Bisexual? Whose man did he eat? Shen Du chuckled softly.
“I only ‘eat’ my wife, and in this life, I will only love and respect my wife.”
Does he only like his wife? Is that his current wife or a future one? Zhu Yan’s heart was in turmoil again. Then she thought:
“Men can also become wives. In the past, there was the ‘passion of Longyang’ between King Wei and Lord Longyang, and the ‘cut sleeve’ affair between Emperor Yuan of Han and Dong Xian, who was almost made the male empress.” Zhu Yan still insisted on her view, unable to imagine that Shen Du would love her. “So, is the Grand Coordinator using me to test whether you truly have a preference for men?”
Shen Du almost threw Zhu Yan out. For a moment, he didn’t know what to do to quell his anger. How could this woman be so perceptive in examining corpses and solving cases, yet be so clueless in this matter?
“Before I knew Pan Chi, I kissed you. Was that because I thought you were a man?” Shen Du said, exasperated.
Zhu Yan tilted her head, pondering, looking quite troubled.
Shen Du sighed, ultimately unwilling to let Zhu Yan struggle. He softened his voice and explained:
“People say I don’t approach women, but does that mean I must approach men instead?”
Zhu Yan looked up at him in surprise, seeing the determination and sincerity in his eyes. She blushed and lowered her head.
“I’ve already shown you so much. Do you still not understand my feelings?” Shen Du held her hand in his palm, gently patting it.
These words made Zhu Yan’s body warm. She recalled Shen Du’s several improper actions towards her, while he showed no change towards other women. Even when he allowed Yun Que to get close for a while, his eyes showed impatience. Only with her…
“But why?” Zhu Yan still felt confused. Although Shen Du had kissed her several times, there was no other change afterward. She never thought Shen Du would truly have feelings for her.
“You don’t think I’m doing this because I suspect you’re Zhang’s spy?”
Shen Du suddenly pinched her cheeks. Zhu Yan pouted in pain and struggled free from his hand. Shen Du helplessly stroked her head.
“Finish the case, resign from the office, go home, have children,” Shen Du said seriously.
Zhu Yan was stunned. Have children? Go home? With her?
Seeing her so slow to react, Shen Du silently sighed, patted his clothes, and left.
On the bed, only Zhu Yan remained, clothes disheveled, sitting there with a confused look.
He just left like that? Without explaining clearly? Zhu Yan rolled her eyes and lay down, carelessly tugging at her clothes to cover her exposed skin.
The surrounding air still held Shen Du’s scent. Zhu Yan was lost in thought, flashing back to his kiss-seeking expression earlier. Suddenly coming to her senses, she patted her head. What was she thinking?
Resign from what office? Go back to whose home? Have what children? Zhu Yan got up, feeling upset, and messed up her hair.
In Mo Qianzhi’s room, a man in black flashed in.
“Lord Mo, the item has been delivered,” the man in black took out an object from his sleeve.
Mo Qianzhi nodded silently, his eyes sharp as he looked at the desk.
“Lord Mo, this matter needs to be decided soon!”
“I know, I’m just observing. It’s not time yet…”
“Please, Brother Mo, don’t hesitate anymore. This matter should be concluded!”
Annoyed by the black-clad man’s insistence, Mo Qianzhi waved him away. The man hesitated for a moment but didn’t push further, leaping out the window.
The room returned to silence. Mo Qianzhi picked up a brush, wrote down a character, then immediately crossed it out. After a moment of hesitation, he wrote down a name again – “Shen Du.”
“Shen Du, blame yourself for choosing the wrong side. Don’t blame me.” Mo Qianzhi’s expression was complex as he folded the paper, then held it close to the candle flame, watching the fire consume it before blowing out the candle, his mind unsettled.
Meanwhile.
Zhu Yan, left alone in the room, sighed deeply. He just left like that, leaving her here feeling troubled!
As the sun set, Zhu Yan had been lying on the bed for an hour when her stomach growled. Just as she was about to get up, Shen Du walked in with several people bringing in meals.
They ate in silence. When it was time to sleep, Zhu Yan felt awkward, hiding on one side under the covers. She felt Shen Du get into bed and carefully moved away a bit more.
As soon as she lay down, the day’s conversation echoed in her ears. Zhu Yan turned over several times, annoyed. Shen Du forcefully pressed down on her head, making her back instantly stiffen as she held her breath.
“Be good and sleep. Don’t fuss,” Shen Du’s tone carried a hint of fatigue. Zhu Yan could hear it but didn’t dare turn to look at him. She silently turned to her side, forcing herself to stop thinking.
The token from before was also a coincidence, something she had forcefully given to Shen Du. It wasn’t anything important, and Shen Du seemed to have forgotten about it. He must be saying nonsense to confuse her, Zhu Yan thought as her consciousness began to blur. She raised her hand and seemed to touch a small pouch, its contents spilling out…
At dawn, all was quiet outside. Suddenly, a terrifying scream broke the silence of the courtyard.
Shen Du and Zhu Yan opened their eyes simultaneously. They both quickly got up. Zhu Yan was about to rush out, but Shen Du held her shoulder, giving her a reassuring look. He grabbed his sword and swiftly flew out of the room.
Zhu Yan couldn’t resist and quickly tidied her clothes before leaving the room.
Although it was dawn, the air outside was thick with moisture, everything a hazy grey. The half-face ghost mask stood out clearly.
The exposed half of the face was contorted, skin and flesh twisted together, bloody and raw.
The jet-black base color of the mask made the eyes beneath it appear unnaturally large and piercing. Shen Du frowned as he saw Jing Lin opposite the half-face ghost, quickly joining the fight.
Zhu Yan, now wearing a light blue robe, gripped her autopsy knife in her palm, standing by the door. The entangled figures of the three were unclear. If she made a sound now, it would reveal her position. Without martial arts skills, she didn’t want to cause trouble for Shen Du.
Jing Lin and Shen Du’s tacit understanding was evident in their glances and movements. One attacked while the other defended, working well together. Soon, the half-face ghost was at a disadvantage.
As the mist in the courtyard slowly dissipated, Shen Du could see the half-face ghost’s moves clearly and his attacks became increasingly fierce. Each strike aimed at the mask.
The opponent seemed to realize Shen Du and Jing Lin’s intentions. Though at a disadvantage, his defense was very tight.
Seeing the half-face ghost deliberately avoiding their attacks, Shen Du signaled Jing Lin to use a feint to confuse their opponent. A sword thrust went out, and the half-face ghost, extremely flexible, dodged it, exposing a large part of his clothing. The half-face ghost took a step back, quickly covering himself, leaving only a small tear.
“Why aren’t you going inside!” Pan Chi’s voice came from beside her ear, startling Zhu Yan slightly.
“I’m afraid…” Before she could finish, the half-face ghost suddenly flashed to Zhu Yan’s side, about to take her hostage. Pan Chi, quick as lightning, grabbed Zhu Yan’s waist and retreated five zhang away.
Zhu Yan gasped and hurriedly pushed Pan Chi away. Pan Chi glanced at her briefly before engaging the half-face ghost in combat. Shen Du also arrived, and the two sandwiched the opponent. Multiple wounds appeared on the half-face ghost’s body.
“We can’t let him escape!” Shen Du shouted.
Pan Chi chuckled. “How could I, Pan Chi, easily let such an important character get away!”
As they spoke, the atmosphere around them became somewhat peculiar.