Chapter 3, Gifts

I can imagine the tragic fate of the original owner of that wandering soul

I am not a member of the Qingtian Marquis Mansion, but rather a person fostered and trained by Liu Qin in the Qingtian Marquis Mansion

"Lin Qiuxiao, you are also drunk," I said calmly. "You often walk outside, you should find a few women to pass the time."

I experienced a momentary lapse in thought

Then, I asked him to help inquire about Liu Qin's news

Xiao Ge had never seen me drink alcohol, let alone get drunk. She stared wide-eyed until Lin Qiuxiao asked her to fetch water for washing her face, and only then did she run off as if she had suddenly realized something

The spicy liquor lingers on the tip of the tongue, refusing to dissipate, and as it flows down the throat, it does not resemble alcohol; rather, it feels like fire, a blazing inferno that scorches the esophagus all the way to the depths of the lungs

Lin Qiuxiao smiled and said: "From now on, you have become quiet, but you have also become lonely"

I like this sword, yet I cannot help but sigh: "Qiu Xiao, is killing fun?"

If every time I return, there could be a few jars of strong liquor and several bowls of hot dishes waiting for me, I would feel much more at ease in my heart, Lin Qiuxiao said to me.

I once sought them out. But I found them to be very dirty, their minds filled with the cold silhouette of you walking by. Lin Qiuxiao smiled bitterly

Is this my illusion

He suddenly leaned down and quickly kissed my forehead as I gazed at him with my dazed eyes

I sighed, poured the tea from the cup onto the ground, picked up Lin Qiuxiao's wine jar, filled half a cup with wine, and took a gentle sip

I remain silent

My martial arts skills are already among the best, yet I have never killed anyone

Lin Qiuxiao said that this sword is suitable for me, but not for the person who originally wielded it. Therefore, he used his own Duanlang sword to allow Liupuo to change its master

I lay down on the bed, allowing Lin Qiuxiao to help me take off my shoes, murmuring: "I am Su Ying, but who is Su Ying?"

Just friends

I lowered my head and took a glance; half a cup of wine remained untouched, yet my mind was indeed starting to feel dizzy. Moreover, have I perhaps said too much?

"Now, please understand clearly, I am a man." I looked at him coldly, my hand tightly gripping the sword at my side: "I hope today is just a result of your drunkenness, as I am also drunk."

I believe it is due to Liu Qin

Lin Qiuxiao looked at me in surprise

Xiao Ge was momentarily taken aback

He used to come to my room often, and would sometimes stay for a long time. Although I would usually just sit quietly reading and pay no attention to his incessant chatter, I had never expressed any dislike, nor had I ever asked him to leave.

According to my original thoughts, this Liu Qin, being able to associate with the Qingtian Marquisate, must not be an ordinary person; most likely, they also possess martial skills. However, Lin Qiuxiao has inquired for half a year and surprisingly has not uncovered any clues.

Lin Qiuxiao is different from others; regardless of whether I listen or not, he always talks to me. Moreover, every time he goes on a mission, he brings back some gifts for me. Sometimes it is a teapot, sometimes a few ounces of fine tea leaves, and sometimes a sword

I have never had friends, except for Lin Qiuxiao

This person can be considered quite thoughtful. He can see that I am only interested in tea and martial arts, and since I never go out on missions, I have never received any extra rewards. My tea and sword are the most ordinary in the residence. However, since Lin Qiuxiao went on a mission, I have changed my teapot three times; the one I am currently using is the finest Yixing purple clay teapot. I have dozens of types of tea on hand; I have changed my treasured sword five times, and the current one, named Liu Po, has a very cool and clear sword light, moving as if it were flowing with moonlight.

Young master, the water is ready, I have come to wash your face. Little Ge has already brought in the basin of water and is wiping my face with a wet cloth

I paused for a moment longer with the cold, damp cloth on my cheek before saying, "Xiao Ge, see the guests off"

Am I to continue waiting like this? Waiting hopelessly forever?

I turned to my side, lying face down, no longer paying attention to Lin Qiuxiao, nor did I instruct Xiao Ge to sing a second time

Su Ying... Lin Qiuxiao gazed at me, her striking black eyes seemed to sway as if shrouded in a layer of mist, and then she said: "Su Ying is the person Lin Qiuxiao cares about the most"

He may be the only friend I have in this world

This is my lot. Behind Lin Qiuxiao's cynical smile lies a hint of desolation: "It is also my fate, from which I cannot escape"

But the next time he comes back, I will have Xiao Ge prepare a few hot dishes, and the wine will have been purchased in advance

Therefore, in the future, I must be responsible for Liu Qin, but I do not have to be accountable to the Qingtian Houfu

He drinks wine while I savor tea, a routine that has already been established

I continued to drink, ignoring Lin Qiuxiao's piercing gaze, and said: "I am very afraid, truly very afraid. Even during the day, I have a sense of emptiness, as if the world in which I exist could disappear at any moment, leaving only me, having forgotten everything, drifting like a wandering soul."

"Not fun at all, not fun in the slightest," Lin Qiuxiao replied. "Su Ying, do you know how envious I am of you for not having to kill anyone? Do you know how awful it feels after each killing? I often dream of those people with their eyes wide open at the moment of death, swaying back and forth, unable to distinguish who is who, it's driving me almost insane"

I understand. But Su Ying, rest assured, you will not be broken anymore; you still have me. Lin Qiuxiao supported me and escorted me to the room

Xiao Ge hesitated for a moment, then said: "Young Master Lin, please go ahead."

Are you still killing people

It seems that my alcohol tolerance and Lin Qiuxiao have taken two extreme paths

The lips are warm and soft, carrying a slight moisture

Lin Qiuxiao no longer drinks alcohol; he threw away the wine jar, came over to support me, and said: "Su Ying, you are drunk"

Su Ying, do you know that your broken and ethereal ghost-like aura is the most heart-wrenching? It makes one want to reach out and grasp your soul, your spirit. I am certain that I am not hearing things; Lin Qiuxiao is still leaning forward, speaking to me with such clarity and sadness, devoid of the brilliant smile from before, and absent of the nonchalance that followed that smile

I helplessly said: "Qiu Xiao, do you know that the feeling of missing a segment of memory is truly unpleasant? When I suddenly wake up in the middle of the night, my mind will suddenly ask myself, who am I? If I can't recall it for a moment, I will panic and be drenched in sweat, as if my memory has been completely devoured once again"

I said with a bitter smile: "Perhaps... perhaps I am drunk. But even when drunk, I still cannot see Liu Qin. Do you know that only Liu Qin can connect my past and present, allowing me to no longer feel that terrifying sense of fragmentation? He seems to be my past, bringing me a warm hope."

I still do not answer