Chongyun hurried along, the absurd notion in his heart like a small flame ignited by his Pure Yang Constitution, burning brighter and hotter, making his ears continuously flush.
As he ran, he couldn't help but let his thoughts wander.
Does Xingqiu know about this book? If he did, how would he react? Laugh it off? Or... what if some incredible details in the book were seen by someone with ulterior motives, would it be detrimental to him?
And this one in my arms... if Xingqiu saw that I actually bought such a book, wouldn't I be unable to explain myself?
Chongyun almost ran all the way to the entrance of the Feiyun Commerce Guild in one breath, merely nodding hastily to the guards he usually knew well, then rushing straight inside.
He was too familiar with the place and knew that at this hour, Xingqiu would most likely be in the waterside study in the back garden, reading or practicing calligraphy. Rounding the corridor, the outline of the waterside pavilion gradually appeared. Sure enough, that familiar blue figure was facing away from him, leaning against the railing, seemingly holding a scroll in his hand, in a leisurely posture.
The sunlight streaming through the window outlined his clear jawline and slightly slender chest.
That was clearly the silhouette of a young man.
Seeing his friend in such a normal state, Chongyun's heart, which had been filled with those absurd rumors along the way, suddenly felt as if a small hole had been poked in it, and half of his tension "whoosh" leaked out.
What Second Miss... how could that be?
"Xingqiu!"
Chongyun blurted it out, his voice slightly breathless from running, the urgency in his tone impossible to hide.
Xingqiu turned his head at the sound, the bright summer sunlight outlining his handsome profile, a few strands of hair on his forehead gently swaying in the breeze. When he saw that it was Chongyun, a smile immediately bloomed in his eyes, and he waved at him.
"Oh? Chongyun? In such a hurry, what has gotten you so agitated?" He put down the scroll, his tone teasing, "Could it be that your Pure Yang Constitution is acting up again...?"
Before he could finish, Xingqiu noticed his friend's unusual state.
His face was flushed, his eyes darting about, his expression a mix of anxiety, seriousness, and perhaps a hint of embarrassment.
Chongyun had already taken a few strides to stand before Xingqiu, his gaze fixed on Xingqiu's face like a torch, as if searching for a flaw. He opened his mouth, but the questions that had been circling in his mind all the way there were now stuck in his throat, not a single word able to escape.
Should I just ask, "Are you a man or a woman?" Or "Do you bind your chest?"
This... how could he possibly ask that!
Xingqiu was bewildered by his stare, blinking, "What's wrong? Do I have ink on my face?"
He subconsciously raised a hand to touch his face.
"N-no!" Chongyun snapped back to attention, taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He remembered the book and immediately found an entry point, "I just passed by Sanyu Bookstore and heard some... some absurd rumors, and, and I saw a book..."
"A book?" Xingqiu grew interested, "What kind of book could make our Taoist Practitioner adult so anxious?"
"It's... it's about you!" Chongyun found it hard to say, his cheeks starting to flush again, "It's called 'secret tales of feiyun' or something..."
Chongyun directly ignored the long, shameful subtitle that followed, then continued speaking while carefully observing Xingqiu's reaction: "It actually, actually spouts nonsense that you're a girl! And that you're cross-dressing to avoid misfortune... it's utterly preposterous!"
He expected Xingqiu to be surprised, to laugh it off, to find it as baseless as he did.
However, Xingqiu merely paused for a moment, then the smile in his peach blossom eyes deepened. Not only did he not refute it, but he also gently rested the scroll in his hand against his chin, feigning contemplation.
Then, Xingqiu's reaction completely exceeded Chongyun's expectations: "Oh? Such a thing exists?"
He showed no surprise or anger at all; instead, his eyes lit up, as if he had heard something extremely interesting, and the smile on his face grew even brighter. He leaned forward slightly, pressing, "What else did the book say? Tell me in detail! Is it well-written? How are the sales?"
Chongyun: "???"
This reaction isn't right!
He was utterly dumbfounded, staring blankly at Xingqiu, all the comforting and rumor-dispelling words he had prepared stuck in his throat.
Xingqiu's reaction... he actually seems quite happy?! He's even concerned about sales?!
Seeing Chongyun's stunned expression, Xingqiu finally couldn't help but let out a burst of laughter, his shoulders shaking with mirth.
"Hahaha—Chongyun, you, your expression is too amusing..." Xingqiu finally managed to stop laughing, wiping away tears of mirth with his sleeve, "I thought it was something major, turns out it's Mr. Lovia's new work."
"You... you knew?" Chongyun was even more shocked.
"I've heard a little." Xingqiu's tone was relaxed, even carrying a hint of appreciation, "This gentleman's writing is quite good, and his plot ideas are ingenious. Although the content is purely fabricated, it's quite captivating to read."
"I just didn't expect him to weave a tale about me this time; he's quite imaginative, isn't he?" Xingqiu said casually, as if discussing someone else's business.
"Captivating?" Chongyun could hardly believe his ears. He was burning with anxiety for his friend's reputation, yet the person involved was here evaluating the writing style?
"That's ruining your reputation! Those people are talking so vividly, they're almost convinced! Why aren't you worried at all?"
"Reputation?" Xingqiu chuckled as if he had heard something amusing, "My actions are only to be true to my conscience. A few idle words, a few pages of jest from others, what's there to care about?"
"Those who believe will believe, and those who don't naturally won't. Besides—"
Xingqiu drew out his words, his gaze meaningfully sweeping up and down Chongyun, particularly lingering for a moment on his slightly disheveled clothes due to running and nervousness, where the outline of a book seemed to subtly protrude.
"—seeing you so anxious and worked up, even going so far as to buy a copy to study, could it be... you yourself wavered first? Did you truly start to suspect that I have some 'unspeakable secret'?"
Xingqiu's gaze seemed to pierce through his clothes. Chongyun's face instantly turned bright red. He subconsciously clutched the book hidden in his chest and stammered in protest, "I, I didn't! I bought it to collect evidence to help you clarify the rumors!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Xingqiu feigned sudden understanding, the teasing in his eyes growing stronger, "Then you've truly gone through a lot of trouble, my friend. So, how's the evidence collection coming along? Does the book... contain any more exciting content? Like how I 'hid away in my boudoir'?"
Chongyun was speechless, his cheeks so hot they could fry an egg.
Looking at Xingqiu's gleeful expression, he suddenly realized that all his worry, anger, and entanglement along the way, as well as that unspeakable desire to "confirm," probably seemed like a brilliant play to Xingqiu.
The heat from his Pure Yang Constitution burst forth completely with a "whoosh," making Chongyun feel dizzy, his neck turning crimson.
"I haven't read it yet... I'm not talking to you anymore!" The young Taoist Practitioner, overwhelmed with shame and indignation, suddenly stood up, no longer caring about the "hot potato" in his arms, and turned to flee this place that made him so utterly embarrassed.
"Hey, don't go!" Xingqiu laughed, reaching out to grab his wrist, "You haven't let me admire the book yet? Sharing joy is better than enjoying it alone!"
"You, you go buy it yourself!" Chongyun tried to shake off his hand, but he was too flustered to have much strength.
"I am a Second Miss hidden in her boudoir, how can I personally buy such a book?" Xingqiu sighed dramatically, his tone aggrieved but his eyes sparkling, "It's thoughtful of you to have prepared it for me so early. Come on, let me see it. I'm also curious how Mr. Lovia has written me this time? Is it really as they say, 'applying makeup before the mirror'?"
"Besides..." He paused, then suddenly leaned forward, closer to Chongyun, and lowered his voice, "Besides, I also overheard their conversation when I passed by the Bookshop today. They spoke so earnestly, even I'm starting to doubt myself..."
"Chongyun, we've known each other for so long, could it be... you've truly never doubted?"
Xingqiu's breath was close, his voice carrying its characteristic clarity, yet tinged with a strange ambiguity from being lowered.
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