Just as Jiang Zhan closed his eyes waiting for death, he suddenly heard a thud, followed by the sound of a knife piercing something.
He cried out, clutching his abdomen and leaning against the wall.
The walls in the dark alley, having never seen sunlight, remained ice-cold even in summer.
Jiang Zhan closed his eyes and felt the wall, a slimy sensation coming through, making his face turn pale.
It’s over, it’s over. His blood had covered the wall—was he already dead?
Something was tugging at Jiang Zhan’s clothes.
Jiang Zhan’s head buzzed.
Had the ox-head and horse-face guards of the underworld come to claim his soul so quickly?
No, he couldn’t die. His sister was still waiting for him to report back home!
Jiang Zhan suddenly opened his eyes and came face to face with the “ox-head and horse-face” tugging at his clothes.
Upright ears, a long face, a protruding snout, and dense gray-yellow fur…
Hmm, this appearance was a far cry from an “ox-head”—it must be the horse-face!
After careful observation, Jiang Zhan cautiously concluded.
“Brother Horse, I can’t die yet. I have a disabled old father above and a delicate young sister below. They still rely on me to support them. Please, be kind and let me return to the world of the living—”
The “horse-face” bared its teeth: “Woof—”
Jiang Zhan felt as if his throat had been suddenly grabbed, unable to utter a word. He stared wide-eyed at the “horse-face” that had just barked at him.
Something seemed off.
“Er’niu, come back!” A faint voice called out.
Jiang Zhan was startled and quickly turned his head to see a youth standing about ten feet away.
The youth appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, surprisingly two inches taller than him. With prominent brows and deep black eyes, his face was like an ice sculpture, almost devoid of expression. Like a famous sword hidden in its sheath, he was not to be underestimated.
“Who are you?” Jiang Zhan was shocked.
“A person,” the youth replied.
“Then it is—” Jiang Zhan difficultly lowered his head, pointing at the limping “horse-face” that had run to the youth’s side, his expression complex.
The youth gave Jiang Zhan a deep look and uttered a single word: “Dog.”
In that instant, Jiang Zhan thought he glimpsed a hint of amusement in the youth’s profound gaze.
“Ahem, ahem, ahem.” Jiang Zhan could only cough to hide his embarrassment.
The youth patted the big dog’s head and reminded them, “If we don’t leave soon, this person will wake up.”
Jiang Zhan looked down and only then noticed that the person who had attacked him earlier was lying at his feet.
“Is he dead?”
“No, just unconscious.”
Jiang Zhan looked at his hand, noticing a greenish substance on his fingertips, and murmured, “What’s this?”
“Moss,” the youth’s calm voice came, helpfully pointing, “on the wall.”
Jiang Zhan looked where he indicated and finally understood the source of the slimy sensation from earlier.
So it wasn’t his blood, but moss!
This realization made Jiang Zhan’s face instantly turn red. He said sheepishly, “Then let’s hurry and run.”
“Mm, let’s run together,” the youth nodded seriously.
A strange thought arose in Jiang Zhan’s mind.
For some reason, although this youth seemed unapproachable, he was particularly friendly towards him.
Perhaps being handsome had this advantage?
No, that’s not right. This youth was a tiny bit more handsome than him.
Perhaps this was what they called kindred spirits.
The two men and one dog ran out of the dark, narrow alley, not stopping until they reached a bustling street.
In the sunlight, Jiang Zhan felt as if he had survived a great calamity. He let out a long sigh and cupped his hands towards the youth with a smile, “Many thanks for saving my life, brother. May I ask your name?”
The youth paused for a moment, then said, “You can call me Yu Qi.”
He didn’t forget to introduce the big dog beside him: “His name is Er’niu.”
Seeing that the youth seemed a year or two older than himself, Jiang Zhan called him “Brother Yu Qi,” and then waved at the big dog: “Hello, Er’niu.”
The big dog gave Jiang Zhan a disdainful look and turned its head away.
To be looked down upon by a dog! Just because he mistook it for a “horse-face”—the little beast was still holding a grudge!
Jiang Zhan snorted and asked Yu Qi, “Where does Brother Yu Qi live? This little brother will surely visit to properly thank you another day.”
If Yu Qi wanted to do a good deed without leaving his name and firmly refused to reveal his address, then he would have to pester him.
He, Jiang Zhan, was not someone who didn’t repay kindness.
“I live in Sparrow Alley. The house with a crooked jujube tree in front is mine.”
Jiang Zhan started to feel dejected again.
Why didn’t his lifesaver follow the script from novels?
“What a coincidence, Sparrow Alley is not far from my home. This little brother’s surname is Jiang, given name Zhan. I live in Elm Money Alley, not far from Sparrow Alley. I’m the second grandson of the Earl of Dongping’s family.”
“Jiang Zhan,” Yu Qi repeated with a smile.
“Yes, yes, that’s right, Jiang Zhan.” Jiang Zhan felt his scalp tingle as he heard the youth pronounce his name in that rich, clear voice.
Damn, where did this bewitching creature come from? Even his voice was too pleasant to hear. He was a man, and it still made his heart flutter.
“Woof—”
Jiang Zhan’s face darkened as he locked eyes with the big dog, his mouth twitching.
What a mood-killer, this little beast.
The big dog turned its head away disdainfully.
“Brother Yu Qi, I still have some matters to attend to, so I need to rush back. Once I’ve taken care of everything, I’ll come find you immediately, alright?” Jiang Zhan said hastily.
“Alright.” Yu Qi nodded, his response succinct as always.
“When are you usually at home, Brother Yu Qi?” Jiang Zhan asked, tentatively.
The corners of Yu Qi’s lips curved slightly. “I’m always available.”
No, this won’t do. If this conversation continues, he might start doubting himself. After thanking him once more, Jiang Zhan hurried back to the Earl of Dongping’s Estate.
In Haitang Residence, the courtyard was shaded by lush foliage, and the incessant chirping of cicadas echoed from hidden nooks.
Jiang Si leaned against a crabapple tree, holding a book, but her attention was elsewhere.
Why isn’t Second Brother back yet? Could something have gone wrong?
“Young Miss, Second Young Master has arrived,” Ah-Qiao announced as she opened the courtyard gate, leading Jiang Zhan over.
“Fourth Sister—”
Jiang Si shook her head, stopping Jiang Zhan from saying more. “Let’s talk inside.”
The moment they entered the room, Jiang Zhan plopped down onto a chair and, without the slightest formality, said to Ah-Qiao, “Quickly, bring me a cup of tea to calm my nerves.”
Ah-Qiao glanced at Jiang Si.
Seeing Jiang Si give a slight nod, Ah-Qiao promptly went to prepare tea and quickly returned with a cup.
Jiang Si gestured for Ah-Qiao to wait outside, then patiently observed Jiang Zhan gulp down half of the tea before asking, “What happened, Second Brother?”
Placing the teacup heavily on the table, Jiang Zhan took out a handkerchief and carelessly wiped the corner of his mouth before sighing deeply. “Fourth Sister, you hit the nail on the head! Someone did show up to retrieve the Bamboo Scroll in that alley.”
Jiang Si frowned. “Didn’t you leave immediately after putting it there?”
As expected, he’s an unreliable brother.
Jiang Zhan laughed awkwardly. “I was curious to see if anyone would show up, that’s all.”
“And what happened after?”
“Someone came and took the scroll. But before I could leave, another person arrived!”
“Another one? Did he see you?” Jiang Si’s voice tightened with anxiety.
“Of course not!” Jiang Zhan denied it reflexively. But when he met Jiang Si’s probing gaze, he had to admit sheepishly, “He saw me. Not only that, but he even tried to kill me.”
“How did you escape?” Jiang Si asked, her heart pounding.
Jiang Zhan drained the remaining tea in his cup, resisting the urge to embellish his story. “It all happened in a flash—someone else arrived on the scene!”
Jiang Si: “……”
With a brother this unreliable, she was truly at her wits’ end.