The Prime Minister Becomes a Global Sensation After Transmigrating into a Pariah - Chapter 21

They had assumed it was still early, but they soon spotted red smoke rising in the distance. The “Bus Boutique” was scheduled to open for the second time at 7:00 PM. It was currently 6:30 PM; although it was autumn, the sun sets late in the south, so it was still light enough for them to make their way there.

However, a new problem had surfaced: Lou Yishu’s foot was injured, and they had no crutches.

“I’ll go find a piece of bamboo to use as a cane,” Lou Yishu suggested.

But when he turned to look at Qiao Yuxi, he found the man’s eyes lazily half-lidded, staring at him with an expression that suggested he was looking at an idiot.

“Wh… what is it?” Lou Yishu couldn’t help himself; he let out a laugh. “Don’t look at me with that face, it’s hilarious, hahaha.”

Qiao Yuxi was momentarily speechless. “What do you mean ‘what is it’? I’m just waiting to see how long it takes you to figure it out.”

With that, he peeled off his tactical jacket, tossed it to Lou Yishu, and crouched down in front of him.

“Hold this for me, then get on.”

Lou Yishu hesitated. Although he didn’t look heavy, he was still a 183cm (approx. 6’0″) tall man. He asked doubtfully, “Are you,  capable?”

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? Who are you calling incapable?” Qiao Yuxi bristled instantly, reaching back to grab Lou Yishu’s sleeves. “Hurry up, or I’m leaving you here to rot.”

“Alright, alright.” Lou Yishu draped Qiao Yuxi’s jacket over himself and leaned onto his back.

The warmth of Qiao Yuxi’s body brought a strange sense of security. Lou Yishu hooked his arms around the other man’s neck and was lifted up, seeing the world from a higher, further perspective.

“Will you get tired?”

“No.”

“I’m actually quite heavy.”

“You’re not.”

“Can you keep going?”

“Ask one more time and I’m dropping you.”

They left the woods and reached the edge of the isolated island. Before them lay a stretch of beach where the azure sea surged in overlapping layers. The roar of the waves was enough to make any tiny human marvel at the power of nature. The setting sun stretched their shadows out long across the sand.

Qiao Yuxi recalled the eerie scene when he had rescued Lou Yishu earlier. The man had been floating in the turbulent river, and despite having just fallen in, his demeanor had been hauntingly serene. He hadn’t thrashed about; it was as if he were quietly waiting for death.

Qiao Yuxi asked, sounding casual, “Are you afraid of water?”

“Yes.” Qiao Yuxi felt a slight vibration against his back the result of Lou Yishu’s chest being pressed close to him.

“Why?” he pressed.

Lou Yishu hesitated. This was his experience, not the original Lou Qingtai’s. But finally, he spoke: “I’ve drowned before.”

“And you didn’t even call out to me? That’s too dangerous.”

Lou Yishu paused. Ever since his coming-of-age ceremony, he had been thrust into the imperial court. His parents had promptly run off to travel the Jiangnan region, leaving him alone to manage the family estate. He simply wasn’t in the habit of asking for help.

“But didn’t you say… cough… that you were ‘strong on the outside but weak on the inside’ and feeling unwell?”

“I…!” Qiao Yuxi was truly defeated by Lou Yishu’s logic. That was just a random excuse he’d used to brush off Su’er, and this guy had actually taken it seriously.

To make matters worse, Lou Yishu added a final blow: “Are you tired now? Why don’t you put me down?” His tone suggested: I know you’re too embarrassed to admit it, it’s okay, I understand, so I’ll be the one to suggest it.

This nearly sent Qiao Yuxi over the edge. Gripping Lou Yishu tight, he sprinted toward the shoreline. “I’m exhausted! In a second, I’m going to launch you out like a projectile!”

As a wave crashed toward them, Qiao Yuxi made a sudden motion as if to buck him off. Lou Yishu’s arms tightened into a death grip around Qiao Yuxi’s neck. He laughed, repeatedly begging for mercy: “Don’t! Don’t! My mistake! I was wrong!”