to his father.”

n“I know.” Long nodded. “So, after Fang Shuoyang persuades Zhou Huan, we’ll need to take some special measures.”

nShi was confused. “Special measures?”

n“Yes. Fang Qiuhua is quite powerful. If we want to take him down without startling other people in Tianyin post, we have to take some special measures. We can’t let Fang Shuyang fight against Fang Qiuhua directly. Fang Qiuhua must’ve known that his son no longer believes him and maybe he already begins to suspect that his son has colluded with the people from the imperial court. But it’s still possible for Zhou Huan to get rid of him in a short time.”

nLong had taken careful consideration about the whole thing.

nAfter hearing Long’s analysis, Shi nodded. “Good, but a detailed plan is still needed.”

nLong smiled. “Don’t worry, Qingzhou. I know fairly well.”

nShi stopped speaking and Long kissed Shi’s ear. “Are you leaving?”

nShi paused for a second and then nodded. “Yes, I have to go.”

nLong sighed and kissed Shi’s ear again. “How I wish I could sleep with you till dawn.”

nShi’s voice was a little hoarse. “That day will come.”

n“How are things going at the imperial palace?” Long asked gently. Since he was in the powerful Tianyin post, his men didn’t dare to act rashly. So he could barely receive any news from the palace.

nShi said, “Don’t worry. My father is there. There won’t be any problem.”

nLong rubbed against Shi’s neck, since he was very reluctant to let Shi leave.

nBut in the end, Shi still left. Long saw him out of the door…

nAfter Shi left, Long went to lie on the bed again.

nAlthough he still couldn’t fall asleep, the anxiety that had always been haunting him over the past two days finally disappeared.

nLong understood that this was because Shi had come.

nAs for this, Long could only sigh with happiness.

nShi really had a great impact on him!

nLying on the bed, Long couldn’t help thinking of the memories since he had known Shi. After a long time, his lips curled upwardly and he began to smile like a silly boy…

n