After My System Went Bankrupt, I Found My Happy Ending with the General - Chapter 28

Liang Jue, dressed in casual attire, was standing at the entrance of the restaurant giving instructions to the waiter. Hearing the voice, he looked up and, recognizing Luo Chuchen, smiled warmly. “Where have you been?”

Luo Chuchen raised the scroll in his hand. “I went to fetch a painting from my senior brother.”

Liang Jue tilted his head slightly, gazing up at Luo Chuchen in the carriage. The evening sun cast a slanting, golden light from the end of the street, leaving only a faint trace along Liang Jue’s jawline. The sight stirred something in Luo Chuchen’s heart, and he couldn’t help calling out, “Brother Jue.”

But once the words were out, he found himself at a loss for what to say next. After a brief hesitation, he asked, “Are you meeting someone at the restaurant?”

“A few colleagues,” Liang Jue replied.

Luo Chuchen, curious, inquired, “The same ones I met last time?”

Liang Jue nodded, then shook his head. “And more.”

“Oh.” Luo Chuchen awkwardly rubbed his nose, abandoning any thought of joining them.

As he lowered his hand, he could feel Liang Jue’s gaze lingering on his face. Uncomfortable, he fanned himself lightly.

Liang Jue remarked, “Why is your face so red?”

“Is it?” Luo Chuchen touched his cheek and realized it was indeed warm. He shrugged it off. “Must be from the wind on the way back from my senior brother’s place. I thought I’d cooled down by now.”

Liang Jue’s expression darkened slightly. After a pause, he asked, “Is it the same senior brother you mentioned last time, the one who helped you identify the counterfeit?”

“Yes, he has the original of that counterfeit and offered to take me to see it. He even took leave from the Imperial College specially,” Luo Chuchen explained gratefully.

“I see.” Liang Jue seemed to want to ask more.

“My senior brother’s home is so interesting!” Luo Chuchen beamed, leaning so far out of the carriage window he nearly toppled out, eager to share every detail. “What a shame you already have plans. Otherwise, I could tell you all about it.”

Liang Jue stepped forward, steadying Luo Chuchen’s elbow to prevent a fall. “Get back inside. There’s no hurry.”

“You’re right,” Luo Chuchen obediently retreated a little.

Just as he was about to say more, a voice came from behind Liang Jue. “What are you two chatting about out here? Why not go inside?”

It was Advisor Nie You, followed by five or six unfamiliar men clad in military armor, their foreheads glistening with sweat. They all looked at the pair with curiosity.

“General, Marquis,” Nie You greeted them with a cheerful smile.

Luo Chuchen glanced behind them and asked, “Are the Fang brothers not coming?”

“They’ll be here shortly,” Nie You replied. “But, Marquis, did you happen to run into our General, or did you come looking for him?”

Luo Chuchen waved a hand dismissively. “Just a chance encounter.”

Nie You’s smile didn’t waver as he extended an invitation. “Would you care to join us, Marquis? The General reserved several tables at the restaurant the food is bound to be excellent.”

Luo Chuchen glanced at Liang Jue, who remained silent beside him. Part of him wanted to stay, but he felt a little awkward.

“Never mind. He needs to study,” Liang Jue interjected. “The Imperial College exams are in a few days. Let’s not distract him.”

That excuse again.

Earlier, when Min Ziyu used the same reason to decline his parents’ invitation, Luo Chuchen had felt a wave of relief.

Now, even though he himself was hesitating, hearing Liang Jue make the decision so firmly left him inexplicably displeased.

Without even asking him, he had declined on his behalf clearly, he hadn’t considered letting him stay for the meal.

Was he, a marquis, somehow unfit to be seen in public?

Luo Chuchen’s thoughts spiraled into a dead end, and his anger flared up instantly.

Nie You suddenly understood. “Ah, I see. My apologies for the presumption.”

Luo Chuchen snorted. “It’s nothing. Since the general has already made the decision, I’ll take my leave now. We can gather another time.”

With that, he turned to the coachman and said, “Let’s go.”

The carriage moved forward, but the window remained open. Luo Chuchen sat by the window, leaning slightly, his gaze drifting back intentionally or unintentionally.

Liang Jue stood where he was, making no further movements. Nie You, no longer as formal as he had been in Luo Chuchen’s presence, playfully nudged Liang Jue with his elbow, seemingly teasing him about something.

A few other colleagues leaned over to ask questions, and Nie You turned back, vividly recounting something. Then, Liang Jue raised his hand and gave Nie You a sharp rap on the head.

Nie You winced in pain and stopped his antics.

Only when they were almost out of sight did Luo Chuchen snap back to reality, meeting Shechuan’s puzzled gaze.

Luo Chuchen: “…”

Truth be told, his exam preparations were nearly complete. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had the leisure to come out to fetch the painting. If he had stayed for a meal, there would have been plenty of time.

On the other hand, Liang Jue had accompanied him through most of his study sessions. So, Liang Jue should have been well aware of his progress.

Then why had he declined on his behalf?!

Unable to hold back his frustration, Luo Chuchen asked Shechuan, “Shechuan, do you think I’m presentable?”

Shechuan was taken aback. “Huh? Young master, what do you mean by ‘presentable’?”

Noticing Luo Chuchen’s sour expression, he cautiously ventured, “Young master, you’re a marquis. ‘Presentable’ is a term used for objects, how can you describe yourself that way?”

Luo Chuchen rephrased his question. “Then, do you think my status is respectable?”

Shechuan smiled. “Young master, as I said earlier, the title of Marquis of Pingyang is more than respectable! Besides, our young master is dashingly handsome, with looks that anyone would admire! On top of that, our young master is eloquent, skilled in painting, and highly learned. No matter how you look at it, you are exceptionally respectable!”

“Thank you, thank you. You’re laying it on a bit thick.” Luo Chuchen gave Shechuan a slight bow.

Though he knew Shechuan was just flattering him, hearing all that still boosted his confidence.

Indeed, he was a young marquis. Compared to Liang Jue, a general, he wasn’t that far behind. If Liang Jue hadn’t let him stay, there must have been other concerns holding him back.

Ah, well, this marquis will reluctantly wait for Liang Jue to come and explain himself tonight.

With that thought, Luo Chuchen waited until midnight, but Liang Jue never showed up.

Outwardly, he continued studying, which made Shechuan worry. Every so often, Shechuan would come in to refill the tea, trim the candles, or grind ink. Seeing how late it had gotten, he couldn’t help but urge, “Young master, you should rest early. There are still several days until the exam no need to rush like this. It’s not good to strain your health.”

Luo Chuchen stubbornly insisted, “I’ll finish this section.”

Shechuan glanced at the text and said, puzzled, “Didn’t Young Master Jue explain this section just a few days ago? Have you already forgotten, young master?”

Luo Chuchen hadn’t expected Shechuan to have such a good memory and felt a bit embarrassed. He shot him a glance and insisted stubbornly, “I just want to look a little longer.”

Shechuan smiled. “When Young Master Jue comes tomorrow, we can ask him to tell it again.”

Luo Chuchen grumbled, “With his on-and-off attendance three days fishing and two days drying nets, who dares wait until tomorrow?”

Shechuan didn’t catch the sour note in Luo Chuchen’s tone and chuckled, earnestly explaining, “Hasn’t Young Master Jue only missed tonight? Perhaps he’s out drinking with colleagues. If he’s too drunk, he naturally can’t come. Tomorrow, I’ll make a trip to the General’s residence to ask.”

Hearing this, Luo Chuchen felt even more sulky but didn’t show it, staying silent.

Shechuan continued persuading, “Young Master, you should rest early. How about we go to the General’s residence together tomorrow? It seems there’s no court session tomorrow. Besides, I’ve noticed the guards at our gate haven’t been as strict lately. At worst, we can walk there it’s not too far anyway.”

Luo Chuchen thought it over and found the idea agreeable, finally nodding. “Alright.”

Though he had slept late, Luo Chuchen rose early the next day. He wrapped himself in a thick brocade robe, took his time selecting his most comfortable leather boots, then, holding a small hand warmer, spiritedly slipped out the back gate with Shechuan.

Just as Shechuan had said, the gatekeepers paid them little mind.

It had snowed again in the capital overnight, and deep snow still lay on the roads. Their thick-soled boots crunched with each step.

Luo Chuchen deliberately sought out snowy patches to tread on. At first, Shechuan hovered protectively nearby, but soon he couldn’t resist joining in the snow-stepping fun, and they made their way playing as they went.

Before long, they reached the General’s residence, where soldiers were already guarding the entrance.

Shechuan stepped forward first. He was a familiar face at the General’s gate, and from a distance, the soldier retracted the spear barring the way.

As they approached, Luo Chuchen presented his token. “Please announce us: Pingyang Hou Luo Chuchen requests an audience.”

The soldier glanced at the token and immediately smiled, saluting. “Your Lordship, please go right in. The General has instructed that you may move freely within the residence. A Ling, escort His Lordship.”

Luo Chuchen hadn’t expected this and paused in surprise before stepping inside.

The servant named A Ling walked ahead, bowing slightly. “The General returned quite late last night after drinking with colleagues and may not be awake yet.”

Still hungover? Luo Chuchen raised an eyebrow.

When they reached the door of Liang Jue’s bedroom, Heqi came forward to greet them, lowering his voice. “The General hasn’t risen yet, Your Lordship. Would you prefer to wait in the study?”

“No need.”

A mischievous idea suddenly sparked in Luo Chuchen’s mind. He raised a finger to his lips in a “shush” gesture to Heqi.

Then, turning, he scooped up a handful of snow from a tree branch in the small courtyard.

Heqi’s eyes widened in understanding, wanting to stop him but not daring to intervene. He could only watch as Luo Chuchen pushed the door open and tiptoed inside.

This was Luo Chuchen’s first time entering Liang Jue’s bedroom. Faint light filtered through the window paper, just enough to make out the simple, straightforward furnishings. The screen facing the door bore nothing but an ordinary landscape painting.

Luo Chuchen mused to himself that if he got the chance, he could paint a screen for Liang Jue he’d never painted one before.

Or perhaps he could start with a fan surface.

Approaching the bed, he could vaguely make out the silhouette of a figure beneath the covers.

Yet there was no unusual odor.

After all, it was a hangover. Luo Chuchen had expected a strong smell of alcohol, but surprisingly, the air carried almost no trace of it. Instead, the light, lingering scent of incense from Liang Jue’s body dominated the space.

Treading softly to the bedside, Luo Chuchen steeled himself, silently counting down three, two, one

In for a penny, in for a pound. He swiftly pulled back Liang Jue’s quilt and stuffed a handful of snow into what seemed to be the area of his neck.

“Ah!”

The world spun.

His outstretched wrist was abruptly seized. It all happened in what felt like a single second. With a heart-pounding sensation akin to being stalked by a hidden tiger, Luo Chuchen’s vision blurred before he could even react, and he was yanked down onto the bed.

The room was dimly lit, and Liang Jue’s bed was unusually hard, making Luo Chuchen grimace in pain as his back throbbed sharply. Hazily, he realized his wrist was still pinned to the bed, while his other hand was trapped beneath the weight of the other’s body.

Now, the faint scent of incense from Liang Jue enveloped him completely, and the bedding radiated warmth like a heated stove.

Damn, it seemed he was trapped.

Coming to his senses, Luo Chuchen felt his face flush hot with embarrassment. Struggling was futile, pinned as he was, so he could only stare wide-eyed at the blurry figure looming over him in the gloom.

Liang Jue let out a low hiss, sounding genuinely just awakened, his voice hoarse.

With one hand pressing down on Luo Chuchen’s wrist and his body hovering half above him, Liang Jue raised his other hand, hissing softly as he touched the icy snow on his neck.

A few stray flakes slipped through his fingers and landed on Luo Chuchen’s face, cold and chilling, which only made his cheeks feel even more scorching.

“You.” The deep voice, still laced with sleepiness and confusion, struck a muffled chord in Luo Chuchen’s heart.

Luo Chuchen: “…”

Thump, thump, thump.

That single word from Liang Jue seemed to flip some strange switch inside him. His heart raced like a nest of excited rabbits, thumping wildly and uncontrollably.

To make matters worse, the room was so quiet apart from the frantic drumming in his own chest, only Liang Jue’s steady breathing could be heard.

Luo Chuchen silently turned his head away, gazing out beyond the bed.

Regret.