I Faked My Death After Choosing the Wrong Protagonist - Chapter 7

The youth looked at him and shook his head.

“I don’t want your things.”

“Hmm?” Shen Qingzhuo was puzzled.

If he hadn’t seen the way Qi Ye was looking at him without a hint of annoyance, he truly would have thought the protagonist disliked him.

Qi Ye added, “This is for your cultivation.”

Shen Qingzhuo finally understood.

“You overheard what they said?” Shen Qingzhuo’s brow arched. “This herb isn’t that important to me. If I am meant to break through, I can do it without this. One shouldn’t force what isn’t meant to be. But you, you are different.”

He believed that someone who had once stood at the peak only to fall would want to return to that position more than anyone else. He watched Qi Ye, hoping the boy would reconsider.

After a long pause, Qi Ye finally tucked the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass back into his robes.

That’s more like it, Shen Qingzhuo thought, pleased that the boy had stopped refusing him.

“Master Qi has likely gone far by now. Do you still need to return?” Shen Qingzhuo asked, taking advantage of the youth’s softened guard to press further.

The youth looked at him and shook his head. “I am not close with him.”

This answer didn’t surprise Shen Qingzhuo. He didn’t care about Qi Ye’s relationship with the rest of the Qi family. Instead, he suggested, “That’s perfect then. Let’s head out and look around. You probably didn’t eat much earlier shall we find something to eat?”

He made the first move to turn away, then looked back at the boy with a smile.

Remembering that the youth had given his outer robe to Qi Anning, Shen Qingzhuo noticed his thin attire. “Are you cold? I’m wearing quite a few layers; why don’t you wear my outer robe?”

As he spoke, he immediately began to unfasten his outer garment.

Shen Qingzhuo was dressed in a somewhat formal set of navy-blue robes with cloud patterns on the wide sleeves. He wore no jewelry, but the man himself was so striking that accessories would have been redundant.

The youth, who had previously been focused only on Shen Qingzhuo’s eyes, now had a chance to take in the full picture. Compared to the loose, pale clothes Shen Qingzhuo had worn during their first meeting, this well-tailored outfit highlighted his graceful physique. Standing there, he exuded a nobility that surpassed any scenery Qi Ye had ever witnessed.

How could someone as lowly as himself take the clothes of such a noble person? If he did that, how would he be any different from Qi Anning?

Seeing that Shen Qingzhuo was truly about to take the robe off, the youth didn’t stop to think and shook his head hurriedly.

Shen Qingzhuo eyed him skeptically. “Are you sure?”

Qi Ye’s gaze was steady. “I am not afraid of the cold.”

Shen Qingzhuo stared at him for a moment before giving up on the idea. When Qi Anning had asked for his clothes, he wouldn’t have given them even if Qi Ye hadn’t intervened. But with Qi Ye, he didn’t mind the thought of parting with an outer robe.

He figured it was simply because the boy was the protagonist, and his sole mission in this world revolved around him.

They had left the immediate jurisdiction of the Imperial City, but they were still within Cloud City. Shen Qingzhuo was clearly unfamiliar with the area, and from the youth’s behavior, it seemed he rarely came out and wasn’t well-acquainted with the city either.

As they walked down the street, they attracted a massive amount of attention. At first, the townspeople didn’t recognize Shen Qingzhuo; they simply thought he was an extraordinarily noble individual. But they knew Qi Ye. When someone finally whispered Shen Qingzhuo’s name, the realization dawned on the crowd. They stopped paying attention to Qi Ye entirely, their gazes fixed solely on Shen Qingzhuo.

Most of them were commoners who didn’t understand the intricacies of cultivation and lacked the money for profound stones or pills, but they still worshipped power. Furthermore, the fact that the Qi family neglected this son was no secret in Cloud City.

Knowing who the man beside Qi Ye was, they felt that Young Master Shen was a sacred, untouchable being. To them, Qi Ye was no different from a commoner, how could he be worthy of walking beside the Young Master?

The passersby gossiped incessantly. In the past, Qi Ye wouldn’t have cared about these whispers. Today, however, he found them exceptionally noisy. He couldn’t help but glance at Shen Qingzhuo, observing his every emotion. When he saw Shen Qingzhuo frown, his own brow furrowed in frustration.

Shen Qingzhuo clearly has better options; how could he truly marry me? Despite knowing the logical outcome, Qi Ye couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

Hearing the idle chatter, Shen Qingzhuo worried that the protagonist might misunderstand him. He turned back and saw the boy’s gloomy face.

Shen Qingzhuo made a bold move. He stopped abruptly and, as if to prove their relationship to the onlookers, reached out with a natural motion and took the youth’s hand.

The gossiping crowd fell into a stunned silence. It was as if they had witnessed something impossible; some stood with their mouths hanging open.

Young Master Shen, actually took the initiative to hold Qi Ye’s hand!

Could this marriage actually be mutual? Was it not just Qi Ye being a persistent pest? How much did they truly not know?

Qi Ye’s state was no better than the crowds. He jumped at Shen Qingzhuo’s touch and turned his head in disbelief; his dark eyes filled with shock. He looked at Shen Qingzhuo, then looked down at their joined hands or rather, at Shen Qingzhuo’s hand gripping his own.

Shen Qingzhuo’s hand was fairer, slender and elegant, with every knuckle perfectly formed. His grip felt gentle and warm. By contrast, Qi Ye’s own hand felt icy, thin, and ugly.

Taking in the youth’s astonishment, Shen Qingzhuo pointed to a noodle shop ahead. “Let’s go there.”

The shop owner came out to greet them enthusiastically. Qi Ye, still reeling from the dreamlike moment, allowed himself to be pulled into a seat. He sat staring at Shen Qingzhuo, dazed even after several minutes had passed.

“You don’t want noodles?” Shen Qingzhuo asked. “We can change places.”

Qi Ye shook his head quickly. He realized he had never been this out of control of his own reactions.

People truly are greedy and enamored with beauty, he thought. It was undeniable that Shen Qingzhuo was strikingly handsome more beautiful than anyone he had ever seen, more so than the mountains or the earth itself.

He was also very kind. At their first meeting, Qi Ye thought he was like the moon in the sky or an immortal in the water distant and untouchable. But later, Shen Qingzhuo had taken the initiative to approach him.

When the noodles arrived, Qi Ye picked up his chopsticks but didn’t start eating, instead watching Shen Qingzhuo. This man, whose every glance and smile could sway Qi Ye’s heart, moved with an extreme elegance even while eating, as if he were enjoying a rare delicacy.

Yet, noodles from a street stall were the most ordinary of foods, far inferior to the palace banquet. Why was Shen Qingzhuo willing to eat them with him?

Qi Ye’s emotions were too obvious; Shen Qingzhuo caught them with a single glance. He stopped eating and looked at the boy with clear, beautiful eyes.

“Is something wrong?”

Qi Ye shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

He lowered his gaze, realizing he had been too impulsive. Such a stare toward someone he had only met twice could be considered rude. To cover his embarrassment, he gripped his chopsticks properly and took a bite of noodles.

Fearing he might lose control again or do something disrespectful, Qi Ye kept his head down for the rest of the meal. The bowl of noodles, which actually tasted quite good, felt flavorless in his mouth.

His nerves were taut. He thought that as long as he didn’t look at Shen Qingzhuo, he wouldn’t reveal his inner turmoil. He was unaware that Shen Qingzhuo had already finished eating, wiped his mouth, and was watching him with an amused look.

By the time Qi Ye finished his bowl, his cheeks were flushed, and his ears were as red as blooming flowers. He carefully set down his chopsticks. I’ve finished eating; surely, it’s okay to look at him once more?

He slowly raised his gaze, but his body felt as heavy as lead stiff and difficult to control. He felt like a thief trying to steal a glimpse of a noble beauty. From across the table, he first saw a patch of navy blue, then moved up to see a fair, softly curved jawline. Further up were the lips he remembered always touched with a smile.

He’s still smiling; he isn’t angry. This meant Shen Qingzhuo was in a good mood. A thousand scattered thoughts raced through Qi Ye’s mind, but in his lack of confidence, he chose to believe in that possibility.

Suddenly, the boy’s secret observation was interrupted by a jolt of surprise. Why is he smiling? What is he doing?

Qi Ye stopped sneaking glances and looked up fully. He saw that Shen Qingzhuo had long since set his bowl aside and was resting his chin on his hands, watching him with a warm, playful grin.

Even after being caught, Shen Qingzhuo showed no embarrassment. He met Qi Ye’s gaze openly. Instead, it was Qi Ye who looked like a well-behaved child who had been caught doing something wrong.

“You, why are you looking at me?” Qi Ye’s teeth chattered slightly; his voice was unsteady.

His face felt even hotter, and he wished he could find a hole to crawl into. Yet his body was honest; even in his embarrassment, he didn’t want to look away from Shen Qingzhuo for a single second.

Shen Qingzhuo replied teasingly, “Hmm? Weren’t you the one looking at me?”

“I…” Qi Ye was so flushed he couldn’t speak. It was true. “I’m sorry,” he whispered after a long pause, lowering his head.

Now he truly didn’t dare to look at Shen Qingzhuo. He didn’t know what to do or say; he sat there as stiff as a block of wood.

Shen Qingzhuo had intended to tease him further, but seeing the boy so painfully shy, he decided to stop. He didn’t want to push him so far that he’d be afraid to see him again.

“Are you full?” he asked.

Qi Ye dazed for a moment before realizing Shen Qingzhuo was talking to him. He nodded. “I’m full.”

Shen Qingzhuo stood up, his wide sleeves stirring a graceful breeze. His posture was effortless and dignified. “Let’s go then. I’ll go pay.”

“No.”

As he turned, he heard the youth’s voice call out urgently.

“I’ll do it,” Qi Ye insisted.

Shen Qingzhuo turned back to see a look of absolute determination in the boy’s eyes. He looked as if he wouldn’t leave if Shen Qingzhuo didn’t agree, though his eyes also betrayed a hint of panic, fearing a rejection.

Shen Qingzhuo smiled. “Alright. But next time we eat together, it’s my treat.”

Qi Ye froze once more.

There,  can be a next time?

Two bowls of noodles didn’t cost much. While cultivators mostly used profound stones as currency, silver was still used among commoners. Qi Ye didn’t have much money, nor did he have stones or crystals, he had never cared about such things before. After a thorough search of his person, he finally found enough to pay.

As he did, a thought weighed heavily on his mind: Where will Shen Qingzhuo take me next? Or is this where we part ways?